T h e R e s p e c t e d S o u r c e
T H E C O M
LETTER
www.theletteronline.com
Newspaper Celebrates
20th Anniversary
by David Williams & Dave VanderPol
The first time David Williams saw a copy of THE
LETTER was when it debuted at the 1990 Pride
Picnic, held on the grounds of Louisville’s historic
Water Tower. The picnic was predecessor to the
current Kentuckiana Pride Festival. All the local
GLBT groups and vendors could fit comfortably
under a single large tent.
Williams’ notes that “It was a hot, bright day,
and one of the guys who'd put (the newspaper)
together looked like he was hung over behind a
large pair of sunglasses. We talked briefly. I told
him I might be interested in doing some writing. I
thumbed through the first issue quickly, threw it
in a plastic bag, and moved on.”
Sometimes from such small, boring moments
come enormous life changers. Little did Williams
know that he’d soon be writing one or two articles
(See “Anniversary”, continued on page 24)
The
cover
page of
our first
issue:
June
1990.
f o r G L B T N e w s S i n c e J U N E 1 9 9 0
M U N I T Y
VOLUME 21, ISSUE 6 • june 2010
2010 Kentuckiana Pride Newspaper Changes Name,
Festival June 18 & 19 Hosts Community Dinner
The masthead at the top of this page says it all:
you are holding in your hands your community
GLBT newspaper. With this, our 20th anniversary
issue, THE LETTER has become THE COMMUNITY
LETTER. You’ll find an explanation of the
newspaper’s name change in Executive Editor
Dave VanderPol’s RADICAL SERENITY column,
that beings on page 17.
Regardless of the reasons behind the name
change, readers, subscribers and advertisers
should remember that while this newspaper has
a new name, it has the same ownership it has
had for over five years and – most importantly –
has an even sharper
focus on what
matter’s most to it’s
The 2010 Kentuckiana Pride Festival (KPF), which owner: discovering,
includes performances by Taylor Dane and Crystal understanding and
Waters and numerous other local and regional serving the needs of
musical talent, once again begins with the Pride the GLBT community
Parade on Friday, June 18, with the main festival on and it’s allies.
the Belevdere starting at noon the following day. As reported
The parade will commence at 8:00pm, forming last month, in
on Market Street at Preston. It proceeds west on observance of its
20th anniversary,
Market to Floyd where it turns right (north) and
then left (west) onto Main Street. The parade ends THE COMMUNITY
at 5th and Main Streets, which is the entrance to the LETTER is hosting
Belvedere, which serves as the festival grounds. a catered dinner Nathan Hoskins
Pet owners are encouraged to bring their favorite which will feature an
pet to march in the Pride Parade. Please bring inspirational speaker.
The evening’s festivities will also inclusion the
everything you need to clean up after your pet. For
the safety and comfort of everyone, pets are not presentation of it’s Community Service Award to
permitted on the Belvedere during Friday Night Fest the Planning Committee of the recent DOWN &
and the Saturday Festival. DERBY gala that raised thousands of dollars to
The Pride Parade will be followed by Friday Night benefit the important work of the Wings Clinic and
Fest, which is a free event. the Louisville AIDS Walk.
Saturday’s festival begins at 12:00noon and The festivities will take place on Friday, June
admission is just $5.00 per person for a full day of 11 beginning at 7:30pm at Central Presbyterian
great entertainment. Church, 4th and Kentucky Streets, barely six
For more information, including a detailed blocks from the apartment building where the
schedule of all Pride Month events affiliated with first issue of the newspaper was produced.
KPF, see pages 13 - 16. Nathan Hoskins, who serves on the Board of
Directors of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, will
discuss “Peace, Love & Pride”. After coming out
(See “DINNER”, continued on page 24)
 It’s the
Experience! ®

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2 The COMMUNITY Letter www.theletteronline.com JUNE 2010
JUNE 2010 www.theletteronline.com The COMMUNITY Letter 3

THE COMMUNIT Y
www.theletteronline.com
Post Office Box 7842
Louisville, KY 40257
(502) 322-4632
Founded in June 1990 by
Jeffrey Goldsmith &
Humphrey Marshall
EXECUTIVE EDITOR/WEBMASTER
ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION:
Dave VanderPol: (502) 322-4632
editor@theletteronline.com
With an estimated readership of over 14,000,
THE LETTER is distributed throughout the
seven state region of Kentucky, Indiana,
Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois, & Missouri
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS
Rob Anderson
Cubbie Britches
Marie Davis
Bryan Gatewood
James Hensley
Christy Ikner
Eric Jost
Michael Kimmel
Bryn Marlow
George Morrison
Beth Ann Rubin
Brian Rzepczynski
David Williams
Dawn Wilson
Hazel Zimmerman
Publication of the name, photograph or
likeness of any person, organization, or
business in articles or advertising in
THE LETTER or on its companion
website is not to be construed as an
indication of the sexual orientation of
such person, organization or business.
THE LETTER assumes no
responsibility for unsolicited
materials submitted for publication.
THE LETTER reserves the right
to edit or reject any advertisement.
© 2010, The Letter News
All rights reserved.
JULY 2010 DEADLINES
Press releases and Regional
Calendar items must be received
no later than
Friday, June 11, 2010.
Advertising reservations must be
received no later than
Friday, June 18, 2010.
All items should be sent to
editor@theletteronline.com.
4 The COMMUNITY Letter www.theletteronline.com JUNE 2010
Masturbators & Lesbians Beware!
Christian Treatment Program Considers
Move To Clifton Neighborhood
On Friday, May 14th representatives
of the fundamentalist Christian
organization Teen Challenge met
with residents of Louisville’s Clifton
neighborhood to discuss moving one
of their many ministries to 1701 Payne
Street, a building that previously
housed a Salvation Army congregation.
Several community members in
attendance at the meeting, including
representatives of Louisville’s Fairness
Campaign, expressed concern about
the blatant anti-GLBT agenda taken by
the ministry.
Teen Challenge wants to move
Priscilla’s Place, a residential treatment
program for chemically dependent
women, from an overcrowded facility
on East Broadway to the Clifton site.
In existence since 2003, participants
take part in a six month program that
includes participation in support
groups and “discipleship training” (in
the Christian faith).
Teen Challenge, as stated in various
places on their Kentucky affiliate’s
website (www.teenchallengeky.com),
promotes their ant-gay agenda bundled
as part of their ministry to individuals –
mostly youth – struggling to overcome
alcoholism and drug addiction.
A press release posted last month
Student Non-Discrimination Act Introduced In U.S. Senate
With 22 of his colleagues signed on as
co-sponsors, on May 20, Sen. Al Franken
(Democrat – Minnesota) introduced
the Student Non-Discrimination
Act (SNDA) in the U.S. Senate. The
proposed legislation will ensure that all
students are valued and respected and
can learn in an environment free from
harassment and discrimination.
The Senate version is a companion
bill to H.R. 4530, introduced by Rep.
Jared Polis in the House early this year,
which would prohibit discrimination in
schools on the basis of sexual orientation
and gender identity/expression. Rep.
Polis’s bill currently has the support of
over 100 representatives.
Over 85% of GLBT students experience
harassment at school because of their
sexual orientation, and nearly 61% feel
unsafe at school because of their sexual
on the organization’s Kentucky
website, issued in response to a news
report about the organization’s attempt
to move to the Clifton neighborhood
(published in LEO newspaper),
vehemently denies being “anti-gay”
and states the ministry "does not
discriminate against applicants on the
basis of sexual orientation."
On a portion of the organization’s
website, which the press release stated
was outdated and has since been
removed, the following questions are
asked of women applying for admission
to Priscilla’s Place:
• Sexual orientation (applicants
are required to self-identify as being)
“Homosexual/Lesbian”, “Bisexual”,
“Transsexual” or “Heterosexual”.
• Have you ever engaged in
homosexual/lesbian activities? How
frequently?
• Do you consider yourself to be a
lesbian?
• Are you willing to recognize this
behavior/lifestyle as sinful and in
opposition to Biblical teaching?
• Are you willing to completely
abandon it?
• Are you willing to NOT dress in
men’s clothing while in the program?
• Are you willing to NOT correspond
orientation, according to a research
conducted by the Gay, Lesbian and
Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
The organization has stated that
Senator Al Franken
with anyone in which you have had a
lesbian relationship/encounter while
in the program?
The application then asks a series of
even more intensely personal questions
– presumably also asked of heterosexual
applicants -- regarding the practice of
masturbation:
• Do you masturbate?
• How often?
• Are you willing to abandon that
practice? If no, why not?
Teen Challenge does not receive
government funding. The organization
appears to be bankrolled mostly
by fundamentalist and evangelical
Protestant congregations, including
Southeast Christian Church, a Louisville
megachurch that boasts approximately
20,000 members.
Just before going to press, THE
COMMUNITY LETTER learned that
the strong pro-gay support within the
Clifton neighborhood has caused Teen
Challenge to consider moving Priscilla’s
Place to a “less hostile” (meaning
less gay-friendly) neighborhood in
Metro Louisville. No formal decision
regarding the move to Clifton was
posted on the organization’s website as
of the weekend prior to this issue going
to press.
harassment clearly affects students’
ability to learn. Nearly one-third of
GLBT students surveyed reported to
have missed a day of school during
the previous month because of feeling
unsafe – a figure five times higher than
a national sample of all students.
“It’s time that we extend the protections
of our nations’ civil right laws to lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender students
across the country,” Sen. Franken said.
“No student should be subjected to
the ridicule and physical violence that
LGBT students so often experience in
school. It’s time we demanded equal
treatment for all of our children under
the law.”
SNDA is endorsed by more than two
dozen education, civil rights, medical
and social justice organizations.
 PFLAG Group Established In Owensboro
The third largest city
in the Commonwealth
is the home of a new
chapter of Parents,
Families & Friends
of Lesbians & Gays
(PFLAG). The group
meets on the first
Sunday of each month
at 3:00pm at Trinity
Episcopal Church,
located at 720 Ford
Avenue.
PFLAG promotes the health and
well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender persons, their families
and friends through: support, to cope
with an adverse society; education, to
enlighten an ill-informed public; and
advocacy, to end discrimination and
to secure equal civil rights. Parents,
Families and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays provides opportunity for
GLBT- Focused Financial Seminars Offered
Too often the law is not on the
side of protecting the rights of GLBT
individuals, let alone lesbian and
gay couples or families headed by
same-sex partners. The inequities
in the law make it essential for both
single individuals and domestic
partners to take the necessary steps
to prepare for long-term financial
security.
Cooper Sinclair, a financial
representative with Northwestern
Mutual, is conducting two seminars
focusing specifically on financial
awareness and planning for the
GLBT community.
Illinois Group Hosts Breakfast Event
In addition to the legendary Pride
Month celebrations planned for Saint
Louis, across the river in Belleville,
Illinois community leaders are hosting
“Getting It All Straight” on Saturday,
June 19 at 9:30am. Described as a
“breakfast discussion”, the event
will take place at Saint Paul United
Church of Christ, 115 West “B” Street
(enter from “C” street).
The facilitated interactive
discussion will focus on the various
sexual minorities within the GLBT
community. The event promises to
be “an opportunity to learn about
the diversity” within the greater
gay community and provide a
forum for individuals to share about
JUNE 2010 www.theletteronline.com The COMMUNITY Letter
dialogue about
sexual orientation
and gender
identity, and acts
to create a society
that is healthy
and respectful of
human diversity.
In addition to
providing support
to families and
friends of LGBT
individuals, PFLAG also provides
a confidential, safe place for LGBT
persons to experience coming out
support.
For more information about the
Owensboro PFLAG chapter write
pflagowensboro@hotmail.com or call
(270) 929-1399. The group's postal
mailing address is Post Office Box
1044, Owensboro, KY 42302.
The first seminar is scheduled for
Thursday, June 10th at 7:00pm at
Metropolitan Community Church of
Louisville, 1432 Highland Avenue.
The second seminar will take place
on Thursday, July 15th at 7:00pm
at the Creative Workplace’s new
location, 1205 East Washington
Street, Suite 101.
For more information about these
free seminars, you may contact
Cooper at (502) 548-1203, or cooper.
sinclair@nmfn.com. Cooper’s
website address is nmfn.com/
coopersinclair.
themselves.
The discussion portion of the
event will be facilitated by “Blue”,
the executive director of the LGBT
Community Center of Metropolitan
St. Louis. She has been a queer
activist for 20 years and has facilitated
workshops, panels and discussions
locally and nationally. This event
is free and a light breakfast will be
provided. Reservations are required.
RSVP by writing arms4justice@yahoo.
com or calling (618) 719-1154.
Following the discussion, the 3rd
Annual Metro East Pride Festival
will take place in Belleville from 12:00
noon to 10:00pm.
5

Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays
Coming out? Don’t face it alone!
PFLAG is for more than just for parents,
families and friends. We’re also here for you!
SUPPORT EDUCATION ADVOCACY
We meet the Third Sunday of the month at 3:00pm at
First Lutheran Church, 417 East Broadway.
Use the west entrance closest to the alley.
Questions? Leave a confidential message and
one of our members will return your call.
(502) 329-0229.
10 The LeTTer
6 The COMMUNITY Letter www.theletteronline.com JUNE 2010
determining their sexual orientation was subjective and not regulated
by the prison system, although inmates were said to confirm their
homosexuality for their own safety. There were numerous reports of
violence against homosexual inmates, perpetrated by the wardens and
Louisville Therapist Resumes Column In July
by other inmates, but few inmates sought recourse through the prison
system.
After an absence of three questions from readers,
Homosexual men were hesitant to report incidents
years, THE COMMUNITY
against them
he has expressed hope
because of fear for
LETTER is excited to their physical well-being. Lesbian women weresubmitted
that questions subject
to sexual assault
welcome back popular as well as other physical attacks. Human
will include NGOs
rights broader
and government
Louisville therapist andentities agreed that brutality against homosexuals,
social, political, or cultural
primarily
author Dr. by private
Fred citizens, was widespread in the
Schloemer community.including
questions,
No laws protect
to its list of regular persons living with HIV/AIDS from discrimination.
suggestions for film or
Human rights
contributors NGOs reported
beginning severe stigma and discrimination against
book reviews, comments
this group. The ILO worked with the Ministry of Labor on a program to
with our July 2010 issue. on candidates, campaigns
reduce the stigma
Previously of HIV/AIDS in the workplace and
Schloemer’s and to assist employers
elections, or any other
YOUR PEACE OF MIND topic
in designing policies for workers with HIV/AIDS. Although health readers like to see
care
column focused solely on him address.
facilities were prepared to handle patients with HIV/AIDS, health care Questions
mental health
workers questions. such patients.
often neglected should be sent via e-mail
While he will continue to to FredSchloemer@aol.
Long-time activist Michael Dr. Petrelis
Fred Schloemer
reports stories the mainstream
welcome those types of com.
media choose to ignore. Michael has appeared on The O'Reilly Factor,
CNN, ABC News, and National Public Radio. He has been quoted
by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Raw Story, The
FedEx to begin offering same-sex
Chicago Tribune, The New Republic, and Stars & Stripes. You can
visit Michael Petelis' blog at: mpetrelis.blogspot.com.
www.TheLeTTeronLine.com
domestic partner benefits APriL 2009
[Reprinted with permission of Out & About Newspaper]
Employees of FedEx will be eligible Best Companies to Work For list, the
for same-sex domestic partner benefits publisher did not change its list after
beginning Jan. 1, 2012. The shipping giant being informed of the error by the Human
has more than 200,000 employees. Rights Campaign (HRC).
While the company has yet to hammer According to the annual Corporate
out many of the details, it has announced Equality Index published by the HRC,
the expansion of its benefits program companies that offer same-sex domestic
nonetheless. The Memphis-based shipper partner benefits experience a total
had been coming under pressure from financial impact of less than 1 percent of
GLBT and allied employees to expand its total benefits cost.
health-benefits package during an annual With much to gain and little to lose,
review process, which the company inclusive workplace policies are the
says are coming about due to improved trend.
revenues. Ninety-four percent of the companies
“Several of our employees have been rated in the 2010 CEI provide domestic-
asking for the benefit and, because we partner health coverage. Of these, 70
knew the economy has improved, we're percent offer domestic-partner benefits
able to expand our benefits," said Sandra to same- and different-sex employees,
Munoz, a company spokesperson. a three-percentage point increase from
The lack of same-sex domestic-partner/ the previous year. In 2003, less than half
spousal benefits landed the company in of the Fortune 500 (40 percent) offered
the news in 2007, when FedEx was pulled same-sex domestic-partner benefits. Five
from The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies years later that number jumped to 58
for Diversity list for not offering same-sex percent with more than eight out of 10 (83
domestic-partner benefits to everyone percent) of the Fortune 100 offering same-
on its payroll. Then, in early 2009, when sex domestic-partner benefits.
Fortune published its 100 Best Companies Twenty-two states, the District of
to Work For list that incorrectly stated the Columbia and more than 150 local
company offered same-sex domestic- governments make health benefits
partner benefits to all, the issue cropped available to public employees and their
up again. same-sex partners, according to HRC.
In both cases, the publications FedEx earned a score of 70 on the 2010
misunderstood FedEx's policy on CEI, losing points for not having same-sex
domestic-partner/spousal health benefits domestic-partner health benefits, among
because the company only offered them other criteria. Its competitor, UPS, scored
where it was legally required to (in 100. So making these benefits available
California) and to employees in its FedEx at FedEx 18 months from now—while
Office division (formerly FedEx Kinko’s). “certainly seems a little bit longer than
Those employees received same-sex it needs to be," said Daryl Herrschaft,
domestic-partner health benefits before director of the HRC Workplace Project
FedEx purchased Kinko’s in 2004. and editor of the CEI—is "still good
Once DiversityInc discovered the error, news. It's never too late … It's a giant
FedEx was cut from the list. step forward, and I hope it signals a
To qualify for the DiversityInc Top 50, all turn toward addressing equality in their
companies must offer same-sex domestic- workplace.”
partner/spousal health benefits. [This article Copyright 2010, Out &
But in the case of Fortune's 2009 100 About Newspaper. All rights reserved.]
 Mind Your Manners At The Pride Parade!
GLBT etiquette and manners expert
Steven Petrow offers the following
tips on marching manners as many of
our readers prepare to participate in
the various Pride Parades around the
region this summer.
Here are Petrow’s essentials for those
marching in a Pride Parade:
• Keep in step. Adjust your pace
to suit the people around you.
• Share your water and
sunscreen.
• Don't hog the camera if reporters
show up. If you must promote
your career, do it on your own
time.
• If you’re blowing a whistle, Steven Petrow
don’t do it in someone’s ear.
• Don't hold up the line to cruise Petrow is the author of five books,
someone on the sidelines – including The Essential Book of Gay
unless you're able to march and Manners & Etiquette (HarperCollins),
flirt at the same time. which is available in Louisville at
• On the topic of flirting: Feel Carmichael’s Bookstore.
free to flirt with police officers, Petrow offers insightful answers to
but don't prevent them from your "queeries" at his website, www.
protecting the public safety. gayandlesbianmanners.com, and in his
• Be gracious if someone wants nationally syndicated column.
to cross the street between
marchers.

Gay Superhero Comic Getting Attention

Controversial new comic
Spandex has been nominated
for an Eagle Award – the
comic industry’s equivalent
of the Oscars. The comic,
about a group of gay
superheroes, is nominated in
the category for Best British
Color Comic Book.
Spandex creator Martin
Eden commented on the
nomination: “I’m so proud
of my comic and I’m really
trying to do things that have
never been done in a comic
before.”
Issue Two of the comic
features a guest appearance
by Her Majesty herself, the
Queen, as a Buckingham
Palace burglary triggers
Spandex’s latest adventure.
Spandex is published as
an ongoing comic title, with
eventual book collections in
the pipeline. “The original
plan was to publish issue
one, and then work on a
bigger book,” says Martin.
Spandex, has readers not just
in the UK, but in Australia,
Russia, U.S.A. and Germany.

JUNE 2010 www.theletteronline.com The COMMUNITY Letter 7

20 Years Later
Reflections From A Seasoned Louisville Pastor
The first issue of this newspaper, dated
June 1990, included an interview of Rev.
Dee Dale, written by the late Marcelius
Haynes. With the headline “Getting
To Know Dee Dale”, the piece asked
the pastor of Metropolitan Community
Church of Louisville a handful of
questions about her experience in
serving the pastoral needs of the local
GLBT community, which has now
spanned more than 25 years.
I recently asked her the same
questions that were posed to her two
decades ago. What follows is our
conversation.
D.V.P.: Compared to when you were
interviewed back in 1990, are you
finding greater acceptance by straight
clergy, let alone within the GLBT
community?
Rev. Dee: As we moved into the
Highlands, our church and its ministry
became loved and accepted. Most of the clergy
in our area are very loving and accepting
colleagues… we participate strongly within
the Highland Community Ministries and
also Church Women United. I am currently
serving as 2nd Vice President of Church
Women United Louisville Unit.
D.V.P.: I understand that you were the
first (or one of the first) clergypersons in
8 The COMMUNITY Letter www.theletteronline.com JUNE 2010
by Dave VanderPol
families wanted their transgendered family
buried as the gender they lived. However,
we are now involved with better funeral
homes and I have experienced more (non
conservative) clergy willing to do services
for person who had HIV/AIDS. There
are definitely more loving and accepting
congregations now in comparisons to the
late 80’s and 90’s.
Rev. Dee Dale
Louisville to conduct funeral services for
persons Who had died from AIDS and
that many straight ministers (20 years
ago) refused to conduct their services.
Are straight clergy doing any better job
meeting the pastoral care needs of HIV-
positive persons now than they were At one of her congregation’s
back in 1990? many social events, Rev. Dee
Rev. Dee: In the past…in the 1980’s… was spotted all decked out to
very few clergy would do funeral services for
look like country music icon
homosexuals or transgendered. Some of the Dolly Parton.
funeral homes even showed disgust when
D.V.P.: Does the religious right --
including the ex-gay folks -- pose as
great a threat to gay equality now as
they did back in 1990?
Rev. Dee: This has not changed. This is
why ENDA is still struggling to get passed.
There are still a lot of people against same
sex marriage and childhood adoption (by
gays and lesbians).
D.V.P.: In your 1990 interview with
this publication, you were quoted as
Saying that the gay community is its
own worst enemy. Would you still hold
this to be true? Has anything changed
for the better, in terms of how our own
community treats its own members?
Rev. Dee: Our LGBT communities are a
lot more loving and accepting since the 90’s.
Part of that has been through the education
that has been shared with each group. This
had a lot to do with our organizations
working together for several years. Since
GLUE (Gays and Lesbians United for
Equality) ended, some of our younger LGBT
folks have a need for learning about our
different orientations. The transgendered
community is still experiencing life threats
and murders like we did back in the 90’s.
To some degree I feel we are still our own
worst enemies because we show intolerance
(CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE)
 (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8)
to facets of the community we do not
understand.
D.V.P.: Back when you were
interviewed in 1990, your message to
the gay community was, “continue to
grow in our diversity and quit being
so judgmental of others. Learn to love
yourself and then we as a community
can truly be holistically healthy.” Is
your message to the community any
different now that it was back then?
Rev. Dee: I feel the message needs to
remain the same. We have come a long way,
but we still have a long way to go.
Donated Hair Benefits Children With
Various Diseases
by Rob Anderson & Dave VanderPol
Landy Saavadra, a popular entertainer
at Louisville’s Connection bar complex,
left Cuba seven years ago to come to
America and start a new life. This major
life transition meant he had to leave
many members of his family behind.
Recently one of his uncles passed
away from cancer. Then the family
received news that an aunt was
diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer,
which is almost always incurable.
Landy looked at his aunt as a motherly
figure in his life. While speaking with
her on a video chat, she began to tell
him how much she wished she could
have beautiful long hair like his. Her
battle with cancer, including being
treated with chemotherapy, had caused
her to loose her hair.
Moved with compassion for his
beloved aunt, Landy decided to cut
his hair and send it to Locks of Love.
The organization accepts donations of
human hair to create wigs for children
and youth. Recipients of the wigs are
financially disadvantaged individuals,
age 21 and under, suffering from
long-term medical hair loss from any
diagnosis, including cancer.
Locks of Love is a non-profit
organization that meets a unique need
for children by using donated hair to
create high quality wigs, which help to
restore the recipient’s self-esteem and
confidence.
The Locks of Love website (www.
locksoflove.org), offers the following
information for individuals wishing to
donate their hair:
• Hair must measure at least
10 inches – tip to tip – to be
usable.
• Hair must be in a ponytail or
braid before it is cut.
• Hair must be clean and
completely dry before it is
mailed in.
JUNE 2010 www.theletteronline.com The COMMUNITY Letter
THE COMMUNITY LETTER
salutes Rev. Dee and her spouse, Judy
Dale, for their unwavering commitment
to meeting the spiritual needs of our
community. Their influence manifests
itself far beyond the boundaries of their
congregation, indeed throughout Metro
Louisville and worldwide through
the entire Metropolitan Community
Church denomination.
For more information about Rev.
Dee’s congregation, including service
times, see the listing for Metropolitan
Community Church of Louisville in our
INCLUSIVE FAITH COMMUNITIES
directory on page 11.
• Place the ponytail or braid
inside of a plastic bag, and then
inside of a padded envelope.
• To receive a personalized
thank-you card, fill out the
hair donation form (from the
website), or write your name and
address on a full size separate
sheet of paper and include
inside the envelope. Locks
of Love cannot acknowledge
donors who do not send their
name and address according to
these instructions.
• All hair donations must be
mailed to Locks of Love at 234
Southern Blvd., West Palm
Beach, FL 33405.
The next time you see Landy, THE
COMMUNITY LETTER encourages
you to affirm him for making a positive
difference by donating his hair. This is
a much more decent thing to do than
to spread rumors that he’s lost his hair
due to suffering from some serious
medical condition, as some community
members have chosen to do. So yes,
Landy’s health is excellent!
Landy Saavadra
9
 Lambda Legal Supports Supreme
Court Nomination
In response to last month’s nomination
of Elena Kagan, U.S. Solicitor General,
to the U.S. Supreme Court, Lambda
Legal says it is pleased with the Obama
Administration's efforts to increase
the representation of women on the
Court, and reissues its memorandum
outlining its principles for selecting
federal judges.
The New York City-born Kagan is
a former Harvard Law School dean
who, earlier in her career, served as law
clerk for Justice Thurgood Marshall. At
Harvard, Kagan took a strong position
in opposition to the military's policy of
discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation and joined a brief arguing
that military recruiters could be barred
from campuses.
However, the Obama Administration
has taken legal positions on “Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell” and the so-called “Defense
of Marriage Act” with which Lambda
Legal strongly disagrees.
“If Solicitor General Kagan is
confirmed it would be the first time in
history that the nation's highest Court
would have three women on the bench,”
says Lambda Legal Executive Director
Kevin Cathcart. “Her legal background
and experience are impressive. She has
been a trailblazer in her profession and
a distinguished legal scholar for many
years.”
“While we don’t expect a nominee to
answer questions about how she would
rule on specific issues that will come
before her, we do expect that she will
respond to questions about her judicial
philosophy and her understanding of
core constitutional principles of equal
protection and privacy that are so
crucial to the civil rights of people who
Hotel Chain Offers
Discount
More gay and lesbian travelers hold
valid passports (in percentage) than the
overall American public. According to
The Travel Institute, 88% of gay men
and 57% of lesbians versus 29% of the
general public are passport holders,
showing they have a passion for travel.
Red Roof Inn has teamed up with the
International Gay and Lesbian Travel
Association (IGLTA) offering members
15% off rates by booking through Red
Roof’s website (www.redroof.com).
10 The COMMUNITY Letter www.theletteronline.com JUNE 2010
Elena Kagan
face discrimination based on sexual
orientation, gender identity and/or
HIV status.”
Lambda Legal has identified
principles for federal court nominations
in a memo, including adherence to
precedents established in cases of
importance to the LGBT community
and people living with HIV. Among
those are decisions which safeguard
the rights to liberty and privacy, protect
against anti-gay and anti-transgender
bias, preserve the right to sue in state
courts under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and guard
against HIV discrimination.
If confirmed, Kagan will take the seat
successively held by two of the Supreme
Court's most outspoken defenders of
individual rights, Justice John Paul
Stevens and, before him, Justice William
O. Douglas. “We urge the members
of the Senate Judiciary Committee to
look to those principles as they assess
Solicitor General Kagan’ s qualifications
to take the seat,” Cathcart says.
U.S. House Vote Spells Demise of
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
In late May, the U.S. House of
Representatives voted to repeal “Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell,” paving the road to the
end of the 17 year old law. This historic
action follows a vote for repeal in the
Senate Armed Services Committee and
is a tremendous step toward finally
ending the ban on openly lesbian
and gay service members. It was the
first vote ever in the U.S. House of
Representatives to repeal the ban on
open service.
“Lawmakers today stood on the right
side of history,” said Human Rights
Campaign President Joe Solmonese.
“This is a historic step to strengthen
our armed forces and to restore honor
and integrity to those who serve our
country so selflessly.” Joe Solmonese
The language of the amendment to
the National Defense Authorization will be there every step of the way to
Act (NDAA) – which is supported ensure that qualified men and women
by President Obama and military are allowed to serve their country,
leadership – allowed Congress to regardless of sexual orientation,” added
vote now to repeal the current DADT Solmonese.
law with actual repeal occurring after Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Penn. was
completion of the Pentagon Working the lead sponsor of the measure in the
Group study due December 1, 2010 House and Sen. Joseph Lieberman,
and upon certification. With successful I-Conn., championed the amendment in
House passage of the amendment, the the Senate Armed Services Committee
final NDAA bill must be passed in earlier today.
both the House and Senate and the two The Human Rights Campaign
versions reconciled before being sent to is America’s largest civil rights
the President for his signature. organization working to achieve
“Americans recognize that on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
battlefield, it does not matter whether equality. By inspiring and engaging
service members are gay or straight; all Americans, HRC strives to end
what matters is that they get the job discrimination against LGBT citizens
done. Those who wish to preserve and realize a nation that achieves
discrimination in our military will fundamental fairness and equality for
continue to fight this progress but we all.
Do You Want A GLBT Film Series
This Summer?
As of press time it appears
that a Louisville movie
from straight parents and the
religious right contribute to the
theatre has chosen theatre's decision? Watch
to not host it's for an investigative
annual Gay & report in the July
Lesbian Film 2010 issue of THE
Series for the COMMUNITY
first time in LETTER!
several years.
Did harassment
 RegionalCalendar
Items of interest to the GLBT community are listed for FREE from non-profit community
organizations, support and social groups. We also publicize events sponsored by businesses and
professionals currently advertising in THE COMMUNITY LETTER.
Please send details at least four weeks in advance of your event. Contact: Dave VanderPol:
editor@TheLetterOnline.com. Be sure type “Regional Calendar” in the subject line of your
message!
3rd Sundays
3:00pm. Metro Louisville chapter of Parents, Family
& Friends of Lesbians and Gays. First Lutheran
Church, 417 East Broadway. For more information
call (502) 329-0229 or write pflaglouisville@yahoo.
com . Confidentiality respected.
Every Monday
7:00pm. Movie Mania at Gay & Lesbian Community
Center of Cincinnati, 4119 Hamilton Avenue. Free.
For movie titles click on the icon for the GLBT
Calendar page at www.glbtcentercincinnati.com.
Every Monday
7:00pm. Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus practice at
Eternal Joy Metropolitan Community Church,
2382 Kennedy Avenue. For more information write
DtnGayMensChorus@aol.com.
Every Tuesday
2:45pm. GLBT Mental Health Issues Support Group
at The Recovery Center, 2340 Auburn Avenue,
Cincinnati. (513) 241-1411.
6:00 - 8:00pm. Louisville Fairness Campaign
Volunteer Meet-Up at 2263 Frankfort Avenue. For
more information call Kyle (502) 893-0788 or write
fairness@fairness.org.
6:30pm. Triangle Martial Arts Association: Tae
Kwon Do training for GLBT community. Beginners
& experienced welcome. For location write: m_
fearnow@yahoo.com.
7:30pm. Women’s Tuesday Night Coming Out Group
at Off The Avenue, 1546 Knowlton Street, Cincinnati.
(513) 535-2517.
sponsored by Mark England
Wednesday, June 2
7:00pm. Crossport Crossdresser Support Group,
Cincinnati. (513) 919-4850.
June 10 - 13
2nd Annual Camp Bear 2010. at Timberfell Lodge,
Greenville, TN. For more information visit www.
timberfell.com. For reservations call (800) 437-0118.
Tuesday, June 15
7:00pm. Cincinnati PFLAG meeting. Mount Auburn
Presbyterian Church, 103 William Howard Taft Road.
For more information call (513) 721-7900.
Tuesday, June 15
7:30pm Dayton PFLAG Monthly Meeting. 667
Miamisburg-Centerville Road (Centerville). For more
information call: (937) 640-3333.
Wednesday, June 16
6:30pm. Indy Bi-Versity, confidential discussion
group. For more information, including the meeting
location, write: indybiversity@yahoo.com.
Saturday, June 19
8:00pm. Monthly meeting of Sienna, transgender
support group in Louisville. For location leave a
message: (502) 894-1048. For general information
about the group visit www.tg-sienna.org.
June 18 & 19
Kentuckiana Pride Festival in downtown Louisville.
For details see pages 13 – 16 of this month’s issue and
visit www.kentuckianapridefestival.com.
Mondays: July 19, 26, & August 2
7:15pm. Dave VanderPol facilitates a Single Gay
Men's Book Study & Journaling Group. Featured
book: Finding The Boyfriend Within by Brad Gooch.
Registration: $5.00, pre-paid through PayPal. For
Louisville location and other information write:
editor@TheLetterOnline.com.
INCLUSIVE FAITH
COMMUNITIES
Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal)
Journeying Together In Christ
421 South 2nd Street (Downtown)
(502) 587-1354
Sundays: 8:15am (Rite I); 10:00am (Choral Rite II)
Concert & Choral Evensong: 2nd Sundays at 5:00pm
www.christchurchlouky.org
Central Presbyterian Church
Celebrating God’s Wildly Inclusive Love
4th & Kentucky Streets (Old Louisville)
Church School: 9:30am
Sunday Worship: 11:00am (Nursery Provided)
Pastors: D. Mark Baridon & Ann J. Deibert
(502) 587-6935 • www.CentralChurchKY.org
Church of the Advent (Episcopal)
You Are Always Welcome at Advent
901 Baxter Avenue, Louisville (40204)
(Intersection of Cherokee, Baxter & Broadway)
(502) 451-6066
Sundays: 8:30am & 10:30am
Thursday Contemplative Prayer: 7:00pm
www.advent.episcopalky.org
First Unitarian Church
Where Reason & Religion Meet
4th & York Streets, Louisville
Sunday Celebration of Life: 10:55am
Wednesday Chalice Night: 5:30pm
(502) 585-5110 • www.firstulou.org
Metropolitan Community Church
ALL People Are Welcome at the Table
1432 Highland Avenue (Louisville)
(502) 587-6225 • www.mcclouisville.org
Rev. Dee Dale, Pastor
Sunday Morning Worship: 10:30am
Wednesday Evening Worship: 6:00pm
Open Door Community Fellowship
Reaching Out to ALL People
3938 Southern Parkway, Louisville
(502) 893-6323 / Pastor Sherry Roby
www.opendoorcommunityfellowship.com
Sunday: 10:30am & Wednesday: 7:00pm

Saturday, July 24 Progressive Pathways Fellowship

1st & 3rd Thursdays 8:00pm - Midnight. 2nd Annual Fairness Over What Path Calls You?
7:00pm. Gay Men’s Support Group meets at Louisville fundraiser to benefit Fairness Campaign. Mellwood Arts & Entertainment
Metropolitan Community Church of Louisville, 1432 Details, including downtown location, write laura@. Center / #208 1/2
Highland Avenue. fairness.org. 1860 Mellwood Avenue, Louisville
Sunday, August 1 Sunday Worship & Education: 5:30pm
Every 3rd Friday 3:00pm. Monthly meeting of Owensboro chapter Wednesday Book Chat: 6:15pm
7:30pm. “Family-Friendly” Coffeehouse at Day’s of Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays. Trinity www.progressivepathways.org
Coffee Shop, Bardstown Road at Edenside Avenue in Episcopal Church, 720 Ford Avenue. For information:
Louisville. Music and readings, organized by Marie pflagowensboro@hotmail.com or call (270) 929-1399. Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church
Davis, cartoonist for THE LETTER. A Welcoming Congregation,
Standing On The Side Of LOVE!
4936 Brownsboro Road
Louisville, KY 40222
BUY YOUR TICKET NOW! (502) 425-6943 • www.tjuc.org
Friday, June 11 at 7:30pm. THE COMMUNITY LETTER’’s Sunday Service: 11:00am
20th Anniversary Dinner & Speaker, Central Presbyterian Church. Inclusive Faith Communities listings
Advance tickets required: $12.50. For more information: are welcome from congregations
editor@theletteronline.com. throughout the six state region served
by THE COMMUNITY LETTER.
Pre-paid listings cost $80.00 for six
Mark England www.LouisvilleGayInfo.com months or $140.00 for one year.
For more information write
Selling Louisville's Most DIVERSE Neighborhoods editor@theletteronline.com.

JUNE 2010 www.theletteronline.com The COMMUNITY Letter 11

 GLBT Financial
Equality Seminars
Thursday, June 10 @ 7:00pm
MCC - Louisville
Thursday, July 15 @ 7:00pm
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See page 5 for details.

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05-2853 The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (Northwestern Mutual). Cooper Wellington Sinclair Sr is an Insurance Agent of Northwestern Mutual (life and disability
insurance, annuities) and a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (securities), a subsidiary of Northwestern Mutual, broker-dealer and member FINRA and
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12 The COMMUNITY Letter www.theletteronline.com JUNE 2010

 RADICAL SERENITY
What Kind Of “LETTER” Is This Anyway?!?
As noted on page one, beginning
this month, coinciding with the 20th
anniversary issue of this newspaper,
I’ve changed our name to THE
COMMUNITY LETTER. I didn’t
make this decision overnight. In fact
I’ve reflected on making this change
for nearly three years.
In this month’s column, I want to
explain “why” having a strong sense
of community between ourselves
within the GLBT community and our
straight allies is important and “why”
a “GLBT community newspaper”
should have as its primary focus
building and strengthening our
community. These issues at the core of
“why” THE LETTER has become THE
COMMUNITY LETTER.
Pop psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw
is fond of saying, “Either you get it
or you don’t”. He believes, as do
I, that no amount of explaining is
going to convince anyone of much of
anything. On the other hand, perhaps
a little bit of educating on the topic of
community will help you understand
why it’s a concept and a reality that I
value highly.
Whether you understand the
importance of community or you
don’t, hopefully! I “get it”. Then again,
I should “get it” since community has
been literally preached to me since I
was in junior high school.
Early in the development of my
spiritual life (prior to becoming a
Catholic during my high school
days), I came into contact with a
group of Protestants who emphasized
the importance of being part of
a “community”. I was told that
being actively involved with – and
accountable to – fellow community
members would make me a stronger,
JUNE 2010 www.theletteronline.com The COMMUNITY Letter
Cloisters are a great place to hang out for priests, brothers and nuns. The rest
of us would probably find the confines of a cloister to be rather drab, dreary and
limiting.
healthier (in terms of spiritual health)
believer.
Not long after I “crossed the aisle”
and joined the Roman Catholic Church,
I came into contact with a prayer group
that also taught that being part of a
“community” was important to my
spiritual well-being. I was admonished
that the Lord didn’t want us believers to
be “Lone Rangers” and that indeed we
were created to be part of one another
– one body with many parts. Each part
as important as every other part. Each
community member should be held
in esteem by every other community
member.
I’ve also found that tough, rugged
LOUIS PHILPOTT
4033 Taylorsville Road
Louisville, KY 40220
Mobile: (502) 836-1255
FAX: (502) 400-2796
louissellslouisville@gmail.com
by Dave VanderPol, Executive Editor
individualism only goes so far. I believe
that, like it or not, we are all part of
one another. We are all members of a
community, call it the “gay community”,
“queer community”, “diverse
community” “GLBT community”,
“LGBT community” or simply “not-
sexually-narrow community”, we all
– to one degree or another – need to be
connected one with another and thus
“live in community” with each other.
Community is NOT the same thing
as co-dependency. Being connected
with one another doesn’t mean that
we are any less responsible for our
own thoughts, decisions and actions.
Hopefully being an active member of
Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated
the GLBT community means that we
are self-aware to consider how our
thoughts, decisions and action impact
fellow community members and the
entire human family as a whole. In
community we are called to be a
responsible self.
Like our family-of-origin – sometimes
dysfunctional, sometimes irritating
and definitely challenging – the GLBT
community and our allies have the
potential to help “stretch” us into
becoming better people. At other times
we are wounded by the brokenness
of fellow community members.
Goodness! This does sound like most
of the families we were raised in!
A few years ago a friend of this
newspaper shared an observation that
struck me as containing much truth:
Here in Metro Louisville (could this
be true elsewhere as well?) “We don’t
really have true community within
the gay community – all we really
have is just a “group of self-imposed
cloisters”, meaning that most folks
never reach outside their very small
circle of people who look, dress and
think just like them.
In case you aren’t familiar with
the concept known as “cloister”, this
word comes from Latin “claustrum”.
meaning an enclosed space, secluded
from the rest of the world. In terms of
architecture, the most common place
to find a cloister is a religious building,
such as a monastery or convent. Do
you really want to be limited to the
cloister of only people who are your
clone (in terms of appearance and
thinking)? Isn’t that awfully limiting?
I must go off on a tangent for a
moment. I’m really NOT about sucking
(See RADICAL SERENITY,
continued on pg 18)
Century 21 Joe Guy Hagan
17
 LIBERAL ON THE SAUCE
Cheers!!! Here's To 20 More Years!
It was a phone call I was expecting
and dreading, but I knew what I
was going to say when it came. This
newspaper's third editor was quitting.
She couldn't work 40 hours a week and
do a newspaper, too. The publisher
gave me call. Would I take over? I knew
I'd say yes, but it took me a minute to
say it. Lay it to fear of failure.
I'd tried my hand at editing a small
newsletter in the 80s. It had ended
disastrously. Why would editing a
large newspaper be any different?
Shortly after I was named editor,
someone told me what a great honor
it was. I responded "I guess" with little
enthusiasm.
As it turned out, I took to it like
Amelia Earhart to flight. By the time
of that call in 1994, I'd come into my
grandmother's tidy inheritance and
didn't have to hold down a full-time
job, at least for awhile. That gave me
the liberty to focus my energies on the
paper. It turned out to be the best job
I ever had. Ironically, it was the worst
paying one, too.
The first issue of this publication
was named THE LETTERHEAD,
which was shortened to THE LETTER
by our second issue. This month your
community newspaper has a new
name: THE COMMUNITY LETTER.
Regardless of it’ name at any given time,
this publication truly has come a long
way since those heady early days in the
summer of 1990 when its founders, Jeff
Goldsmith and Humphrey Marshall,
sat around Jeff's kitchen table in their
underwear, sweat dripping off their
brows, as they stapled the first edition
together. They later called it the
"church bulletin" because that's what it
looked like.
Almost immediately, volunteers
rushed in. Thanks to Randy McMillan,
a Lexington graphics designer, the
second issue had the look and feel of a
real newspaper. He would continue to
produce amazing results for the next 14
RADICAL SERENITY, cont’d from pg 17
up to “A List Fags”. I don’t care if
you are “A-List”, “B-List”, “C-List” or
(like me) “D-cup”. We are all God’s
children and no group or individual
is “better than” any other group or
individual. People with money and
influence, designer clothes and “lots
of product” in their hair are (sadly)
often pretentious people. Snobs bore
18 The COMMUNITY Letter www.theletteronline.com JUNE 2010
years. David DewBerry came shortly
thereafter, adding his considerable
talents to the entertainment section
and helping out with a good deal of the
out-of-town distribution.
As for myself, my first contribution
came with the second issue. I've
written something for nearly every one
since.
Dave VanderPol, our current editor,
came along later in the 90s and has
taken to editing as easily as I did. He
me. The truth was, is and ever shall be:
people who see themselves as being
“better than” really aren’t.
Healthy community doesn’t tolerate
“A List snobbery”. Sexism, ageism
and other types of elitist, judgmental
attitudes don’t play well in healthy
community. Ever heard of “diversity”?
Now that’s what healthy community is
all about!
By adding the word COMMUNITY
continues to give the paper a wonderful
professional look.
I think one of the greatest
contributions this paper has made is
the development of talents who've
gone on to bigger things.
Pre-eminent is Scott Coffman, who
wrote a regular column for several
years. He's now one of the Louisville
Courier-Journal's chief editorial
cartoonists and also writes regular
book reviews for it.
to the title of this publication, I want
to make it abundantly clear that this
a publication that serves the broadest
segment of the GLBT community and
our allies – including the Feminist
and Poly communities. We serve by
providing content and services to the
community that will strengthen who
we are as a people and – in the process
– hopefully help to advance the “gay
agenda”.
by David Williams
I was also always proud that ours
was the only LGBT publication in the
country with a regular monthly column
from a gay prisoner: another first.
We also encouraged the talents
of Monica Roberts, a transgender
columnist who now has a successful
blog and contributes in many ways to
the cause of transgender equality.
I know I'm missing other local
writers. Sorry. My memory banks
are low on deposits. To all who have
contributed, many thanks.
From the very beginning, we've
seen THE LETTER as not a business
(hell, it's never made a dime!) but a
community resource. Our strength
has always been contributors from
the community at large. Part of that
strength was their willingness to write
whether we paid them or not. This is a
good thing, because we seldom could!
They just enjoyed having the chance
to share their viewpoints, to argue, to
fuss, to laugh.
In this increasingly paperless world,
it's hard to predict how long print
publications of any sort will last. Major
LGBT newspapers in our largest cities
have folded in the last couple of years.
I certainly hope THE LETTER lives to
see its 40th anniversary print edition in
2030.
Whatever form it takes in the future,
I have no doubt it will continue to
be one of our community's greatest
resources. Few publications can long
survive without the type of integrity
THE COMMUNITY LETTER has
shown over the last 20 years. And that,
after all, is any news publication's most
important product.
David Williams is the founder of the
Williams-Nichols Institute and the Kentucky
Gay & Lesbian Library and Archives, which
are housed at the University of Louisville’s
Ekstrom Library.
Agree or disagree, Dave VanderPol
would love to know your thoughts! Write
to him at editor@theletteronline.com or
call (502) 322-4632.
 OUTLOOK WITHIN

The Stranger In This Living Room by Bryn Marlow

He looms large in our living room, is evil. Thinking about sex is wrong.
silent, dressed all in brown with an You always were a bit twisted." So I
olive green overcoat, white rope tied hide masturbation sessions from my
tight around his neck, shoulders, waist, husband. I feel conflicted about what
knees. I nearly jumped out of my skin brings me pleasure.
last night when I first saw him. He has In his poem "Healing," D.H.
startled me several times today. I laugh Lawrence writes about deep wounds
in sympathy when my husband Dave to the soul. "Only time can help," he
says, "Every time I see that wrapped says, "and patience, and a certain
bookcase I think it's a man standing difficult repentance/long, difficult
there." repentance, realization of life's
Yesterday we were to deliver a set mistake, and the freeing oneself/from
of hand-crafted stepped-back shelves the endless repetition of the mistake/
Dave had made as a gift. As rain was which mankind at large has chosen to
forecast, we wrapped the shelves in sanctify."
tarps and roped them down before we Shaking loose the shame-cords
realized there wasn't enough available that bind me takes time and effort.
space in the bed of the pick-up truck. Coming out was a first step. Educating
We left them behind in the living room. myself about gay issues, connecting
Seen from the side, the shelves look with supportive people and groups
remarkably human. was another. Telling the story of my
That we startle easily at a stranger's coming out and listening to others'
sudden appearance will surprise no offered perspective. I limited contact
one who has lived with the sobering with family members, former friends
awareness that violence against GLBT and others who continued handing me
people can strike without warning and harmful messages—who seemed eager
with society's tacit approval. to sanctify messages that strangle.
stranger in our living room might well if he's not, he wouldn't be interested
Living in a secluded rural area, Dave I may never be totally free of shame
be me. Those white cotton ropes are in me anyway. He's out of my league.
and I are constantly alert for strange or threat of harm, but I can stay
the shame-based messages from my What would I say? I can't tell a joke to
noises, for the sound of vehicles aware. I can keep my eyes open to
past that encircle me, thwart me. save my life. And I'm no good at small
slowing down outside. Vandals have the possibility of threat from without
Example: I decide I will at last take talk. He wouldn't give me the time of
often targeted our house and mailbox. and within, not be totally surprised if
the plunge, write a memoir of my day. I'd look like a fool. He's probably
Not (yet) our bodies. However, it does and when they appear. I want to make
coming out experience. I start with great stuck on himself. If he really wanted to
happen. Recently a gay acquaintance—a informed choices, do the best I can,
enthusiasm, get up early mornings to talk to me, he'd come my way.
kind, gentle sweet man—was fatally live fully as I can as who I am in the
write, schedule my time carefully, fill Example: It amazes me how
stabbed. And friends of friends—a gay time given me. I can easier deal with
page after page. Six weeks later I fizzle. pleasurable masturbation can be.
retired couple—were bludgeoned to the stranger in our living room when I
I'm not good enough to do this; I have In the blissful moment preceding
death in their home. remind myself he is still there.
nothing important to say; it's too hard. ejaculation I feel perfectly one in body,
Ignorance breeds fear and fear of gay
I shelve my dream project. mind, spirit and psyche. Such intense
people lasts a long time in rural areas
Example: Put me in a social setting, pleasure. For free, too! And yet not free Bryn Marlow (gayfeather.blogspot.com) lives
where people receive little exposure
let me see a man I'm attracted to and I'll – I pay for my fun with guilt, hear the with his husband Dave on a 1930s Indiana
to GLBT persons and culture. Fear can
come up with 10 reasons why there's no voice of my parents, my upbringing: farmstead where they raise chickens and
turn to rage, rage to violence.
sense in my going over to talk to him. "What do you think you're doing? You flowers.
Yet the threat is not only from
He's chatting with someone else. And dirty boy. You filthy-minded man. Sex
without. Seen from another angle, the

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of Toni, Stacey, Greg, Sonia

THE COMMUNITY LETTER, we wish to & “Tom the delivery guy” —
extend our sincere thanks to the hard working Your talent and work ethic are inspiring!
folks who truly “make us look good in print”… – Dave VanderPol

JUNE 2010 www.theletteronline.com The COMMUNITY Letter 19

 GAY & FEMINIST

Wright Time by Eric Jost

Country singer, Chely Wright,
came out of the closet last month;
coincidentally in conjunction with the
release of a new album and memoir.
Since the announcement, Chely
appeared in countless magazines,
blogs, talk shows, and even an article
in The New York Times. All for a
woman who had only one Top 40 hit
way back in 1999. How could this even
be considered news?!
As the Times article and many others
point out, the minor positive benefit that
could come from Wright's disclosure is
increased tolerance in the notoriously
very conservative and intolerant
country music community. However,
is Wright a big enough star to even
push the industry in such a progressive
way? And while Toby Keith might be
sharpening his pitchfork for Wright's
lesbian ass, Dolly, Reba, Wynona, and
the (now ostracized themselves) Dixie
Chicks have all been very vocal in their
acceptance and support of the LGBTQ
community.
A lesbian in the country music scene
isn't exactly news: kd lang and Melissa
Etheridge, both country/rock queens
back in the 90s, already broke down
these barriers years ago. And their
careers have been remarkably more
successful than Wright's, both pre and
post coming out. But like many before
her, Wright is hoping her outing will
result in financial gain.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think
this is what Ellen DeGeneres had in
mind when she came out in 1997.
It's absolutely amazing that more
McGillis, Wanda Sykes, Ricky Martin
-- but most of them did so after the
peak of their careers and usually in
conjunction with the release of an
autobiography (NPH, Wanda Sykes,
and Rosie the exceptions). And despite
D-list status, many graced the cover
of People to describe their plight and
be congratulated on their bravery; but
post-Dancing With the Stars, they've
nearly all faded back into obscurity
-- so what effect has their coming out
had other than increasing their bank
accounts?
I do want to give recognition to
Wright for disclosing her sexuality
in the public forum. Regardless of
the financial gains, I know it took a
lot of courage. If nothing else, the
country singer's outing (and soon-to-
be-released memoir and new album)
proves just how lucrative "celebrity"
outings continue to be regardless of
fame or relevance. However, perhaps in
the future we can stop acting surprised
or shocked every time a D-list celebrity
comes out of the closet?
Eric Jost is a freelance
writer living in Washington,
DC. His work ranges
from embarrassing
firstperson narratives to
commentaries on queer
and more stars have come out since rights and sex positive
Ellen -- Lance Bass, Neil Patrick culture. You can check out
more of his work at www.
Harris, Rosie O'Donnell, Clay Aiken,
eric-jost.com.
Cynthia Nixon, Meredith Baxter, Kelly

Safety Suggestions
By all means, do enjoy yourself this Pride Month! At the same time, we offer you some common
sense guidelines to make sure you stay around for many more Pride celebrations to come. The
Discrimination Response Team at Louisville's Fairness Campaign suggests…
Stay Alert — Awareness is your best self-defense.
Watch Your Drink — Make sure you know the person who is buying your drink, or buy your
own. Watch your drink if you lay it down. Remember that drugs can be easily slipped into your
glass!
Trust Your Instincts — If you think something is wrong, believe your feelings and remove
yourself from the situation.
Project Confidence — While out walking, move like you know where you're going and keep
your head up and look around. What Path Calls You?
Carry A Whistle — Carry it on your person where it is easily accessible, like a jacket pocket or
on your key chain. When you need help, blow the whistle. If you hear a whistle and see someone
is in trouble, call 911 immediately.
Remember to report all hate crimes and acts of discrimination! To give a confidential report
about discrimination or hate crimes in Metro Louisville write: fairness@fairness.org. clamourunderbridge.typepad.com

20 The COMMUNITY Letter www.theletteronline.com JUNE 2010

 GAY LOVE COACH
Marriage: You Say “Yes”, He Says “No”
Q
My boyfriend and I talk
about marriage all the time
and our future. This is the
real deal; the last man I will ever be
with. I am ready to move to the next
level of our relationship without
any doubts or regrets. My boyfriend,
however, is not ready yet. What does
that mean? Why talk about marriage
and a future if he is not ready for the
living-together step? Is it me?
A
It’s always a frustrating
situation when a couple
isn’t on the same page about
something, especially when that
something is as important as future
life-planning and marriage. I’m sorry
to hear you guys aren’t in the same
place yet on this particular issue, but
this certainly doesn’t mean this is a
sign to “throw in the towel.”
While it can be difficult not to, it’s
important to try and avoid personalizing
your partner’s lack of desire to take
a deeper step in commitment in
your relationship at this particular
juncture. Timing is everything and
it’s not uncommon for partners to
have different readiness levels when it
comes to many developmental issues
in a relationship.
Patience can be your best virtue
because the last thing you want to do
is to get embroiled in a power struggle
over something like this. If your
partner isn’t emotionally ready at this
time to take that next step, it would
be sabotage to even attempt to push
or pressure him as it will only lead to
conflict and withdrawal.
Acceptance of where things are
right now and appreciating what you
have are keys to maintaining your
patience until your partner is ready to
say “I do.” This doesn’t mean doing
nothing in the interim, however. It’s
important to nurture and attend to
your relationship in all the ways you
No Other Regional GLBT Publication Offers FOUR Websites:
www.TheLetterOnline.com / theletter.win.net
theletterhead.win.net / transfatty.wordpress.com
JUNE 2010 www.theletteronline.com The COMMUNITY Letter
have thus far to sustain its success and
energy to bridge it to deeper levels of
intimacy and connection.
As with everything, communication
can help significantly in managing
your dilemma. It will be helpful for
you to learn about your boyfriend’s
hopes and dreams and validate those
for him.
Sit down with each other one day
and discuss the concept of commitment
and the future and what it means to
each of you.
• How do you feel about
commitment?
• What does commitment mean to
you? Look like? Feel like?
• What is it about marriage and
deepening your commitment that’s
becoming to you?
• What are your fears and
reservations about commitment and
marriage?
Just having this type of discussion
can lead to the answering of many
questions and give each of you an idea
by Brian Rzepczynski, M.S.W.
of where you’re both coming from
and if there are any emotional blocks
possibly getting in the way of moving
forward that you could work together
as a team toward eradicating.
Another good question might be,
“How will you know when you’re
ready to take that “next step?” “What
personal or relational conditions need
to be met before you’re comfortable
with the idea?” Again, in your own
language is best and in a casual low-
key conversation style so he doesn’t
feel ganged up on or backed in a corner.
The conversation should be reciprocal,
give-and-take, and balanced.
Another thing the two of you can
do in the interim until that glorious
day is to begin crafting a “relationship
vision”. You can discuss what your
ideal relationship would look like and
how it would function. What would it
look like, feel like, and be like? What
are your goals and aspirations for
yourselves as individuals and as a
couple for your relationship? You can
journal about this or create a collage
together in which you cut out pictures,
images, words, and symbols from
magazines that depict this “vision” and
paste them to a poster board that you
post in a place you each would see on
a daily basis. This becomes a motivator
and incentive toward ensuring you’re
working toward those goals and it also
can serve as a visual reminder for your
boyfriend so you don’t have to keep
bringing up the issue all the time…
he’ll be reminded of it every time he
walks into the kitchen!
You can also create a scrapbook of
your life as a couple to begin gathering
mementos of your shared history in-
the-making!
So hang in there, my friend! All
good things come to those who wait,
they say! By giving your boyfriend
the gift of time and patience, you will
reap the benefits of a partner who can
fully devote himself to the process and
it will be a much more joyous time of
celebration for all.
Everyone has to go through their own
“growing pains” at their own pace, so
unless there are psychological blocks, a
“commitment phobia”, or relationship
problems underlying the stalling of
your relationship development, allow
your partner the space to work through
things on his own and offer your
support in whatever ways he may need
while you channel your energies into
keeping your relationship energized
and keeping your independent life
purposeful and fun until that magical
day happens. Good luck!
©2008 Brian L. Rzepczynski, All rights
reserved. To sign up for the FREE Gay
Love Coach Newsletter filled with dating
and relationship tips and skills for
gay singles and couples, as well as to
check out current coaching groups,
programs, and teleclasses, visit www.
TheGayLoveCoach.com.
21
 BEYOND THERAPY
Falling Vs. Standing In Love
I love working with same-sex
couples: they come to me, wanting
to improve their communications,
work out problems between them and
deepen their love. In couples’ therapy,
one of the most helpful things I do
is to help the couple examine their
definition of love. Specifically, we
look at the difference between “Falling
in Love” and what I call “Standing in
Love”.
Doesn’t everyone want to “Fall
in love”? It comes from all those
Hollywood movies we’ve seen, where
everything just comes together and – no
matter what hell the two people have
been through – in the end everything
just falls into place as the two lovebirds
kiss and fall into each other’s arms.
Yeah, right. That’s just how it
happens, isn’t it?
Illusions of how love works create a
lot of suffering, whether we’re single
or partnered. “Falling in love” implies
that we’re passive and helpless. I don’t
think this paradigm works well for
anyone. Over time, if we stay in this
passive place, we usually get resentful
and frustrated. And we wonder why
our “love” doesn’t feel good anymore.
“What happened to our love”? I hear
over-and-over again from unhappy
couples.
I think we need a new way to
BI-PARTISAN
I’m the “B” in “LGBTQ”
Of the flurry of new terms I learned
from reading about gay rights in
1986 as I came out as a bisexual, one
that still particularly resonates is the
“heterosexual assumption.”
One of my radical books defined it
as automatically considering a person
straight unless something about her or
him indicates otherwise. Further, the
assumption means thinking that the
whole realm of sexuality consists of
straight only.
You have a new neighbor who is
a male, so you immediately think
of women to fix him up with, never
thinking he may not be straight, even
though in the macro-sense, you know
LGBTQ people exist.
The heterosexual assumption is a
more complicated matter to those of us
for whom it is partly correct. Friends
and family are always steering us
toward the heterosexual path, as with
22 The COMMUNITY Letter www.theletteronline.com JUNE 2010
conceptualize love. The old Hollywood
way doesn’t really work, and it gives
us crazy expectations that no man or
woman could ever meet. This old idea
about love sets our relationships up to
fail. Let’s look at what I call “standing
in love”. It takes guts, strength and
a lot of impulse control to “stand in
love”. This concept of love emphasizes
that we need to be active in sustaining
love. It just doesn’t “happen”; to make
it work, we have to take a stand.
Ugh, I can hear you say. It sounds
like a lot of work. Well, yeah, it does
the hypothetical new neighbor, never
realizing that the B in LGBTQ could
represent someone they know.
My socialization into “heterosexism”
(another term I learned during the
coming out in ’86) left me – as it does
all LGBTQ people – unprepared as an
adolescent to accept having attractions
to boys as well as girls. That led me
to a dismal and, thank God, brief
homophobic period from which I freed
myself during my early college years.
Still, it was not till about a decade
later that I fully realized that the B,
indeed, represented someone I knew –
myself.
So is there such a thing as “hetero-
phobia?” Does the fact that I can
have straight relationships cause
some gay activists to recoil from
me? Overwhelmingly not, here in
the Louisville area. Even completely
straight people seem welcome in the
take work. But you don’t need to be
a martyr about it. Most relationships,
initially, go along quite nicely. But
almost everyone hits a wall that I call
“when the glitter wears off”. This
is the period when you begin to see
your partner for who he or she really
is. That façade of the first few months
begins to wear away and you see this
person as they really are: wonderful at
times and pretty awful at other times.
And, guess what? They begin to see
you this way too. Many people bail
at this phase, and wonder why their
relationships never last more than
2 or 3 months. They don’t have the
willingness to hang in past the “glitter”
stage; they want everything all pretty
and romantic and easy. Who doesn’t?
Unfortunately, this isn’t real life…no
matter how wonderful your partner
is.
Some of my single clients are
confused about the difference between
romance and love. They date a lot, meet
some great people, but soon discover
that they don’t really know what they
want. They want romance but settle
for sex and then they ask me, “why
can’t I find true love?” I encourage
my clients to question the role of sex
in finding a partner. Rather than fall
into bed with someone by default, why
not think it out ahead of time? If you
cause, from what I have been able to
glean from working as a volunteer
with people of all orientations at the
Fairness Campaign office and the state
fair.
However, I have found some lesbian
feminist groups through the web
which have hinted that my being only
bisexual is an issue, although this is not
at all universal, and I still love lesbian
feminism, an approach I discovered
during that 1986 coming out.
Today, being bisexual, to a great
extent, means dwelling in two worlds.
Telling people about it is to talk in
stereo. You’re saying “I’m gay” to your
friends steeped in heterosexual norms,
and “I’m straight” to gay folks.
Placing singles ads is more
complicated and expensive. The
question of whether I would ever marry
in a state where same-sex couples can’t
is a grueling one.
by Michael Kimmel
want “love” or “romance”, it helps to
get clear on what that means to you -
and what role sex plays in the picture
– before you go out and meet someone.
A lot of hook-ups could have been
more “romantic” and likely to lead to
“love” if our libidos were not in total
charge and our mind and heart were
encouraged to participate more in the
process of getting to know someone.
When you’re in a relationship, don’t
give up and let your love collapse
“when the glitter wears off” (e.g., when
you discover that he has bad breath in
the morning or that she snores and you
can’t sleep). This is when your “fall”
into romance is over: you can “stand”
in love and see your flaws, your
lover’s flaws and work them through
together…or you can bail. The next
time you’re tempted to talk about
“falling in love”, consider “standing
in love” instead. Take a pro-active role
in creating love in your life by getting
clear on what you want from a partner
and not settling for less. You have
nothing to lose but your passivity.
Ohio native – and former
Louisville resident – Michael
Kimmel currently resides in San
Diego where he maintains a
private psychotherapy practice.
by George Morrison
Even to walk down Louisville streets
holding hands with a woman is to take
advantage of privileges denied gays –
and denied me should I be involved
with a man.
Being bi, however, isn’t all a tangle
of difficulties. This sexual orientation
underscores that a happy relationship is
based on feelings of closeness growing
from an appreciation of the other
person’s character and personality, not
so much their sexual attractiveness.
Far from a life of quick self-
gratification, bisexuality can point one
to the best of love and commitment.
George Morrison, of Louisville, is
the author of two novels, Out From
It All, published last year, and
Worlds, to be released this summer.
He edits FORsooth, the monthly
peace and justice print and
online newspaper of the Louisville
Fellowship of Reconciliation.
 FAIRNESS REDUX
What A Difference 20 Years Makes!
When I moved to Louisville in
1999, the Fairness Ordinance had
just been passed in the city, and the
campaign to pass Fairness in Jefferson
County had just begun. The concept of
transgender rights was still coming of
age. Today, we have openly gay and
lesbian politicians in Kentucky, and
the trangender movement is finding its
voice.
Yes, GLBT in Louisville means just
that, and, no, the "T" ain't silent. From
activists like Tina Storm and Catiriana
Reyes, to the leaders of Sienna, to the
new transgendered student group at U
of L, transgender people in Louisville
have come a long way.
Thornton Wilder once said "you
can't go home again." In the case of
JUNE 2010 www.theletteronline.com The COMMUNITY Letter
many TG people, that is true; once they
transition, they can't go home again.
This is because many families refuse
or fail to deal with their transition,
regardless of whether the family has
inbred prejudice or has always been
dysfunctional. Whatever the case,
everyone looses on both sides.
In the past, they had to face prejudice
alone. Today, there are more allies and
more opportunities for education. Yes,
we have come a long way, but we still
have a ways to go. Thanks to pioneers
like Lori Reibesell, Patti Hall and
F.M. Chester, and former residents of
Louisville like blogger/activist Monica
Roberts and Rev. Joshua Holliday, we
have made great strides.
I now sit as the co chair of CFAIR,
this community 's GLBT PAC. Much
has changed in Louisville's GLBT
community, and still more positive
changes are on the way. From Louisville
to Lexington, change is coming, indeed
it already has. Before, our community
was distant, a little resistant, but we
soon hit our stride, and found new
solutions to old problems, becoming a
family.
Over the years, I've been called
many things; from Dawn Vader, to a
gangster, to a he/she, to a Black Barbie.
Most importantly, Recently I was
called something else - Aunt, friend,
and inspiration. Words that I won't
hear from just the TG community.
Words that mean so much more when
they come from family and family
by Dawn Wilson
friends.. I have a family, consisting of
six transsexuals, eleven crossdressers,
11 gay and lesbian people, and a host
of friends and business associates. As
Charlie Daniels says, "we may fight
amongst ourselves, but outsiders best
leave us alone".
Can you go home again? That
depends on what you do when you get
there. I assure you, get there you will,
and should.
Dawn Wilson is the current
Co-Chair of the Committee of
Fairness and Individual Rights
who in her spare time fences
and plays with Eurotuners.
23
Anniversary (continued from page 1)
a month for the newspaper, let alone
that within three years doing investi-
gative reporting for it, and that
eventually become its editor and
publisher for nine years.
At the time of his first encounter
with this publication, Williams was
just excited that Louisville had a gay
and lesbian newspaper at all.
It's not that the Louisville community
hadn't had one before. Through most of
the 80s, Pam Frisk had been valiantly
churning out THE LAVENDER
LETTER month after month on her
small printing press in the suburbs.
Each month, she published good, solid
local and national news of substance.
She set the standard for what would
follow.
But, as too often happens with
labors of love, it eventually became a
chore. If you love something, you have
to know when to give it up before you
start to hate it. When THE LAVENDER
LETTER folded in November 1989,
Louisville was once again without a
GLBT newspaper.
From the very beginning, THE
LETTER was always a labor of love
of its own. I'm sure the co-founders,
Jeffrey Goldsmith (the guy in the
sunglasses) and Humphrey Marshall
thought they could make a few bucks
out of it, but money was never the
main goal. The main reason they got
into it was because Jeffrey needed a
roommate.
In early 1990, he was searching for
a roommate to help out with expenses
at his apartment in Old Louisville.
Specifically, he was looking for a
gay roommate with whom he'd be
compatible. The easiest way to get one,
of course, would be through an ad in a
gay publication, but he quickly realized
there weren't any in Louisville. What
to do? Why not just start one?
Production of that first issue is the
stuff of local legend now. After the
pages came back from the printer,
they had to be folded, a cover placed
around them, and then everything
stapled, all by hand. Since it was hot
that June (thanks to the lack of air
conditioning), Jeffrey, Humphrey and
other friends found themselves sitting
DINNER (continued from page 1)
to his wife, family, friends, employer
and the military, the former First
Lieutenant in the U.S. Civil Air
Patrol tells a compelling story of self-
acceptance, forgiveness, love and
fulfilled living. Nathan’s inspirational
24 The COMMUNITY Letter www.theletteronline.com JUNE 2010
around Jeffrey's kitchen table in their
underwear, sweat pouring from their
brows as they collated, folded, and
stapled away.
That first issue quickly became
known as the "church bulletin" because
that's what it looked like: a small, 5x8
booklet with the publication's named,
"THE LETTERHEAD," written neatly
by hand on the cover.
A graphic designer from Lexington
happened upon a copy of that first
issue and jumped in to help. Thanks
to him, the second and all subsequent
issues have been printed on newsprint,
allowing the newspaper to have a more
professional look.
The first four years of this publication
were an important time in Louisville's
gay history. A year after THE LETTER
was founded, the Fairness Campaign
was organized. In 1992, it made its first
stab at getting a local gay civil rights
ordinance passed. That unsuccessful
bloody foray led to several others. THE
LETTER was there to report on all its
work throughout the 90s.
Beginning in 1995, THE LETTER
was regularly mailed to the mayor
and each of the city's aldermen. It
was the newspaper’s way of helping
educate them on gay issues and subtly
softening the ground for eventual
passage of a Fairness ordinance at the
end of the decade.
Another important story was
Jeffrey Wasson's successful lawsuit
challenging Kentucky's antique
sodomy law. In September 1992, the
Kentucky Supreme Court ruled it
unconstitutional: a landmark decision
that would later be cited by courts in
Tennessee and Montana as they, too,
struck down their own laws. THE
LETTER covered that ruling as well
as all of the Kentucky legislature's
subsequent, failed attempts to
reinstate the law.
AIDS, of course, was a major focus.
In those dreary years before the
development of life-saving treatments,
there was little hope for anyone
infected. THE LETTER covered the
work of Community Health Trust,
Louisville's premiere AIDS group at
the time, and reported on promising
message emphasizes the importance
of living with courage, integrity and
dignity.
Tickets for the 20th Anniversary
Dinner of THE LETTER must be
purchased in advance and are now
new therapies, but it’s most important
work lay in its public crusade for safe
sex practices. That's been a hallmark
of its pages ever since.
Within a very short time, the
newspaper expanded beyond its
Louisville roots to include Lexington
and then Cincinnati. From becoming
"Louisville's gay and lesbian
newspaper," it became Kentucky's
gay and lesbian newspaper of record.
Today it has a regional presence, with
distribution in Kentucky, Indiana,
Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois and Missouri.
A couple of years after its founding,
Humphrey turned over the editing to
Pam Edwards, a lesbian living in New
Albany. Its second editor, she kept
it going until her regular job made it
impossible to continue. In the spring
of 1994, Jeffrey tapped Williams to
become the paper's third editor. It
couldn't have come at a better time.
Williams just come into his
grandmother's inheritance and quit
his job at a downtown engineering
firm, so he had plenty of time to devote
to the paper. A little fearful, he soon
took to it easily and was able to steer
it well enough through the next nine
years.
1994 saw the real beginnings of the
Internet. Before that, the Internet was
mainly the playground of scientists
and geeks. The average American
didn't even know what it was. But in
1994, America Online (AOL) began
a major publicity campaign, which
helped make the Internet accessible to
many of our readers.
On September 6, 1994, Williams
dialed up AOL for the first time. The
World Wide Web was an eye opener!
It quickly became a boon for the
newspaper’s content. Until that point,
most of the news had been local and
regional. Articles were written by
local contributors on typewriters
and sent in by “snail mail”. “With the
Internet, we could pull news from New
York, San Francisco, and eventually
London, Paris and beyond at the click
of a mouse. Its effect on THE LETTER
was astounding”, noted Williams.
By 2000, distribution had expanded
to places never dreamed of just 10
on sale for $12.50. Vegetarian and
non-vegetarian main courses will be
available.
For more information or to purchase
a ticket, write editor@theletteronline.
com or call (502) 322-4632. You may
years earlier. Nashville was a major
addition, but so was Indianapolis,
Columbus, and even a few copies
were being mailed each month to
Mississippi.
At the same time, thanks to Dave
VanderPol, THE LETTER established
a presence on the Internet. The
possibilities of reaching a global
audience suddenly became real. That
lively website continues to be an
important part of the business.
But just as the Internet had
helped the newspaper expand (in
terms of content), so its growing
popularity also challenged its ability
to maintain growth. The “Bush
Recession” of the past two years has
made it increasingly difficult for this
and nearly all newspapers to maintain
their advertiser base.
Rather than ignore the challenges
presented by the Internet, VanderPol
has aggressively worked to use the
Internet to better serve the community,
with an e-mail list for readers and
maintaining four websites.
To compensate for flat advertising
sales during the recession, with
the help of cartoonist Marie Davis,
VanderPol has pushed for increased
income from new subscribers and fund
raising events.
Williams observes that he finds it
“amazing that a little paper like ours
has survived for so long. It's never
made much money. Many times
throughout its life it's been in the red.
It started out as a labor of love in 1990
and remains one to this day. But I think
that's its most important strength. If
it were a publication whose main focus
was money, would the potential loss
of integrity be worth it? I don't think
so.”
With the change in the publication’s
name starting this month, VanderPol
hopes its focus – which has existed
since the first issue was published in
June 1990 – will reinforce the message
that “thoughtful service to the GLBT
community (and our allies) is what
we’re all about.”
also purchase a ticket by sending your
check, payable to THE LETTER, to Post
Office Box 7842; Louisville, KY 40257.
Checks must be received no later than
Wednesday, June 9.
JUNE 2010 www.theletteronline.com The COMMUNITY Letter 25
 DINING OUT
Al Fresco, Al Rio, All Cunningham’s Creekside
[Cunningham’s Creekside;
6301 River Road;
Louisville, KY 40059. (502) 228-3625.]
I frequently
write about the
pleasures of al
fresco dining and
how lucky we
are in Louisville
to boast so many
fine eateries that
indulge us in
our desire to eat
outdoors. There is something about
the month of June that makes al fresco
noshing so appealing. I believe it is
the milder weather and the excitement
that summer is finally underway.
One of the best ways to enjoy a June
evening is to eat outdoors by the river
at Cunningham’s Creekside.
Located on Harrod’s Creek in the
building that formerly housed Buzz
Parsons, Cunningham’s Creekside is
an offshoot of the famous downtown
eatery, Cunningham’s. This
Cunningham’s takes a more relaxed
view towards food and atmosphere
and offers the diner a great spot to sit
back with some friends, imbibe a few
cocktails and nibble on some victuals
while watching life on the river.
We visited Cunningham’s on a busy
Marie Davis is an internationally syndicated cartoonist. Her lesbian cartoon strip is published in five languages. Her first novel, Hey Diddle Diddle — for Lesbians
and Other Grownups, can be purchased through Amazon.com. Her e-mail address is mmmarie1961@aol.com.
26 The COMMUNITY Letter www.theletteronline.com JUNE 2010
Friday night. There was a wait and to
pass the time, we decided to order drinks
and sip them outdoors with the other
standees. I was pleasantly surprised by
the extensive list of cocktails because I
thought the restaurant catered towards
a beer quaffing crowd. I could choose
between some of the signature drinks
such as a Manhattan or Long Island
Iced Tea and a variety of Martinis or
Cheese Sticks and Chicken Tenders are among the popular bar food items served
at Cunningham’s Creekside.
the signature cocktails, most of which
were a concoction of Bacardi Rum and
mixers. Of course there were the usual
beer and wine suspects. In the end I
ordered a Cosmopolitan which was
quite divine and my partner relished a
Diet Coke.
Cunningham’s is best known for
their seafood and chicken and the
menu is more “bar food” oriented than
it is at their downtown counterpart.
With this in mind, we opted to start
with the combo appetizer which was
3 Mozzarella Cheese Sticks and 3
Chicken Tenders for $7.00. Both were
satisfactory although the Chicken
Tenders could have used a bit more
seasoning. I decided to go with the
favorite, the Fish Sandwich ($7.25).
The fish was served with your choice
of bread and potato chips and a pickle.
For an additional $3.00, you could
enjoy your choice of any two sides. I
found the fish moist and savory but I
still had to try a bit of the tartar and
cocktail sauce on the side.
My one dining companion selected
the Fried Chicken (1/2 $8.75) which
was served with a salad. And my other
partner opted for the Saturday special
by Beth Ann Rubin
of Shrimp Fettuccini, also served with a
salad ($10.95). Both found their meals
delightfully tasty and we all agreed
that a return trip would be in order,
mainly to hit more of those cocktail
specials!
You can, of course, enjoy
Cunningham’s year round as they
have a large indoor dining area and
bar with loads of flat screen HDTV’s.
I have also experienced brunch here
and it is an excellent and reasonable
spread with lots of choices. So, grab a
dinghy, paddle down Harrod’s Creek
and have a good time at Cunningham’s
Creekside.
Beth Ann Rubin
has been
reviewing
restaurants
for THE LETTER
for nearly four
years. A Chicago
native, Beth Ann and her family live
just south of Louisville's Highlands
neighborhood. A talented cook in her
own right, over the years her baked
goods have earned her numerous
awards at the Kentucky State Fair.
 VIDEO REVIEWS
BY CUBBIE BRITCHES

1970 Film Gives Insight

Into The World Of
“Bitter Queens”
Twenty years before THE LETTER was first published, The
Boys in the Band was first released. This film that depicts a
birthday celebration is one you won't soon forget – a legendary
gay film from a bygone era.
Historically and politically significant despite (or because
of) the pervading self-loathing and wallowing self-pity of its
gay characters, The Boys in the Band is a hyperventilating
comedy-drama about eight friends who get together for a
simple birthday party. What ensues during the course of the
evening are enough emotion, acid-laced barbs and self-analysis
to last a lifetime.
Michael (Kenneth Nelson), a guilt-ridden Catholic with a
drinking problem, is the host of the party. Harold (marvelously
played by Leonard Frey) is the birthday boy. And the guests
include a bickering couple, a hustler (a “present” for Harold),
and a limp-wristed, lisping interior designer (immortally
played by Cliff Gorman).
With a screenplay peppered with many memorable lines, The
Boys in the Band is a pre-Stonewall classic which is dated but
hilarious and at times quite offensive to those with politically
correct sensibilities. It's also an important step in the depiction
of gays in film.
The Boys in the Band is available for rent at Wild &
Woolly, 1021 Bardstown Road in Louisville’s Highlands
neighborhood.

JUNE 2010 www.theletteronline.com The COMMUNITY Letter 27

 A Roth IRA conversion may be one of
the best retirement gifts you
give yourself.
Whether you’re years away or about to retire, you can still give yourself one of
the best retirement gifts of all. Starting Jan 1, 2010, everyone is eligible to
convert their traditional IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan to a Roth
IRA, where your money can grow federal income tax free*. Converting to a
Roth when your retirement account balance is down means a smaller tax bill.

Call me for a New Perspective review to learn if a

Roth IRA conversion is right for you.
Todd Metcalf, CRPC®
Financial Advisor
12700 Townepark Way
Danville Bldg. Suite 100
Louisville, KY 40243
(502) 244-4114
Fax: (502) 244-4113
todd.a.metcalf@ampf.com
ameripriseadvisors.com/todd.a.metcalf

June 10 - 13
Camp Bear 2010
Financial planning services and investments available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.,
Our 2nd Annual Member FINRA and SIPC. Your meeting will include a review of your existing financial situation and potential opportunities,
Bear Event! gaps, or general strategies. *As long as you leave the money in the account for at least 5 years and are 59 1/2 or older
when you take distributions or meet another qualifying event, such as death, disability or purchase of a first home.
© 2009 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

June 25 - 27
6th Annual Trailer Trash /
Sordid Lives Weekend
Lots of fun events in honor
of the popular film!

July 1 - 5
Fabulous 4th Extended
Holiday Weekend
Special Cookouts,
Poolside Dance Party,
Tavern Bash

Bryan Gatewood
Attorney

Attorneys and Counselors at Law

PROUDLY SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FOR NEARLY A DECADE.

502.584.3300
231 South Fifth Street, Suite 200
Family Law • Estate Planning • Professional Small Business
Charitable Planning • Debtor/Creditor

www.johnsongatewood.com
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy under the bankruptcy law.

28 The COMMUNITY Letter www.theletteronline.com JUNE 2010