Top of the Line
The planned pride day show featuring Ellen DeGeneres at Temptations has been cancelled. Apparently, Temps was scammed by a man who said he could book the star—but a show in Santa Rosa, Calif., was already on the comic's schedule. So Temps is refunding bucks, and trying to get a top-name replacement. Call ( 847 ) 455-0008, 10235 W. Grand, Franklin Park. Meanwhile, Ellen's HBO comedy special airs July 22.
StopDrLaura.com reports Procter & Gamble is now standing firm—after wavering last week—in deciding not to advertise on the Dr. Laura TV and radio shows. P&G recently met with representatives from several anti-gay conservative groups, but P&G was reportedly upset because they thought the meeting would be about improving family TV programming, but was just about P&G cancelling ad buys from Dr. Laura's TV show. "The conversation was unproductive. … All in all, we were disappointed," P&G said. Show your support by contacting P&G at ( 800 ) 331-3774, FAX: ( 513 ) 983-1100, jager.di@pg.com, www.pg.com/about/contact1.htm. Also, last week there was a joint announcement that there will be upcoming protests in five cities: Kansas City, Mo., July 8. 3 p.m. picket of KSHB-TV Channel 41. Cincinnati July 9. 3 p.m. at WCPO-TV Channel 9. Houston, Texas., July 14. 11:30 a.m. at KSEV AM-770. Providence, RI., July 15. 2 p.m. at WLCW-TV Channel 28. Orlando, Fla., July 23. 2 p.m. at WKMG-TV Channel 6. There is also a demonstration June 25, in Washington D.C.
In Italy, gay activists vowed civil disobedience to ensure a World Pride festival, reports Reuters. The city council recently withdrew its support for the July 1-9 Pride festival, because it feared offending the Vatican during its Holy Year celebrations. Three hundred thousand gays from around the world are expected to attend the event.
Talk about your man-bites-dog story: In Ocala, Fla., a jury found a man guilty of animal cruelty after he fatally beat a dog because he thought it was gay, reports AP. George Stephens Finley, 58, could spend up to a year in jail. Witnesses testified that Finley was upset that his wife's male poodle-Yorkshire terrier repeatedly tried to engage in sexual activity with a male Jack Russell terrier, and so he hit the dog with a plastic vacuum cleaner wand and hurled it against a tree. The dog had to be put to death, AP said. What was he expecting with a poodle-Yorkshire?
That's entertainment
The 2nd Annual Black Pride Festival is June 29-July 3. Call ( 773 ) 375-7144, 731-8665, chicagoblackpride@yahoo.com, www.chicagoblackpride.org . There are lots of dances, picnics, workshops, a poetry slam, and special youth-related events.
BIG GODDESS POW WOW returns July 1 to Chicago. Come see some great Chicagoans and former Chicagoans: Marcia Wilkie, Lisa Buscani, Karol Kent, Donna Blue Lachman, Jenny Magnus, Brigid Murphy, Cin Salach and Ten Tongues, RENO, Cheryl Trykv, and hosted by Paula Killen They're all at the Metro, 3730 N. Clark, Saturday, July 1, ( 773 ) 271-6565. You can win free tickets from Outlines ( e-mail us at outlines@suba.com, or fax 773-871-7609 and say Big Goddess! ) . CLICK HERE for BIG GODDESS POW WOW 2003
Our House, a documentary about kids of gay and lesbian parents, airs on WTTW-Channel 11 June 23, 10:30 p.m.
The Canadian lesbian comedy Better Than Chocolate airs June 28 on cable.
The Chicago Lesbian & Gay Film Festival hosts a benefit screening of But I'm A Cheerleader, Wed., June 28, Pipers Alley Theatre, 1608 N. Wells, 7 p.m. reception, 8 p.m. screening, ( 773 ) 293-1447.
Sam's Wines & Spirits holds a benefit for Open Hand Chicago, Thursday, June 22, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Everyone shopping at Sam's during that time will be given a 10% discount, and Sam's will donate 5% of that directly to Open Hand. It's at 1720 N. Marcey St., ( 312 ) 664-4394. ... The American Civil Liberties Union Girls On Top benefit at Alamo Shoes lot, Clark and Summerdale in Andersonville, is Sat., 7-10 p.m.; Joanbaby performs, Terri Hemmert MCs, ( 312 ) 201-9740 ext 303. ... The Chicago Gay & Lesbian Bus Tour by the city's Neighborhood Tours, with Sukie de la Croix as tour guide, departs 10:30 a.m. Saturday from 77 E. Randolph, $56 includes lunch at Ann Sather's. Call ( 312 ) 742-1190. ... Chicago 35's Womyn's Pride Dance is Friday, 8-midnight, Unity Church, 1925 W. Thome, ( 847 ) 622-4493. That same night is the Horizons' 12th Pride Dance, at Circuit; ( 773 ) 472-6469 x262, 8-midnight.
Scout's honor
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon decide the legality of the Boy Scout's anti-gay policies. The July 6 Rolling Stone has a special report on the Scouts, especially their links to conservative religious groups and leaders ( especially Mormons and Catholics ) . It's a fascinating look behind the scenes at the "leadership," which is extremely out of touch with the grassroots volunteers and troops. James Dale, the man whose case is before the court, is the focus of the article, but it also deals with the history of the Scouts, their problems with lawsuits ( similar to the Catholic Church, where they often allow the accused to slip through the cracks and volunteer again ) . The article shows how the Scouts have tried to separate the issues of pedophilia and homosexuality, but that the leadership just doesn't seem to be able to get over their homophobia, especially if it means they lose conservative dollars.
Get ready to Pow Wow
BIG GODDESS POW WOW returns July 1 to Chicago. Come see some great Chicagoans and former Chicagoans: Marcia Wilkie, Lisa Buscani, Karol Kent, Donna Blue Lachman, Jenny Magnus, Brigid Murphy, Cin Salach and Ten Tongues, RENO, Cheryl Trykv, and hosted by Paula Killen They're all at the Metro, 3730 Clark, Sat., July 1, ( 773 ) 549-0203.
