The only really surprising thing about this year's Sept. 14 Gay Day at Dollywood is that it never happened before. It was organized by the East Tennessee Gay Pride group and 400 lesbians and gay men turned up. The Dollywood public relations people didn't know the final pride festivities were taking place there, so it was like a Gay Flash Mob. Now, there's an idea!
If anyone knows of such a thing, e-mail me at sukie@windycitymediagroup.com
I've never been to Dollywood myself, so I visited dollywood.com to see what I was missing …
… and I discovered I wasn't missing very much!! Although, the Chasing Rainbows 'interactive experience' sounds like a must-do: ' … experience for yourself what it's like to be Dolly Parton. Share the stage with Dolly and Porter Wagoner, see what you look like in one of Dolly's wigs and listen to some of Dolly's most popular songs. It's a look at Dolly's life like you've never seen before!'
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British millionaire gay couple Tony and Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, who already have three kids by surrogate mothers, are now advertising on the internet for another surrogate mother to pop a fourth child for them.
I'm all for gay people bringing up kids, but these two queens have got to be stopped; anybody who names their offspring Orlando, Aspen and Saffron should be tied down and forcibly sterilized, whatever their sexual orientation.
Aspen? … why would you name your kid after a ski resort?
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Have you seen ABC's Extreme Makeovers? None of that new perm and make-up tips, they put these girls under the plastic surgeon's knife, reconstruct their teeth, and kick them off the conveyor belt at the other end looking pretty good.
It all seems a bit drastic to me, although I have thought about having some work done myself—I've got a face like a suicidal shar pei on a rainy Monday morning—but I've decided not to; no amount of facial work is going to change the pure evil, Satanic, murderous and twisted monster that lies within me.
So it's pointless.
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Britney Spears said: 'I think we should just trust our president in every decision that he makes and we should just support that.'
Ms. Spears is obviously retarded …
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All you ever wanted to know about that raving lunatic John Ashcroft can be found at www.rotten.com/library/bio/usa/john-ashcroft/
And while we're on the subject of Mr. Ashcroft, he's also one of the chosen subjects on the Political Parody Trading Cards at www.psychedelicrepublicans.com
I predict his face will also be the top-selling Halloween mask for 2003. It doesn't get any creepier …
Chicago Whispers
The first issue of the publication the Chicago Gay Crusader appeared in May 1973 and was the city's first successful attempt at producing a serious gay newspaper; the Paper, a couple of years earlier, had failed after two or three issues. What were some of the hot issues?
Politics …
Although elected on a platform of concern 'for people,' Illinois Gov. Daniel Walker still refuses to ban discrimination against gay people in state jobs, saying the 1970 Illinois Constitution prohibits 'all kinds of discrimination' and therefore no action by him is necessary. During his campaign earlier in the year, he had promised to issue an order protecting women and 'other minorities.'
Walker tells the Illinois Gays for Legislative Action on six separate occasions that the courts are 'the proper place' to resolve the 'question' of gay rights.
Religion …
On March 10, 1973, the Committee on Ministerial Relations of the Presbytery of Chicago ( MR ) adopted a five-paragraph motion that began: 'The Committee on Ministerial Relations does not recommend that final clearance be given to Rev. David Sindt so that he may accept a call to the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church for a specialized ministry to the Gay Community … . It is important that the minister not be himself an advocate of homosexuality, as then homosexuality would simply be another form of idolatry. Our conversation with Mr. Sindt indicated that he was a committed advocate of homosexuality … .'
In reality, MR felt morally obliged to reach out to the gay community, but they didn't want a gay person, or a gay advocate, to do it.
Sindt had first proposed the gay ministry in April 1972, and although his participation was turned down, the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church quietly continued its gay ministry without Presbytery approval. [ Sindt was inducted posthumously into the Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame. ]
Drag …
The Miss Gay America contest took place May 10 at the Saloon in Nashville. First prize was $1,000 and a Pontiac. Second prize $1,000 and two gowns, third $500, and fourth $300. Contestants were judged on Talent, Gowns, and Sportswear. Among the Chicago entrants were Roski Fernandez, Peaches, and Dina Jacobs representing the Baton, Ramrod, and Belfry.
Youth …
The Chicago Gay Crusader reports on a youth, Jim, who was abducted by his father and two policemen from the Gay Community Services Center at 171 Elm St. Jim knew that sooner or later he would end up in an institution because his parents had talked about it, and he was terrified of shock treatment being used to cure his homosexuality.
The Crusader wrote: 'It's hard to believe that in this day and age, such barbaric treatment still exists in institutions and shock therapy for curing homosexuals.'
Law students …
The Chicago-area gay law students association holds its fourth organizing meeting May 11 at Up North restaurant at 6244 N. Western. The group made plans to present a public gay law forum during 1973's Gay Pride week.
Lesbian Liberation …
The recently incorporated Chicago Lesbian Liberation organization met at 7.30 p.m. on Mondays at the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church at 600 W. Fullerton.
Gay Pride Planning Committee …
The Planning Committee thanks the following organizations and businesses for their donations: One of Chicago Inc. ( $50 ) , Dignity ( $50 ) , Chicago Gay Alliance ( $25 ) , GAE Greetings ( 2,000 leaflets ) , Gay Teacher's Association ( $5 ) , Feminist Lesbian Party ( slide projector ) , and Advocates of Gay Action ( all mailing costs ) .
Gay Medical Students …
In April 1973, Chicago's gay medical students met for the first time as an organization. One of the aims of the new group was to distribute VD information pamphlets and to work toward setting up a gay VD clinic.
Gay Theater …
Gay group ONE of Chicago, Inc., formed in 1960, announced the completion of the all-male casting for its version of Next Week, East Lynne, a satire on an old-fashioned melodrama, written by Arthur Bushnell. The play was directed by James C. Krulish. Performances took place May 18, 19, 20, at the I.O.O.F. Hall, 4221 W. Irving Park. Tickets were $3.
If you have memories to share, contact Sukie de la Croix at Windy City Times. You can leave a message on his voicemail at ( 773 ) 871-7610. He collects memories and interviews over the phone, in person, or via e-mail sukie@windycitymediagroup.com
