DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2008 VOLUME SEVEN, ISSUE 50

YOUR FREE ■ NYPD RESPONDS ■ BRUTAL B’KLN ATTACK ■ ANNIE PUTS EM AT EASE
WEEKLY Prostitution arrests Bushwick man brain- Leibovitz captures
valid, city says dead in bias assault moments between moments
NEWSPAPER P. 6 P. 7 P. 24
A M E R I C A’ S L A R G E S T C I R C U L AT I O N G AY A N D L E S B I A N W E E K LY N E W S P A P E R !

Gay City
NEWS
TM

S E R V I N G G A Y, L E S B I A N , B I A N D T R A N S G E N D E R E D N E W Y O R K • W W W . G A Y C I T Y N E W S . C O M

■ POLITICS ■ POLITICS

NJ State Senate
Commission Leader:
Urges Gay Civil Rights
Nups Now Can’t Be
BY PAUL SCHINDLER Bargained
I
n a report comprehensive BY PAUL SCHINDLER
in scope and sweeping in

I
its conclusions, an official n a stunning reversal, Mal-
government commission in colm Smith, the Queens
New Jersey recommended that Democrat in line to become
the Legislature change state the leader of the State Sen-
law “to allow same-sex couples ate should his party hold on
to marry” and to do so “expe- to the fragile 32-30 majority
ditiously because any delay in it won in the November elec-
marriage equality will harm all tion, announced he was end-
the people of New Jersey.” ing negotiations with the so-
The findings, released on the called Gang of Three, a trio of
rebellious city Democrats who
P. 2 had threatened to withhold
their support for him in next
■ EDITORIAL month’s leadership contest.
Significantly, Smith repu-
UN effort diated a deal it was widely
to decriminalize reported he had made with
■ 14 Senator Ruben Diaz, a Bronx
—————————————— Democrat and Pentecostal
■ A PIONEER’S DEATH minister, who shortly after
Eleanor Cooper the election said he would not
vote for any Senate leader who
was 68 would bring a marriage equal-
■ 10 ity bill up for a vote. A meeting
——————————————
DOUG MESZLER/COURTESY EMPIRE STATE PRIDE AGENDA

that Smith held with Diaz and

■ BIG TRIP the other two dissident Demo-
Top writers on going crats on December 4, briefly
and returning home attended by Democratic Gov-
ernor David A. Paterson as
■ 22 well, led to numerous press
——————————————
accounts reporting that Smith
■ MOTION POETRY pledged to Diaz that the mar-
“STACKS” a hit at NYU riage bill, which the governor
■ 28 supports and the Assembly
—————————————— has already passed, would not
MALCOLM SMITH, IN 2007, PLEDGED PROMPT DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY GAY MARRIAGE ACTION get a vote. News stories dif-
fered as to whether that pledge
encompassed only 2009, or the

About-Face
complete 2009-2010 legislative
session.
“We are suspending nego-
tiations, effective immediately,
because to do so otherwise
would reduce our moral stand-
Malcolm Smith Walks ing and the long-term Senate
Democratic commitment to
CRAIG LUCAS’ ‘PRAYER’ Back from Precipice reform and to change,” Smith
20 © GAY CITY NEWS 2008 • COMMUNITY MEDIA, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED P. 8
2/ Politics
NJ Gay Marriage Urged
State review commission concludes civil unions don’t cut it
䉴 continued from cover
morning of December 10 and
which ran to 45 pages plus
appendices, were issued in the
“final report” of the New Jer-
sey Civil Union Review Com-
mission, a 13-member body
established when civil unions
were enacted in late 2006.
The Legislature adopted the
civil union law in response to
a State Supreme Court ruling
that October mandating that
New Jersey afford same-sex
couples all the rights and ben-
efits of marriage.
The Review Commission
was created to monitor the
effectiveness of the civil union
law in meeting the mandate
laid out by the high court, and
its establishment represented
a significant consolation prize
for Garden State Equality, New
Jersey’s LGBT rights lobby
group, which had unsuccess-
fully pressed the Legislature
and Democratic Governor Jon
Corzine to enact a marriage
equality law in response to the
court ruling.
At the time, the governor
and legislative leaders were not
publicly antagonistic toward
full marriage equality, but
argued that a civil union law
should first be given a chance
to meet the court mandate.
The Review Commission
decisively found that the law
fell short in addressing the
equality requirements of the
Supreme Court ruling.
“I believe that New Jersey
will be the first state in the
union to enact marriage equal-
ity through legislation,” said
Steven Goldstein, chairman
of Garden State Equality and
the co-chairman of the Review
Commission. “With this report,
I believe it is more likely than
ever to happen very soon.”
Asked if he thought it was
possible that a marriage equal-
ity bill could be enacted in
2009, prior to statewide elec-
tions in New Jersey in Novem-
ber, Goldstein responded, “I
would not preclude that pos-
sibility.” The governor and the
entire State Assembly face the
voters next November, but not
the State Senate, which has
four-year terms that end after
November 2011. Both Senate
President Richard J. Codey
(the former acting governor)
and Assembly Speaker Joseph
J. Roberts, Jr. — the two men
are Democrats — have said
they support marriage equal-
ity, while Corzine has for more
A key issue now is whether Governor Jon Corzine will allow a marriage bill to move before
his 2009 reelection bid.
than a year acknowledged that
he would sign a marriage law if
it came to his desk. Although
the Senate, which is not up for
election in 2009, has only a
narrow Democratic majority,
in the Assembly, the party has
a commanding advantage over
the Republicans.
In a meeting with gay jour-
nalists in 2007, Corzine said
he would prefer the Legisla-
ture not move on marriage
equality until after the 2008
presidential election, but said
he had no concerns about
signing such a law prior to his
own expected reelection bid in
November 2009.
Even though the Review
Commission issued a prelimi-
nary report in early 2008 iden-
tifying significant shortfalls
in the ability of civil unions to
deliver true equality, the una-
nimity and boldness of the
final report are striking.
“Given where we started
and the fact that nearly half of
the commissioners are govern-
ment employees from a state
that fought to defend the sta-
tus quo on marriage in court,
this result is surprising,” said
J. Frank Vespa-Papaleo, the
Review Commission chairman
who is director of the state
Division on Civil Rights. “To
have gone from that to these
conclusions speaks volumes
about the comprehensive-
ome, president of the state Bar
Association, told the commis-
sioners that the law is “a failed
experiment.”
AnnL ynne Benson, a
Republican appointed to the
Commission by Corzine and a
former director of Gloucester
County Right to Life, acknowl-
edged that it “was not an easy
process to reach consensus”
in completing the final report,
but said that the conclusions
were clear.
“The civil union law was
like planting a tooth pick and
expecting a tree to grow,” Ben-
son told Gay City News. Noting
that gay and lesbian couples
have had the right to adopt
for many years, she added, “It
doesn’t make sense for those
children’s parents not to have
NEW JERSEY OFFICE OF GOVERNOR
the right to be married.”
Among the key conclusions
were that the law fails to pro-
vide members of civil union
couples with the ability to act
as a spouse in making health
care decisions for their part-
ners in emergency situations;
that employers continue to
discriminate against civil
ness and transparency of this union couples as compared to
review process and about the their married employees; that
quality of the information we the public in general had an
gathered.” inadequate and often mistak-
Five of the 13 commission- en understanding of what civil
ers represent state government unions are; that the children
agencies that report directly to raised by civil union couples
Corzine - in addition to Vespa- are disadvantaged relative
Papaleo’s Civil Rights Division, to those in married house-
the departments of Human holds; and that people of color
Services, Banking and Insur- couples face particularly diffi-
ance, Health and Senior Ser- cult burdens in gaining equal
vices, and Children and Fami- access to the rights and ben-
lies. A sixth commissioner rep- efits that marriage would pro-
resents the state attorney gen- vide.
eral, Anne Milgram, a Corzine The report opens with an
appointee herself, but one with especially compelling case of
broad statutory independence a Montclair civil union partner
from the governor. confronted with a potentially
Of the other seven commis- fatal cardiac arrhythmia that
sioners, five were appointed by landed her in an emergency
the governor, and one each by room. Gina Pastino testified
the Senate president and the that even though she gave the
Assembly speaker. Goldstein hospital all the relevant infor-
was appointed by Speaker mation about her family mem-
Roberts. bers, including her civil union
The Review Commission partner Naomi, when Naomi
report laid out a range of cri- arrived at the emergency room,
teria, on each of which civil the attending physician said
unions were judged as fail- he did not know what a civil
ing to deliver equality. It also union was. As the result, valu-
labored to incorporate the per- able time treating Gina was
sonal stories from the more wasted in clarifying her part-
than 150 witnesses who testi- ner’s authority to make medi-
fied at eight public hearings cal decisions.
lasting a cumulative 26 hours. In the case of a Plainfield
In perhaps the most point- couple, a gay man was not
ed indictment of the separate allowed to visit his partner in
status for same-sex couples an emergency room and was
created by the New Jersey Leg-
islature, Lynn Fontaine News- 䉴 NEW JERSEY, continued on p.3
11 - 17 DEC 2008
7 DAYS
7 NIGHTS
DANCE
THU.DEC.11
Musical Millepied
Benjamin Millepied, a principal
dancer at New York City Ballet, pres-
ents his “Danses Concertantes,” this
season featuring 12 American Ballet
Theatre dancers in a repertoire of two
pieces, both choreographed by him
and accompanied by live music. Pedja
Muzijevic plays piano for “Without,”
with music by Chopin, and Natasha
Paremski plays piano for “Variations
on a Theme by Paganini,” with music
by Brahms. Joyce Theater, 175
Eight Ave. at 19th St. Dec. 11-13, 8
p.m.; Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are
$19-$59 at joyce.org.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
Ode to India
Dance-theater maverick Pina
Bausch and her company, Tanzthe-
ater Wuppertal, close BAM’s 2008
Next Wave Festival with the exclu-
sive US engagement of “Bamboo
Blues,” an ode to India — the vibrant
country whose people and rich cul-
ture have captivated her throughout
her artistic career. “Bamboo Blues”
features arresting staging, a wall
of billowing fabric, video projec-
tions, and Bausch’s signature blend
of dynamic full-body movement and
poignant gesture-rich abstractions.
The score includes contemporary
Indian music as well as music from
4Hero, Alice Coltrane, and Michael
Gordon, among others. BAM How-
ard Gilman Opera House, 30
Lafayette Ave. at Ashland Pl.,
near Flatbush Ave. Dec. 11-13, 16,
17, 19 & 20, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 14, 3
p.m. Tickets are $25-$ 85at bam.org
or 718-636-4100.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
Interdisciplined
Ten years into its existence, the
six-member Misnomer Dance Theater,
led by Chris Elam, has earned acclaim
for highly original and exceptionally
moving dances. Having garnered the
support of the dance community, with
positive reviews from discerning crit-
ics and tastemakers, the company
has spent much of the last few years
in interdisciplinary collaborations —
with Björk and Tronic Studios/Apple,
among others. This work culminates
in Misnomer’s return to the New
York stage for the world premiere of
“Being Together,” a three-part, eve-
ning-length program. Joyce Soho,
155 Mercer St., btwn. Houston
& Prince Sts. Thu.-Sun., 8 p.m.,
through Dec. 14. Tickets are $25;
$18 for students & seniors at joyce.
org or 212.352.3101.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
䉴 DEC 11, continued on p.7
11 - 17 DEC 2008
Progress and Persistence
After 20 years, St. Vincent’s HIV Center sees gains, and new infections too
BY DUNCAN OSBORNE
M
att Baney joined
Saint Vincent Catho-
lic Medical Centers
in 1992. He remembers when
the prospects for an HIV-pos-
itive person were grim and
healthcare providers had little
to offer such individuals.
“At that point, we were hous-
ing up to 200, 220 patients per
day,” said the director of the
hospital’s Comprehensive HIV
Center. “Patient stays were
very short... Patients came in
with PCP pneumonia, toxo-
plasmosis, whatever it might
be... Unfortunately, people
died rather quickly.”
Dr. Antonio Urbina, the HIV
center’s medical director, did
his residency at the West Vil-
lage hospital from 1992 to
1995.
“You would go to the emer-
gency department, basically
stretchers wall to wall,” he
said.
In 2008, the Comprehensive
HIV Center celebrated its 20th
anniversary and a dramati-
cally changed landscape for
people with HIV, the virus that
causes AIDS.
In 2007, the center, with a
䉴 NEW JERSEY, from p.2
finally removed from the hos-
pital by security.
Most of the employers who
refused to extend equal bene-
fits to civil union couples cited
the federal Employee Retire-
ment Insurance Security Act
(ERISA) that exempts from
state regulation all companies
that “self-insure,” rather than
relying on a third-party insur-
er to take on the cost risk of
their health care benefits plan.
According to the Review Com-
mission, an estimated 50 per-
cent of all companies in New
Jersey self-insure.
It is not clear whether full
marriage rights for same-sex
couples would alter the legal
impact of ERISA — New Jer-
sey might still be constrained
from requiring equal treatment
under self-insurance plans —
but the Review Commission
argued that in practice the
ERISA problem would largely
subside.
“The testimony suggests
that employers may decline to
provide insurance and health
benefits to civil union partners
not because of an objection to
the government recognition of
Matt Baney (l.), director of the Comprehensive HIV Center at the St. Vincent Catholic Medical
Centers, and Dr. Antonio Urbina, the center’s medical director.
staff of 85 and an annual bud-
get of $7 million, saw more
than 5,000 patients in 34,000
visits, and treated 1,500 in-
patients. Some 800 of those
patients were undocumented
immigrants, predominantly
from South America.
The hospital paid for some of
that care itself because Medic-
aid and Medicare, the govern-
ment-run health insurance
plans, generally do not pay for
services for undocumented
same-sex couples, but because
of the term used by statutes
establishing government sanc-
tioned same-sex relationships,”
the Review Commission wrote.
In fact, testimony from Mas-
sachusetts pointed to employer
acceptance of same-sex mar-
riages despite the potential
for them to invoke the ERISA
loophole. Tom Barbera, a vice
president of that state’s AFL-
CIO, testified, “From the first
few weeks after May 17, 2004,
when marriage equality took
effect in Massachusetts, ERISA
has barely been an issue in
Massachusetts... In the first
few weeks of marriage equality,
only a few companies chose
not to provide retirement ben-
efits under ERISA to same-sex
couples.”
The Review Commission
in New Jersey found a mark-
edly different experience under
civil unions, and stated that
the problem had not lessened
since the law took effect.
Dr. Marshall Forstein, a
Harvard Medical School psy-
chiatry professor, testified that
a purportedly separate but
equal relationship status for
same-sex couples was psycho-
logically harmful both for such
Health/3
“These are patients that
have a lot of other co-mor -
bid conditions,” Urbina said.
“Thirty percent are co-infected
with hepatitis C, a fair share of
them have either mental illness
or substance abuse issues or
both. These are not your Park
Avenue patients.”
What is most striking, in
comparison to 1992, is that
the HIV center is now offer-
ing cutting edge services and
treatments to people with HIV.
The state health department
will spend $290,000 a year for
GAY CITY NEWS
five years to have center staff,
along with the Montefiore
Medical Center in the Bronx,
train emergency departments
across the state on providing
post-exposure prophylaxis
immigrants. (PEP) to people who have been
“It’s a very limited amount of recently exposed to HIV.
care that they are eligible for,” “It’s really to increase aware-
said Baney, referring to the ness about PEP,” Urbina said.
undocumented immigrants, “I think that’s one of its main
and added, “We do a lot of goals, and to educate emer-
charity care because a lot of gency departments on how to
our patients are homeless.” provide PEP.”
That 80 percent of the cen- The protocol is a month of
ter’s patients have an unde- treatment on three anti-HIV
tectable viral load, which drugs. The regimen must start
shows their anti-HIV drugs are within 72 hours of the expo-
working, is remarkable given sure to be effective, so doctors
the population served there. must be taught when to rec-
partners and for young people afford the financial and legal
first coming out and faced with advice necessary to protect
prospect that they can never each other, their retirement,
enjoy the same family status and their life after the death of
as their heterosexual peers. one of the partners.
Dr. Judith Glassgold, presi- The Review Commission
dent of the New Jersey Psycho- pointed to the broad public
logical Association, who works benefits of extending marriage
with children, adolescents, rights to same-sex couples,
and their families, testified that estimating that the weddings of
unequal treatment in terms of 10,589 New Jersey couples, or
relationship recognition harms approximately one half of the
children in gay and lesbian total identified by the Census,
families. over the next three years, plus
The Review Commission the influx of wedding tourists
report noted that transgen- to the state, would generate
dered people who married $284 million in economic activ-
while living in their birth gen- ity during that period, create
der but now having transi- 800 jobs, and increase state
tioned receive no clarification and local tax revenues by $19
about their marital status as million.
the result of the civil union law. The report pointed to a sim-
Whether they remain married ilar range of benefits identi-
or are now considered to be in fied last year by the New York
a civil union - or neither -is an City comptroller in assessing
unanswered legal question. the potential impact of mar-
Dr. Sylvia Rhue, director of riage equality here, and noted
religious affairs for the Nation- that a range of observers in
al Black Justice Coalition, Massachusetts have found
testified about the economic a positive benefit from the
burden facing poorer couples, migration of skilled gay cou-
many of them people of color, ples to that state since 2004.
who are not given equal treat- The report did acknowledge
ment by their employers. that the refusal of the federal
Unlike more affluent couples, government and most state
this population often cannot governments — New York is
ognize that PEP is needed and
to act quickly. The center han-
dles 15 to 20 PEP cases every
month.
“The majority are men who
have sex with men, but we’ve
had a lot of sexual assaults
and we’ve also had persons
that identify as heterosexual,”
Urbina said.
The center is also working
with the city health depart-
ment since the department’s
May implementation of pooled
PCR testing, an HIV test that
can identify individuals within
days of their first becoming
infected.
A standard HIV test detects
antibodies to the virus. While
they are highly sensitive, indi-
viduals produce HIV antibodies
at varying rate, and some may
go undetected with a standard
test as much as a month after
first becoming infected.
The health department
takes blood samples from peo-
ple testing at four — and soon
to be six — of the city’s sexual-
ly transmitted disease clinics.
The blood samples are mixed
and tested for minute amounts
of HIV’s genetic material. When
䉴 ST. VINCENT, continued on p.11
a notable exception — to rec-
ognize same-sex marriages
from those states where they
are legal will continue to cre-
ate inequalities for same-sex
couples. Access to federally-
funded programs, such as
Medicaid, as a spouse or mar-
ried couple would be barred,
and married couples traveling
outside New Jersey might face
limitations on having their
spousal status recognized - in
emergency health care situa-
tions, for example.
Still, Garden State Equal-
ity’s Goldstein argued, it would
likely be easier for a gay man or
lesbian to explain that they are
their partner’s spouse than to
spell out that the couple enjoys
civil union rights.
The Commission recom-
mended that the domestic
partnership law that allows
couples in which one partner
is 62 or older to have their rela-
tionships enjoy government-
recognized legal status be
retained. More than 150 such
couples have registered as
partners, presumably to avoid
the complications in their
estate planning, likely already
underway, that marriage
would have entailed.
4 11 – 17 DEC 2008 WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM

Living with HIV doesn’t

© 2007 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company,Princeton,NJ 08543 U.S.A. VIUS07AB09722 11/07

WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM 11 – 17 DEC 2008 5

mean you have to live here.

Ask your doctor if there are HIV medications

with a low risk of diarrhea.
6/ Crime 11 - 17 DEC 2008

NYPD Addresses Prostitution Busts

City says actions valid, but their stats confirm older men nabbed at certain venues
BY DUNCAN OSBORNE The city wants to close Blue
Door permanently, asserting

R
esponding to emailed the business has violated the
questions concerning terms of the June stipulation.
prostitution arrests of “The defendants agreed to be
gay and bisexual men in Man- subject to an injunction against
hattan porn shops, the police prostitution as well as lewdness
department’s deputy commis- or assignation at the premises,”
sioner for public information Taussig wrote. “The quoted lan-
cited statistics that suggest that guage is only one element of a
cops are targeting older men in presentation by the city to dem-
one East Village porn shop. onstrate the defendants’ fla-
“So far in 2008, 31 out of grant disregard of the stipula-
179 men who were arrested for tion. More specifically, it is but
prostitution-related offenses in one part of an undercover offi-
Manhattan South were above cer’s description of his observa-
the age of 40,” wrote Paul J. tions of prostitution as well as
Browne in a December 3 email. his interaction with an individ-
“In other words, 82.7 percent ual who was observed engaging
were younger, often in their in oral sex.”
20s.” The man who refused the
However, police have arrest- officer’s money, identified as
ed 12 men in Blue Door Video “JD asian,” for John Doe, was

GAY CITY NEWS

at 87 First Avenue so far this
year and eight of them, or 66
percent, were 42 or older. That
is in contrast with just 17 per-
cent of men arrested who were
over 40 in all of the Manhattan
South area, which runs from
59th Street to the bottom of the
island.
The difference between those
two percentages is so great
as to suggest that it could not
occur randomly. One possible
explanation is that younger
undercover police officers are
soliciting older men, who may
be more likely to respond to a
younger man.
Robert Pinter, who was 52
at his October arrest in Blue
Door, told Gay City News that
the officer who busted him said
he was 29. That officer, identi-
fied only by his badge number,
arrested two other men in Blue
Door and another in Rainbow
Store in Chelsea.
Pinter said the younger man
was aggressive and charm-
ing in getting Pinter to agree to
what he thought was consen-
sual sex outside of the store. It
The city sued Gotham City at 687 Eighth Avenue after police arrested six men there, allegedly for prostitution, in June.
was only as the two were leav-
ing Blue Door that the under-
cover cop said to Pinter “Oh,
I want to pay you $50 to suck
your dick.” Pinter said nothing
in response and was arrested
outside the store.
Altogether, five officers made
the 12 arrests in Blue Door,
and only one who made one
arrest was identified - Detective
Matthew Lingeza - by name.
The rest were identified by
badge numbers. The ages of the
remaining four officers could
not be determined.
Browne defended the pros-
titution arrests, which have
happened in at least seven
Manhattan porn shops dating
back to 2004, with at least 47
men arrested. Of that number,
only seven are known to have
pleaded guilty to prostitution
charges.
“The fact remains that the
locations had become notori-
ous for solicitation of sex acts,
with complaints from the pub-
lic resulting in police attention,”
wrote Browne, who added that
four of the shops had been the
subject of 11 complaints since
2005, with most of those com-
plaints coming in 2008.
Also responding to emailed
questions, the city’s Law
Department first noted that
the lawsuits seeking to close
six of the seven porn shops,
which were brought in 2007
and 2008, were handled by
lawyers in the Mayor’s Office of
Special Enforcement and the
police department’s legal unit
“who have been delegated as
assistant corporation counsels
for the purpose of commencing
and prosecuting these actions,”
wrote Gabriel Taussig, chief of
the department’s Administra-
tive Law Division.
The city first sued Blue Door
in June, citing ten prostitution
one of the two men observed
engaging in oral sex.
Four of the 12 men arrested
at Blue Door were from out
of state, including two who
arrests that occurred there in apparently came from Europe.
January and February. The That raises the question about
business owner signed a stipu- the arrests as to why the four
lation with the city in which he would travel to New York City to
agreed to end all prostitution, sell their bodies for sums rang-
lewdness, and “assignation,” ing from $20 to $40, when they
or agreeing to sexual encoun- could more easily and cheaply
ters with or without money earn that at home.
exchanged, in the location. That T aussig wrote that the
last provision would preclude arrests were solid.
any two men in the shop from “In preparing the cases, the
agreeing, for example, to leave facts surrounding the arrests
the venue and go to one of their were assessed to ensure that
apartments to have sex. they sufficiently alleged prob-
Since signing that June able cause to support the
agreement, police made two arrests,” he wrote. Browne
more prostitution arrests wrote that the arrests were
there, though one of those overseen by senior officers.
men is contesting the charge; “All investigations were
observed two men engaged in supervised by a Sergeant or
oral sex through a glory hole above,” he wrote.
in a video booth; and reported The Manhattan district attor-
an “assignation” when a man ney’s office, which prosecuted
refused an undercover officer’s the criminal cases, produced
offer of money, saying “No, I some records in response to
don’t want your money, only email questions, but did not
your body.” respond to the questions.

NEWS BRIEFS By ANDY HUMM

LGBT Center
Director Burns
Out
That’s not really fair to
Richard Burns, after 22 years
as executive director of New
York’s LGBT Community Center,
but I couldn’t resist the head-
line. Burns has actually shown
remarkable staying power,
but is moving on in February
to become the chief operating
officer at the Arcus Foundation,
part of whose mission is LGBT
rights. The group’s executive
director is Urvashi Vaid, who
once led the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force.
Burns and Vaid go way back
— along with Lambda Legal’s
executive director Kevin Cath-
cart of Lambda, Tim McFeeley,
formerly head of the Human
Rights Campaign Fund, Sue
Hyde, who is with the Task
Force, and the late educator,
writer, and activist Eric Rofes
— to Boston’s Gay Commu-
nity News collective of the
late-1970s. The group has been
referred to over the years, affec-
tionately and otherwise, as the
Massachusetts Mafia.
More on the Burns transition
in the coming weeks. His suc-
cessor will take over “the larg-
est LGBT multi-service organiza-
tion on the East Coast” and sec-
ond largest such center in the
world, serving 6,000 people and
300 groups annually, according
to a Center release.
Gay Band in
Inauguration;
Lesbian in
Administration
For the first time, an LGBT-
identified group will march in the
president’s inauguration parade.
The Inaugural Committee said in
a release that the Lesbian and
Gay Band Association will have
a contingent in the January 20
procession.
“I am honored to invite these
talented groups and individuals
to participate in the Inaugural
Parade,” President-elect Barack
Obama said in the release, words
we can’t imagine George W. Bush
saying, though he did participate
in the recent Kennedy Center
honors for Barbra Streisand.
That’s so gay.
Obama made his first out
gay or lesbian appointment this
week, naming Nancy Sutley as
head of the White House Coun-
cil on Environmental Quality. A
Hillary Clinton supporter in the
primaries, she is a deputy mayor
of Los Angeles.
Pat Boone,
Religious Right
Go Around the
Bend
Pat Boone once sang “April
Love,” but now he is spewing
December hate, writing that
“there is a real, unbroken line
between the jihadist savagery in
䉴 BRIEFS, continued on p.7
11 - 17 DEC 2008
7 DAYS Hate Crime Victim Brain-Dead
䉴
7 NIGHTS Assailants shout anti-gay, anti-Latino slurs, attack Brooklyn Ecuadorean
THU DEC 11, from p.2
HOLIDAYS
A Grab Bag,
Indeed
He’s run for mayor, been toastmaster
general at far too many glittering occa-
sions to recall, and tonight he’s Santa
Claus. Come sit on Santa Murray Hill’s
sexy lap, tell him what you want, and
get a photo taken with him. The beloved
entertainer but oddly infamous personal-
ity will be joined by the Babeland Elves
for an evening full of a winter’s wonder-
land of toys, tricks, and naughty gift ideas
for everyone on your list. Babeland
LES, 94 Rivington St., btwn. Orchard
& Ludlow Sts., 7-9 p.m. Free.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ apartment, at approximately
THEATER
FRI.DEC.12
Madame Secretary
New Georges, the Obie Award-win-
ning downtown theater company, pres-
ents the premiere of Wendy Weiner’s
“Hillary: A Modern Greek Tragedy with
a (Somewhat) Happy Ending,” directed
by Julie Kramer. Mia Barron (Tom Stop-
pard’s “The Coast of Utopia”) and TV
actor Darren Pettie head up the cast as
Hillary and Bill Clinton. When a young
girl named Hillary Rodham devotes
herself solely to Athena, the goddess
of wisdom, Aphrodite, the goddess of
love, takes revenge by having her fall
in love with a man of mythical charms
and appetites. The Living Theater,
21 Clinton St. –– that’s right, Clin-
ton St. –– btwn. E. Houston & Stan-
ton Sts. Wed.-Mon., 8 p.m. through
Dec. 20. Tickets are $20; $18 for stu-
dents & seniors at smarttix.com or
212-868-4444.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ing a dark cap, leather jacket,
Circus In Space
Elizabeth Streb presents “Invisible
Forces,” which combines the thrills of
the circus, the heart thumps of a great
adventure movie, and the velocity of
the Indy 500 in one big, crowd-pleasing
action event. Beautiful bodies engaging
sexy new hardware in show-stopping
pieces will keep audiences on the edge
of their seats, wherever in space those
seats happen to be. SLAM, 51 N. First
St., btwn. Kent & Wythe Aves., Wil-
liamsburg. Fri., Sat. 7 p.m.; Sat.,
Sun., 3 p.m., through Dec. 21. Tickets
are $20; $10 for those under 10 at streb.
org/V2/company/tour.html.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ and tactics of our homegrown
CABARET
He’ll Do It the
Other Guy’s Way
Michael Feinstein returns to the
club he founded for a month of shows
dedicated to Ol’ Blue Eyes, “The Sina-
tra Holiday Project.” Musical director
䉴 DEC 12, continued on p.8
BY PAUL SCHINDLER
A
brutal attack in which
three men wielded an
aluminum baseball
bat and a beer bottle as well as
anti-gay and anti-Latino slurs
has left one of two Ecuador-
ean brothers, walking home in
Bushwick early on the morning
of December 7, brain-dead, kept
breathing solely through the use
of a ventilator.
Jose O. Sucuzhanay, 31, and
his brother Romel, 38, were near
the intersection of Bushwick
Avenue and Kossuth Place, just
around the corner from Jose’s
3:30 a.m. Sunday morning,
when a carload of men jumped
out and assaulted the younger
man.
According to police, one
assailant broke the bottle over
Sucuzhanay’s head. After the
victim fell to the ground, anoth-
er of the attackers began beating
him with the bat. Romel Sucu-
zhanay managed to flee from the
path of the first assailant who
chased after him with the bro-
ken beer bottle. He finally pre-
vailed on the men to stop beat-
ing his brother when he showed
them that he had a cellphone to
use to call police.
There was at least one other
witness to the assault besides
Romel, according to police, who
said the assailants were black
men riding in a red or maroon
SUV. The NYPD released a
description of one of them — a
thin man about 6-foot tall wear-
jeans, and boots.
Police and other officials who
have spoken publicly about the
crime have noted that the two
brothers were walking arm-in-
arm, a detail presumably men-
tioned to provide some reason
why the assailants screamed
anti-gay taunts at the men. The
New York Times quoted a third
brother, Diego Sucuzhanay, as
䉴 BRIEFS, from p.6
Mumbai and the hedonistic, irre-
sponsible, blindly selfish goals
sexual jihadists,” his words
for those who demonstrated
against the Mormon Church’s
bankrolling of Proposition 8 in
California, eliminating the right
to same-sex marriage there.
Boone went on: “Oh, I know
the homosexual ‘rights’ dem-
onstrations haven’t reached
the same level of violence, but
Crime/7
WILLIAM ALATRISTE/ NY CITY COUNCIL
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, flanked (front row) by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Bronx Assemblywoman Carmen
Arroyo, at a December 8 press conference denouncing the Bushwick attack.
saying Jose had been targeted a broad swath of political, legal, Galen Kirkland, the com-
because of his “skin color.” and religious leaders, including missioner of the State Division
A police source told Gay representatives of the Ecuador- of Human Rights, was also on
City News that the assault is ean and LGBT communities, hand.
informally being treated as a such as the AVP and the LGBT Walter R. Sinche, director
homicide despite the fact that Community Center. ejecutivo of Alianza Ecuatori-
Sucuzhanay clings to life, and Quinn opened the session ana in Queens, noted that just
a spokesperson for the Medi- by terming the attack “a hate- a few weeks ago a gang known
cal Examiner’s office said that ful and despicable act” and as the Caucasian Crew stabbed
no death certificate has been warning the perpetrators “you to death a 37-year-old Ecuador-
filed but that the office was will be apprehended, you will ean immigrant, Marcelo Lucero,
notified of the situation. be apprehended and pros- in Patchogue, Long Island.
Sucuzhanay is at Elmhurst ecuted to the fullest extent of Carmen E. Arroyo, a Bronx
Hospital Center in Queens, the law.” She noted that both state assemblywoman who
and his parents are en route the police and the Brooklyn chairs the Puerto Rican and
from Ecuador. The family said district attorney are investigat- Latino Caucus, said of the
that they are awaiting their ing the assault as a hate crime, attack on Sucuzhanay, “It
arrival before making fur - and explained how such an was not a crime against one
ther medical decisions. Romel enhancement to the criminal person, it is a crime against a
had been visiting his brother charge would, upon convic- community.”
Jose from Ecuador on a two- tion, lead to a stiffer penalty. The AVP will join with Make
month visa. At a press confer- Brooklyn District Attorney the Road NY, a Bushwick-based
ence at City Hall on December Charles J. Hynes has been par- social action group, and other
8, Diana Reyna, the Council ticularly outspoken and active organizations to express their
member who represents Bush- among prosecutors in the state outrage over the attack at Make
wick, said, “The family has regarding hate crimes, and his the Road’s office at 301 Grove
made the decision to not let chief of Civil Rights & Police Street, near the intersection of
him suffer any more.” Integrity in the Rackets Division, Myrtle and Irving Avenues, on
The City Hall press confer- Charles M. Guria, was on hand Sunday, December 14 at 2 p.m.
ence, called by Council Speaker to emphasize the priority the The closest subway stops are
Christine Quinn, a Chelsea case would have in his office. Myrtle-Wyckoff on the L and
Democrat who once led the “We are absolutely shocked Knickerbocker on the M. Call
New York City Gay and Lesbian and appalled at this senseless 718-418-7690 for more infor-
Anti-Violence Project, included and bigoted attack,” he said. mation.
I’m referring to the anger, the violence.” Well! Makes you the New York Times on December a “Big Lie” ad of unprecedented
vehemence, the total disregard wonder who lost their marriage 5 titled “No Mob Veto,” decrying “chutzpah” given the antipathy
for law and order and the sup- rights on Election Day. the “violence and intimidation of its signatories for Mormon-
posed rights of fellow citizens. The Human Rights Cam- being directed against the LDS ism and their lack of respect for
I’m referring to the intolerance, paign’s Joe Solmonese called or ‘Mormon’ church and other religions other than their own.
the hate seething in words, this “a new low in anti-gay rhet- religious organizations” in the Donohue once wrote, “Hol-
faces, and actions of those oric,” but he hasn’t been around aftermath of Prop 8. They have a lywood is controlled by secular
who didn’t get their way in a that long. (I’ve witnessed gay NoMobVeto.org website if you Jews who hate Christianity
democratic election, and would demonstrators be threatened want to read the whole diatribe. in general and Catholicism in
proclaim loudly that they will with being shot.) It was paid for by the Becket Fund particular.” He also called the
get their way, no matter what An ecumenical group of reli- for Religious Liberty. founders of the Mormon Church
the electorate wants! Hate is gious right leaders ranging from Wayne Besen of Truth Wins “false prophets.” Colson said
hate, no matter where it erupts. Watergate conspirator Chuck Col- Out, which fights the religious Mormonism “can’t call itself
And hate, unbridled, will even- son to the Catholic League’s Bill right, especially those who try to
tually and inevitably boil into Donohue took out a full-page ad in “cure” homosexuality,” called it 䉴 BRIEFS, continued on p.11
8/ Politics
About-Face
Malcolm Smith walks back from precipice
䉴 continued from cover
said, in a written release
issued December 10. “Real
reform cannot and should not
ever include limiting the civil
rights of any New Yorkers.”
If any two of the three rebel-
lious Democrats — including
Senator Carl Kruger of Brook-
lyn and Senator-elect Pedro
Espada, Jr. — choose to side
instead with the Republicans
in January’s leadership race,
Long Island GOP Senator Dean
Skelos would retain the major-
ity leader position (assuming
Queens Republican incum-
bent Frank Padavan’s razor-
thin margin over challenger
James Gennaro holds up in
the final, certified count).
Smith acknowledged as
much in his statement.
“Frankly, we would rather
wait two more years to take
charge of the Senate than to
simply serve the interests of
the few,” he said, character-
izing the negotiating tactics
of the Gang of Three as “self-
serving politics.”
Smith’s statement capped
a week of drama that gripped
Albany and spilled over down-
state during the weekend
when many of Greater New
York Democrats went home.
In Manhattan on December 6,
Smith met with at least some of
his Democratic colleagues, in
an effort to quell unhappiness
among many of them, progres-
sives in particular, about what
they had heard of the deal
struck two days before.
Now, observers are left to
assess the relative weight in
the negotiations’ collapse of the
marriage issue, other qualms
Democrats had about the con-
cessions made to Diaz, Espa-
da, and Kruger, and unhap-
piness that Espada voiced on
December 9 about whether he
was really getting the deal he
understood last week.
The Gang of Three had
never articulated a coherent
rationale for their common dis-
sent except for their ability to
exact what each of them want-
ed individually from Smith.
Espada had voiced unhappi-
ness with the lack of Latinos
in top state positions, and
Smith agreed to bifurcate what
had in recent years been two
jobs combined into one — the
roles of president pro tempore
and majority leader. Under
this scheme, Espada would
become majority leader, which
early reports indicated would
make him Senate President
Smith’s number two.
Kruger, who had so assidu-
ously courted Republicans in
the past that they gave him a
committee chairmanship over
one of their own, was to be
given the reins of the powerful
Finance Committee.
Diaz, in contrast, only won
a commitment that he would
chair the Aging Committee, a
second-tier post that lent cred-
ibility to the conventional wis-
dom that his major objective
was to block gay marriage in
New York — which of course is
what he said.
For four days, this agree-
ment clung to life, as the three
rebels were the only ones will-
ing to talk about it on the
record. Diaz crowed about his
victory over the gay commu-
nity, and Espada and Kruger
reveled in their new-found
prominence in the Demo-
cratic leadership. Meanwhile,
throughout the weekend,
Smith, in the face of unanimity
in press accounts of what hap-
pened last week, continued
to insist that no specific deals
had been struck.
On December 5, the day
between Smith’s meeting with
the Gang of Three and his sit-
down with other members of
his caucus, out gay Demo-
cratic Senator Tom Duane of
Chelsea, who years ago intro-
duced a marriage equality bill,
said he had not been briefed
on details of the negotiations
and argued, “You know, right
now, it’s Malcolm Smith versus
Dean Skelos. I’m for Malcolm
Smith. That is the question on
the table.”
Alan Van Capelle, executive
director of the Empire State
Pride Agenda, New York’s
LGBT rights lobby, which
worked hand-in-glove with
the Democrats to flip the Sen-
ate and helped attract more
than $1 million to that cause,
told Gay City News, “Not one
single senator has told me that
as part of the deal that was
reached there was an agree-
ment to delay the timing for
marriage. Malcolm Smith has
earned the opportunity for
our community to give him
a chance to explain what the
deal is.”
On December 8, two days
after meeting with Smith,
another Senate Democrat,
who did not wish to be quoted
by name and would not dis-
cuss the specifics of the cau-
cus gathering, nevertheless
confirmed the gist of what Van
Capelle said — that nobody
had asked for sign-off on a
deal that would have explicitly
precluded a gay marriage vote.
That senator pledged to go
public if the question of what
was or was not agreed to on
marriage was not resolved by
the end of December.
Meanwhile, the agreement
with Espada spiraled south
over the weekend. On Decem-
ber 8, Smith confirmed that
Jeffrey Klein of the Bronx,
currently his deputy minor-
ity leader, would be the dep-
uty president, meaning that
Espada was at best number
three in the pecking order.
Smith had also come to rec-
ognize that certain authority
that he intended to wield was
in fact formally given to the
majority leader post, and that
this situation would need to be
remedied by the full Senate in
January.
At a particularly odd press
conference in Albany that day
(see the online version of this
article for video coverage),
Smith named Bill Stachowski
of Buffalo, who had been in
line for the Finance post Kru-
ger would now be given, dep-
uty majority leader. However,
Smith would not confirm the
identity of the majority leader
Stachowski would be depu-
ty to, nor for that matter did
he name the Finance chair
who had bumped the new
deputy from that slot. Faced
with those questions, Smith
abruptly announced he was
leaving for another meeting,
and Stachowski was saddled
with an irate Capitol press
core demanding to know why
they had been called to a news
conference where no questions
were being answered.
The following day, Tuesday,
Espada bailed on the deal,
griping, “I feel tremendously
dismayed and disappointed
that the office of the major-
ity leader has been gutted and
reduced to a sad joke on all
New Yorkers, but particularly
the Latino community.” Diaz
echoed the sense of wounded
ethnic pride. The fat lady was
cued.
Smith has taken a gamble
— he and his fellow Demo-
crats may well be consigned
to another two years in the
minority. And whether in
the minority or the majority,
Smith has undoubtedly gotten
at least some of his Senate col-
leagues wondering whether he
is the Democrat best suited to
lead the caucus. No sure-bet
challengers have come forward
or even come to mind for most
political observers.
If the Democrats cannot
hold onto the majority, mar-
riage equality is effectively
dead for two years — it was
the intransigence of Skelos on
that issue and others such as
transgender rights that con-
vinced the Pride Agenda that it
needed to cast its lot fully and
squarely against the Repub-
licans this year. At the same
time, Van Capelle is breathing
a huge sigh of relief that the
potential betrayal has been
staved off.
“We applaud Senator Mal-
colm Smith’s ongoing efforts to
lead the new Senate majority
that voters chose during the
recent elections,” he said in
a written release. “By stating
that reform in the Senate can-
not include bargaining away
civil rights, Senator Smith has
once again demonstrated his
commitment to standing up
for all New Yorkers.”
On an upbeat note, Van
Capelle continued, “The Pride
Agenda looks forward to con-
tinuing to work with Sena-
tor Smith when the legislative
session starts.” However, with
a bow to the political reality
that even if the Democrats run
the Senate, GOP votes would
be needed to get gay marriage
over the goal line, he added, “In
the meantime we will be work-
ing with legislative leaders —
Democrats and Republicans…
to earn the votes we need to
bring the marriage equality bill
to the floor of the Senate for
passage.”
Ethan Geto, a longtime gay
political insider who informally
advised the Pride Agenda in
its negotiations with Demo-
cratic leaders over the past
week, had high marks for Van
Capelle’s steadiness.
“It was untenable for the
gay community and the
Empire State Pride Agenda,
which played such a critical
role in the Democratic wins in
the Senate this year, to leave
unanswered the questions
about the marriage equality
bill,” he told Gay City News.
“Their efforts demonstrated a
level of political maturity and
political clout as manifested
by the statement by Malcolm
Smith this morning.”
Asked to assess what role he
䉴 MALCOLM SMITH, continued on p.9
11 - 17 DEC 2008
7 DAYS
䉴
7 NIGHTS
DEC 12, from p.7
John Oddo will lead a 17-piece band
featuring Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar,
Jim Saporito on drums, and David
Finck on bass. Antonia Bennett will
appear as Feinstein’s special guest.
Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, 540
Park Ave. at 61st St. Tue., Wed.,
8:30 p.m.; Thu.-Sat., 8 & 10 p.m.
through Dec. 30. Tickets are $95-
$250 at feinsteinsatloewsregency.
com or 212-339-4095; there is a $40
food & drink minimum.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
BOOKS
Old Kabul
Poet Edward Field, a Lambda Liter-
ary Award (Lammy) winner and author
of “The Man Who Would Marry Susan
Sontag, and Other Intimate Literary
Portraits of the Bohemian Era,” intro-
duces his new book, “Kabuli Days,
Travels in Old Afghanistan,” a travel
memoir, at a book party this evening.
This remote country has changed
little since the summer of 1970 when
Field bummed around there, learn-
ing the language and discovering the
bisexual nature of the male popula-
tion. Westbeth Community Room,
57 Bethune St. at Bank St., 7 p.m.
Free. For more information, call 212-
675-6430.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
NIGHLIFE
Plug In
Bob Mould and Richard Morel
bring their famed Blowoff party, a big
hit in DC, to Chelsea for an evening of
late night gay electronic dance. Join
music-loving hipsters, beer-drinking
men’s men, dance music enthusiasts,
and muscle men for a rare time with
both men DJing. Highline Ballroom,
431 W. 16th St. Doors open at 11:30
p.m. $20 at the door. You must be at
least 18.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
FILM
SAT.DEC.13
Mid-Summer
Homosex Comedy
Chillfest’s Second Saturday Series
returns with “Were the World Mine,”
which takes a daring leap from
Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s
Dream” to every gay high school boy’s
fantasy, when the wistful and beau-
tiful Timothy (Tanner Cohen) uses a
love potion to turn his whole school,
including the jocks, passionately gay.
LITM, 140 Newark Ave., btwn.
Erie & Grove Sts., just steps from
the Grove Street PATH station, 2
p.m. Admission is $8 at the door and
there is a cash bar.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
䉴 DEC 13, continued on p.11
11 - 17 DEC 2008
Don’t Ask Circuit Split Persists
9th Circuit refuses to reconsider three-judge ruling that new, post-sodomy rules apply
BY ARTHUR S. LEONARD
T
he San Francisco-based US
Court of Appeals for the 9th
Circuit, in a December 4
announcement, rejected an attempt
by the government to have a larger
“en banc” panel of the court recon-
sider a decision issued by a three-
judge panel earlier this year finding
that constitutional analysis of the
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell military policy
must now take account of the 2003
Supreme Court sodomy ruling. The
announcement noted that the origi-
nal panel voted against rehearing the
case, and that the call for en banc
review fell short of a majority on the
full circuit.
The court’s action enhanced the
possibility that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
will end up in the Supreme Court,
unless the incoming Obama admin-
istration chooses not to appeal the
ruling further as part of a general
reconsideration of the policy. If an
appeal is not filed, the case goes back
to the district court for a trial in line
with the earlier ruling, a process that
could take a year or more to resolve.
Candidate Barack Obama prom-
ised to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
during his presidential campaign,
but reports coming from his transi-
tion team as well as advocacy groups
such as the Servicemembers Legal
Defense Network have suggested
that quick action is unlikely. The
president-elect has stressed that he
would likely reach for Pentagon con-
sensus on the issue before acting
and some key congressional Demo-
crats, such as House Armed Services
Chairman Ike Skelton, are not yet on
board with a change.
The May 21 panel decision in Witt
v. Department of the Air Force broke
protection for “homosexual conduct.”
The panel ruled that the government
must show a good justification for
dismissing Major Margaret Witt, an
Air Force nurse, because of her rela-
tionship with a civilian woman. The
panel did not specifically find Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell unconstitutional on
its face, but its majority held that the
policy’s application in any particular
case is subject to “heightened scru-
tiny,” placing the burden on the gov-
ernment to show that military dis-
charge was necessary to achieve the
stated justification, which Congress
identified as preserving “good order
and morale.”
In earlier 9th Circuit cases, the
policy was presumed constitutional
and the burden was on the service
member making the challenge to
show it had no rational justifica-
tion. Courts have consistently ruled
that the extensive legislative hearing
record leading to the policy’s enact-
ment provides that rational justifica-
tion.
Given the fact that Witt conducted
her relationship discreetly — living
with her partner in a house more
than 250 miles from the military
hospital where she worked — and
maintained the support of her peers
after her relationship became public,
doubts were raised about the good
order and morale justification in this
case. The three-judge panel, howev-
er, left the determination to the trial
judge, who originally dismissed the
case based on pre-Lawrence prec-
edents.
The Witt decision was the first by
a federal appeals court to find that
Lawrence required a higher level of
judicial review than “rational basis”
in a case asserting that federal pol-
icy placed an unconstitutional bur-
rence was based on a due process
rather than equal protection finding.
The panel did not challenge prior 9th
Circuit cases that sexual orientation
is not a “suspect classification” for
which any discriminatory govern-
ment policies would be held to “strict
scrutiny,” the highest standard of
judicial review.
In three separate opinions, six
judges on the 28-member court,
joining one or more dissent, rejected
the decision to deny en banc review.
All the dissenters were appointed by
Republican presidents.
Judge Diarmuid Fionntain
O’Scannlain, a Reagan appointee,
in a lengthy opinion joined by three
other judges, argued that Lawrence
narrowly held that states could not
use the criminal law to penalize the
private consensual sexual activities
of gay adults, rejecting the conclu-
sion that the government could not
enact policies that place burdens on
gay people because of their sexual
activities or identities outside the
criminal law context. He strenuous-
ly objected to the panel’s conclusion
that Lawrence mandated heightened
scrutiny for any government policy
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3500/243!.
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$IGNITY.EW9ORKHASA
WOMANHOMILISTONTHESECOND
3UNDAYOFEACHMONTH
Legal/9
adversely affecting gay people.
O’Scannlain also argued that the
panel’s decision failed to accord the
deference to the executive and leg-
islative branches on military policy
mandated by Supreme Court prec-
edents.
Judge Andrew J. Kleinfeld, who
was appointed to the court by George
H.W. Bush, dissented separately,
joined by Judge Carlos T. Bea, a
recent George W. Bush appointee.
Kleinfeld did not challenge the pan-
el’s Lawrence analysis, instead focus-
ing solely on the deference argument.
“The general constitutional right
to sexual liberty competes against
the especially high level of defer -
ence we are required to extend to
Congress and the President regard-
ing military affairs, and few liber -
ties prevail against that deference,”
he wrote, specifically pointing to a
1986 Supreme Court ruling that the
military could discipline an Ortho-
dox Jewish chaplain who insisted
on wearing his religiously-mandated
head covering in circumstances vio-
lating military dress regulations.
䉴 MILITARY, continued on p.12
new ground, holding that prior 9th
Circuit decisions that upheld the
military policy were no longer valid
given the Lawrence v. Texas sodomy
den on an individual’s liberty. Witt’s 0REACHINGON$ECEMBER*AMIE-ANSON-$IV
argument that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
violated her right to equal protec-
tion of the law was rejected, however, 0LEASEJOINUSFOROUR
decision, which found constitutional since the panel concluded that Law- #HRISTMAS%VELITURGY
FELLOWSHIPANDHOLIDAYTREATS
䉴 MALCOLM SMITH, from p.8 Agenda appear bor ne out in the 7EDNESDAY$ECEMBERPM
emphasis in Smith’s statement on
felt Governor Paterson played in block- the principle of civil rights not being
ing the original deal struck, Geto said,
“It is my impression that David Pater-
son played a very constructive role in
resolving this to the satisfaction of the
gay community.” Geto went on to warn
that the three rebellious Democrats
“will have to think long and hard about
not voting for the Democrats to be the
majority.”
“If they keep the Republicans in, the
*UDSON-EMORIAL#HURCH7ASHINGTON3QUARE3OUTH
negotiable. But, his spokesman,
Hank Sheinkopf, even as he insist-
ed he could not speak to the agree-
ments reached during the December
4 meeting “because I was not there,”

largely debunked the importance of
marriage equality in the collapse of
the negotiations.
“What happened was that yesterday
Espada decided to change the rules, $IGNITY.EW9ORKMEETSEVERY3UNDAYNIGHTATPM
voters in their districts will understand withdrawing his support for Senator FOR-ASSANDASOCIALAT3T*OHNSINTHE6ILLAGE#HURCH
that it means no reform of the rent reg-
ulation laws, no greater tenants rights
protections, and I think that those vot-


ers will rebel and turn them out.”
Geto’s accolades for the Pride
Smith,” Sheinkopf told Gay City News.
“And the leader said, ‘You know what?
That’s it.’ If these guys want to talk to
us as Democrats, that’s fine. Other-
wise, tough luck.”
7ESTTH3TREET&ORMOREINFORMATIONPLEASEVISIT
USATWWWDIGNITYNYORGANDWWWDIGNITYUSAORGORCALL

#%,%"2!4).'4(%7(/,%.%33!.$(/,).%33/&,'"4#!4(/,)#3
10/ Remembrance
Eleanor Cooper Dies at 68
Pioneering lesbian activist gave more than 35 yeas to the community
BY ANDY HUMM
E
leanor Cooper, who
began her lesbian
activism in the early
1970s, was a leader in the
passage of the New York City
gay and lesbian rights bill in
1986, and managed to stay
active through most of her last
13 years in a nursing home,
died of complications from a
series of strokes and sepsis on
December 6. She was 68.
Cooper is survived by her
longtime partner, Jay (once
Joy) Kallio, who was at her
side and whom she was able
to marry in a service per -
formed by the Reverend Pat
Bumgardner, pastor of the
Metropolitan Community
Church NY, earlier this year.
The couple’s marriage, how-
ever, was never legal due to
Cooper’s inability to travel
to Canada or Massachusetts
because of her disability.
Bumgardner administered
the last rites to Cooper last
week, anointing her as “our
leader and prophet.”
“She had an indomitable
spirit,” Kallio, the love of her
life, said. “She just contin-
ued to fight and fight and
fight against all odds, from
putting together a march on
Washington [in 1979] to sur-
viving three and a half days
after being taken off a ven-
tilator in septic shock and
aspiration pneumonia. The
staff in the hospital shook
their heads in wonderment
that she lived.”
Eleanor Cooper was born
on September 10, 1940 in
Knoxville, Tennessee, to par-
ents who were school teach-
ers. She went to the New-
comb College for Women at
Tulane University in New
Orleans. She married Wayne
Cooper and moved with him
to New York in 1961 to go to
Columbia University’s School
of Library Science for an art
history degree, shortly before
waking up to her lesbian
identity. She taught art his-
tory to disadvantaged youth
in the South Bronx.
After Stonewall, she
became a part of the scene at
the Firehouse, an early gay
and lesbian center on Wooster
Street, and was a member of
the group of women who split
from the Gay Activists Alli-
ance (GAA) there and formed
Lesbian Feminist Liberation
(LFL) in the early 1970s.
When the Firehouse
burned down in 1973, LFL
moved to the Women’s Cen-
ter on West 20th Street with
other feminist groups. She
made a living as an exter -
minator with Lady Killers,
which did non-toxic bug kill-
ing.
State Senator Tom Duane
of Chelsea, himself a veteran
gay activist, said, “She dedi-
cated her life to the feminist
and LGBT communities and
our movements. She even
shoveled coal at the Women’s
Center to keep it going. She
could be really war m and
then really contentious and
she gave it to all of us. She
sacrificed her entire life” for
the movement.
In June of 1977, Miami
voted in a referendum led by
Anita Bryant to repeal its gay
rights ordinance, a reversal
that shocked and roused
the lesbian and gay nation.
The San Francisco response
was just immortalized in
“Milk” about Harvey Milk. In
New York, Cooper and Betty
Santoro of LFL joined with
GAA veterans such as David
Thorstad and Father Leo
Joseph of the gay Church of
the Beloved Disciple to forge
the Coalition for Lesbian and
Gay Rights (CLGR) and revi-
talize the campaign for a city
lesbian and gay rights bill.
(This reporter was recruited
by Cooper to join the Coali-
tion that June as a repre-
sentative of Dignity, the gay
Catholic group, and went
on to join her as a spokes-
person for the group.) The
Coalition grew to 50 gay and
non-gay groups and the bill
passed in 1986 when Cooper
was serving as its executive
director.
Thorstad wrote in an
e-mail that the Miami defeat
brought lesbian separatists
back together working with
gay men, despite concerns
about losing their identities
and independence. “I often
talked with Eleanor about
this,” he wrote, “and her
approach was pragmatic (it
was in both our interests to
join in some common endeav-
ors) even though occasionally
tensions between male and
female groups would sur -
face.” He noted the key role
CLGR played in organizing
the first national March on
Washington for Lesbian and
Gay Rights in 1979.
In 2005, Eleanor Cooper was honored in a Pride celebration hosted by City Comptroller
William C. Thompson, Jr.
“Thinking back on those
years, it is striking how much
fun they were,” Thorstad
wrote, “how much laughter
and hilarity existed side by
side with our serious efforts
to mobilize gay visibility and
militancy.”
Joyce Hunter, also a CLGR
spokesperson with Coo-
per and now co-director of
the Community Collabora-
tion Core at the HIV Center
for Clinical and Behavioral
S t u d i e s , N e w Yo r k S t a t e
Psychiatric Institute and
Columbia University, said,
“I always thought Eleanor
was brilliant. She was a very
fine analyst of the issues we
faced” and “an ardent femi-
nist.”
Tom Smith, another CLGR
leader and later president
of Stonewall Democrats,
r ecalled her tr emendous
patience with callers to the
CLGR hotline, “even some of
them who were screaming,
crying, raging for hours.” He
asked her about why she
put up with that when the
group’s mission was civil
rights and said she replied,
“These laws, these rights
are more important to the
poorest and most broken of
us, the people who are most
mentally fragile. Rich people
can find another job, another
home, but our most vulnera-
ble can’t protect themselves.”
“This was a standard that
Eleanor made for herself and
she expected nothing less
from her friends and col-
11 - 17 DEC 2008
“The gover nor’s guide-
lines are a publicity stunt
designed to take the heat off
the state and put it on gay
men,” she told the T imes.
“They ignore everything we
know about AIDS. It’s also
a thinly veiled attempt to
reinstate the state’s sodomy
laws.”
When the US Supreme
Court upheld the constitu-
tionality of Georgia’s anti-
sodomy law in 1986, Cooper
was one of the leaders of a
massive protest on Fourth
of July that wound its way
through hundreds of thou-
sands of tourists downtown
celebrating the 100th anni-
MARLA S. MARITZER
versary of the Statue of Lib-
erty. Activist David Wynyard
wr ote, “The story of that
march and direct action pro-
test has long been forgotten
except by some of us who
organized it. The commu-
leagues,” Smith said. nity should honor this brave
Cooper had a tart tongue woman.”
for those who opposed gay Even after consignment to
rights. When the extent of the Jewish Home and Hos-
FBI surveillance of lesbian pital after a severe stroke in
and gay groups came to light 1995, Cooper kept up her
in 1995, she told the New activism, from participating
York T imes, “They’re very in meetings of Disabled in
good at spying on us, but Action to passing out palm
they’ve never been good at cards with her one good hand
spying on people like those for the City Council cam-
miserable creatures in Okla- paign of the late Philip Reed.
homa” who blew up the Kallio said that Cooper, in
federal building and killed her wheelchair, once joined a
scores of people. When Mayor picket line of Certified Nurs-
Michael Bloomberg appealed ing Assistants outside the
a decision ordering him to home, prompting some of
issue marriage licenses to the other wheelchair-bound
same-sex couples in 2005, social justice types inside to
Cooper said, “He screwed come out with their chairs
us thoroughly. Nasty man.” and walkers.
And when the city gay rights Cooper was honored at city
bill suffered one in a series Comptroller William Thomp-
of defeats in 1979, she said, son’s 2005 LGBT pride cel-
“Some of the bigots in the ebration, making it down to
City Council don’t think we the Community Center for
had suffered enough humili- the ceremony. It was the last
ation.” time she was together with
Cooper saw that bill the late Betty Santoro.
through to passage in March Kallio remembers being
1986, working night and depr essed over the 2004
day on lobbying and orga- election results when John
nizing efforts. She went on Kerry lost to George Bush. “I
to lobby in Albany for hate complained to Eleanor that
crimes legislation on behalf we were losing ground.”
of CLGR. And before there “Don’t mour n,” Cooper
was ACT UP, she played a replied. “Organize.”
lead role in AIDS activism, A memorial service at the
spearheading a 1985 law- Community Center some-
suit against Governor Mario time in January will be
Cuomo and the state health announced soon. Cooper’s
department for issuing body was donated to further
guidelines for closing com- medical education at Mount
mercial sex establishments Sinai Hospital, where she
that cited anal and oral sex, died. “It was her final act of
but not vaginal sex. public service,” Kallio said.
WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM
7 DAYS
䉴
7 NIGHTS
DEC 13, from p.8
DANCE
Sugar Plums
The Vital Theatre Company and the
Shirim Klezmer Orchestra present “The
Klezmer Nutcracker,” based on Ellen
Kushner’s award-winning book “The
Golden Dreydl,” Michael McLaugh-
lin and David Harris’ arrangement of
Tchaikovsky, and choreography by Dax
Valdes. Linda Ames Key directs. Vital
Theatre Company, 2162 Broadway
at 76th St., fourth fl. Sat., Sun. 11
a.m. & 1 p.m. through Jan. 3. Also,
Dec. 18, 19, 22 26, 7 p.m.; Dec.
29-Jan. 2, 1 p.m. Tickets are $20 at
vitaltheatre.org or 212-579-0528
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ a batch tests positive, the sam-
PERFORMANCE
Before We Were
Green
Elephant Larry, New York’s criti-
cally-acclaimed sketch comedy group,
premieres their new show, “Elephant
Larry Presents The Dump,” where all
the action takes place in the most mag-
ical, beautiful place in the world –– a
garbage dump. Critics have hailed the
company for bringing to mind Monty
Python, “Kids in the Hall,” and Second
City, yet never coming off as knockoffs.
The PIT, 154 W. 29th St. Dec. 13, 20,
7 p.m. Tickets are $8 at BrownPaper-
Tickets.com or 800-838-3006.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ information is most helpful in
GALLERY
Paris Via Lagos &
New York
“Fantasy and Simulacrum” is a
saucy, sexual, erotic conversation and
engagement between Iké Udé’s alter
ego, Visconti, and Paris Hilton, and is
both a reference to and departure from
“Beyond Decorum,” his seminal con-
ceptual photographic series of cloth-
ing and shoes paired with titillating
text appropriated from adult personal
advertisements. Utilizing a cacophony
of visual material culled from gossip
blogs, porn sites, wallpaper samples,
fashion/lifestyle magazines, and
film, Udé’s new hybrid pictorial style
employs free association and an absurd
sense of humor in rendering works
both whimsical and monumental. Born
in Lagos, Nigeria, and now New York-
based, Udé’s work is held in the perma-
nent collections of the Guggenheim and
the Smithsonian National Museum.
Stefan Stux Gallery, 530 W. 25th St.
Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Jan.
24. 212-352-1600.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ Bible was written for a world
DATING
Keep Warm at
Christmas
Looking for a great boyfriend? Deep-
erdating.com’s founder, psychotherapist
Ken Page, says he has the answers ––
tried and true, non-superficial methods
of meeting men you will stick with.
LGBT Community Center, 208 W.
䉴 DEC 13, continued on p.12
Honorees at the December 2 anniversary of St. Vincent’s Comprehensive HIV Center included (in alphabetical order) Michael Adams of SAGE; Jesus Aquais of Aid for AIDS; Richard Burns of
the LGBT Community Center; Kenneth Cole from the amfAR board; Sharen I. Duke of the AIDS Service Center; Kevin Frost of amfAR; Marjorie Hill of GMHC; Dr. Robert L. Johnson of the New
Jersey Medical School; Karen Pearl of God’s Love We Deliver; Regina R. Quattrochi of Bailey House; Jane D. Schwartz of the Paul Rapoport Foundation; Wendy Stark of the Callen-Lorde Com-
munity Health Center; Dr. Monica Sweeney from the city health department; Daniel Tietz of ACRIA; Arthur Y. Webb of Village Care of New York; and Phill Wilson of the Black AIDS Institute.
䉴 ST. VINCENT, from p.3
ples are tested individually to
find the infected person.
“At this point, about 70 per-
cent of the HIV testing that we
would be doing is being sub-
jected to pooled testing,” said
Dr. Susan Blank, assistant
commissioner in the health
department’s Bureau of Sexu-
ally Transmitted Disease Con-
trol. “It is being done in high
volume clinics with highly at-
risk persons.”
These newly infected indi-
viduals are referred to the
center for possible treatment
and counseling, though the
changing their sexual behav-
ior.
“When they identify some-
䉴 BRIEFS, from p.7
Christianity.” Rich Cisik of the
National Association of Evan-
gelicals called it “a cult.”
HRC protested the ad and
the Times for running it. AIDS
and gay activist Peter Staley
wrote on his blog, “HRC, defend
us. What say you? Should HRC
spend some of its millions on a
full-page ad?”
Newsweek:
“The Religious
Case for Gay
Marriage”
Newsweek made this its
cover story, Lisa Miller writ-
ing, “Religious objections to
gay marriage are rooted not
in the Bible at all, then, but
in custom and tradition. The
so unlike our own, it’s impos-
sible to apply its rules, at face
value, to ours.” She dealt with
polygamy and other non-tradi-
tional marital arrangements in
scripture.
The religious right is in a
tizzy over the piece, but News-
week editor Jon Meacham
wrote, “History and demograph-
ics are on the side of those who
favor inclusion over exclusion.”
11 – 17 DEC 2008 11
SAINT VINCENT CATHOLIC MEDICAL CENTERS
body [with a new infection] they are infected, more likely six new adolescents,” Urbina
out in the field they’ll call us to infect others if they have said. “This year, to date, we’ve
on our cell and we will arrange unsafe sex. identified 19.”
for that patient to be seen “You identify those persons The 19 fall broadly into two
that day,” Urbina said. “We in a timely manner and get groups.
definitely offer them start- them out of their sexual net- “One are the young men
ing on anti-retroviral thera- works,” Urbina said. who have sex with men and
pies. I think it’s still debatable The health department those have kind of the tradi-
whether there is a clinical began sending patients with tional risk factors, substance
benefit to starting patients on these acute infections to the use, lots of sexual partners,
anti-retrovirals during acute center in August. unsafe sex,” Urbina said.
infection.” “They’ve identified 16 cases “Then we’re seeing another
Blank said, “It has been of persons in acute HIV infec- group of youth, and that’s
a really terrific partnership. tion,” Urbina said. “The vast about six of those 19, where
It’s really seamless for the majority are young men who they’re homeless and typical-
patients. Saint Vincent’s is have sex with men.” ly they’re acquiring HIV from
especially well equipped to These new technologies older men and by older I mean
handle people in this stage of come as new HIV infections ten to 20 years older.”
their infection. Their help has are declining in every city pop- While the center can point
been essential in our ability to ulation except men who have to any number of success sto-
do this.” sex with men. Saint Vincent’s ries among its patients, these
People who are newly infect- is seeing more new infections new cases, sadly, mean its
ed are highly infectious and, in young New Yorkers. door will remain open for some
because they do not know “Last year, we identified time.
Sean Maloney Mountain” on December 8, Best Actor to Penn. the strategic plan as well as for
Out in Albany “an expurgated version which “Milk” also won the Stanley “capacity building” for its board.
Sean Patrick Maloney, an left it up to viewers to imag- Kramer Award from the Produc- Stacey Easterling of Atlantic
aide to disgraced New York ine exactly how Ennis Del Mar ers Guild of America, given for a said, “SAGE’s pioneering work in
Governor Eliot Spitzer who (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist work that “dramatically illumi- the field is key to insuring that LGBT
continued to work for Governor (Jake Gyllenhaal) put the poke nates provocative social issues.” Americans can obtain a reasonable
David Paterson, resigned his in cowpoke,” the UK Guardian It doesn’t hurt Oscar chanc- quality of life in later years.”
post as first deputy secretary reported, despite the fact that es for a straight actor to play a
on December 9. The New York the lovemaking was “on the gay or transgender role. Wil- Big Boost for
Post reported that Maloney had tepid side” to begin with. liam Hurt won for portraying a Broadway
the title of “special counsel” to Aurelio Mancuso of Arcigay, gay man in “Kiss of the Spider Cares
Spitzer, “allowing him to invoke Italy’s gay rights group, told the Women,” Tom Hanks for doing Shows may be closing and
attorney-client privilege to newspaper, “We want to know so in “Philadelphia,” and Hil- times may be hard, but the
avoid testifying to investigators who decided to show ‘Broke- lary Swank won Best Actress theater community raised more
probing the scandal” surround- back Mountain’… with such for playing transman Brandon than $3 million for Broadway
ing the use of the State Police blatant 1950s-style cuts. Who Teena in “Boys Don’t Cry.” Cares/Equity Fight AIDS this
to investigate former Republi- had the presumption to think an year, culminating in the 20th
can Senate Majority Leader Joe adult public could not handle Big Boost for edition of the “Gypsy of the Year
Bruno. As the newspaper noted, the sight of kissing and intima- SAGE Competition” on November 28.
Maloney survived a scandal that cy between two men?” SAGE, Services and Advo- The company of “Equus,” led
took down four Spitzer aides. cacy for Gay Elders, just scored by visitors Richard Griffiths and
Paterson called Maloney “Milk,” Penn two big grants. The Calamus Daniel Radcliffe, raised $203,749,
“a trusted adviser and friend,” Win Critics Foundation has given the New more than any Broadway show.
but the Post reported that “the Awards York-based group a $1 million The Chicago production of “Jer-
governor had told associates in “Milk,” the Gus Van Sant matching grant over four years sey Boys” raised $220,000, the
recent weeks that he had lost biopic about gay San Francisco for implementing the group’s most of any touring show.
confidence in Maloney,” who city supervisor and martyr Har- new strategic plan, “one of the Broadway Cares praised the
was an unsuccessful out gay vey Milk, was named Best largest awards the foundation “Hairspray” company for rais-
candidate for New York attor- Picture of the year by the New has ever given,” according to ing more than $2 million for the
ney general in 2006. York Film Critics Circle and its the SAGE release. SAGE has group, with Harvey Fierstein,
star, Sean Penn, Best Actor for to get individuals, foundations, who has returned to the show
Italian TV his portrayal of Milk. Josh Brolin and corporations to match the as Edna Turnblad for its final
Breaks got the group’s Best Supporting donation in order to receive it. weeks, putting them over that
‘Brokeback’ Actor nod for playing Supervisor Atlantic Philanthropies gave mark by auctioning off Edna’s
Italy’s state TV station, Rai2, Dan White, Milk’s assassin. SAGE $500,000, its largest to autographed underwear to an
broadcast some of “Brokeback The LA Film Critics also gave an LGBT group, also to help with audience member for $2,500.
12
■ LEGAL
Larry Craig Rejected Again
Minnesota appeals court rejects Republican’s bid to overturn conviction
BY ARTHUR S. LEONARD
T
he Minnesota Court of
Appeals has rejected
an attempt by Senator
Larry Craig, the Idaho Repub-
lican now in his last month in
office, to withdraw his guilty
plea to a disorderly conduct
charge arising from his arrest
on June 11, 2007, at the Min-
neapolis-St. Paul International
Airport. An undercover police
officer claimed that Craig
solicited him for sexual activity
in an airport restroom, by sig-
naling to him from an adjacent
hall, and had invaded his pri-
vacy by staring at him through
the crack along the stall door.
Upon his arrest, Craig iden-
tified himself to Sergeant David
Karsnia, the undercover offi-
cer, as a United States senator,
and later pled guilty to disor-
derly conduct by mail rather
than appearing personally at a
hearing. Craig hoped the mat-
ter would not become public,
but word got to the press and
the situation blew up in his
face. At first he announced he
would resign his Senate seat,
then decided to serve out the
remainder of his term but not
stand for reelection.
Craig also initiated a pro-
ceeding to withdraw his guilty
plea, arguing that the conduct
in which he engaged was inof-
fensive and, possibly, constitu-
tionally protected as freedom
of speech. The American Civil
Liberties Union of Minnesota
filed an amicus brief, support-
ing Craig’s constitutional claim
by arguing that the statute is
overbroad on its face. The trial
court rejected both arguments,
refusing to allow Craig to with-
draw his guilty plea.
Writing for the Court of
Appeals, Chief Judge Edward
Toussaint, Jr., rejected Craig’s
argument that his guilty plea
should be considered invalid
because the trial court lacked
details regarding the basis of
his written guilty plea when the
judge accepted it. In that writ-
ten plea, Craig had stated: “I did
䉴 MILITARY, from p.9
Finally, Chief Judge Alex
Kosinski, another Reagan
appointee, dissented, joined
by two judges, taking no
position about whether the
panel was right or wrong, but
arguing instead that en banc
review should be granted
because of the case’s impor-
tance. He credited both the
work of the panel, and the
Larry Craig’s mug shots taken after his June 11, 2007 arrest at the Minneapolis-St. Paul
Airport.
the following: Engaged in con-
duct which I knew or should
have known tended to arouse
alarm or resentment of others,
which conduct was physical
(versus verbal) in nature.”
In effect, Craig merely para-
phrased the disorderly conduct
statute without detailing his
own conduct.
The court rejected his argu-
ment, pointing out that the trial
judge also had the complaint
and the arresting officer’s state-
ment, which went into explicit
detail about Craig’s conduct.
Craig’s argument that there
was no evidence that the trial
judge had actually consulted
the complaint and the officer’s
statement was also rejected,
the court pointing out that a
written transcript is made of
all court proceedings, which he
could have ordered to support
his argument about what the
judge did or did not consider,
but had failed to do so. The
court found no abuse of discre-
tion by the trial judge in refus-
ing to allow Craig to withdraw
his guilty plea.
Devastating to Craig’s cause,
Toussaint also rejected his
claim that Karsnia “had at least
partially invited appellant’s
conduct by means of his own
conduct.” Toussaint rejected
the implication that Craig was
entrapped. “Entrapment exists
dissents by his colleagues.
“I’m not sure who’s right,”
Kosinski wrote, “but I am sure
that this is the type of case we
need to take en banc because
it ‘involves a question of excep-
tional importance,’” quoting
language from the rules gov-
erning federal appellate proce-
dures.
If the government seeks
Supreme Court review, the
odds are good that it would be
11 – 17 DEC 2008
expressive conduct should be
treated the same as speech,
but the court pointed out that
the Supreme Court has recog-
nized more leeway for the gov-
ernment to deal with potential-
ly disruptive conduct than with
speech. The court also found
MINNEAPOLIS/ ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT POLICE
that the statute was sufficient-
ly clear and not, as the ACLU
claimed, too vague to meet the
constitutional requirement of
informing the public what con-
duct was prohibited.
Craig had argued that the
statute was unconstitution-
ally applied to him, since the
First Amendment protects
any expressive conduct that
falls short of “fighting words,”
speech likely to provoke a vio-
only where the criminal intent lent response. But the court
originates in the enforcement found that the state has a
officials of the government legitimate interest in protecting
rather than in the mind of the those in public restrooms from
accused,” he wrote, quoting unwanted invasions of their
a prior Minnesota Supreme own privacy.
Court case. “Here, the com- “The conduct charged here
plaint clearly indicates that the occurred in a place in which
criminal intent originated in the ordinary citizen might feel
the mind of appellant, not in most eager to ‘avoid unwanted
the officer.” communication,’” wrote Tous-
On the more important issue saint. Noting the particular
of the constitutionality of police needs of those who could be
using disorderly conduct stat-
utes to arrest gay men engaged
in restroom cruising activity,
considered a “captive audi-
ence” of a speaker’s message,
the judge wrote, “We believe
Craig and the ACLU pursued that appellant’s conduct was
different strategies. Craig — a invasive of the privacy of
politically conservative married another and may properly be
man who claims he is not gay prohibited as disorderly con-
or bisexual despite the publica- duct… Even if appellant’s foot-
tion of interviews with men who tapping and the movement of
claim to have had restroom his foot towards the undercov-
sexual encounters with him er officer’s stall are considered
— argued that the law’s appli- ‘speech,’ they would be intru-
cation to his conduct violates sive speech directed at a cap-
First Amendment free speech tive audience, and the govern-
rights, but he was not attack- ment may prohibit them.”
ing the constitutionality of the Craig released a state-
statute as such. The ACLU, ment to the press announc-
concerned primarily with safe- ing that he still maintains his
guarding First Amendment innocence and is looking into
rights, attacked the statute the possibility of appealing
directly, claiming that its lan- this ruling to the Minnesota
guage is overbroad by sweeping Supreme Court. He continues
in significant amounts of pro- to insist that “nothing criminal
tected speech. or improper occurred at the
The court did not agree with Minneapolis airport,” accord-
either argument. The ACLU’s ing to a December 10 report in
argument suggested that the Idaho Statesman.
granted for the first time in a The government has three
gay military case, because the months to decide whether to
US Court of Appeals for the 1st file a petition, and in light of
Circuit, based in Boston, ruled the change in administrations,
on June 9 that the military pol- the Justice Department could
icy was subject to heightened apply for an extension. Kosin-
scrutiny but was saved from ski commented that granting
attack by the deference require- en banc review would have
ment. This creates a split in cir- the merit of delaying the case,
cuit authority on a question of giving the new administration
national importance, making time to review the policy, and
a denial of review by the high perhaps make Witt’s challenge
court unlikely. moot.
WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM
7 DAYS
7 NIGHTS
䉴 DEC 13, from p.11
13th St., 7-9 p.m. Admission is $20.
Register and learn more at deeperdat-
ing.com. Page warns that you should
be prepared to connect with someone
special.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
NIGHTLIFE
The Saint Has No
Clothes
Daniel Nardicio celebrates the
holidays with a religious-themed event
where there will be more men worship-
ping on their knee’s than at St Peter’s!
His “Evening Service (Special Mormon
Edition)” features totally naked Mor-
mon Boy dancers, with special Mormon
Boy calendars and T-shirt give-aways.
Johnny Dynell DJs. At 1 a.m., former
Aiden frontman Wil Francis’ alter ego
William Control performs, and at 2 a.m.
there will be a chance to win $300 in
the “So You Think You Can Suck?” con-
test overseen by judges Ben Andrews,
porn star Spike, and Adam Klesh. The
guys from Brokestr8boys.com will be
on hand to meet and greet you, plus
hand out DVDs. The Woodshop, 24
Ninth Ave. at 14th St., fifth fl., 10
p.m. Tickets are $25 at thedshop.com;
$30 at the door; $15 for those under 25.
Information at 718-384-5776
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
COMMUNITY
SUN.DEC.14
A Dykey Holiday
Brooklyn’s Lesbian Herstory
Archives holds its annual holiday
“books-plus” sale of great gifts includ-
ing fiction, poetry, pulps, mysteries,
sci-fi, non-fiction, LPs, music cas-
settes, and vintage T-shirts. Everything
is priced to move at 50 cents-$1. You
can also take a tour of this repository
of Sapphic tradition across the ages.
484 14th St., btwn. Eighth Ave. and
Prospect Park W., noon-5 p.m.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
FAMILIES
It’s All About the
Kids
As long as we’re knocking ourselves
out for the holidays, let’s take the time
to let the children have their fun. Cen-
ter Kids hosts its Family Play Day and
Holiday Gathering, featuring crafts,
music, and foods of the season. LGBT
Community Center, 208 W. 13th St.,
2-4 p.m. For more information, or to
register your family, visit gaycenter.org/
families.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
MUSIC
Movin’ On Up With
Klezmer
Metropolitan Klezmer performs
in all kinds of formations, including
the ever LGBT-popular Isle of Klezbos.
Today, join Klezbos leader Eve Sicu-
lar on drums, in a special quartet also
䉴 DEC 14, continued on p.22
WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM 11 – 17 DEC 2008 13

I’m anti violence

and pro community.
Everyone values community. We’re no different. That's why I stand behind
the New York City Anti-Violence Project. AVP works to end violence in our
LGBTQ communities and keep our homes and our streets safe. If you need
help, call 212-714-1141 or visit avp.org
Live without fear
14/ Editorial ■ LETTER FROM THE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
11 - 17 DEC 2008

PUBLISHER & CO-FOUNDER

Tell Obama, Clinton: Act Now for UN
JOHN W. SUTTER
646.452.2500 Decriminalization
JWSutter@communitymediallc.com
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER & CO-FOUNDER BY DOUG IRELAND
TROY MASTERS

N
646.452.2502 ext week, in an histor- ity,” according to a statement Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, cal risk for the new adminis-
troy@gaycitynews.com
ic event for the global released by French Minis- Netherlands, New Zealand, tration in doing so — public
EDITOR IN-CHIEF & CO-FOUNDER gay community, for ter Of Human Rights Rama Norway, Poland, Portugal, opinion polls all show that
PAUL SCHINDLER
the very first time a declara- Yade after conferring with a Romania, San Marino, Ser - large majorities of Americans
646.452.2503
editor@gaycitynews.com tion in favor of the universal delegation from this gay alli- bia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, oppose the criminalization
decriminalization of homo- ance (see “France Fights for Sweden, Switzerland, The of same-sex relations, and
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Duncan Osborne sexuality will be presented at Decriminalization,” May 22, Former Yugoslav Republic of no serious political leader
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS the United Nations and read 2008, a link to which appears Macedonia, United Kingdom, or elected official supports
Christopher Byrne (Theater), Susie Day, from the podium of the Gen- on the online version of this Uruguay, and Venezuela. making homosexuality a
Doug Ireland (International), eral Assembly. This declara- editorial at gaycitynews.com.) Opposition to universal crime. Our own United States
Brian McCormick (Dance)
Dean P. Wrzeszcz tion has already been formal- In the ensuing months, a decriminalization is strong, Supreme Court in 2003
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
ly signed and endorsed by the working group of countries and led by an alliance of the affirmed the right for sexual
Betsy Andrews, Seth J. Bookey, governments of 55 UN mem- was formed to agree on word- Vatican and Islamic govern- minorities to be free from
Anthony M.Brown, Kelly Jean Cogswell, ber states. ing for the declaration and ments. It will undoubtedly prosecution by striking down
Dean Daderko, Tate Dougherty, Andres Duque,
Michael Ehrhardt, Steve Erickson, Nick Feitel, Unfortunately, the U.S. is collect signatures from UN take several years to achieve all the remaining laws crimi-
Jim Fouratt, Joe Fyfe, Deborah Garwood,
Erasmo Guerra, Emily Harney, Andrey Henkin, not among them. member states. With France support from a majority of nalizing homosexual sex still
Frank Holiday, Andy Humm, James Jorden, According to a detailed on the books.
Brendan Keane, David Kennerley, Gary M. Kramer,
Arthur S. Leonard, Rachael Liberman, report released this past May We urge you to call on both
Michael T. Luongo, Lawrence D. Mass,
Winnie McCroy, Eileen McDermott,
by the International Lesbian
and Gay Association, which
We call on our principal national President-elect Obama and
Secretary-designate Clinton
Gregory Montreuil, Ioannis Mookas, Carrie Moyer,
Stephen Mueller, Christopher Murray,
David Noh, Wayne Northcross, Lori Ortiz,
represents LGBT groups in organizations — HRC and to announce immediately
more than 100 countries, that they will put the prestige
Pauline Park, Sheila Pepe, John Reed,
Nathan Riley, Andrew Robinson, Gerard Robinson,
“In 2008, no less than 86
NGLTF — to speak up for global of the United States behind
Chris Schmidt, Sarah D. Schulman,
Jason Victor Serinus, Linda Shapiro,
David Shengold, Gus Solomons Jr., David Spiher,
member states of the United LGBT solidarity. the UN declaration when they
Drew B. Straub, Stefen Styrsky, Jerry Tallmer, Nations still criminalize con- take office next month.
Stefanos Tsigrimanis, Kathleen Warnock, sensual same-sex acts among Furthermore, we call on
Benjamin Weinthal, Lee Ann Westover,
James Withers, Kai Wright, Susan Yung adults, thus institution- in the lead, this working the United Nations. But next our principal national orga-
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS ally promoting a culture of group was made up of repre- week’s unveiling of the decla- nizations, the Human Rights
Mark Hasselberger, Jamie Paakkonen hatred. Among those, seven sentatives of the governments ration with such widespread Campaign and the National
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVERTISING have legal provisions with of the Netherlands, Ukraine, international support is a Gay and Lesbian Task Force,
FRANCESCO REGINI the death penalty as punish- Argentina, Gabon, Japan, giant first step toward the which have to date shunned
646.452.2496 ment.” (A link to the report and New Zealand. day when the world commu- international issues on the
francesco@gaycitynews.com
appears in the online ver - Now the declaration is set nity will finally declare that gr ounds that it was “not
ADVERTISING MANAGERS sion of the editorial at gayci- to be presented before the sexual minorities should be their mission” to speak up for
MICHAEL RYAN tynews.com.) UN General Assembly some free to live as they wish with- global LGBT solidarity, make
646.452.2490
michael.ryan@gaycitynews.com The idea for a statement time between December 15 out threat of imprisonment or an exception on this historic
COLIN GREGORY of principal by the United and 20. Although a precise death. occasion, and join in call-
646.452.2468 Nations in support of decrim- date and hour will only be The absence of the United ing on the incoming Obama
colin@gaycitynews.com
inalizing homosexuality glob- scheduled within 48 hours States from the list of signa- administration to announce
ALLISON GREAKER
646.452.2485
ally was the brainchild of prior to the reading of the tories of this declaration is a its support for the UN decrim-
allison@gaycitynews.com Professor Louis-Georges Tin, declaration due to the press glaring one, and should be inalization declaration.
JASON SHERWOOD the founder of IDAHO, the of other business, France unacceptable in our democ- To miss this unparalleled
646.452.2471 International Day Against and the working group have racy. And while it is more opportunity to strike a blow
jsherwood@gaycitynews.com
Homophobia, and the presi- already scheduled a press than unlikely that the Bush for the freedom from persecu-
JASON SPARKS dent of the Paris-based conference for December 18 administration, given its track tion of lesbians, gays, bisexu-
646.452.2505
jsparks@gaycitynews.com International Committee for to unveil the decriminaliza- record of political homopho- als, and the transgendered
LORET GAMBOA IDAHO. The campaign for the tion declaration and its sig- bia, will support this UN dec- everywhere on this planet
646-452-2483 declaration was launched in natories at UN headquarters laration, when Barack Obama would be a crime against
loret@gaycitynews.com November 2006 when IDAHO, in New York. was running for president the conscience of American
DALE KANZLER at a Paris press conference, The declaration is non-bind- he repeatedly proclaimed his democracy.
646.452.2484 unveiled a list of hundreds ing on UN member states, and commitment to an end to dis- Here is the full text of the
dale@gaycitynews.com
of VIPs who supported it, will not be put to a vote until crimination against our fam- declaration to be presented at
ACCOUNTING including five Nobel Prize a majority of the world body’s ily of sexual minorities. the U.N. next week:
DAVID JAFFE
winners, ten Pulitzer Prize 192 countries have signed on “I’m running for President
646-452-2477
david@gaycitynews.com winners, two former French to it. But next week’s presen- to build an America that lives We have the honor to make
prime ministers, and six tation of this unprecedented up to our founding promise of this statement on human
NATIONAL DISPLAY ADVERTISING
Rivendell Media / 212.242.6863 Academy Award winners (see affirmation that same-sex love equality for all — a promise rights, sexual orientation, and
Web master “Bold Move for UN Action,” must never be a crime has that certainly extends to the gender identity on behalf of
Arturo Jimenez November 21-27, 2006, a already been signed by the fol- LGBT community,” the pres- […]
Arturo@gaycitynews.com link to which appears on the lowing countries — Andorra, ident-elect said while a can- 1 — We reaffirm the prin-
Gay City News, The Newspaper Serving Gay and Lesbian NYC, is pub-
lishedby Community Media, LLC. Send all inquiries to: Gay City News, online version of this editorial Argentina, Armenia, Australia, didate, in one of many similar ciple of universality of human
145 Sixth Ave., First Fl., NYC 10013 Phone: 646.452.2500 Written
permission of the publisher must be obtained before any of the contents at gaycitynews.com.) Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and comments. rights, as enshrined in the
of this paper, in part or whole, can be reproduced or redistributed. All
contents (c) 2008 Gay City News. This past May, after a year- Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, The time is now for Obama Universal Declaration of
Subscriptions: 26 issues, $90.00 long lobbying campaign by Canada, Cape Verde, Central and his secretary of state- Human Rights whose 60th
(c)2008 Gay City News. All rights reserved. IDAHO and an alliance of African Republic, Chile, Croa- designate, Hillary Clinton, anniversary is celebrated this
Gay City News is a registered trademark
of Community Media, LLC.
French LGBT groups span- tia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, to make good on that prom- year, Article 1 of which pro-
John W. Sutter, President ning the political spectrum Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, ise by announcing that the claims that “all human beings
Fax: 646.452.2501;
E-mail: JWSutter@communitymediallc.com from right to left, the French Finland, France, Gabon, Geor- Obama administration will are born free and equal in
government promised to push gia, Germany, Greece, Hun- support the UN declaration dignity and rights”;
for “a European initiative call- gary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, on decriminalization of homo- 2 — We reaffirm that every-
ing for the universal decrimi- Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechten- sexuality.
nalization of homosexual- stein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, There is very little politi- 䉴 UNITED NATIONS, continued on p.30
11 - 17 DEC 2008
■ ALBANY INTRIGUE
Malcolm Smith’s Surprise Averts Progressives’ Despair
N
o one knows if the
Democrats will control
the State Senate, but
it is clear that the party has
avoided a catastrophe.
Malcolm Smith is the leader
of the Senate Democrats and
under normal circumstances,
he would be majority leader
come January. But first he had
to negotiate with three rebels —
variously called the three amigos
or the three thugs. They claimed
to want to help Hispanics, but
in fact they made demands that
would have caused a serious
split in the Democratic Party
and demeaned its moral stand-
ing.
And the catastrophe was
invited when Malcolm Smith
agreed to their demands last
Thursday. One rebel, Carl Kru-
ger, a Brooklyn politician whose
primary concern is state con-
tracts, was given a powerful
post — chairman of the Finance
Committee. This committee
exerts great influence on the
state budget and approves nom-
inations to important posts like
state boards and the judiciary.
■ SNIDE LINES
L
ook at your paycheck.
Did your company take
out again for Iraqi quag-
mire-maintenance? Now, look
around. Is the crime rate going
up in your neighborhood? Do
you suspect your nifty new
iPhone is tracking your every
move? Are you worried that
the economic meltdown will
leave you homeless, starving,
and naked in the streets? Per-
haps you are already home-
less, starving, and naked in the
streets with your new iPhone?
Would you agree there is a
Problem?
You know what the Problem
is, don’t you? Heterosexuals. I
have evidence.
Everywhere you go — there
they are. Walking. Talking. Eat-
ing. Buying things. Going to the
“Men” or the “Ladies” room.
Not that there’s anything
wrong with that sort of thing.
We all have our repulsive little
quirks, I suppose. Some of my
best friends are straight —
“heavy in the loafer,”“friends of
Britney,” if you will. We admire
these people for their sports
stadiums; their automated
tollbooths; that slaphappy sit-
com humor that has allowed
Heterosexuals to survive cen-
Kruger is not exactly the man
to safeguard state programs
during the budget cuts Albany
is facing. Good government
groups were furious.
And what is worse, Kruger
replaced Bill Stachowski of
Buffalo, who everyone expected
to be Finance chair. Rejecting
Stach was akin to declaring
war on upstate interests. The
upstaters are a minority in the
Democratic Party, and they
need a powerful committee to
protect their interests. Kruger’s
appointment was ill-advised
and divisive. Upstate voters
have an option — they can
choose Republicans, and pre-
sumably many of them would
if they believed Senate Demo-
crats were looking after New
York City and screwing the rest
of the state.
And Ruben Diaz of the Bronx,
a fervently religious Pentecostal
minister, wanted to stop mar-
riage equality from coming to a
vote. This demand threatened
to split the Democrats and
weaken their standing as prin-
cipled leaders. The gay com-
Proposition 1984
turies of hardship. But there
are limits.
Marriage, for instance. Show
me where in the Bible it says
that two people of opposing
genders, by becoming legally
wed, should be able to get
Social Security, food stamps,
and income tax benefits.
Shocking? Yes! SIMPLY BY
GETTING MARRIED, Hetero-
sexuals derive some 2,400
entitlements — approximately
1,000 federal and more than
1,300 state – FEW OF WHICH
CAN BE OBTAINED OUT -
SIDE THE BONDS OF LEGAL
MATRIMONY! Imagine Hetero-
sexuals being allowed to visit
spouses in hospitals; claiming
joint privileges to adopt and
raise children; gaining immi-
grant residency status; obtain-
ing bereavement or sick leave.
Disgusting!
AND THAT’S WHY WE’RE IN
THE MESS WE’RE IN TODAY!
These “special rights”
invoked by connubially-wed-
ded Heterosexuals have upset
the natural order of things.
They are against God’s Plan for
Us. Hark, you can almost hear
God retching.
I admit they had me fooled
for a while. At first, Heterosex-
Perspective/15
NATHAN RILEY
munity had contributed more
than $1 million to the Senate
Democratic Campaign Commit-
tee in 2008, its leaders soliciting
contributions from all over the
nation. It would be impossible
for the Democrats to have won
the majority without the help of
gay donors. That was no secret
— it was in the funny papers.
Smith had given marriage
equality a strong endorse-
ment in a speech before the
Empire State Pride Agenda,
the chief gay lobby in Albany,
at the group’s fall dinner in
2007. Democratic Governor
David Paterson has repeatedly
offered deeply personal state-
ments of support for marriage
equality.
Had Diaz’s proposal to post-
pone a vote won, it would have
been a betrayal of such magni-
tude that the gay community
would have had little choice
but to declare war on the Dem-
ocrats. Alan Van Capelle, the
leader of the Pride Agenda, was
not being consulted, and so he
was unable to offer his advice
that Smith’s planned course of
BY SUSIE DAY
uals appeared to be just anoth-
er harmless identity group.
They stayed in their place. We
tolerated them. Heck, weren’t
we all “just people”?
Then I got up the nerve to
enroll in the School of Ameri-
can Ballet. My application was
turned down: they wanted
someone whose posture was a
little “straighter.” The economy
started to tank and several of
my friends were “laid” off their
jobs. A nuclear family moved
into our neighborhood — and
rents skyrocketed.
So I began to look around. I
realized that what I had been
watching was part of a care-
fully orchestrated plan. “They
teach God-knows-what filth
in our schools,” I thought,
“inherit each other’s estates,
get conjugal visits in prison —
and there’s nothing we can do
about it.”
Or was there? I got some
facts. Did you know that: Het-
erosexuals comprise at least
90 percent of the population?
That this “population” is teem-
ing with huge numbers of mug-
gers, pickpockets, corporate
polluters, slumlords, child por-
nographers, and fascist dicta-
tors? It therefore follows that at
action must not be taken.
The third rebel, Pedro Espa-
da, Jr., wanted a senior title
— majority leader, a post that
would report to Smith as Sen-
ate president. This move back-
fired. In a sign that no one had
given detailed thought to the
negotiations, it was learned
that the office has legal author-
ity to make appointments and
carry out duties that properly
belong to Smith. As it became
clear that Smith intended to
make Espada’s post ceremoni-
al, the Bronx rebel balked and
pulled out of the deal.
The new Democratic major-
ity was digging its grave.
Then Malcolm Smith pulled
a rabbit out of the hat at a
news conference in Albany on
Wednesday morning. He called
the three rebels’ bluff. Without
their votes, Smith could not
become majority leader. The
trio could make the Republi-
can leader, Dean Skelos, the
majority leader for two more
years. Smith said the hell with
it. If I have to stay in the minor-
ity for two more years I will. He
least 90 percent of all muggers,
pickpockets, corporate pollut-
ers, slumlords, child pornogra-
phers, and fascist dictators are
… HETEROSEXUALS!
WHY ARE THESE DEVI-
ANTS ALLOWED TO MARRY
EACH OTHER? DON’T THEY
HAVE ENOUGH RIGHTS?
I have begun an anthro-
pomorphic study of Hetero-
sexuals. Oh, they start off
innocently enough. As babies,
Heterosexuals are often quite
cute. Many of them, however,
cry all night and drool a lot —
the first signs that something
is not right.
As Heter osexuals gr ow
older, they watch TV for hours
— depraved programs such
as “Family Guy” or “MASH”
reruns, designed to implant
the psychosexual desire ONLY
for others of the “opposite”
sex. Then, they go outdoors to
engage in shame-based play-
time activities such as “house”
or “doctor.” Soon, all they can
think of is buying nudity-pro-
moting hygiene products and
getting a place of their own, so
they can procure other Hetero-
sexuals with whom to enjoy fre-
quent and legal erotic relations.
Thus are they indoctrinated
put the rebels on notice.
The game of chicken is on
and it will not be easy for Espa-
da, Kruger, and Diaz to join the
Republican caucus. The Dem-
ocrats would campaign and
campaign hard against them
in two years. They are from
solidly Democratic districts
and would probably lose their
seats. It is no surprise that the
gang of three counterpunched
and called for a new Democrat-
ic leader to replace Smith.
For the first time, Malcolm
Smith is winning praise for
his leadership after denounc-
ing a deal that “would reduce
our moral standing and the
long-term Senate Democratic
commitment to reform and to
change… Real reform cannot
and should not ever include
limiting the civil rights of any
New Yorkers.”
The Empire Pride Agenda
applauded his stand. Demo-
crats are heartened. The Party
may become a progressive
force. It is certainly more unit-
ed. But the outcome of this
contest remains uncertain.
into HETEROSEXUALITY’S
MATRIMONIAL DOMINATION
OF THE ENTIRE GLOBE!
Accident? No! Through
patient research, I have uncov-
ered a vast, international con-
spiracy of Militant Heterosexu-
als who seek total worldwide
supremacy over Planet Earth!
Their behavior is being con-
stantly monitored by their Mili-
tant Heterosexual president,
Big Breeder. “Big Breeder Is
Watching” is one of the mot-
tos of the Breederhood. Others
include: (1) Freedom is Mar-
riage; (2) War Is Cute When
It’s Between the Sexes; and (3)
Ignorance Of And Alienation
From My Wondrously Prote-
an, Polymorphous Libido Is A
Small Price To Pay For World
Domination.
Ignoring the problem won’t
make it go away. So get righ-
teous: Go up to each and every
Heterosexual you see on the
street. Ask them to think about
the chaos in the Middle East
and the economic meltdown;
about domestic surveillance
and starving in the streets. Tell
them THEY have caused these
problems.
Then get them to give you
their paychecks.
16
ABOUT PREZISTA
PREZISTA (darunavir) is a prescription medicine.
It is one treatment option in the class of HIV (human
immunodeficiency virus) medicines known as
protease inhibitors.
PREZISTA is always used with 100 mg ritonavir (Norvir®)
in combination with other HIV medicines for the
treatment of HIV infection in adults.
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combination with PREZISTA/ritonavir (Norvir®) may
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PREZISTA is not approved for the treatment of HIV
infection in pediatric patients.
PREZISTA does not cure HIV infection or AIDS, and
does not prevent passing HIV to others.
PREZIS2183-F_BridgeAd_DR.indd 1-2
11 – 17 DEC 2008
Please read Important Safety Information below, and appetite, or pain, aching or sensitivity on your right
talk to your healthcare professional to learn more
about PREZISTA.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
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rarely been observed to cause liver problems that • Taking PREZISTA with certain medicines could
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WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM
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WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM
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PREZISTA is right for you
11 – 17 DEC 2008 17
in myself
in my doctor
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dosing for adults taking HIV meds for
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ritonavir (Norvir®) and with food.
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GHP
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chance of passing HIV to your baby or any other medicines without first talking to your
• High blood sugar, diabetes or worsening of diabetes, healthcare professional
• Please refer to the ritonavir (Norvir®) Product
and increased bleeding in people with hemophilia have
been reported in patients taking protease inhibitor Information (PI and PPI) for additional information on
medicines, including PREZISTA precautionary measures
• Changes in body fat have been seen in some patients For adults taking HIV meds for the first time:
PREZISTA 800 mg (two 400-mg tablets) must be
and long-term health effects of these conditions are not taken at the same time with 100 mg Norvir once daily
®
known at this time every day.
y
• As with other protease inhibitors, taking PREZISTA may PREZISTA must be taken with food (the type of food is
strengthen the body’s immune response, enabling it to not important).
begin to fight infections that have been hidden. Patients You are encouraged to report negative side effects of
may experience signs and symptoms of inflammation prescription drugs to the FDA.
that can include swelling, tenderness, or redness Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Important Patient Information on
PREZISTA include diarrhea, nausea, headache, and the next page for more information, or visit
abdominal pain. Uncommon but severe side effects www.PREZISTA.com.
such as inflammation of the pancreas and increased
blood fat levels have also been rarely reported. This Distributed by: Tibotec Therapeutics/Division of Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.
Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807-0914
is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If ©2008 Tibotec Therapeutics 11/08 28PRZ0249 PREZIS2183F
11/19/08 4:40:03 PM
18 11 – 17 DEC 2008 WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION

FDA-Approved Patient Labeling DOES PREZISTA REDUCE THE RISK OF PASSING HIV CAN PREZISTA BE TAKEN WITH OTHER
TO OTHERS? MEDICATIONS?**
PREZISTA® (darunavir) Tablets
PREZISTA does not reduce the risk of passing HIV to Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take
Patient Information about others through sexual contact, sharing needles, or including prescription and nonprescription medicines,
PREZISTA (pre-ZIS-ta) being exposed to your blood. For your health and the vitamins, and herbal supplements. PREZISTA and
for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Infection health of others, it is important to always practice many other medicines can interact. Sometimes
safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom serious side effects will happen if PREZISTA is taken
Generic name: darunavir (da-ROO-nuh-veer) or other barrier method to lower the chance of with certain other medicines (see “Who should not
sexual contact with any body fluids such as semen, take PREZISTA?”).
ALERT: Find out about medicines that should NOT be vaginal secretions, or blood. Never re-use or share
taken with PREZISTA. Please also read the section needles. Tell your doctor if you are taking estrogen-based
“Who should not take PREZISTA?”. contraceptives (birth control). PREZISTA might reduce
Ask your doctor if you have any questions on how to
Please read this information before you start taking prevent passing HIV to other people. the effectiveness of estrogen-based contraceptives.
PREZISTA. Also, read the leaflet each time you renew You must take additional precautions for birth control
your prescription, just in case anything has changed. WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY DOCTOR BEFORE I TAKE such as a condom.
Remember, this leaflet does not take the place of PREZISTA?
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, Tell your doctor if you take other anti-HIV medicines.
careful discussions with your doctor. You and your PREZISTA can be combined with some other anti-
doctor should discuss your treatment with PREZISTA including if you:
HIV medicines while other combinations are not
prior to the first time you take your medicine and at • are allergic to sulfa medicines. recommended.
regular checkups. You should remain under a doctor’s • have diabetes. In general, anti-HIV medicines,
care when using PREZISTA and should not change or such as PREZISTA, might increase sugar levels Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following
stop treatment without first talking with a doctor. in the blood. medicines:
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I • have liver problems, including hepatitis B Type of Drug Examples of
SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PREZISTA? and/or C. Generic Names
• have hemophilia. Anti-HIV medicines, such as (Brand Names)
PREZISTA, together with NORVIR® (ritonavir), has
rarely been observed to cause liver problems which PREZISTA, might increase the risk of bleeding. Antiarrhythmics bepridil
may be life-threatening. It was not always clear if • are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. (to treat abnormal lidocaine (Lidoderm®)
PREZISTA caused these liver problems because The effects of PREZISTA on pregnant women or heart rhythms) quinidine
some patients had other illnesses or were taking their unborn babies are not known. You and your amiodarone (Cordarone®)
other medicines. Your healthcare professional doctor will need to decide if taking PREZISTA is digoxin (Lanoxin®)
should do blood tests prior to initiating combination right for you. If you take PREZISTA while you are flecainide (Tambocor®)
treatment including PREZISTA. If you have chronic pregnant, talk to your doctor about how you can propafenone (Rythmol®)
hepatitis B or C infection, your healthcare be included in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy
Registry. Anticoagulants warfarin (Coumadin®)
professional should check your blood tests more (to treat and prevent
often because you have an increased chance of • are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed if you are blood clots)
developing liver problems. Please also read the taking PREZISTA. You should not breastfeed if
section “What are the possible side effects of you have HIV because of the chance of passing Anticonvulsants carbamazepine (Tegretol®,
PREZISTA?”. HIV to your baby. Talk with your doctor about the (to treat epilepsy and Carbatrol®)
best way to feed your baby. prevent seizures) phenobarbital
Rarely, PREZISTA has been reported to cause a phenytoin (Dilantin®,
severe or life-threatening rash. Contact your WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE PREZISTA?** Phenytek®)
healthcare provider if you develop a rash. Your Together with your doctor, you need to decide
healthcare provider will advise you whether your whether taking PREZISTA is right for you. Antidepressants trazodone (Desyrel®)
symptoms can be managed on therapy or whether (to treat depression) desipramine (Norpramin®)
Do not take PREZISTA if you:
PREZISTA should be stopped. Anti-infectives clarithromycin (Biaxin®)
• are allergic to darunavir or any of the other
ingredients in PREZISTA (to treat bacterial
WHAT IS PREZISTA? infections)
PREZISTA is an oral tablet used for the treatment of • are allergic to ritonavir (NORVIR®)
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection in • take any of the following types of medicines Antifungals ketoconazole (Nizoral®)
adults. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired because you could experience serious side (to treat fungal itraconazole (Sporanox®)
Immune Deficiency Syndrome). PREZISTA is a type effects: infections) voriconazole (Vfend®)
of anti-HIV medicine called a protease (PRO-tee- Type of Drug Examples of Antimycobacterials rifabutin (Mycobutin®)
ase) inhibitor. Generic Names (to treat tuberculosis or
HOW DOES PREZISTA WORK? (Brand Names) Mycobacterium avium
Ergot Derivatives dihydroergotamine complex)
PREZISTA blocks HIV protease, an enzyme which is (to treat migraine (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®)
needed for HIV to multiply. When used with other ß-Blockers metoprolol (Lopressor®,
and headaches) ergonovine (to treat high blood Toprol-XL®)
anti-HIV medicines, PREZISTA can help to reduce the ergotamine (Cafergot®,
amount of HIV in your blood (called “viral load”) and Ergomar®) pressure, heart attack, timolol (Betimol®,
increase your CD4 (T) cell count. HIV infection methylergonovine or heart failure Combigan®, Istalol®,
destroys CD4 (T) cells, which are important to the or to lower pressure Cosopt®, Timoptic®)
immune system. The immune system helps fight Gastrointestinal cisapride in the eye)
infection. Reducing the amount of HIV and increasing Motility Agent
(to treat some Benzodiazepines midazolam administered
the CD4 (T) cell count may improve your immune (to treat anxiety and/or by injection
system and, thus, reduce the risk of death or digestive conditions)
trouble with sleeping)
infections that can happen when your immune Neuroleptic pimozide (Orap®)
system is weak (opportunistic infections). (to treat psychiatric Calcium Channel felodipine (Plendil®)
conditions) Blockers nifedipine (Adalat®)
PREZISTA is always taken with and at the same time (to treat heart disease) nicardipine (Cardene®)
as 100 mg of ritonavir (NORVIR®), in combination Sedative/hypnotics oral midazolam
with other anti-HIV medicines. PREZISTA should (to treat trouble with triazolam (Halcion®) Corticosteroids dexamethasone
also be taken with food. sleeping and/or anxiety) (to treat inflammation fluticasone propionate
Herbal Product St. John’s wort or asthma) (Advair Diskus®, Cutivate®,
DOES PREZISTA CURE HIV OR AIDS? Flonase®, Flovent Diskus®)
(Hypericum perforatum)
PREZISTA does not cure HIV infection or AIDS. At HMG-CoA Reductase atorvastatin (Lipitor®)
present, there is no cure for HIV infection. People HMG-CoA Reductase lovastatin (Mevacor®,
Inhibitors Altoprev®, Advicor®) Inhibitors pravastatin (Pravachol®)
taking PREZISTA may still develop infections or other (also known as statins) rosuvastatin (Crestor®)
conditions associated with HIV infection. Because of (also known as statins) simvastatin (Zocor®,
(to lower cholesterol Simcor®, Vytorin®) (to lower cholesterol
this, it is very important for you to remain under the
levels) levels)
care of a doctor. Although PREZISTA is not a cure for
HIV or AIDS, PREZISTA can help reduce your risks of Antimycobacterial rifampin (Rifadin®, Immunosuppressants cyclosporine
getting illnesses associated with HIV infection (AIDS (to treat tuberculosis or Rifater®, Rifamate®, (to prevent organ (Sandimmune®, Neoral®)
and opportunistic infection) and eventually dying Mycobacterium avium Rimactane®) transplant rejection) tacrolimus (Prograf®)
from these conditions. complex) sirolimus (Rapamune®)

PREZIS2183-F_BridgeAd_DR.indd 3-4
WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM
Type of Drug Examples of
Generic Names
(Brand Names) (cont.)
Narcotic Analgesics methadone
(to treat narcotic
withdrawal and
dependence)
Neuroleptics risperidone (Risperdal®,
(to treat schizophrenia Risperdal® Consta®,
or bipolar disorder) Risperdal® M-TAB®)
thioridazine
PDE-5 Inhibitors sildenafil (Viagra®)
(to treat erectile vardenafil (Levitra®)
dysfunction) tadalafil (Cialis®)
Selective Serotonin paroxetine (Paxil®)
Reuptake Inhibitors sertraline (Zoloft®)
(SSRIs)
(to treat depression,
anxiety, or panic disorder)
Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines that
you obtained without a prescription.
This is not a complete list of medicines that you
should tell your doctor that you are taking. Know
and keep track of all the medicines you take and
have a list of them with you. Show this list to all of
your doctors and pharmacists any time you get a
new medicine. Both your doctor and your
pharmacist can tell you if you can take these other
medicines with PREZISTA. Do not start any new
medicines while you are taking PREZISTA without
first talking with your doctor or pharmacist. You can
ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of medicines
that can interact with PREZISTA.
HOW SHOULD I TAKE PREZISTA?
Take PREZISTA tablets every day exactly as
prescribed by your doctor. You must take ritonavir
(NORVIR®) at the same time as PREZISTA.
• For adults who have never taken anti-HIV
medicines, the usual dose is 800 mg (two 400 mg
tablets) of PREZISTA, together with 100 mg (one
100 mg capsule) of ritonavir (NORVIR®), once daily
every day.
• For adults who have taken anti-HIV medicines in
the past, the usual dose is 600 mg (one 600 mg
tablet or two 300 mg tablets) of PREZISTA,
together with 100 mg (one 100 mg capsule) of
ritonavir (NORVIR®), twice daily every day.
PREZISTA and ritonavir (NORVIR ) should be taken
® receiving PREZISTA. In some patients, PREZISTA
together at the same time every day. If you have
questions about when to take PREZISTA and
ritonavir (NORVIR®), your doctor can help you
decide which schedule works for you.
Take PREZISTA and ritonavir (NORVIR®) with food.
The type of food is not important. Swallow the whole
tablets with a drink such as water or milk. Do not
chew the tablets.
Continue taking PREZISTA and ritonavir (NORVIR®)
unless your doctor tells you to stop. Take the exact
amount of PREZISTA and ritonavir (NORVIR®) that
your doctor tells you to take, right from the very
start. To help make sure you will benefit from
PREZISTA and ritonavir (NORVIR®), you must not
skip doses or interrupt therapy. If you don’t take
PREZISTA and ritonavir (NORVIR®) as prescribed,
the beneficial effects of PREZISTA and ritonavir
(NORVIR®) may be reduced or even lost.
Patients taking 800 mg of PREZISTA once daily
If you miss a dose of PREZISTA (two 400 mg tablets)
or ritonavir (NORVIR®) by more than 12 hours, wait
and then take the next dose of PREZISTA (two
400 mg tablets) and ritonavir (NORVIR®) at the
regularly scheduled time. If you miss a dose of
PREZISTA (two 400 mg tablets) or ritonavir
(NORVIR®) by less than 12 hours, take your missed
dose of PREZISTA (two 400 mg tablets) and ritonavir
(NORVIR®) immediately. Then take your next dose of
PREZISTA (two 400 mg tablets) and ritonavir
(NORVIR®) at the regularly scheduled time.
11 – 17 DEC 2008
IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION
Patients taking 600 mg of PREZISTA twice daily
If you miss a dose of PREZISTA (one 600 mg tablet
or two 300 mg tablets) or ritonavir (NORVIR®) by
more than 6 hours, wait and then take the next dose
of PREZISTA (one 600 mg tablet or two 300 mg
tablets) and ritonavir (NORVIR®) at the regularly
scheduled time. If you miss a dose of PREZISTA
(one 600 mg tablet or two 300 mg tablets) or ritonavir
(NORVIR®) by less than 6 hours, take your missed
dose of PREZISTA (one 600 mg tablet or two 300 mg
tablets) and ritonavir (NORVIR®) immediately. Then
take your next dose of PREZISTA (one 600 mg tablet
or two 300 mg tablets) and ritonavir (NORVIR®) at the
regularly scheduled time.
You should always take PREZISTA and ritonavir
(NORVIR®) together with food.
If a dose of PREZISTA or ritonavir (NORVIR®) is
skipped, do not double the next dose. Do not take
more or less than your prescribed dose of PREZISTA
or ritonavir (NORVIR®) at any one time.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF
PREZISTA?
Like all prescription drugs, PREZISTA can cause
side effects. The following is not a complete list of
side effects reported with PREZISTA when taken
either alone or with other anti-HIV medicines. Do
not rely on this leaflet alone for information about
side effects. Your doctor can discuss with you a
more complete list of side effects.
PREZISTA, together with NORVIR® (ritonavir), has
rarely been observed to cause liver problems which
may be life-threatening. It was not always clear if
PREZISTA caused these liver problems because
some patients had other illnesses or were taking
other medicines. Your healthcare professional
should do blood tests prior to initiating combination
treatment including PREZISTA. If you have chronic
hepatitis B or C infection, your healthcare
professional should check your blood tests more
often because you have an increased chance of
developing liver problems.
Talk to your healthcare professional about the signs
and symptoms of liver problems. These may include
yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes, dark
(tea colored) urine, pale colored stools (bowel
movements), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or
pain, aching or sensitivity on your right side below
your ribs.
Rash has been reported in 10.3% of subjects
has been reported to cause a severe or life-
threatening rash. Contact your healthcare provider
if you develop a rash. Your healthcare provider will
advise you whether your symptoms can be
managed on therapy or whether PREZISTA should
be stopped.
Other relevant severe side effects reported at an
uncommon or rare frequency were inflammation of
the liver or pancreas, increased blood fat levels,
diabetes, and changes in body fat.
Some side effects are typical for anti-HIV medicines
in the same family as PREZISTA. These are:
• high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and diabetes.
This can happen in patients taking PREZISTA or
other protease inhibitor medicines. Some
patients have diabetes before starting treatment
with PREZISTA which gets worse. Some patients
get diabetes during treatment with PREZISTA.
Some patients will need changes in their
diabetes medicine. Some patients may need new
diabetes medicine.
• increased bleeding in patients with hemophilia.
• changes in body fat. These changes can happen in
patients taking anti-HIV medicines, including
PREZISTA. The changes may include an increased
amount of fat in the upper back and neck, breast,
and around the back, chest, and stomach area.
Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also
happen. The exact cause and long-term health
effects of these conditions are not known.
19
• immune reconstitution syndrome. In some
patients with advanced HIV infection (AIDS) and
a history of opportunistic infection, signs and
symptoms of inflammation from previous
infections may occur soon after anti-HIV
treatment, including PREZISTA, is started. It is
believed that these symptoms are due to an
improvement in the body’s immune response,
enabling the body to fight infections that may
have been present with no obvious symptoms.
The most common side effects include diarrhea,
nausea, headache, and abdominal pain.
Tell your doctor promptly about these or any other
unusual symptoms. If the condition persists or
worsens, seek medical attention.
WHAT DO PREZISTA TABLETS LOOK LIKE?
PREZISTA 300 mg tablets are orange, oval-shaped,
film-coated tablets mentioning “300” on one side
and “TMC114” on the other side.
PREZISTA 400 mg tablets are light orange, oval-
shaped, film-coated tablets mentioning “400” on
one side and “TMC” on the other side.
PREZISTA 600 mg tablets are orange, oval-shaped,
film-coated tablets mentioning “600” on one side
and “TMC” on the other side.
HOW SHOULD I STORE PREZISTA TABLETS?
Store PREZISTA tablets at room temperature (77°F
(25°C)). Short-term exposure to higher or lower
temperatures [from 59°F (15°C) to 86°F (30°C)] is
acceptable. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any questions about storing your tablets.
This medication is prescribed for your particular
condition. Do not use it for any other condition or
give it to anybody else. Keep PREZISTA and all of
your medicines out of the reach of children. If you
suspect that more than the prescribed dose of this
medicine has been taken, contact your local poison
control center or emergency room immediately.
This leaflet provides a summary of information about
PREZISTA. If you have any questions or concerns
about either PREZISTA or HIV, talk to your doctor.
For additional information, you may also call Tibotec
Therapeutics at 1-877-REACH-TT or 1-877-732-2488.
**The brands listed are the registered trademarks of
their respective owners and are not trademarks of
Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
Manufactured for Tibotec, Inc. by:
JOLLC, Gurabo, Puerto Rico
Distributed by:
Tibotec Therapeutics
Division of Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.,
Raritan NJ 08869
Patent Numbers: 5,843,946; 6,248,775; 6,335,460 and
other US patents pending
NORVIR® is a registered trademark of its respective
owner.
PREZISTA® is a registered trademark of
Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
© Tibotec, Inc. 2006
Revised: October 2008
10101706P
11/19/08 4:40:15 PM
20/ Theater 11 - 17 DEC 2008

His Own Worst Enemy

Craig Lucas play buckles under strain of Iraq, depression, sexuality, and kitchen sink
BY DAVID KENNERLEY PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY
Playwrights Horizons
416 W. 42nd St.

N
o one can accuse Craig Lucas
of not having a fertile mind.
After all, the multi-award
winner has created a range of potent,
probing dramas, many with overt gay
motifs, such as “Prelude to a Kiss,”
“The Dying Gaul,” “Reckless,” and the
book for “The Light in the Piazza.” Not
to mention the 1990 groundbreaking
film about the burgeoning AIDS epi-
demic, “Longtime Companion.”
So it is with no small measure of
dismay that I must report that in
Lucas’ latest overstuffed effort, “Prayer
For My Enemy,” his brilliance has
gone haywire. It’s as if he gathered all
of the scraps of discarded ideas from
two decades and tossed them into this
Through Dec. 23
Tue.-Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sat. at 2:30 pm;
Sun. at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
$65; ticketcentral.com
Or 212-279-4200
high school (this is a play by openly
gay Lucas, remember), sparks are
rekindled.
“I’m not gay,” Billy doth protest. If
one of the dramatic threads is finding
out if he will truly come out to him-
self and his family, it is a weak thread
indeed. The sequences of the boys
roughhousing, meant to generate heat,
are just plain awkward.
Billy’s bipolar father, Austin, is a

gumbo of a play. Problem is, although
the work has some bite, it’s mostly
mush.
The year is 2003, the place is
upstate New York, and the protagonist
is cute-as-a button Billy, who’s decid-
ed to enlist in George Bush’s Army,
partly to prove that he’s more macho
than his fem looks suggest. When he
runs into his scraggly old buddy, Tad,
who he used to mess around with in
recovering alcoholic and Vietnam vet
who is obsessed with the New York
Yankees and documentaries about ele-
phant behavior. He can’t understand
why his “fagboy” son would volunteer
for war when the blood-soaked hell he
was drafted into, filled with atrocities
against humanity, is still unbearable
years later.
Before you can say “closet case,” Tad
marries Billy’s older sister and knocks
Jonathan Groff as Billy and Zachary Booth as Tad ponder whether fuck-buddies can ever go home again, and other
too often-trod ground.
her up, and Billy is shipped off to Iraq,
to “kill people he doesn’t know.”
But that’s not all. There’s a seeming-
ly unrelated, and frankly preposterous,
story line following Dolores, a lonely
woman in her 40s caring for a moth-
er suffering from a series of strokes.
Engaged to a self-absorbed “Manhat-
tan-centric” psychiatrist, she prefers
the folksy intimacy of the country.
(Lucas himself now lives alone in Put-
nam County, about an hour outside
of New York City.)
When her path finally crosses Aus-
tin’s one fateful night, she mistakes
him for an enemy and lashes out,
JOAN MARCUS
Not even the superb performances
from some of the biggest talents on
Broadway can rescue this muddle.
Jonathan Groff, the Tony award win-
ner for “Spring Awaking,” imbues
Billy with dignity and grace. Victoria
Clark, Tony winner for “Light in the
Piazza,” makes the kooky Delores
utterly engaging, uncovering depths
of charm and conviction. As Aus-
tin, Skip Sudduth (“South Pacific”)
conveys the pathos of a damaged life
barely salvaged.
Tony winner Michelle Pawk (“Hair-
spray”) as Billy’s mother, Cassie Beck
(“The Drunken City”) as Billy’s sister,

Serving Our Community...

For over 20 years, God’s Love We Deliver has improved the health There’s a common link among most of
and well-being of men, women, and children in the New York City
metropolitan area, who are living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other these sorry souls — the lust for drink and
life-altering illnesses. Lexapro — but it is not enough.
Our staff of over 1,400 dedicated volunteers and generous donors
help us provide nutritious and delicious meals and nutritional
counseling to our clients from our kitchen in SoHo. with disastrous results. Later — you
guessed it — she prays for him. Got
all that?
War, murder, disease, autism, fam-
ily dysfunction, sexual dysfunction,
recrimination, depression, repression,
addiction, homosexuality, polyamory,
community, mortality, infinity, city
versus country, man versus animal,
faith versus logic — it’s all here. As
the title suggests, “Prayer For My
Enemy” is also about opposing forces,
and the triumph of charity over hate.
While Lucas has devised a common
link among most of these sorry souls
— the lust for drink and Lexapro —
it is not enough. A glittering liquor
cart, it should be noted, is the center-
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE piece of John McDermott’s spare set
VISIT WWW.GODSLOVEWEDELIVER.ORG, design.
OR CALL US AT 212-294-8100 Motivations and logic are out the
window.
and Zachary Booth as Tad, gamely
strive to make sense of their charac-
ters.
What’s more, in an attempt to enliv-
en the proceedings, Lucas employs a
device by which characters blurt out
their interior feelings, while the others
aren’t supposed to hear. Director Bar-
tlett Sher, apparently resting on his
laurels from “South Pacific,” should
have figured out a way to make it
clearer when these asides were hap-
pening. The line between reality and
the surreal is diminished, but so is
our desire to understand it.
For all that Lucas has to say,
“Prayer For My Enemy, ” which runs
a lengthy hour and 40 minutes with-
out intermission, ultimately commu-
nicates very little. In this case, the
angry playwright from upstate may be
his own worst enemy.
WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM
Space Age Dawns
Sperone Westwater examines global shift
from Expressionism
Gunther Uecker’s “The White Mill,” 1964, incorporates two nail-covered disks that rotate, on a pedestal, to mesmer-
izing effect.
BY GREG MONTREUIL
An important historical group show
now at Sperone Westwater examines
activities of the Zero Group, which
worked from 1957 through 1966. Orig-
inating in Düsseldorf, Otto Piene and
Heinz Mack formed an artistic alliance
in reaction against Expressionism.
“Zero” was chosen as the group’s name
in the spirit of the number that pre-
cedes a space lift-off. Through exhibi-
tions and publications, the movement
branched out to include artists from
other countries in Europe and South
America and from Japan.
The initial exhibitions were one-eve-
ning events, held in artist studios; in
the video and photos at the entrance
to the Sperone Westwater showing, one
can sense the camaraderie and celebra-
tion they embodied. This is an exten-
sive show with a sensual humanity; it
provides a great opportunity to broad-
en the art community’s knowledge of
this fertile time. The manipulation of
materials is paramount here, and the
exhibition brings together known and
lesser-known artists in cohesive juxta-
position.
Light and properties were of major
concern to many of the artists present-
ed. Otto Piene incorporates glow lamps
in his totemic “Electric Anaconda,”
1965, which illuminates the darkened
room of his work behind the reception
area. Gunther Uecker uses everyday
nails to create dynamic plays of light
and shadow. “The White Mill,” 1964,
incorporates two nail-covered disks
that rotate, on a pedestal, to mesmer-
izing effect.
In Piero Manzoni’s “Achrome,” 1960,
wall pieces were made with mate-
rial soaked in cobalt chloride that still
glows in the dark 50 years later. Nanda
Vigo, one of the few women exhibited,
plays with surface structure by slicing
strips of textured glass and mirrors to
refract and distort light.
Lucio Fontana, from an older gen-
eration, is well represented in this
exhibition with his ongoing exploration
in the series “Concetto spaziale” that
11 – 17 DEC 2008 21
SPERONE WESTWATER
experiments with new materials and
methods within his signature penetrat-
ing marks. Here “Concetto spaziale,”
1960, with dark poured enamel, is a
standout. The next room has Daniel
Spoerri’s “Untitled,” 1964, capturing
a moment with its surreal paintbrush
frozen in mid-stoke.
Works by Enrico Castellani punctu-
ate the exhibit. He created painting by
manipulating the surface of the canvas
from behind, the raised and depressed
structure picks up light and shadow in
subtle, fascinating ways. Texture unifies
a wall of matt off-white works and illus-
trates the common sensibilities of this
diverse group. Adolf Luthers “Demate-
rialization,” 1962-1966, is strong in its
transformation of materials — round
eggshells dipped in plaster.
A small room to the side could be a
chapel. It contains the Yves Klein trin-
ity of modest monochromes. Two soak
up light and resonate with grandeur
while the third, a gold-leafed panel,
dazzles.
Jean Tinguely’s “Radio WNYR,”
circa 1962, disrupts any reverence
the viewer might be engaged in. This
wacky kinetic sculpture moves spas-
modically and plays mistuned radio
noises. Other works in the room touch
on metaphysical alchemy, with the art-
ists using fire and soot to create the
images. Both menacing and beauti-
ful, “Stacheldraht,”1962, a painting by
Dutch artist Armando, has protruding
barbed wire that challenges the mono-
chrome surface.
Several artists recycle everyday
objects — Arman and Jan Hender-
ikse employ coins, corks, and indus-
trial parts to create their compositions.
Henk Peeters wall piece “61-26,” 1961,
creates mysterious wonder with its
scrimmed surface.
This extensive exhibition shows the
wide range of approaches, materials,
and techniques that inhabited the spir-
it of the Zero Movement. With its inter-
national scope and range of explora-
tion, it helped spawn the diversity and
connectivity, and many of the ideas, of
the art practices of our present day.
22/ Books
Going Out and Coming Back
Raphael Kadushin marshals top gay writers on what travel means in our lives
THE LIFE OF POETRY
By MURIEL RUKEYSER
Paris Press
256 pages; $14.95
BY TIM MILLER
G
ay people everywhere
imagine the “Big Trip”
that may break open
the doors to romance, per -
fect love, or maybe just that
perfect beach. Is there some-
thing about gay folks and
travel that makes us always
ready to “get out of Dodge”?
When we think of the
famous 20th century queer
travelers and adventurers
— Lawrence of Arabia, Sir
Richard Burton, Amelia Ear-
hart, Richard Halliburton —
it almost seems as if there
is something compelling
gay people to push beyond
boundaries in search of love
and ourselves.
The extraor dinary new
anthology “Big Trips: More
Good Gay Travel Writing,”
edited by Raphael Kadushin,
builds on his earlier collec-
tion, “Wonderlands,” digging
even deeper into the psychic,
emotional, and sexual adven-
tures of travel, in a rich vari-
ety of stories and essays by
such luminaries as Edmund
White, Dale Peck, Martin
Sherman, and many other
remarkable literary voices.
All this comes together
in an anthology of dynamic
writing about travel that
makes us want to book our
next flight, or at least gets
“These aren’t just great gay writers,
but great writers period.”
us dreaming of other places,
our own personal “Big Trips.”
Gay City News spoke with
editor and author Raphael
Kadushin about gay lives
and journeys.
TIM MILLER: There seem
to be so many travel books
coming out these days?
What sets this apart from the
pack?
RAPHAEL KADUSHIN:
Well, I think three things.
First, I think it’s just the
range of strong writers, real-
ly the best of both young gay
voices and established gay
writers. So you have every-
Raphael Kadushin offers a travel book that is really a wonderful short story collection.
one from Mack Friedman,
Aaron Hamburger, and Cliff
Chase to people like Edmund
White, who, of course, is one
of our finest American writ-
ers, and Andrew Holleran
and Dale Peck.
And Martin Sherman, who
is probably best known for
his play “Bent.” I always wish
I’d had the chance to see the
Broadway production of that
play when Richard Gere
starred in it.
And these aren’t just great
gay writers but great writers
period, so they each have a
distinctive voice that goes
through you.
The second thing that was
fun for me in editing the book
and that distinguishes it is
the range of destinations the
writers took on. I didn’t try
for any geographical balance;
I thought I’d just see what
came in when I asked people
for pieces.
But what came in was
just naturally balanced and
no writer wrote about the
same place. So the anthol-
ogy jumps all over the world,
which is great for vicarious
travel readers, since none of
us can really afford to trav-
el much right now. It skips
from Cor fu to Sicily, San
Francisco, Egypt, Province-
town, Mexico, Vienna, Rome,
Prague, Florida, the English
countryside, London, Dor -
dogne, Paris, Morocco, the
Greek islands, and northern
Spain. It’s like a grand tour
on paper.
And the third thing that
makes the book worth read-
ing, I think, is the depth of
the pieces. These aren’t con-
sumer travel pieces, which
you can get in any magazine
or website. You’re not going
to find the ten best bistros
in Paris kind of travel writ-
ing here, or the thread-count
story, or 18 hours in Lon-
don. Each writer is really
exploring the sensibility of
the place they visit, so if you
can’t travel now, or if you’re
thinking about future trips,
you get a sense of immersion
in the place, what it really
feels like to be in Prague or
Cairo.
And you get a real narra-
tive story as well, so you can
read the pieces in “Big Trips”
as travel stories or as, really,
short stories.
TM: In fact some of them
are short stories, in the sense
that you are mixing fiction
and nonfiction in this anthol-
ogy. How do you justify that?
R K : Well, I think most
travel writing is a form of fic-
tion, in the sense that most
travel writers are just see-
ing a fragment of a place and
projecting their own fictions
onto that place. You don’t
really know Vienna or Paris
or Marrakech in a week or
two, so you are always cre-
ating a story, even if you are
pretending to be an objective
journalist. You’re partly see-
ing what you want to see or
what you are looking for.
And in some ways fiction,
because it doesn’t have to
stick to any rules or conven-
tions, can capture the emo-
tional reality of a place bet-
ter, and it can take on bigger
themes. A lot of the pieces in
“Big Trips,” in the end, aren’t
just about a single trip. They
tackle universal issues too,
like why we travel, what
drives our wanderlust, what
we are really looking for when
we travel, and even how we
define our sense of home.
TM: And also issues like
how and why we fall in love.
I was surprised at how many
pieces in the anthology are
half travel story and half
romance. Aaron Hamburg-
er’s story about his infatua-
tion with Lucas, the perfect
Czech porn star, and Dun-
can Fallowell’s subtle, erotic
flirtation with a man in Sici-
ly, and Michael Klein’s poetic
story about his affair during
a perfect Provincetown sum-
mer are as much love stories
as anything else. Were you
consciously looking for that
intersection, between travel
and romance?
RK: No but I think it’s
sort of inevitable. I think the
impulse that fuels our wan-
derlust, the hunger for new
experience and sensation,
䉴 TRAVEL, continued on p.23
11 - 17 DEC 2008
7 DAYS
䉴
7 NIGHTS
DEC 14, from p.12
featuring Debra Kreisberg on clarinet
and sax, Ismail Butera on accordion,
and Dave Hofstra on bass. Lenox Hill
Neighborhood House, 331 E. 70th
St., 2 p.m. Free, but a donation of $5 is
suggested.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
GALLERY
Fleshing Out
Street Life
Catherine Opie’s body of photo-
graphic work, created since the early
1990s, spans such diverse genres as
studio portraiture, landscape photog-
raphy, and urban street photography to
explore notions of communal, sexual,
and cultural identity. From her early
portraits of queer subcultures to her
expansive urban landscapes, Opie has
offered profound insights into the con-
ditions in which communities form and
the terms by which they are defined.
Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth
Ave. at E. 89th St., Sat.-Wed., 10
a.m.-5:45 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-7:45 p.m.
Through Jan. 7. Admission is $18; $15
for students & seniors; pay what you
wish Fri. after 5:45 p.m.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
The Even Couple
Gilbert and George met in 1967
while students in London and began
to create art together, developing a
uniquely recognizable style both in their
pictures and in their presentations of
themselves as living sculptures. Over
40 years, they developed a new format
that created large-scale pictures, visu-
ally and emotionally powerful, through
a unique creative process. The Brooklyn
Museum is the final venue in an interna-
tional tour that marks the first retrospec-
tive of the artists’ work in more than 20
years. The exhibition was organized by
the Tate Modern, London, with the col-
laboration of the artists, who consider
this to be the definitive presentation
of their art. 200 Eastern Parkway at
Washington Ave. near Grand Army
Plaza. Wed.-Fri., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat.
11 a.m.-6 p.m. (until 11 p.m. first
Sat.); Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Exhibition
runs through Jan. 11. Admission is
$8; $4 for students & seniors.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
COMEDY
Three Gals and a
Little Lady
Gals Corey Kahaney (“Last Comic
Standing”), Carmen Lynch (Comedy
Central), and Kate McKinnon (Logo’s
“Big Gay Sketch Show”) are joined by
lil’ Paul Case for Brad Loekle’s popular
Hell’s Kitchen show, “The Electro Shock
Therapy Comedy Hour.” Therapy, 348
W. 52nd St., 10 p.m. No cover charge
and $6 cosmos all night.
䉴 7 DAYS, continued on p.24
WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM 11 – 17 DEC 2008 23

䉴 TRAVEL, from p.22
is to some extent a sensual, erotic
impulse, and it’s the same thing, in
a way, that drives our search for sex
and love and a real personal connec-
tion. So I think it becomes a natural
part of a lot of travel writing and prob-
ably half the stories in here have some
elements of a love story.
Edmund White’s piece is probably
the truest love story because it’s a dou-
ble-decker love story, about an Ameri-
can writer living in Paris who falls in
love first with a French man and then
with a young American, from Georgia,
who is an expat like himself and who
in some ways is more French than the
French. White describes him as lov-
ing everything French –– French man-
ners, clothes, food. And together the
two Americans go from Paris to Moroc-
co where they become pure outsid-
ers, exotics, together. So the romance
and the travel become intertwined;
the travel in some ways heightens the
romance.
The other thing about the way travel
stories and love stories intersect has to
do with the quality of the writing too.
Travel writers have to be sensual writ-
ers if they’re good; they have to capture
the smell of a place, the taste of it, the
quality of the local beauty. And that
talent for sensual, sensory description
makes for good romances.
White’s story ends with a wonderful,
poetic description of his French lover’s
ass, and Fallowell describes his Sicil-
ian crush, a man named Riccardo, as
having the black curls and startled-
looking arched eyebrows that you see
on statues of ancient Greeks.
TM: Your own story, which focuses
partly on the narrator’s affair with a
British man, is also a love story but a
sad one.
RK: It starts out as sort of a bur-
lesque, as this series of almost comical
accidents happen to this young Ameri-
can boy living in London. He meets
this very handsome, slightly older
British journalist who is being kept by
a sugar daddy, and they go off on this
tour of Yorkshire, past all these odd
literary sites —Whitby, where Bram
Stoker’s Dracula landed, and Beatrix
Potter’s house, and Byron country. So
it’s sort of a literary tour.
But the story is really about, in some
ways, the two different sides of travel.
One side is that sense of euphoric
adventure we have when we set off for
a new place. But the other side is that
sudden sense of vulnerability you feel
when you are lost in the world, and
the search for home that can result.
TM: Do you feel that split person-
ally? I know how much you travel
yourself, as a journalist for a lot of the
travel magazines, and I would think
that gets exhausting.
RK: Well you know it does; you
probably travel as much as I do. But
I feel it more and more, and that sort
of informed how I divided the pieces
in “Big Trips.” There are two parts to
the anthology. The first part is called
“Going Out,” and it focuses on the
wonderful rush you get from trav-
eling, so it has pieces like Michael
Klein’s description of a golden sum-
mer in Provincetown and Phil Gam-
bone’s excitement over being in
Mozart’s Vienna.
But the second part, called “Com-
ing Back,” is about travelers who are
really tired of traveling, who are look-
ing for some sense of a home. And
those are less romantic pieces, but
in some ways, for me, more moving.
So you have a wonderful story by
Andrew Holleran, about his visit to
these gated retirement communities
in Florida that he realizes could never
be a home.
And Mack Friedman’s elegiac story
about a man traveling with the ashes
of his cremated mother, back to Mexi-
co, where they once vacationed.
And then the first act of a relative-
ly unknown play by Martin Sherman
that starred Vanessa Redgrave when
it was produced in London. It’s the
perfect ending to “Big Trips,” because
it’s a two-person play set on a Greek
island, and it becomes this almost
debate between a young boy who is
just starting his travels and an older
woman named Mrs. Honey who is the
spent, tired traveler looking to land
anywhere, somewhere. She just wants
to go home.
T im Miller is an inter nationally
acclaimed solo perfor mer and the
author of “Body Blows” and “1001
Beds.” He can be reached at his web-
site timmillerperformer.com.

w w w. GAYCIT YNEWS . c o m

St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery

Is celebrating its first

Holiday Bazaar series!

It’s a Community fundraiser!
Saturday, December 6, Noon to 8pm
Saturday, December 13, 10am to 6pm
St. Mark’s Church, inside the Parish Hall, 131 East 10th Street @ 2nd Avenue
Come celebrate the season with this joyous event!
Food, drink, music, and lots of pretty stuff in a jolly atmosphere!
Quality items available for purchase including jewelry, artifacts,
collectibles and affordable gift items. You can warm up with some
hotapple cider too! Christmas trees and holiday wreaths available
in the church yard.
For more information call: 212-674-6377

Like to Party with TINA ?

The Substance Use Research Center
at Columbia University
seeks medically healthy Meth users between
the ages of 21 and 45 to participate in a
10-session study evaluating stimulant effects.

You can earn up to $1,004.

For more information, please call: (212) 543-6013 or (212) 543-6545

ALL PERSONAL AND IDENTIFYING INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL
24
■ BOOKS
They End Up At Ease
Annie Leibovitz retrospective captures her moments between moments
ANNIE LEIBOVITZ AT WORK
By Annie Leibovitz
Random House
235 pages; $40
BY ELENA MANCINI
“A
nnie Leibovitz at
Wo r k , ” a n e w l y
published retro-
spective of the iconic photogra-
pher’s 40-year career, is equal
parts text and images. She got
her start in 1970, when one of
her photos of Vietnam anti-war
rallies in San Francisco and
Berkeley was used for the cover
of Rolling Stone magazine,
which subsequently offered her
a job.
Capitalizing on the freedom
she had at the magazine to
pursue her projects, Leibovitz
marshaled her skill and auda-
ciousness to launch a lifetime
vocation that would be studded
with assignments of great cul-
tural and historic importance.
This new book chronicles the
59-year -old photographer’s
artistic journey through time
and themes.
“I was never thinking about
the magazine when I was on
the road,” she writes. “I was in
the thick of it and I made my
own decisions based on what
was possible. Things happen
in front of you. That’s perhaps
the most wonderful and mys-
terious aspect of photography.
It seemed like you just had to
decide when and where to aim
the camera.”
Leibovitz displayed a knack
for capturing moments occur-
ring between the main events.
One such instant came the
morning after Richard Nixon’s
resignation, Leibovitz’s first sig-
nificant political assignment.
Rather than focusing on the
president boarding the helicop-
ter, Leibovitz shot the guards
rolling up the red carpets as his
Moments after Richard Nixon left the White House, August 9, 1974
Annie Leibovitz at work.
Johnny Depp in New York City, 1994.
helicopter lifted off.
Her instinct for detecting
golden opportunities has also
served her well. She saw Mick
Jagger’s 1975 invitation to
tour with the Rolling Stones
as the band’s photographer as
the chance of a lifetime. Taken
over by the project, Leibovitz
developed a working symbiosis
with Jagger that she describes
as a “subject/photographer
relationship of an obsessive
kind…”
“For me,” she continues,
“the story about the pictures
RANDOM HOUSE
11 – 17 DEC 2008
RANDOM HOUSE
is about almost losing myself,
and coming back, and what it
means to be deeply involved in
a subject. The thing that saved
me was that I had my cam-
era by my side. It was there to
remind me who I was and what
I did. It separated me from
them.”
In a narrative style both can-
did and terse, she illuminates
her process with each person
she portrayed. What emerges is
a photographer who is respect-
ful of her subjects’ individuality,
physicality, and self- expres-
sion. A fundamental principle
in Leibovitz’s approach to por-
traiture is naturalness. There
is nothing top-down about the
way she conducts her work.
Studying her figures in their
environments and soliciting
input from them on how they
most preferred to be shot, Lei-
bovitz would often undergo
harrowing feats to cast her
subjects as they desired to be
framed.
For a shoot with Keith Har-
ing, it meant following him to
Times Square on a cold win-
ter night while he was wear-
ing nothing but body paint.
For Arnold Schwarzenegger, it
WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM
7 DAYS
7 NIGHTS
䉴 7 DAYS, from p.22
COMEDY
MON.DEC.15
This Gay Life
Best-Selling Humorist made a
splash earlier this year with his
latest collection, “When You Are
Engulfed in Flames,” and his gut-
splitting radio voice on Public Radio
International’s “This American Life.”
Tonight, he continues his chronicle
of middle age gay life in America.
Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Cen-
ter, 8 p.m. Tickets are $30-$75 at
COURTESY OF THE LEIBOVITZ STUDIO
lincolncenter.org.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
CABARET
It’s Just Wrong
Jackie Hoffman shamelessly
retreads her meanest musical hits in
an evening of song that’s just plain
wrong, called “Scraping the Bottom
entailed flying to a mountain for Chanukah: The Most Offensive
peak in order to photograph Songs of Jackie Hoffman.” Michael
him in a heroic ski pose, dur- Schiralli directs with musical direc-
ing a blizzard. With Patti Smith, tor Bobby Peaco. Joe’s Pub at the
it required igniting kerosene Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St.,
indoors to create a wall of below Cooper Sq., 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
flames behind the singer. Tickets are $30 at joespub.com, but
Transitioning with ease from for table reservations, that include a
news photography to portraits, $12 food or drink minimum, call 212-
from nudes to groups, and 539-8778.
adapting to digital from film, ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
Leibovitz has constantly taken
risks and reinvented herself. Ovation Sensation
From being privately commis- Danny Calvert, who has appeared in
sioned by high-profile figures, “Rent” and “Altar Boyz,” was recently
to shooting high-end ad cam- nominated for an Ovation Award for his
paigns, to covering the Balkan turn in “All Shook Up,” and won the Los
War with her now-deceased Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for
partner Susan Sontag, to hold- Best Lead Actor in “Zana Don’t, returns
ing coveted appointments at to Scott Nevins’ “Curtain Call” to belt
magazines like Vanity Fair, and out some favorites. Splash Bar, 50 W.
winning numerous prestigious 17th St., 11:30 p.m. Admission is free
awards, Leibovitz has enjoyed a before 10 p.m.; $5 after that. You must
consummate career. be at least 21. Show up early and catch
Most striking is her humil- the video madness of “Musical Mon-
ity and ability to exercise days” featuring legendary big screen
minimal interference with the numbers.
photographic process, thereby ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
allowing her subjects to proj-
ect themselves to the camera. WELL-BEING
“I never set anyone at ease,” Happiness For The
she writes. “Either they were Holidaze
at ease or they weren’t. That Angelo Pezzote (askangelo.com)
was part of what was interest- is a gay psychotherapist, columnist,
ing about a picture… I know, and the author of “Straight Acting —
however, that I do set people Gay Men, Masculinity, And Finding
at ease because I’m very direct. True Love.” Tonight, he will discuss
I’m there simply to take the the challenges that the holidays can
picture and that’s it.” pose. They are supposed to be about
It is perhaps this quality that joy, peace, celebration, good will, and
inspired artists and cultural enjoying the company of family and
icons to allow Leibovitz to pho- friends. But for many, the holidays
tograph them in the most inti- become more about stress, loneliness,
mate and daring of ways. The conflict, and depression. Pezzote’s
nude, seven-month pregnant workshop aims to help you cope better
Demi Moore on the cover of with your holiday challenges and cre-
Vanity Fair and the photograph ate new beginnings for the new year.
of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s LGBT Community Center, room 410,
fetal embrace remain timeless 8-10 p.m. Free
invocations of the powerful ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
intimacy that Leibovitz’s work
communicates. 䉴 7 DAYS, continued on p.30
WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM 11 – 17 DEC 2008 25

■ CABARET

Being Funny Girls and Boys

Steven Brinberg leads LGBT homeless benefit
BY GERRY VISCO

O
ne terrific way to celebrate
the holidays is a trip to Sym-
phony Space on December
20. There, a funny and fabulous show
performed by talented singers from
Broadway and the cabaret circuit will
help fund a great cause, the Ali Forney
Center, named for a queer 22-year-old
murdered in 1997 while living on the
streets of Manhattan.
“The Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacu-
lar” is headlined by Steven Brinberg, who
travels the world with a show he’s writ-
ten and performs in the persona of his
long-time idol, Barbra Streisand. This
is no lip-synched drag show or campy

GAY CITY NEWS

dish, but more of an homage, which the
Sunday London Times calls “uncannily
accurate.” Brinberg is renowned for his
voice, which, if you close your eyes, could
convince you that maybe, just maybe the
funny girl herself was actually in Sym-
phony Space belting it out.
Also donating their time and talent
to raise funds for the Ali Forney Center
will be the amazing Julie Wilson. Rex
Reed called her “the most captivating
Steven Brinberg, in a rare public moment when he’s not
Barbra, headlines a December 20 benefit for the Ali For-
ney Center.
A SIMPLY BARBRA HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
Symphony Space
2357 Broadway at 95th St.
Dec. 20 at 8 pm

septuagenarian in cabaret.” Joining
the lineup as well is Tituss Burgess,
currently playing Sebastian The Crab
in Disney’s “Little Mermaid” on Broad-
way, where he also appeared in “Good
Vibrations” and “Jersey Boys.”
Last but hardly least, the Broad-
way Boys will be singing their dynamic
arrangements of show tunes and pop
songs in their powerful vocal harmo-
nies fusing funk, gospel, jazz, and
folk. Christopher Denny is the musical
director for the extravaganza.
At the time of Ali Forney’s death,
there were no homeless centers for
LGBT youth in New York. Coming out
of the closet used to be considered
one of the most difficult moments in
an LGBT person’s life and despite the
efforts of the gay rights movement, it
still is. It is estimated that one out of
every four LGBT adolescents has been
rejected by their family and thrown out
of their home.
The Ali Forney Center is a com-
prehensive organization dedicated
to homeless LGBT youth, providing
them with a place to stay, support,
and access to vital social services. The
numbers of homeless youth in Ameri-
ca is huge — estimated at 1.6 million.
Approximately 42 percent identify
themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual,
or transgendered, according to a study
THE GIFT
$25-$65; with post-show reception,
$100-$125
symphonyspace.org or 212-864-5400
Without any resources and the sup- THAT KEEPS
port of their family, the quickest and
easiest way to find housing and money
for these teenagers is to prostitute
ON BITCHIN’
themselves or sell drugs, resulting in
high risk-sex and drug use, which can
lead to HIV and other sexually trans-
mitted diseases and also exposes them
to dangerous situations with unknown
johns. Too many of these kids turn to
suicide, are assaulted, or even mur-
dered because of their tenuous and
troubled lifestyles.
That’s where the Ali Forney Center
located on West 35th Street steps in.
Carl Siciliano, who runs the organi-
zation, founded the Ali Forney Center
in 2002 after years as a social worker
who had counseled Forney and other
homeless young people, many of them
gay or transgendered. Ali Forney pro-
vides homeless LGBT youth 16 to 24
years old with essential services, and
short- and long-term beds, to put them
on the path to independent living.
THIRD SHOW ADDED!
There are approximately 50 beds in six
apartments, where residents can live
for up to two years.
3!4s&%"
Ali Forney also offers free medical
care, HIV testing, mental health servic- &%"s/.3!,%./7

from the National Gay and Lesbian es, showers, food, computer access, and
Task Force, in collaboration with the
National Coalition for the Homeless. 䉴 BARBRA, from p.25

From Boise to Bankok!

Sun. $3.50 Screwdrivers & our famous Bloody Mary’s,
$2.50 Miller Lite Drafts & Bud Bottles
Mon. $4 Mojito’s all flavors Tues. $2 Margarita’s 4ICKETSAT4ICKETMASTERCOMs   s-3'BOXOFlCE
CHEAP-EEZ /Cocktails (except Fri. & Sat.) - Coors & Pabst Cans $3, Wheelchair, Aisle and Companion Seating and Assistive Listening devices
Available. Please call 212.465.6034 for MSG disabled services department.
Rootbeer Floats $3, Sloe Gin Fizz $2, Tom Collins $3,
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HOLIDAY Whiskey Sours $3, Green Hornet $3
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26 11 – 17 DEC 2008 WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM

■ IN THE NOH

Victoria In Excelsis
Tony Award-winning warmth; Dionysian Daniel
BY DAVID NOH then went right into Encores!’ ‘Juno.’
Then a teaching gig in Denmark at a

I
n Craig Lucas’ “A Prayer for My beautiful new theater school. Then
Enemy,” Victoria Clark pulls off right into the Michael John LaChiusa
a prodigiously difficult role, com- thing at the Zipper, which overlapped
pletely humanizing it with breathtak- with ‘The Marriage of Bette and Boo,’
ing precision and haunting beauty. which overlapped with a film I did for
I met with the Tony winner at the three weeks. I did a month of teach-
charming Café du Soleil and found ing at Juilliard and then this play
her to be an incredibly warm soul started, and, now that I’ve finally
who described herself as “The Anti- learned my lines, I am now learning
Diva” and proved it, remaining mag- music for a concert at Kennedy Cen-
nanimously unruffled, even when ter. And starting Monday, I’m work-
the waiter couldn’t understand her ing on another concert with David
request for honey and spilled salad Hyde Pierce for the American Song-
dressing on her coat. book series, all this while looking for
“I call this one monologue I do ‘Big high schools for my son.”
Mama,’ she said. “It’s a killer — three That son, Thomas, is now 14; Clark

COURTESY: DANIEL NARDICIO

single-spaced pages. I’ve got three described him as having “no theater
like that, a technical feat right off the aspirations. He’s very theatrical and

bat. Bart [Scher, her director] is pas-
sionate about doing character work,
talking about your family and his-
tory. He talks about ‘What are you
sitting on?’ Like, today, you and I
are having this conversation, but I’m
wondering in the back of my mind,
‘Is there one more high school we can
apply for my son? This is my night
off and my boyfriend is coming over
to set up this office wall unit for him
and a lot of me is excited and ner -
vous about how that’s gonna go.’ So,
SUSAN SHACTER
a good storyteller but he’s a little too
confident to be an actor. We’re always
growing, thinking, searching, mor -
The astonishingly versatile Victoria Clark, currently giv- phing — he’s very grounded and cool
ing one of her trademark stunning performances in Craig without a lot of that, an athlete, and
Lucas’ “A Prayer for My Enemy.” really supportive, having grown up
backstage since he was six months
what’s written on the page is what I old. His father and I were married for
might say but what I’m sitting on is a long time. My ex is a really great co-
what Bart focuses on.” parent, we’re friends, but I’ve been
Clark is up to any challenge after single for a long time, so it’s chal-
the year she’s had: “I did a read- lenging to get it all done.
ing of ‘High Spirits’ at Roundabout, “I do have a boyfriend now. He’s
an ex-actor, so he totally sympathiz-
es with me and is excited about my
Dionysian party impresario and self-described playgirl
spokeswhore Daniel Nardicio.
into TV,’ but that doesn’t fit into my life
as a mom, to pick up my toys and go
to LA. My son would do it, but he has a
dad who lives here and to ask them to
do that — and I don’t want to be on a
plane every Friday.
“So I just pray about it everyday —
maybe when he goes to college. There’s
plenty of time, it’s not like I’m going to

Win
career but doesn’t want it for himself.
I met him on eHarmony, which adver-
tises that they are for serious people
who don’t want to play around. I had
grow out of this. People think I’m 60
anyway and I’m so not even 50, but I
guess I have this old soul quality.”

sort of looked at some of the profiles
on Match.com, and Craigslist I found
hilarious, just lonely people looking
for an instant hookup. That wasn’t
two nights accommodation for me, and I dated different guys
on and off, who were all terrified of
at the beautiful Chelsea commitment and moving forward —
Hotel in Atlantic City along wounded, wounded, wounded. If you
with a 3 day car rental try to meet a single straight man in
courtesy of drivemint.com. New York, they are all wounded!”
Clark’s performance in “Light in
the Piazza” really put her on the
map but she said, “Afterwards, no
one wanted to touch me with a ten-
foot pole. People came to me like this
[mimes awestruck obeisance] and I
was like, ‘Just ask me!’ It’s probably
the greatest role written for a middle-
aged woman besides ‘Gypsy.’
“But, listen, all I wanted to do my
whole life was work on Broadway
and when that happened, I was like,
Luxe Ocean King Room for Two Nights & ‘Gosh I don’t know — I’ll do support-
Dinner for two at Chelsea Prime ing roles and have a great time. Well,
(up to $125, alcohol not included) okay, I would love to do a leading
role someday. Okay, bye,’ and that
Simply log on to gaycitynews.com, started to happen. So okay, maybe
A
nd now, from high culture to
something a bit lower, but just
as rewarding in its own way: Is
there any New Yorker more fun than
gay Party Emperor Daniel Nardicio?
I joined him and his merry band
for the Proposition 8 City Hall pro-
test on November 15. To drive down
Broadway in his self-titled “Shaggin’
Wagon,” the hot pink official Playgirl
van plastered with naked hunk mag-
azine images, absurdly blasting out
the theme from “The Jeffersons” to
the ecstatic cheers of protesters was
an unforgettable moment.
Nardicio recalled other memorable
party moments for me: “I did an Under-
wear Party at the Slide one night. Com-
ing down the stairs was Tilda Swinton
in a floor-length white Galliano gown
and everybody is in their underwear,
carrying on. ‘Ohmigod!’ I said. ‘Close
the door. I don’t want her to see this!’
I went up to her: ‘Are you Tilda Swin-
ton?’ ‘Yes, I’m here for the party.’ ‘This
is a gay male underwear party.’ ‘Honey,
I’m not getting in my underwear. I just

click on “win a trip” and you’re all set.

I’d like to be recognized, but not in
a major way, just having the friends
I respect come backstage and say,
Proud to be number one. Proud to be Gay City News. ‘You threaded your way through a
Subject to availability, not valid during holidays or special event periods very difficult character.’
as determined by the hotel, Guests must adhere to hotel minimum stay “So when all this recognition came for
requirements, (Parking, valet room and tax included) ‘Piazza,’ I didn’t really want it or respect
it, just thought, ‘Well, that’s sort of the
Offer must be used by March 30th, 2009
Total combined package is approximately $1525.00. icing. So now I think I’ll do what every-
body does, be like Sara Ramirez and go
had twins.’
“Paper magazine threw a party for
her that night and her friend, Justin
Bond, had given her an invite and
she’d jumped right into a cab. She
stood there, delighted, and at first
people were like ‘Ohmigod!,’ but later
she was just leaning against the bar,
䉴 IN THE NOH, continued on p.27
WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM 11 – 17 DEC 2008 27

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talking to Justin while someone was

getting head right next to her. I was
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ARTHRITIS
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Nardicio describes his monthly par- ing because I said I wanted to fuck years I desperately tried
ties as “half orgy and half perfect cock- one of the sound technicians and spin everything, drugs, natural
tail party where anything can happen him around like a Lazy Susan. He was Pain free in 2 weeks! products,physiotherapy,
acupuncture, magnets and
because our space, where ‘Cruising’ adorable but I didn’t really want to,
nothing was of any real help. Finally I had relief in 2 weeks by taking
and ‘The Hours’ were filmed, natural- am not one of those gays who chase shark cartilage that was specially processed to preserve the
ly lends itself to splitting up in two. I after straights. But they gave me a half natural active ingredients. This is the kind we are now promoting.
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28 11 – 17 DEC 2008 WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM

■ DANCE

Poetry In Motion
STACKS attracts, but “Bracko” lacko
BY BRIAN MCCORMICK Weinert, Silas Riener, Andrea
We b e r, C a t h e r i n e M i l l e r

L
anguage, sculpture, and
movement coalesced
with wit and poignancy
in “STACKS,” a collabora-
tive work exploring themes
of collapse in the human
body, grammar, and everyday
objects. The connective artistic
force behind the work is poet
Anne Carson, the 2008 Lillian
Vernon Distinguished Writer-
in-Residence in the NYU Cre-
ative Writing Program.
Carson’s text was original-
ly inspired by sculptor Peter
Cole’s exploration of piled
—moved with grace and delib-
erateness as they explored
the spaces and structures
with independence and occa-
sional collisions with the text.
Miller became the embodi-
ment of Jezebel, as repre-
sented in Carson’s text; and,
in a compelling solo, Weinert
embodied a kind of mechani-
cal breakdown, illustrated
primarily through joint-based
movement on the floor, and
threading limbs over, under,
and around the core.
The interplay of linguistic

objects that “subvert the tradi-
tion of walk-around sculpture.”
This coincided with Carson’s
collaboration with choreogra-
pher Jonah Bokaer about col-
lapse in the human body.
The result, a one-night
event at NYU’s Skirball Cen-
ter for the Performing Arts on
December 4, featured Car -
son’s often wry staged reading
and a quartet of dancers mov-
ing and manipulating stacks
and rows of various cardboard
boxes, as Cole also moved
about the stage altering the
arrangements.
The fine dancers —— Adam
and physical rhythms, layered
with the deconstructed defini-
tions and movement vocabu-
lary, was cohesive and stimu-
lating. Aaron Copp’s lighting
added to the rhythm and the
tones, and created pauses and
anticipation. The intermittent
lateral movement of Carson’s
makeshift podium across the
stage served as a physical
marker of time.
Also on the program was
“Bracko,” coined by combin-
ing the words “brackets” and
“Sappho.” “Bracko” featured
Carson’s celebrated trans-
lations from “If Not, Winter:
Adam H. Weinert, Andrea Weber, and Silas Riener in “STACKS,” at NYU’s Skirball Center.
Fragments of Sappho,” a poem
infused with the word “brack-
et,” indicating places where
text was missing from the orig-
inal papyri. The poem was per-
formed by a quartet — Carson,
with guest readers Elizabeth
Streb, Penelope Thomas, and
Robert Currie.
The per for mance of the
text, in place at four stand-
ing microphones, with Currie
facing away from the audi-
MICHAEL HART
ence, was less engaging than wrapped around their thighs
the evening’s first piece, and and ankles. As they leapt and
the dance choreographed by bounced and gamboled about,
Rashaun Mitchell and per - they unraveled the ropes,
for med with Marcie Mun- placing them on the stage,
nerlyn, was not particularly at times like open brackets,
connected to the language framing empty space. The
— though in fairness, the two dancers were exceptional and
works seemed not intended as the composition effective, but
a full collaboration. the difficult text and their lack
The duet began with the two of rhythmic approach missed
linked at the waist by a sil- the opportunity to create
ver rope, which they also had cohesion.

■ OPERA

The Russians Are Coming

Gergiev, Kirov, Prokofiev, and Tchaikovsky enliven New York’s late autumn
BY ELI JACOBSON al differences. The three (out of four) The dadaist charms of Prokofiev’s
concerts I attended showed the con- comic opera “The Love of Three Orang-

T
he past two months have seen
something of a “White Nights
Festival” Goes West with Rus-
sian opera, symphonic music, and
vocal concerts filling New York’s stages,
with more to come.
It started in November with a visit by
Valery Gergiev and the Kirov Orches-
tra of the Mariinsky Theatre (the Kirov
ductor and his company at their best es” elude me. Based on a Gozzi com-
doing the repertory they perform like media dell’arte farce, it has the Russian
no other. Gergiev’s highly idiosyncratic quality of a silly comic anecdote told
conducting style — without a baton, slowly with an archly mournful face
instead oscillating his fingers — finds and droning basso profundo delivery.
its best outlet with his home company, Usually it is played in a brisk, sardonic
which responds like Trilby transfixed manner but Gergiev’s interpretation
by his Svengali. Non-Russian orches- highlighted brooding parodistic hom-
tras and repertory have proved resis- ages to Mussorgsky and even Wagner.
KEN HOWARD/ METROPOLITAN OPERA

moniker soon to be a thing of the
Stalinist past) performing four con-
certs of the theatrical music of Sergei
Prokofiev. This came on the heels of
some controversy over a concert Ger-
giev gave in August in South Ossetia
celebrating Russia’s defeat of the Geor-
gian army. He was accused of political
kowtowing worthy of the old Kremlin
days and of being too chummy with
Putin. Gergiev defended his actions
in the New York Times, saying he was
motivated by outrage stoked by unpro-
voked Georgian violence against Osse-
tia, his family’s birthplace.
Great music, however, can touch
on common themes of humanity tran-
scending political disputes and nation-
tant to his hypnotic powers, producing
wildly uneven results.
The first concert was devoted to
neglected ballet scores by Prokofiev,
many written to be produced by Diag-
hilev’s Ballets Russes. The concert
began with the rousing “Scythian
Suite,” derived from a rejected ballet
scenario. Full of flashing dissonances
and pounding rhythms, it reminded
me of a more savage and spare version
of Khachaturian’s “Spartacus” score.
This was followed by the folkloric “The
Tale of the Buffoon,” which also ended
with a rousing final dance with the
entire orchestra in full cry.
The second half began with attrac-
tive selections from the familiar ballet
It was performed by a talented group
of recent graduates of the Mariinsky’s
Young Artist Academy, who managed
to make a bright impression despite
Prokofiev’s failure to compose reward-
ing arias for the singers.
Tenor Sergei Semishkur, soprano
Felicity Palmer was dramatically strong as the Old Countess Anastasia Kalagina, mezzo Nadezhda
in Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades” at the Met. Serdyuk, and baritone Alexej Markov
were standouts. Daniil Shtoda’s ade-
“Cinderella” and ended rather limply noidal tenor found an appropriate out-
with the “Pas D’Acier (The Steel Step),” let with his wittily played hypochondri-
the least interesting of the musical ac Prince. Bass Mikhail Petrenko in the
offerings. Hopefully, Alexei Ratmansky, role of the travesti Cook made a come-
who is joining American Ballet Theater dic meal of his one scene with Semish-
as principal choreographer, will look kur’s Truffaldino.
into the first two pieces as a basis for
new works for that company. 䉴 QUEEN OF SPADES, continued on p.29
WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM
䉴 BARBRA, from p.25
job training and placement at its drop-
in center in Chelsea. The group’s wait-
ing list, however, has averaged about
200 recently. Many of the young people
the group serves are black or Latino and
come from lower income homes.
In October, the city health depart-
ment announced its intention end a
$600,000 contract with Ali Forney in
June of 2009, but the organization was
able to mount an effective outcry from
the public and elected officials to stave
off the cut for now.
The statistics are alarming in and
of themselves, but meeting a young
person rejected by his mother is both
heartbreaking and inspiring. JJ is a
䉴 QUEENS OF SPADES, from p.28
The final concert was devoted to ora-
torio arrangements of two film scores
— “Ivan the Terrible” and “Alexander
Nevsky.” The “Alexander Nevsky Can-
tata” was arranged by the composer
himself and is not unfamiliar. The “Ivan
the Terrible Oratorio” was arranged
posthumously by Stasevich from vocal,
choral, and symphonic music com-
posed for the Eisenstein film. It is over-
long with a bizarre rambling structure;
not all the music can stand by itself
without visuals. Dramatic structure
was imposed by some narration melo-
dramatically declaimed in English by
the charismatic bass Mikhail Petrenko,
who doubled as a vocal soloist.
In the role of Ivan, the bass threatens
You don’t have to accept
everything to be accepted.
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handsome and articulate 19-year-old
from Brooklyn who arrived at the Ali
Forney Center in June when his moth-
er made him leave.
“My grandmother was the backbone
of the family, and when she passed on
a lot of things changed,” he said.
JJ’s mother learned he was gay
after a friend of his inadvertently men-
tioned the possibility of attending the
Harvey Milk School in front of her. The
relationship between mother and son
abruptly changed. After a stormy pub-
lic fight, he was forced to leave home
and stay with a friend who paid his
rent by picking up tricks.
At Ali Forney, JJ was housed in
the organization’s emergency housing
facility for 60 days and was fortunate
his scheming Boyars and uses mili-
tary force to crush the rebellious Kazan
Province to unite Russia under one
rule. Throughout history, in Russia and
abroad, the same story gets played out
over and over again, just the names of
the leaders and political parties change.
The Met’s revival of Tchaikovsky’s
“The Queen of Spades” featured two
veterans of its premiere season in 1995
under an unfamiliar conductor, Seiji
Ozawa. Despite a talented cast and
superbly responsive playing by the
Met Orchestra under Ozawa’s sensi-
tive baton, the second performance on
November 24 failed to create a dramati-
cally powerful whole.
Both Ben Heppner and Maria
Guleghina had early successes in New
York with this opera and went on to
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that an opening soon came up on the
waiting list.
“I was starting to do things I didn’t
want to do,” he said with regret about
the period immediately after he left
home. On Thanksgiving, when JJ
wanted to see his brother and pick up a
coat he’d left at home, his mother made
excuses for why he couldn’t come by.
JJ is now attending school to get his
GED, and his ambitions include a job
in retail and college.
“It still hurts to know I can’t be with
my family,” he said. “I wasn’t a trouble-
maker. I tried to be the perfect child —
I wanted to go to school, get a job, do
things for myself.”
JJ now lives in a group home he
shares with five others — four boys and
sing some of the most punishing dra-
matic repertory afterwards. The toll
exacted by these roles has been evident
in their recent performances, though
both are still capable of distinguished
work. Heppner had an unfortunate
evening of vocal crash and burn at the
premiere but on the second evening
only cracked once during his final dying
phrase. However, his cautious phrasing
and stolid stage persona failed to create
a compellingly intense anti-hero.
The Junoesque Guleghina had one
of her most consistent vocal outings of
late, pouring out broad phrases of rich,
steady, and very loud tone. However,
her acting failed to convincingly sug-
gest a vulnerable, inexperienced girl
— the lurching and staggering stage
business seemed more appropriate to
positive and inclusive
Middle Collegiate Church
2nd Ave at E 7th St
Sunday Worship at 11:15 am
and Sunday Jazz at 6 pm
middlechurch.org
29
a transgendered young woman, not
far from the apartment he grew up in.
Living in close quarters with the other
kids can be a challenge, but he’s made
friends and said he’s building up his
confidence to get his own apartment
when he finds a job.
“People who need people are the
luckiest people in the world,” Barbra
Streisand once sang. That’s why help-
ing out LGBT youth and listening to
the powerful voices of entertainers who
care may well be the very best way to
stave off the holiday blues.
The Ali Forney Center, at 224 West
35th Street, suite 1102, can be contact-
ed at 212-222-3427. The group’s web-
site is aliforneycenter.org.
Lady Macbeth or Tosca. Her early love
scenes with Heppner lacked chemistry
but the tragic final aria by the banks of
the Neva showed her at her best.
Mark Delavan’s bon vivant Tomsky
and Ekaterina Semenchuk’s dusky-
toned Pauline were richly sung and
superbly acted. Felicity Palmer’s Old
Countess, despite some appropriate
vocal hollowness, was dramatically the
best since Leonie Rysanek. Vladimir
Stoyanov as Yeletsky had a handsome
legato that just lacked the distinctive tim-
bre and tonal impact of Hvorostovsky.
Further repetition hopefully will find
this cast more relaxed, unified, and
dramatically responsive. Individual ele-
ments of musical distinction and a fine
production by Elijah Moshinsky are
already in place.
collegiatechurch.org
30
■ PERSPECTIVE/ A DYKE ABROAD
T
hursday, I bought a
bathrobe and paja-
mas, packed a bag,
and took the metro to the
hospital where I handed
over both my credit card
and a check so they would
accept my 59.2 kilos of flesh
to be depilated, disinfect-
ed, knocked unconscious,
pierced with holes, de-cyst-
ed, and released.
Even paying full price, it
was a bargain by American
standards. In Paris, doctors
will make a house call for
about $85. A visit to a gyne-
cological clinic costs $40. A
sonogram is about $100. And
a prescription of Xanax runs
three bucks. Laparoscopic
surgery with three nights in
the hospital is a mere $5,800,
surgeons’ fees and morphine
included. In New York, that’d
barely cover a bed pan.
For most French folks,
the government covers two-
thirds of health care costs,
and they often have a sup-
plementary insurance that
gets the rest. For the poor
and unemployed, the state
picks up the whole tab. The
best thing is, French doctors
are competent. Even in the
public sphere. The hospital
I went to was more highly
rated than the private clinic
a friend of mine used that
cost an extra $600 a day.
I checked it out, did price
comparisons. That’s the
American way. To focus on
dollars and cysts. When
the radiologist said I had a
big clump in an ovary and
䉴 UNITED NATIONS, from p.14
one is entitled to the enjoy-
ment of human rights without
distinction of any kind, such
as race, color, sex, language,
religion, political or other
opinion, national or social ori-
gin, property, birth or other
status, as set out in Article 2
of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and Article 2 of
the International Covenants
on Civil and Political, Econom-
ic, Social, and Cultural Rights,
as well as in Article 26 of the
International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights;
3 — We reaffirm the prin-
ciple of non-discrimination
which requires that human
rights apply equally to every
human being regardless of
sexual orientation or gender
identity;
4 — We are deeply con-
cerned by violations of human
rights and fundamental free-
doms based on sexual orienta-
The Price of Health
BY KELLY JEAN COGSWELL
needed an MRI, I freaked
out more about the cost and
whether my insurance would
reimburse me than that my
body was growing strange
fruit. After all, it’s medical
bills that metastasize into
crippling debt. And money
that shapes our experience
of medicine, even health.
Health for the rich means
well-being, every part of the
body on track, clear skin,
good feet, all systems go. The
poor are often grateful just
for mobility and generally
being intact. You can have
After all, it’s medical bills that
metastasize into crippling debt.
rotten teeth and a bad back
and still proclaim when you
lose your job, “At least I have
my health.”
We don’t have the time or
money for more. In the New
York public health system,
you wait months for appoint-
ments, then wait for hours
and days in waiting rooms
with all the other marginal
folks, new immigrants, work-
ing poor, the crazies who
apparently don’t deserve bet-
ter. And rarely get it.
The doctors seem to hate
us, and secretaries sneer
behind our backs. Bring a list
of questions to an appoint-
ment, you’ll be dismissed
as a hypochondriac. Admit
a pelvic exam was painful,
tion or gender identity;
5 — We are also disturbed
that violence, harassment,
discrimination, exclusion, stig-
matization and prejudice are
directed against persons in all
countries in the world because
of sexual orientation or gender
identity, and that these prac-
tices undermine the integrity
and dignity of those subjected
to these abuses;
6 — We c o n d e m n t h e
human rights violations based
on sexual orientation or gen-
der identity wherever they
occur, in particular the use
of the death penalty on this
ground, extrajudicial, summa-
ry, or arbitrary executions, the
practice of torture and other
cruel, inhuman, and degrad-
ing treatment or punishment,
arbitrary arrest or detention,
and deprivation of economic,
social, and cultural rights,
including the right to health;
7 — We recall the statement
in 2006 before the Human
11 – 17 DEC 2008
maybe the nurse practitio-
ner will suggest early child-
hood abuse and abuse you
verbally if you dissent. Wake
in the middle of a colonosco-
py, they’ll continue without
anesthesia because they’re
too incompetent to deal with
dropping blood pressure,
they can’t give you mor e
drugs, and pleas to stop,
stop, stop from a Medicaid
patient are like whispers in
deaf ears.
Good luck with that uni-
versal health care thing.
Access isn’t enough for any-
thing resembling care. For
that, the enormous gap
between the salaries of Madi-
son Avenue doctors and the
ones at public clinics has to
end, along with the segrega-
tion of patients. In fact, class
and race themselves would
probably have to go, along
with the culture of scorn as
deeply rooted in American
medicine as shame and fury
are buried in people like me.
Inequality’s in the very
nature of the medical beast.
On the one side, there’s the
patient as supplicant, ask-
ing for help. On the other,
some white-coated god free
to give or withhold. And
charge you for it either way.
When money or race or sex
Rights Council by fifty four
countries requesting the Pres-
ident of the Council to provide
an opportunity, at an appro-
priate future session of the
Council, for discussing these
violations;
8 — We c o m m e n d t h e
attention paid to these issues
by special procedures of the
Human Rights Council and
treaty bodies and encourage
them to continue to integrate
consideration of human rights
violations based on sexual
orientation or gender iden-
tity within their relevant man-
dates;
9 — We welcome the adop-
tion of Resolution AG/RES.
2435 (XXXVIII-O/08) on
“Human Rights, Sexual Ori-
entation, and Gender Identity”
by the General Assembly of
the Organization of American
States during its 38th session
in 3 June 2008;
10 — We call upon all States
and relevant international
or sexual identity is added
to the picture, the balance is
increasingly skewed.
I’m wary, even in Paris,
where the care is good and
cost is less a factor. Hand-
ing over my body still feels
like a kind of fourth-dimen-
sion prostitution in which I
lose both my money and my
flesh. All I own is a comput-
er, the clothes on my back,
and everything under them
until you arrive at my beat-
ing heart. Now, even that’s
yours.
And lying there, a day
later, with my dragon breath
and scars and IV drip, I
was tempted to tell her so.
Explain to the young surgeon
smiling shyly at the American
patient all the effort I’ve put
into protecting this shell. All
the male hands on my female
ass in high school that I had
to shove away. The dodged
bottles coming from cars
because I was a dyke and
on the street. These sudden
waves of hate in the media
that sweep you off your feet.
The walls I’ve built against
what homophobes do to you
in their brains. What doctors
have done in the flesh.
How I defend what I want
to relinquish. How I want to
be saved. And though she
had done this thing, cut a
miraculous door into a world
I kept for myself, and pulled
out death, I needed more.
Visit Kelly Sans Culotte at
http://kellyatlarge.blogspot.
com.
human rights mechanisms to
commit to promote and pro-
tect human rights of all per-
sons, regardless of sexual ori-
entation and gender identity;
11— We urge States to take
all the necessary measures, in
particular legislative or admin-
istrative, to ensure that sexual
orientation or gender identity
may under no circumstances
be the basis for criminal pen-
alties, in particular execu-
tions, arrests; or detention;
12 — We urge States to
ensure that human rights vio-
lations based on sexual orien-
tation or gender identity are
investigated and perpetrators
held accountable and brought
to justice;
13 — We urge States to
ensure adequate protection of
human rights defenders, and
remove obstacles which pre-
vent them from carrying out
their work on issues of human
rights and sexual orientation
and gender identity.
WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM
7 DAYS
䉴
7 NIGHTS
7 DAYS, from p.24
BOOKS
TUE.DEC.16
Veteran
Perspectives
Rachel Levitsky and Erica Kaufman
host a new edition of “Belladonna,” a
reading series featuring the community’s
favorite writers who have inspired them.
Sarah Schulman, a native New Yorker,
is a novelist, playwright, journalist, and
author of nonfiction books. Her forth-
coming novel is “The Mere Future,” and
among her earlier works are The Child
(2007), Shimmer (1998), Rat Bohemia
(1995), and “The Sophie Horowitz Story”
(1984). Her nonfiction work includes “The
Gentrification Of The Mind” (forthcom-
ing), “Stagestruck: Theater, AIDS, and
the Marketing of Gay America” (1998),
and “My American History: Lesbian and
Gay Life During the Reagan/Bush Years”
(1995). Schulman’s plays include “Car-
son McCullers”(Sundance/Playwrights
Horizons), and “Manic Flight Reaction”
(NY Stage and Film/Playwrights Hori-
zons). Robert Glück is the author of nine
books of poetry and fiction, including two
novels, “Margery Kempe” and “Jack
the Modernist,” and a book of stories,
“Denny Smith.” Gluck edited, along with
Camille Roy, Mary Berger, and Gail Scott,
the anthology “Biting The Error: Writers
on Narrative.” He was director of the
Poetry Center at San Francisco State,
and associate editor at Lapis Press.
Dixon Place, 161 Chrystie St., btwn.
Rivington & Delancey Sts., 7:30 p.m.
Admission is $6 at the door.
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
BOOKS
THU.DEC.18
Sapphic Sex
In an evening of lesbian erotica,
Tristan Taormino (puckerup.com), an
award-winning author, columnist,
editor, and sex educator, hosts Joan
Larkin, whose “My Body: New and
Selected Poems” received the Pub-
lishing Triangle’s 2008 Audre Lorde
Award, and who edited four antholo-
gies, including “A Woman Like That”;
Zaedryn Meade, a queer butch writer
whose erotica has been published in
“Penitalia: Collegiate Erotica,” “Best
Lesbian Erotica” 2006, 2007, and now
2009, “Secret Slaves: Erotic Stories of
Bondage,” “Love at First Sting,” “Fren-
zy,” and the forthcoming “Afternoon
Delight”; and Chelsea Summers, who
writes an award-winning blog, pretty
dumb things, and whose work has
appeared in Penthouse, GQ, Scarlet,
and New Woman magazines, as well
as in erotic anthologies edited by Susie
Bright and Rachel Kramer Bussel. KGB
Bar, 85 E. Fourth St., btwn. Bowery &
Second Ave., 7 p.m. Free.
gaycity
news.com
WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM 11 – 17 DEC 2008 31

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