www.BellevillePride.Org
MetroEast News November 2011
Volume 5 issue 2
Remembering Ray
DECEMBER 2011
METRO EAST NEWS
WWW.BELLEVILLEPRIDE.ORG
Editor: Colby Kluthe Director: Daniel McCree Foundation Contributors: Mickey Johnson (Carbondale) History & Southern Illinois News Tess Farnham (Belleville) Liberal Arts & Education At Large: Terri Nuss (St. Louis) Scott Miller (St. Louis)
Common Resources: St. Louis Activist Hub St. Louis Gay History Project TransHaven Michael Paynic Todd Sivia P.C. Southern IL QueerNation Jennifer Shaw P.C.
Become a Sponsor of our 2012 DIGITAL DIRECTORY Graphics Editor: Jason Brooks
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
News & Events Features
MetroEast NEWS Monthly Digest of Septemb...
MetroEast NEWS Monthly Digest of August ...
2011 DIGITAL DIRECTORY
MetroEast NEWS Features LGBT Cinema Discussion Group: "Were the World Mine" (DEC 3rd) Thoughts From a Mouthy Saint: The G "Live"
Celebrating the life of Ray Henry Ulrich (Cover Story) 2 MEPSI Board Vacancies in 2012 (BELLEVILLE) MEPSI - Holiday Food Drive INFO NYE celebration at Sidetrack in Chicago (7pm) LGBT Medical/Legal Professional Social DEC 8th(7 to 9pm @ Scarlet Bar in Chicago)
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MetroEast EVENTS
Featured Articles
LGBT Cinema Discussion Group: "Were the World Mine”...
Bethany Place - World AIDS Day Event
MEPSI - Holiday Food Drive INFO World AIDS Day 2011 (ST. LOUIS) December 1st Thanksgiving in our Community (NOV 23rd & 24th)
Lily to Lily. . .Lost in the Moss and Fog of Love’... Laffy Taffy for the Holidays: Putting the Crack ba... Rep. Barney Frank Announces Retirement Daniel McCree.Org Newsletter: Celebrating the life of Ray Ulrich... 2 MEPSI Board Vacancies in 2012 (BELLEVILLE) Illinois Teen Sentenced for Gay Bashing Transgender Day of Remembrance Aint That Right, Bus Driver?
2011 DIRECTORY SPONSORS Add your Business To our Monthly Publication
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Mickey Johnson Presents StriKING Force Drag Kings at Skybar
Celebrating the life of Ray Henry Ulrich
(CARBONDALE) DECEMBER 9th
(RECENT EVENTS)
(COVER STORY) Remembering and Celebrating the Life of Ray Henry Ulrich
The Koken Art Factory has opened up their doors to us on December 10th. BELLEVILLE Metro East Pride of Southwestern Illinois (MEPSI) participated in the Thanksgiving Day parade in Belleville. This was the second year for the organization’s participation in this annual event. Seven Halloween Party 2011 Strano Sponsored Photo Booth. — at Seven Restaurant and Lounge.
7 Restaurant & Lounge
Remembering Ray (COVER STORY) As everyone that is reading this post knows, Ray was a talented man. I am sure that every one of us could tell a story or share a memory of something he said, or did, that would prove he was talented.
He was a naturally gifted artist. That was evident to anyone that knew him back in the day. He could draw or sketch some of the most intricate pictures. He seemed to always be doodling something in that big drawing book he carried around. We would always tell him how good the work was, and he would always say it was a hobby.... something he did to pass time. Deep down inside it was something he was passionate about, but not something he would brag about. That was Ray, right? Always beyond GREAT, but never able to accept it. When Ray started "dabbling" in music, it was a whole new outlet for him. He had a voice, and he was using it. He made crazy character outfits, and became his own personas. Ambrosia Salad, anyone? Ray undoubtedly was ahead of his time... he could spin a song out in an evening, and it would be the most soul seering thing you ever heard, and he would say something crazy like, "I was just thinking about rain and how it makes the air smell funny, and I wrote this song." I could listen to the CD of his music all day. I can listen to the lyrics, and think of 100 things that he could have meant from each line. He could paint a mental picture that no one else could. There is emotion in the words, and in a way some of them are eiry, like fate
knew
something
we
did
not.
Unfortunately, fate is something that we can not escape. She is an evil witch and on occasion she rears her ugly head.
memories of the things he shared with all of you. The things that make you smile, cry, and sometimes yell out loud. But everyone of them share a common link... the way he had of really listening to a person, and giving every person his undivided attention and compassion. It was like every person he met was his best friend. Like each time he talked to you he was truly bearing your burdens and sharing your joy. It's the reason so many people loved him, why we all miss him. In remembering Ray, we decided to do what we thought would be a great way to keep the "artist" in Ray alive. We decided to start theNigelproject. Everyone knows where Ray started. In the "sleepy" little town of House Springs, at a typical high school. He was an adequate student with the artistic streak you couldn't believe. He wore "goth" clothes and listened to alternative music. He was a normal teenager trying to find himself. To honor that start, we are selling the "Radio Jesus Loves Me" and "The Veil" tshirts, along with the bracelets, with the hopes of raising $500.00 to give a scholarship to a senior at the high school where Ray started. So, if you are looking for a way to "Remember Ray" We would really appreciate your support. Just check our Facebook page for the link.
It would be a fitting tribute to the man we all loved to be able to help the next "Ray" get started to find themselves, because paying it forward is what life is all about,
If there was one thing about Ray's talent that I could share, it would be his ability to make you think you were his best friend. I have read hundreds of posts about Ray. Entries from his blog on the bipolar site, clips of his stage shows,
and it would make Ray very proud. All that mushy stuff, Beulah
ST LOUIS WORLD AIDS DAY Sponsored by: Ezekiel Project/ Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis / AIDS Interfaith Network & Daniel McCree Foundation
December 1st 7PM
1919 South Broadway (SOULARD) St. Louis, MO 63104
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First Annual MISS SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS Pageant The First Annual MISS SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS Pageant to debut on Sunday, January 15, 2012. St. Louis’ newest and premier preliminary to the storied Miss Gay Missouri, America Pageant will celebrate MGM 2011 MADISON ELISE and feature MGM 1991 DIETA PEPSI, MGM 1997 KRISTA VERSACE and MGM 2007 JADE SINCLAIR. More Details Coming Soon! This is an open pageant to all Missouri residents. Contestants will compete in categories of male interview, evening gown, on stage question, solo talent and talent. ~$10 COVER~
Registration 12 p.m. ~ Orientation 12:30 p.m. with Male Interview immediately following ~ Pageant begins at 7p.m. Contestant Entry Fee: $30 day of pageant ~ cash, check or money order. For Pageant Info and Application Contact Dieta Pepsi at 314-973-3664 or email leonabraxtonjr@hotmail.com or colin_murphy@sbcglobal.net All events to take place at: Attitudes Nightclub 4100 Manchester Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110
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CARBONDALE PRIDE 2012 Pridefest 2011 was a blast! We are now working on extending it to the broader Carbondale community. Approximately 1000 people came from all over and this time we want it to be even bigger! Organizing begins next week so stay tuned for our plans! "carbondalepride2012@gmail.com " or send us a message on facebook!
Please join us the first Thursday of each month at 6:30pm at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Belleville.
Carbondale Pride
3rd Annual Pride St. Louis Trivia Night. Doors open at 6:15 and game play starts at 7 pm. The cost is $20 per person with 8 people per table. From Prada to Gaga, from shabby chic to modern sleek: give us your best interpretation of style and fashion. Pride will also offer silent auction baskets and lots of fun games. Donations of coats, blankets and cold weather gear will be accepted for Isaiah 58! Please visit Pride St. Louis at www.pridestl.org and also be sure to check out Isaiah 58, our local non-profit partner at www.i58ministries.org. We are also accepting shoe donations for the program Soles for Souls, through Brown Shoe. If you need additional information or to book your table today contact Lauren Rapp, Lauren.Rapp@pridestl.org or fill out on our online submission form ..http://www.pridestl.org/Tivia_Form.html
ONE SAINT LOUIS & Winter Outreach One Saint Louis is a Winter Outreach Facility again this year. To offer support visit online at: www.OneSaintLouis.Org
The outreach group has very few blankets to start outreach this Winter. If you have any blankets at home or can ask at your church or work we need them as soon as possible.You can deliver them at MoKaBe's at 3606 Arsenal (near the corner of Grand and Arsenal.) Thank you so much for your continued involvement. Teka
LGBT Medical/Legal Professional Social: Join EQIL on Thursday, December 8 from 7 to 9pm at Scarlet for a Holiday Season Mixer in support of our statewide LGBT-rights work. No matter if you're a student, resident, or a seasoned professional, come meet some new faces. Advance-purchase tickets are $10 and include two cocktails!
EQIL Bulletin: Civil Union Couples' Ability to Jointly File State Tax Returns. Read more here.
The Illinois Department of Insurance Releases a Q&A about "Civil Unions and Insurance Benefits"
MEPSI - Holiday Food Drive INFO
MetroEast Pride of Southwestern Illinois (MEPSI) is proud to announce that it will be collecting non-perishable food items throughout the holiday season to benefit The Food Pantry at Bethany Place. Please visit one of our drop box locations: Wagner Buick GMC in Belleville, Club-Escapade Belleville, The Tan Company in Shiloh or The LGBT Center of St. Louis (after Wed. Nov. 16th). — with Club-Escapade Belleville. MORE INFO at: www.MetroEastPride.com
Club Traz will host Miss Gay Illinois USofA 2012 (preliminary pagent this weekend) THIS Sunday night at Club Traz....Miss Gay Southern Illinois USofA Pageant. This is a direct prelim to Miss Gay Illinois USofA Pageant. Doors open to the public at 9pm. Pageant starts at 10pm. If you or someone you know would like to enter the pageant:Check in time is 7pm at Club Traz.You must be 21 years of age or older and able to show proper ID Catagories are Personal Interview (starts at 8pm), Eveing Gown and Talent. Theme is "Jungle" For more info contact Jasmine Cavalli or Veronica Belle Headley.
Thoughts From a Mouthy Saint: The G "Live" www.BellevillePride.Org by: Colby Klluthe, MetroEast NEWS
Thoughts From a Mouthy Saint: The G "Live"
The God Show was a title of writing Danny completed in 2005, which speaks to the variance between who we think ourselves to be, and the reality of who we are or fear we have become. I think each of us have a perception of ourselves, and for the most part it must be comprised of how we "hope" others see us. For me, I seem to anchor myself upon just how often I neglect to be our best version of who I know myself to be. Afterall, its too easy to miss the mark. The sounds and rhythms all have to be in synch. For me at least that journey has lead me to desperate places, as well as those places and feelings you want to hold on to and remember forever, as what you think you know could actually be true. Could it actually be as fantastic as it's been made out? The short answer of course is Yes, absolutely~ just not like you think. The reality is we have to make just as many bad choices as good ones, and once we have fallen far enough, we somehow fall forward like a Radio Jesus. Which brings me to my last and, certainly most important point. Our community must also wrestle with the reality of the substance of GHB , and the price we are paying for our adventures with it. As someone who has admittedly had my rounds at the theme parks, I can think of no other substance that has so routinely sent our brothers and sisters in tow to nearby hospitals, some with extended stay packages. We must consider carefully the cost if we do not stand up for ourselves and others in this regard. I will give Daniel the last word on this one‌ "Marsupials may contract a virus. Rest assured; you'll find your way. Keep your thrill: take your pill. Aztec dreams and cortizone creams. Cornish maze peeled from Dutch haze among cloudy skys and stipend lies. Education grants and hollow rants. Young Mister Peyton belongs in Clayton. Great Danes around bamboo canes. Choose on taste and lose your haste." - Daniel McCree (June 12,2005)
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Laffy Taffy for the Holidays: Putting the Crack back in Christmas by: Tess Farnham- MetroEast NEWS
November 30, 2011
Religion and Politics. Two topics that nice girls don’t talk about if they want to get asked to dance. So we sit on our hands . . .we keep our knees together. . .and make nice. . . And sometimes this works out OK. Sometimes it’s good to just be able to sit and fade into the ether with Sid Vicious or Justin Bieber. . . or some other awesome stranger who can come along and carry us off to the scariest part of town. . . But sometimes. . .somehow. . .no matter how you hard to try to be a good girl and soldier on, even in the stickiest of conditions. . .
something’s gotta give. . .
Burlesque Dance Hall Jane Russell Vintage-Inspired Mixed Media Print "Eve Meets Bess" (Tessilu Studio)
Lactating Mary and Newton Herman Perry, “Home for the Holidays,” 1492, director: Chris Columbus
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New Year's Eve at Sidetrack! Public Event Sponsored By: Equality Illinois Sidetrack The Video Bar 3349 North Halsted, Chicago, IL 60657 It's time once again for the biggest New Year's Eve event around! Join us for an evening of celebration and revelry as we welcome in 2012! Champagne toast at midnight, noisemakers, and leis...plus amazing giveaways! This event SELLS OUT EVERY YEAR, so purchase your tickets now via http://tinyurl.com/8ay6s56.
We look forward to ringing in 2012 with you at Sidetrack!
MetroEast NEWS presents the 2012 Directory We hope you were among our sponsors, and supporters over the past year, and we look forward to serving each of you in the coming year. Since we published our directory in June 2011, we have enjoyed more than 15,000 readers of both the directory and the monthly issues. If you are a non-profit organization or small business owner, consider renewing your sponsorship and support the mission and causes of the Daniel McCree Foundation Legacy. Sponsorships are available for $30.00 until December 30th. Late Registration will be $30.00 and can be purchased until the end of the year. BECOME A SPONSOR
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The Galleries at Sole Survivor, 125 East Main Street, Belleville, IL Artist Demonstration Sundays 1-3 (through Dec. 18th)
Artist Demonstration Saturday December 10th 1-3
First Friday Art After 5 - Friday December 2nd 5-8 - Artist reception; art demo
Children's Book Reading Saturday December 17th at 3pm -by local author Lynnette Schuepbach
Children's Book Reading Saturday December 3rd at 3pm -by local author Lynnette Schuepbach
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Another Project by: SmartChoice Center Š2011