Pride Vs. Dyke March, by Amy Miller
Archive for June, 2008
NPH + Joss Whedon = Sing Along Blog
June 28, 2008Trailer for the upcoming web only musical starring Neil Patrick Harris, by Joss Whedon. Check out Dr. Horrible’s myspace for more details about the “Sing Along Blog.”
June 25, 2008
*Flyer For July’s FKA, Chicago’s Best Queer Dance Party
John D’Emilio’s article in this week’s Windy City Times is a reaffirmation of my belief in the power of a queer dance party. He gives a brief history of the role that dancing and organized dances have played in the gay liberation movement:
“In discos, at women’s music festivals, on college campuses, and at street fairs, queer folk looked as if we were dancing our way to freedom. Unlike the dour images of men storming the citadels of power, the gay revolution was going to be fun.
I suspect that for some politicos—straight or queer—the association of dancing and revolution is evidence of just how trivial gay liberation is. But, if so, they don’t know much history.”
Especially in Chicago, which has seen a re-emergence of dance parties that are uniquely inclusive-not just all gay men or all lesbians-as was once the case, the scene feels energized. There is a sense of unity and community that one cannot deny is politically significant and of course, fun.
Next time you call in to work after a long night of dancing-don’t feel guilty! You are part of a revolution!
–Amy Miller
Wynne Greenwood, Still At It
June 25, 2008Judging from wynnegreenwood.com, 2006 was the definite, no-going-back R.I.P. year for Tracy + the Plastics. And unless you live in Washington State or Brooklyn, you might not get too much info on Greenwood’s latest. She’s been concentrating on smaller art installations and local shows, maybe as she stews for her next comprehensive thing. Her website has a pretty good list of what she’s been up to, even a show in Portland this week. Above, a video for a new song that was part of an installation in February in Los Angeles at the Susanne Viel Metter Gallery.
Justin Bond’s Lustre
June 24, 2008
They are calling it an event for the Summer Solstice, but we know better. A gender-fucking cabaret show during Pride week? This is one of the many times I wished I lived in NYC. The show is a cabaret-style revue, featuring a number of transgendered performers including Our Lady J, Glenn Marla, Nathan Carrera, The Pixie Harlots, and other special guests.
From theatremania.com:
While giving plenty of time over to his guests, Bond — who sings to the piano accompaniment of music director Our Lady J, and a trio of onstage musicians — remains at the center of it all. For those familiar with his work as Kiki, it sometimes seems like you’re witnessing a younger version of the boozed up chanteuse, as Bond’s distinct vocal delivery isn’t all that different from that of his most famous creation. The charismatic performer also tells several amusing anecdotes, and delivers quips such as “Slightly retarded men make the best lovers, because they believe love can last.”
Issue Lab’s Research on Queer Youth
June 24, 2008
Back in May, TPR helped a call out from Issue Lab for research relating to queer youth, and they have finally compiled their results. Their June Closeup, compiled by guest editorialist Marco Hidalgo, see his personal statement about the project and checkout the complete list of research here. With topics that go from Gay-Straight Alliances in American schools, to suicidal ideation to homelessness in queer youth, this is pretty good stuff. They are still looking for research with regards to:
* LGBTQ youth issues of (dis)ability
* LGBTQ youth cultures
* Cyberworlds and LGBTQ youth
* LGBTQ youth in rural environments
* Special health issues faced by LGBTQ Youth
If you have any leads for them, send them an email to gabi(@)issuelab.org
Beatie Still Making News
June 23, 2008
I guess it shouldn’t be surprising that after he went on Oprah to talk about his pregnancy, Thomas Beatie would be in the news until well after he gives birth. He made the NY Times yesterday, and while I commend the giant paper for covering it fairly, it is a little irksome that they always wait a little bit for these underground stories. It’s not like their hip writers don’t know about shit when it happens, it’s just the editorial staff has to think of the broader audience. And as we all know, the broader audience sucks!
Anyway, he’s due in a few weeks and this, from the NY Times article, was surprisingly smart:
By bringing his story to the public and disclosing the particulars of his anatomical journey, Ms. Sedgwick added, Mr. Beatie is “making visible the fact that a lot of people’s experience of making these decisions isn’t about getting a penis or losing a penis.” For many transgender people, she said, “genital surgery is not what defines gender, and that will be news for lots and lots of Americans,” who may have trouble comprehending the idea that for some, anatomy does not define woman or man.
Good for them. The most interesting part about this whole thing has been how negatively the gay community has reacted: see the comments at this post on Towleroad and compare them to your most ignorant hosts on Fox news, and you won’t see much difference.
Jenny Hoyston’s Lesbians Has a Bunch of New Songs
June 23, 2008
With her many solo/side projects, it can a little tough to keep track of Jenny Hoyston. Her last record, “the Hallways of Allways,” with William Elliot Whitmore, was a country success, and it’s mellow acoustic melodies were quite charming. With her band Lesbians getting the most attention lately, their playful, godessized, lezbo-rific songs are funny and proud. Pretty appropriate for Pride Week!
Youth Pride Weekend
June 22, 2008
All the rampant nipple sweat in Pride weekend makes you think, “what about the kids?” Where can they go and just be themselves with other like minded queer youth? The Broadway Youth Center has put together a schedule for the pocket queers and it makes me wish I had known about their shizz when I was a kid.
Friday, June 27th
Out In the Loop
Talent Show at 606 S. State St.
6:30 to 10:00pm
Saturday, June 28th
Youth Pride Picnic
12:00-3:00pm
Stevenson Park-49 Lake St. in Oak Park
Synergy Dance
8:00 to 11:00pm
Alternative’s-4730 N. Sheridan
Sunday, June 29th
Synergy Float
Meet at 11:00 am
Belmont and Broadway
Pride Zone
Watch the Parade with other youth!
The Broadway Youth Center
3179 N. Broadway
