January is exiting stage left as the new year get's off to a roaring start with so many juicy topics. The new Democratically controlled Congress is in an uproar over it's rubics cube called Iraq, President Bush is entrenched into his mindset that victory is at hand, VP Dick Cheney is all but tripping the light fantastic with his assessment as he rebukes those who dare ask about daughter, Mary's decision to have a child with her LTC( long time companion- 15 years and counting), Heather Poe. The VP gave interviewer Wolf Blitzer that "no you didn't ask me that shit" look and stated that the question was simply "out of bounds." Oh how we disagree with his premise that Ms. Cheney's choice to have a child is somehow private, when she herself has put every one on notice about her life with her very public book, Now,It's My Turn. Wolf Blitzer gets a "attaboy" for staying professionally stoic and only slightly rebuffed.
Gay Rehab...Who knew? Could the old saying, "only in California" be reinstated as the wack state of the Union trots out another star for a public flogging. This time Isaiah Washington of Grey's Anatomy fame, was being taught the lesson that "all that glitter isn't gold," even if you are apart of a hit series. Do not pass Go, but go straight to REHAB. In case you missed it, Mr. Washington has been duly accused by T.R. Knight of dropping a "F" Bomb on him while on the set, subsequently causing him to be "lanced," before he was ready as told to talk show host Ellen. Meanwhile, according to Mr. Washington's peeps, he is quietly atoning for this indiscretion and will be back more gay friendly, as the cameras roll very soon.
No Envelops,Please: The Little Rock Pride Committe has announced that it has cancelled it's Academy Awards fundraiser due to scheduling conflicts. However, it's February 9th, Faces of Pride show will go on at UBU,824 W. Capitol. Tickets for other area events and informational booths are also tennatively planned.
Need more info call the club, 501.375.8580
Local GLBT Chamber of Commerce? The idea is being floated within the community that Little Rock should explore creating an GLBT Chamber of Commerce,similar to other major cities. A chamber could harness the power of local businesses and assist in creating a hub for organizations to canvass for sponsorships, networking and maximizing resources. This is a novel idea and has worked in other cities who also host Expo's and have been instrumental in creating "rainbow districts." We support the concept and would hope that it would find enthusiatic supporters. Feel free to comment and share your insights with us.
ART 4 You!!: The Art Scene, 201 Maple Street in North Little Rock is ready for the communities talented tenth to come forward and share there artistic sides. Each 2nd Friday of each month the venue offers art supplies, socializing and a chance to create your Mona Lisa with provided models. The cost is $10 and the experience is priceless. Stay tuned for more from this new hot spot!
From the Yeah I said it file!:
Naomi Campbell, fresh from yet another court date has decreed the following... "Any drag queen who wears anything less that 4 1/2 inch heels are wasting their time. You either do it and go the whole distance or don't even bother."
Fast Fact: Did you know that there were more bankruptices in the United States last year than college graduates?
Got News...We are ruff and ready for your announcements, comments, and general backtalk. Let us hear from you today!
4 comments:
A Chamber of Commerce isn't about maximizing resources; it's about controlling who has access to them. Some day Little Rock gay and lesbian folk will succeed in their goals of accumulating enough power and wealth so that they can play with their straight white male counterparts. But will they critique the systems that allow some to have economic and social power over others? Or will they just sweep the streets clean of any homeless folk so they can keep the gay dollars flowing like they do in the Castro district?
"Nick sure does burn his bridges! All he ever does is complain and divide the community!"
Thanks Cornelius for raising the topic of a GLBT Chamber of Commerce. As a gay man that has returned to the area, I have found it difficult to identify GLBT-owned/friendly businesses to support. As a Pride planner, it is a very real challenge to garner support without having a targeted professional community base for outreach. I know that personally I strive to "support our own" NOT because I see the need for GLBT folks to amass power and wealth but to counter the entrenched "good ole boy" network. It is important that social justice issues be considered within GLBT orgnizations, but I don't think you can "pre-judge" a group that has not even formed yet.
Thanks Cornelius for raising the topic of a GLBT Chamber of Commerce. As a gay man that has returned to the area, I have found it difficult to identify GLBT-owned/friendly businesses to support. As a Pride planner, it is a very real challenge to garner support without having a targeted professional community base for outreach. I know that personally I strive to "support our own" NOT because I see the need for GLBT folks to amass power and wealth but to counter the entrenched "good ole boy" network. It is important that social justice issues be considered within GLBT orgnizations, but I don't think you can "pre-judge" a group that has not even formed yet.
How is creating our own version of the "good ole boy" network an effective method for countering the current one? You can't dismantle the master's house with the master's tools.
What are the benefits of a GLBT Chamber of Commerce that can't be achieved through more direct and less hierarchical means? There seems to be a disconnect between wanting to identify GLBT-owned/friendly businesses and needing a Chamber of Commerce. Clearly there are other motivations. What does “harness the power of local businesses” even mean? The hope is really that future organizations and even (keep your rainbow fingers crossed on this one!) politicians will eventually have to come court that gay dollar at the GLBT Chamber of Commerce. And then the board members and directors will be allowed to set the agenda to which everyone else will have to fall in step behind or risk being ostracized by the “power of local businesses”. After all, isn’t that the way things work now when you want to change zoning laws, pass ordinances, get a liquor license, or otherwise operate within the system? So why should we assume that things will be any different just because the people in charge have different sexual habits?
Who knows though? Maybe there is a reason we need a GLBT Chamber of Commerce that I’m not thinking of or don’t understand. If it makes me look foolish then all the better. Like Joe said I don’t want to “pre-judge” any organization, but I don’t think it’s unfair to ask what the motivations for that organization or the possible ramifications of its actions may be.
-Nick
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