Held at the Motley Bar above EFN Lounge located at 1318 9th Street, NW in Washington, DC

Goal is to give the DC Community a place that HIV + People can go out to a Gay Bar and not feel scared to worry about finding someone that is ok that they are HIV + to date potentially and to hang out with friends and for support.

The DC Center is Sponsoring this event!

Event will work to also help Fuk!t Pack it parties that takes place at the Motley Bar every Tuesday as well from 6:30pm til 10pm

While short-statured, muscly gay Jewish boys aren’t usually associated with music that moves the booty, everything about P.D.A. is designed either for dancing or making love. The former member of “Yoo hoo“-makers Imperial Teen covers Architecture in Helsinki (”Heart it Races”) or busts a Timbaland-worthy ode to doing it (”Double Fantasy II”) with equal aplomb. In respect to the latter track, its always a blast to hear standard R & B when you know that its sung from one guy to another. No homo.

The albums stand out, and my third most listened to song of 2008, is the single “Hundredaire.” An unfailingly sunny ode to the fact that one must either dump or be dumped, and neither solution is tenable, the song welds a “hey hey hey” chorus into a danceable, singable, hummable little four minute burst of queer music joy.

Safe in moderation

Friday

• Come see drag superstar Jackie Beat at Guava Lamp. Known for hosting some of the most popular and outrageous drag queens (like Jackie and Lady Bunny), Guava never charges a cover. You can have your car parked by the free valet, too! Jackie comes all the way out from California to deliver her special brand of trash-talk and smack to Houston. Check out some of her videos here. Guava Lamp – 570 Waugh – 10pm – No Cover.

Saturday

• See trash turned art in Hasta La Basura Se Separa - an exhibition curated by the Austin-based group Los Outsiders: Salvador Castillo, Michael Anthony García and Hector Hernandez. Originally presented at the Galleria del Espacio Cultural de la Antigua Aduana in the border town of Nuevo Laredo, Hasta La Basura Se Separa features the work of 13 contemporary artists from Texas, New York & Utah. With an emphasis on found objects, the artists reveal their personal experiences in a way that highlights their greater cultural histories. Box13 Artspace – 6700 Harrisburg – 7pm – Free.

Sunday

• See Billy Stritch at the Miller Outdoor Theater on Sunday evening. An award-winning composer, arranger, vocalist, and jazz pianist of extraordinary range and sophistication, Billy Stritch breathes new life into the Great American Songbook, all the while bringing an easy sense of humor and showmanship to his performances. Accompanied by the University of Houston Jazz Orchestra, he’s guaranteed to heat up a cool fall evening. Here’s a video of Billy and the U of H Orchestra rehearsing for Sunday’s performance. Hermann Park – 100 Concert Dr. – 7:30pm – Free.

Got a Houston event you’d like featured on TNG? Tell me about it: josh@thenewgay.net

Better than drugs:

Artist: Flaming Lips
Album: Embryonic
What the hell is it? Twelfth record from the ever-changing and challenging OK band
Sounds like a combination of: The sonic experiments of Zaireeka, just more fully formed and spaced/krauted out
For Example: Watching the Planets
Recommended? Yes. And I mean buy it, because mp3s sound like shit. Listening to this on a good sound system is the most amazing thing ever.
Release Date: Oct. 13

Artist: Jesus Lizard
Album: Pure, Head, Goat, Liar, Down (Reissues)
What the hell is it? Hardcore legends reissue their Touch and Go catalogue
Sounds like a combination of: Really? I have to answer this question?
For Example: Boilermaker
Recommended? If you didn’t have them before, get them now. I know I give out high recommendations, but Goat and Liar are two of the greatest records ever made.
Release Date: Oct. 6

Artist: Fall Out Boy
Album: Believers Never Die – The Greatest Hits
What the hell is it? Emo Pop!
For Example: Sugar, We’re Going Down
Recommended? So most writers on the site write about their sex lives. Who they’re fucking, who they want to fuck, or in some cases why they aren’t fucking anyone. I only write about music, so the most embarrassing or guilty thing I can spill is my love for Fall Out Boy. I’ve seen them three times, I know all the words, and nothing beats belting out “Sugar, We’re Going Down” with buddies at karaoke (or in my room). This release isn’t as great as their last run of records, but if all you need are the radio hits, you’ll be set.
Release Date: Nov. 17

Artist: Them Crooked Vultures
Album: Them Crooked Vultures
What the hell is it? John Paul Jones on bass, Dave Grohl on drums, and Josh Homme on guitar… Have you ever heard of Supergroup?
Sounds like a combination of: All the aforementioned dudes’ bands
For Example: New Fang
Recommended? It is both sexy and hard-rocking at the same time. Plus: DAVE ON DRUMS!
Release Date: Nov. 17

Swell, just plain swell:

Artist: Kid Sister
Album: Ultraviolet
What the hell is it? Long delayed, much fussed-over record
Sounds like a combination of: Amanda Blank, Spank Rock, Uffie, 2007                                                                                 For Example: Pro Nails
Recommended? Okay, it’s all right for a dumb pop record and just a mark above the Amanda Blank record, but unless you like dancing it isn’t good for much else. It’s pretty fluffy.
Release Date: Nov. 17

Artist: Vitalic
Album: Flashmob
What the hell is it? French DJ’s second record
Sounds like a combination of: Kompact Records, Blog-House
For Example: Your Disco Song
Recommended? Though there are not as many jams as 2005’s Ok Cowboy (which is a classic), it holds up pretty well. For intelligent dance parties only—no bullshit, yo.
Release Date: Sept.  28

Artist: Little Girls
Album: Concepts
What the hell is it? Toronto fuzzed-out band
Sounds like a combination of: Jesus and the Mary Wavves
For Example: Youth Tunes
Recommended? I like lo-fi, and so should you.
Release Date: Nov. 10

Artist: Rihanna
Album: Rated R
What the hell is it? Newest record from the once “Good girl gone bad”                                                                                      Sounds like a combination of: This is the sound of revenge. Think of the sounds of “Disturbia,” just gone all depressed and evil. There are a few jams here and there, but a lot of slower songs.
For Example: Hard (Ft. Young Jeezy)
Recommended? Sure, Rihanna can’t really sing (see “Unfaithful”) but there are lots of quality tracks to outweigh the crap. Plus this record is more of a grower, and you get to hear her cuss, for reals this time. I’m still waiting for a full-on electropop record though…
Release Date: Nov. 23

I don’t hate anything this week!!!!!!!! so y’all get extra songs:

Artist: Joy Orbison
Song: “Hyph Mngo”
What the hell is it? Dubstep is a genre out of the UK, that evolved like Grime and Garage. It is all the rage. Joy Orbison makes dubstep, but unlike his associates, Burial and Skreem, his has a little more warmth. This track just kills, so listen up:

Artist: Hot Chip
Song: “Take It In”
What the hell is it? Hot Chip are back, did you know? Their record doesn’t drop till next year, but here is their first single, and it kills. Hopefully the record will too.

Roots of Equality is having a Masquerade Ball to commemorate the closing of their exhibit on Lavendar Los Angeles, an exploration of GLBT history in LA.

Masquerade Ball

“In the spirit of All-Fool’s night, a Los Angeles tradition long lost, the exhibit will close it’s final night with a masquerade party co-sponsored by our friends at Equal Roots.

There will be a DJ [From Mustache Mondays!], the Border Grill Taco Truck [Yum!!!!], and a no-host bar. Entry is free!

Come with a mask, or cross-dressed, or both.”

The event occurs at The Exchange at 114 W. 5th St. in Downtown LA.

And thanks to the San Francisco Bay Guardian music blog for originally posting this information. R.I.P. Charlie Horse!!

This week marked the sad passing of Jeanne-Claude, the artist who was the wife and collaborator of Christo.  They are the husband and wife team made famous for their public art installations, mostly involving the wrapping of public spaces and buildings in fabric (the Reichstag in Berlin, the Pont Neuf in Paris, a series of islands in Biscayne Bay in Miami). Most recently they were the celebrated pair responsible for the 2005 Central Park installation “The Gates” where over 7000 flowing fabric gates were installed in the park, bringing a burst of excitement to the New York winter for just 16 short days.

Adam Goldberg as composer Adrian

These installations were provided to the public at no cost.  Instead, the couple funded the projects themselves, without governmental funding or corporate sponsorship, largely on funds raised through the selling of items related to the installations.  This allowed them to keep their vision purely their own, their artistic gift to themselves and the world.   They understood the tension between art and commerce, both in the way that outside funding could inhibit their work, and in the way that they could use what they had done to create ancillary products that would drive revenue to fund future artistic endeavors.

That very tension between art and commerce has often caused for a great debate in the art world that increasingly seems to be screeching toward a fever pitch.  In (Untitled), the new film by director Jonathan Parker, that tension is skewered in a thought-provoking satire on the current state of contemporary art.

Adam Goldberg stars as Adrian, a humorless composer so obsessed with the artistic nature of his indescribably avant-garde musical compositions that he declares that suicide will be his only option if success does not find him within three years time.  Adrian’s musical centerpiece is a steel bucket to which he drops in items.  Or kicks.  Or drops in items and then kicks.  His clarinetist (Lucy Punch) doesn’t so much play the clarinet as wail and scream among the jarring noises performed on stage.  It may come as little surprise that Adrian’s music is not quite everyone’s cup of tea, even along the artistically cutting-edge streets of lower Manhattan.

Adrian’s brother Josh (Eion Bailey) is a painter who has found commercial success through the sale of his pieces to hotels and hospitals, but longs to find respect within the art world.  While owning an ultra-trendy gallery, his art dealer Madeleine Gray (Marley Shelton), will only sell his work out of the backroom.  Madeleine sees no true artistic vision behind Josh’s work, and will have nothing to do with the promotion of it as that which is real art.  But the work featured in her gallery doesn’t bring in the sales revenue to continue her artistic vision.  She relies on artists like Josh to provide her with the product to discreetly sell out of her back room to fund the front gallery.

One night, Josh takes Madeleine to see one of Adrian’s performances, and she is bowled over by what she perceives as the artistic beauty of his compositions.  She invites him to perform in her gallery alongside the works of Ray Barko (Vinnie Jones), a new artist that she is promoting who dabbles in taxidermy.  After a performance in the gallery, Madeleine convinces one of her wealthiest patrons, Porter (Zak Orth) to commission a new work by Adrian to be premiered in her gallery.

Soon Adrian finds that too many cooks in the kitchen begin to spoil his artistic vision.  Porter has made his fortune in computers, and his commission seems to come with strings for both Madeleine and Adrian.  He falls for the clarinetist and begins to wonder why there can’t be a clarinet solo in Adrian’s piece.  His involvement in the art world is both a desperate attempt to remain on the cutting-edge of the New York scene, but further more it is an investment. He gobbles up contemporary art and stores it in vast lofts within his penthouse for no one to see.  For Porter, this is just something to do to make more money and create a legacy beyond expanding a stock portfolio or owning real estate from sea to shining sea.   The art world is littered with such people.

Zak Orth as Porter and Marley Shelton as Madeleine

In reality, the villains and heroes of the film are not so clear.  How else is someone like Madeleine supposed to survive if not selling works that have commercial value?  But does their commercial value necessarily prohibit them from possessing an inherent artistic nature? What she sees as art may not bring in the big bucks, but it certainly has a deeper value in her opinion.

Compromises are made.  The market demands one thing and the artist provides another.  The artist expresses his vision and the supposed purveyors of taste laugh it away.  The characters in the film have difficult decisions to make- is compromising their artistic vision for survival and fame worth it?  If the artist can’t bring their work to the masses then what is the point?  The movie leaves for few easy answers.

But the film points to the truth.  For centuries, artists have had external factors influencing their work.  Today’s influencers may not be so different than those in the past.  From the European monarchies of yesterday commissioning works to the dotcom millionaires of today like Porter, art has always intersected often uncomfortably with commerce.  The interplay between the two has played itself out for centuries.  (Untitled) cleverly shows us how it does today.

The film begs to ask if that which we believe in as true art was decided for us, or if we are able decide for ourselves.  At one point when asked the age old question about what the difference is between art and entertainment, Madeleine states that while entertainment packages itself for easy consumption, art leaves for few easy answers, instead continuing to ask questions.

Possibly.  In Madeleine’s assessment of it then, (Untitled) is art.  Certainly you will be entertained, but the movie does not resolve the questions it seeks to ask of its audience.   The closest the film comes to answering the question of what is true art comes as Adrian begins to look into himself.  He sees what he does as beautiful art, and if anyone else feels the same then great, but if not, it does not change it in his eyes.

Rest her soul, maybe Jeanne-Claude was right.  Maybe the true artist is that person who creates their work for themselves first, and for others second.

(Untitled) is playing in select theaters nationwide.  Check www.untitled-themovie.com for further details.

With the passing of Jeanne-Claude, this week I am recommending 5 Films About Christo and Jeanne-Claude as the DVD pick of the week.  This series of documentary films chronicles 30 years of the collaboration and love between the two artist over their long career together.  It allows for an interesting exploration into the mind of the artists and the hard work that went into all of their various installations.  It brings into question the importance of public art and the value that art adds to life.  Watching the artists deal with interest groups and public officials in order to have complete control over their vision is fascinating to watch.  While you will not find it at your local video store, it is available on both Amazon and Netflix, among other sites.  Below is a video of the two artists introducing the installation that they were currently working on, “Over the River” where they planned to cover a long stretch of the Arkansas River in Colorado with silver fabric.

Long Beach:
6 PM at the corner of Broadway and Junipero (near Hot Java).
Contact wearblackfightback@yahoo.com for info.

West Hollywood:
7 PM at Plummer Park Fiesta Hall.
7377 Santa Monica Boulevard

Orange County:
6:30 PM
The Center OC
1605 N. Spurgeon Street, Santa Ana

San Diego:
6:00 PM
LGBT Community Center
3909 Centre St

Santa Barbara:
6:00 PM
Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Garden
Corner of Anacapa And Anapamu Streets

West Covina:
Saturday, November 21, 2009
2:00 PM
Safe Haven Community Christian Church
Email Eva-Genevieve Scarborough at evagenevieve@gmail.com for address

Events around the world are posted at http://www.transgenderdor.org/

The Shondes

They’ll be joined by The Degenerettes, Baby Aspirin and Reina Williams. Check them all out tonight!

Details:

Friday, November 20
The Windup Space
12 W. North Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21201
9:00 p.m.
21+
$5

Photo from the vigil for murdered transwoman Tyli’a Mack, by Hans from the TNG Flickr Pool.

Today is transgender day of remembrance. Though The New Gay does not currently have as many trans writers as we would like (and always welcome trans viewpoints from our readers) the topic is an important one to us. Since I do not believe there are as many forums for cisgendered queer people to discuss trans issues, today’s question is as follows:

What do you think you, as an individual, can do to combat intolerance and violence towards trans individuals?

Ben K. – Film Contributor
To promote tolerance and understanding of the trans population I think is of great importance. While I cannot directly relate to the specific struggles that trans people go through, I can nonetheless relate to the struggle for acceptaance and equality that they seek- as any human should be able to do. I will continue to support and respect the trans community and do what I can to promote an understanding of who they are and what they go through to friends and family, and others, who do not understand.

Chris – Theatre and Arts Contributor

I also feel that education is the key.  Hans mentions the ignorance or misinformation in the general population, but I’ll go another step and say that there is still far too much ignorance within the queer community as a whole.  It’s very telling when I know people who I would describe as intelligent tell me that they just “don’t understand” transgendered people or issues.  That’s a problem and one I try to solve by talking openly and honestly.  On a side note, I’m currently bothered by the use of the word “tranny” as an adjective, as in “tranny mess.”  I don’t know if I’m just being overly sensitive or if it’s an actual issue.  It sounds I’m a cliched PSA at the end of a 80s cartoon, but really “knowledge is power, the more you know, etc.”  So far as violence is concerned, a safe environment is our right and we must settle for nothing less, whether that be for G, L, B, T, straight, etc.

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Gem - Copy Editor
I think that the most important thing is to always remember that the “T” is a fundamental part of our LGBT community. The way I see it, every cisgender lesbian, bisexual and gay male person questions gender norms simply because of who they love and who they love to fuck. If butch women, femme men, drag queens and drag kings can fit into the lesbian, gay and bisexual community, the transgender community should fit in as well. The LGBT community represents a spectrum of people that blur traditional lines. Who are we to create more rules and borders when we’ve tried so hard to break the heteronormative rules that already exist and work against us? I think that it is imperative to remember that we are a community that loves together and should fight together as well.

Hans – Photo Editor
Education is key. If the general population is ignorant of GLB issues, it is exponentially more so on trans issues. Talk to the people around you; challenge whatever prejudices and misconceptions they might have. Make it personal and show them that this isn’t some war being fought in a faraway land. All minorities benefit when people come around to see them as valid members of society rather than some spectral boogeyman here to destroy their imaginary homogeneous Leave It To Beaver culture.

Jean – Staff Contributor
Helping the trans community be more visible; to not be hidden. As an LGBT community we need to be ready to rally with our trans friends and to correct others who voice misconceptions about trans people. I would never stand by silently while a friend or coworker made a gay joke, so I shouldn’t when I hear one commenting inappropriately about a trans person, either.

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LB – Copy Editor

In the broader LGBQ community there is a basic lack of understanding of trans lives and needs. There is a lack of visibility, and often times misrepresentation, of trans people in media and culture. This ignorance can lead to violence. Combating it starts with education and respect.If a friend (or anyone, really) uses the word “tranny” as an insult, call them out on it. If someone says transsexuals or crossdressers are disgusting, ask them why and challenge their constructs of gender. Educate people on pronoun usage and its importance. Educate yourself by reading pieces by trans activists and academics instead of cisgender people’s take on the issues (and if you don’t know what cisgender means, look it up). Make spaces and events as safe as possible for trans people, like gender neutral bathrooms. Learn what issues local trans groups are working on and do something tangible, even if it’s only signing a petition. Most importantly, don’t be silent. Silence is just as dangerous as the violence itself.

Rocky – Managing Editor

I’ll admit I never really gave much of a thought to trans issues before I met my former roommate about 3 years ago. It was one of those chance craigslist occurrences. I was living in a group house and we needed a new roommate and one night this really sweet, funny, shy transgirl came by to interview. Though it was something new for all of us, nobody actually gave a shit that she was trans. She just fit in with us and our senses of humor, so we asked her to move in.But it was definitely an adjustment at first. I wanted to get to know her and develop a friendship, but I wasn’t sure what was and wasn’t polite to ask or bring up; I think she wasn’t used to dealing with folks who didn’t see her as merely “the trans girl,” but were generally interested in knowing her and her story. There we’re definitely some awkward moments, but, eventually, all that kind of melted away and in time it wasn’t even an issue for anyone. Everyone in that house was queer in some way and we all had our crosses to bear.

Pretty soon,  we were just roommates and friends and it was cool. One night, years after our first meeting, she and I were at the Black Cat and some asshole tried to start some shit with her, so I got in his face and finished it. In my mind, this dude was messing with someone I cared about, but it wasn’t until she thanked me that it really dawned on me how similar her struggles and mine as a gay man really are. And that’s something that I always try to keep in mind. So I guess I’d say the answer is just to keep an open mind and heart, and to not be afraid to educate yourself and others, because, while obviously T issues and GLB issues are different, discrimination’s discrimination, and at the end of the day we’re all just human beings trying to get through life with our souls and sanity intact.

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zack – Editor-in-Chief

I believe the first step is for cisgendered queer people to embrace their trans brothers and sisters. Whether or not they understand the trans movement, or feel like it belongs with ours, the struggle of the trans community is so similar in so many key ways to the struggles of the gay community. Right now I feel like too many gay men and women ignore or ridicule the situation of the trans community in order to feel more legitimate or to further their own political or social gain. That will give the trans community a stronger foothold in our larger movement, which is one of people who do not fit the popular idea of what a given gender role entails.After that I think its best to appeal to lawmakers, with the strength of all our numbers, that it is absolutely essential to have laws in place to punish trans discrimination or violence. Anything less than that is unacceptable.

Photo: John Baird

We all know (or at least we all should know) that today is the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day where we honor those trans and genderqueer people who have suffered and died due to hatred and violence, and, hopefully, take the time to read their stories and figure out what we can do to prevent these sorts of tragedies from occurring in the future.

But want to talk about another type of violence caused by transphobia: self-violence.

It is easy to feel hopeless, unwanted, and despised when the world around you refuses to accept you and your true identity, or refuses to validate you as a human being.  It hurts even more when this comes from those closest to you, like your family, partner, co-workers, and friends.  Even things like going to the bathroom or telling people what you would like to be called can be extremely stressful. Knowing people think of you as “freak” and “it” and might even call you that to your face wreaks havoc on your self-esteem.  The mental and emotional scars can weigh heavily, and then add that to the pre-existing discomfort of living in a body that doesn’t exactly match up with who you really are, and struggling physically and mentally to become the person who you truly are… It can become unbearable.  And while these scars are not as apparent as the ones left by a punch in the face or a kick in the ribs, they still cause great harm and even death.

I’ll fully admit that I’ve dealt with depression and self-harm for most of my life. It is not nearly as bad as it used to be when I felt isolated and didn’t realize it was possible to transition.  Part of it was due to intense dysphoria over my body and part of it was the fear that no one would ever love or accept me.   It is well-known that the suicide rates of GLBTQ youth are way higher than those of their straight cis-gendered counterparts, but as homosexuality becomes more visible in the mainstream media in positive lights, it is easy for trans youth to feel left in the dust.

Could you do me a favor this Friday?  Could you call, text, or email the trans and genderqueer people you know and tell them how much you love and respect them?  If you see them in person, could you give them a hug? If you suspect that they are hurting and struggling, could you listen to them and give them the help they might be too afraid to seek?  Everyone needs that once and a while, but we never do it often enough.  It is really nice to feel and hear that you are accepted, appreciated, and loved for who you are. It can help someone more than you might know.

Flashing Lights at the Magnificent Mile

So I’ve learned to love the holidays as I’ve gotten older. Chicago is a great city to get you in the mood for the festive season. Because I grew up in New York, I expect tons of lights, ice skating, and bright storefront displays. Chicago never disappoints. You can never really call yourself a true Chicagoan if you’ve never seen the displays at Macy’s, or the lights down Michigan ave! So here are some festive events as well as other random events to get you in a merry mood.

Tonight

• The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) Campus Life and Student Association proudly hosts the annual Holiday Art Sale on Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21. The talent and creativity of SAIC students is on display at this unique sale, which offers exquisite one-of-a-kind gifts such as photographs, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, prints and drawings, jewelry, fashion accessories and handmade paper designs. SAIC MacLean Center Ballroom 112 S. Michigan Avenue, Free, 11am.
• The Galleries at the Center on Halsted will present artist Pate Conaway’s sculptural installation 2nd floor art gallery. The installation is also a part of World AIDS Day 2009. The show will run from Nov. 20 – Jan.13. Pate Conaway states, “My current work explores the idea of portrait. Instead of paint on canvas, I am using an inanimate object –a life vest – as a vehicle to express personality and character. This installation of sewn objects plays with the impersonal becoming personal.”   Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, $5 suggested donation, 6:30 pm.

Saturday

• Center on Halsted presents The Fifth Annual Night of Fallen Stars, A Day of Remembrance. Transgender performers include poets, artists, musicians comedians, dancers and other theatrical performers of all ages. Special appearance by Jaila Simms, the first Transgendered artist to win a reality series MTV/P. Diddy’s “Making His Band” Official member of Bad Boy’s “Dirty Money Crew.” This evening will celebrate Chicago’s amazingly talented Transgender community and remember the many Transgendered people who lost their lives to gender hate crimes. Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, $5 suggested donation, 5:30pm.
• Cake Chicago Presents Spoken Word by Jenn P. Live Music by Kathryn Tapper, Ripley Caine & The Locals. $5. Cake Chicago named “Best Gay Variety Show, 2009″ Readers Choice in The Chicago Reader. Red Line Tap, 7006 N. Glenwood, $5, 9pm.
• The third annual Modern Vintage Holiday Market returns Nov. 21 – 22, 2009. Shoppers can adorn, dazzle and kick their holiday shopping off to the right start with gifts in all price ranges, from pennies to thousands, available in a one-stop-shopping experience. In a fun and fanciful space, shoppers will discover fabulous keepsakes from embroidered hankies, sterling spoons and festive aprons, to estate jewelry, couture formal wear and crystal goblets. Independently designed handmade and beautifully preserved vintage ornaments round out the mix and are the perfect gift for anyone. This unique and beautifully-crafted mix of smartly priced vintage and modern goods makes for a simple and convenient one-stop shopping experience for seasonal shoppers looking for memorable and custom-made gifts. Free parking will be available in the Plumbers Hall parking lot and free gift wrapping and packaging will also be offered throughout the weekend. Beaux Arts Plumbers Hall,1340 W Washington St, $8 (half with Student ID), 10am.
• After a full day of live music (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) featuring “Hannah Montana” co-star Mitchel Musso (2 p.m.) and pop group Plain White T’s (3 p.m.), Mickey Mouse leads a street-lighting procession (5:30 p.m.) of more than one million bulbs along North Michigan Avenue called the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. Other celebrities appearing in the ceremony include “Twilight” actress Ashley Greene and Chicago Blackhawk Tony Esposito. Stick around for a fireworks display (6:55 p.m.) over the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue.   Magnificent Mile, 990 N. Michigan Ave., Free, 11am.

Anti-Prop 8 protestor in Long Beach, CA. November 5, 2008. Despite the implication, it was Democracy (not Theocracy) that added anti-gay legislation to the California constitution. Photo: Raphael Mazor

A story on the LA Times Blog showed that in 2008, hate crimes dropped in LA County for most groups, with GLBT folk being the striking exception. There were 134 hate-motivated crimes against GLBT individuals in 2008, up from 111 in 2007. In contrast, the overall rate of hate crimes fell 4% over that same period.

What caused the increase? The culprit, most people figure, is Prop 8 and the months of political campaigning demonizing gay people and their relationships. Anti-gay marriage campaigns have been directly implicated in the rise of hate crimes against gay people. By allowing these votes, politicians endanger our lives.

Although there has been widespread condemnation of the passage of Prop 8, and expressions of consolation from our allies in politics and the media, there has been very little overt criticism of the very concept of asking the voters to choose who can get married and who can’t.

There has been some criticism of California’s notorious initiative process, in which any proposition can be put on the ballot if there is enough financial backing. The electorate then functions as a fourth branch of government, unchecked by the judicial, legislative, and executive branches, to make decisions on issues they may have never thought about before. That is, if they bother to vote at all.

I have long thought that putting minority rights up to majority votes is immoral (and a proven failure of a model for a civil rights movement). But now I realize that the vote itself, regardless of the outcome, is an act of oppression and a form of persecution against minorities. Proposition 8 not only took away our civil rights—it was an incitement of violence against gays and lesbians.

The District of Columbia is now tackling the issue of same-sex marriage. And the antis are again arguing that the City Council should put the issue up to a vote. Wisely, the Council has resisted. Mayor Fenty, responding to Utah Rep. Chaffetz’s plea that the issue be put to DC voters, stated that city law prohibits votes on issues of human rights.

It would be great if every state was as committed to protecting human rights as DC is. But sadly, DC goes against the grain. 31 states have put the rights, dignity, and (as we now see in LA) personal safety of its minorities at risk through an election, and in every case, we lost.

Perhaps our American obsession with democracy has led us to believe that elections are the answer to every problem. But when it comes to civil rights, elections are the problem.

Friday

Tim Miller's Lay of the Land

• Tim Miller’s Lay of the Land @ YBCA. One of the original NEA 4, performance artist, Tim Miller, brings his latest work to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. From YBCA’s website: “Lay of the Land is Tim Miller’s funny and sharp-knifed look at the State of the Queer Union during these challenging times. Leaping from a Prop 8 protest to memories of an elementary school flag monitor to a difficult conversation with the California Republic bear, Lay of the Land addresses the feeling of queer people being perpetually on trial, on the ballot, on the menu.” Check out the website for more programs and performances involving Miller. Details: Lay of the Land shows on Friday and Saturday, both at 8 PM. Tickets are $25 at YBCA on 701 Mission Street and 3rd Street.
• Blackout @ Q Bar. The Stop AIDS Project is bringing black back to the Castro. Blackout aims to give the gay African-American community more visibility in San Francisco’s most famous gay district and in doing so inject some much needed hip-hop into the normally one-note dance clubs. Details: The music starts spinning at 10 PM at Q Bar on 456 Castro Street.

Saturday

• Hella Gay Oakland Dance Party! @ The Uptown. I think the name says it all… Details: Doors open at 9 PM, $5 cover at The Uptown on 1928 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland.
• Sissy Fit @ Sub Mission. This month’s edition of Sissy Fit features Andy San Francisco in addition to the normal cabal of crusty (and cute!) homopunx. Details: Doors open at 10 PM, $6 cover at Sub Mission on 2183 Mission Street and 18th Street.

Queer Canadian artist Gentleman Reg is extremely blonde, extremely handsome and extremely good at writing power pop. Look out, Todd Rundgren! (Even though I don’t think he was blonde.) When he opened at DC’s Rock n Roll Hotel for his old band The Hidden Cameras he was nice enough to give us an exclusive backstage performance of his song “To Some It Comes Easy,” which is off Reg’s latest album, Jet Black. Enjoy!

Also their old label Touch and Go recently released remastered deluxe versions of their first five records. After this tour, the band will probably vanish again, as there seems to be no plan to continue. So if you are in DC tonight or you live on any of the other stops remaining on the tour—get off your ass and prepare to have it kicked. Cause, oh yeah… their live show is legendary.

Bassist David Wm Simms was nice enough to answer a couple quick questions via e-mail regarding the band.

TNG Rohan: Your blog has a couple pictures of your dinners from the tour, what/where has been the best meal?

David Wm Sims: Not the steak and shrimp in Montreal.

TNG: You guys are playing bigger and presumably cleaner venues this time around. Which do you prefer, the dirty and nasty or the clean and posh?

DWS: Good question. Gonna have to send that one to the lab.

TNG: You guys have pretty devoted fans. Have you guys gotten any strange gifts or pieces of fan appreciation?

DWS: No.

TNG: Are the crowds just as wild and rowdy as they were before? Any injuries?

DWS: The crowds are generally wilder than before. Injuries? You bet!!

If you’ve never heard the band I’ve created a fun playlist of their shit to get you pumped.

Here are their remaining tour dates:

11/19 930 Club; Washington, DC

11/20 Sonar; Baltimore, MD

11/24 Tuner Hall; Milwaukee, WI

11/25 Crofoot Ballroom; Pontiac, MI

11/27 The Metro; Chicago, IL

11/28 The Metro; Chicago, IL

12/31 The Metro; Chicago, IL

Thursday, Nov 19

• Last two days for free admission to MOCA! Celebrate it’s 30th anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Art. For your older “contemporary” art (pre-1980), head to the Grand Avenue gallery (250 S. Grand Ave). But if you want more current fare, you check out the Geffen Contemporary Center (152 N. Central Ave). That’s TWO museums for the price of NONE! On display now are highlights of the museum’s permanent collection. Get yer Rothko on.
• Want more art? Check out 365 & Counting, an examination of the first year of the Obama administration. Head to Studio 50 in Highland Park (131 N. Avenue 50). Will it be adulatory? Critical? Will it focus on his achievements of reaching out to our enemies and allies across the globe? Or his failure to make good on his many campaign promises to gays and progressives, like closing Guantanamo, letting gays serve openly in the military, or getting universal coverage as part of health care reform? Not sure. But it should definitely be a show worth checking out.

Friday, Nov 20

• Akbar (4356 Sunset Blvd.) is a safe bet for homo fun on a Friday night. Music tends to be eclectic, and gets lots of cute Silverlake boys and girls dancing the night away. Tonight’s DJ: Tom Walker.
• Shits and Giggles is every 3rd Friday at the 3100 Club (659 S. Westmoreland). DJs Victor Rodriguez and Chris Bowen are in charge of the fun.

Saturday, Nov 21

• Concerts! There are quite a few good concerts to check out on Saturday. How can you possibly choose? Peter Bjorn and John play at Club Nokia (800 W. Olympic Blvd), with El Perro del Mar. Fiery Furnaces are at El Rey Theatre ( 5515 Wilshire Blvd) with Cryptacize and Dent May (The FFs are making all their shows pro-health care reform rallies, god bless ‘em!). Plus, lots of bands (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Sea Wolf, The Nightwatchmen, Tom Gabel of Against Me!, etc.) are playing the a benefit concert for the Pablove Foundation (to fight children’s cancers) at the Avalon in Hollywood (1735 Vine St).
• Want to dance? Head to La Cita downtown (336 S. Hill St.) for Hungry Beat. DJs YY, Marion, B-Rok, Goodwill, and Michael will be playing indie pop, twee, and northern soul.
• Nobody walks in LA? Hardly. The Great Walk LA hosts their fourth annual cross city walk across this gigantic city! This year, they are undertaking a 15-mile urban hike down Adams and Washington Boulevard, from Downtown to Venice. This is truly a unique way to see the city, passing through so many neighborhoods that are usually passed by. Past years undertook some of the more famous boulevards of LA, such as Pico, Wilshire, and Santa Monica. It goes from 9 am to 6 pm.

Sunday, Nov 22

• The weather has cooled off, meaning that winter hiking season has just begun! Why not join Great Outdoors Los Angeles chapter for a 9-mile hike on the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains? The gay hiking group is tackling segment 7 (which includes some of the most rugged terrain in these mountains). Meet at 9 AM at the trailhead near 300 Stunt Road, in Calabasas (do a Google map search for directions). In addition to all the hiking essentials (water, hat, sunblock, good shoes, etc.), bring a potluck dish to share!
• If you’re looking to get your holiday shopping done, why not go green and support local businesses by checking out the Silverlake Arts*Crafts Vintage fair, at the corner of Silverlake and Glendale Boulevards? The fair is also a fundraiser for the Silverlake Library.
• Britpop night! Club Underground at The Echo (1822 W. Sunset).
• Are you a neo-burlesque circus fan? The Terry Beeman Dance Company presents “Mental Head Circus”, a vaudeville-inspired fusion of cabaret and classical dance. Sounds quite exciting! Tickets range from $10 to $35. At King King (6555 Hollywood Blvd.)

Monday, Nov 23

• Art fags go to Mustache Mondays at La Cita (336 S. Hill St.).

Tuesday, Nov 24

• Legendary comic illustrator R. Crumb’s new and controversial interpretation of Genesis is on display at the Hammer Museum (10899 Wilshire Blvd). His drawings have, predictably, drawn the outrage of religious conservatives who take issue with the light he shines on the more sexual and violent aspects of the first book of the Bible. The exhibit continues through February 7, 2010.
• Max Tundra and Deastro play the Echo (1822 Sunset Blvd), if you’re in an electronic, computer-rock mood. And Elle Macho plays with Mr. Gnome and Diamonds Under Fire at Silverlake Lounge (2906 Sunset Blvd), if you’re feeling more punk.

Wednesday, Nov 25

• Last July, nearly every homo west of Chicago descended on LA to see Grace Jones in one of her two North American shows at the Hollywood Bowl. The show was unforgettable! But if you needed a souvenir to jog your memory, you may have bought the iconic poster by Niagara. You can see all the posters from this year’s Bowl shows on display at the Arclight Theater (6360 W. Sunset Blvd). Posters for Death Cab, Liza Minnelli, Santigold, and Pink Martini are my faves. Posters are also for sale at La La Land Gallery. Show runs through January 5, 2010.

Last night a new alternaqueer party called Pink Sock debuted in DC. Set in the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood of Columbia Heights, at a former gay bar (turned mixed-clientele PBR heaven) called The Wonderland Ballroom, the party promised “ an orgy for the eyes and ears, as [the DJ] pumps out the hottest ass-shaking jams from the most innovative and avante garde performance artists from the 70s-disco era, 80s-new wave, 90-house & hip-hop, to the freshest electro music of today.” This party sounded like a lot of fun and almost everyone I knew was keeping their evening clear to go check it out. However, I was not there.

I much further downtown DJing a wet underwear party at a bar that stakes no such claim to alt-anything. Their DJ booth is at the far back of the main floor, and the setup for the drip show was between me and the rest of the bar. So basically, I could not see another living soul for three hours, but I also could play whatever I wanted to without those little inconveniences of gauging crowd reactions or worrying about pleasing people. As a result, I had a lot of time to both play music that I seldom hear at gay bars and ponder the state of the DC’s gay social scene.

When I moved here, the alternaqueer scene (or what I could find of it) seemed dusty, subversive and underground. Just the way I liked it. I remember the early thrills of queer performance night Crack at its original home  — a divey music venue — and the surprise I felt when I wandered into the Black Cat’s brit pop night Mousetrap and found cute gay guys dancing along to Pulp and The Smiths with all the other indie anglophiles.

Sussing out these little beacons of denim among the polos and khakis of DC was an example of a destination rendered all the more exciting by a frustrating journey. But it also spoiled me. Even now I don’t think of an alternative night as being just a night that provides something different to a crowd that needs such options. For me, the ideal alternative queer night is one that is tailored directly to me. So its taken me a while to stop bitching if a party doesn’t have the exact music, feel or crowd that I was looking for and just appreciate the fact that someone took the time to do something they felt was different. Even if “different” just amounts to yet another hot night on the town.

But if everyone out there (myself definitely included) is trying to do something that’s “different,” when does different become the same old? I am not even going to pretend that I’m the first person to point out how much hipster, indie, twee or whatever culture is quickly becoming the American urban norm. We all watch 30 Rock, we all listen to NPR. We all debate the merits of an MGMT live show, discuss Cute Overload videos at dinner and execrably overuse the phrase “WTF.” And still we turn around and blast the movie “Juno” for having too much mustard yellow cuteness, or seem surprised that Michael Cera has built a career out of being pale and slightly baffled all the time.

We’re begging for a backlash. In fact, I’m starting to think that every cultural movement just exists as a reaction to the one before it. (Also not a new idea. Just new to me.) In the same way that grunge was born as an antidote to the synthey treacle of the late 80s, the leather movement was started to reclaim masculine power to the image of the effete fairy, the suit-and-tie A list exists in opposition to a seamy gay sex culture (because you don’t need an enema to prepare for an HRC dinner) and now the skinny jeans, big-ass baggy t-shirt, clunky glasses and stubble crowd have sprung forth from the more staid atmosphere that has taken hold in DC in the last couple years.

But what do you think the backlash to this will be?  When the different class rises up enough it will eventually create its own mainstream, and mainstreams by nature are stifling and exclusionary. So I wonder what the next movement from the underground will be, and how it will affect the current groundswell of indiequeer events and people. As amusing as it is for me to picture some republican political campaign using a 100 pound boy in a hightops and a cardigan as shorthand for “amoral fag,” I also wonder if it might ever be possible for us to not be following the leader all the time. Especially when I’m not really even sure who the leader is.

So last night I had fun taking myself out of the game altogether and just doing what some gay man, somewhere, has been doing since the dawn of the gay bar: I introduced myself to the drag queen, admired all the boys in the soaking wet jockstraps and tried to get myself to just stop dissecting it all for a night. I was able to play Royksopp while admiring shirtless boys, and I’ll freely admit that it felt good.

comrades, husbands?
J. Blake

I can’t argue with unintentionally homoerotic Soviet propaganda.

The TNG Flickr pool is open to anyone with a Flickr account. We’d love to see your work in there.

Questions? Suggestions? Send it to hans@thenewgay.net

We've always had a bottle of the stuff on our Thankgiving table, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone drink it.

Happy Thursday, DC-based TNG readers! Well, that time of the year is almost upon us. Next Thursday is Thanksgiving (Seriously? What? How?) and thus officially begins the Holiday Season (despite retailers claiming it began, oh, mid-August). My office is basically going to be abandoned except for me next week and I’ve got my train ticket for Wednesday evening (I’m sure that won’t be a crowded train at all), but before we all flee the District, let’s engage in some good ol’ fashioned non-holiday events while we still can! A handy list of some options is below.

As always, if you know of an event coming up that you think your fellow TNG readers might enjoy, send the details to events@thenewgay.net and/or leave them in the comments below and we’ll throw them up on the calendar ASAP. And don’t forget, you can always find out about all kinds of DC-related events and stories by following the TNGDC Twitter feed.

Tonight

• Pick up the phone and start your weekend with some activism in favor of workplace equality by attending an ENDA phonebank at the HRC. Details: HRC Headquarters, 1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W., 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Contact Monica (monica.keyes@hrc.org/202.216.1573) for more details.
• Head out to Virginia to catch Amanda Palmer at the State Theatre, complete with her full band and the Nervous Cabaret. Details: The State Theatre, 220 N Washington St, Falls Church, VA, Doors: 7:00 p.m.; Show: 8:30 p.m., Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online.
• Get ready for the most quintessential American feasting day with a French dance party, MAISON, which just happens to fall on the same day as the release of the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau. Details: Napoleon Bistro Lounge, 1847 Columbia Road, NW, 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m., 21+, No Cover.

Friday

• Prepare to listen and laugh as comedian Kate Clinton, the author of I Told You So, drops by Lambda Rising before her show at The Birchmere for a meet and greet. Details: Lambda Rising Bookstore, 1625 Connecticut Ave NW, 1:00 p.m., Free and open to the public.
• Pause to remember transgendered persons who have been victims of violence at the Day of Remembrance hosted by Transgender Health Empowerment, Inc. Details: Metropolitan Community Church, 474 Ridge Street NW, 6:30 p.m., Refreshments will be served., For further information please call (202) 636-1646.

Saturday

• Join DJs Matt & Shea for this month’s installment of MIXTAPE dance party at the Rock & Roll Hotel. Details: The Rock & Roll Hotel, 1353 H Street NE, 10:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m., 21+, $5.

Photo by: Michael Hicks

The Look: (n.) An exchange of eye contact between two women acknowledging homosexual tendencies or orientation. The Look can, but does not always, indicate sexual or romantic interest.

When I’m in a restaurant with a group of friends and I lean over and tell them that the server is gay they always respond with confusion, “She is? Do you know her? No? Then how do you know?”

The answer is simple my friends; she gave me The Look.

I have discussed this with other gay women before and have found that many know exactly what I’m taking about. This is how gay people identify themselves to other gay people. It’s a pretty awesome little secret eye-handshake, like we are a bunch of double agents. I will say that it is helpful if at least one party is sending a louder signal (short hair, HRC t-shirt, holding hands with an S.O.). In this case it is often a not “visually” gay person who is giving The Look (because they already know the receiver digs girls, she’s just letting her know that she plays for the same team.  I assume some people who have never experienced the look may think that it’s imagined, but I assure you, it’s not.

For example: You see a girl in a bar. You think she’s cute. There are no “obvious” signs that she likes girls. You pass each other on the way to the bathroom – you exchange The Look. A glance just a little too long to be in error. In this situation, if you are feeling like you look hot and might have a chance with her, buy her a drink. Its not the same as buying a random girl a drink and hoping she dates chicks – once The Look has been exchanged your chance of an accidental Straight-Girl-Hit-On is very slim.

The Look is real, people, and its one of the most important tools of the dating scene. Not everyone wants to meet a gal at Pride, or at a Gay bar – and your work-friend’s one lesbian friend is most likely not cute, so learning to spot and give the look could be the path to meeting your next GF in the grocery store, restaurant or party.

Leave your rainbow belt at home; just remember to bring The Look.

This edition of The Adventures of the Boi Wonder is brought to you in “talking moving-picture” format!  Remember how I previously wrote about needing to get my hair cut in “Can I Have a Free Haircut“?  Well, Saturday I got that free haircut, courtesy of my friend Julian.  Thanks to Zack for filming the event and special thanks to my friends Eli and Baker for letting us use their place to do it.  There will not be any song lyrics this time, but be fortunate that I did not decide to sing for the camera because my awkward talking is painful enough.

As for the aftermath of the haircut, I’m still getting used to having my head feel cold (it probably would have made more sense if buzzed all my hair off in the summer, but whatever).  I might have to invest in some warm hats…Good thing I look good in hats.  But I love how low maintenance it is, and can honestly say that I feel more comfortable and confident in how I look… At least from the shoulders up.  I am also pleased to announce that my mother did not freak out  at least not in front of me).

Volunteers will be calling HRC members in 23 priority congressional districts across the nation and will be able to see just what kind of difference a few phone calls can make.  During past events, in just 2 short hours of calling, volunteers wound up with over 100 people committing to take action in their communities to express their support for ENDA, be it letters to the editor, calls to their Representatives or just spreading the word about HRC’s new ENDA-centric online toolkit.

We could see an ENDA vote in the House before the end of the year so time is running out – don’t miss your chance to help end workplace discrimination!

Details:

Thursday, November 19
HRC Headquarters
1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Contact Monica (monica.keyes@hrc.org/202.216.1573) for more details.

Last week, Lady Gaga released her newest music video, “Bad Romance,” which instantly tore through (some) queer social circles, reinvigorating the ardent debates over whether Gaga is worthy of LGBT icon status. Meanwhile, though, it seems some in the geek world are willing to claim her after a little editing… My only complaint is the lack of Sega Genesis goodness in the video footage.