TWENTYNINE PALMS – In an effort to draw attention to the urgency of repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy against gays and lesbians serving openly, Richard Noble marched nearly 60 miles from Palm Springs reaching the Marine Air Ground Combat Center on Dec. 6.

The six day trek garnered front page coverage in newspapers here and across the county; however, it failed to win demonstrable support from LGBT communities in the Morongo Basin.

Fewer than five LGBT locals came forward to offer the 45-year-old gay activist a meal or place to lay his head. Fortunately a handful of straight allies stepped in to pick up the slack.

Unhampered by local apathy, Noble forged ahead to the main entrance to the base where he was joined by former Marine Corporal Evelyn Thomas who was discharged under DADT and now runs The Sanctuary Project which advocates for an end to the policy. Also joining Noble for the end of the march was 80-year-old Petty Officer 1st Class Mel Tips, Army/Navy retired and founder of American Veterans for Equal Rights.

The three laid a wreath as a gesture of reconciliation and reparation for the deep wounds suffered by enlisted personnel under the policy which forces LGBT service members to conceal their sexual orientation and family relationships or face discharge. They were joined by a half dozen LGBT veterans who gathered to support efforts of the triumvirate.

Earlier hopes that a representative from the base would be on hand to exchange a flag with the LGBT contingent never came to pass despite promising talks earlier in the week.

Lack of community support no doubt emboldened the decisions makers at Community Relations to shrug off plans for a symbolic exchange, opting instead to ignore the small group of assembled veterans.

I am at a crossroads with publication of Hi-Desert LGBT News and so want to put out the word that a new editor is needed.

My motivation for publishing this newsletter has been the goal of bringing together the LGBT people here, and our allies, for the purpose of creating a real community. Such a community would be able and willing to make a unified response to threats and attacks.

Surely all of us are aware that there has been no shortage of anti-LGBT threats and attacks in the Morongo Basin. A handful of others share my conviction that these not be allowed to go unanswered. Yet I find it difficult to respond to such threats and turn out this newsletter each month.

Ideally, someone will come forward to carry on and I will be free to devote more energy to equality issues in new ways such as creating a database of locals who could be a first line defense, capable of rapid mobilization in response to threats and attacks such as the “Hate Van” that participated in this year’s Pioneer Days Parade in 29 Palms.

Perhaps there is someone out there who would like to have a shot at putting out this publication. Certainly I would do whatever necessary to make for a smooth transition. If no one responds this could be the final issue.

If that comes to pass, then gratitude goes out to the advertisers and to those who have taken a stand for the greater good, notably Rev. Louis Gerhardt, Donald Krouse, Jim Babb, Krista Blevins, RJ Howard, Shari Elf, Fritz Koenig, Andy Woods, and all who have served on the Out & About Steering Committee, also Phyllis Lozano and Pepper Blakeley in Victor Valley.

– Mike Lipsitz Editor/ Publisher 760-449-4048

By Rev. Dr. Louis Gerhardt

2010 has been a very good year for me. I have enjoyed good health, a loving family, many friends, and worthwhile tasks that challenge me.

I am an ordained minister and I officiated at several weddings including two same sex ceremonies. I delivered a number of talks at Rotary, Kiwanis, and other service groups, and of course, I offered a total of more than 60 positive living seminars. I also did considerable family counseling, blessings of homes, adult and child baptisms, etc.

My point is that at the age of 85 I have a pretty good perspective on our society and its individual citizens.

So as we begin a new year I give you the words of a world-renowned historian Will Durant speaking from the pulpit of the Church I served in Los Angeles.

“I was once challenged to sum up civilization in a half hour. I did it in less than a minute. Civilization is a stream with banks. The stream is sometimes filled with blood from people killing, stealing, shooting and doing things that historians usually record. While on the banks, unnoticed, people are building homes and making love, raising children, singing songs, writing poetry and even whittling statues. And the story of civilization is the story of what happens on the banks. Too often historians are pessimists because they ignore the banks and write about the rivers.”

Rev. Dr. Louis Gerhardt is a minister, counselor and author. His weekly column, Tough Minded Optimism, appears in the Hi-Desert Star, Desert Trail & Observation Post. He counsels those of all religions or no religion.

Contact Rev. Lou at 760-367-4627 or 800-995-1620 or res19mxc@verizon.net.

MORONGO BASIN – Suffering a leadership vacuum, the Out & About men’s social group is effectively disbanded.

While the group has traditionally characterized itself as “loosely organized,” it has run successfully with a minimum of governance from a Steering Committee. The unraveling follows a year of high turnover in the Committee which led to three or four members carrying the burden of planning and arranging the last few events.

Most recently, these few found themselves burdened with putting on the annual Holiday Party. Although a very few volunteered to assist with the event, there was no shortage of members eager to criticize. Demoralized and holding only a few RSVPs for the dinner committee members requested a cancellation notice go out in this newsletter. Plans for the remaining treasury have yet to be determined.

By Donald Krouse

The mid term elections brought mixed results, but it certainly isn’t the result of Morongo Basin citizens sitting back and doing nothing. Some of us are startled at the willingness of so many to participate in the electoral process. I’ve always been told that Morongo Basin voters won’t do anything. That is now proven wrong. Thank you everyone who voted and volunteered either publicly or in your own way.

Granted we lost two elections that local Democrats had worked so hard to get elected. Pat Meagher and Carl Wood both lost and that is certainly a disappointment for the liberal community. In the near future we may have a different configuration for the Congressional and Assembly districts. There is hope we will elect a good representative in the future, especially if we are separated from the Redlands conservative voting block.

One of the most startling election results occurred in Iowa. It should give everyone reason to be concerned. The other side is working very hard to deny and even reverse policies that strengthen LGBT rights. The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) targeted the three judges on the Iowa Supreme Court who were on the ballot for voter confirmation. Unanimously, the Iowa Supreme Court had decided that same sex marriage was a constitutional right. NOM succeeded in getting all three justices removed from the court at the ballot box. What does that tell us about the consequences of action and inaction?

I invite all of you to join the newly re-chartered Morongo Basin Democratic Club. It is a diverse group interested in electing liberal candidates. If you are Republican then I encourage you to join the Log Cabin Club. In any event, keep your eyes open to the forces that are working successfully to take away our rights.

Donald Krouse is a retired financial planner living in Morongo Valley. Write to Don at CallToActionMB@aol.com.

VICTORVILLE – San Bernardino County’s oldest continuously run gay bar, Westside 15, closed its doors last month after a 30-year run.

Owners Ed and Jim, both generous and gracious supporters of the LGBT communities, say that recent declines in business left them no other choice but to close.

They say do what you Love, so here I am with my 2 cents worth.  I’ve always wanted to say what I really think, so YOU dear readers are the lucky firsts to reap my sometimes funny, and always unique musings, ramblings really.

Hello LADIES!  Hello…Hello….  Are you out there?  Anywhere?  Starbucks?  The Library?  The Mojave Preserve?  Chish!  Now that I have your attention, I thought I’d throw out a few ideas in an effort to establish some COMMUNITY!  Remember? A PLACE we all used to go, such as a local women’s bookstore?  Current information was posted on a bulletin board and we could sip coffee, read the latest lesbian mystery novel, or our own local newsletter telling us what the haps were for the month?

The idea was tossed around a few months ago then literally disappeared.  Someone thought there might be some interest in forming a group just for the ladies, for the sheer enjoyment of getting together and doing what we all do so well, talk, bake, make plans, build dreams and CAVORT.  There, I said it!

I’d like to give it another try, something along the lines of a monthly mixer, get together,

Howdy Doody, or old fashioned Coffee Clutch.  Is anyone else interested in forming a group of local lesbians to take on the challenges of living in a rural area?

Why don’t YOU send YOUR ideas for our local desert denizens and see if we can reinvent the wheel for a ladies meet and greet?

I’d really like to hear your thoughts, especially since we may not have this newsletter to keep us up to date.

Contact me, Lez N. Dez , at rt.renishe@yahoo.com.

Pioneer Days Grand Marshal Jeff Hafler (left), his husband Mikal Winn, and their son Cash will be front and center in the parade which steps off at 10 a.m. from Bucklin Park going to City Hall via Highway 62 & Adobe Road.

TWENTYNINE PALMS – Basin gays were surprised and elated last month when Z107.7 revealed local entrepreneur Jeff Hafler would be one of two grand marshals in the Pioneer Days Parade Oct. 16. Hafler, who is openly gay, will share the spotlight with retired Marine Colonel M.J. ‘Mac’ Dube.

Sponsored by the 29 Palms Chamber of Commerce this year’s theme is Pioneers of the Future. Hafler, who is active in the Chamber, owns and operates the Beauty Bubble Salon & Museum and, with lawful husband Mikal Winn, operates their Moon Way Lodge B&B.

The Chamber selected Hafler as a Grand Marshal representing Pioneers of the Future. As such, he is to be among the parade leads with family riding beside him. It’s a giant leap forward for LGBT visibility in 29 Palms and an opportunity for local LGBTs and allies to support them by coming out to wave them on along the parade route. Supporters may also commend the Chamber for honoring Hafler by emailing 29chamber@29chamber.org.

Hafler and Winn moved from L.A. to Wonder Valley in 2002. Several of their extended family members, including Jeff’s brother Jamie, also relocated there. Billed as The Hafler Duo, Jeff and Jamie regularly entertain guests at The 29 Palms Inn with their folksy lyrics and acoustic guitars.

“There’s been a lot of magic in my life here in the desert,” said Jeff, who was unaware he was being considered for the honor. “This has made me look around and try to put things in perspective. It’s been humbling.”

Handsome, popular, talented and successful, the 38-year-old gay father and husband would seem a natural choice to be passed over for the honor considering the area’s conservative demographics. However, sexual orientation and family composition were not considered in the selection process. To its credit, the Chamber followed the same criteria they would for anyone in making the selection.

The result is that locals who line the parade route will have the good fortune to witness an honest representation of a proud local family who loves and supports the community. Folks here are lucky to have a Chamber that embraces such pioneering spirit.

Now, if we can just elect Jay Corbin to the 29 Palms City Council!

We heard from two subscribers on the same topic of this month. One stated his feelings clearly and in all caps:

I RESENT & FIND OFFENSIVE

THE FOLLOWING WORDS: QUEERS, HOMOS, NIGGERS, FAGS.

That same week I ran across an article by Jerry S. Maneker, a favorite blogger, entitled, Confronting Internalized Homophobia, where he writes “I feel very strongly that many LGBT people are seriously sabotaging the cause for full and equal civil rights by referring to themselves by the use of historically and current hateful epithets, using such terms as ‘Queer,’ ‘Dyke,’ ‘Fag,’ and other such demeaning and hateful words that have been historically used by their oppressors, and are still being used by their oppressors. [Such words are] doing tremendous harm to the struggle for, and the cause of acquiring, full and equal civil rights.”

Maneker goes on to write that when “gay people use self-denigrating and historically offensive epithets as self-identifiers … they are unwitting victims of a variation of the Stockholm Syndrome where, in this case, one helps provide the very ammunition that one’s abuser can and does use to maintain oppression.”

“There is a point when one has to own his/her dignity, demand the respect due, … demand full and equal civil and sacramental rights…. Those goals will not be realized as long as the group accepts its inferior status, and revels in it by referring to its members by the same terms used by the most virulent homophobes.”

That was enough for this editor. My belief that using such terms takes the power from them has been called into question. Hi Desert LGBT News will no long use the terms Queer, Homo, Lezzy, etc. to refer to LGBT people. I regret and apologize to those who found use of such terms offensive. Let us know how you feel about this topic.

- Mike Lipsitz, Editor & Publisher

Victor Valley is in danger of losing both gay clubs! The economy has been tough for business, but it’s tougher when customers travel out of the area for entertainment.

Our community has come very close to losing Westside 15, the County’s oldest gay bar. Ricky’s may go straight due to weak business. If these things come to pass, we’ll have to travel for entertainment. Let’s keep our money here where we live and support these establishments which generously support our community.

Victorville is blessed to have two very different venues where we can be ourselves. I know for a fact the owners of both will do whatever it takes to keep patrons happy even in good times. But now they must do it in order to survive. Jim & Ed at Westside 15 and Mike & Ricky at Ricky’s are eager to hear what you want. Offer them your suggestions.

That’s my opinion; if you have one, let me hear from you so that I can share it with the community.

Pepper Blakeley
Victor Valley Bureau

GOTV Social & Precinct by Precinct Updates

Sunday, Oct. 23rd, 1 – 4PM

Everyone Welcome

Broadview Estate
73452 Sunnyslope Dr.,
29 Palms

Optional Items to Bring:

Potluck Dish, Swimsuit & Towel

More Info. at 760-449-4048

Quest, a group for artists, writers, and performers, now welcomes anyone with an interest in exploring those disciplines. Meetings are free and held 1st Tues. of the month at Dezart Studio in Palm Springs.

The format is unchanged; those wishing to present their work and receive feedback will sign up on arrival.

More Info at 760-325-1647 or email LBALAN@dc.rr.com.

VOTE FOR:

U.S. SENATOR:

• BARBARA BOXER

U.S. CONGRESSMAN – Vote for the one appearing on your ballot:

• PAT MEAGHER
• STEVE POUGNET
• BILL HEDRICK

GOVERNOR:

• JERRY BROWN

LT. GOVERNOR:

• GAVIN NEWSOM

SEC. OF STATE:

• DEBRA BOWEN

ATTY. GENERAL:

• KAMALA HARRIS

CONTROLLER:

• JOHN CHIANG

TREASURER:

• BILL LOCKYER

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER:

• DAVE JONES

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION:

• TOM TORLAKSON

STATE ASSEMBLY – Vote for the one appearing on your ballot:

• CARL WOOD
• DARCEL WOODS
• RENEA WICKMAN

Prop 19: YES – Tax & Control Cannabis

Prop 20: NO – Redistricting

Prop 21: YES – Save State Parks

Prop 22: NO – Local Government Funds

Prop 23: NO – Dirty Energy

Prop 24: YES – Close Corp Tax Loopholes

Prop 25: YES – Majority Vote Budget

Prop 26: NO – Polluter Protection

Prop 27: YES – Redistricting Commission

Determinations based on recommendations of Equality California & Courage Campaign

NOTICE:

Newsletter staff will be devoting all resources to pro-Equality candidates and campaigns until Nov. 2nd. Next issue will publish beginning of December.

YUCCA  VALLEY—When activist and photojournalist Fritz Koenig and his partner Tom bought almost 9 acres in the bucolic hills above Yucca Valley they hoped to develop a place where imaginative people could create the future.

They imagined Yucca Valley as a place where they could peacefully coexist alongside sophisticated neighbors who would share their live and let live approach to community.

After seven years, Koenig describes a persistent hidden vein of hostility coursing through Yucca Valley that parallels Anita Byrant’s Florida in which baseless charges of pedophilia, predatory voyeurism and public indecency play out in courts of law and public opinion.

Anyone spending time in and around Yucca Valley will pretty quickly sense that right wing attitudes dominate.  Fritz and Tom noticed it, but they had no reason to suspect things would soon after come crashing down.

Koenig took an interest in local politics and became a familiar presence at town council, planning commission and other local meetings. When there was a discussion or action of local importance, the camera-toting Koenig was there to document it. He regularly spoke on issues of interest and was not shy about referring to his “same-sex spouse” and their 30 years together.

His voice extended beyond town meeting rooms and into local living rooms via public cable television rebroadcasts. Then in the days  before and after the 2008 election, the self-described photo-activist spearheaded several local public protests against Prop 8. His visibility increased exponentially.

Dozens of locals attended rallies at the corner of highways 247 and 62, the Mormon church, and St. Mary’s Catholic church.  The actions became lead stories  in the Hi-Desert Star and  Z107.7 News.

Around this time, things began to unravel. Perhaps by chance, perhaps not, an early legal attack against Fritz and his spouse came in the form of a subpoena that was served on the street in front of St. Mary’s Catholic church as Fritz participated in a protest he had organized.

It was the opening shot in a two-year fight that would fill volumes and overwhelm the efforts of several reporters, including the editor of this newsletter, to carve away digestible slices for readers.

Last month, however, Desert Local News reporter Leslie Andrews, broke the story in a three-part series that set out to untangle the mess of allegations and exaggerations. It partially succeeds, though many elements seem to defy explanation.

What is most unfortunate is that for some, the image of Yucca Valley will forever remain that of a xenophobic backwater blip on the map where ignorance is rampant and those in charge aim to keep it that way.

You can read Leslie Andrew’s series for yourself in the September Issues of Desert Local News online, or follow these links:
Part 1,  Part 2,  Part 3

Some call The Imperial Court System (ICS) a ‘camp Court”, not REAL. When there’s controversy, a voice whispers “it isn’t REAL!” It’s a point of view. I’ve met heads of state with royal titles; most are figureheads. Their lineage endows them with certain powers and respect because people want pomp and circumstance.

I’ve stayed with the ICS from my original title of Queen of the Desert to Imperial Crown Princess (under the Imperial Long Beach Court) because I’ve seen REAL. The ICS has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity. That’s REAL.

It has changed the lives of many lonely and closeted young people. A few years ago Tsar Drue and I went to a club after a Portland Coronation. There was a mile long queue of kids, but when the doormen saw our glittering court finery, we were swept in and surrounded by young admirers. It made us aware we must be regal, friendly and always in character. To those kids, we were REAL!

ICS protocol is real. Drag has gone main stream due to personas like RuPaul and others. A lot of kids are making up and going out to raves and clubs. We must embrace their self-expression. That’s REAL.

Without focus on community potential, many Courts are shrinking. Others, like The Imperial Court of New York, are run like businesses and flourish. They attract talented celebrities rather than just put any member put on a gown for laughs. People donate to see such events—That is REAL.

We proved this at the Czarina’s Palm Springs Diversity Ball in August. There were glitches, but we showed that the up and coming could work with older stars, lesbians, transgenders, straights and impersonators to benefit the underfunded Harvey Milk Foundation. That is REAL!

Queen Elizabeth has ailments and bad days like anyone, yet she is always kind, regal and royal! She has no more government power than Nicole Murray Ramirez, ICS Queen Mother of the America’s. But her presentation is constant and has little to do with the private person. That is REAL.

So as “camp” as the titles may be—we owe it to those who respect us and do good works under our banner to be as real as any Monarch ever was. That influence all those we touch is REAL!

Because October is Harvey Milk Month the Emerald Kingdom is sending a DVD of the Inaugural Czarina’s Diversity Ball with any donation of $20 or more to the Harvey Milk Foundation. Donate online at www.emeraldkingdom.org.

Gadabout Tour’s Nov 6, 2010 Universal Studios Day Trip

• Depart. Palm Springs 8am, return 6pm
• $99 includes: Transportation, Park Fee & Lunch

Sign up or request more information at:

800-952-5068 or 760-325-5556 or call David Tofanelli at 760-365-3350.  He’s put this trip together and can tell you everything you need to know.

Mention Out & About with reservation.

Each month CALL TO ACTION asks you to take a specific action in support of an LGBT cause or supportive candidate. But this month I am stepping out of my routine. I’m committing to do something I’ve not done before.

Are you wondering why I’m not again focusing on the elections considering they’re just a few weeks away? It’s because I figure that those who haven’t yet gotten the message that we have a say in our own equality will never get the message and I don’t want to turn them off by beating a dead horse. Instead I’d like to turn attention to something more carefree.

Out & About successfully brings gay men together in a food and beverage social gathering. The purpose is to just be with friends as reason enough to be involved.

When times are tough isn’t it great to know you have friends? So those who have never been to an Out & About may want to join the next event.

That leads me to wonder why there isn’t a women’s Out & About? Maybe someone will start a sister organization.

There are other readers with passions for the arts, the theatre, conservation, charity, women’s groups, or church. This month I intend to go to one of the locally produced theatrical productions. I’ve never been to one of the Hi Desert productions and this will be my way of showing appreciation for those who bring this form of culture to our community.

By expanding one’s connection with a wider range of people we can’t help but make ourselves seem just a bit more human and less scary.

Donald Krouse is a retired financial planner living in Morongo Valley. Write to Don at CallToActionMB@aol.com

The other day I shared my definition of love with the members of my weekly seminar. I said that love is the sincere desire to do what you genuinely believe is in the best interest of the object of your love. It’s as simple and challenging as that.

Love is the most powerful force ever experienced by mankind. In ways far beyond our present understanding love accomplishes miracle after miracle and continues to give us hope even when all seems lost.

As we begin a new school year in the Hi Desert, I want to share with you an illustration that should warm the hearts of educators, parents, and, in fact, all of us. In the mid-1960’s a professor at Johns Hopkins University gave a group of graduate students the following assignment:

“Go to [name withheld] slum area. Identify 200 boys who live there and are between the ages of 12 and 16, get a profile on their family situations and backgrounds. Then predict what is likely for their respective futures.”

The graduate students found the boys and did the interviews, gathered additional data, and examined the social statistics for the area. They concluded that 90 percent of the boys would spend time in jail or prison.

Twenty-five years later another group of graduate students was given the assignment of testing that prediction. Some of the boys—now men—still lived in the area, a few had died, and a few others couldn’t be located. Amazingly, they made contact with 180 of the 200.

Only four of them had ever been incarcerated. Since the area was now even more a breeding place for crime, the researchers were intrigued. Those who ventured to explain kept saying, “Well, there was this teacher…” Checking further, they discovered that three fourths of the 180 had been taught by the same woman.

They located her in a retirement facility and asked her how she had exerted such an influence on these boys, that is, could she explain why she loomed so large in their past and their memories?

“No,” she said, “I really have no idea.” She was quiet for several moments. Then she said musingly—more to herself than to her interviewers: “I did so love those boys…”

Rev. Dr. Louis Gerhardt is a minister, counselor and author. His weekly column, Tough Minded Optimism, appears in the Hi-Desert Star, Desert Trail & Observation Post. He counsels those of all religions or no religion.

Contact Rev. Lou at 760-367-4627 or 800-995-1620 or res19mxc@verizon.net

Oct. 10 Ricky’s Bartender Paul Peterson, aka Dior, exchanges vows with Caleb Noble at 10:10 pm. That’s right, they tie the knot on 10/10/10 at 10:10 in the evening. Following a ceremony for close friends and family, there’s a private reception at Ricky’s.

We wish Caleb & Paul an eternity of happiness.

Oct. 10 HDE General Meeting at One of Life’s Perks, 18375 US Hwy 18, Apple Valley.

Pat Meagher, candidate for US Congress, will briefly speak. Meagher has a message on Equality. He opposes 17-term incumbent Jerry Lewis who is no friend of the LGBT community. Attendees will also hear a short statement from Assembly Candidate Darcel Woods, who opposes anti-LGBT Tim Donnelly to represent Victor Valley.

Equality California endorses Pat Meagher & Darcel Woods.

Marijuana Legalization is also up for vote this election, but you can only vote if you’re registered. If you’ve moved or aren’t registered, do it at this meeting. Voter files aren’t used to select for jury duty; driver’s licenses are!

Oct. 23 HDE joins the Happy Trails Chili Cook-off with Pepper’s Award Winning Chili from 10am to 4pm at Lenny Brewster Sports Center. Come out and support our first time presence at this High Desert tradition.

Wear your HDE or other ‘pride’ T-shirt in solidarity, or help HDE distribute information about us and our community to the expected 3,000 attendees. Look for our banner and rainbow flag waving high above the Cook-off, car show, bounce house, horseshoe tournament and more.

Send your Victor Valley news to:
PEPPER BLAKELEY
HIGH DESERT EQUALITY
onetrupep@hotmail.com