Before going into this issue’s Call to Action, I want to draw your attention to the individuals and businesses that Joshua Tree Gay Pride was so successful; it really does take a village!

Getting down to business, in case you’ve not heard, two pro-Equality candidates have gone out of their way to reach out to our community. Now they need our help if they are to have a real shot at winning in November. I’m referring to Pat Meagher (D), 41st Congressional District, and Carl Wood (D), 65th State Assembly District.

Call to Action this month, asks that you take just a few minutes to aid these men; here’s how.  Pledge to write a letter to the editor in support of either or both candidates. Decide which paper to write and the date you will do it and let me know in an email.

Not a letter writer? No problem. Give me the topic and the paper you’d like to see it in. That’s all! I’ll write it under your name, and after your approval, I’ll send it for you!

Because I’ve received minimal reader feedback since beginning Call to Action, this challenge may give me a sense of how many subscribers take it seriously. Nothing would make me happier than to be swamped with your emails.

If this assignment is more than you’re willing to take on, please consider allowing use of your name. I’ll send an advanced copy for your approval. If there’s any way to make it even easier for you to participate, let me know.

When people see lots of letters in support of a candidate they often follow the crowd. Bumper stickers are also a great way to build name recognition. And they don’t have to go on the bumper, consider the rear window? Email me if you want one.

- Donald is a retired financial planner living in Morongo Valley. Write him at CallToActionMB@aol.com.

Excerpt from Carl Wood’s message Carl Wood’s message at at Joshua Tree Gay Pride Joshua Tree Gay Pride

As with many people in our society, a recognition of the role played by discrimination against LGBT people was not a eureka moment for me, but was rather the result of a deepening and maturing of my personal understanding of the issue.

I was fortunate to be born into a family of social activists, fighters for peace and racial equality. But connecting a general humanism with the specific challenges of sexual identity and orientation has led me to see the struggle for equality as an integral part of the broader fight for social justice.

There‘s a common belief that areas such as the Inland Empire are so filled with intolerant people that espousal of LGBT equality will doom a political candidate. I heard the same things about racial equality when I was growing up in segregated Maryland in the 1950’s. I know it isn’t true.

But things don’t change unless we make them change. As Frederick Douglass said, “Power yields nothing without a demand.” I pledge to be part of that demand, to move us closer to becoming a society of true justice and equality for all.

Carl Wood aims for Carl Wood aims for 65th District Assembly Seat 65th District Assembly Seat November 2

www.wood4assembly.org

Westside 15 just celebrated its 26th anniversary! Congrats Jim & Ed.

High Desert Equality set up an information table staffed by Toney Henry and Pepper and Cookie Blakeley at Joshua Tree Gay Pride. The event was a huge success. HDE thanks organizers for the invitation. Everyone was so nice and helpful, and it was very well organized. We look forward to next year’s event.

In June HDE along with Ricky’s and Sprint Cell Comm fed over 100 families in the Victorville area. The food giveaway continues the 2nd and last Saturdays of July, August and September. This is made possible with help from the High Desert Domestic Violence Program and the CAP Program. Westside 15 is also generously involved in distributing some of this food in the high desert.

HDE hosted a Summer Luau at Westside 15 on July 10. The club’s very own Ziggy was crowned King and Rocky was made Queen. The royal couple took home some highly coveted products from Slumber Parties by Amber. Rocky also won the Limbo Contest all three times! The stick was almost on the floor!

HDE hosts the 2nd annual camp-out picnic at Mojave Narrows on July 17. There will be a Chili Cook Off, winner gets a trophy and moves on to the Apple Valley Rotary Chili Cook Off in October. More info on Facebook or click on the HDE link.

On July 9th Pepper Blakeley as “True Bitch” and Rebecca Wynn as “Conway Titty,” both of HDE, performed at The Lark in San Bernardino with The Inland Emperors drag king troupe. Delorian Chase, Miss Gay Calif. 2008 hosted the evening, check it out on You Tube. Don’t miss The Inland Emperors next appearance: Ricky’s July 31st. Catch Delorian every Sunday night at Ricky’s in Victorville.

At Sprint Cell Comm, new activations that mention HDE get $5 donated to the organization.

Local hero Jose Gomez completed the nearly 600 mile AIDS Lifecycle ride in early June. Thanks for this community’s generous outpouring of support toward the effort. Jose has already registered for the 2011 ride. It will be his third year!

- PEPPER BLAKELEY, HIGH DESERT EQUALITY

I observed the Fourth of July 1984 holiday by visiting the birthplace and burial site of Carl Sandburg in Galesburg, Illinois. It was a moving and spiritually enriching experience.

Carl Sandburg was both a powerful voice for all the people of the U.S. and a genuine “Citizen of the World.” I have always admired him and I have read every word he ever wrote for publication.

While visiting Sandburg’s boyhood home I viewed a video of his life in which he was interviewed by a Chicago reporter. He was asked “What is the worst word in the English language?”

He answered without hesitation, “Exclusive.”

Sandburg deplored any separation of people because of sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, ethnic background or economic condition. And so do I!

It was Sandburg who wrote:

There is only one man in the world

and his name is All Men.

There is only one woman in the world

and her name is All Women.

There is only one child in the world

and the child’s name is All Children.

There is only one Maker in the world

and His children cover the earth

and they are named All God’s Children.

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, 800-995-1620 or res19mxc@verizon.net.

Hi-Desert LGBT News endorsed the pro-equality candidates listed here.

The winners, highlighted in red, go on to the general election Nov. 2nd.

You can support any of these candidates through financial contributions, volunteering time, and by giving them your vote in November.

• Governor Jerry Brown
• Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom
• Secretary of State Debra Bowen
• State Controller John Chiang
• Treasurer Bill Lockyer
• Attorney General Kamala Harris
• Insurance Commissioner Hector De La Torre
• State Sup. of Instruction Tom Torlakson
• U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
• U.S. Congress District 45 Steve Pougnet
• U.S. Congress District 41 Pat Meagher
• State Senate District 37 Justin Blake
• State Senate District 18 Carter Pope
• Assembly District 36 Shawntrice Watkins
• Assembly District 34 Esmeralda Castro
• Assembly District 59 Darcel Woods
• Assembly District 65 Carl Wood
• Proposition 16 Victory
• Proposition 17 Victory

JOSHUA TREE — With a great deal of media fanfare, openly gay Raymond Gregory was recently named Chief of Police for Indio, La Quinta and Coachella in Riverside County.

We interviewed Capt. Gregory in July 2008 when he was in Joshua Tree to officiate at the wedding of Craig Zimmerman to John Rupe. Theirs was among the first same-sex weddings in the Basin.

The story first appeared in the July 2008 Out & About newsletter (which became Hi-Desert LGBT News a year later). The original report was from the period after the ruling that granted gay families the freedom to marry and before that freedom was stripped away following the war on gay families waged by the Catholic and Mormon churches.

During the 2008 interview, Capt. Gregory made clear that his appointment as acting chief of police was thought to be temporary.

Shortly after the original interview, Capt. Gregory married his own partner. They have since adopted two children.

The Zimmerman-Rupes, ultimately relocated to Washington State where their union is not recognized even though their marriage was among those performed before Prop 8 barred such unions.

Mega record producer and artist, Damion “Damizza” Young will film rock artist Michael Allan, at the Czarina’s Ball August 7 at the Palm Springs Riviera .

Damizza will film the out, equality artist, performing his new hit, “Let’s Dance!” Damizza and Allan welcome all Diva’s, RuPaul contestants, lesbian rockers and drag artists to attend the Ball and join the onstage dance action during the filming.

Damizza has produced stars like Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Korn, Dr. Dre and Mariah Carey, including Carey’s hit single “Cry Baby.” Diversity is the music video’s theme. This is a great opportunity to show your support!

Tickets to the Czarina’s Ball will be at the door before the Red Carpet & media entrance, or online at www.emeraldkingdom.com.

MORONGO BASIN—Hi-Desert LGBT News seeks writers and columnists to contribute to the newsletter.

If you have something to say (or write), then join the newsletter team. If you feel the newsletter doesn’t express your point of view, come join the team. Perhaps we’re not covering LGBT news of interest to you? If that’s the case, then let us know, or submit a report.

Our mission is to provide queer news of interest to you. Your feedback tells us how we’re doing, where we can improve, and helps to identify topics that matter to you.

Email us at HiDesertLGBTnews@aol.com or call Mike at 760-449-4048. No idea is too queer for us to report!

The Silk Purse is back in 29 Palms. Sue Kelly has reopened her popular antiques and collectibles shop in downtown 29 Palms (next to Bistro 29).

A bright, open space, along with antiques, the shop features the work of local artists, jewelry by Sarah Waite, pioneer costumes by Theatre 29 costumer Kathryn Ferguson, and yes , air conditioning. Open Tues.-Sun. 10-5.

Visit The Silk Purse at 73519 Hwy. 62 across from Rio Ranch Market. 760-367-2999. The Silk Purse is suited for small gatherings like poetry readings or perhaps a tea.

From fine to fabulous, find it all at 29’s new shop … The Silk Purse.

7 pm Saturday, July 17, 2010

An Evening of Fun with Friends, Music, Microbrew Beer, Regional California Wine Tasting, Cheese & Dessert!

Historic Kendall Place at Plymouth Village

120 East Palm Ave, Redlands, CA

Tickets: $35 Individuals • $60 Couples • $20 Students

Call 909-528-6308 for more information

Click here for flyer

CARLWOOD, the Democratic Assembly challenger, is proud to have the endorsement of The Hi-Desert LGBTNews. Wood is a lifelong civil rights activist who is 100% committed to LGBT equality.

Click here for Carl Wood flyer

JOSHUA TREE, CA — Top entertainers and notable speakers are expected to draw crowds for the family-friendly JOSHUA TREE GAY PRIDE Saturday, June 26 at the Art Queen next to Joshua Tree Saloon. The theme is In The Name of Equality.

Live music will abound. Headlining is Rabbit & Rutherford of Gram Rabbit, the popular indie space-rock players born out of the Mojave. US House of Representatives candidate Pat Meagher, and State Assembly candidate Carl Wood will both be at JOSHUA TREE GAY PRIDE in the Name of Equality.

Saturday’s program begins with the summer JOSHUA TREE GALLERY CRAWL. The following galleries will remain open until 8 pm: The Red Arrow Gallery, True World Gallery, JTAG, Windwalkers, Woods in the Desert Art Gallery & Mt. Fuji General Store.

The ‘equality’ theme will be played out along the way with works relating to the freedoms denied lesbian,gay, bisexual & transgender people.

About 6 pm activities move a few blocks east to the Art Queen, 61855 Hwy. 62, in Joshua Tree. Refreshments, crafts vendors, area social and non-profits will be at the outdoor venue. Plus lots more live music including Quinn & Hood, Shari Elf & The Kittens, My Bear Hands, and Santina Giordano. DJ Darin Rich spins his brand of sophisticated house, samba and space disco between live sets.

JOSHUA TREE GAY PRIDE is organized by Courage Campaign’s Team Morongo Basin, a non-profit, grass roots,advocacy organization.

The event is funded by individual pledges plus A Design Marketing, Desert Daily Guide, Hi-Desert LGBT News, Crossroads Café , No Limits, Strata Tattoo Lab, Hi-Desert Acupuncture Center, Windwalkers and Zono Art, but more individual pledges remain critical to the success of the the effort.

If you can’t give money, please volunteer some time. Go to JoshuaTreeGayPride.com or call Hi-Desert LGBT News at 760-449-4048.

Last year’s JOSHUA TREE GAY PRIDE was a first for the Morongo Basin. Hundreds of local lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people, along with our families and many allied friends from every corner of the Basin gathered in Joshua Tree to enjoy art, music, dancing and networking. It was a day to celebrate who we are.

Joshua Tree was totally gay!

Last year’s Pride also saw the launch of this publication. I was already editor of a newsletter for Out & About, the local men’s social group, and wanted to morph that into a new publication with expanded coverage to include queer news of interest to women. The only barrier being the lack of a way to reach local lesbians. The solution involved a challenge and a promise.

The day of Pride, I set up a little table with a big poster challenging 50 lesbians to sign up for a free subscription and promising to launch the first issue of Hi-Desert LGBT News once they did. The goal was met in a few hours, and in a few weeks the first issue hit newsstands!

In the last year the number of local women subscribers nearly doubled, much more if you count those from Victor Valley. Some of the women who signed up then are now communicating. These are singles and couples who only 12 months ago felt isolated.

That development has been thrilling, but it needs to go to the next step. At least once a month, a local lesbian asks if I know another who might make for a good match. Of course I always draw a blank while my mind ponders the absurdity of this gay man playing matchmaker to local lesbians.

The benefits of forming a local lesbian group are obvious. All that is needed is one or two women to step forward and make it happen … pick a time and place and see who shows up. This newsletter offers an effective way to get the word out. I encourage local women to take advantage of it and build a network. Whether this network is social, political or spiritual is not so important. Reaching out and discovering who each other is seems like a reasonable first goal.

Women, here’s the Pride challenge: One of you name a time and place to meet. Get a clip board and pad of paper; then at Pride, sign up women to attend this ’organizing’ meeting. Later, send a reminder to the names on your pad!

Joining a Facebook group does not count as being active in your community. Won’t one of you accept this challenge? It’s called community service and your community needs it. It offers the potential to change lives for the better!

Have a happy, safe Pride.

Mike Lipsitz, Editor
Comment to: HiDesertLGBTnews@aol.com

MORONGO VALLEY—Matinees for Gays invites you to Groves Cabin Theatre’s production of, “In the Rest Room at Rosenblooms” Sunday, June 13 at 2:30pm.

Don’t miss this contemporary comedy about three old ladies who spark their lonely lives by meeting daily in the ladies lounge of a department store, and the crazy, touching events that occur the day one of them is supposedly threatened. The story may rightfully prove that the only bush a lady can trust is her own.

The cast of multiple Desert Theatre League award winners includes: Katherine Ferguson, Vicki Montgomery, Joy Groves and Sue Kelly, under the direction of Steve Fuji, with an assist from Charles Harvey.

Groves Cabin Theatre is at 8768 Desert Willow Trail in Morongo Valley (look for the red, white & blue boulder, north side of the highway).

Tickets are $10 which will be collected at the door, but reservations must be made in advance. Lesbians, gay guys, friends & allies, act now to avoid missing out on the most fun you can have for $10. Contact Jim Babb at jimbabb@pobox.com or 760-272-4361 to reserve your seats now.

Reservations deadline is June 6.

VICTORVILLE—The Shims (drag queens) versus Ladies of the Desert (kings) was a game to remember! Everyone was ready to play; each team ready to best the other. Five innings later, the Shims proved to be the better men. Wigs flying, stockings dropping and boobs bouncing didn’t prevent the Shims from winning 33 to 3.

It was a great time for the spectators,and players, although we’d hoped to draw more people than came. High Desert Equality had a lot of fun putting it together, but we couldn’t have done it without generous contributions from Westside 15, Ricky’s Bar, the High Desert Domestic Violence Program. They get major thank you’s and so do all the players!

- Pepper Blakeley

EDITOR’S COMMENT — Increased competition for funds has put pressure on community groups to develop creative ways to generate income. HDE’s May 8 ‘Dragball’ match is the most creative fundraising idea we’ve heard of!

The brainchild of Pepper Blakely, the match pitted local guys in gowns against lesbians in tough guy drag. The goal was to sell refreshments and other items to spectators. Pepper deserves a lot of credit for seeing her great idea through.

VICTORVILLE—Ask Jose Gomez what it’s like to pedal nearly 600 miles in barely a week and the beaming 36-year-old will tell you it’s both humbling and exhilarating.

“The whole experience is life changing,” said Gomez, who begins his journey in San Francisco on June 6.

“It’s a lot of work. There’s so much effort that goes into it, real pain; but on the ride, you look around and everyone is smiling.”

This will be Jose’s second time on the AIDS/LifeCycle ride which last year raised more than $10 million to benefit the S.F. AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

Every LGBT organization in Victor Valley has gotten behind the effort with major assistance from the Westside 15 and Ricky’s as well. Gomez admits he’s been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community.

Make a pledge for Jose at www.aidslifecycle.org.

June is LGBT Pride Month June is LGBT Pride Month; what could be a more appropriate Call to Action Call to Action than to ask that you vote Democratic in the June 8 Primary? We must participate even if our candidates run unopposed, as is the case with Pat Meagher and Carl Wood. Both are Democrats, unopposed in the primary, but running against two anti-equality incumbents in November. I strongly endorse both .

Pat Meagher wants Jerry Lewis’41st District Congressional seat. Carl Wood wants Paul Cook’s 65th District Assembly seat.  Both Lewis and Cook scored 0 out of 100 based on support of LGBT equality; while Meagher and Wood have publicly affirmed their patriotic allegiance to equality. Both Carl Wood and Pat Meagher will join us at JOSHUA TREE GAY PRIDE June 26.

Voters in the Victor Valley area Voters in the Victor Valley area have a similar opportunity to unseat two anti-gay incumbents in November. They are Steve Knight, Assembly District 36, and Anthony Adams, Assembly District 59. Knight and Adams also scored 0 out of 100 based on support of LGBT equality. The June 8 Primary determines who will challenge them. We endorse Shawntrice Watkins in the 36th District, and Darcel Woods in the 59th District.

The LGBT communities here have candidates willing to squarely align with our issues, shouldn’t we be willing to do something, anything, to get them elected? At the very least vote for them! Better yet, visit their web sites to see how you can help; or email me, I’ll let you know.

And by the way, if you don’t think Barbara Boxer is one of our biggest advocates and friends one of our biggest advocates and friends, you need to explain that to me.

The June primary is being bitterly fought in the Republican arena, but tell me what local Republican will do anything in support of equality. If you are Republican, and LGBT, I can’t understand why you vote against your interests. Where is your pride? Republicans fancy themselves ‘strong on foreign defense,’ yet remain distracted by their war on gays and lesbians wishing to serve in the military.

So what if you want to see less business regulation if it translates to open season on homosexuals in the workplace. As you read this, the GOP is trying to block the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. If you believe Republicans tend to be tougher on crime, consider their opposition to adding sexual orientation to hate crimes legislation. Wake up! They’re not tough on crimes against you.

And what good are GOP tax breaks when your family will likely be denied them? Without a marriage certificate, check out what happens when one partner dies. The government swoops in and takes a big cut of the survivor’s inheritance. And forget about social security survivor’s benefits.

If it’s the Republican promise of less Government that you like, how does that reconcile with their commitment to stand between you and your partner, or their efforts to strip a woman’s ’right to choose?’ That is not less Government.

Regardless of what you may like on a Republican platform, don’t expect access to any benefits. Instead you can count on being made scapegoat for any failures.

June’s Call to Action asks Republican LGBTs to look at June’s Call to Action asks Republican LGBTs to look at the GOP platform and see if there’s any room for you. the GOP platform and see if there’s any room for you. There isn’t, they don’t want you. It’s time to change your party affiliation; otherwise, we ask you to stay home June 8th.

And for LGBT Democrats, June’s Call to Action asks And for LGBT Democrats, June’s Call to Action asks you to vote our endorsements on June 8th. Follow our Equality Voter Guide (click here) to take the guesswork out of choosing candidates that have our community’s best interests at heart.

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

Never forget that you have tremendous resources within you that will manifest themselves when you need them most.

I have found that when something disastrous actually happens to an individual, he or she usually discloses an extraordinary capacity to effectively meet the situation and to deal with its demands. He or she usually ends up not only master of the situation but often experiences a high degree of satisfaction from his or her decisions and actions during the difficult time.

You question these statements? Study the lives of the people about you. Observe the day-by-day courage being demonstrated by so many people with whom you have contact. Read the biographies—particularly of the people who have endured much hardship. It will strengthen you.

Why? Because it will remind you of the tremendous resources that are yours. You have nothing to fear—now or in the days that lie ahead. Even if the worst happens, you will be able to master circumstances—for you have reserves of strength that will disclose themselves. You will not only endure but you will prevail because your own innate resourcefulness, inherited from a thousand generations of embattled forbearers, will manifest itself and give you the strength you need.

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. You can contact Rev. Lou at 760-367-4627, 800-995-1620 or res19mxc@verizon.net.