MetroEast News August 2012

Presented By:

Daniel McCree Foundation

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 10

2

ABOUT US

MetroEast News is an

outreach project of the

Daniel McCree Foundation.

Our vision and mission is to provide timely information and events to the entire

Southern Illinois Region. We seek to be a voice for those who are traditionally

not heard. (READ MORE)

Southern Illinois Pride History

(READ MORE)

Editor: Colby Kluthe

Graphic Design: Jason Brooks

Director: Daniel McCree Foundation

Contributors:

Mickey Johnson (Carbondale)

History & Southern Illinois News

Tess Farnham (Belleville)

Liberal Arts & Education

Susan Spit-Fire Lively (Belleville)

Performing Arts & Spoken Word

Aaron Phillip Ruiz (Swansea)

Autumn Pickard (St. Louis)

Special Features from Daniel McCree (1979-2007)

Common Resources:

PFLAG- Belleville IL Chapter

St. Louis Gay History Project

TransHaven & Belleville Transgender & Friends

LGBT Center of St. Louis

Metro East Pride of Soutwestern Illinois (MEPSI)

Southern Illinois GSA Alliance

Equality Illinois & Carbonale Pride,

MCC Paducah & Paducah Pride

Jennifer Shaw P.C.

FEATURES & EVENTS Thoughts from a Mouthy Saint: Beyond our Imagination...

Kentucky Hosts 2012 National GSA Conference August 2nd-5th.

Miss Gay Western IL America 2012 - AUGUST 4th

Downstate lawmaker wants to 'reaffirm' Illinois' marriage equality ban...

Pride St. Louis Board Elections, Aug. 20th...

Jade Sinclair crowned Miss Gay Alton America 2012

MCC of Peoria Opened Its Doors JULY 22nd

Notable Passages: Charles Dunham (1938-2012)

Jefferson County Illinois Unites for Equality

National Same Sex Kiss Day at Chick Fil A

Mid-MO PrideFest AUGUST 19th (Columbia, MO)

Efforts Underway for Removal of Chic-Fil-A at SIUC...

SOCIALIZE!

Browse the 2011 issues

4

INTRODUCTION

Wow what a month it has been! Carbondale Pride celebrated its second annual festival in even

bigger style than its first year. Three days of events and a community wide picnic was well

attended and marked a new beginning for the host venue CLUB TRAZ. In Alton, Bubby and Sissy’s

hosted the Miss Gay Alton America and crowned Jade Sinclair as the 2012 winner. Miss Gay

Western Illinois will be next in Quincy Illinois. The communities of Mt. Vernon and Jefferson

County Illinois gathered this week in opposition to an anti-equality measure passed by the

county board, the efforts by local equality advocates have brought national attention to the

region. Students at SIUC are also mobilizing to ask the university to remove the local Chic-Fil-A

franchise from its campuses in Edwardsville and Carbondale. Club Traz recently completed

renovations and reopened to the public

after a project that took several months.

PFLAG in Belleville will be meeting next

Thursday at 6:30PM for the monthly

meeting.

July also marked the 5th anniversary of our

foundation which was begun in memory of

Daniel McCree. Daniel ended his life on July

23, 2007 and has inspired our work in the years that have followed. I want to personally thank

each of you who have supported our endeavors and the many volunteers

that carry-on the spirit of our work each day.

As the editor MetroEast NEWS,

“We seek to be a voice for those who traditionally are not heard.”

The Daniel McCree Foundation advocates for Suicide Prevention as well as

outreach in the areas of HIV/AIDS awareness.

Sincerely,

Colby Kluthe

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Efforts Underway for Removal of Chic-Fil-A at SIUC Efforts Underway for Removal of Chic-Fil-A at SIUC

Campus

via Mickey Johnson- MetroEast NEWS

(CARBONDALE)

In recent weeks the pressures on the fast-food chain Chic-Fil-A

have mounted across the country. Southern Illinois has

embarked on an effort in the same spirit that calls for the removal of the local franchise from the student center on

the campus of SIUC. More than 140 participants have signed the petition with a goal of 500 signatures. Students

from both the Edwardsville campus and Carbondale campus have expressed dissatisfaction with the current tenant

who operates from both locations.

More than 600 have joined local social media groups in this effort and are distributing a petition at

Change.Org which calls for the university to take action towards the goal of putting the local outlet out of business.

In recent weeks, the companies president and CEO has admitted that it has made significant effort and financial

expenditure on the anti-equality movement in recent years. Following this admission, a sizable public-relations

issue has gained traction in communities large and small.

SIGN THE PETETION HERE

GET OUT THE VOTE FOR YOUR VOICE

In a new era of court challenges and efforts to limit the ability

for our citizens to vote, now is a great time to check your own

voter registration and help those near you in making sure they

have registered for upcoming elections. Regardless of your

political ideology we each have a right and responsibility to

make our voices heard. Here is a good start to make sure you

are all set for the upcoming elections.

Am I registered to vote in Illinois? Illinois citizens may

check to see if they are registered to vote.

Registering to Vote in Illinois, describes the rules and

procedures surrounding the voter registration process in Illinois. An individual may register to vote in

Illinois if he/she is 18 years or older on the next election day, resides in the jurisdiction for 30 days prior to

the election, and is a U.S. citizen.

Illinois' residents may register in person at the office of the election authority, at Driver's license facilities,

with deputy registrars who are appointed in each jurisdiction, or via mail using the Illinois Voter

Registration Application.

6

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Jefferson County Illinois Unites for Equality

by: Colby Kluthe, MetroEast NEWS

More than 50 local residents and equality supporters

gathered upon the Jefferson County Courthouse in

Mount Vernon on Monday July 23rd. Organized by

allies and joined by the LGBT communities of southern

Illinois, the peaceful demonstration hoped to bring

awareness to a non-binding resolution recently passed

by the county board. The resolution which passed 11-1

was a measure which affirms the current ban on same

gender marriage on the statewide level.

Local county board member Jeremy Hall was the single

vote against the measure to which he explained to local reporters that the language "as worded it read

with pure hatred". Hall joined with organizer Amanda Duncan, a Mount Vernon resident in opposition to

the measure.

"People are interested in what is happening here in YOUR

community and they are NOT happy. We have support

and are going to use it! we are NOT going to stop until this

board listens." Explains Duncan. The controversy has

stirred up national attention in the past few days.

Also joining in the demonstration were Micah Bennet and

Pastor Sonja of Church of the Good Shepherd in

Carbondale.

In a recent statement, organizer Amanda Duncan offered thanks to the grassroots effort that lead to the

success of the demonstration. " I need to say thank you so very much to the fine folks of Jefferson County

who came together to give a message to the county board and to our very loved gay and lesbian friends,

family, and loved ones of OUR community. I have to say thank you for everyone who made this even

TRULY peaceful. YOU were a fine display of what this county is made up of. I have to commend you all

for your courage to come out and battle the heat. I also want to thank all of the people passing by who

showed support. "

Plans are underway for yet another demonstration by local residents who will continue to give voice to

equality in the region. For more information on becoming involved contact BellevillePride~ MetroEast

News for ongoing details and updates.

2012 DIRECTORY

SPONSORS

“BUY LOCAL OR BYE LOCAL”

J.Brooks Digital

“The Premier Graphics

in the Metro East Region”

www.SmartChoiceSTL.com

“Smart Solutions for Web Development”

Practical Solutions For All Aspects of Family Law 201 Hillsboro Avenue | Suite A | Edwardsville | Illinois | 62025

618.655.0555 | Fax 618.655.9460

www.JaShawLaw.com

ONE SAINT LOUIS www.OneSaintLouis.org

(314) 241-1114 info@onesaintlouis.org

Bethel United Church of Christ (Cahokia, IL)

2200 Camp Jackson Road, Cahokia, Illinois 62206

(Just off Interstate 255,Cahokia Exit 13)

Sunday Morning Worship at 10:00 am.

Pastor: Rev. Carol Shanks (618) 939-4835

www.CahokiaUCC.org

PFLAG-

Belleville

www.bellevilleilpflag.com

Meets the first Thursday

Of the month 6:30PM FIND THEM ON FACEBOOK

www.LGBTCounselingSTL.com

MAP OUR LOCATION

*FREE 30 minute initial assessment

through August 31st*

About LGBT Counseling St. Louis

LGBT Counseling St. Louis strictly adheres to the primary mision of the

social work profession which is to "enhance human wellbeing and help meet

the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs

and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in

poverty,"

LGBT Counseling St. Louis & Equality Illinois are proud sponsors of MetroEast NEWS

Authenticating your relationship. Protecting your family.

Sivia Business & Legal Services gives you the personal attention that your relationship needs. We

offer personalized service for you, your family, your relationship and your business.

We assist you with the unique barriers that same-sex couples face in several areas. We assist our

clients in estate planning and power of attorney matters to give each partner more rights in the even

of tragedy. We also handle family law issues -- dissolution of relationship, adoption, custody

actions, and name change petitions. We also assist clients with cohabitation agreements and

contracts to outline the legal obligation of each partner in the relationship.

Committed to the Community

Sivia Business & Legal Services, P.C. started in June 2006 when the founder, Todd Sivia, decided

that his clients desired an attorney that is not only committed to the practice of law, but also

committed to the community. Mr. Sivia created a firm to serve businesses and family in a variety of

areas of law, focusing on asset protection.

Since then, the firm has grown, not only in size, but as a member of the community. Our staff is

active in the Ed/Glen Chamber of Commerce, SCORE (Counselors to America's Small Business),

Rotary, and a variety of community projcts and organizations in and around Edwardsville, Glen

Carbon and Alton, Illinois. Mr. Sivia is a member of the Metro East Landlord Association and

Metro East Real Estate & Investors Association. The attorneys also stay up-to-date on the law

through a variety of legal associations such as the Illinois, Missouri, and Madison County Bar

Associations, and Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association.

We'll listen for your needs and give you the best counsel to meet them.

Todd Sivia, Attorney-At-Law

Mr. Sivia maintains a significant asset protection practice. He

assists his clients in their estate planning and general business needs,

including drafting wills and trusts, representing clients in multiple matters.

Read More

10

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Thoughts from a Mouthy Saint: Beyond our

Imagination

By: Colby Kluthe, MetroEast NEWS

The month of August is bound to be an interesting

one, and a personal journey of faith and

anticipation.

Several months ago, I was invited on an all-expenses trip to visit both South Africa and

Zimbabwe on a 10 day journey. Details beyond that, I really don't know.

"I have found that most opportunities are both the "impossible" as well as the

"Fantastic" that one could never have

imagined in the first place."

The miracles of life always seem to weave both

elements together seamlessly. I must admit

that since the opportunity presented itself, I

have been surrounded by energy surrounding

the idea of South Africa. It would seem that

everywhere I looked and listened, a reference

to the place was bound to whisper into my ear.

A preparation for such a trip has included a significant delay in receiving my passport,

proving my citizenship, medical preparations and more. Nonetheless, having walked

forward diligently towards the goal, only a few days sit between my comfort zone and my

own leap into the journey that is most certainly to be fantastic as well as an exercise in my

own ability to take the journey without many details.

Opportunities always seem to implore each of us to "just Go!" -and

you will be blessed. And for now, that is all that any of us can know as we weave

our way down our own road. For me, I am trying to not imagine anything in advance and

simply take time to reflect on the journey rather than the "how". It simply IS and will be if

we are willing to walk towards it.

So there is the scoop on why the August Issue came out a few days early. The journey for

me shall include traveling from Joplin,MO to St. Louis on the 29th, and details remain

foggy except that I should return to St. Louis around August 10th. It may even take a day

or three before I find myself back in Joplin.

So until then... keep walking and "Bee Blessed".

-Colby

TransHaven www.transhaven.org

TransHaven serves the advocacy needs of the

Transgender Communities of Missouri and St.

Louis Region.

Become a sponsor or add your

upcoming event

Tessilu Studio offers mixed media

artwork by commission

SEVEN RESTAURANT ANd LOUNGE

“A bold Hot-spot Where Everyone is

Welcome. “

www.sevenrestaurantandlounge.com

Free-flow Poetry & Live Music Venue

SAGE Metro St. Louis SAGE of Metro

St.Louis provides services and advocacy to LGBT older

adults. They are located in the

Tower Grove Manor Building

on South Grand.

www.SageMetroSTL.org

“BUY LOCAL OR BYE LOCAL”

St. Louis Gender

Foundation

www.stlouisgenderfoundation.org

314-607-4163 info@stlgf.org

Bethel Ucc church

618-939-4835

www.cahokiaucc.org Rev. Carol Shanks

Worship Services - Sunday 10 am

We are one of two official Open and Affirming Congregations of the United Church of Christ in

southern Illinois.

Jade Sinclair crowned Miss Gay Alton America 2012

MissgayIllinois America

Congratulations to our newly crowned Miss Gay Alton America,Jade Sinclair and First Alternate, Kirsten Dubo! Both ladies will be moving

on to compete at Miss Gay IL America 2012 on Sept 8 in St. Louis at the Casa Loma Ballroom.

Miss Gay Western IL America 2012 will be held in 2 weeks on Sat, Aug 4 at Irenes Cabaret Nightclub in Quincy, IL.

Contact promoter Adria Andrews for an application.

14

NIGHTLIFE IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

BUBBY & SISSY's (ALTON) 602 Belle St., Alton; Tel. 618.465.4775

Spirits Bar and Lounge (Alton) 300 State Street, Alton 618-463-5555

Club Escapade (BELLEVILLE)

133 W. Main 62220

SEVEN RESTAURANT ANd LOUNGE

“A bold Hot-spot

Where Everyone is Welcome. “ 7 South High Street Belleville, Illinois 62220

www.sevenrestaurantandlounge.com

Free-flow Poetry & Live Music Venue

METRO EAST PRIDE OF

SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS

16

The Pageant Capital of Southern Illinois

Home of CARBONDALE PRIDE

Club TRAZ (Carbondale)

REGIONWIDE NIGHTCLUBS & VENUES

Atomic Cowboy - 4140 Manchester

Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110

Attitudes - 4100 Manchester Ave.,

St. Louis, MO 63110

Spirit’s Bar & Lounge – 300 State

Street (Alton)

Bad Dog Bar & Grill - 3960

Choteau Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110

Bastille Soulard - 1027 Russell

Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63104

Big Moe’s – 1042 Tower Grove , St.

Louis, MO 63110

Bubby & Sissy's - 602 Belle St.,

Alton, IL 62002

Boxers N Briefs - 55 Four Corners

Lane, Centreville, IL 62206

Clementine's - 2001 Menard St., St.

Louis, MO 63104

Irenes Cabaret – 124 North

5th Street Quincy, IL 62301

Erney's 32 - 4200 Manchester Ave.,

St. Louis, MO 63110

Grey Fox - 3503 S. Spring, St. Louis,

MO 63116

Hummel's on Broadway - 7101 S.

Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63111

Hamburger Mary’s 3037 Olive St.

Louis, Mo 63103

Independence Place - 5 S.

Henderson St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

JJ's Clubhouse - 3858 Market St., St.

Louis, MO 63110

Just John's - 4112 Manchester Ave.,

St. Louis, MO 63110

Club Escapade - 133 W. Main St.,

Belleville, IL 62220

CHICAGO REGIONAL MAP

Rehab Bar & Grill - 4054

Chouteau Ave.

Korners - 7109 S. Broadway, St.

Louis, MO 63111

Magnolia's Bar - 5 S. Vandeventer,

St. Louis, MO

Martha’s Vineyard – 219 W. Olive,

Springfield, MO 65802

Meyer’s Grove – 4510 Manchester

Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110

Missie B's - 805 W. 39th, Kansas City,

MO 64112

Novak's Bar & Grill - 4121

Manchester Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110

Premium Lounge - 4199

Manchester Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110

SEVEN RESTURANT AND

LOUNGE

7 S. High Street, Belleville,IL 62220

SKYBAR (Carbondale) SIUC Campus

Arena

18

Upcoming EVENTS

Featured Articles

More about the Digital Directory

We invite any small business owners and non-profit organizations & Fan Pages to join us as a

sponsor for our upcoming DIGITAL DIRECTORY and monthly news publication. Our

publications have enjoyed more than 18,000 readers since our first edition came out in June.

For the ad rate of $30.00 you can join us as a sponsor. Sponsor Listings include company logo, and link to your

contact information and website.

AFTER DECEMBER 1st-- the Ad rate will be adjusted to $30 so dont delay and become a sponsor today.

BECOME A SPONSOR TODAY AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE LGBTQI COMMUNITY OF

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

ALL ORDERS ONLINE

We gladly accept VISA/MC/AMEX or Paypal.

REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS at

http://bellevillepride.weebly.com/sponsors1.html ($30.00)

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SPONSOR??

Any business, non-profit or public FAN PAGE located within the St. Louis or Southern Illinois Region.

20

j.brooks Digital

The official graphics of MetroEast NEWS

MetroEast NEWS is produced by the

Daniel McCree Foundation, an Illinois Charitable Trust Managing Editor: Colby Kluthe

Emily Smith, St. Louis Regional

Director

Daniel McCree Foundation

Contributing Writers: Mickey Johnson (Carbondale)

History & Southern Illinois News

Tess Farnham (Belleville)

Liberal Arts & Education

Susan Spit-Fire Lively (East St. Louis/ Belleville)

Aaron Phillip Ruiz (Swansea)

Autumn Pickard (St. Louis)

Graphics Editor: Jason Brooks

A sincere Thanks to Each and Everyone for your support! We look forward to serving you in the coming year!

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Upcoming EVENTS Featured Articles

“Artistically Speaking!” Returns Wednesday, August 1st. By: Susan Spit-fire Lively- MetroEastNEWS (BELLEVILLE) Hey everybody! What’s happenin’? I just wanted to let you know that the next“Artistically Speaking!” (Hosted/Produced by Spit-Fire) will return on Wednesday, August 1st. -featuring local literary giants Deborah Mashibini, Joyce Blue, and many more talented artists! “Artistically Speaking!” is a FREE EVENT featuring the best area Poets, Spoken Word Artists, Musicians, Vocalists, Comedians, and more and an Open Mic Session as well. It goes down in the 2nd floor art gallery at Belleville’s outstandingSeven Restaurant and Lounge, (7 S. High St., Belleville, IL, 62220) every 1st Wednesday of the month (Doors-8; Show-9).

Seven, a haven for arts and entertainment, is located in the heart of historic downtown Belleville, and the friendly and dedicated staff here even keeps the kitchen open late so you can enjoy scrumptious appetizers ($2.00 Off All Appetizers) and beverages ($5 Martini Wednesdays!). To learn more, please call (618) 277-6700 or visit their website at www.sevenrestaurantandlounge.com . Cannot wait to see y’all on August 1st!! Peace!

L<3ve, Spit-Fire

Miss Gay Western IL America 2012 - AUGUST 4th BellevillePride~MetroEast NEWS

via Adria Andrews, Miss Gay Illinois America 2011

(QUINCY)

Come join Miss Gay Illinois America for the 5th and final prelim

to Miss Gay IL America 2012 - Miss Gay Western IL America

2012 honoring Ravyn Winters, Miss Gay Western IL America

2010.

When: Sat, Aug 4, 2012 at 10:30pm

Where: Irene's Cabaret, 124 N. 5th St, Quincy, IL

Pageant theme: “The Seven Deadly Sins”

Opening Presentation: Contestants: Red evening gown of their

choice. No headdresses. Hair can be in any style and jewelry of

their choosing. Contest Categories: Male Interview,Evening Gown, Solo-Talent, Talent, and On-Stage Interview.

Prize Package for Winner: $900 in cash and prizes Prize Package for 1st Alternate: $400 in cash and prizes

Contact Adria Andrews, MIss Gay IL America 2011 for an application: adriastl@yahoo.com

24

7/21/2012

Pomagranite Apple By: Daniel McCree July 21, 2007

This is an excerpt from the last letter written by

Danny McCree prior to his death by suicide just

two days later. Over the years we have published

this in it’s entirety only a few times, but it can be

found at www.DanielMcCree.Org

A pomagranite apple says to me,

"rewards

often rise from this, listen??.."Ching".

Act now to improve your self esteem. It

’s necessary.

Refresh your sense of Jesus and plan on change being everywhere-

all the time,wherever you are, you're the parent.

A free nihl could arise from this, a math brain coul

d figure itout from here,

me I just wonder,

If alls gonna be will like thatsong says, drops of Ju

piter in her hair, but I guess I know

that guessing grows, and one leap leads you truly

madlydeeply towards the next one, imagining the

next event whenthe whole time you could have bee

n calculating outcomes,knowing the highest proba

ble answer and instead laughingbecause so you th

ought, leather bound novels often hold ontowhat is

forthwith?? exclaiming true and truism as exampl

esof heathen splendor depauched, what if my fath

er wasnted

me to do the math and make babies, was that the meanestjoke in the world, calling me int

o there place and rearranging reality,

K callin it jesus and laughing at me while the kings becamerulers and the math just didn't

compute with the true?

(READ MORE) PAGE 15

26

Read More About the Foundation

Our Board of Directors

Recent Activity

Daniel McCree Foundation

ONLINE EVENT July 23rd. We invite everyone to take a moment to visit us online this day.

www.DanielMcCree.Org

The Day the Lights Went Out - JULY 23rd

Monday, July 23rd