xt72v6988t84 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt72v6988t84/data/mets.xml Lexington, KY Pride Community Services Organization 201307 This collection contains newsletters produced by the Lexington, Kentucky based Pride Community Services Organization. Included are publications from the organization through multiple name changes, such as LinQ magazine (July 2013-2016); the GLSO (Gay and Lesbian Services Organization) News (August 1986-June 2013); the GSO (Gay Services Organization) newsletter (1979-July 1986). Accession number 2016ms055. newsletters  English Pride Community Services Organization Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Pride Community Services Organization publications LGBTQ community--Kentucky LGBTQ culture LGBTQ newspapers Gay men Lesbians Bisexual people Transgender people Sexual minorities Gender identity Drag culture LinQ magazine, July 2013 text LinQ magazine, July 2013 2013 2019 true xt72v6988t84 section xt72v6988t84 a publication of GLSO
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Letter from the President / \l
(of the GLSO) 91% f ,
by Paul Brown
‘ GLSO President, Pride Festival Chairman, 2013 .5
; Dear reader, senior group, a TransKy group, and a GLBT library,
‘ not to mention our biggest achievement: bringing
” I started this writing as “Letter from the President.” you the annual Lexington Pride Festival, which is
Then, I added “(of the GLSO)” to make sure no one thriving in its 6th year.
thought the POTUS was writing for our magazine.
. However, upon the release of our first magazine, | For more years than I know, the GLSO has given the
feel a tiny bit like the POTUS because the GLSO has community the monthly GLBT news via the newslet—
l successfully implemented an ambitious project in ter. It, too, has seen many facelifts and updates at
transitioning from its monthly newsletter to a monthly the hands of different editors throughout the years.
magazine distributed throughout Lexington. Mary Crone, to whom we are forever indebted, gave
myriad hours to its production for years. Now,
It’s fitting that this magazine, LinQ, debuts during under Don Lowe’s leadership, the newsletter is get—
Prtde month! for ' am intensety PVOUd to Sit at the ting another facelift: It will now be LinQ, and it will
helm of this organization as we launch another mile— reach a much wider audience through broad distribu—
stone for GLSO' I am proud to work With a dedi- tion. This is an ambitious project that will keep
cated team of individuals who made this magazine GLSO marching forward.
possible for the Lexington community. I am proud to
live in Lexington, KY, a city whose citizens welcome a Lan is the embodiment of GLSO’s vision statement
magazine and a resource that makes our community to educate, enhance, and empower the community
shine. about LGBT issues. We are dedicated to educating
you on the news on what community groups like
To put this in perspective, I’ll date myself a bit: The AVOL, the Lexington Health Department, Just—
GLSO first incorporated in 1977 T the year t was Funde, Lexington Fairness, Moveable Feast, and
born. (You can do the math.) Countless names and the Imperial Court are offering. LinQ will enhance
faces have come and gone and put in thousands Of this community by providing visibility, which in turn
volunteer hours to keep the organization alive. Many eventually brings tolerance and acceptance. We will
of those came and went long before I knew what it empower the community by giving you the knowl—
was to be a closeted gay teenager in Western Ken— edge of what’s now, what’s new, what’s next.
" tucky. They sought to make Lexington a safe place
to call home, and it’s the place I call home now. LinQ is a giant leap forward into the future, and I am
, They have brought many programs to the community proud. Now please join me in devouring the rest of
. such as a Gay Straight Alliance for Youth, a GLBT this magazine. (3
EDITOR
Don Lowe GLSO Pride Center GLSO DIRECTORS
389 Waller Avenue, Suite 100 Paul Holland, At Large
The GLSO News is published monthly by and Lexington, Ky. 40504 Don Lowe, At Large %
for the Lexington Gay and Lesbian Services 859.253.3233 Cindy Sommer, At Large
Organization members and community. The www.g|so.org Trilby Trent, GSA Advisor
mission 0t the Lexington Gay and Lesbian Please call ahead for appointment and office
Services Organization is to provide support hours GLSO STAFF
and services to the GLBTQQIA community. The Chad Hundley, Office Manager
Vision Of the Lexington Gay and Lesbian SBI'V- GLSO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
ices Organization t3 to empower the Paul Brown, President "Views expressed in this newsletter are solely
GLBTQQtA community through voice. The Lex- Ginger Moore-Minder, Vice President those of the contributor and do not necessarily
ington GLSO is founded ”90h the core values Karen Taylor, Secretary reflect the views of the GLSO.”
of fun, Inclusion, respect, integrity, dignity, Tommy Brodbeck, Treasurer
service and competence. cover photo by Ab, Grise

 G LSO Promotes “H ome”
for LG BT Community err
by Sandy Spaulding
his writer has been in that scary, crippling In a quiet strip mall, the room was simple, almost
I kind of despair three times since i have been bare with its corner piles of projects, a desk, folding
out and all three times l’ve found a Gay Les— church tables and chairs. And just GLSO in rainbow t
bian Service Organization center in time before i did letters and the address made large in black, not to be
something drastic. in the 703 l was in Los Angeles missed. The first person i saw was Karen Taylor, vol— ,
when my first gay experience left me a week later unteer coordinator, who welcomed me with a hug,
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with my straight identity and her rent in a back smiling past my pain with her safe and familiar look
pocket. The only way to stop the pain and shame saying clearly she’d been expecting me as she wel—
was suicide. l was a marriage counselor myself so I corned me home that night.
called Gay Community Services, a huge complex of
resources, and they sent me to MCC church where The room was filled with thirty seniors made up of
my new life flourished. business owners and professionals, clergy, attorneys,
professors, educators, medical people, activists, ~
The second time was in the 90s Minneapolis when politicians, retirees, and more all sharing their news,
my partner had died. I found myself middle aged, ideas and needs, what they’ve lived through and
professional woman and mother who had no clue what they face ahead. Sharing awareness and chisel— '
how to find another lesbian other than in a bar. | ing answers, afterwards, they exchanged numbers
called the center there and they seemed to have a and lingered over stories. There was something
group for everything from needlepoint couples to sin— brave and beautiful about them. They have held the
gles raising night crawlers—a gay book club became lamp for the rest to come after them. And in this
my family for years. space they are not alone, or unknown. This place al—
lows them to gather, comfort and bear witness.
The third time was this year in Lexington when l was
alone again, now a senior, depressed, isolated. The I left there thinking, I have to stay. I’m teaching
depth of this despair frightened me. But I noticed in college, but have to clear some life, get over my-
the GLSO bulletin that came regularly and I barely self and help this place do what it came to do, and
glanced at, that a gay senior’s meeting was going on go on doing what it did for me. What GLSOs do
that night. | ‘d go with an eye on the door to make an for gay people when the pavement ends, and
exit if I started to cry or said something truly stupid. there is no road left at the dead end of an emptied

 choice; when we need information about our then the baffling AIDS crisis; in the 90’s gay rights is-
health, when we don’t know if we are allowed to sues in Kentucky emerge to be heard; in the 20003,
do things, and what if we’ve made a mistake? we see more referrals to professional services, list-
When we don’t know if a business will be kind; or ings of gay owned and friendly businesses, inclusive
if there are places to go, or activities that belong employment, art activities and political activism;
to us; when we are utterly alone in our difference, nowadays transsexual and transgendered groups
this place has people like you when you need to have found their voice and offer a tradition of shim-
hang out, safe and authentic, or need a pastor mering (and fund raising) entertainment, along with
who knows how to dismantle shame, You are theater, music, celebrations and family gatherings.
treated like you belong, this is your family of ori—
gin, and this sacred ground is your heritage. l real- Current programs include a Gay Straight Alliance
a ized that there always has to be enough people (GSA) for youth that grew out of an awareness kids
breathing life into this place, keeping the doors needed a safe place at the center but also in their
. open, the phones covered, and meetings readied. high schools. Then a leadership program to train
Everyone must give what they can. teachers and teens to lead these groups.
There was something brave and beautiful about
them. They have held the lamp for the rest to
come after them. And in this space they are not
alone, or unknown. This place allows them to
gather, comfort and bear witness.
As I got involved, I learned the needs of the center The Wednesday Night Discussion Group began 18
and the Kentucky gay population it serves. The best years ago for anyone at any age that is having dif'
thing it does is hold still and stay open to members ficulty With being gay. I listened to Ginger Moore—
of the community a place to call, come, or meet for Minder talk about those who have been saved
cause, start a new answer for changing times. Pride from suicide. Last year a large and comprehensive
needs a home. Transgendered people need to gather, floor to ceiling library was completed. The impres—
q teens needs to meet and help each other. sive collection of gay books and films grace the
back walls of the room behind a friendly couch
This center is not a cookie cutter image of other and wing back chairs gracing the collecting.
* gay community resource efforts. In 1977 two men
started this one like the others, by first listening to The seniors are talking about a mission to find the
what gay people in Kentucky needed: answers in older and isolated ones who need a visit or help
one place. In 1978 they saw they needed a from a gay brother or sister as they deal with
newsletter to communicate what they knew could aging and health issues. BUt the best part was
help our population. As | read through all these watching them share what they had survived being
back editions I am honestly surprised all the ads gay before it was chic or easy, baring witness to a
are fit for a family coffee table. heritage this writer feels compelled to honor in the
months ahead, by bringing to you their stories in a
Then I am struck by how the history of our tribe is column I shall affectionately call “Our Years of
recorded here. In the 703 it’s we needed to connect, Loving Dangerously.” I look forward to gathering
play ball, dance, de—myth and un-closet; In the 808 around these pages. (‘3
it’s about education—new research about us, and

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photo by Melissa Benson and David Benson Elias Gross as Oliver SWitch
Rebel Riot Revue Broadens Genre
by Burley B. Thomas
urlesque is not just about half—naked people. Frequent headlining guests, magic and comedy set
Well, that's part of the fun, but it's not all you Rebel Riot Revue apart from other Lexington groups,
can expect when you go see a Rebel Riot but what's really amazing is the troupe's inclusion of
Revue show. Rebel Riot Revue is a Lexington bur— queer performers and their inspiring body, gender
lesque troupe incorporating pole acrobatics, hoop and LGBT affirmation.
dancing, comedy and strip-tease. Most people asso— _ .
ciate it with the methodical act of undressing, but Among the acrobats and fire eaters you H find two
founder and member Siobhan Atomica says, "It was cast members who bhhg queer performance to the a
about satire long before it was about stripping." Bur— stage W'th acts that can be described as drag—
lesque goes back to the ancient Greeks and the lesque and borlesque.
plays of Aristophanes and has been aform of theatre "Boilesque" can be any male performance, though it
for the common folk that offered eroti0ism and es- . . . . . _
. _ t d th h tt' It h b is the artist s ch0ice to call it that, some men prefer
pail-3m rteincarnba ek' troug 'Out me. I as een "burlesque." Exstacy Malone, one of Rebel Riot
inc mg i 3 way. ac Iin o mains ream cuture smce Revue's newest additions, does both.
the 903, sensationalized by artists like Dita Von
Teese, The Pussycat DOIIS, and most recently a film "Draglesque," for Malone, is the illusion of appearing
starring diva-icons: Cher and Christina Aguilera. on stage female, and through the strip-tease, re-
"ThlS is all burlesque, but at its roots, it Should have a veais— it's a guy! "|'m not doing female impersonation
variety show feel to it" or lip—singing, for me it's about dance and the trans—

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formation that can happen on stage. It's also just one Lola Van Ella, Sammich the Tramp, and Adriana
of my acts" Malone says. Siobhan Atomica also per— Fuentes were among the two dozen acts. The show
forms "draglesque,” but says, "It’s different for the lasted four hours and included more than $2000
men and women. When a female does it, she has to worth of raffles, food, and a photo booth by Shooting
lip-sing... we already look like drag queens with our Frenzy.
ten pounds of make-up and (expensive) gowns."
Both Oliver Switch and Exstacy Malone were a part
Oliver Switch brings "boilesque" to life with an act about of the show. When asked how people responded to
a boy discovering his sexuality... and glitter. Switch is the their 'different' performance styles, both responded
group's sole female—to—male trans member and bur— positively. Switch explained that there are very few
lesque has been a way for him to explore his male sex FTM strip—tease artists that he knows of and was
appeal and to grow confident. When Switch first came nervous about people's response. He was over-
on board with Rebel Riot Revue, he noticed that most of whelmed with support and cheers at the fundraiser.
the dancers were female and men were emcees or co— Malone says that when looking in the audience he
medians. There was a box that needed to be filled. could see a few jeers, but for every one of those
. jerks, there were five more snapping pictures with
“I COUId see my body as beautiful and sexy and mascu- their phone. Comedian and writer for Rebel Riot
line, and I could put that out there. It may not be what Revue Vincent St. James says "I'm glad dudes
you expect, bUt it is a male body,” SWitCh says. could enjoy (Exstacy) dancing and enjoy it as part of
Oliver Switch has been fundraising for quite some time the “9"“ A” Of our dancers come up Wlth the” Sthf'
. ,, It's their art; I'm glad people like It.”
a. now for his top surgery. For those who may not know,
this is a double mastectomy. It's called a 'gender—affirm- "These shows are about empowerment. When I first
ing' surgery. 'Sex—change' is outdated and inaccurate." saw the Burlesque performer 'Dirty Martini' and saw
v Following online fundraising to help cover the costs that how she owned the stage I was moved and immedi-
most insurances will not cover, Siobhan Atomica, Rebel ately felt better about my body and my sexuality as a
Riot Revue, and an expansive burlesque community of— woman," Atomica says. Burlesque addresses fetish,
fered their talents and time for a fundraiser called sex and sexuality in a way that people can laugh at in
"Vagabond Variete'." a good way.
"This is bigger than a body—issue, this is about some— Siobhan Atomica sums it up best, "We need healthier
one's Identity, .. Atomica said and she set Off to plan one conversations about sexuality. Too often there's still
RRR's largest and most successful shows. Over $2400 shame associated with it. Humor helps take break
was made for Switch's surgery. "This really shows how the ice. Come see a show, maybe you'll see some—
qUIckly Rebel Riot Revue embraced me and became a thing you didn't know turned you on. You can go
family," a grateful Switch says. International title holders home and explore that with your partner, or a friend,
from Lexington, Louisville and St. Louis volunteered for or just... with yourself." 0
the show.

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Imperial Court Begins New Reign
Southern Showgirls and Southern Gentlemen Theme for Year
by Brad Shepherd
reetings from the Imperial Court of Ken— members of Reign 31 and the Court family, brought
G tucky. Another year of fundraising came to the crowd to their feet.
a close this month with their Imperial
Majesties, Emperor 31 Daryl “Big D” Lyons and Em— The grand evening continued with command perform-
press 31 Trinity, stepping down at Coronation 32’ “A ances by local and visiting performers, regal walks
Night at the Twisted Circus.” from visiting court dignitaries from New York City,
Washington DC, Connecticut, Toronto, Boston, Mon—
As the official kickoff of Pride Month activities in tana, Hamilton (Ontario), and Cincinnati, and a stately
Lexington, Coronation weekend was held the first Kentucky walk, where members and titleholders of the
weekend in June, culminating with the formal Coro— Imperial Court of Kentucky presented themselves to
nation Ball on Sunday evening, June 2. The week— Emperor Big D and Empress Trinity.
end began with the In Town Show on Friday night at Q
Crossings, at which many of the Reign 31 titlehold— Voting by the membership for the Henry Faulkner
ers performed as a farewell to the reign. Community Service Award, the board of Directors of 9
the Imperial Court, and Emperor 32 was held as well.
Then on Saturday evening, at the Downtown Hilton, GLSO President and community activist, Paul Brown,
the Out of Town Show was held, where visiting received the Henry Faulkner Community Service
courtiers performed. After-parties were held later Award for his numerous years of service to the LGBT
that evening at Crossings and pulse nightlife, giving community of Lexington. Christina Puse (Chris
our out of town guests a bit of local flavor. Hocker), Tim Logsdon, Clayton Burchell, and Russell
Drake were elected as new Board of Directors mem—
Gowns, tuxes, jewels, and fabulous costumes bers for Reign 32'
wowed the large crowd on Sunday night at the
Coronation Ball. An Opening Production, choreo— The final act of the evening celebrated the end of
graphed by her Imperial Highness Imperial Crown Reign 31, with Emperor Big D and Empress Trinity
Princess 31, Stephanie Velour, and his Imperial doing final step down numbers to their adoring crowd.
Majesty, Emperor 28 Wes Nelson, featuring many Final fundraising totals for Reign 31 will be determined

 at the end of June and disbursements for the year will . .3" W, V'ifl'gx. ' ‘"
be announced in next month’s newsletter. >563” 31" _ I if ,.
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mony, where the College of Monarchs (former Mon— 2.; 91; ./ ‘9‘};
archs) of the Imperial Court of Kentucky, crowned the ‘ '5: . “.7,“ m». _ is?
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newly apponnted Regent Empress 32 JD. Vaughn. JD. 3 . 5:3,
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* Empress J.D. greeted the guests at Coronation and ‘3'“; Z? Z I w
then went on a short victory tour, making stops at the §i g, ' “I, j ,
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Crossings before a final victory show at pulse nightlife Jenna Jive
later that night. ,WW .,

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tory Brunch, where Emperor 31 Big D and Empress 31 i ‘Lti'xgfi‘ __
Trinity thanked their guests and line—members and -, ,- :1 “' -~ 53,;
presented awards from Reign 3i. Newly crowned Em— . I ,1 Z
peror 32 Patrick named Tim Logsdon as Imperial "“ I * f J‘ ,g
Crown Prince 32 and John David Elam as Imperial Z . ‘i . ,_ .
Prince Royale 32, while Regent Empress 32 JD. ‘ 3...: "A‘s. .
named Christina Puse as Imperial Crown Princess 32 “V .1" _, Z 2:. ari“i"“
and Kali Dupree as Imperial Princess Royale 32. 3‘ '75.! . . “~ ., $.45».
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claimed himself the Emerald Emperor, while Her Most , .« s%,5 ~ ., a? . ’1
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herself the Southern Showgirl Empress of Glitz, Glam- . “ . f ‘Qf‘fltfi‘lf- 5; i " Z '
our, and Gratitude. They also announced their Reign . ‘ ~ 1 “4;“: .V We}; "'
theme to be “Southern Showgirls and Southern Gen- ‘ “ ' " ’ " L M Z Z ' “
tl em en.” J. D. Vaughn
The new Reign will begin after a transitional meeting of w “:36” ' , \ ’
the old and new board of directors and a board retreat ’ {“7“ 337' “if“ . ,i

" in early July. However, the new monarchs have already ‘f’: ‘, ~ . , -, . '—
made appearances at the Scott Co. Humane Society’s [A ‘ ., ’ I . ' ' _ i ' ,_,, ,5‘
annual Furball, Lexington Fairness’s Annual Awards ‘3 ff”: (fail: .j‘: . h 1 4"
Dinner, the Lexington Pride Festival’s Kickoff Show/T— " .‘l f ‘
Shirt Launch Party, and the Sixth Annual Lexington , j}; . ‘7:3\'-E._,1_MA' - , Z
Pride Festival. ’15. ”(ZK\ / Z
Look for announcements regarding Reign 32 events . t . 9 ‘1. f;
here in LinQ, or check out the Imperial Court on Face- l3; -‘ '55.: :Mi ’3‘:
book (group name Imperial Court of Kentucky) or online .431"! ‘H i, /_'~' '!"3"”Z"{'Z-'
at www.imperialcourtkentucky.org. Membership and/or ' Z “i,- i"
volunteers are always welcome and encouraged. fb £9.51? “int
Next month’s article: What is the Imperial Court of Ken— ,7 ,
tucky and how is it important to our community. Q TriNity

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Fairness Posters Promote Eq uality
by Roy Harrison and Dan Cooper
0 what gives, Kentucky? Are we a self-fulfill- tral Kentucky. Photographing our neighbors, asso—
ing prophecy? Have we convinced ourselves ciates, businesses, and government leaders who
so thoroughly that the Commonwealth will support full legal and social acceptance of the
never foster an environment that’s friendly and ac— LGBT community. l
cepting towards its LGBT population that we’ve al- The pro" ct k t th _ t Art Activism r:
lowed it to become true? Je spea S O ree pom S: , ’
and Civic Pride. The art is the photograph. Lexing— 1’
A recent poll from The Schapiro Group, Inc exe— ton Fairness employs professional photographers
cuted on behalf of The Kentucky Fairness Coalition to take the images, and then prepares them for
shows that, while Kentucky’s reputation of a con— public display. FAIRNESS, personified will have
servative inclination remains the same, the actual hundreds of photographs ready for display by the
sentiment towards LGBT inclu— Fall 2013. Lexington Fairness will
siveness may be quite different. host a public viewing of the im—
Kentucky showed overwhelming ages and invite our friends and
support for issues ranging from supporters to celebrate the
protections against workplace strength of Fairness in Central
based discrimination towards K E N I H I} K I A N 3 Kentucky.
LGBT workers, to spousal hos— — .
pital visitation for LGBT couples, 3 H I] w [I] n Liexmgtlfn Fairness sdcarnpign
to even protections for LGBT HHHWHHHHH} n a S? W' .e-nCO-firage ay— 0' ay
students against bullies in the “PPM" Hm :ctiwsm. g 2; :Ri::Ltr:l:::aul:_up
classroom. Confronted with the e V65 an
statement “gay and lesbian cou- Pflflnflnflfl “HI ”H” for fairness in the workplace, in
ples deserve the same legal pro— mflfllm HllHl Hllllli scgool, in religious; iriizsAtligurtligg:
tections as other people,” an “if“ I_ A s s H H H M an 'n governlmen ' .’
astonishing 70% of those sur— personified Will show the full di—
veyed replied with either “agree” ii*iiif*ii verSIty Of our supporters.
o u u o
(SSH/o) or| jgi/rigly agree (519?), 1mm)" Finally, Lexington Fairness
' W re ony 0 9 respon en 8 “10""- Eétti‘ifiéi seeks to contribute to the dis— :
replied either “disagree” (18%) . f h L \l
“ tron | disa ree” (7%) cus5ion o ow to create a ex— /
or S g y g ' ington in which we can be proud. By taking these .
Lexington Fairness is attempting to give voice to photos With the backdrop _°f Lexington’s dis-tin—
Kentucky’s silent majority, The silent majority who gwsha-ble landmarks, we link the value of fairness
clearly supports fairness for all Kentuckians, in all to the identity Of Lexmgton.
0 _
corners Of our Commonwealth. The 93 A) Of sur We share this information with our friends and fel—
veyed Kentuckians who think that no one should be . . . . .
. , low Kentuckians, in the hopes that it Will bring
subjected to verbal abuse based on their sexual . .
, t t' d 'd t't even more supporters of LGBT rights into the
orien a ion or gen er I en I y. spotlight. So that our Commonwealth may join the
Lexington Fairness developed its 2013 action cam— sivterallsther state: indprovtiding for the equilllt); Of
paign — “FAIRNESS, personified.” — to reveal the a ' S C' izens- O .U' a S ronger communi y, or
depth and breadth of fairness and equality in Cen- m Kentucky 't ésa'd that United We Stand, D"
vided We Fall.

 by Anthony W. Smallwood
hen I recently found out about this young mony would be considered inappropriate and un-
man, Cash Collins, and the story of how he couth. Yet, the administration of my school fully sup-
l publicly "came out" during his Class Presi— ported my decision and commended me for my
ii dent speech at his high school graduation, I knew I bravery.
g had to find out more.
’ And that was another factor ,,
Just simple, direct and honest. Here is the excerpt in my decision. Bravery. .? ‘ T
from the end of his speech... "And lastly, i would like Courage. l have never con— I *I, ”'11
to thank everyone in the Class of 2013. Thank you for sidered myself brave until .. "
electing me to be your Class President, and I hope this summer during the Gov— . 5.
that l have lived up to your expectations. I believe it ernor's Scholar Program .- A '.
speaks volumes that this class has the strength to when I came out to my - ' at
elect a gay student, myself, to represent and speak for friends and fellow scholars. "'a
them." At the end of the program, "' ,
most everyone that I had '
Below is his story that I learned from our interview and gotten to know scholar and t a
I hope that after you read it, you too will be as inspired teacher alike told me that | Cash Collins
and touched as I was. was one of the bravest individ—
AWS... 80 Cash, what made you want to do such a uals they had ever had-the priVIlege of knowmg. Since
. . then, I have strived to live up to the title in every pur—
courageous act during your graduation speech? 't
SUI .
CC... You asked me to think hard on why I made the AWS D II d t d h th
decision that I did. I have been out to my closest O youhreta y ”I; :rs in Iéw mix: , er
friends since freshman year, and l have slowly ex— young-peop e a mig e S rugg ing WI eir own
. sexuality who are gomg to look at what you have done
panded the Circle of people who know that I am gay. .
. and conSIder your act of courage to be a huge act?
By the end of my senior year, most everyone knew
that I was gay. It wasn't really a secret; it was an ac- CC... In respect to my graduation speech, I did decide
: cepted truth that went unspoken--or at least that was that coming out publicly was not only for me, but also
\ my impressmn. By DUbI'CIy acknowledging ““3 unspo— for the ones that have trouble finding the strength and
/ ken truth, I felt that l was taking back what has always courage to do so themselves. I hoped to lend them
been mine. I refuse any and everyone the ability to courage given to me by my loved ones. After all, as
transform this truth into a weapon of fear against me. Class President, I am merely the voice of my fellow
AWS... But weren't you nervous or afraid? classmates. I wanted to do what was right.
' '7
CC... Yes, l was still afraid. I was afraid even as I typed AWS'” 80’ what '8 next for you Cash.
0‘” my speech. I called only two people for advice, my CC... I'm going to be a freshman at UofL this coming
father and one Of my closest friends-They bOt‘h SUD“ fall, studying Political Science. l was chosen as a Har—
ported me full—heartedly. I m net afraid 0f pUbl'C Ian Scholar, one of ten, which means that I will be part
speaking. I wasn t afraid of my classmates or loved of a program that helps prepare ten students in each
ones or strangers in that audience. I was afraid, how— graduating class for law school I hope to study
ever that. censorship WOUId b? forced upon me; that abroad while in college, and am thinking of joining the
proclaiming my sexuality during such a proper cere- Peace Corps when I graduate from law school. 9

 Substance Abuse Hel Available
for LGBT Community p
by Angela Brumley-Shelton
C ompared to the general population of het— In previous articles we discussed how LGBT individu—
erosexual men and women, the LGBT pop— als report higher rates of depression, and reasons why ,
ulation tends to have higher rates of LGBT individuals use tobacco more, including stress
substance abuse, including alcohol. They are also created by homophobia, discrimination, or not being
more likely to use alcohol heavily, and continue able to disclose their sexual orientation. All of these r
heavy drinking into later life. As with many other same factors contribute to substance abuse, which
health issues in the LGBT community, research on can be disastrous because it is associated with rela-
substance abuse is limited, or has been mostly con- tional, mental health, financial, and physical health
ducted with young gay males. The trend is changing problems. Substance use lowers inhibitions which can
slowly; every year public health researchers are be— lead people to do things they would not normally do,
ginning to learn more about substance abuse in les— such as engage in risky sexual behavior that places
bian, bisexual, and transgendered groups. Quality them at increased risk for HIV an