Andy Lien

This Fall Arts & Dining Issue is full of color and life. As a season preview, we get to see what we can look forward to in the upcoming season of theatre, music, and dance performances in the Twin Cities. The arts have long been an integral part of the GLBT community, and Lavender makes sure to pay homage to this relationship in every issue. The arts not only are home to many people in the GLBT community, but also reflect back to us our lives, cultures, politics, dreams, and experiences in myriad ways.

For so long, we have seen heterosexual roles played by homosexual people. In somewhat rare appearances, GLBT characters (and even more rarely, same-sex couples) have been presented in productions, most of which we already know and have raised to cult status in our own GLBT Canon. But what will happen in the arts as our society changes to be more inclusive of the GLBT community?

Just in the past couple of years in Minnesota, we’ve gone from a proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage to full marriage equality. Nationally, Section 3 of DOMA was struck, immigration laws are changing, and legally married same-sex couples can receive federal tax benefits no matter where they live in the United States. Widespread change is happening. Quickly. How will it be reflected in our arts and culture?

The arts will continue to include the GLBT community. The presentation of GLBT people and relationships that are already evident on our televisions and stages will not decrease or go back into the closet, but will continue to be there as evidence of the community.

The arts will expand to be more inclusive of the GLBT community. With the legalization and validation of same-sex relationships, a world of story lines cracks open. If I were a writer of fiction or plays, I would think what an exciting and enriching era is upon us. As the community has been in the closet, so has the art that reflects the community to a large extent. Invisible relationships are now becoming visible. People are truly going to be living out. And, scripts will be written of these relationships in greater numbers and better quality. GLBT art will go from cult status to, arguably, part of a new Western Canon. It’s exciting to think about and it’s fascinating to wonder how this will happen. I imagine that these changes will happen just as the shift toward acceptance of same-sex relationships has happened: through conversations and education.

I read an article called “My Children and the Limits of White Privilege” (www.nursingclio.org/2013/08/28/my-children-and-the-limits-of-white-privilege) that talks about race and color-blindness in our culture, that perhaps speaking bluntly about race in everyday interactions is the better way to handle our differences and figure out our similarities. In it, the author, Danielle J. Swiontek, makes the point that for many white people, people of color are mysterious. By trying to norm everything and ignore the differences, people of color actually remain mysterious. I can see a parallel conversation about sexuality and sexual identity. People who are unfamiliar with same-sex relationships, with trans people, with more open ways of thinking as far as sexuality is concerned, find the people and relationships of the GLBT community to be mysterious. What happened during the VOTE NO campaign and the campaign for marriage equality were conversations that demystified the GLBT community in person-by-person or couple-by-couple increments…moving toward demystifying a whole community of people that has been marginalized (and/or in a closet and out of view) for so long.

Whereas an example given about demystifying people of color could include being able to ask if people with darker skin still require sunblock, a similar example for same-sex couples could include being able to ask who is the man or woman in the relationship. In the first example, skin is skin and skin requires sunblock; yes, people of color require protection from the sun and use of sunblock is determined by each person. In the second example, a same-sex relationship doesn’t have a man and a woman, so there isn’t a man and a woman in the relationship; roles are determined according to how each couple wants to operate. The questions aren’t stupid, because not knowing something is a legitimate reason to ask; the answers aren’t obvious, or else they wouldn’t need to be given. Where we need to make sure communication happens to foster understanding is to allow the questions to be asked and answered with respect.

I know it gets tedious, especially when the questions are asked and answered time and again…and can seem a little naïve. Thankfully, this responsibility can continue to be shared with the arts. It’s easier to show a kiss between girlfriends than it is to explain “how it happens.” Once a loving same-sex family is shown, it’s easier for people to recall the image and be more familiar with such a situation that is sure to become part of everyday life. We can all probably remember conversations we’ve had with people that at some point or other involves, “Yes…kind of like in Modern Family.” Whether entirely accurate representations of our own situations or not, the arts help in demystifying all sorts of groups of people. I can’t wait to see how the arts will grow even more in how they enrich our lives and the lives of the people around us.

A great example of art changing to reflect society in this fall arts season is the upcoming production by Illusion Theater that celebrates marriage equality in Minnesota: LOVE & MARRIAGE: What a Difference a Year Makes. Last fall, the Illusion Theater developed a new musical revue to explore marriage and what it signifies.  After same-sex marriage was legalized and the Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of DOMA, Illusion was asked, “Will you bring the show back to celebrate this historic moment for love and marriage in Minnesota?”  Illusion answered that question by developing new art with both new and old material for this whole new era. Illusion Theater Co-Producing Director Michael Robins said, “Last year we experimented with the form of a musical revue, and this year we’re having a joyful time sifting through music, bringing back some favorites, choosing some well-known tunes and finding some new gems.” Composer/Arranger Roberta Carlson added, “I think of last year’s show as a Valentine, both wistful and hopeful. This year is more of a celebration of marriage and the roads to it – and through it.”

This is when we change our narrative to be even more inclusive of sexuality and sexual identity. We get to be celebratory in our art, rather than fearful or worried. Like with the last issue when I talked about infusing history and the tourism industry with women, gender, and sexuality, we can look and expect our art to present–and be blunt about–our lives. Demystifying this community will be crucial to greater empathy and understanding in our culture. As with all art, it will be beautiful. Challenging. Raw. Painful. Victorious. Confusing. Fantastic. Realistic.

And we’ll be here to tell you about it.

See you in the seats,
Andy

 

LOVE & MARRIAGE: What a Difference a Year Makes
Illusion Theater
www.illusiontheater.org
September 19 through October 20, 2013

There’s something about a state with legal same-sex marriage that just makes me want to visit it and spend my money there. Now that Minnesota has joined the honor roll, it’s a fine time for Lavender to highlight all of the states where same-sex marriage is legal. You can plan a vacation or a wedding–your pick. At this time in history, the growing list of states includes: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C. We highlighted nine of them here; go to the end of this article for links to the rest…and get getting-away!

California

By San Francisco Travel, www.sanfrancisco.travel

Always at the top of the list as one of the best cities to visit in the world, San Francisco is best known for its scenic beauty, cultural attractions, diverse communities, and world-class cuisine. Measuring 49 square miles, this walk-able city includes landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Alcatraz, and the largest Chinatown in the United States. A stroll of the city’s streets can lead from the Castro to North Beach to Fisherman’s Wharf, with intriguing neighborhoods to explore. Views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay are often laced with fog, creating a romantic mood in this most European of American cities.

Fall Features

The Golden Gate Bridge, the most famous bridge in the world, manages to impress even the most experienced travelers with its stunning 1.7-mile span. The warm, clear days of fall are a perfect time to explore this world famous icon. Approximately 120,000 automobiles drive across it every day. A pedestrian walkway also allows the crossing on foot, and bikes are allowed on the western side. The Golden Gate Bridge is said to be one of the most photographed things on Earth and now features new 3,500-square-foot Bridge Pavilion to welcome visitors, house celebratory merchandise, and display interpretive exhibits. The iconic Round House has been converted to a space for visitor and education programs plus a “green screen” photo area where visitors can picture themselves in locations not accessible to the general public such as the top of the tower or climbing the cables. www.goldengatebridge.org

Inspired by the 75th anniversary of the Bay Bridge in 2011, The Bay Lights is a fine art piece installed on the western span and viewable from San Francisco and points north (but not by drivers crossing the bridge). Measuring 1.8-miles long and 500-feet high, the high-tech light sculpture design features 25,000 individually programmable, energy-efficient LED lights mounted on the bridge’s vertical cables. The Bay Lights will remain on the bridge for two years and is projected to add $97 million to the local economy. Installation of the lights began in October 2012 by internationally acclaimed artist Leo Villareal and was completed in March 2013. The world’s largest LED sculpture is on display daily from dusk to 2am daily. www.thebaylights.org

The Walt Disney Family Museum presents the exhibition Water to Paper, Paint to Sky: The Art of Tyrus Wong on through Feb. 3, 2014. The exhibition focuses on the life and work of Chinese-American artist Tyrus Wong—a celebrated painter, muralist, kite maker, lithographer, Hollywood sketch artist, calligrapher, ceramicist, and Disney Legend. This retrospective features more than 150 works including paintings, sculptures, works on paper, painted scarves, kites, and more. Although he never met Walt Disney, it was the ethereal beauty of Wong’s Eastern influenced paintings that caught Disney’s eye and became the inspiration for the animated feature Bambi, which changed the way animation art was presented. www.waltdisney.org 

GLBT Attractions

Often referred to as San Francisco’s “queer Smithsonian,” the GLBT Historical Society houses one of the world’s largest collections of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender historical materials. The society’s GLBT History Museum is the first full-scale, stand-alone museum of its kind in the United States. www.glbthistory.org

San Francisco’s beautiful City Hall is a landmark for the LGBT community.  It was here in 2004 that then-Mayor Gavin Newsom first legalized same-sex marriages.  Through the legal ups and downs, San Francisco has been a beloved location for weddings, commitment ceremonies and honeymoons ever since.  Come for the Beaux Arts architecture, to commit to your love, or to feel the glow as couples, gay and straight, take their wedding vows beneath the towering rotunda.  www.sfgov.org

The Castro, known at the “gay capital of the world,” offers exciting nightlife, pedestrian-friendly streets, Victorian homes, an array of trendy stores, and outdoor cafes for the “see and scene” crowd.  Take a trip back in gay history at the legendary Castro Theatre movie palace. This iconic spot houses smaller, independent flicks and is just as active now as it was in the 1920s.  www.castrotheatre.com

Connecticu

By the Connecticut Office of Tourism, www.ctvisit.com

Connecticut is a beautiful destination any time of the year, but in autumn, it’s the crown jewel of New England fall foliage. Its charming colonial towns and picturesque natural wonders are enhanced by fall’s colors, making for memorable experiences no matter what you have planned. Go antiquing, stroll through a seaside village, or sip wine overlooking one of our beautiful vineyards. Whether you’re looking to visit a local farm or a world-class casino, peruse classic art at a museum, or hike through the hills, fall is the perfect time to find inspiration and hidden gems in Connecticut.

Fall Features

The Connecticut Wine Trail is a group of 25 charming vineyards divided into western and eastern sections. Connecticut-produced wines have won hundreds of awards and medals and include varieties such Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Vineyards of note include Sunset Meadow Vineyards, which offers year-round wine tasting, and Haight-Brown Vineyard, where you can sample delicious artisan cheeses and other foods with your wine at HB Café. For those of you who prefer drinks of the hoppier variety, check out Thomas Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield, where you can tour the factory and sample 11 unique beers. www.ctwine.com

Don’t miss out on one of Connecticut’s most charming facets, our Cozy Bed & Breakfasts. You won’t find friendly service, comfort, charm, or home cooking of this caliber anywhere else! Visit lovely ends like Inn at Stonington, Old Mystic Inn or Cornucopia at Oldfield Bed and Breakfast. A true gem is Butternut Farm Bed & Breakfast, an adorable cottage-style inn replete with 18th century antiques, its grounds are home to dairy goats, pheasants, chickens, and housecats. Search for your B&B at www.ctvisit.com.

Connecticut is home to the nation’s leading maritime museum, Mystic Seaport. If you’re a history buff or just a casual admirer of Connecticut’s storied past, you’ll love the working preservation shipyard, huge photography collection, and brisk sea air at Mystic Seaport. There are events going on all season, like twilight cruises, beer tastings, and Halloween fun all through October. Afterwards, take a walk through the seaside town of Mystic, home to many cute cafes and shops. www.mysticseaport.org

GLBT Attractions

Connecticut has several community GLBT Centers, such as the Triangle Community Center and the New Haven Pride Center. Additionally, the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective is holding their annual OneBigEvent –Connecticut’s premier GLBT gala—this October!

Triangle Community Center: www.ctgay.org. New Haven Pride Center: www.nhglcc.org. Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective: www.hglhc.org

Iowa

By Iowa Tourism, www.traveliowa.com

Iowa welcomes all travelers to enjoy our diverse destinations. The only state bordered by two National Scenic Byways, The Great River Road on the east and the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway on the west, means Iowa enchants visitors with autumn beauty from border to border. Take in the colors on a hike through a park, pick a pumpkin at your favorite patch, or share scary stories at an historic hotel. Just a short drive from Minneapolis, Iowa is a quick and affordable weekend destination.

Fall Features

The Villages of Van Buren are made up of a small cluster of villages in southeast Iowa. Drive through the countryside, picnic in a park, hike the trails, stroll through the shops, enjoy the historic architecture, paddle the Des Moines River Water Trail, or relax and take in the solitude. In the fall, Lacey Keosauqua State Park is especially picturesque. Bordering the great “horseshoe bend” of the Des Moines River, the park is one of the largest in the state and welcome visitors with the quiet beauty of the flowers, shrubs, timber and plenty of hiking trails. www.villagesofvanburen.com

Fall and ghosts go hand-in-hand. The Villisca Ax Murder House is the site of one of the grizzliest murders in American history. On July 10, 1912, someone bludgeoned to death Josiah and Sara Moore, their four children, and two children who were spending the night. To this day the murder is unsolved and the home has become a popular destination for lovers of the paranormal. The home has been restored to its 1912 appearance and is open to visitors, the bravest of whom may make reservations to spend the night in this home that some people say is haunted. www.villiscaiowa.com/history.php

Living Loess (rhymes with “bus”) includes nine artisan attractions located within 20 miles of each other nestled in the Loess Hills in Pottawattamie and Harrison counties in western Iowa. They include: Garden Grove Eatery, Gallaher Designs, Harrison County Historical Village and Welcome Center, Harvest Studio, Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek Creamery, Loess Hills Lavender Farm, Loess Hills Woodworks, Sawmill Hollow Family Farm, and Sawmill Hollow which is the nation’s first aronia berry farm. The North American Aronia Berry Festival is the third weekend in September. Also in the area, Honey Creek Farms is situated in a renovated historic bunkhouse on a century farm where artisan cheese is crafted using fresh goat’s milk. www.livingloess.com

GLBT Attractions

The Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport, Iowa, is a beautifully restored historic property and the only in Iowa that is a member of IGLTA and TAG-approved. The property offers a special “Pride Package” that includes accommodations, bowling, spa credit, drink certificates and a bottle of champagne. The hotel sells about 100 Pride Packages to couples from the Minneapolis area each month.
www.hotelblackhawk.com/pride/

Maine

By the Maine Office of Tourism, www.visitmaine.com

Maine’s renowned National Parks (including Acadia), dramatic rocky shorelines, majestic mountains, and sandy beaches combine with picturesque towns, notable cuisine, and cultural attractions to offer a unique vacation.  With the crisp autumn air comes the chance to experience a quintessential fall weekend. Glorious colors are on display state-wide. From quiet coastal villages and lakeside golf courses to scenic mountain passes, Maine offers a variety of settings for nature’s brilliant show. Maine’s official Fall Foliage website has updates on leaf conditions, with recommended hikes and drives (www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/). Another fall favorite is heading to an orchard for apple picking and a glass of fresh-pressed cider.

Fall Features

Maine has inspired many of the nation’s most renowned artists from Frederic Edwin Church and Georgia O’Keeffe, to Winslow Homer and three generations of the Wyeth family.  Fall is perfect for exploring the 167-mile-long Maine Art Museum Trail that joins seven of the most outstanding museums including the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art (Brunswick), the Colby College Museum of Art with new Lunder Wing of American Masterworks (Waterville), and the Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland).  And Wind\slow Homer’s famed Studio may now be visited on guided tour (Scarborough).  Details can be downloaded at www.VisitMaine.com.

Maine’s fall fairs have something for everyone. Local cuisine is sampled at Harvest Fest & Chowder Cook-off in Bethel (September), ChiliFest in Wells (September), Salmon Festival in Eastport (September), Common Ground Country Fair in Unity (September), Apple Festival in Rangeley Lakes (October), or Acadia’s Oktoberfest on Mount Desert Island (October).  Maine-made crafts are found at Country Roads Artists & Artisans Tour (September), Fall Festival Arts & Crafts Show in Camden (September), Caribou Fall Arts & Crafts Festival (October).  Maine history, music and culture are enjoyed at WoodenBoat Sail-In in Brooklin (September), Ogunquit’s Antique Show & Sale (September), Tea and Popovers at Acadia National Park (October), and Living History Days in Leonard’s Mill (October).

Over 400 treasure-filled antique shops dot Maine’s scenic highways and byways, making Maine a favorite destination for antique-seekers. The trails are loose centers or “loops” which feature a bounty of antique shops and dealers. Try more than one trail, combine parts of each, or explore beyond them.  U.S. Route 1 from the town of York (which is in itself an antique, as America’s oldest chartered city) through Ogunquit, Wells, and Kennebunkport to Arundel boasts the largest concentration of antique shops in Maine, within just 30 miles. For more information, visit the Maine Antique Dealers Association at www.maineantiques.org.

GLBT Attractions

Ogunquit on Maine’s southern coast is a friendly resort and artist colony that has been welcoming GLBT visitors for more than 100 years. Featuring three miles of white sandy beaches, its Fall offerings include beautiful foliage, lively dance clubs, shopping, antiquing, restaurants and lobster pounds, the 80-year-old Ogunquit Theater showing West Side Story (September) and The Buddy Holly Story (October), the Lobster Dash race (September), 1780 Heritage Museum, and famed Marginal Way—once an old Indian trail, now a meandering path hugging the ocean for 1.25 miles with some of the best views, flora and fauna along Maine’s coastline. www.gayogunquit.com

Mainestreet Ogunquit is one of New England’s largest gay entertainment complexes, and strives to be the standard in which others are judged. Besides being one of the region’s top dance, Mainestreet has featured a variety of shows from plays to drag to comedy. Favorite events are Top 40 dancing, karaoke, and killer women’s tea dances, and summer nights are best on our outdoor deck. Mainestreet remains open all year, and is referred to as “Ogunquit’s Party Central.” www.mainestreetogunquit.com

Highly popular with the gay community, Nosh Kitchen Bar is a casual, urban-style eatery located in Portland’s downtown Arts District along trendy Congress Street.  The restaurant offers a creative perspective on traditional deli techniques, based on the use of local, fresh, all-natural, and sustainable ingredients.  Favorite classic sandwiches receive an inventive twist with meats that are butchered, brined, and roasted “in house” and served on bread that is locally baked.  Open for lunch, dinner, and well into the night, Nosh is a particular favorite for cocktails and after local bar-hopping. www.noshkitchenbar.com

Maryland

By the Maryland Office of Tourism, www.visitmaryland.org

Maryland invites visitors to explore out-of-the-ordinary destinations that aren’t out of the way. Enjoy the excitement of a journey through the state’s five regions, traveling from serene oceanfront hideaways and Chesapeake Bay villages to wonderfully vibrant Main Streets and majestic mountainscapes. Be inspired by our beautiful countryside, set out on a leisurely drive along a network of Civil War Trails, tour local vineyards and craft breweries, or pause in Baltimore at the birthplace of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Pick from an extensive schedule of cultural events and delight in our culinary specialties, including seafood fresh from the Chesapeake Bay.

Fall Features

Maryland’s largest city is Baltimore, known to many as Charm City. Fall brings cooler temperatures, but our attractions have turned up the heat with brand-new exhibits and events. A sampling includes: The National Aquarium in Baltimore made a big splash by opening a $12.5 million Blacktip Reef, filled with 20 sharks and Calypso, a 500+ pound green sea turtle. Mummies of the World, both human and animal, will appear at the Maryland Science Center beginning September 28, 2013. African-American’s role in pop culture and comic books is explored at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum through March 2014. www.baltimore.org/lgbt-baltimore

Adventure lovers and leaf-peepers head to Mountain Maryland in the fall. Activities such as hiking, mountain biking, driving gently winding scenic routes, ziplining, steam locomotive rides, and pedaling along the C&O Canal or the Great Allegheny Passage are just a few choices for visitors to the Deep Creek Lake and greater Cumberland areas. Lodging ranges from a lakeside casino hotel to cozy bed and breakfasts to vacation rental chalets that sleep up to 24 people. Seasonal events include a ten-day Autumn Glory Festival, dirt-track racing at The Rock, or two weekends of open houses at local artist studios.

Annapolis is known as the sailing capital of the world, in part for the two huge boat shows that fill the docks. Now in its 42nd year, the United States Powerboat Show, October 3-6, 2013, attracts over 40,000 attendees. The show, the nation’s oldest and largest in-water powerboat exhibition, will precede the United States Sailboat Show, October 10-14, 2013. But anytime of the year, visitors can visit the US Naval Academy to learn about plebe induction, Navy football, and naval heroes such as Admiral John Paul Jones. Don’t miss the museum which houses intricate ship models and trinkets carved by sailors from soup bones. www.visitannapolis.org

Minnesota

By Explore Minnesota Tourism, www.exploreminnesota.com

Fall is a peak time to explore Minnesota’s back roads, lakes and rivers, see the splendor of fall foliage, savor home-grown products at harvest time, sample local beer and wine, or attend a seasonal festival. A bounty of options will get you out in the country, whether you’re looking for a day trip getaway or romantic weekend for two. Or tour the Twin Cities for Broadway shows, world-class art museums, shopping and fine dining combined with the natural beauty of area lakes and Mississippi River to create an unparalleled metropolitan experience.

Fall Features

The North Shore of Lake Superior gives great color and lake views and is very popular with fall color fans. Along Highway 61 from Duluth to Grand Portage, visitors can find several state parks with wilderness rivers, waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks. Yellow aspen and birch along shoreline, with scarlet maples inland, line the forest roads. This has been designated as an “All American Drive,” one of only 15 routes in the country so noted for their outstanding scenery. For an inland view, take Hwy. 1 through the colors of the Superior National Forest to Ely.

Charming rivertowns and wooded bluffs are found on the Great River Road (Highway 61) along the Mississippi between Red Wing and LaCrescent. Steep hillsides dressed in brilliant autumn hues of red, russet and gold. Several scenic overlooks, including those at Frontenac and Great River Bluffs state parks. Several roadside apple stands. This is a popular fall drive, so book your stay ahead of time. Red Wing is one of many towns along the Great River Road that offer an outstanding collection of architectural treasures and spectacular views of the Mississippi River from scenic bluffs. Take a tour of the town by trolley car, shop in the restored Red Wing Pottery Factory, and have lunch in the historic St. James Hotel.

Few major cities can boast such beautiful drives for Twin Cities Touring, especially pretty in the fall. Circle Lake of the Isles, Calhoun, Harriet and Nokomis lakes, and visit Minnehaha Falls. They’re all along the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. The Lake Street and Ford Parkway bridges have great views of the Mississippi bordered by colorful, wooded hillsides. St. Paul’s tree-lined Summit Avenue is bordered by stately homes.

New Hampshire

By the State of New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development, www.visitnh.gov

From Hampton Beach to Lake Winnipesaukee and Mt. Monadnock to Mt. Washington, our great outdoors are the perfect place to getaway and relax this fall. Covered bridges, grand hotels, and quaint inns and B&Bs all make for the essential New Hampshire experience. Walk our main streets in places like Manchester, Portsmouth, and Keene.  Try tax-free shopping at our outlet malls, boutique shops, and marketplaces.  Enjoy incredible fall foliage on foot, in a car, overhead in a hot air balloon, or on one of our five scenic trains.  Farmers markets, pick your own, festivals, and fairs will fill your days and nights.  New Hampshire’s tourism website changes seasonally to include fall photography and website color-schemes at www.visitnh.gov. Starting in September, we include links on our home page to seasonal itineraries for fall, a link to our fall foliage tracker (an interactive map that allows you to see projected levels of peak by date and area of the state), as well as providing an option to sign up for text alerts with scenic drives.  We also do a weekly foliage report through the fall season and have an app in both the Google Play store and on iTunes called the NH Foliage Tracker App.

Fall Features

The 34.5 miles of Route 112 in the White Mountains, also known as the Kancamagus Highway between Lincoln and Conway, New Hampshire provides some of the most spectacular foliage in the country.  Scenic overlooks provide stunning views of reds, yellows, and oranges.  Just a short hike off the beaten path is a sparkling waterfall.  Enjoy views of the White Mountain National Forest and get back to nature.

The Keene Pumpkin Festival in October is known worldwide for its attempts to break the world record for most lit pumpkins in one place at the same time and has succeeded with eight world records.  The last time was in 2003 with 28,952 lit pumpkins.  Last year, the Property Brothers from HGTV filmed a program during the festival called “Pumpkin Wars” with one brother in New Hampshire and the other in Illinois to see which festival could get more lit pumpkins.  While in Keene at the festival, visitors can enjoy food, music, crafts, a costume parade, and pumpkin bowling.  www.pumpkinfestival2011.org

Enjoy the Deerfield Fair in Deerfield, New Hampshire, on September 26, 27, 28 & 29, 2013.  With 137 years of Agricultural Family Fun, this fair is New England’s Oldest “Family Fair.”  See all the classic fair events like tractor pulls, 4H competitions, horse pulls, sheep and cattle judging, along with entertainment ranging from magicians, puppet shows, and square dancers to a circus and the Miss Deerfield Fair Pageant! www.deerfieldfair.com 

GLBT Attractions

The Highlands Inn in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, has been called “one of the most romantic lesbian destinations on the planet” by Planet Out and has received the Pink Choice Award every year since 2007.  It is an 18-room women’s resort on a hundred private acres in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.  The property includes three buildings: the Main Inn with 12 rooms, the Farmhouse with 5 rooms, and the rustic Cottage. With large common areas, including a cozy living room with a cheery fireplace, and antiques and fresh flowers throughout, this lesbian-owned-and-run inn will remind you of a Victorian country home.
www.highlandsinn-nh.com

The Notchland Inn in Hart’s Location, New Hampshire, has been owned by Ed Butler and his husband, Les Schoof, for more than 20 years.  Surrounded by well-kept gardens dotted with purple lupine flowers and looking out on the green forested mountains, the inn provides its visitors an idyllic setting.  The Inn hosts weddings and honeymoons and even has an in-house Justice of the Peace. www.notchland.com

New York

By New York State Tourism, www.iloveny.com

New York State features 11 beautiful vacation regions. New York’s attractions span from landmarks such as Niagara Falls to the wine trails of Hudson Valley & Finger Lakes and treasures like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. In fall, visitors can engage in refreshing outdoor activities to admire the changing colors or they can stop by any of New York’s abundant farmers markets to feast on its fresh fruits and vegetables, unique apple ciders and award-winning wines. All throughout the season the Empire State has activities tailored for every visitor.

Fall Features

This fall season, visitors throughout New York can explore delicious food and beverage “trails” to discover what great new restaurant chefs have already found out: nothing beats hand-crafted, local food and beverages. The Culinary Institute of America Food Enthusiast Classes, in conjunction with Farm Fresh Tours, offers the opportunity to spend a day with celebrated chefs to learn how to turn fresh ingredients into mouthwatering dishes. Between September 15 and October 13, there will be classes on Spanish and Italian cooking; seafood; outdoor grilling, healthy cooking for one; chocolates and confections; and baking skills, from artisan breads to cookies. www.enthusiasts.ciachef.edu

Path Through History Weekends are designed to make it easy to experience the Empire State’s rich heritage and diverse attractions. Interactive science museums, homes of former presidents and artists, living history recreations, and former battlefields are among the cultural and historic sites offering discounted or free admission along with hands-on activities and special interest tours during these weekends. Many historic districts and parks also host festivals, often with live music, crafts and local foods. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a nature lover, curious about history or simply want to have fun, these weekends are not to be missed. www.paththroughhistory.ny.gov

Follow the Foliage. I LOVE NEW YORK’s weekly foliage reports begin September 11 and are updated weekly through early November at iloveny.com/fall. The site provides a detailed update of foliage conditions across New York State, including a map charting fall color progress, vantage points for viewing spectacular foliage, suggested autumn getaways and event listings. You may also hear highlights of the foliage report by dialing (800) CALL-NYS.

The Vineyard Express train, along the scenic Hudson River, stops at Poughkeepsie, with lunch at Vineyard Grill & Café and a hike along the Vineyard Walking Trail of Millbrook Vineyards & Winery.  Wine Enthusiast magazine touted Millbrook Vineyards 2010 25th Anniversary Pinot Noir, which proved to be their top scorer at 89 out of 100 as well as it 2010 25th Anniversary Chardonnay rated at 88. www.millbrookwine.com

GLBT Attractions

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt is considered a human rights pioneer, and her Val Kill cottage retreat is preserved in the Hudson Valley. This property that she shared with her friends — including a lesbian couple, according to the New York Times — is just down the way from the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site with its mansion, presidential library and museum. www.nps.gov/elro

Rochester’s ImageOut is upstate’s longest running lesbian/gay film and video festival. ImageOut presents GLBT arts and cultural experiences showcasing films, other creative works and artists to promote awareness, foster dialogue, and build a community. This year’s festival will be held from October 11-20, 2013. www.imageout.org

Plan your trip on lgbt.iloveny.com. “The LGBT community and New York State go way back. This is where the Stonewall rebellion gave birth to the modern LGBT civil rights movement, just as it was the birthplace of the women’s rights movement and a hub of the abolitionist movement. It’s where Harvey Milk went to college, and home to the nation’s oldest continually operating LGBT community center and longest continually published LGBT newspaper. We continued to make history when we became the largest state in the nation with legal marriage for all loving couples.”

Rhode Island

By the Rhode Island Tourism Division, www.visitrhodeisland.com

Autumn is famously when New England’s picturesque landscape explodes into a kaleidoscope of color, and Rhode Island is no exception. The fall foliage serves as the perfect backdrop to the state’s magnificent oceanfront vistas, whether dining al fresco in Providence or exploring the casual luxury of Newport.  Aside from the breathtaking scenery, Rhode Island’s buzzing nightlife, cultural offerings, and critically acclaimed gastronomy make the Ocean State a great getaway all year round.  And as proof that Little Rhody has always been one of the most gay-friendly states in the country, it recently became the tenth state to perform same-sex marriages.

Fall Features 

As the setting of the Gilded Age, Newport, Rhode Island, with its Newport Mansions, has long been emblematic of American luxury and elegance. For centuries, America’s elite escaped to Newport to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, entertain other well-to-do guests, and take in the beautiful waterfront vistas of the Ocean State. Today, the Newport Mansions are protected national treasures which reflect the apex of American prosperity during the industrial revolution and which still retain the same opulent feel. Events such as the Newport Wine & Food Festival, hosted annually, also showcase the magnificence of the Mansions and bring them to life. www.newportmansions.org

The “crown jewel of the Providence renaissance,” WaterFire is an award-winning installation by Barnaby Evans. Nestled along the banks of the rivers of downtown Providence, fire, music and art create an unforgettably soulful performance. Over eighty sparkling bonfires sit in braziers atop the three rivers of downtown Providence, while gondolas glide along the riverbanks and passengers take in the magical sights and sounds. Since its inception in 1997, WaterFire has drawn over ten million visitors to downtown Providence, revitalizing the city with its simple, inspiring beauty.  www.waterfire.org

Rhode Island School of Design is ranked among the world’s leading colleges of art and design and, as such, the RISD Museum of Art is also characterized as one of the nation’s finest small museums. Among its collections are nineteenth-century French Art, classical Greek, Roman and Etruscan art, Medieval and Renaissance art, and European decorative and Oriental art. RISD Museum also features nineteenth- and twentieth-century American paintings, modern Latin American art, contemporary art and major holdings in costumes and textiles.  www.risdmuseum.org 

GLBT Attractions

Founded by Roger Williams in 1636 on the tenets of tolerance, liberty and free will, Downtown Providence has no specific “gay neighborhood.” The GLBT community is inextricably woven into Rhode Island culture, and Providence is no exception – the city’s bustling downtown area boasts over two dozen gay bars, clubs, and other venues which are either gay-owned or gay-friendly and which are best explored on foot. www.goprovidence.com/visitors/gay-providence/ 

The Providence Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC) aspires to deliver empowering messages of equality for all, to present unique & collaborative musical performances by one of the finest gay male choral ensembles in the country, and to be inspirational leaders of social change. Since its founding in 1995 with a small ad in a local GLBT paper, PGMC has become an award-winning, nationally acclaimed organization and one of the best musical experiences Little Rhody has to offer. www.provgmc.org 

Rhode Island’s GLBT Publications are not to be missed. Get is Rhode Island’s premiere gay magazine: www.Get-RI.com.  Newport Out is the definitive guide to Newport, RI for the GLBT community: www.NewportOut.com. Edge Providence provides a news and entertainment portal focused on the GLBT community in Providence, RI: www.EdgeProvidence.com 

“Gay Getaways” State Resources

California:
www.sanfrancisco.travel and www.sanfrancisco.travel/lgbt/

Connecticut:
www.ctvisit.com

Iowa:
www.traveliowa.com

Maine:
www.visitmaine.com

Maryland:
www.visitmaryland.org

Minnesota:
www.exploreminnesota.com

New Hampshire:
www.visitnh.gov

New York:
iloveny.com and lgbt.iloveny.com

Rhode Island:
www.visitrhodeisland.com

Additional States with Marriage Equality:

District of Columbia/Washington DC:
www.washington.org

Delaware:
www.visitdelaware.com

Massachusetts:
www.lgbtmassvacation.com

Vermont:
www.1-800-vermont.com

Washington:
www.experiencewa.com

I love fall. It’s my favorite time of year. The colors, the temperatures, the smell of bonfires…I tend to travel and experience as much as I can during this short season. When I was thinking about what to include in this issue about Fall Getaways, the first thought that crossed my mind was marriage. Of course. Achieving the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota is something that Lavender might never stop talking about. And, particularly with the overthrow of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act on a national level, to talk about marriage across the United States is particularly relevant when looking at Fall Getaways. Am I suggesting you go get hitched in another state this fall? Not necessarily, but you have my blessings if you do. What I’m suggesting is that we show our support for these states that have given marriage equality to their citizens by making it a point to showcase them and spend our money there.

What power does this GLBT community wield in terms of whether or not this approach is influential? What power does this magazine in this state have? What power do offices of tourism have? I don’t have answers to these questions, but I can tell you that positive reinforcement (with money attached) never hurts. And, in my hopeful heart, if other states see what they’re missing out on, perhaps they’ll make it more important to work toward legalizing same-sex marriage on a state and national level as well.

As an editor, I have to start with a certain pecking order when approaching people, organizations, companies, or any entity, really. Considering this topic, the states legalized same-sex marriage so I needed to contact the states. Each state has an office of tourism and I gave them the rights of first refusal. If the officials in the office of tourism chose to pass, either I would not include an expanded version of their state’s fall getaway offerings or I would approach a city in the state for what they would recommend for GLBT travelers. This way, I knew that I would represent all the states in some fashion–a web address on our website, a city’s version of what GLBT travelers can plan to visit, or a state’s official recommendations for this community with the full awareness that the state was receiving this attention strictly because the state legalized same-sex marriage.

When I sent the questions for the gay getaways travel feature, I asked not only about fall attractions (since the issue is about Fall Getaways), but also about what would be of interest to the GLBT community, specifically. I gave the example of Harvey Milk areas of interest in San Francisco, the Beekman 1802 Mercantile owned by the Beekman Boys in New York, and almost listed Judy Garland’s house in Grand Rapids, but thought that was too easy and obvious (and a little cliché). I sent the questions and was planning to be enlightened by the experts as to what GLBT attractions might be found in their states.

Teach me! Enlighten me! Show me the way!

The responses were a little sparse.

There are various reasons as to why some of the responses were thin. I’m sure that timing had something to do with it as our relentless biweekly schedule means that I’m often asking for things on tight deadlines. Digging a little deeper, states like Massachusetts and New York have already developed extensive GLBT travel websites that feature attractions that are relevant to this community…and to boil things down to a short list might be moot. They’re rock stars in this realm. That’s giving a pretty hefty benefit of the doubt to the whole list of states, though, and I don’t think I’m going to be quite that charitable. I think they just didn’t have much to send me. But, instead of framing the lack of GLBT-specific attractions as a deterrent or detraction to visiting these fine states that have legalized same-sex marriage, I will highlight it as a growth opportunity.

I was a Women’s Studies Major in 1996, which became Women’s & Gender Studies by the time I graduated in 1999, and later became Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. People often asked (and still ask) why such a concentration of study existed. One of my responses was, because it has only just been written. If women had been part of the documentation of history, math, music, art, geography, science, as well as all the other industries and areas of life, perhaps we wouldn’t need a specific concentration of study to catch up on their involvement and achievements. Then, the response was, “but the women weren’t there.” It’s a somewhat valid point in that women were not allowed to do many things based on gender and sex discrimination, but they were always there, much like the GLBT community. Of course, looking at the addition of “Gender” and “Sexuality” to this one department of this one academic institution (my alma mater is Macalester College) does not indicate a worldwide movement or acceptance of women, gender, and sexuality, but it shows that there was a process of figuring out that something was missing and it was very important.

It is very important.

The tourism industry may be wise to follow suit and expand their own concentrations of study in terms of adding women, gender, and sexuality to how their locations are represented. We can joke about history being about “dead white guys,” but we don’t have to let that be the case, particularly when the “dead white guys” are put out there as being straight by default. I’m sure “the closet” as a part of the GLBT community’s past, present, and future reality has a very real effect on what can be known about locations and potential people of interest for tourists, but that can and should be less and less of a roadblock in rewriting history and pointedly deciding to re-present an underrepresented demographic of people. But, this current movement of rights being expanded to include the GLBT community means that history is happening now. It’s happening in their own states. Here is an opportunity for the tourism industry to not only work toward building a body of work that includes GLBT people and dates of the past, but the present as well. Start the process and it will continue to grow into what will draw the community to the borders even more than being a state that has legalized same-sex marriage.

There’s a lighthouse on the cover of this issue. A very real trend exists that magazines with people on them are more appealing than those without, but this lighthouse draws me into this issue for various reasons. This issue is about getaways and a lighthouse is something that is often seen “elsewhere,” particularly by those of us who are very landlocked. This particular lighthouse, the Wisconsin Point Light, is something that is seen by people who visit the North Shore of Minnesota as well as those who attend Duluth-Superior Pride, which is featured in this issue and happening over Labor Day Weekend. It is there as a safe beacon to sailors, but can also be seen as symbolizing a safe harbor for this community, as can the travel feature in this issue which lights the way to states that made marriage equality a reality for this community.

The other states that have yet to legalize same-sex marriage might not be influenced by this issue. What matters to me most is that you find something worthwhile in it, like I do. Just as I prefer to find services, restaurants, stores, and other products in the pages of this magazine because their presence tells me they value this community, I also prefer to visit places where the rights of this community are making very clear progress.

I want to go where history has been made and continues to be written.

With thanks,

Andy

 

Marriage equality has come to Minnesota. Hallelujah. Congratulations.

As the activity was happening at the State Capitol in May, it was apparent more marriage activity would be happening at the time our Senior Living Issue would be produced at the beginning of August. Instead of wondering how I was going to work the two topics into the same issue, I thought, “What tremendous timing.” I couldn’t have asked for a better juxtaposition.

Being a magazine, Lavender is both somewhat rigid and somewhat flexible in our content. We have the scheduled Editorial Calendar and some wiggle room for current events; this one would pair up the older GLBT community with the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota, a pairing that could not have been more appropriate.

Lavender has at least two audiences on the macro level, one that is comprised of those who identify as part of the community represented by Lavender and one that is comprised of those who do not. This issue particularly serves a purpose to both audiences.

For the people who don’t identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and/or as allies but walk past Lavender every day on the stands, see it in coffee shops and businesses, or simply encounter Lavender materials being shared online, it’s a reminder that this community didn’t just up and start demanding rights in recent years. It’s not a new club. Senior citizens not only exist in the GLBT community, but they love each other and want to be married to each other. I mentioned last year how it seems to surprise people who are just learning about the GLBT community that there are older people in it. It’s not a new concept. It’s not a fad or a trend. Fighting for the rights of a group that has actually been around for all of humanity is not radical or unreasonable. Looking at the cover of this magazine, I hope they don’t just walk past Lavender, but that they notice the faces of same-sex marriage could be the faces of anyone in Minnesota, the United States, the world.

For those of us who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and/or as allies, it is an appropriate nod to just how far this community has come. When Pam Colby told me the name of her piece (page 32) in which she profiles three couples who will be marrying after years of partnership and love, I got chills: “I Never Thought I’d See the Day.” People who have been in this community–whether formally or informally–for years and years saw fast progress these past two years in both defeating the anti-marriage amendment as well as legalizing same-sex marriage in Minnesota (not to mention the Supreme Court striking down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act). Not only have these couples seen the day, but so have their loved ones. This issue is a small tribute to their journey.

As July 31st turned into August 1st and same-sex marriage became legal, I went from function to function and saw so many joyous people. The Minneapolis City Hall was full of families and friends and couples and press and spectators and clergy and security and musicians and all sorts of people who wanted to share the occasion with each other. It ran smoothly and there were smiles everywhere. Multiple generations and relations, so much good will. I would live those hours again and again if I could. We were witnesses to history.

Honestly, I don’t know when we will see another day like August 1, 2013.

I am so grateful we saw it together.

With love,
Andy

 

REMINDER:

Please Make Your Nominations for the Lavender Community Awards (LCAs).

The Lavender Community Awards (LCAs) will be the updated version of the Lavender 100, last year’s tribute to our favorite places to go, things to do, foods to eat, places to be seen. We presented lists of finalists and winners as well as started a practice of giving attention to movers and shakers in the GLBT community, which was what I call a “keeper” of an issue; one to hang on to.  Instead of asking the community to vote for favorites this year, we’re going to focus on the people and ask for nominations as to who you think deserves recognition as members of the Lavender (GLBT and Allies) Community. We’ll have lovely photos of the winners, short biographies to let you know who they are and what they do, and all-around lovely representation of why this community is so unique and deserving of celebration.

Please go to lavendermagazi.wpengine.com/LCAnominations and nominate your picks for the Lavender Community Awards. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, August 23.

Then, look for the new issue featuring the winners of the Lavender Community Awards on October 3.

Celebrate Love! Lavender is rounding up our 2013 Pride coverage with this Pride in Pictures Issue that celebrates love as well as this community. This community united over marriage and remains celebratory in what we’re moving into: a post-marriage state, literally and figuratively. No, it’s not all said and done as far as the hows and whats of marriage equality, but the campaigns for same-sex marriage are over for Minnesota. What are we left with? So, so much.

Watching the Pride Parade, visiting the booths at the Pride Festival, seeing so many people out and about as they were celebrating this community…it was just a glimpse into how far-reaching this group of people actually is. And, it was an organized one.  As I watched the parade, I noted which organizations and corporations were representing themselves, which politicians and churches were showing their affiliation and support of the community, which performers and bars and restaurants and small businesses marched along with various themes and tchotchkes to throw into the crowd. What I was seeing was the community, in this post-marriage state.

Looking through these pictures in this issue, you may notice that there are some marriage-based thematic elements, but each of these groups represented in the Parade actually exist for other reasons: Music. Burlesque. Leather. Politics. Religion. Non-Religion. Sports. Food. Drinks. Sobriety. Cross-Dressing. Drag. Parenting. Pets. Fitness. Work. Commerce. Motorcycles. Anti-Bullying. Education. Health. Aging. Arts. Law Enforcement. Fire Fighting. Peace.

I watched the Parade and kept track on the Pride App on my iPhone, marveling at the number of entries and the breadth and depth of who and what they represent. This community. It’s what Lavender has celebrated every two weeks since 1995.

What a wonderful segue to introduce our next big project: The Lavender Community Awards (LCAs).

The Lavender Community Awards (LCAs) will be the updated version of the Lavender 100, last year’s tribute to our favorite places to go, things to do, foods to eat, places to be seen. We presented lists of finalists and winners as well as started a practice of giving attention to movers and shakers in the GLBT community, which became what I call a “keeper” of an issue; one to hang on to.  Instead of asking the community to vote for favorites this year, we’re going to focus on the people and ask for nominations as to who you think deserves recognition as members of the Lavender (GLBT and Allies) Community. We’ll have lovely photos of the winners, short biographies to let you know who they are and what they do, and all-around lovely representation of why this community is so unique and deserving of celebration.

Please go to lavendermagazi.wpengine.com/LCAnominations and nominate your picks for the Lavender Community Awards. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, August 23.

Then, look for the new issue featuring the winners of the Lavender Community Awards on October 3.

Honestly, I can’t wait.

With thanks,

Andy

We’ve been having busy times around here: Marriage, SCOTUS, Pride, and now Pets. So much catching up to do.

First, thank you for picking up the Pride Issue in June. From all reports, that thing flew off the newsstands. We ran out of copies here at the office and had to hope that we’d be getting our grubby hands on a few of them…which we did. Phew. This popularity told me a couple different things; print publishing isn’t dead and we needed a celebratory issue. There was no spectre of negativity looming. We had a little breathing room. We could tend to our fatigue. And then we could celebrate. Believe me, putting together the marriage coverage in the Pride Issue was therapeutic–it wasn’t done with any second-thoughts or doubts, it was done with respect, reverence, and happiness. Showing some unsung heroes, talking about how shocking it might be to suddenly have rights, featuring couples in wedding scenarios that can finally be “Happily Ever After” in marriage if they choose…all of these pieces looked toward a positive future based on years of hard work and resolve.

Next, I’d like to hear more from you. What are you thoughts and reflections about the recent developments? Minnesota passed marriage equality. The Supreme Court of the United States found Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional (Section 2 still exists; see E.B. Boatner’s “Edgewise” column). Californians are able to marry again thanks to the Supreme Court not upholding Prop 8. People are getting engaged and applying for marriage licenses. Where are you in this? What are you thinking? Let me know at [email protected]. I’ll collect thoughts and perhaps publish them as is, or use them to build a longer written piece; it’s time to start documenting the next stage in this community’s history.

As far as what’s coming up in the next issues of Lavender, we’ve got our Pride in Pictures Issue coming out in two weeks. Last year, I suspended all regular columns and content to give the community a commemorative issue of Pride photography to celebrate the 40th year of Twin Cities Pride. It was received so well that we’re doing it again this year. All photos, all Pride, all you.

Also, as we get closer to August 1 and the start of the new perpetual wedding season, we’ll be out there documenting what’s going on in the community. We’ll publish pieces that talk about how marriage will affect you and your families, particularly as we learn more about life after DOMA. We’ll keep a growing body of resources online so you’ll be able to refer back to them as we keep moving forward.

And move forward we will.

I’m grateful for our journey and our celebrations together. I look forward to continuing to document this historic time for this community.

With thanks,

Andy

 

As an aside, I had a funny exchange on Twitter when our last Pet Issue came out with all dogs in it. The question was why weren’t there any cats in it? I responded that we’d switch on and off with dogs in one then cats in the next…blah, blah, blah. Another tweeter very astutely laughed and noted that we’re able to cover G and L and B and T in each issue but not both cats and dogs? Too true, dear reader. Too true. So, we have cats and dogs and even a bird in this Pet Issue. I’ll focus on integration over separation from now on. Can’t we all just get along? And, as an additional treat, please turn your attention to our friend, Fame, who now sports a knit rainbow mohawk hat that was featured in the Pets section of our Pride Issue. Fame’s human, Jordan Roberge, not only got online and purchased the last one available but also sent me a picture of dear Fame wearing it. A cat in a knit rainbow mohawk hat. Some days, it just doesn’t get much better than this.

It’s the end of June already and Pride is here in the Twin Cities. June 23rd marked my two-year anniversary as Managing Editor at Lavender Media and I love celebrating it with a huge party. Documenting and covering the goings-on of this community is an extremely rewarding vocation and there’s no time better than Pride to really feel both the challenge and the jackpot of what we do here at Lavender. Some of you are new to the readership, having joined us during the marriage equality coverage or after picking up the Pride Issue. Others have been with us since the beginning in 1995. Now seems like a good time to offer a little orientation into what Lavender is, a refresher of sorts.

Lavender is an independently published magazine for the GLBT community in Minnesota and surrounding states, as well as on the internet which serves a global audience. The umbrella of Lavender Media covers Lavender Magazine which is a glossy magazine and published every two weeks; the online magazine which is available via the internet as well as Newsstand for iPads and iPhones; the website at www.LavenderMagazine.com; podcasts including “Elevating the Everyday with Ross Sveback” and “Big Gay News;” and the Big Gay News news feed which just blew past 53,000 followers on Twitter. We’re small and busy with a big reach.

What’s better is that Lavender is free and can also be accessed anonymously. People can casually pick one up at one of the hundreds of distribution sites in Minnesota or access it online from the comfort of their electronic devices. Depending upon whether a person is out of the closet or not, this can be an important facet in having an outlet to the greater GLBT community. Also, the fact that it’s free is crucial in making it accessible for a community that changes from day to day.

What keeps it free are our advertisers. Lavender’s mission is to connect our readers to what’s going on in the GLBT community, and to connect the GLBT community with our advertisers. That’s what enables the rest of the publication to happen. Lavender has been supported by this community since 1995 and Lavender has succeeded with a solid business model–we don’t publish more than is paid for. And, the companies that advertise with what is still considered a “special interest” publication get plenty of kudos for doing so–as do you. We’re grateful that you patronize the advertisers in our pages which is why they continue to advertise with us. It’s a harmonious symbiotic relationship.

I was thinking of a pretty solid analogy for what Lavender is, and a coffee shop came to mind.

If we were a coffee shop, you could sit in our incongruously situated location in a former Kingdom Hall for Jehovah’s Witnesses at 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis and enjoy the free coffee and pastries we’re serving. Our clientele is queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, straight, questioning, and everything in between…young and old, in the closet and out. What we offer–coffee and pastries with some special events and shows–tends to be mostly locally sourced with some national and global varieties available as well.  Everything is free, thanks to our advertisers.  We’ve got open mic night and sometimes get political which means that some people love the debates and some people avoid them. Likewise, some of the brews are not tastes that fit everyone’s palate, but that’s why we try to offer as many as we can.

Our inventory changes every two weeks so there’s sure to be something new to taste with regularity–26 rotating menus a year–always including what will be of interest to the GLBT community.  Our calendar is set to attract people to specific topics so that we can continue to provide readers with free coffee and pastries as well as to match people up with advertisers who can provide them with products or services they’d like to buy.  When we have specials like the Wedding Issue and Pride Issue, we have more advertising that pays for more goodies for everyone to enjoy–special guests are brought in and we serve a greater variety of flavors, and we have plans to expand the specials to be more frequent with more variety.

The clientele is diverse and we like to leave a suggestion box out there for input. We’ve got a calendar of events online that serves as our bulletin board where anyone can post any of their events that are of interest to the community for free. And, our Facebook page is a place where we highlight special features or events as well as take feedback and respond to some questions. Our owner is onsite, I guess I’d be the manager, and a small crew of dedicated people make this place work and produce what we present to you with pride.

Unlike most coffee shops, Lavender is always open–24 hours a day, 7 days a week–providing the GLBT community with dedicated and safe space for discussion, food for thought, and flavors to suit a great number of tastes.

So, welcome to Lavender. Or, if you’ve been here before, thank you for your continued patronage.

I hope to see you at Pride.

With thanks,
Andy

Welcome to Lavender’s 2013 Pride Issue. The theme is “Celebrate Love!” and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Looking at the cover, it’s all about what we can celebrate and what we can look forward to in the state of Minnesota this summer. And so much more.

1. The State Capitol:  Where history was made in May, 2013, with the passage of marriage equality in Minnesota. People sat in the galleries of the House and Senate and listened to the testimony of legislators with rapt attention. Singers and sign-holders and protesters filled the hallways outside the chambers and called for them to vote “yes.” The Governor signed love into law on the steps as the community watched, with pride.

2. The Colors: Clear and proud is the rainbow Pride flag behind the Lavender logo. People are wearing bright colors as they strike ecstatic poses on the steps of the Capitol, which is surrounded by orange. Color has meaning. Here, it is celebratory. It is gay. It is bold.

3. The Pride Award Recipients: In an among the celebrants on the cover are members of Shades of Yellow (SOY) and Brent Dundore, himself. SOY has been a strong presence in the Twin Cities for 10 years representing the Hmong community and is receiving the Community Pride Award. Brent Dundore is the winner of the Everyday Hero Award and has been a gem of an artist and activist. I have truly enjoyed collaborating with him these past few months. His Marry Us photo campaign gave a striking visual element to the fight for marriage equality and this cover is iconic.

4. The Family: Paul Melchert and James Zimmerman stood up and spoke out for marriage equality, both against the amendment and for the freedom to marry. Though they were married years ago, they agreed to pose on our cover (and are wearing their wedding suits for the occasion) with their twin boys, Emmett and Gabriel. This fight was about family, theirs and so many others.

5. The Officiant: Bradley Traynor is a Lavender favorite who spent six years of his career here before moving to myTalk 107.1 as a weekday radio personality. You’ll see more of Brad during PRIDE events, like PRIDE in Concert, at which he will be the emcee.

6. The Fact that There’s No Channing Tatum: I’ll leave it at that.

Thank you for picking up the Pride Issue. We’re proud of the issue, we’re proud of our community, and we’re proud of our state.

In celebration and with love,
Andy

 

I remember the music that was playing as we waited for the results on Election Night in 2012. All of us stood for hours at the Election Night Party with Minnesotans United for All Families, watching the big screens with various news stations reporting the results. Collectively, the group would exclaim in excitement or groan in worry. I noted the music selections three times that night. First, I can recall that I was watching both the photographers from the media outlets as well as the crowd when Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” came on over the loudspeaker. In one sweeping motion, all of the photographers turned themselves to the crowd, but the crowd wasn’t paying attention. Some folks were singing along quietly, but the photographers may have been disappointed that nobody started disco dancing. Then, when Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s “Same Love” came on, there was a bit more excitement from the crowd, but not on a large scale. Finally, when we found out that the amendment had failed and discrimination would not be written into Minnesota’s Constitution, the song that immediately started the room singing was “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey.

Today, six months after that night, same-sex marriage was signed into law by Governor Dayton and will be legal as of August 1, 2013.

We didn’t stop believing.

Looking back on months and months of writing about rights, love, equality, amendments, cognitive dissonance, politics, swag, and all-things-wedding, it’s been a roller coaster of thoughts, faith, events, rallies, phone calls, fatigue, emails, arguments, and empathy. A large-scale campaign turned into a small-scale lobbying effort. A victory turned into a victory. A conversation continued and included a great number of topics for both the community as well as the whole state of Minnesota.

Kudos and congratulations to all.  Everyone played a role.

Some roles were obvious and prescribed. Minnesotans United for All Families and the other activists involved with other groups–Project 515, OutFront MN, HRC, etc.–had the mission to get the freedom to marry in Minnesota in 2013, not anything less than that. Go big or go home. It was the role, the raison d’etre, of the organization to stay focused on marriage, period. Messages were all about marriage. Funds were for marriage. Press was for marriage. Nothing but marriage. If they’d said, “Sure, you know, if you don’t stretch for marriage this year, civil unions would be okay,” there wouldn’t have been a campaign. The message was love, with rights.

As the independent and nonpartisan GLBT media, Lavender could–and did–say that this community required something of our legislators this year, ultimately marriage. Our role was to push the issue and hold both organizations as well as elected, public legislators accountable. We wanted marriage equality for this community and it was the sole power of the legislators to give it. In representing a large and diverse GLBT audience, it was crucial to maintain empathy with people who already had love, but need rights this year. People who need these rights will die before the end of the next legislative session in 2014–so if rights didn’t happen in 2013 by way of marriage, they needed to happen by way of civil unions as a stopgap. The message was rights, with love.

Our roles were different. Each organization and person came from a different perspective and played their roles differently. Tactics were based in theory, but none of us have done this before, so we didn’t have a script. If we could’ve purchased a formula or game plan for winning marriage equality in Minnesota, it would’ve made fundraising a whole lot easier. We’ve learned that this lobbying effort took $2 million dollars–cheap!  Had we known that would be the price tag for marriage equality in Minnesota, we’d have emptied our pockets. But it wasn’t quite that simple. Even now, after the victory, it’d be difficult to prescribe how another state could do what Minnesota did, with a positive, pro-marriage lobbying effort that followed a negative, anti-amendment campaign. The efforts started well before 2012 and has cost people in this community so much more than money. And, we don’t know what the turning point was for each legislator in how they decided to vote–they, and their reasons, are as diverse as our community.

Thinking the people who were at the Capitol when the Governor Dayton signed the freedom to marry into law, we all had different roles and perspectives. To speak rather broadly about the demographic groups, some of the people were of the prevalent, powerful class who are accustomed to closed-door meetings and lobbying…while other people were less powerful and completely unfamiliar with having anyone work behind the scenes on their behalf, let alone come out of a closed-door meeting with their best interests in mind. Some had faith that quiet progress was being made, some wondered where the demonstrations and loud clanging cymbals were. Some folks were those who volunteered to raise money and make phone calls, given a script that was proven to be successful in its tactics. Others in the crowd were the recipients of such phone calls who either agreed to give money or had a difficult time getting off the phone with the fundraisers because those successful scripts were relentless. Some of the community never want to get married, others have been waiting for decades to do so. Some didn’t think it’d ever happen, some knew it was only a matter of getting to the vote and it’d be a done deal. Some wore their hearts on their sleeves for the past two years, others are still in the closet.

No matter what our roles or perspectives or organizations, each person contributed to this victory. It is with empathy and the ability to put ourselves in the each other’s shoes that we can find unity even in disparity. Victory can be enjoyed by all, because equality was won for all. And, to think back on Chris Kluwe’s statements on empathy in the last issue, we can stay strong as a community by being able to empathize with each other, just as we ask the larger society to empathize with us. Doing so is crucial to our survival and future as a community within a larger society. Just as we stood together on the lawn at the Capitol knowing we all had different perspectives and roles in this campaign, we were all there together. Unified.

I went to the Capitol that day with my friend, Amanda, and her son, Will. Will is two-and-a-half years old and narrated our walk from Cathedral Hill saying things like, “A-A-Andy…we’re going to cross Oxford, next.” He knew the streets of St. Paul already. I was impressed. He kept wondering if he’d get to “talk to Mark Dayton.” He held the sign his mother made saying, “MARRIAGE EQUALITY IS GOOD FOR OUR CHILDREN.”

He will not know these years before all loving couples in Minnesota were allowed the freedom to marry. I cry with relief for Will and all the children who won’t know a time when this community was fighting for the right to marry just as my generation doesn’t know a time when this community was defined as having a mental disorder or illness. But, knowing that these times existed will help our group empathy as we proceed into the next eras and fight for more rights.

There was no soundtrack to that hour at the Capitol when history was made, no singing along to “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey. But, we marched to downtown St. Paul from the Capitol to the beats of a drumline with police officers stopping traffic and embraced a new anthem, “Love is the Law.”

With love and thanks,
Andy