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Around the Region: Iowa Senate votes to allow anti-LGBTQ discrimination in higher ed student groups

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Iowa
Iowa senators pass a bill that would prevent higher education institutions from sanctioning student groups that discriminate based on sexual orientation, LGBTQ Nation reports:

The Iowa senate passed a bill that could ban universities from enforcing anti-discrimination policies in student clubs late last night.
All 29 Republicans voted in favor of it and all 19 Democrats and one Independent voted against it.
Proponents of Senate Bill 3120 say it’s about free speech on campus. The bill saysthat universities “shall not deny benefits of privileges available to student organizations based on the viewpoint of a student organization” or “the student organization’s requirement that the leaders of the student organization affirm or agree to the student organization’s beliefs or standards of conduct.”
An amendment just before the bill passed struck a section that said, “A public institution of higher education may prohibit student organizations from discriminating against members or prospective members on the basis of any protected status recognized by federal or state law.” The state of Iowa bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

At Iowa State University, the student government passed a resolution calling on the administration to prioritize the needs of transgender and gender nonconforming students, Iowa State Daily reports:

Student Government passed a resolution Wednesday evening in support of transgender and gender non-conforming students, asking administration to prioritize gender inclusive restrooms on campus.
Approved by unanimous consent, the resolution also calls for Iowa State to “require gender-inclusive restrooms in any requests for proposals for new facilities or building expansions on or off campus.
According to a map provided by the Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success, there are 30 gender-inclusive restrooms on campus.
The Center defines a gender-inclusive restroom as “a single stall, lockable restroom, open to the public, with signage that indicates that anyone may use that restroom, regardless of gender.”
The resolution was introduced by Sen. Lilian Juma, Sen. Kylee Cox, Vice President Cody Smith and Senior Director of Academic Affairs Kara Masteller.
“We recognize that there are several students on our campus that do not identify as cisgender (binary) and may not feel comfortable using restrooms labeled male or female,” according to the resolution. “We believe Iowa State University should work to make our campus more inclusive to these students.”

The Des Moines Register gave a thumbs down to the efforts of Orange City residents to ban books with LGBTQ themes:

A thistle to Sioux County Conservatives and others who are pushing to ban or segregate books related to homosexual and transgender content.
A flier was distributed throughout Orange City that denounced the young-adult and children’s books and cited health concerns — including higher rates of suicide, depression, substance abuse and other problems — among the LGBTQ population.
Hmmm, do you wonder why that might be? And how our society might address those issues? And whether shame, stigma and prejudice might just play a role?
But to the group opposed to these books, it’s about fighting an “agenda.”
We all should be able to agree on an agenda of intellectual freedom and equitable service and access. Public libraries must serve everyone: black and white, rich and poor, religious and atheist. And yes, gay and straight.
And these materials shouldn’t be stuck on their own shelf, as some in Orange City are arguing. Patrons — particularly questioning teens — should have their privacy protected and should be able to check out materials without judgment.
Out of 64,000 materials, the Orange City Public Library has 168 books — less than three-tenths of 1 percent — that feature LGBTQ content. That cannot be representative of Orange City, or of any community in the state.
The library’s Board of Trustees should send a message that these patrons — and everyone — are welcome.

Wisconsin
The City of De Pere hosted a public session on the city’s recent nondiscrimination ordinance, WSAW reports:

On Tuesday night the city hosted a public information session featuring Stacie Christian, Ph.D. Christian is the director of Inclusive Excellence and Pride Center at UW-Green Bay.
Christian said, “It will definitely expand the opportunity for students to have housing in this area, employment. Individuals will be more interested in working here and coming here to shop, in fact. Right now at this point people often go to Appleton because it’s already considered to be an inclusive community. Knowing about this ordinance and how people really are inclusive in De Pere will be very positive.”
However, not everyone at this meeting was in favor of the ordinance.
Pastor Matt Baye represents one of the De Pere churches backing the lawsuit against the city. .
Baye is asking that religious organizations be exempt.
“We’re specifically looking for the exemption that would allow us to have freedom specifically in how we hire and retain employees and also in terms of the ways that we promote our specific message in accordance with the Bible,” said Baye, who serves as pastor at Hope Lutheran Church.
City council member Casey Nelson is among those who voted in favor of the ordinance but said he’s not able to speak about the lawsuit.
Nelson said, “A lot of other states have done it already. Other municipalities in Wisconsin have done it, so we’re just kind of catching up to the rest.”
The city has 20 days to respond to the lawsuit from the day it was filed.
So far no court hearings have been set.

This March Don’t Miss Female Warriors & Writers (Among Countless Others!)

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The ice is melting, and though it is Minnesota and it may come again, everyone is starting to feel hopeful that Spring is in the air and we are moving into warmer times. Helping us feel all warm and fuzzy this March is the return to a full calendar of arts and community. I’m really excited to report all the exciting stuff going on this month, and tried to show a nice variety for our March Must Sees so there’s something for everyone.

Theatre & Film

Gadfly Theatre Productions opens The Children’s Play by Sami Pfeffer, a weird little long one-act play about trans identity and mental illness starring an entirely trans and non-binary cast, playwright, and director TONIGHT (March 2nd and running through March 11th). Tickets and more info are available here.

Paula Vogel’s Indecent is running at The Guthrie through March 24th. Head over to the Guthrie’s website to grab tickets and learn more. I have a review on this one coming by early next week at the latest.

Also at The Guthrie through March 9th is A.P. Looze’s highly anticipated Foray Softly, a solo show examining exploration and self. This event is one of three that are part of The Guthrie’s Solo Emerging Artist’s Celebration. All the shows look great and you can find out more here.

The Uptown Theater is running the cult drag classic To Wong Foo, Thanks for everything Julie Newmar as part of their Midnight Madness series. March 9th-11th. Ticket info right on their website.

Uprising Theatre who we LOVE here at TheColu.mn are having themselves a birthday bash/fundraiser on March 26th where you can get a sneak peek of their April show, Twisted Deaths. Support this company and see some rad actors doing their thing by securing tickets here.

Visual  & Literary Arts

Another highly anticipated event opening tonight is a photography exhibit about women who have survived sexual assault, aptly titled Female Warriors: Stories of Sexual Assault Survival. The big kickoff starts tonight at 6:00 PM. Check the Facebook event to learn more about this powerful gallery.

Lots of queer artists are participating in the first ever Weird SH*T Art Show! Kicking off Sunday, March 4th at the A-Mill Artist’s Lofts. This includes a lot of new and emerging artists and at a time when we’re concerned about losing weird art in the city, it’s one you’ll want to check out for sure. Visit their Facebook event to see more.

Indoor night market and lots of queer representation are hitting the Grain Belt Bottling House on March 8th from 5:00-10:00 P.M. Check out their Facebook event as well–the vendors are listed in the discussion if you want to find out specifics.

The They/Them project which has been featured here at TheColu.mn and has done amazing work raising visibility for our amazing community of genderqueer people here in the Twin Cities is getting a gallery show at Lush starting March 9th. You can meet some of the models and see some really beautiful photography of some of our cities’ most important activists. More info here.

Lisa Vecoli, curator of the Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies at the University of Minnesota since 2012, will share stories about her career, her life and her passion for books on March 12 at Quatrefoil for An Evening with Lisa Vecoli. Find out more here.

The Women Who Write series welcomes Catherine Friend, Rachel Gold, and Stephanie Maari Booker among other LGBTQ+ women this year on March 18th at Quatrefoil. I have this one marked on my personal calendar as well as there are a lot of really amazing writers featuring. Their Facebook event is the best place to learn more.

On March 25th Sonya Renee Taylor presents The Body is Not an Apology at Magers & Quinn and if you aren’t following and loving Taylor yet, you will be. Learn more at Magers & Quinn’s event page.

Drag, Burlesque, Cabaret & Music

Exposed: A Beautiful Exhale features a lot of emerging burlesque stars right alongside some seasoned pros and I’ve been excited to watch this show come together online. It opens March 9th at Minnsky Theater, and more info and tickets are available here.

Sunday March 11th sees the Miss LUSH 2018 pageant, and I know there are some fierce queens competing in this inclusive pageant chock full of talent. You can also still sign up yourself! Head over to Lush’s website for full info.

Daddy becomes Mommy for one night only (at least, to our knowledge now) on March 15th. The event is back at the Icehouse for this show. Kitten Forever have music for us, Nadi A’merena will be doing burlesque among a number of other great acts. Grab your tickets here.

If you’re up for a little bit of a road trip, Monticello has a David Bowie tribute night where the funds go to support the Youth & Schools Program at OutFront. More info (although what else do you need?!) and tickets are available here. This event takes place on March 31st.

March is not going out quietly as LAYNE is joined by Abisha Uhl and some other LGBTQ+ women you might recognize at Amsterdam Bar. It’s going to be a really fun, and you can grab your ticket to rock out here.

Recurring Events

Huge Theater has an open Queer Improv Jam for queer improv artists to come and laugh and play together on the first Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. No need to register, just come to 3037 Lyndale Ave S. to jam with great professional and amateur improv-ers. No cover.

You definitely don’t want to miss OutSpoken, a queer open mic hosted by Paul Canada, Marcel Michelle Mobama and Blaze Bordeaux on the second Wednesday of every month. This great event is now hosted at Lush! More information here.

Every Thursday night Can Can Wonderland puts together a variety show like none other. Six to eight acts share Can Can’s stage. Local LGBTQ+ talent and those known to the community for legitimate allyship often feature. The event is free, 21+, and starts at 9:00 P.M.

The second Thursday of the night is a special time in comedy here in the Twin Cities. Pssy Ctrl is an all female & queer comedy event happening at the Comedy Corner Underground. It’s hosted by Rana May and Shelley Paul and is just $7 unless you’re a student—then it’s free. No reservations, just show up!

Telling Queer History is a story-telling and community building event that happens on the second Sunday of every month and changes locations. Check out their Facebook page for more information and to keep up with their rotating spaces.

Another amazing storytelling event is curated and hosted by the one and only Andrea Jenkins and John Medeiros. It’s called Queer Voices: A Reading Series and takes place monthly with amazing features each month. Intermedia Arts’ website has more.

Lush’s entire nightlife entertainment line-up is incredible. Must sees include:

  • Black Hearts Burlesque every Friday night at 10:00 P.M. featuring Black Hearts Founder Elektra Cute.
  • #DragRevolution every Saturday at 10:00 P.M. hosted by Twin Cities legend Victoria DeVille.
  • Deviance: A Transmasculine Cabaret featuring music, drag, boylesque and more every fourth Saturday at 7:00 P.M.
  • Local lesbian comedy darling Sarah McPeck’s variety show The Big Fat Comedy Hour on the second Sunday of the month at 7:00 P.M.
  • Drag Brunch every Sunday at 11:30 featuring an all-star line-up and always with a theme that guarantees the most fun for your money.

For tickets to events at Lush head over to their website. They’ve got an event space that seats plenty, but it does sell out regularly so grab your tickets in advance.

The Gay ’90s has a rough reputation in the LGBTQ+ community, but they’ve spent the past year or two cleaning up their act and bringing in some great new acts. Fan favorites include:

  • Sweetpea and Mistress Mara hosting Kinky Friday on the first Friday of every month. This 18+ event is part performance, part kinky party, and all around great time.
  • GLAM! Boylesque shows up intermittently at the Ladies of La Femme Lounge. The next one is June 9th. Don’t miss out!
  • Speaking of Ladies of La Femme—there are nightly drag shows at this huge lounge for plenty of you and yours to show up and see some great drag. Many of the queens have been there for years, and those legends alone are worth seeing. The new talent that gets brought in is also absolutely wonderful.

One of the first LGBTQ+ bars I came to regularly when I first came to Minneapolis was The Townhouse in St. Paul. While the entertainment line-ups are obviously completely different now than the were almost a decade ago, they’re still diverse, entertaining, and full of solid artists. Best shows include (but are not limited too):

  • Pumps and Pearls Drag Revue at 9:30 P.M. Every Wednesday night.
  • Dragged Out, a cast of Drag Kings with special guests that fills up the main room on the third Friday of every month.
  • A great trial run for aspiring burlesque performers and other awesome performances happens the second Friday of every month at 10:30 P.M. And the Nudie Nubie’s Show hosted by Red Bone and Foxy Tann.

Please note: we’d love to include YOU and YOUR work at TheColu.mn’s Arts Calendar. Please submit events to [email protected]. As a fun bonus, if your event is super innovative or exciting, we’re likely to reach out for a deeper feature or review.

 

Around the Region: Iowa community wants LGBTQ-themed books banned

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Iowa
Conservative Christians in Orange City are outraged that the public library lends books with LGBTQ themes, the Des Moines Register reports:

More than 300 people have signed a petition to either ban or label and group materials related to homosexual and transgender content in the Orange City Public Library.
Rev. Sacha Walicord of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church rose before an overflow crowd of more than 100 at the Orange City Public Library Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday and said that LBGTQ books and other library content are “pushing an agenda” that is counter to those in the faith community.
“We won’t roll over,” he said. “We will stand up and we will fight.”
Others defended the selections, saying that a library is a place of diverse ideas and that library patrons are free to choose what to view or ignore.
“No one is putting a gun to anyone’s head,” said Sue Kroesche, former director of Orange City Public Library.
The controversy erupted in one of Iowa’s most conservative Republican counties in northwest Iowa after somebody filed a statement of concern to the library about a book on its shelves that featured LGBTQ content. Library director Amanda Vazquez said the complaint was rescinded after the person discovered it had kindled a firestorm.
But a flier was distributed door to door throughout Orange City last weekend that denounced such materials along with a petition document and call to attend Tuesday’s board meeting. The flier said that the library was distributing “homosexual/transgender promoting materials … some aimed at pre-K kids, using your tax dollars!”

The Globe Gazette has more:

Some Orange City residents are petitioning the public library to separate materials that deal primarily with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning — or LGBTQ — themes, as well as to halt any new such acquisitions without public input.
Others say they support the library’s integration of such materials, even if they don’t personally endorse the content.
Both sides aired their views during a packed meeting of the Orange City Public Library Board of Trustees meeting this week. Nearly 20 people spoke, with about half supporting the inclusion of the books and nearly as many others sharing reservations.
“As a congregation, I would have to say we are shocked that tax money is being used to push this agenda even further,” said the Rev. Sacha Walicord, pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church. “As pastors, we have been silent for far too long. We have rolled over for far too long. This ends now.”
Resident Mike Goll said it means volumes to LGBTQ youth in the community to see characters like them in books they read.
“There are gay kids, there are trans kids in this town, and seeing their faces and seeing their lives mirrored in some of the books here means everything,” he said.

Wisconsin
Conservative Christians are suing the City of De Pere after that municipality passed a ban on discrimination based on gender identity, Courthouse News reports:

Five churches and a Christian radio station sued a Wisconsin city, claiming its recently passed nondiscrimination ordinance protecting transgender residents should not apply to them.
De Pere, Wisconsin, passed the ordinance last November, prohibiting employers, businesses and landlords from discriminating against people on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.
The Green Bay suburb was sued Thursday in Brown County Circuit Court by Hope Lutheran Church, Crosspoint Church, Destiny Church, St. Mark Lutheran Church, Christ the Rock Church and Christian broadcaster Lakeshore Communications Inc. aka Q90fm.
Represented by Wisconsin attorney Heidi Miller and Matthew McReynolds of the California-based Pacific Justice Institute, the churches and radio station argue the ordinance violates their constitutional right to run faith-based ministries and businesses because allowing people who contradict their beliefs to use their facilities goes against the reason the facilities exist.
“Unlike many of its counterparts in other state, local and federal law, the De Pere ordinance does not clearly exempt religious organizations. Nor has the city been willing to assure religious institutions that they will not be subjected to the ordinance when it takes effect March 1, 2018,” the 24-page lawsuit states. “As a result, the ordinance is likely to be imposed on churches and other religious organizations in a manner that would mandate government orthodoxy in core religious functions, communication and conduct.”

A new scholarship has been created to lure more LGBTQ folks into the healthcare industry, Patch reports:

Healthcare organizations such as Aurora, Froedtert, and the Medical College of Wisconsin are making concerted efforts to guarantee appropriate care for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.
Despite advances in culturally-competent care, Wisconsin LGBT Chamber President and Founder Jason Rae says that many people who are LGBTQ have historically been concerned about discrimination in the doctor’s office and spend a lot of time looking for allies in the healthcare industry.
“People really want to find a provider who supports them being themselves, and to be open and honest from the start,” he said. “For example, people who are transsexual are much more likely to face discrimination from their doctor.”
To support more LGBTQ medical health practitioners and staff, Rae’s organization, the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Herzing University-Brookfield have partnered on a new scholarship for LGBT individuals working in the healthcare industry.
Rae said the Pride in Healthcare scholarship was created to open up new possibilities for members of the Milwaukee area LGBT community to pursue and advance careers in healthcare while supporting members of the LGBT population through routine and critical care.

Madison’s public schools are installing gender inclusive restrooms, the Wisconsin State Journal reports:

Every Madison School District building soon will have at least one easily accessible, single-stall, public bathroom open to students of all genders under a district-wide project now nearing completion, district officials said.
“This is just good to do for all people but it really is going to be essential for some of our kids,” said Sherie Hohs, the district’s social worker for LGBTQ students and project co-coordinator with school operations chef Karen Kepler. “It’s a big deal. It’s something we’re proud of.”
Within a few months, all 48 regular district schools will have a specially designated all-gender bathroom, as will the rented or owned space where alternative education programs are based and district headquarters. Only a “handful” of bathroom projects remain, Kepler said.
The effort, begun about a year ago, also includes staff training and development of a student video. Similar to family or all-access bathrooms at a store, the all-gender bathrooms can be used by any students, visitors or family groups, such as a mother with small children with her.
“We’re just trying to normalize it,” said Hohs, who works with district students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning. “It’s like going to a coffee shop, but we’re being very intentional with the language around it, that this is for all genders.”

Pawlenty to headline anti-LGBTQ fundraiser

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Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has yet to announce a run for governor despite assembling a campaign infrastructure, is slated to headline the annual fundraiser for the anti-LGBTQ Minnesota Family Council. It’s his third appearance at the organization’s annual fundraising event.

Pawlenty will be the headliner at the April 20th annual dinner fundraiser at the Minneapolis Hilton. This will not be Pawlenty’s first time at the Minnesota Family Council’s annual dinner — or even his second. Pawlenty joined Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann for a 2011 dinner as the trio of presidential contenders vied for support from conservative Christians. In 2004, Pawlenty sent a video message to the group’s fundraiser praising its anti-LGBTQ activism.

“The Minnesota Family Council is doing a great job working for our families,” Pawlenty said at that event. “I have appreciated working personally with the Family Council both as a legislator and now as governor. Minnesota has many social and family challenges. Right now we need to be especially focused on the effort to protect marriage. I encourage everyone to keep working for our shared values.”

The Minnesota Family Council has a long history of anti-LGBTQ activism dating back to the early 1980s when MFC started as the Berean League, a group of conservative Christians that banded together to advocate for laws that criminalize lesbian, gay, and bisexual Minnesotans. In recent years, the group has come under criticism for publishing information about LGBTQ people that is untruthful including claims that “homosexuals” are more likely to be pedophiles, and are more likely to engage in sex with animals. These statements are not only false, but have been historically used to perpetuate violence against LGBTQ people.

Over the last year, the group has been active in opposing school policies that seek to create an inclusive environment for transgender students.

Past attendees of the Minnesota Family Council annual dinner include Mike Huckabee, the Benham brothers, Gary Bauer, and Ben Carson.

Gadfly Theatre presents the Children’s Play

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Gadfly Theatre Productions is bringing the Children’s Play to the Phoenix Theater on Friday, March 2. Created by Sami Pfeffer, the play follows a being called Prince of Oceans and their interactions with the Girl, the Fool, and the Hideous Monster — each of which embody symptoms of mental health.

“These four main characters explore a strange, bleak world on a confusing and ultimately irrelevant quest,” the press package for the play states. It “inspired by eclectic art forms like mime, commedia dell’arte, dance, and puppetry.”

The Children’s Play is “art created for, by, and with queer, trans, and non-binary people,” Gadfly promises. “This important work features a transgender or otherwise non-binary cast of brilliant actors and movement artists ready to take you on an unexpected journey… that explores gender, trauma, mental illness, and identity around a loose and whimsical narrative.”

Included in the production are Director Immanuel Elliott, Stage Manager Dustin Bailey, and features Khadija Siddiqui, Addison Sharpe, Ming Hsu, Ally Van Siclen, Ari Shapiro, and Riley Jay Davis.

Though the shows name evokes a family-friendly atmosphere, the play is not intended exclusively for children.

​The play will be at the Phoenix Theater on March 2-4th and 9-11th. All shows at 7:30 PM except Sunday matinees, which are at 3:00 PM. Tickets to The Children’s Play are $15 in advance and $20 at the door for a regular show, and features two Pay-What-You-Can performances on Sunday matinees. Please e-mail [email protected] for more ticket information or visit their website or Brown Paper Tickets page.

MN Senators introduce ban on LGBTQ panic defense

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Lawmakers introduced a bill last week that would make the gay and trans panic defenses unenforceable in court. For decades, perpetrators of violent crimes against LGBTQ people have used gay and trans panic defenses in order to garner reduced sentences. Often the panic defense relies on “temporary insanity” of the perpetrator against a LGBTQ person because the victim revealed a LGBTQ status in an intimate relationship.

California and Illinois have banned the gay and trans panic defense; California did so in 2006 and Illinois in 2017.

Senate File 2633 was introduced by Senators Scott Dibble of Minneapolis, Sandy Pappas of St. Paul, Tony Lourey of Kerrick, and Ron Latz of St. Louis Park.

The bill was referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy. That committee is chaired by Sen. Warren Limmer of Maple Grove, a Republican who has been extremely hostile to issues of equity for LGBTQ Minnesotans.

The first section of the bill would put into law the concept that use of force is not authorized in reaction to someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill states:

Use of force not authorized; reaction to victim’s sexual orientation.
Force may not be used against another based on the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, including gender identity and expression, including under circumstances in which the victim made an unwanted nonforcible romantic or sexual advance towards the actor, or if the actor and victim dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship.

The bill would also eliminate the LGBTQ panic defense:

It is not a defense to a crime that the defendant acted based on the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, including gender identity and expression, including under circumstances in which the victim made an unwanted nonforcible romantic or sexual advance towards the defendant, or if the defendant and victim dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship.

The bill is modeled after one developed by the Williams Institute at the University of California – Los Angeles as part of a broad study of the use of these panic defenses.

Update February 27: A companion bill, HF3045, has been introduced in the Minnesota House by DFL Rep. Erin Maye-Quade.

Around the Region: Iowa City set to expand legal definition of gender to include non-binary

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Iowa
Iowa City is working on expanding its definition of gender identity away from just male and female, KCRG reports:

Iowa City may soon change it’s definition of gender identity. Right now, it’s still only male or female. City council voted Tuesday night 7-0 to change that.

“We’re thinking about inclusion and we want to make sure that we’re not just talking about it but it’s actually embedded in our policies and procedures,” said City Councilman Kinglsey Botchway.
The new ordinance will allow people to identify as “non-binary” on documentation if they don’t feel they fall into the category of male or female.
The change first started when University of Iowa student Ryan Hall tried to apply for a city council position.
“At the time, we had a gender requirement that required us to have a female be a part of that board,” said Botchway. “Ryan came back and let us know that he was gender fluid so because of that it begged the question, “Why do we have this particular requirement?””
Hall says it wasn’t just that instance that made Hall wonder if things should change.
“When people sign a voter’s registration, they have to fill out in the state of Iowa, if they’re male or female, which is their assigned sex at birth, not their gender identity,” said Hall.

The Daily Iowan has more:

On Tuesday night, the Iowa City City Council voted 7-0 to update the city ordinances concerning gender identity and human rights. The City Council agreed to amend Title 2, “Human Rights,” Chapter 1, “Definitions.”
Currently, the ordinance defines gender identity as “a person’s various individual attributes, actual or perceived, in behavior, practice or appearance, as they are understood to be masculine and/or feminine.”
The new amendment will remove these terms to make it inclusive for nonbinary expression. Nonbinary expression means individuals who believe that they do not fall under male/female identities.
According to the American Psychological Association, it is difficult to estimate the number of individuals who identify as nonbinary because of limited research. However, it estimates that nonbinary individuals make up 25 to 35 percent of the populations that identify as transgender.
The ordinance defines these terms in order to protect community members of Iowa City against discrimination and to be consistent with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which states that the United States outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

Iowa State Daily takes a look at a Republican bill that would eliminate protections for transgender and gender diverse people:

Twelve Republican lawmakers in the Iowa Legislature have proposed eliminating protections for transgender, genderqueer and genderfluid individuals who wish to utilize housing, restrooms and locker rooms associated with their gender identity.
All twelve lawmakers were asked for comment. Only Larry Sheets, R-Moulton, responded and he did not wish to speak on record.
Currently, students at Iowa State can use restrooms consistent with their gender identity. The bill would allow Iowa State to decide that transgender students could not continue using bathrooms that align with their gender identity. What the passage of this, or a similar law, would mean for students is unknown.

South Dakota
The Associated Press reports that South Dakota lawmakers want to ban discussion of transgender issues and experiences in schools:

South Dakota lawmakers will consider banning public school teaching on gender identity in elementary and middle schools, a push that critics say targets transgender students in the same way some states limit the positive portrayal of homosexuality in the classroom.
The state would be the first in the nation to block instruction on gender identity or gender expression, said Nathan Smith, public policy director at GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), a national group focused on safe schools for LGBTQ students. But the organization recently counted seven states with restrictions on positively portraying homosexuality in health classes, sometimes called “no-promo-homo” laws. The states are Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.
“It’s maybe a little different in the way that it’s crafted and maybe a little different in the way, sort of the population that it targets, but the underlying concerns are the same for us as they would be in … a traditional ‘no-promo-homo’ law,” Smith said. “We think that it’s bad broadly for LGBTQ students in South Dakota.”

Wisconsin
The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce is speaking out against a Republican bill to ban local nondiscrimination ordinances that are more expansive than the state’s, according to a press release:

Jason Rae, President & CEO of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, released this statement today on Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) pushing anti-LGBT legislation.
“It’s shameful that WMC is pushing legislation that will roll back protections local communities in Wisconsin have enacted to protect members of the LGBT community from discrimination.
“Senate Bill 634 and Assembly Bill 748 prevents local governments from making decisions about what types of policies are best for those who live and work in a local community. This would have a tremendously negative impact on many cities and counties around the state who are working hard to build welcoming and inclusive communities.
“It is ironic that WMC claims to be fighting to make Wisconsin ‘open for business’ while rolling back protections that actually help attract businesses and workers to our state.
“While ten states have considered this type of legislation, only three have passed a preemption like this. Passing this legislation would make Wisconsin one of the more hostile states in the nation to LGBTQ people.

Queering the Tarot: Ace of Pentacles

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As we continue journeying through the Tarot with the explicit purpose of queering it, we enter the Pentacles. I didn’t connect with Pentacles for a long time. It felt like this suit was so much about materialism in a way I didn’t believe in. It’s also a lot about family, but in a heteronormative way that I couldn’t relate too. Over time though, this has become the most patient and reassuring set of cards in the Tarot to me. My queerplatonic partner and I have carved out an incredibly unconventional home filled with unicorn masks, witchcraft, and love that no one understands–least of all us. It is still a home that is stable for our partners, for the friends that come for game nights, and most importantly, for ourselves. Once I did have the idea of home resolved in my own queer way, my careers that I am deeply passionate about started taking off. Then I fell into a wonderful group of queer friends where resource building and sharing sit at the core of our connection and love for each other. Somewhere in all of this, the Pentacles started standing above the rest of the deck when I needed comfort, love, and reassurance.

Queering the Pentacles as a whole is as easy as taking stock of what means something in your own queer life. It’s as simple as thinking about what you’re trying to grow and develop. It’s as important as changing the world at large, though this suit primarily relates to self, family (chosen or otherwise) and community. Big change starts within, and let’s not forget that though as queer or otherwise marginalized people, we owe people like us all of the fire we have inside of ourselves, but living our lives joyfully and with firm roots in the ground is also a form of resistance. Living a joyful life for its own purpose is something other LGBTQ+ people can look at and say “Hey, that’s where I want to be; comfortable and happy.” In allowing ourselves the luxury of the Pentacles we are telling other queer people that they deserve luxury. In finding homes and families that we don’t see on TV but do feel deeply in our souls, we promise others that they can find that too. Living a full life in a world that hates you IS resistance, and that’s the type of resistance that the Pentacles push us too. You’ve likely spent so much of your life battling personal trauma, collective trauma, and the daily trauma of living in a queerphobic world. Regardless of who is or isn’t watching, you deserve a safe space to breathe, and that is what the Pentacles promise.

We start then with the Ace of Pentacles. If Aces bring news or are news, the literal quick translation of this card is “News of family, home, or career, likely positive.” This is a happy and straight-shooting card. If you’ve been looking for your dream house, you’re probably going to find it. If you’ve been stuck in a dead end position in a field you love, you’re probably moving ahead pretty soon. Unexpected money shows up, including inheritances because of this suit’s ties to family (though it’s probably not from anyone unexpected or are super close to). As a more spiritual card or energy, the Ace of Pentacles is a call to put down roots, to create a home, or to build or provide a resource. It’s a promise that you’re safe now, and safety means you’re at an exciting time where you can grow or develop anything you want and know that something good will come out of it. This card is a good omen and a great opportunity, and it’s assuring you that NOW is the time to put down roots.

As career or financial news, a queering doesn’t change this card much but it does give it some nuance. In a world where in many states you can get fired for coming out as transgender or having a same sex partner, career advancement is a welcome breath. Given the aforementioned disproportionate levels of poverty queer people face, finding out that you’re moving out of that is amazing news. It’s also healing in a way that I don’t think it would be for someone who isn’t working at the intersections of poverty and another marginalized identity. That means that with a queering of the Ace of Pentacles we see an aspect we haven’t before: healing from past trauma and moving forward confidently, even if the manifestation of that is material and worldly.
This card is pretty straightforward, even when deconstructing it or queering it, but we can use it to dig a little deeper.

The Ace of Pentacles is for sure promising that whatever you’re looking for for your chosen, queer family is right around the corner or it’s perhaps assuring you that what you need is right in front of your face. In this day and age, what so many of our queer families need is actual resources. What people living in poverty need is food security, friends with extra rooms, and knowing we’ll have a way to get to the work or odd jobs we do find. This card could show up to tell you that those resources already exist in your area if you open yourself up to them. It could also mean that you are in a place to start providing those resources for other people. If you’re making a decent amount of money and have been wondering how to give back, think about what your local queer community needs and find a way to do that. If you cook well, find somewhere that will host community meals a few times a week. Find someone who knows who’s homeless in your community and knows how to distribute armfuls of blankets and gloves to those who need them in the cold. You don’t have to do everything, but this card often shows you’re in a place to do something, and that is powerful knowledge that you can and should put into action quickly.

*PSSST! Big news! Queering the Tarot is a series I’ve been running for what seems like forever. Now it’s being compiled, finished, and rewritten as a book by the same title through Red Wheel/Wieser publishing! It’s still way too early even to pre-order, but keep their website on your radar for future purchase options and release date information.

Last Chance: Don’t Miss Patrick’s Cabaret’s Sunset Season

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In so many ways, Patrick’s Cabaret is the heart and soul of the queer arts community in the Twin Cities. This queer led organization consistently produces events by and for artists living on the edge of culture, and countless local stars got their start or got back on stage because of Patrick’s Cabaret. No show is the same, and it’s one of the only hubs where storytellers, poets, musicians, drag artists, theatre folk, dancers, and other performing artists can be seen on the same stage in the same night. It is home for so many radical artists and arts supporters. Patrick’s Cabaret has been bringing one of a kind cabaret events to the Twin Cities for over 32 years. That is an understatement.

Which is why it pains me today to report that after thirty two years, Patrick’s Cabaret is closing its doors at the end of their current season. The company states that “Patrick’s Cabaret is not in a financial or leadership crisis, and has no debt, but the reality is that financial resources are not available to sustain the organization’s work. The organization’s financial projections indicate that it must close permanently, in approximately 8 months.” This news was a shock to most reading it, as the company’s innovative programming seems to be thriving. The company has made several additions to their regular season over the past few years, and several shows a year sell out. The sad reality is (and I know this first hand as a producer) that for truly unique, innovative programming designed to serve those already living on society’s fringes, often the resources just aren’t there. This is a hard, fragile business and it is to the company’s credit they have made it work so beautifully and pay every artist that performs for over three decades. Losing their flagship venue in 2016 was a huge loss of stability and earned income for the company, and rising rents in the Twin Cities haven’t helped projections moving forward.

While this news is devastating, in true Patrick’s style, they aren’t leaving us high and dry. There is almost a full season of programming ahead, all of it downright innovative. There are four more cabarets to come, starting with Revolutionary Jetpacks this February. They are producing another round of the incredibly successful Artist Education Series this spring, and there will be a series of conversations about what happens next for the communities Patrick’s serves. You can find out more about this powerful season right on their website.

Patrick’s Cabaret is closing after this season no matter what–hence their and my references to a “sunset season.” The organization still has lots of ways to get involved, ensure that this final season is successful, and meet lots of other amazing people so you can help plan next steps for the community of queer, POC, disabled, and otherwise marginalized artists and audience. Patrick’s is specifically asking the community to:

  • Share your memories of this excellent organization on social media by tagging @patrickscabaret or using the hashtag #patrickscabaret. Public posts are especially helpful.
  • Go to the aforementioned cabarets! Here’s the link again just in case.
  • Attend upcoming Community Roundtables where the company will discuss how to support and enable artists living on the edge of culture moving forward. Feb 26th is the first of these conversations. Details TBD–keep checking their website.
  • Volunteer! Learn more about volunteering right on their website.
  • Donate. We want to make sure artists and other necessities are still being taken care of and that this important arts organization goes out in style. You can also fundraise on their behalf; connect with Executive Artistic Director Scott Artley at [email protected] to start planning.

I’m incredibly heartbroken to see that Patrick’s Cabaret is permanently closing. This company has meant the world to me over the past several years. I know it means the world to a lot of you reading too. I know that those who love Patrick’s, work at Patrick’s, or perform at Patrick’s will go on to continue making amazing, evocative, shocking work. In the meantime, don’t miss a second of their final season, and make sure you’re supporting the arts organizations that mean the most to you.

Queer Arts Calendar: Theatre, shanties, and pirates this February

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We are jumping into month two of 2018 with plenty of great art to keep us company this February whether we are single, not single, or somewhere in between this Valentine’s Day season. February and March are traditionally rich in art and cultural experiences for reasons I’ve never figure out, but it’s a joy to spend our last days of winter dancing along with so many drag queens or welcoming spring by sitting in front of our favorite poets. Below are some of the things we at The Column are the most excited about seeing this month.

Theatre & Film

Park Square Theater is running a drama about love, loss and forgiveness set in Uganda called Cardboard Piano. I wrote a review on The Column if you want to see if it’s a good fit for you or not. If you decide it is, head over to Park Square’s website to secure your tickets.

February kicks off immediately with a surefire hit from 20% Theatre Company; their latest Naked I production. The Naked I: Recognize/d takes stories of transgender artists and gives them a necessary spotlight. It’s a really unique show and I’ve loved every one I’ve seen. You can snag your tickets for this show running February 1st-11th at Minnsky Theater here.

Collective Unconscious Performance is a theater company that’s been on my radar for awhile. They do great subverted fairy tales and combine several styles of theatre and storytelling, especially puppetry and magical realism. They’ve got a staged reading on February 12th called LE CIRQUE FÉERIQUE (THE FAIRY CIRCUS). You can find more via the Venue’s website.

Uprising Theatre Company kicks off their next season with The Resistance of My Skin, a retooled, rebooted version of Sex in the Dark from 2016. The show starts on February 16th, and I’m eager to see how it’s changed. You can find out more and secure tickets here.

The Guthrie is bringing acclaimed play by lesbian playwright Paula Vogel, Indecent to their stage starting on February 17th. I will have more about this production once it’s on it’s feet, but head over to the Guthrie’s website to get a head start on grabbing tickets.

Visual  & Literary Arts

The Art Shanties are one of the most Minnesotan art installations that happens in the Twin Cities every year; the shanties are put up by a group of artists, many LGBTQ+ who create, perform, or display whatever they want within those hut walls. The shanties are running through February 11th, so time to see them is winding down. This event is free to the public, and you can find out more here.

Telling Queer History presents Queer Love and Crafts at the Hennepin County Library on Sunday, February 11th. Their Facebook page is the best place to learn more.

February 18th provides a beautiful night of poetry for queer spoken word fans with Button Poetry Presents: Uprooted featuring Hieu Minh Nguyen among others. This happens at Honey Mpls, and there’s lots of additional info on their ticket page.

If Uprooted isn’t enough poetry for you for the month, Adina Burke who describes herself as a “crippled punk rock poet” is hosting a belated birthday party for her book, and local poetry star Ollie Schminkey joins her (along with Monica Coleslaw) on February 24th at Camp Bar. More information and tickets available here.

The Encyclopedia Show once again features a roster heavily peppered with LGBTQ+ storytellers like Javier Morillo-Alicea as they take on Pirates as their theme this month. This show is produced by Word Sprout and hits the Kieran’s stage on February 25th.This is a really fun, laidback storytelling show at Kieran’s Irish Pub downtown. Their Facebook page has more details.

Drag, Burlesque, and Cabaret

You’re probably aware by now that Daddy is moving to First Ave for their February 10th show featuring Nick Jordan, DJ Keezy, and of course, Marcel Michelle Mobama. Tickets are available here and trust me–you want to grab them. This is one of my favorite events in the city and it sells out almost every time.

What better way to spend Valentine’s Day–one of the sultriest nights of the year–than with the Tesla of Tease, Elektra Cute and a line-up of some of her favorite burlesque acts, aerialists, and musical acts for CABARAVE: Love Languages. The event kicks off on the 14th and runs through the 17th at The Lab Theater.

Another amazing burlesque show starting the day after Valentine’s Day (the 15th) is The Wicked Wenches: Return to Kandy Land! This ensemble always has lots of queer talent and takes a hilarious approach to the classic art of burlesque. The show is happening at Minnsky Theater from the 15th-17th, and tickets are available here.

Flip Phone is producing a huge event at Can Can Wonderland for the first time on February 23rd with Gaga Carnival. Phi Phi O’Hara will be in town for the event, and there will be pop-up drag performances throughout the night. Can Can Wonderland is one of the most ridiculously fun places in the Twin Cities, and Flip Phone bringing their brand of drag and party is guaranteed to be a good time. Your ticket (and more info) is right here.

Recurring Events

Huge Theater has an open Queer Improv Jam for queer improv artists to come and laugh and play together on the first Sunday of the month at 5:00 P.M. No need to register, just come to 3037 Lyndale Ave S. to jam with great professional and amateur improv-ers. No cover.

You definitely don’t want to miss OutSpoken, a queer open mic hosted by Paul Canada, Marcel Michelle Mobama and Blaze Bordeaux on the second Wednesday of every month. This great event is now hosted at Lush! More information here.

Every Thursday night Can Can Wonderland puts together a variety show like none other. Six to eight acts share Can Can’s stage. Local LGBTQ+ talent and those known to the community for legitimate allyship often feature. The event is free, 21+, and starts at 9:00 P.M.

The second Thursday of the night is a special time in comedy here in the Twin Cities. Pssy Ctrl is an all female & queer comedy event happening at the Comedy Corner Underground. It’s hosted by Rana May and Shelley Paul and is just $7 unless you’re a student—then it’s free. No reservations, just show up!

Telling Queer History is a story-telling and community building event that happens on the second Sunday of every month and changes locations. Check out their Facebook page for more information and to keep up with their rotating spaces.

Another amazing storytelling event is curated and hosted by the one and only Andrea Jenkins and John Medeiros. It’s called Queer Voices: A Reading Series and takes place monthly with amazing features each month. Intermedia Arts’ website has more.

Lush’s entire nightlife entertainment line-up is incredible. Must sees include:

  • Black Hearts Burlesque every Friday night at 10:00 P.M. featuring Black Hearts Founder Elektra Cute.
  • #DragRevolution every Saturday at 10:00 P.M. hosted by Twin Cities legend Victoria DeVille.
  • Deviance: A Transmasculine Cabaret featuring music, drag, boylesque and more every fourth Saturday at 7:00 P.M.
  • Local lesbian comedy darling Sarah McPeck’s variety show The Big Fat Comedy Hour on the second Sunday of the month at 7:00 P.M.
  • Drag Brunch every Sunday at 11:30 featuring an all-star line-up and always with a theme that guarantees the most fun for your money.

For tickets to events at Lush head over to their website. They’ve got an event space that seats plenty, but it does sell out regularly so grab your tickets in advance.

The Gay ’90s has a rough reputation in the LGBTQ+ community, but they’ve spent the past year or two cleaning up their act and bringing in some great new acts. Fan favorites include:

  • Sweetpea and Mistress Mara hosting Kinky Friday on the first Friday of every month. This 18+ event is part performance, part kinky party, and all around great time.
  • GLAM! Boylesque shows up intermittently at the Ladies of La Femme Lounge. The next one is June 9th. Don’t miss out!
  • Speaking of Ladies of La Femme—there are nightly drag shows at this huge lounge for plenty of you and yours to show up and see some great drag. Many of the queens have been there for years, and those legends alone are worth seeing. The new talent that gets brought in is also absolutely wonderful.

One of the first LGBTQ+ bars I came to regularly when I first came to Minneapolis was The Townhouse in St. Paul. While the entertainment line-ups are obviously completely different now than the were almost a decade ago, they’re still diverse, entertaining, and full of solid artists. Best shows include (but are not limited too):

  • Pumps and Pearls Drag Revue at 9:30 P.M. Every Wednesday night.
  • Dragged Out, a cast of Drag Kings with special guests that fills up the main room on the third Friday of every month.
  • A great trial run for aspiring burlesque performers and other awesome performances happens the second Friday of every month at 10:30 P.M. And the Nudie Nubie’s Show hosted by Red Bone and Foxy Tann.

Please note: we’d love to include YOU and YOUR work at TheColu.mn’s Arts Calendar. Please submit events to [email protected]. As a fun bonus, if your event is super innovative or exciting, we’re likely to reach out for a deeper feature or review.