“Milk” Coming to Charleston

Hi All,

In case you haven’t already heard “Milk” starring Sean Penn is scheduled to open for limited release at Marquee Cinemas in Charleston today. My sources tell me that it will only be there for a week.

“Milk” is a movie about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay American voted into major public office. I I had an opportunity to see it in Ann Arbor last month, and it is worth the trip out to Southridge to see it.

A review can be found online at: http://www.wvgazette.com/Entertainment/gazzfilm/200901280542.
 
Movie show times are: 12:50 PM 3:45 PM 6:40 PM 9:35 PM. 
The website for the theater is http://www.marqueecinemas.com/Theaters/WestVirginia/Charleston/tabid/196/Default.aspx

When I saw it in Michigan near the new year I was surprised to get the last seat in the house. It truly is a movie that reflects our struggle for GLBT fairness and equality.

You can see many common themes we still deal with in the community today.

Next week we will have a discussion forum on the blog about the movie and it’s cultural relevance today.

Milk Opens in West Virginia!

“Using flashbacks from a statement recorded late in life and archival footage for atmosphere, this film traces Harvey Milk’s career from his 40th birthday to his death. He leaves the closet and New York, opens a camera shop that becomes the salon for San Francisco’s growing gay community, and organizes gays’ purchasing power to build political alliances. He runs for office with lover Scott Smith as his campaign manager. Victory finally comes on the same day Dan White wins in the city’s conservative district. The rest of the film sketches Milk’s relationship with White and the 1978 fight against a statewide initiative to bar gays and their supporters from public school jobs. ” from IMDB

Milk opens Friday Jan. 30, 2009 in Charleston, WV at Marquee Southridge!

Marquee Cinemas South Charleston www.marqueecinemas.com 331 Southridge Blvd Charleston, WV 25309 (304) 746-9935 Get directions

Update: Bishop Robinson’s Speech To Air Tomorrow At Inaugural

As you may already know, Bishop Gene Robinson, who is openly gay, delivered an eloquent prayer at yesterdays Inauguration Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. However, it was broadcast by no one so those at home did not get to see it. This is especially of import to LGBT citizens due to Rick Warren’s role in tomorrow’s ceremony as Robinson would provide contrast to Warren’s view of homosexuality. In what seems like an immense screwup on the part of the Presidental Inauguration Committee, the Obama campaign appears to be making an effort to make things right.

The Episcopal Cafe is reporting that before tomorrow’s inauguration, Bishop Robinson’s speech will be aired on the Mall to the crowd as part of the official Inaugural event. Also, his prayer will also be included in ALL future re-broadcasts of the event on HBO.

Also, he will be sitting with the Obamas tomorrow during the Inaugural Parade.

Here at the Cafe, we’ve been told that Bishop Robinson will also be attending the service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square tomorrow morning, and will be sitting with the President and his family at the parade. If all goes to plan, he will be on the Daily Show TOMORROW night (not tonight, s we had reported).

Here is Bishop Robinson’s interview with Andrew Mitchell on MSNBC today.

Openly Gay Bishop Delivers Inaugural Prayer

Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, made the opening prayer to kick off the Inauguration ceremonies. Turns out in what appears to be a comedy of errors (as in, no one knows why), Robinson’s prayer wasn’t broadcast…anywhere. In fact, his prayer started 10 minutes before the official start time of 2:30pm. There were also reports that who were physically at the event couldn’t even hear him. While many Espiscopalians anxiously awaited one of their own make a historical call for unity, none were able to actually see it. Which made the entire event bittersweet for not only Episcopalians but for LGBT citizens as well who were excited about the balance that Robinson offered against Rick Warren’s role tomorrow. 

Alas, Christianity Today skillfully recorded the video from Robinson’s speech, of whom we are incredibly gracious.

Bishop Robinson had this to say on his blog just before the speech.

“The moral arc of justice is long, but it bends towards justice.”

“The moral arc of justice is long, but it bends towards justice”

Martin Luther King Jr. A man whose name always conjures in my mind a grand figure with great ambition. Goals that seem nearly unreachable with the terribly damaging world around us. 

I wasn’t around then so I only have history books and personal recounts of my father to  gather as much as I can about this man but his call for equality is universal..that justice will prevail..that the moral arc is long but it DOES bend towards justice. that  we might not get there in our lifetimes, but we WILL get there. 

What an inspirational man. Thank you Dr. King.

Miss West Virginia Zodiac 2009 Pageant

Roger, Martina and the Trax family will be hosting the Miss West Virginia Zodiac 2009 Pageant on Sunday January 18, 2009 at 504 Washinton St. W., Charleston, WV and would like to invite everyone to come out and support the contestants as they compete to win Miss Zodiac 2009. The pageant will start around 10pm and it is sure to be a fun time for all.

Martina and Coko (Miss Zodiac 2008)

Martina Dezarea’s Pride Benefit at the Polo

Martina Dezarea

We would like to invite everyone to come out to The Polo Club at 1037 7th Ave
Huntington, WV on Friday February 6, 2009.

The fun will get started at 10:30pm with Martina and friends to help raise money for Rainbow Pride of West Virginia. Lets all come out and support our community and West Virginia Pride.

Celebration of Diversity At Asbury United Methodist Church

Asbury United Methodist Church

Asbury would like to invite everyone to join them at:

Asbury United Methodist Church

501 Elizabeth Street, Charleston, WV 25311

On Friday January 30, 2009 for the celebration of diversity community event and dinner prior to the event.

The evening will begin at 5:00pm for Dinner and 6:30pm for the Show.

This evening will be filled with gospel drag, dancers, singers, and all types of divers performances.

Please come and join Asbury as they celebrate diversity in our community.

As Seen In Huntington – 01/10/2009

The Rainbow Mafia made another trip out, this time to Huntington. Piled in a Lincoln Towncar the size of our egos, the six of us made our way from Charleston to Huntington by 11pm.

First stop, the Polo Club. Situated in a warehouse district, this bar has a very neighborhood bar feel.

As luck would have it, the batteries in our normal camera were dead and the camera phones could not pick up enough light to take any acceptable photographs.

A well attended crowd with a show by Martina Dezerea made way to a performance by Frankie.

Polite and friendly staff with great drinks, the Polo was a perfect way to start off the evening. A spacious table arrangement with a well-stocked bar. A good time was had by way.

After a few rounds of drinks, we made way to the Stonewall.

This place was packed. All age brackets. Good music,  great staff.  This place is equpped with a total of three bars, two pool tables, a cabaret lounge, dance/techno space and a retreat-like lounge upstairs.

We hope that this will be one of the many future trips we make to the Polo and the Stonewall.

On the next trip, we make plans to visit the Jackhammer, Huntington’s newest bar.

More pictures will follow.

The Polo Club

www.thepoloclubwv.com

1037 7th ave
Huntington, WV 25701
(304) 522-3146
Get directions

Stonewall

818 7th Ave
Huntington, WV 25701

(304) 523-2242

Deadline Change – 2009 Power of One Nominations Open

UPDATE -  Submission Deadline Changed to January 25th, 2009

January, 6 2009

Dear friends of Pride,

Every year Rainbow Pride of West Virginia takes the time to recognize
and award a person who has created positive change or supported the
needs and issues of the GLBT community.

Past winners have been political advocates, gay youth, and even local
politicians.

Perhaps you know of someone that should be recognized for their
efforts to improve, motivate, or support the needs of our community?
If you do, then we invite you to nominate them for this award.

Any member or ally of the community may nominate someone to receive
the award. There are two ways to be nominated. You may mail it to us
via the US Postal Service or deliver it in person at our regularly
scheduled meeting on January 25, 2009 at 2:30 PM.

Although not required, it is recommended that you include a brief
narrative (500 words or less) of why you feel the person you are
nominating deserves to be the 2009 Power of One Award recipient. A
copy of your unaltered, nomination will be mailed to our Dues Paying
members who will then vote to select the winner.

Nominations must be received in our mailbox no later than January
13th. If you are mailing in your nomination from outside Kanawha
County we recommend that you mail it in no later than Friday, January
9, 2009. This will allow time for the mail to process your letter.

Please Mail your ballot to:
Rainbow Pride of West Virginia
Attn: Power of One Nomination
Post Office Box 2624
Charleston, WV 25326

The Pride office is located at 501 Elizabeth Street in Charleston. If
you need directions to our office you may call (304)345-9938 and
someone will return your call and provide directions to you.

Voting and Annoucements will be announced at a future date

Thank you for your support of the community, and we look forward to
your nomination!

Sincerely,
Charlie Rouse,
President
Rainbow Pride of West Virginia