IML Invades

Similar to the cicadas (who are expect to hatch in the thousands this summer), the International Male Leather (IML) invades downtown Chicago this weekend (Memorial Day). The event is widely known for drawing thousands of leather daddies, bears (gay term), and curious spectators from around the globe. Most will come for the crazy parties, but a large portion will arrive into Chicago for some of the best in leather, fetish, and whatever kind of kink you can imagine.

Although 98% of the crowd consists of gay males, there is a growing representation of women and straight men. Apparently the market is one of the best places to get quality leather goods from countries like Germany and Brazil. For the queer boys it often turns into a great location for people watching and a bit of a freak show.

Today was the first day I noticed boys from IML walking around the Palmer house and in front of me at Subway. They’re rugged guys who to the untrained queer eye might look like skinhead punks. IML is not for the timid or those who may have religious conflictions, but if you are brave enough to enter the event, expect seedy behavior and things that will most definitely make you go…’hmmm, that’s interesting’.

WTF?

Farewell Falwell

Jerry Falwell dies at 73 and sparkes a frenzy of comments from every angle of his evangelical and political agenda. Falwell is best remembered for attempting to bring his religious ideals and private prejudices, which often translated as blunt bigotry, into public policy. Some of his more notorious comments came two days after the terrorist attacks of September 11…

"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America – I point the finger in their face and say `you helped this happen' ... "God will not be mocked."

Or this one…

[On racial minorities] "God-ordained minorities who do indeed deserve minority status"

Falwell is also known for his outlandish attempt to label Teletubbies’ Tinky Winky as a ‘gay role model”, and pushing politicians in making anti-gay policies. In his efforts to bring his religious ideals to the forefront of America, he may have done more harm than good. And although many evangelists used the power of television to transform the religious right into a mighty force in American politics, Farwell often crossed the line and embarrassed his counterparts.

He made no apologies for his actions, comments, or pushing the ‘religious right’, he may be responsible for turning many people away from true Christian ideals of love, forbearance, mercy and inclusion.

Mr. Falwell, God doesn’t take sides.



Photo: Times Colonist

Africa 101

Currently I’m working for an organization that does a lot of international relief and HIV/AIDS educational programs in countries like Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, and Swaziland. Working for an organization like this you see the impact of HIV/AIDS on third world countries. It certainly puts things in perspective when you see how millions of people in these countries are living and what they do to survive. Maybe having to skip my routine Starbucks break isn’t so bad, especially considering some have to skip entire meals.

It’s particularly frustrating to hear the stats on Africa and how it has over 60% of the population have AIDS/HIV, and with many more being diagnosed daily. The main challenge here isn’t medicine, nor is it supplies, but rather shifting a culture's perspective with the proper education of the issue.

So, how do you change a culture of a country, especially when even the government is in denial? As I’m learning it’s a slow and arduous process that demands commitment on a global scale. It’s about education from the top down, and breaking through the corruption that’s preventing a lot of the African people to get the medicine they need.

Africa isn’t the only one that needs education. Even though most of America still considers AIDS a ‘gay disease’, the facts are that African-American and Latina women are at the greatest risk. This is mainly due to the lack of education and denial among those communities. In the case of America, it’s about continuing education efforts, especially younger generations, providing resources for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, and supporting the global efforts of AIDS organizations and governments.