What is going on?

I was reading the Tuesday Mariana's Variety and saw a picture with caption, however it was missing a story. The caption mentioned a detail of an individual found not-guilty of attempted second degree murder. I was intrigued that there was a picture without a story and read it out-loud to a co-worker and they replied with the story that happened over a year ago. (A story that I looked in back archives and found only one article in the Saipan Tribune) The story I was told was one of two men that were jumped and beaten on by two other men as they were presumed to be gay (this was from my co-worker, not the article) and one of the men defended themselves with a box-cutter type knife which resulted in this individual being arrested due to one of the perpetrators being cut in the incidence and claiming they were the victims, rather than the perpetrators.

Several things about this story have me curious. First, how long will people not talk about GLBT issues openly here in Saipan? You have to know that there are serious events, such as this, that should be openly discussed. It is my opinion, that people should not be allowed to think that "gay bashing" is an acceptable thing here in Saipan! Secondly, how difficult is it to be openly gay living here in Saipan? I was openly gay before moving here and there was no reason to go back into the closet, therefore, I am curious about learning the difficulties that people have with growing up here and deciding to be out or in, the closet.

Island Dyke

Finding It Hard To Find Something To Talk About Thats Gay

Well, I have abondoned this blog for sometime as I hit a wall. Trying to find something to talk about that is GLBT has been almost impossible, especially as there are so many other things that seem soooooooo much more pressing, such as CUC power-outages and the other negative things going on lately in Saipan.

I have found myself, in iddle time, spending energy studying green options. In the July/August edition of Curve there was an article about a lesbian that bought an diesel Volvo with a veg oil system installed. With this vehicle she could run either diesel fuel or veggie oil. She named her car "Rudy" and it displayed the "greasecar.com decal stickers" from the conversion kit intalled on the car. She shares about the experience of how it took some time to become an expert in oil pouring and how "sticky" the process was at times. She is now on her second greasecar, a Benz she named Esmerelda. (Siegal, 2008)

To me it seems there is a little more involved in owning such a car than the norm, however, the pay-offs may be well worth it financially and saving the environment to boot. The only extra added skills needed is pouring oil with minimal spilling and finding an oil resource. The jury is still not out for me though as the air-compression cars are hitting the U.S. next year.

Island Dyke

Reference:

Siegal, E. (2008) Spreading the Gospel of Grease. Curve, Vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 77.

www.greasecar.com

Latest Ramblings on The L Word

Ok, I just want to complain about the series The L Word as it is wrapping up their show this next, only half a season in January. We have had some great get togethers for dinner and the show this past year with friends in our community here. And although the get-togethers will continue on, I will miss the complaining about "Jenny" and what a witch she is, even though she is pretty in an odd kind-of way.

A reader wrote into Curve Magazine complaining about how the writers give so much attention to The L Word show and they should write more about "real" lesbians in our communitites. Hmmm, I do not think our "real" dyke-a-drama is much different, EXCEPT, we make less money and do not look quite as "picture pretty". (all the make-up) And, as another reader wrote, they would like Curve to be like the 'lesbian cosmopolitan magazine'. I must say it is more like People with all the latest photo's of celeb's at the latest "Gay Gala's".

Island Dyke

Island GLBT Reading Resources

I finally took 15 minutes for myself to read the May issue of Curve. I am a little behind in my leisure reading from all the other activities in my life. However, even if I had all the time in the world, Curve is mailed out in "bulk mail" which means I get the issues after the fact due to it coming on a slow boat rather than "first class" airplane mail. This equates into reading advertising for past events, which leaves one feeling they 'really' missed out on the events even if it is in one's fantasy. And forget about reading the already passed horoscope of the month, unless it is just for kicks to see how well you did.

We have in the past, although that is limited and not available all the time, been able to purchase Curve at Saipan's Bestseller. I have found the resources for GLBT to be slim to nothing and one day I was discussing with Lori.... "Thank goodness for the internet", because I do not think we would still be here on this island if it weren't for the internet!

Island Dyke

Guam GLBT Groups

Ok, I'm back.....out of hybernation from studies once again. Missed you all.



I found some info for Guam...seems some of my friends have been moving there or are planning to move there in the near future.



Now granted this list was last updated in 1995.....hmmmm....maybe not so accurate, however, give it a try.



The Gay and Lesbian Community of Guam (GLG)c/o Michael CruzP.O. Box 26920GMFBarrigada, GU 96921USA(671)649-9454Email: michae.cruz@kuentos.guam.netThe umbrella group for Guam's gays and lesbians.



AND



Guam FriendsP.O. Box 1861Agana, Guam 96910A multi-racial, non-profit organization aimed chiefly at helping visitors discover "Gay Guam.



The link for these two references: http://www.geocities.com/westhollywood/heights/5010/guam.html



AND



Yahoo Groups: "GLBTMarianas" at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GLBTMarianas/#ans

Cheers,

Island Dyke

Guam, LA and Tinian rule Pride 2008

Revelers from Guam, Los Angeles and Tinian ruled the second annual CNMI LGBT Pride Dance Party last Wednesday at the premier party hub as they were voted to be the best dressed participant during the event.

Mike and Denny flew to Saipan from Guam and LA just to attend the Pride Party here on Saipan. The couple dressed as the Truth or Dare Madonna said the recently held party was the best Pride Party they have ever attended in a small town. “We had so much fun!” said the winning couple.

Another pair from Tinian, Chris and Jeff, also dressed up as Madonna’s Angels in her Erotica album in the 90’s. Saipan’s Linda Cullen won third place with her Vogue Madonna outfit. Despite the absence of some Saipan participants, five participants didn’t fail to show their best Madonna outfits and impersonation. Trends Salon’s Sunshine bested six other participants in the Madonna Lip Synch Contest. ASKS’ Sharmaine ranked second while Jaz of Trends Salon came in third.

For Saipan Grand Hotel’s Club V, Wednesday night was the best Wednesday night as another year of celebrating the Pride in the CNMI was once again a success. Over 150 partygoers made the slow Wednesday a night of dancing and revelry. The CNMI once again joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the pride.

This year's revelry celebrated the release of Madonna's newest album Hard Candy. The party gave away several raffle prizes including Madonna’s brand new album. Proceeds of the event went to Napu Life Foundation, a group that advocates HIV and AIDS awareness in the CNMI. Napu Life Foundation president Joaquin Sablan provided a brief speech about the group and its objectives for the year.DJ Tattinouk served as the guest disc jockey while Club V in-house band Remyx provided curtain music.

Non-profit groups Napu Life Foundation and RaveSaipan organized the event this year, in collaboration with Saipan Grand Hotel. Major sponsors were Traders Insurance, Carlsberg, Excel Insurance, Esolutions, Vargas Constructions, Cielo Jewelry, Genoveva's Hair Power, Labtech, Sun Palace Hotel, SaipanCell, Salon De Manila, and Wear-a-Marconi. (PR)

Review by : Marconi (Thanks honey!)

Gay Pride in Guam: TOUCHE'

Ok guys and gals, Mike from Guam gave me the word. Gay Pride in Guam this Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Club Euphoria, starting at 9 pm til almost the break of dawn. Sorry for such short notice.

EUPHORIA... Located @ Crown Intl. Plaza Iso N.Marine DriveParty Reservations or Advance Tickets AvailableCall: 671.646.7786 Email: Fredricklg@impulseblackberry.com

I googled our neighbor islands gay bar and found they have a "My Space" site. So direct from their site here is the history of "Touche'":

"For those unfamiliar with Touche'... ... It all started 10 years ago as a social club event for Guam's gay & lesbian community & their friends. It was a very successful gay pride club/dance party that occurred every last Saturday of the month from 1998 thru 2003. It was held at different venues throughout the Island, namely: G-Spot Ballroom, Planet Hollywood, Buddies, Denial, Reef Hotel Ballroom, Carmen's Cha Cha Cha, Mad Cow, Midnight Special, Kool World, to name a few. It was well anticipated & well attended by everyone - both young and old, gay, lesbian and straight. Part of the event usually included a drag show and a costume contest... This will be the last Touche'!!! " Reference link: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=229954492

We are so excited for our neighbors! Wish we could all be there.

Photo's from our Pride coming soon!

Cheers,
Island Dyke