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All commentary herein is intended as satire; there is no intent to imply sexual orientation or association of persons and or organizations mentioned and none should be inferred; errors and or omissions of factual information are unintentional; contains coarse language, you must be over the age of 18 to view site. |
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Life in the
Boroughs Far from the clone canyons of Chelsea there exists an exotic world of gay life over the river and through the trees. If you like your meat spicy, the boroughs offer vibrant and pulsating possibilities for passion as well as kueer kultur and quixotic leisure activities. I know, luv, the last time you left Manhattan was in 1972 to go to the funeral of an aunt in Queens; but times have changed. Astoria alone is crawling with hard young men in tasty hues. In the queer clubs of Jackson Heights the Latin DJs do a fusion mix of butt jiggling salsa and the latest hits that makes the music in the City sound tired. The music is intense but the atmosphere is relaxed, far from the reach of the fashion police. And all those moustaches! Honey, this is where the men are! Sure, they all claim to be bisexual and have girlfriends in Caracas; oh my dear, I’m having a hot flash. (Just don’t touch their butts, a word of advice from one who knows.) There is much more than bars and dancing out beyond the East River. Queens alone has two queer community centers. Queens Pride House, which used to have a room in Queens Borough Hall, now has its own storefront center where there are parties and an endless series of ongoing events, evening café’s, movie nights, queer services and referrals, and a place to feel at home. Begun in 1996, QPH opened its own space last May at 67-03 Woodside Av, in Woodside near the 69th Street station of the number 7 train. Information: http://www.queenspridehouse.org Lavendar Ladkis is a group intent on inserting queer pride into semi-urban Jewish life. Miz Ruby actually made purple potato pancakes for their Hanukah fest once (for kitchen queens who want to know, the secret ingredient was is beet juice). In the past year, LL has run all inclusive events such as their Rosh Hashanah gathering, Hanukah, and Purim parties. Starting in gay Astoria, they have created locals for queer Jews to gather at community centers all over Queens. Their other, Sissyphusian, aim is to enlighten Queens Jewish institutions about affirming out gay Jews. contact: lavenderlatkes@inbox.as The Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee (QLGPC) began in order to organize the first Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade and Multi-Cultural Festival in the early 90’s. The annual event has become a huge success, unique it its diversity. This year’s tenth anniversary parade and festival will be held on Sunday, June 2nd in Jackson Heights. The parade runs on 37th Av. from 89th to 75th Streets. The Festival is on 37th Road, between 73rd and 77th Streets. Last March, the group opened a center in Corona focusing on services for gay youths (Generation Q). I was told that they are considering starting a group for "older adults aged 21 to 35 or 40." Excuse me!? What does that make those of us who are over 50, chopped liver? Sigh, when ‘old’ means ‘over 21’ I think the youth culture has gotten a tad out of control. Don’t miss the parade, it’s the best in the world. QLGPC contact: 718 429 2300. The fact is that the Borough of Queens is the most ethnically diverse place on Earth. The number 7 train to Flushing has long been known as ‘the International Express.’ Shopping for food and men is a never ending adventure with delicacies from China and Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Israel, Iran, Russia, Uzbekistan, Guyana, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica, Columbia, Mexico, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Schmetterlingia, The Asteroid Colonies, and so many more. When Ruby came out, at the 1964 Worlds Fair in Queens, wearing sneakers and makeup on the subway was an adventure (and you thought S&M meant something else, silly). Back then we had proper role models like Superman who wore red panties on the outside of his tights. Now, in Queens, there is endless diversity and the adventure is to take it all in; ahh so many men, so little time… |
