A Lesbian Feminist First

The Artemis Singers, the first Lesbian Feminist chorus in the USA is from Chicago, Illinois and celebrating 35 years of pozitive change in cultural assumptions regarding women and women artists while increasing Lesbian feminism.

StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) who is also a feminist went to Artemis Singers's Women in Music a Celebration concert 2014. Afterward, Oboza was unprepared, yet, grateful to interview some Chorus members asking why Artemis Singers?

Mary (Soprano 2) "I went from audience to joining. I love this Lesbian Feminist group of women who like to make music together. ...We may not be all lesbians, but we are all feminists."

Allison (Soprano 2) "Amazing community" with musical and social... "So, that if you are strong musically and socially, it makes you a better musician."

Rennie (Alto 1) "I was a teacher and went to Artemis Singers concerts... It was empowering to sing the songs and meet the singers. I was persuaded to join Artemis Singers, a community and a sence of support. It made a huge impact on my life as a result."

Marianne (Alto 1) "I continue singing with Artemis Singers, because I learned about the beautiful music... I got hooked. Again." After all, "there is a connection to women's music that extends over decades that I was not exposed to."

Loraine (Soprano 2) Even though, "I have been a Soprano 2 all of my life." I am a Chorus member for over 25 years "because it is wonderful to grow as a musician in a group that always changes." (Loraine smiled while she shared how wonderful being in Artemis Singers is for her.)

Diana (Alto 2) "I joined Artemis Singers, because I love singing in choruses. And it is Lesbian Feminist..." And the music that we perform "is not heard in many different places."

Copia (Alto 1) "I am a radical feminist... I wanted to sing with other radical feminists and was looking for a Feminist community. I found Artemis Singers... I first joined as a token Straight woman... Four years later, I came out Lesbian feminist."

Mickey (Soprano 1)  "In the early 1970's, I was 17-18 years old going to bars. That was the only place to go to find people like myself, a lesbian. I remember being in a bar called The Midget Inn and hearing someone yell "Raid!" The police were coming in to raid and arrest us for being gay and lesbian. "I was so scared that I hid under a pool table..." In the early years of Artemis Singers, "I suggested fundraising to help the chorus." Then later on, "I joined as a Chorus member in 1998, because I like to sing in a Women's group.... This is a gift to belong to a chorus of all women who understand me as a woman and lesbian." I remember being with Artemis Singers on a flat bed truck in the 1999 Chicago Gay Pride parade. We had an Artemis statue and a sign that read, "2,000 lesbians in Chicago and only 16 sing." Mickey smiled, "I am amazingly happy to belong to Artemis Singers... It is ours! We created it!"

First Gay Awards 2014

In 2014, the Hollywood Film Awards (HFA) were televised for the first time...

StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) watched the award show praying, hoping, wishing the the movie about Alan Turing, The Imitation Game may win one award. After all, Alan Turing was the father of Computer Science and broke the Enigma code during World War II.

"I was in a grateful place when the movie won three major category award," Oboza smiles, "Because I am grateful for any minority equal visibility... And to find out Alan Turing was gay and died very young... I am left beside myself and speechless."

For more information on Alan, please visit www.legacy project chicago.org/Alan_Turing.html

Gay Veterans Matter

On Veteran's day 2014, StonewallAGAIN's founder, Mike Lackovich and StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) spent the day together at a ceremony.

During day, the crowd stood for the Color guard while they presented arms presenting the American flag. After the American National anthem, the crowd sat and Veteran speakers shared their wisdom.

At the end, an Anglo Saxon straight male veteran mentioned that all veterans are forgotten when they take their uniforms off. And then, the same veteran happen to have created The Peace Garden, a Veteran's memorial mentioned the mistreatment of Veteran minorities such as African americas, Latinos and Gay brothers and sisters.

The person next to Lackovich, Lackovich and Oboza got emotional. They were moved by the visible equality of the minorities mentioned. Also, Oboza was rarely so moved that he asked to hug Lackovich. He said yes... "Thank you for what you do," Oboza shared with Lackovich, "You are stronger than I am."

Veronika with a K

StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) knows the one and only Veronika Boundless, Trans Lesbian activist. For years, she always reminded him... "I am Veronika with a K...." Oboza was honored to interview her for StonewallAGAIN.

"It would have been around 1989. I was about 10 years old," Boundless remembers, "I told my mother, a evangelical christian, that I was a girl. She didn't respond well. For years, I repressed all memory of the events that followed as well as my gender identity."

"In my early 20's, I had the Internet which made a lot of information about trans people readily available. But I was uncertain," Boundless shares, "Because most of the trans people I read about were apparently straight and femme. It was not until 2004-not long after I had become a queer rights activist and having face-to-face interactions with trans people for a first time-that I started identifying as trans."

"I didn't really figure out my sexual orientation until 2009," Boundless reflects, "I was reading the incomparable Emi Koyama's "Whose Feminism is it Anyway" ...Something clicked and I said to myself, "I am a woman. And I must be a dyke too." 

The following is a brief summary of something Boundless experienced during her many years as a Queer rights activist that may help empower someone else to never give up or give in to anyone else's judgement of you. After all, according to Boundless, "we will be facing an uphill battle" and she "does not imagine that anything will change if we do not talk about it." 

"In 2009, I started organizing with The Chicago Dyke March Collective (CDMC) when a cis woman violated my privacy..." Regarding "as long as I do not expect equal time with cis women. As long as I do not make too much noise if a cis woman violates my boundaries. As long as I do not take up too much space."

"To this day, I cannot enter queer and trans activist spaces in Chicago without being wary," Boundless explains, "Our community is very inclusive- inclusive of people who violate trans women's boundaries. But it has a long way to go before it can offer trans women spaces where we feel safe."

Marriage Equality Anniversary

According to the 2014 book entitled, The Fight for Marriage Equality in the Land of Lincoln written by Tracy Baim and Kate Sosin, the fight began in the early 1950's in Illinois. For countless decades after, the fight was worked on in many different ways. Even during the year that led up to March on Springfield for Marriage Equality, StonewallAGAIN's founder, Mike Lackovich and Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) brought StonewallAGAIN to several anti-marriage equality rallies and protests.

Following StonewallAGAIN's historic recorded activism... It was on October 22, 2013, Tracy Baim, matriarch and founder of March on Springfield for Marriage Equality asked Lackovich to help record the day and Oboza to be one of the diverse speakers, regarding Bisexuals in Marriage Equality. Ironically, Illinois Governer Pat Quinn signed Illinois Marriage Equality bill into Illinois law after that successful day.

Before the one year anniversary of March on Springfield for Marriage Equality, Lackovich married his husband, Marc Cohen after eleven years together. Their daughter, Catie and the humbled Oboza were their Wedding witnesses. On October 22, 2014, one year later, StonewallAGAIN, a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT)  inclusive project continues helping confront homophobia, lesbianphobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterophobia.

Illinois LGBT Voter History

He first came out gay.... Like some.... Not all true bisexuals do....

But... StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) remembers being asked to leave three Voter polling places nearest to him "back in his gay days."

"I was told... We are closing up, about four hours early from one place," Oboza remembers, "Then "my kind" was illegal or abomination and I was asked to leave. I remember being escorted out from the last Voting place because of my sex and sexual orientation."

He has fought and worked for LGBT equality for years, even in some Lutheran churches on Same Sex blessings in the North shore where he resides. To see his and countless others' work show it's success, progress and hope so far is "About time....," whispers Oboza.

Oboza asked all Illinois residents who are over the age of 18 to vote on Election day, November 4, 2014... Vote YES to Proposed Amendment to the 1970 Illinois Constitution Section 8 Article III, Suffrage and Election article that includes voters of all sex and sexual orientations to their equal rights to equally vote in Illinois.

Brother Michael Retired

After 20 years of being part of Chicago's GLBT then LGBT activism leadership, StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) hosted his Activism Leadership retirement at PRIDE Alliance at College of DuPage on September 26, 2014.

After he gave his last Bisexual history lesson, "because Queer theory often forgets bisexuals," Oboza explained, "Who is more important than me, a part of past Bisexual history is you all... Awesome you... The future generation... The next generation."

The most exciting moment of Oboza retiring from leadership to the sidelines to continue to at least volunteer for the LGBT cause happened during an encore of Question and Answer.

"I had a public conversation with a student that became a heart to heart moment. Even some PRIDE student board members thought the moment was beautiful," Oboza shares, "I was so moved that I offered the student my Bisexual flag. With tears in his eyes, behind his glasses, the student said yes. I gave him my Bisexual flag and he wore the flag like a cape for the rest of the day.... My life is half complete."

Alan Cumming in Chicago

Alan Cumming, actor, director, writer and Tony Award winner for the Emcee in Cabaret was in Chicago for his 2014 book tour, entitled, Not My Father's Son A Memoir.

StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) sat in the front row of a crowded The Music Box theater for An Evening with Alan Cumming in Chicago.... Thank you to Oboza's awesome mom who bought Oboza the ticket.

Alan shared bits of his book reading excerpts from his book. The book explores Alan's journey of reclaiming no shame surviving his own Child abuse to later finding success he earned himself later in life. Profound! Poetic! Honest! Alan's words left the theater speechless, concentrating on his words as he read from his book. Then the theater applauded over and over after every time he read.

During Question and Answer, Oboza expressed how humble he was to be a part of I Am Visible campaign (alongside with Alan.) Alan then said on the microphone, "Bisexual." Most of the theater applaused his word, bisexual. Oboza then offered Alan a Bisexual bracelet. Alan said yes. As Oboza approached the stage to hand Alan the bracelet, Oboza bowed. And Alan whispered, thank you to Oboza. The theater applaused again louder like echoing Ocean waves of excitement.

At the end of the event, during a book signing, Alan showed Oboza the bracelet, saying, "I am visible." Also, Alan agreed to a selfie with Oboza after he signed a copy of his book to Oboza. The pictures are out of focus, because no flash was allowed. "At the end of my life," Oboza shares, "Memories out live their pictures, out of focus or not."

National Coming Out Day 2014

On October 11, National Coming Out Day, StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) was a 4'th year Legacy Project Chicago (LPC) volunteer with their Legacy Walk, the first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Outdoor History museum.

Victor Salvo, founder of LPC put a Gay Rainbow and not a Bisexual flag over Babe Didrikson Zaharias's history plaque as he put Rainbow flags on all LGBT plaques since 2012. However, the plaque, itself, mentions Babe was a pioneer and bisexual. Never the less, Oboza brought a Bisexual flag out of respect.

The event was well attended and has grown in the last four years. At the end, Oboza was asked about his flag that he wore. The student who asked about his flag came out bisexual to Oboza. Oboza then asked if he may give the High school visiting volunteer his Bisexual flag. The student said yes with a smile while wearing Bisexual flag color shoes.

MaMa Gloria

StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) is known to have come out Transgender female. While surviving, there was one diva of an inspiration for Oboza and her name is MaMa Gloria, an activist in Chicago from the 1960's who shared some of her legacy with Oboza on September. 29, 2014.

"In the 1950's, I lived on a farm... But, I later moved to Chicago. City life was not so friendly. I had to adjust to it like it had to adjust to me," MaMa Gloria continues, "I lived on 59'th and State street on the south side of Chicago. State street was jump'n in the 1960's. You know State street that great street."

"In 1963, Transgender didn't exist.... Let them tell it," MaMa Gloria shares, "I had rocks and bottles thrown at me outside of 59'th and State street. I was arrested in South Park and Englewood. Many girls were arrested for wearing wigs and bras. So, I always had to snatch off my wigs and wear bigger t-shirts to cover my bras. We also needed 3 pieces of i.d. to get into bars."

"Yes, I had supportive family and church who accepted me even though I was "different." You heard it takes a village to raise a child," MaMa Gloria remembers, "Yes, I knew girls like me who fought for resources. We spoke up! I knew girls that were arrested, beaten and murdered, because they were "different" like me."

Before taking the picture for the blog, MaMa Gloria finishes the interview. "In the 1970's, I moved to the northside of Chicago to my own apartment. The police were worse up there to Transgender women of color and still are even to today. My advice to Transgender women of color is stay in school. Get an education! Education is a big step in life. It helps you with style and tenacity. That's what we had to do in my day. The youth today have more resources than we had. There was nothing... Nothing for Transgender women of color in the 1950's-1960's. No Transgender support groups and no Transgender inclusive Health insurance. We also had to hide to have underground parties trading, buying and selling hormones. The parties were illegal and dangerous....We are all the same and can better ourselves today more than we could back in my day."

Herstory is Better than History

StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) knows about Bisexual Erasure. After finding out that Chicago's Boystown police station had become a 2014 LGBT friendly apartment complex. Oboza quickly learned it once housed the 1960's Known Homosexual book, a documented picture record book that most police used to fill quotas and ruin lives. One of the arrested was Toni Armitage, a friend of Oboza and whom like him is also in 12 Step Recovery for 30 years. During their interview, Armitage had a difficult time seperating lesbian and gay, because "back in her day, it was not so specifically naming the different sexes... The common saying was, "We are gay."

"Beside having feelings for other girls in my childhood," Armitage begins sharing, "It wasn't until Reform school that I asked to go (rather than being placed in homes with nuns) were another girl called me lesbian, where I first heard the word. I knew then that's what I am.... I left Reform school when I was 16 and state emancipated. I went to the southside of Chicago to Lesbian bars. It was 1963 or 1965. There were no other places to meet other Lesbian and Gay people and there was no Lesbian and Gay youth groups or internet at that time."

"My first bar was Maxzine's. It was never raided. That I know of... I was first busted at Hyde Park Liquior, a Lesbian and straight bar. They only took the lesbians out. Like during a witch hunt. And we got arrested for just walking down the street with a zipper in the front of our pants. After that, we were forced to turn our pants around where the zipper would be in the back... It was C and C lounge, the biggest raid I had ever been in. We were 2 train car loads full. It was featued on WVON, a famous black radio station." Armitage continues, "I moved to the northside and went to The Why Not, a Female impersonater bar, but a lesbian hangout. It was mobed own and never raided."

"The police raided bars, restaurants, and house parties from 1964 to 1969. I was at Lesbian places that were raided like Bug House Square park, The Ritz resturant, Feast on a Bun resturant, and The 169 bar," Armitage pauses, "And The Century, a lesbian bar next to the Century theater in 1968. That bar was one of many bars where we had to pay more money than heterosexuals. When it was raided, some of us ran to jump out the back door and windows. That bar was raided so much that it only stayed open for about two weeks or so. In order to have fun and not get arrested or harrassed, we went to Calumet city every weekend. There were two Lesbian bars there."

During the interview, Armitage got emotional. She shared, "I was once dragged by my feet down a street by three heterosexual men. They shoved a steel rod into my back and beat me with it, because I am lesbian. I still got scares from all my beatings from back in my day." She then showed Oboza some of the scares. After that moment, during interview, Armitage named Oboza an Honorary lesbian.

"It seems like after the Stonewall riots in 1969, police stopped raiding the Lesbian bars in Chicago. Then the police waited until we came out of the bars, followed us, then arrested us. During the early 1970's when I went to school to later become the 5'th female Men's Barber stylist in Illinois, I opened a Men's Hair Styling shop in downtown Chicago," Armitage smiles, "It was 1977 or 1978, Mayor Jane Burne, the first female Chicago mayor publicly announced on t.v. to the police, "Leave the homosexuals alone." So, when we were arrested on the streets, outside Lesbian bars like Cie La Vie, Chez Ron (who also owned a carwash where only lesbians including myself worked to wash cars) Frog Pond, Lady Bug (a Lesbian bar in what is now called Boystown,) The MS (first northside Lesbian disco) Petunia's, C.K.'s, Augie's, and The Lost and Found; We would yell to the lesbian hating cops who arrested us, "Remember what Jane said, "Leave the homosexuals alone." Many of the lesbian hating cops often continued verbally abusing us. Their solution for us lesbians was "what we need is a good stiff dick" And said that about Mayor Jane Burne too."

"I am grateful you wrote the blog Michael," Armitage remembers, "But, I am not done, yet... Even in 1980, when my friend and I had tailored clothes and short hair. I parked my car in front of my apartment. When I got out of my car, the police assumed we were lesbians which we were and searched us, stold my friend's $100 bill out of her sock and then arrested us to the old Town Hall police station in Boystown where the captain even questioned the arresting officers, "What did they do?" But, we still had to post bond. There were four police stations that arrested us. On the southside, it was 63rd and Cottage Grove area.Then on the northside, there were Chicago and Clark area also Summerdale on Foster and Damen. The worst was Addison and Halsted, the old Town Hall police station in Boystown which is now condemned and part of the Lesbian and Gay apartments," Armitage laughing, "See if you can guess the name of the Lesbian and Gay apartments?" Armitage still laughing, "Give up? It's called TOWN HALL APARTMENTS.... We finally won! The joke is on them..." 

Armitage asked Oboza to please put in the blog, "After 1980's, Lesbian bars had buzzers on their door or female bouncers some with black belts in karate. This was to allow only lesbians and men that they knew to come into the bar. Reason be is that lesbian haters just came inside the bar to beat, sexually harrass, or try to rape us.... It happened.... Where gay men were assumed physically stronger than lesbians and where attacked outside of their Gay men bars. When all said and done, I want everyone to know that I had alot of fun, got well educated, and met alot of beautiful lesbians, gay men... And yes... There are some heterosexuals that are really great and think we are great too... My advice to lesbians today is to be grateful for those who died, were sexually harrassed, got beaten, arrested, and forced out of fear to stay in the closet to never be themselves...This not only happened in the recent past but also centuries ago... We should also have the utmost respect and gratitude for the Lesbian and Gay activists that fought for us to be as free as we are today and let these stories be known... Because it was never as easy as it is today."

Gay Saint of 9/11

On September 11, 2014, StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) was invited to the film discussion of Saint of 9/11 The True Story of Father Mychal Judge sponsered by The Old St. Patrick's Church Gay & Lesbian, Friends & Family Outreach with guest Legacy Project Chicago during the 13'th annual anniversary of 9/11.

Oboza is also an awarded and recognized volunteer of Legacy Project Chicago.

Victor Salvo, founder of Legacy Project Chicago and The Legacy Walk, a first Outdoor Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) History museum introduced the organization to the crowd. "On National Coming Out Day, October 11,  Fr. Mychal Judge will be inducted into the museum," Salvo continued, "The Fr. Mychal Judge history plaque was donated with a generous donation from Dignity Chicago, Dignity USA, Dignity New York and Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach."

Bisexual Herstory Stamp

After Harvey Milk, a gay activist had a stamp named for him after his unfair early death, StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) was in Bisexual visibile equality heaven after Oboza found out that Janis Joplin may also have a stamp named in her honor after her unfair early death.

Oboza was so speechless, Oboza mumbled, "No matter how straight, lesbian, bisexual, or whatever... Janis was an artist ahead of her time." Oboza continued, "Rock on girl... Rock on!"

On the Sidelines of the Summit

After attending Chicago Homeless Youth Summit in May 2014, StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) was humbled to be aware the homeless epidemic was bigger and more important than capturing a great picture for a blog.

At the follow up Summit Community meeting in July 2014, Oboza introduced himself, "I am Michael Oboza, a LGBT activist and concerned person." The meeting hit a hot button Issue moment when a Youth activist challenged a Chicago Police officer regarding gay youth and police officer relationship history. Oboza was happy someone else mentioned that historical unspoken observation.

Tracy, a matriarch and one of the Summit's hosts got the attention back to Meeting agenda. Many ideas were shared, even activist and "keep the pressure on" ideas; Oboza's favorite ideas. Conversations continued after meeting.

Suggestion 2014

StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael Oboza (ret) met with vile rotten harvest bible bangers at Chicago Pride parade 2014 whom still hide behind homophobia paying off police for their permit space of hate. 

As Oboza held his Bisexuals Exist sign, Oboza wondered if the KKK paid for permit space with their freedom of religion excuse holding thier "N'word this and that" signs, may Chicago police allow them same space. Maybe not, especially during Chicago Mayor election for it's black vote.

Therefore, with homophobia and biphobia, which is hate speech as racism is to the "other" minority... Oboza suggest we abolish all hate speech equally.

Illinois Book is Here

The Fight for Marriage Equality in the Land of Lincoln written by Kate Sosin with Tracy Baim captures the beginning, inbetween and March on Springfield regarding the work of countless activism "putting on the pressure" for marriage equality in Illinois. Some of the pictures in such a historic book are credited to StonewallAGAIN's original visionarian, Mike Lackovich, Mike The Great Photo Guy. And even though he represented the Bisexual organization he founded, StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza, founder of Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago on October 16, 2010 has his speech recorded at the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality along many others.

Even though, StonewallAGAIN and others helped make the historic day and book real. Nevertheless, like any marriage, we need to keep working at it to keep it... It is all a mere humble beginning.

StonewallAGAIN at EEOC

Our very own Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) represented the Bisexual and Transgender aspect of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community at U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chicago's Pride meeting 2014. Oboza spoke of his Gay then Bisexual comming out, being fired for not being gay enough and being assumed gay and not welcomed. Both experiences erasing his Bisexual birthright. Oboza shared, "Bisexual Erasure, a manifestation of biphobia exists."

It was nice to see the other presenter, a lesbian speaking for the L at G at meeting.

One of the best parts of the meeting's cohesion happened when someone asked, "Do you all in your LGBT community get along as most of us straights assume?" The explanation Oboza mentioned, "It is nice that we get a lesbian and bisexual perspective, especially when both groups "in different houses same street" are both often erased.

The lesbian mentioned the Transphobia. Oboza came out Transgender and agreed.

Harvey Milk Stamp

Why does it really matter? Why all the media attention around the Harvey Milk stamp? Simple!

For decades, many people heterosexual, assumed heterosexual or even American enough have been on a United States of America stamp to celebrate their individual contribution to America. Such as Jane Addams, Susan B. Anthony, Josephine Baker, James Baldwin, Roberto Clemente, Judy Garland, Margaret Mead and Malcolm X to name a few.

Our StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) has worked for Bisexual visable equality for year, even at the risk of his own life. Therefore, Oboza understands and agrees that Harvey Milk who died "giving them hope" being a pioneer gay member of San Francisco Board of Supervisors and Mayor of Castro street deserves to be equally visable on a stamp.... Oboza says, "Fair is fair. And a stamp is a stamp."

Anniversary Blessings from Brother Michael

From June 1, 2013 to June 1, 2014, I have been blessed as first Bisexual liaison to witness Mike Lackovich, founder of StonewallAGAIN, reclaim his birthright while learning of true diversity. From confronting ignorance, educating bigotry and helping progress the equal right of marriage between all two consenting adults in Illinois; StonewallAGAIN celebrates our first remarkable year...

"What has been more special than any of my acknowledgements, awards or crowns as a retired drag queen from the western suburbs happens to be working beside the awesome Mike Lackovich. As long as my health endures, I am grateful to continue helping StonewallAGAIN. Thank you Mike for allowing me to be the first Bisexual liaison for it's first year.... Always."

StonewallAGAIN was There

Since 2010, the awesome Park Ridge library hosted the Park Ridge Community Fair. The big city organizations were always there. For a first time, a LGBT organization was there this year.

After I got permissions from the Fair organizer and our original visionarian, Mike Lackovich, I represented StonewallAGAIN as Bisexual liaison and cofounder at Park Ridge Community Fair 2014. The reactions were all different. One man of a certain age did nothing that surprised me....

The man hovered and carefully approached our table. I greeted him and introduced StonewallAGAIN. He replied from out of a 1968 era, "The down fall of the white race is gays and lesbians. They need to find a cure for them." I replied from our 2014 table, "Since we can't find a cure for heterosexuals... Then we need to live and let live." He then later "reexplained" his earlier babble with erasing any assumed "cure" mention.

For that alone, I was grateful that I was there at all.

Celebrating our Cofounders

Our original visionarian and patriarch, Mike Lackovich helped our Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) prepare to represent StonewallAGAIN at Park Ridge's Community Fair 2014 by getting him our banner, business cards and fliers. The fliers surprised Oboza, because Lackovich promoted Oboza to Cofounder status.

Even though, Lackovich will always be the patriarch. Nevertheless, Oboza will be our matriarch, respectfully.

Original Can of Worms

As he put all the flags away, the list grows... Heterophobia, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia... And now Ornithorhynchusphobia.

After our own Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) wrote up a list of phobias for StonewallAGAIN's new outreach goals, he was grateful to have a Spiritual Awakening of awareness from a rare conversation he had with Dustin, a dear friend of his.

Oboza first mentioned, "If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it might be a rabbit." Then Dustin explains, "That reminds me of an animal that is differrent than we assume it to be with a bill of a duck and body of a beaver.... A platypus." Oboza shared that he often uses his comparison of the duck and rabbit regarding bisexuals. But to become more inclusive, Dustin suggested to open the original can of worms and include the "other" mammal which is the non-identified adult consentual sexual orientation.

Biphobia Again

Our own Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) was calling The Rockford Blade, an Adult Sex phone line when he talked with a man who does not identify; not gay, bisexual, nor straight. Talking with him was a "fresh breath of air." The man reclaimed his own individual truth which reminded Oboza that some people do not identify. And Non-identified people exist! They are real, open minded and nonjudgmental.... Then it happened!

An open, out gay latino was online. The "kissy smoochy" gay guy shared, "I have something to ask you guys. I am gay and want to marry a man one day. And I don't believe those Bisexual people. Bisexuals are disgusting, fake and untrustworthy." As he continued looking for guys to reply, Oboza left him messages.

"I stand up against homophobia and I am bisexual... And you may need to re-record your Biphobic ad by simply sharing that your cup of tea is gay and gay only." Oboza said, continued in a second message, "And I'd be careful, because even karma goes both ways." After waiting after an hour before he bailed on the c.b. of the phone line, Oboza pushed a key, so the Biphobic message was idenified as spam to help the phone line to block the gay guy from spreading anymore Biphobia to any future callers.

Even though, the phone line is "All male... All gay." Never the less, it is not at all "All male... All gay biphobia."

It Was 1972

The name is Stephen Donaldson. First, he founded an original college student organization for gay people called Student Homophile League in 1967. After Donaldson came out bisexual, he began to experience biphobia from some gay students and teachers that he helped with organization that he found. Second, he later left to join the military. There he was given a dishonarable discharge for "homosexuality." Once again, he experienced Bisexual Erasure for being assumed gay.

The good news is that he did not give up completely in the face of discrimination. He found an open minded group called Community of Friends on Bisexuality, a Quaker group. He shared his original vision in hopes to confront future biphobia. Together, Donaldson and the Quaker group created the Ithaca Statement on Bisexuality. It appeared in the Advocate, a gay magazine.

For some, it was visibility.... For others, it was Bisexual conscienceness.... For us all, it was June 1972.

Br. Michael's Winter Book Club

One of the few playful legendary landmark Bisexual studies was done by a woman. In 1995, Marjorie Garber, an English professor wrote a book, Vice Versa which explains in simple terms about transparent and consistent Bisexual research of the genuine existence of Bisexual pop culture and history. Beyond race, career and confronting Bisexual Erasure over countless decades, the over 500 pages are "very empowering to newly out bisexuals and our allies," said our Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret.)  There are few of many interesting reads in the book that even fascinated Oboza, one of the few Bisexual leaders in Chicago's third wave of Bisexual community and activism from 2007, along with Noel Spain and Adrienne Williams.

First, Oboza read, "the early 19'th century poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge could write of "the very old tradition of the homo androgynus- that is, that the original man was bisexual." Second, "Bisexual is preferred a 19'th century term, before that "the 17'th century term was bisexed, bisexous for both sexes." Lastly, before Oboza was born, "in 1974, television interviewer, Barbara Walters's weeklong discussion of bisexuality on a program aptly called "Not for Women Only." And 1975, there appeared books like Bisexual Living." There are also other Bisexual books that explain bisexual is not somewhere between homosexual and heterosexual, "a grey area," but, bisexual extends beyond that with countless individual experiences that have almost been forgotten.

Five Years Ago Again

The March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian equality was the first to include Bi for Bisexual in 2009. Many earlier Bisexual pioneers helped make that happen including Loraine Hutchins. That day was historical in itself. Our very own Bi liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) was unable to go, because he was confronting Bisexual Erasure, a manifestation of Biphobia in Chicago at that time.

In 2009, Oboza wrote an open letter to Gay Chicago Magazine. After it appeared there. It later appeared in an article entitled, "Photos of the Bi Community at the National Equality March," written by Bisexual author and activist, Mike Szymanski.

Five years ago, again, Oboza later met Szymanski in person to say thank you.

Oboza's letter reads, "There happens to still be discrimination within our Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender community. For years, the same people who have gotten away with using the "B" not for equality representation, but a credit to fill a quota still use such tactics. Also, there are people who still degrade bisexual people as going through a phase. As if to judge one of the apostles (who) are going through a gospel phase. In other words, between the Dyke March, Matthew Shepherd March and Transgender Day of Remembrance, Bisexual people have been forgotten. We have lessened August Provost and Bill Clayton as we have remembered more of Matthew Shepard, Brandon Teena and others. Life has many more aspects than merely a rainbow. The Bisexual community has their own flag, because their voices have finally been heard and respected. Any further bias from within our community will not be tolerated."

Chicago Matriarch

Paige Listerud was a supporter of Action Bi Women, Queer Nation and Bi Political Action Coalition in the 1980's. Then later, a supporter of Chicago Bisexual Network (CBN) in the late 1990's. Ironically, CBN was booed at a Pride parade. The same parade that was brought to us by Brenda Howard, "Mother of Pride," a Bisexual feminist.

It is our very own Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) who met Paige to learn about Bisexual history in Chicago. After their meeting, Paige became Oboza's first inspiration. Oboza fought for Bisexual visible equality to later become the first Bi liaison with Center on Halsted and founder of Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago with his original vision to help continue Chicago Bisexual history... And herstory.

killing Sochi - Russian Homocaust

StonewallAGAIN has started posting a photo activism series in protest of the gay propaganda laws that Russia enacted in the summer of 2013.

The photo expose can be viewed by the groups Facebook page.  It shows emotions associated with being forced into the closet.

The gay propaganda laws should have disqualified them from hosting the 2014 Olympic games based on Chapter 4 of the Olympic charter which states that no one is to be discriminated against.  The Olympic sponsors and IOC did nothing to change the location of these games.  These Olympic sponsors should be held accountable.  The true spirit of the games is apparently cash.

As the games close today, these lasting images will still be out there as a reminder that we need to help rescue Russian LGBT from genocidal violence they are subjected to.

Arizona: You're Screwed

Whether Governor Jan Brewer signs the religious anti-gay bill into law or not, Arizona has pointed a loaded gun at the LGBT community.
No need to travel to that state for business or leisure.  They already hung a sign that states "We Hate Gays".  They made this very clear.
The only thing going to fix this disaster is to vote out all these bigots and burn that bitch governor at the stake.  Like the witch she truly is.  The fact that she even has to look at this bill before she makes up her mind, says a lot about the type of environment the LGBT community is exposed to in Arizona.

Their hate towards the gays is going to be their undoing.  Their actions only prove further that LGBT relationships need protections against homophobic legislators like this group of haters.  Just like the venom spewed by Scalia, ultimately his own hateful words were turned against him.  This will be the same scenario.

What these numbskulls further fail to recognize is they are imposing discrimination on American citizens.  People who pay for their salary.  Being forced to pay for imposed discrimination should be brought to light.  These legislators should be sued for malpractice.

These sick legislators should now be worried about self inflicted discrimination.  If I were LGBT living in Arizona, I would take every opportunity to refuse services to these people and the sick governor.

If Jan signs this into law, we need to work on killing their Superbowl plans and work on moving the Grand Canyon to Colorado address.  We will also work to assist major companies in relocating out of that state or face sanctions.

Never Forget.  Never Forgive.

Vladimir Putin and his tiny penis

A tiny man jumps out of an enormous oversized truck.  People say that he would be compensating for something.
If we put this in perspective of the 2014 winter Olympics, Vladimir Putin must have the tiniest penis on the planet.  Wasting $51 billion on Olympics rout with failures.
Waiting for the terrorist attack, an international homophobic beating event or a collapse of a poorly built Olympic structure.
Euthanized the dog population.  Yellow water.  Homophobic arrests have commenced.  You can be gay, you just have to be in the closet.
Putin should really investigate the IOC and corporate sponsors sexual orientation.  They are sucking Putin's phalus for profit.
McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Samsung have full suction on that tiny erection.  These whores are must be getting kick backs in some form.
Well we can hope that they will permanently move their operations there.  The LGBT community has and will continue you abandon them for their part in tortures they allow through their complacent behavior.
LGBT community is not stupid.  We will never forget and never forgive.  Everyday that one LGBT person suffers because of Russian laws, we all suffer.

SA press release: killing Sochi

For Immediate ReleaseStonewallAGAIN founder and photographer, Mike Lackovich today stated that, "We release this photo expose and will continue add stark images of the terror that Putin and the government have imposed on innocent families."

"Putin played from the US homophobic diversion game.  He knows that these Olympic games are a swirling hot mess and a complete failure.  He needed a scapegoat.  It always turns out to be the LGBTQ community.  We are an easy target."

"He has to hide all the corruption around these games, about murdering droves of stray dogs, about 'black window' terrorists.  He had to create a diversion for the sad state of these games.  Same thing when the Catholic Church screamed about gay marriage only to divert attention from all the ongoing pedophilia.  So, get everyone talking about locking up gay people and they won't focus on the poor conditions of the Olympic village or people being blow up just weeks before the games start."

"We will not forget our brothers and sister caught in terror behind this homophobic frenzy that Putin set into motion.  Smoke and mirrors."
These images can be seen on the Facebook fan page 'StonewallAGAIN'.  And series will continue to be added to.  Depicting isolation, depression, sadness generated by being forced into a deep dark endless closet.  The founder and Brother Michael Oboza, bisexual liaison posed for and promoting this as a protest to the Olympic games.

Their message is to boycott sponsors of the Olympic Sochi games for their participation in not stopping the homophobic laws indoctrination in Russia. 

They feel that these sponsors could have pulled their money from these Olympic games and forced these laws never to be enacted.
McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Samsung are some of the companies that stated they believe in diversity and LGBT support, however they were just spouting key words with no action.

"Like the LGBTQ community is stupid.  They put out a release saying they believe in diversity yet they funnel money to the Russian hate machine.  Families are ruined, raped, beaten and abused.  Is that the diversity that McDonald's and Coca-Cola had in mind.  No, they turn a blind eye when their bottom dollar is at risk.  Now, LGBTQ turn their back on these companies.  We will Never Forget and Never Forgive."

Further information can be obtain by contacting the StonewallAGAIN organization at info@StonewallAGAIN.com.

Founder's Tour 2014

We at StonewallAGAIN are humble to have two awesome and different founders amid our family. We have our very own founder, Mike Lackovich and our own Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) whom happens to be founder of Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago. They both have different life experiences, yet, truly find time to give back or pay it forward in our LGBT community. Because "that is what we do."

During January 2014, Oboza invited Lackovich to share a first day of their Founder tour sharing time, education, outreach, and resourses to other mainstream communities. The first day was at Pride Alliance, a welcoming Student organization for LGBTQ students and all at College of DuPage. Oboza shared how difficult it was having to chose to be gay or straight, then after a suicide attempt, Oboza turned his life around and finally came out bisexual to himself first and foremost, "because being honest with my own definition helps me understand myself." Oboza continued, "Without you there is no you." He later became the founder of Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago. And Lackovich shared about how he had "to fit in to live a heterosexual life that wasn't really for me." Lackovich found a strength inside himself to "later in life finally find a man I love and loves me." He later became our hero and founder of our family here at StonewallAGAIN.

We wish them well as they continue their Founder's tour 2014.

Brother Michael's 2014 Lesson

Our over own Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza, shares his Winter lesson 2014. Thank you Oboza for your courage and honesty.....

"I met an Adult stranger. I assumed age, race, gender, and sexual orientation. I truly made an ass out of you and me for assuming at all. I was wrong on all my assumptions. My ignorant, judgemental and uneducated assumptions about another's own individuality."

After Oboza had adult consentual relations with a person whom identified as a 30 year young Italian immigrant man, Oboza was educated that Anthony did not have a sexual orientation. Not straight, gay, bisexual, queer, asexual, nor pansexual. Anthony reminded Oboza that there are people like him too whom have a Non-identified sexuality. After he left Oboza's condo to head to airport, Oboza added Non-identified to his homemade Sexual orientation box. Anthony laughed at how many kinds were listed on the bottom of the box.

Oboza still finds himself, an often erased bisexual on the same side of the box as a Non-identified person he himself almost erased. Lesson learned.

Senator Homophobe: Kyle McCarter

Illinois Senator Kyle McCarter wastes taxpayers money by attempting to introduce a bill to repeal SB-10.
Google searches on this nut case also brings up that he is the creator of the "Bigot Protection Act" and an incident where he accuses a Democratic Senator of punching him in the face after a debate.
It is people like this that keep this country held back.  Focusing on non-issues like marriage equality instead of feeding children or housing homeless.
How about if we had this guy actually channel energy spent on his hateful agenda into a jobs bill.  Would make the world a better place for all.
It is homophobic idiots like this that history will pave over in the end.  The world is filled with PROS and CONS.  This guys is another one of those PROS at being a CON.
In the end, they are all consumed by the hate they spew.  A missed stitch on the fabric of humanity.

Utah: Government Sponsored Discrimination

How does it feel to live in a place where the Governor and State openly hates you?
Do you want to know who is truly behind the high suicide rates of gay teens in places like Utah?  The state and the people who run it.

There is nothing like siting a 10 year old vote on a ban in which the countries attitude has shifted.  Where your own Governor stands before a nation and degrades you, your relationship and your family.  The state attorney general promoting homophobia sending hate mail to the Supreme Court that your an "affront" to the entire state and its citizens.

It has to be painful to wake up and pay taxes in a state that pays the salaries of this governmental hate group and the church that runs it.

I wonder how the Mormon Church, Governor Gary Herbert, or Attorney General Reyes would feel if they woke up and their marriages were expendable at the discretion of the general public. That every Mormon union was an AFFRONT to the state and all its citizens.  That Governor Herbert woke up to be an abomination because of his family.

Isn't the Mormon Church loosely affiliated with Christianity?  I think so.  Isn't there some thing about "love thy brother" and "treat others how you want to be treated"?

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  Governor Herbert, AG Reyes and the Mormon Church following Hitler in history by maintaining power by publicly repressing a minority group.  This corrupt self empowerment will lead to their painful, catastrophic end.  For even the Catholic Church has realized that they will cease to exist if it didn't do a redirect.

History repeated in Utah.  Very similar to the Spanish Inquisition and it took the GOVERNMENT to take down the tyrannical religious zealots and restore order.

Utah follows in the dark side of history.  The internet forever recording and displaying the names of the people who would use their own government to repress them.  Governor Herbert, Attorney General Reyes and the Mormon Church.  R.I.P.

Picture from blog about a Utah road sign.  Why would anyone want to visit there?

Mainstreaming Bisexuals

Brother Michael is StonewallAGAIN's bisexual liaison.  Wonderful person who is continuously educating me on the world of the bisexual.

I can never fully understand what it would feel like to be attracted to both sexes.  While I was married to a woman for 13 years and had two children with this woman, I never was really sexually attracted to her.  It was more of a forced situation that came with the whole package of being married.

Brother Michael talks about biphobia and bisexual erasure frequently in blogs.  I understand a little more each time.

Apparently, someone else has been looking to break through the bisexual barrier and put the B back in the LGBT.  They are doing it in a "Will & Grace" show style.  It is very subtle in it's approach.

It is the Syfy show "Lost Girl".  It is interesting show about a succubus.  She is attracted to both male character Dyson who is a wolf man type and contrasted against the beautiful doctor, Lauren.  As she tries to establish a long term relationship, the plot line twists and turns.  It identifies some of the stresses that a bisexual person would run into during relationships.

Another show less obvious on the bisexual television entry is "Don't Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23".  Party girl Chloe, well she is a slut.  I say that because she is frequently referred to as a slut.  This character easily moves from men to women to another woman to men, sometimes many times in one episode.  Pitted against a pure-hearted roommate, June, it is comedy "Three's Company" style.  This is more tongue in cheek comedy and less obvious than "Lost Girl" on the bisexual story line, but you can see that she is comfortable with both sexes in bed.

Hopefully, we see more of these shows introduced.  It gets people to realize that the B is real.  That the B are loving people like all the rest of us.  We need to accept people for who we are regardless of who they love.

Utah Governor Gary Herbert: Activist Governor

Activist Governor, Gary Herbert is leading the charge into the dark side of history by pushing the Mormon agenda through his political position.

This abuse of power to harm LGBT families needs to be taken seriously, as does the role that the Mormon church has in this civil rights exercise.

IT IS CLEAR that Judge Shelby acted in accordance with the United States Constitution.  He did not reference the Book of Mormon or a Bible or a Qumran.  He followed the law of the land which is the US Constitution.  Sorry activist governor that you don't want to follow the rules.

Instead, you are about to waste $2 million of taxpayers money for YOUR own personal agenda.  Apparently, you don't have capable attorneys in your state to handle such cases.  You are going to push this money over to a firm in Idaho?  Really?  What does this say about your state?

What it says that your homophobic state cannot attract top talent because your bigotry repels educated intelligent people from wanting to work their.  Corporations who would probably set up shop there find a state that works with their anti-discrimination rules and hires based upon diversity.  No surprise.

You are going to waste $2 million on something that does not harm anyone when 16% of your child population lives in poverty?  What does that say about your ability to prioritize true issues, Governor?

It says that you are a puppet of the Mormon Church.  It says that you are violating the US Constitution by disregarding the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.  Maybe if you pulled the Book of Mormon out of your ass and shove a copy on the US Constitution in, you would get a clear picture of Right versus Wrong.

The history of the world is recorded on the internet.  It is recorded in HD and in detail.  The world will watch you, your Church and your state spiral into the historical hell you created for yourselves.

Give Mittens and Satan big kisses from the right side of history.