National Enquirer ~ Indy Style

"Oooh, we're not ones to go 'round spreadin' rumors. No really we're just not the gossipin' kiiiind. Oh, you'll never hear one of us repeatin' gossip, so you'd better be sure and listen close the first time."

Hola, Poppers! WHEW...Halle is glad to have weathered another storm of work-related activity.

I was supposed to go to a party Saturday night, but I was sooo wiped out that I just went home and crashed out on the couch. I slept until around noon:30 Sunday and got myself up and ready to head to the Trump's to hang out by the pool.

While yours truly didn't get involved with any of the rumours circulating around the pool, I did hear quite a few doozies. It's always interesting to me to hear stories about other people...I find even more interesting the reasons those stories are shared. If you'd like to hear about them...

don't look for them here. :-)

Love ya, Poppers!

*kiss kiss*

Halle

It IS the Lord's day after all...

Hola, Poppers! I hope everyone's having a great day! Last night I attended the 4th of July Week Kick-off Fundraiser for Step-Up at Cosmos. It was a great time and I'll have some photos to share with all of you tomorrow. Two snaps and hugs & kisses to all the performers: Cadillac Barbie, Holly Luyah, Donna Rhea, Portia Lynn Van Buren, Ricki Summers, and Jillian James. I'll let you know exactly how much was raised for Step-Up by tomorrow.

I had a dream last night of my old church. It may surprise some of my Poppers to know that yours truly was, in another time, at another place, involved in the ministry. I grew up in the Church of God ~ a non-denominational church based in Anderson, IN. It has a world-wide membership and boasts well-known Christian entertainers such as Bill & Gloria Gaither and Sandi Patty as its proponents.

In my 20s, I was involved with the Wesleyan Church which has its international hedquarters right here in Indy. As a member of the ministry team for my church, I was responsible for enhancing the religious experience of everyone from the infants & toddlers all the way up to the senior citizens.

As a young, married youth pastor/praise team member/featured soloist/choir member, I lived with the fear that any day my deepest thoughts, feelings and emotions would come roiling to the surface and cause my outing. I remember sobbing and sweating at the altar begging God to take away the feelings, attractions and temptations I felt and faced every day; all of which I was convinced (by others) were wrong and reason for my banishment to hell. After 10 years of faithful service through music, ministry and giving, I finally gave up. My feelings weren't going away and after 8 years of marriage, I came out as a homosexual.

As expected, the news caused a tizzy in my church as well as my eventual "excommunication" via group cold shoulder. Since moving to Indy in 1990, the church had been my life & my family. I was faced with the daunting prospect of starting all over again in what was, in essence, a new world. I had to make new friends, establish new relationships, learn a new language and understand a new culture...at the ripe old age of 31!!

Long story short (perhaps too late), I've finally come into my own in my new world. Detractors will say the gay community in Indy has a reputation for not being the most welcoming group. In its defense I will say however, that if you step out of your corner and extend yourself to actually meet some new people, your efforts WILL pay off. It's worked for me.

The gay world in Indy really isn't all that different from life in a mega-church. You have your teens (IYG); your men's ministries (501); your music ministries (Indy Men's Chorus/Indy Women's Chorus/Pride of Indy Band); and your women's charities group (the Bag Ladies).

A couple of times a week, we all put on our best Sunday (Friday/Saturday) attire, wash behind our ears and get our hurr did (or douche) and prance ourselves down to church (Greg's/Talbott Street/Club Indy) to commune/worship/socialize with others of a like mind in a safe, welcoming place (even if it's a dark corner or a steam room).

Throughout the year we have fundraising events to help out the local charities and care-giving organizations which warms our hearts and reminds us that we are in fact, a community that cares about each other...even if we don't all know each other on a first name basis.

Poppers, as evidenced by the numerous benefits held almost monthly, the gay community in Indy does care about and for its own. There are sooo many opportunities for involvement. There are sooo many ways for you to give back. There are sooo many ways for you to enhance the life experience for someone else, and in turn yourself.

How are you going to get involved?

*kiss kiss*

Halle

Halle's Public Service Announcement

Good afternoon, Poppers! It appears that we have a little afternoon shower going on today, but all I can say is, "at least it's not snow!" I hope everyone celebrated the summer solstice in some super hot Hot HOT manner last night! Yay SUMMER!!!

When I considered the intent of Halle's Happenings, I hadn't really planned on any sort of advocacy, but I want to talk for just a moment about something I hold near and dear to my heart. Let's talk about your HEALTH!

There are few things in life over which we have any control, but one of them is our health. Now, we can't control our genetics, but we can do things to ensure that we're not endangering ourselves any more than we need to. That said, I want to shine the spotlight on two organizations that exist to make sure the gay community is taking care of itself.

First up is the Damien Center. The Damien Center is located at 26 North Arsenal Indianapolis, IN 46201.

The mission of the Damien Center is to lead the fight to prevent the spread of HIV and to empower persons in Central Indiana affected by HIV/AIDS to move forward each day with dignity. The Damien Center offers vital supportive services to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS so they may live abundant and productive lives. {They} also promote comprehensive HIV prevention services, including HIV testing, prevention counseling, education and advocacy. {They} believe passionately in the dignity and worth of every person who seeks their services. {They} strive to be a safe and welcoming place so that no barriers separate people from the services they need to prolong and enhance their lives.

The Damien Center offers Housing & Economic Assitance; Food & Nutrition services; and Care Coordination & Counseling. If you or anyone you know is living with or affected with HIV/AIDS, this resource exists for you and them. Even if you don't need their services personally, please consider donating your time or resources. Please take a moment to visit their website at http://www.damien.org/.

The next group I want to talk about is Step-Up, Inc. Step Up's physical address is 8580 Cedar Place Drive, Suite 117 Indianapolis, IN 46240.

Step-Up (Services, Training, Education and Prevention), believes in providing education, training and advocacy and technical assistance to promote health and well-being; with a focus on HIV/STD prevention and diversity.

As a sexually-active, responsible adult, I do take advantage of HIV/STD testing facilities provided in Indianapolis. One of the great things about Step-Up, Inc. is that they bring the testing facility to YOU. I know that it can be somewhat embarrassing to go into a doctor's office or a public health clinic for your semi-annual or annual testing. You can't use embarrassment as an excuse for not being tested, Poppers. Step-Up, Inc. has free Free FREE 20-minute oral swab HIV testing and blood-draw Syphillis testing available at Greg's/Our Place, The 501, Club Indy and The Works.

I experienced first-hand the professionalism and personal touch the prevention and outreach coordinators bring to the testing sites about 3 weeks ago. I was tested for HIV and syphillis at Greg's/Our Place around 11:30 p.m. on a Wednesday night. I took advantage of the testing simply because I was there and it was free. Ryan Nix, the prevention coordinator and I have known each other semi-socially for about 2 years now and under the circumstances we were meeting then, he did everything he could to put me at ease and make me feel comfortable. It felt kind of weird at first, but then it just turned into a couple of friends talking about a necessary evil. I appreciate Ryan, Ramon Reyes and everyone else at Step-Up for their efforts. Chances are you've seen them out and about handing out safer sex kits. Take the kits...use the kits.

Poppers, our community is at epidemic-levels for Syphillis. Left unchecked, it can cause blindness, deafness and dementia. Get tested! If necessary...get treated!

To find out about Step-Up, Inc, to get information about their services, or to find out their testing schedule, please visit their website at http://www.stepupin.org/.

Okay, that's the Momma in me talking to you, kids. Get tested and be healthy. We have plenty of resources at our disposal, but too often, we don't use them. If you're nervous about getting tested, let me know...I'll go with you and hold your hand if you want me to.

Love you, babies!

*kiss kiss*

Halle