Something to remember

 
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life and see if I could not learn what I had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."---HD Thoreau, 1854

Whatever happened to the gay fraternity?

The July 2006 issue of The Advocate magazine named UCLA among its Top 20 Gay-friendly college and university campuses, yet despite the self-professed pan-inclusive, multi-ethnic student body, one fundamental aspect of collegiate life is most notable in its absence: we’re not Greek.
Delta Lambda Phi, based in Washington, D.C. was organized in 1986 and currently boasts 18 chapters spread across 10 states. Amongst other California campuses, UC Davis, UCSD, and Cal-State Long Beach Delta-Lambs recruit alongside straight frats during the Fall Rush.
The Beta Kappa chapter is port of call for sailors around the Bay Area, and even tiny Alpha Omnicom enfolds a dozen or so Brothers in a collective bear-hug spanning the entire San Fernando Valley.
So, why not UCLA?
Oddly enough, there used to be one. In fact, the symbols that unite Lambda Brothers under a crest with three stars represent the first three chapters: Alpha, Washington, DC; Beta, San Diego, CA; and Gamma—UCLA.
As in other fraternities, clubs, and organizations, maintaining a steady flow of recruits is a never-ending task; a chore which fell by the wayside within recent years. Randy Hubach, an alumnus of the original UCLA chapter said, “To my knowledge, the chapter at UCLA died due to retention  issues.  Early in DLP's history, the fraternity was not as strong  or as well managed as it is today.  There has been a lot of growth  in our chapters and how the national fraternity is managed, and I do believe a reformation of the chapter could be really successful at UCLA at the present time.”
   However, Tom Bourdon, the assistant director of the LGBT Center on campus advised, “Someone can out a call out on the Gay Bruins’ listserv and see if there’s any interest in forming a gay frat. I’ll support any efforts to get one started if that’s what some of the students want.”
Conversely, Carlos Saucedo, general representative of USAC who has championed a platform for supporting diversity and gay-friendly initiatives stated, “I don’t have a problem with anyone else trying to form a gay-frat here at UCLA, but I’m not into it. I think the whole frat system is by nature elitist and racially exclusive—especially and I don’t support that.”
Several members of a gay men’s discussion group at the Center echoed this sentiment as well. One student said, “If you’re white, rich, and good looking, then you’ll get into a frat, but if you fall outside that circle, you’re screwed.”
So, what would it take to engage/re-engage a chapter here in Bruin territory?
Jon Arbelaez, National Office Extension Director of Delta Lambda Phi enthused, “We are extremely excited about starting a chapter of DLP at UCLA,” and explained the necessary steps for starting a Chapter.
Usually led by one or two dynamic individuals, interest groups are small groups of men that learn about Delta Lambda Phi and decide to form a chapter. After registering the interest group, the national board of directors mandates each must have at least three
Men, who believe they can successfully establish a colony by recruiting other men to
assist them.
Moreover, each of these men, plus any of their recruits, must be willing to devote the necessary time, energy and financial resources to founding the colony.
A numbers balancing act then ensues, as a neophyte chapter must secure at least eight members, yet hold off from recruiting more than fifteen men each semester in the interests of maintaining selectivity within the chapter. Hence, the argument against elitism gathers some weight.
However, the charter of Delta Lambda Phi claims its primary objective is to foster brotherhood among gay, bisexual and progressive men through dignified and purposeful social, service and recreational activities that selects its members based solely on an individual’s character and commitment, and no man is denied the opportunity to seek membership.
What about gay women, trans-gendered, or others who may not identify as male?
Arbelaez explained, “To accomplish our objectives, we use the traditional, Greek-letter fraternity model to develop extraordinarily strong bonds among our members; indeed, these bonds extend beyond mere friendship and can only properly be described as brotherhood.”
To that effect, at its annual convention in 1992, the Fraternity decided to stay single-sex rather than go co-ed.
Their spokesman added, “We believe that if straight men can enjoy the traditional (i.e. non-coed) Greek experience, gay men, should be able to enjoy it as well. Moreover, gay men, by virtue of being gay men go through a unique, shared social experience. Delta Lambda Phi is a way of gay men of varying backgrounds to find common ground in that experience.”
Indeed, since many of the chapters service multiple campuses like the Alpha Deltas in San Diego, who include members from UCSD, San Diego State University, and the University of San Diego, it would not be unconceivable to envision a pan-Angelic House attracting Brothers from UCLA to USC, Cal-State L.A., and even Loyolla-Marymount.
A gay fraternity at a Christian school? Well, if the Alpha Kappas at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX can be out and proud, why shouldn’t Los Angeles take the lead in progressive intercollegiate culture as we do in academics, athletics, and entertainment?
Perhaps, ultimately it’s a matter of cost. With University-wide cutbacks, despite rising tuition and fees, maybe the cost of maintaining a chapter is simply prohibitive.
Maintaining membership within the national organization, which helps supervise the recruitment of new members and adherence to the community service-oriented goals of the fraternity, along with mandatory insurance dues can top $250 per member each semester. While this may seem a small minimal cost, comparable to semi-annual student health premiums or lab fees, the tally for continual social events, which include weekend retreats and various banquets, many run to several thousand dollars per year.
However, if a group of dedicated young men were able to surmount these obstacles once (in 1988), there certainly doesn’t appear to be any reason why a new bunch might not reinvigorate the UCLA chapter with new blood, new energy, new hope.
The reins simply wait for new jockeys.

Major Study Finds HIV Infection Higher in Uncircumcised Men



Dr. Debrework Zewdie, Director of the Global HIV/AIDS Program for the World Bank



Major Study Finds HIV Infection Higher in Uncircumcised Men
Blade April 2006, pp. 96

By Dan Tyler

During a seminar addressing AIDS in Africa at UCLA on February 22nd, 2006 Dr. Debrework Zewdie, Director of the Global HIV/AIDS Program for the World Bank, commented on the findings of a continent-wide study, correlating the higher rates of HIV infection within uncircumcised men as compared to men who were circumcised in comparable population groups.
Dr. Zewdie, who holds a Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of London and managed the AIDS Campaign Team for Africa (ACT Africa) as well as a number of research, management, and teaching positions in 16 African nations before assuming her current role with the World Bank, explained upon further questioning, that since an uncircumcised penis has additional foreskin, apparently it could create a pocket that seems to be able to retain (and later transmit) the HIV virus. She admits, that this finding conflicts with the conventional wisdom that being uncircumcised provides no significant risks to men’s health.
However, she maintains that the evidence collected is undeniable.
Having drawn upon two decades of extensive studies of HIV-positive men in every African nation, from South Africa to Senegal; Lesotho to Uganda; and every country in between, the evidence is especially compelling since it was gathered and analyzed by World Bank scientists who were directed by the economists with whom they collaborate because in terms of dollars and cents, ultimately they are interested in the cheapest and most efficient ways to combat AIDS and the transmission of HIV. Toward that goal, they were simply looking for the most common denominator, and much to the surprise of everyone, it appears that circumcision plays a much more significant role than anyone ever expected.
In a February 2006 report titled, “Who Gets AIDS and How” scientist Damien de Walque, of the Development Research Group for The World Bank cites:
“...recent evidence from a randomized control trial (demonstrates) that male circumcision has a protective effect.”

This has strong implications for the gay community worldwide, especially for gay men who cruise online for sex where being “uncut” is often promoted as a selling point, so to speak, with a large number of admirers and devotees.
As a range of studies conducted by AIDS Project, Los Angeles; the United States Centers for Disease Control, in Atlanta; and Gay Men’s Health Crisis, in New York have concluded that a direct correlation exists between the purveyors of online sex and a high incidence of unprotected sex, often catalyzed and exacerbated by the use of crystal methamphetamine and/or other party-and-play (PnP) drugs, subsequently, there appears to be strong evidence to suggest that the guy “with something extra” may in fact, have a statistically higher chance of having more to offer than anyone imagined.
Especially chilling, is the additional implication that the virus potentially stored and/or transmitted within the foreskin has found a medium which again supercedes convention apart from blood or semen as the traditionally known routes of transmission, and suggests that unprotected oral sex with these men may be significantly more risky than had been acknowledged by the majority of health care practitioners.
Although there have as of yet been no formal recommendations by the World Bank’s HIV/AIDS Program for parents to circumcise their male infants (or for men to seek out circumcision later in life) Dr. Zwedie stated that it would be a very easy and cost-efficient way to greatly lessen the rate of infection.
Only one comparable study has been run in the United States among gay, HIV-positive men conducted by a university in Colorado. The results of the study were considered too controversial to publish.
If a man, circumcised or not, has concerns about his HIV status and safer sexual practices, he should refrain from sex until after consulting his physician. At the very least, careful washing of his or his partner’s uncircumcised penis with hot, soapy water, before and after sex is consistent with standard hygienic practice and should be continued.
Talking about sexual health with your partner before sex and using condoms, of course, remains the best practical approach at maintaining a healthy individual as well as a healthy community by virtually eliminating the chance of transmission; although, in light of these new findings, many who have not done so already, might want to consider incorporating the use of condoms or dental dams while engaging in oral sex.

Dan Tyler is an ethnographic researcher and essayist at the University of California, Los Angeles. He can be reached at danieltyler@mac.com

Flagger Nation

Flagger Nation
They’re here; they’re queer (mostly) but how do I become one?
By Dan Tyler © July, 2008

I first encountered flagging during Boston Gay Pride, Summer 2000.
The intersection of Clarendon and Chandler streets in the heart of Boston’s gay-ghetto, between Back Bay and the South End was roped off for the street festival, and a bunch of muscle-boys had taken over the stage, twirling and fanning brightly-colored silk scarves in the most fascinating patterns and waves; rippling musically in the gentle wind, and entrancing a certain green-behind-the-ears, newly out-of-the-closet kid from Montana—me.
I sidled up to the stage and shyly asked one of the guys if I could try out what he was doing with a pair of purple-sequined flags, and he hopped down to my level and tried to show me how to hold the 3’ x 4’ pieces of fabric. I could tell there were some fashion of weights sewn into the hems along two of the edges, which he told me were meant to help the flags flare when I whirled them through the air.
I enthusiastically emulated the other flaggers, but my flags promptly tangled themselves into a knot.
He—Junior patiently showed me how to shake out the knot and urged me to try again.
I crisscrossed my arms frantically and nearly took out my boyfriend’s eye with the weighted tip of one of the flags.
After a few more disastrous attempts, I conceded flagging was not nearly as easy as it looked and returned them to their owner, much to the relief, I am sure, of any passersby.
For the most part, the crowds below a balcony or stage packed with flaggers are fixated on the UV-reactive glowing fabric twirled above their heads like a cloud of benevolent nuclear radiation. It is hypnotic, entrancing, and for those onlookers in an “altered state,” gazing into the swirl of colors can be something akin to a holy (or mind-altering, at least) experience and is part of what makes a circuit party so special.
Who are these strange folk—mostly men—usually not cut into the mold of the typical circuit boy?
Alternately loved or hated, at least they are recognized as an integral part of the collective gay identity; just like leather daddies, drag queens, and bears all represent a certain subculture within the wider society of gaydom at large.
San Diego DJ Dan DeLeón derides flaggers as “Embodying the worst the circuit has to offer.”
Conversely, special stages and platforms are erected at New York City’s Pier Dance, and flaggers historically dominate the infamous Black Party.
The history of flagging itself is debatable, but the leaders of most contemporary flagger troupes agree that its present incarnation can be traced to the first modern dancer, an American lesbian named Mary Louise Fuller—later dubbed “Loie”, who almost single-handedly changed the modern theater with her inventions and techniques—mostly involving the manipulation of huge pieces of silk (*sometimes as large as one hundred yards of fabric!) and bouncing psychedelic imagery off it with her ground-breaking invention: the electric film projector. (Thomas Edison created the first projectors, but lit the films from behind using candles).
The flaggers smacking you in the head with their weighted strips of tie-dyed silk have been around at least as long as the first circuit parties, which began in the early 1970s on New York’s Fire Island and in San Francisco’s Trocadero.
Not unlike Free Masons and other secret societies, I liken them to Anne Rice’s vampires, who establish a clandestine territory ruled by a leader with a coven of followers.
Thus, San Francisco bows to Xavier Caylor, New York City to George Jagatic, Eric Mitchell in Palm Springs, Rodger Belk in Long Beach, Derek Fowler in San Diego, Marco Roberts in Houston, Phillip Bryan in Dallas, and yours truly in Louisville.
They are a secretive lot, maintaining an entire set of unwritten laws, traditions, and hierarchies.
At least until now.
This Independence Day weekend marked the Fifth Annual Flagger’s Conference, organized by Phillip Bryan and an eleven-man committee plus dozens of volunteers.
The first conference brought together flaggers mostly from Texas only, however, according to Phillip, “This year’s conference brought more than 70 participants from all over the United States and Canada.”
That’s not too surprising because in addition to initiating the first conference in Dallas, he has also steadily performed with Kristine W and led crews of flaggers at circuit events from the White Party in Palm Springs to the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. His most impressive achievement so far was organizing and choreographing a troupe of flaggers for the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. Everything and anything you ever wanted to know about making flags can be found on Phillip’s website www.flaggercentral.com which includes a forum for flaggers to exchange ideas ask questions, and network.
Similarly, Marco Roberts and his Houston Flyboys have been showcased at Southern Decadence, Bunnies on the Bayou, and numerous Pride parades across the country. For Flagger Weekend V, they drove to Dallas to perform on Saturday and then headed to San Antonio the next day for that city’s Pride festival. He admits his energy is waning, however, “Even though we get paid, and we performed ten times this year, we’re lucky to break even at the end of the day.”
Clearly, flagging and the teaching of it, is a labor of love. San Franciscan, Xavier Caylor teaches flagging classes at Gold’s Gym, saying, “I want to give flagging to the community. It’s something we’ve owned for 130 years (referring to Loie Fuller). It’s meditative, spiritual, and mind expanding—not to mention a great aerobic workout.”
He teaches to “demystify flagging” but “It’s also about getting lost in the music.” Xavier is also a moderator on Yahoo’s Group Spintribe, which hosts a forum similar to Flaggercentral, and continually brings flaggers together at the AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park to commemorate absent friends.
Classically trained dancers like George Jagatic (NYC) and Robin Olive (L.A.) are leading flagging into the 21st century by incorporating the art with their choreography. Jagatic’s company Axis-Danz has been largely successful marketing flagging to corporate events like the opening of the new Chase-Manhattan Bank headquarters and performing at MTV’s Music Video Awards. (Jagatic is no stranger to music videos himself, having performed in Mariah Carey’s video for her single Loverboy.)
Robin Olive and her troupe Placid Fluidity are not far behind, performing regularly at L.A. über-club, Circus and the Gibson Theatre at Universal Studios City Walk.
She can also be seen twirling crimson flags in the hit gay-themed film, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.
Indeed, flagging is swiftly becoming a viable and potentially lucrative dance technique with performances in the Hollywood blockbusters, Interview With the Vampire; Moulin Rouge; Vanity Fair; and Hedwig & the Angry Inch.
Ultimately though, New York transplant David Gosbin—now living in Palm Springs—speaks for most of us, “Some people at the club come up to me and ask if I’m trying to grab attention or what. I tell them no, just the opposite, I don’t care if anyone else is watching or not,” to which I might add, “Flagging is the music made visual; it’s how the DJ plays me.”
Dan Tyler majored in ethnographic research at UCLA, has flagged for nine years, and is also the director of a soon-to-be-released documentary titled FLAGGERS! Dan can be reached at danieltyler@mac.com




Valedictory Advice

Valedictory Advice to Friends, Classmates, and Colleagues in World Arts & Cultures
“Choose life.
Choose a career.
Choose a family.
Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players, and electrical tin openers.
Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing junk food into your mouth.
Choose rotting away at the end, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish brats you spawned to replace yourself.
Choose your future.
Choose life...”
--Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting
Rarely have I used drugs to numb the pain—the haunting hunger for approval, the lonely need for a caressing hand on my cheek, the aching wish for someone to be there and tell me things will be all right.
No, I’ve born that sadness, that chain about my neck, sober and awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering how long before the stink of my rotting body would annoy the neighbors enough to call the police to break down the door.
Sometimes not much keeps me away from a box cutter or bottle of pills—not much except a fuzzy, black & brown friend, who finds his own way of reassuring me, like when he winks as if to say, “Maybe things would be better if we just went outside and rolled around in the grass…”
Therefore, I reckon Tucson (well, dogs in general) has been the best therapy—for everyone--and bringing him with me to school everyday has been my own secretly--successful activist--art.
Dogs make the best socializing agents, so it always seems bizarre to me that Hollywood churns out weepy-eyed blockbusters featuring lovable dogs like “My Dog Skip” and “Old Yeller,” and zillions of books strongly advise people to adopt a dog (you’ll live longer and less stressfully) yet, when I take my dog on the bus, people freak out like I’m attached to an alien!
I reassure them by muttering something about being disabled, and there’s a collective sigh of relief (Whew! Glad that guy has a disability and needs a dog to help him out!)
Folks hate talking about mental illness—it makes them uncomfortable—something you whisper like “cancer.”
Again, I can’t figure this out, especially when our campus boasts its own psychological services center (which limits the number of sessions students can receive because the therapists are so completely back-logged) and dozens of workshops and groups targeted at coping with depression and anxiety, while hovering o’er all: the gigantic industrial-hospital complex filled with psychologists, psychiatrists, and clinicians.
Nevertheless, when I transferred to UCLA two years ago, I was the only person with a dog on campus (there weren’t even any seeing-eye dogs!) and most people had never heard of therapy dogs before.
It warms my heart there are at least three other dogs on campus now, for which I’d like to take some small amount of credit.
Thus, before our Commencement commences, I advise the underclassmen, graduate students, and professors to make room in your lives for a dog.
Maybe even two dogs.
You’ll be glad you did.
I promise.