Women of the Year
Thirty-two years of devotion—that is what Sandy Clough and Stephanie McClain have given one another. They do everything together it seems, including receiving awards, and they say they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Category: Featured
Bringing the Funny
When Sabrina Matthews headlines at the spiffy new Laff Stop this month, she’ll have at least a couple of recognizable local references to play with. Though the openly lesbian comedian has never performed in Houston, it took her only a time or two visiting the Bayou City in the ’80s to pick up on two important gay touchstones.
Both Sides, Now and Then
If there’s one thing that differentiates the immoral 21st war in Iraq from the immoral 20th-century war in Vietnam, it’s the art of anarchy that both conflicts inspired. Today, military men and women trade iPod clips of anti-war comedy of Bill Maher, Lewis Black, and Jon Stewart. In the ’60s, they traded cassettes of anti-war music of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and The Who.
When Animals Are Gone
For many of us, our pets are family. When a pet dies, often the grief is keenly felt. Whisper, the greyhound adopted by writer and massage therapist Alan Davidson, died on September 22. He contributed this essay in memory of Whisper.
Animal Attraction
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender folk have more pets than non-GLBT people, according to one recent study. Pet ownership was 10 percent more common among respondents to the survey—released by the Gay/Lesbian Consumer Online Census in 2003—than the general population. One-fifth of respondents reported spending between $300 and $432 a year on pet products. In financial terms, one might say the pets own us. And that’s just fine. Here, we introduce a few local humans and the creatures that adopted them.
Who Lets the Dogs Out?
Photo captions:
The board members of The Pet Patrol pose with their animal companions
(in front, l–r): Grace Horton-Olmos with Dolly and Nikki, both rescue dogs; Nicki Thorne-Thomsen with Magic, her special-needs fox terrier; Pet Patrol founder Tori Williams with Sophie;
(second row, l–r) Ryan Johnson with Indie; Chris Arnot with Phoebe; Lynne Shepherd with stuffed felines representing her own cats, Bandit and Keys (who were not comfortable, Shepherd reports, with a yard full of dogs); Mark Siurek with Sister and Lola; and Linné Girouard with Apache.
World AIDS Day
Coupled with the slogan “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise” is the theme for the 19 th World AIDS Day on December 1: “Leadership.” In Houston this year, a group of community leaders and advocates have collaborated for several months to coordinate World AIDS Day events and bring greater attention to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
More Than Just a Queer Guy
The fifth and final season for the Fab Five to set their queer eyes on the straight guys ended last month. Though all five guys are talented, Carson Kressley is the breakout star of the Bravo series (though some may argue the point), mainly because of his quick-wittedness and all-around exuberance.
Gayest and Greatest Continued
GAYEST & GREATEST SPOTLIGHT
Island man: Vincent J. Tramonte
If there is a Galveston resident who is more thoroughly Galvestonian than Vincent J. Tramonte, we haven’t met him. Tramonte, who runs the family real-estate firm, Joe Tramonte Realty, is a prime example of a genuine BOI (Born on the Island). An O’Connell High School alumnus, he graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin and earned a University of Houston law degree before returning home. Just a few of his Islander credentials: He is a founding member of the Knights of Momus, the leading Mardi Gras krewe. Last year, he was honored as King of Momus. At various times, he has led the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, the Rotary Club, and the local planning commission. He currently serves of the chamber of commerce board and is a member of the University of Texas Medical Branch President’s Cabinet. In short, Tramonte is your Galveston go-to guy. —TB [Photo credit] COURTESY TRAMONTE REALTY
Gayest and Greatest Continued
GAYEST & GREATEST SPOTLIGHT
Best New Restaurant with a Fun Name: Beaver’s
You may recognize chef Monica Pope from t’afia, from Boulevard Bistrot, or if you have been around awhile—and you know who you are—from The Quilted Toque. Or you may know her from the Saturday Midtown Farmers Market or the Tuesday Houston Farmers Market. For their next culinary venture, Monica and partner and general manager Andrea Lazar are thisclose to opening a modern-day icehouse at 2310 Decatur and Washington Avenue—across the street from the now-closed Pig Stand. This one will be called Beaver’s (I know you’re giggling), promising “dam good” drinks, food, and fun. If you’re so eager (get it?) that you can’t wait for the mid-October grand opening, swing by one of the farmers markets and pick up some barbecue to go. —S.H.
