Visit their site: ripandmarsha.com
Ambush Is Not Selling Out,
Nor Leaving Town
The rumor mills are churning and Ambush is once again the target. Apparently, the way this one goes is that "Rip and Marsha are so grieve stricken with the death of one of their staff members last year, and so overworked and burnt out, that they have decided to sell Ambush and leave New Orleans." Anyone that knows us personally must find this one a bit absorb.
Although we do miss Sonny Cleveland tremendously, we feel that all things happen for a reason, and you must go on. And of course, that is what Sonny would want us to do. Perhaps at some point in time when we're ready to retire, we would consider a sale, but leave New Orleans, PLEASE!
Sixteen years ago we moved the Ambush operation and our home here from Baton Rouge. New Orleans, and the entire Gulf South from Texas to Florida, for that matter, has been very good to us and Ambush. As luck would have it, these communities have made possible all of the things that we're able to do professionally and personally.
Maybe word of a possible merger we were considering for the AMBUSHonLine Internet Conglomerate last year prompted this latest rumor. The merger went by the wayside when pertinent conditions were not met.
It's rather funny when you consider that we're 47 and have had the same paper route for the past 19 years. It would be a little late for us to try out a new career at this stage of the game.
Gender Identity - A Cornerstone of LAGPAC
The Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus [LAGPAC] has continuously made "gender identity" an inclusive part of the organization as a whole. Louisiana's only statewide and non-closeted GLBT political action caucus has taken the "gender identity" issue a step further by including it in the Lesbian and Gay employment protection legislation currently before the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee including sexual orientation as well as gender identity.
It is time for Transgenders and their supporters in the Gay Lesbian and Bisexual Community to put their money where their mouths are. And Ambush has decided to do just that. At a recent party hosted at the home of Mayor and Mrs. Marc Morial, the LAGPAC Capitol Club was introduced, as well as new Executive Director Melinda Shelton.
"LAGPAC has always relied on volunteer effort. It is completely dependent upon member dues and event based fund-raising to finance its programs. Member dues have been kept deliberately low in keeping with LAGPAC's goal to foster inclusiveness. Although LAGPAC's volunteers will always be the backbone of the organization, to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, LAGPAC recognizes the need to build a larger and more responsive presence throughout Louisiana. In order to achieve this goal, it can no longer rely solely on volunteers. A minimum level of staffing is required.
The Capitol Club has been formed to provide a solid financial basis on which to fund staffing to augment LAGPAC's ongoing volunteer efforts. Staffing will make LAGPAC's volunteer efforts more efficient and professional, and will provide for greater continuity of effort and responsiveness in times of crisis. LAGPAC needs your commitment and has set a minimum fund-raising goal of $20,000 for this purpose. Your investment in LAGPAC will help ensure the continued progress of our community. Your participation in the Capitol Club will distinguish you as one of LAGPAC's most important members and will entitle you to special recognition in the organization."
Ambush has decided to join the Capitol Club to show its support of the important work LAGPAC is doing for the entire GLBT community. Businesses and individuals can join at three levels-$600, $1,200 or $1,800. What is great is you can pay your membership fee either annually, quarterly or monthly. Please fill out the form above.
If you are unable to support the Capitol Club at this time please consider a LAGPAC Membership at $10, low-income; $35, standard 1-year membership; or $60, domestic partners. Mail your check or Visa, MasterCard or AmEx info to LAGPAC, PO Box 53075, New Orleans, LA 70153 or visit lagpac.com.
Transgenders - "The Ass" of the Camel
Many Transgenders and members of the Gay Lesbian and Bisexual Community were outraged at the crude remarks attributed to Forum For Equality Executive Director Jimmy Farenholtz. Farenholtz reportedly said in Southern Voice, " I'm calling this the 'nose-of-the-camel bill. You have to get the nose of the camel into the tent, and you can worry about pulling the rest of the ass in later." Farenholtz is referring to a bill introduced by the Forum For Equality in the Louisiana Senate protecting Lesbians and Gays through sexual orientation from employment discrimination, but excludes "gender identity". Ambush urges its readers to contact their Senators and let them know that "gender identity" should be a protected class in any employment discrimination act. LAGPAC has introduced a bill inclusive of protection based on sexual orientation and gender identity as reported in last issue's Ambush Editorial by Toni Pizanie. This is the bill that should be passed. Senator District 4 is Paulette Irons at 225.342.2040 in Baton Rouge.
Sanker & Chisholm Rock Walt's World
w/Muscle & Sweat 2 & One Mighty Party 5
Jeffrey Sanker, in association with Johnny Chisholm and OZ Nightclub, once again create one of the happiest parties on earth. First with MUSCLE & SWEAT 2 on Fri., June 1, at Pleasure Island's House of Blues and then, ONE MIGHTY PARTY 5, taking place under the stars on Hollywood Blvd. at Disney's MGM Studios Theme Park on Sat., June 2 - both during Gay Days in Orlando.
With partiers around the planet still buzzing about Sanker's now legendary WHITE PARTY 2001 (featuring the fabulous poolside parties), Jeffrey and Johnny work the magic all over again as thousands of LesBiGay revelers converge on Orlando - dressed in red - for the annual Gay Days festivities. M&S2 and OMP5 bring together world-class DJ talent, spectacular performers, stunning special effects; state-of-the-art sound, lasers & lighting; and other added surprises - to create two unforgettable, star-studded nights of celebration.
The world-famous House of Blues will be pumped to the max on Fri., June 1, as Sanker once again flexes MUSCLE & SWEAT 2: a down and dirty dance party of massive proportions. DJ Heavyweight Manny Lehman delivers the hottest circuit sounds from 9pm until late. Dance diva legend Ultra NatA hits the stage for a special live performance at midnight.
House of Blues is located at Downtown Disney (west side) on Pleasure Island in Orlando. Advance tickets for Muscle & Sweat 2 are available for $25. Contact Ticketmaster/Fla. at 407.839.3900 or the House of Blues box office at 407.937.BLUE for advance orders. This event will sell out so buy your tickets early.
On Sat., June 2, One Mighty Party 5's spectacular outdoor dance experience erupts as Superstar DJ Victor Calderone unleashes his signature New York sound from 10:30 pm to 3 am, with special live entertainment and other surprises happening all night long. If you thought Jeffrey's Ferris Wheel at White Party Palm Springs was fun, then hold on to your baseball hat (and hopefully someone else!) Both the "TWILIGHT ZONE: The Tower of Terror(R)" and "ROCK 'N ROLLER COASTER" attractions will be open during this event for the thrills and enjoyment of attendees.
Experience the fearful fun of the classic TV series as you step inside TWILIGHT ZONE: Tower of Terror. Discover what lies beyond the fifth dimension...beyond the deepest, darkest corner of the imagination. Host Rod Serling guides visitors on a sinister tour inside the old Hollywood Tower Hotel that defies explanation.
Then fasten your seatbelts on the ROCK 'N ROLLER COASTER, an indoor, high speed steel coaster. Under a shroud of darkness, riders are catapulted through glow-in-the dark Los Angeles landmarks and twisted upside-down THREE times along the way fueled by a musical soundtrack piped directly to individual personal stereo speakers.
Admission for One Mighty Party 5 is $75 (advance). Tickets will be available at the door. Order tickets by phone from Box Office Tiks at 800.494.8497 and Ticketmaster of Florida at 407.839.3900.
Tickets also available at Whittal & Shon (Miami). Order tickets online at www.jeffreysanker.com or www.gaydays.com. Individual tickets will be on sale (if available) at the GayDays hospitality center, as a cash-only transaction, subject to a convenience fee.
Official sponsors of MUSCLE & SWEAT 2 & ONE MIGHTY PARTY 5 include: Miller; Bacardi; CircuitToys.com; Ambush Magazine and Wet International. With his award-winning company, JS Enterprises, Jeffrey Sanker is known throughout the global Gay community as a producer of world-class special events and event weekends, including "White Party Palm Springs;" "Miami Millennium" & "MasterBeat Millennium" (PS); and "Snowball" (official Friday event of Miami's White Party Week).
For more information, visit jeffreysanker.com or ozneworleans.com. For Orlando GayDays 2001 information, visit gaydays.com.
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