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July 4th Lazfest '98
Will Benefit Project Lazarus

Independence Day will sizzle once again as Project Lazarus, a residence for people living with AIDS, holds its fourth annual Lazfest fund raiser.

The day-long family celebration, which is open to the public, takes place Sat., July 4, in Cabrini Park at the corner of Barracks and Dauphine Sts. in the French Quarter from 11am to 6m. It features a silent auction, food, games, raffle, entertainment, dunk tank and lots more all-American fun.

Entertainment will be provided by the Odyssey House Gospel Choir, Cornelius Washington and Stephen Mars performing ballads, country/rock band Beatin' Path, Tommy Yetta's Dixieland Jazz Band and entertainer Becky Allen.

Included in the silent auction will be two-night accommodations at some of New Orleans' best hotels, meals at in-demand restaurants, art from well-known area galleries and a lot more.

The lead sponsors of Lazfest '98 are Absolut Vodka, Ambush Mag 2000, BellSouth and Budweiser.

Lazfest '98 tickets cost $10 and can be purchased from Project Lazarus or at the gate. They entitle the purchaser to unlimited quantities of food, soft drinks and beer, entertainment and lots more fun throughout the event. Raffle tickets are priced at $1 each or 12 for $10 and can be purchased through Project Lazarus. Prizes are $1,000 cash, a 27" Sony television and a $300 gift certificate from Saks Fifth Avenue.

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"Out, Proud & Healthy" Workshop

Rev. Margaret Walker will be the guest of Vieux Carre Metropolitan Community Church, 1128 St. Roch Ave., on July 25 and 26. On Sat., July 25, 1pm, she will present a workshop entitled "Out, Proud & Healthy" which will focus on developing a positive queer self-image. Although the workshop is free and open to the public, a love offering will be accepted. The following morning she will present the message at the 11am worship service.

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"Introduction to The Bible" Study Session

A series of three study sessions, which will take place at VCMCC on July 5, 12 & 19 from 4:15-5pm, will focus on dispelling the perception of the Bible as anti-queer rhetoric. The sessions are designed to help participants understand what the Bible is, how to get the most from it, and how it can be a "companion" in spiritual development. The study sessions, which will take place in a queer-friendly, affirming environment, are free and open to the public. Materials will be provided, but donations will be accepted to defray costs. Call 504.945.5390 for more information.

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"Info Party" On AIDS
At Wolfendale's

The Affected Community Committee of the New Orleans Regional AIDS Planning Council will hold the first in a series of "Info Parties" for the community at Wolfendale's, 834 N. Rampart St., at 4pm, Sun., July 12.

See and hear the dynamic duo Ms. Teka and Paul from Delta Regional Education Ctr., and James Swier from NO/AIDS Task Force, who will impart important information on how to access HIV/AIDS services. In addition, attendees will enjoy refreshments, food and music as part of the event.

If you have any questions or would like to make an in kind donation, contact Paul Metoyer, the New Orleans Center for Living at 504.943.9009 or Craig Hankins, Planning Council Mgr., 504.565.8078.

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Best Film & Video Shorts In LA
Premiere July 2

The New Orleans Video Access Center (NOVAC) holds its 10th Annual Louisiana Video Shorts Festival Thurs., July 2 at 7:30pm at the Prytania Theatre, 5339 Prytania St. The films being premiered are a remarkable display of what can be achieved in nine minutes or less.

Judging the 1998 productions were Madelyn Bonnet of WB Channel 38, Robert Berning of Robert Berning Productions, and Matthew Hales of Chimera Digital Imaging.

In honor of the Festival's 10th Anniversary, NOVAC will show highlights from past festivals. Some of the winners in previous years have gone on to great success in the Louisiana film industry and Hollywood. 1989 winner Keith Smith is currently Assistant to the Director of Photography for Oliver Stone. 1994 winner Lyndon Barrois is now a computer animator at Rhythm & Hues Studios, the L.A. based special effects studio best known for the creation of the Coca-Cola polar bears and as the Academy Award winner for Best Visual Effects for the feature film Babe. His winning Shorts Festival entry featured meticulously sculpted chewing gum wrappers that have to be seen to be believed. Another 1994 winner, Isaac Webb, is producing his first feature film.

Admission is $6 for the general public; $4 for NOVAC members.

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LA Joins U.S. Ambassador To Canada
In Hosting Ottawa July 4th Celebration

The State of Louisiana takes its unique heritage and culture to Canada's capital city for the U.S. Embassy's annual Independence Day party, which is the largest 4th of July celebration outside the U.S.

The Ottawa festivities kick off Fri., July 3 with an afternoon media preview and food tasting event showcasing noted Louisiana chefs. On Sat., July 4, over 2,500 people are expected for a reception on the grounds of the Ambassador's Residence to celebrate Independence Day from 4 to 7pm.

Louisiana Lieutenant Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco will emphasize the state's ties with Canada, including strong French heritage and influence dating back to its 1699 founding by Pierre le Moyne, Sieur d'Iberville. In 1999, Louisiana will commemorate the tricentennial of its French founding under the banner of "Francofete."

"We are grateful to our nation's chief diplomat in Canada, U.S. Ambassador Gordon Giffin, for the opportunity to participate in this event and share the news of Louisiana's 1999 celebration," said Blanco.

Louisiana chefs and restaurants participating in Ottawa's Fourth of July events include Clay Cook of Cook's Culinary Co., Shreveport; Don Domangue, Captain Avery's Restaurant, Monroe; Gus Martin, The Palace Cafe, New Orleans; Johnny "Jambalaya" Percle, Nottaway Plantation, Baton Rouge; Michael Weiss, Semolina's, Alexandria; a chef from Red Fish Grill, New Orleans; and, a chef to be determined from Lafayette.

Musicians slated to perform at the event include Zachary Richard (Cajun/Zydeco) and Kermit Ruffins (jazz).

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Navy Settles McVeigh Case;
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Debacle Continues

Timothy McVeigh, a target of the military's so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy, reached an out of court settlement in his case against the Navy. Under the settlement, among other things, the Navy not only provides McVeigh a retirement with full benefits, but it also agrees to forgo further challenges to a federal court ruling that was highly critical of the Navy's actions against McVeigh and of the military's policy banning Gay men and Lesbians.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a flawed policy implemented in a faulty manner based on the false premise that Gays and Lesbians should not be allowed to serve in the military," stated Task Force political director Rebecca Isaacs. "Timothy McVeigh's exemplary service and the harassment he experienced demonstrate the unfairness of this policy and the military's inability to implement it properly," she added.

The navy targeted McVeigh last year in an anti-Gay witch-hunt, and America Online released information about his account to the Navy. McVeigh had an immaculate record of service but was nevertheless ordered dismissed on charges that he engaged in sodomy. McVeigh sued the Navy, and a federal judge later ruled that the Navy improperly obtained private information from America Online and that it violated the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy. Last month McVeigh was promoted to master chief petty officer, the Navy's highest enlisted rank.

According to "From Wrongs to Rights", a report recently released by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, there is strong evidence that the public has long been supportive of allowing Lesbians and Gay men to serve in the armed forces. This public opinion trend indicates this support, now well over 60 percent, will continue to increase over time.

According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), discharges of Gay men and Lesbians have surged since the implementation of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue." In 1997 there were 997 discharges under the policy, the highest level of discharges since 1988. For more information contact SLDN at 202.328.3244.

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