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PastOut: 7 Years ago in ‘OutSmart.’

BigSwitch7 Years ago in ‘OutSmart.’

By Donalevan Maines

Members of EPAH, the Executive Professional Association of Houston, donned military and tropical gear to celebrate Veterans Day with a military ball at 1415 Bar & Grille. Former Miss Gay Houston-USA Lauren Taylor headlined the “Rum & Cola Show” that highlighted the event’s “South Pacific” theme, featuring music from Bette Midler’s For the Boys and “Stuff Like That There.”

GLBT military heroes were honored with Internet postings “Documenting Courage: Veterans Speak Out,” while current active-duty personnel kept silent per restraints of the military’s “Don’t  Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

Mr. Gay Everything Don Gill’s favorite movie Auntie Mame debuted on DVD, while Mr. Showbiz Jack Varsi recommended the reading of Uncle Mame, Eric Myers’ biography of author Patrick Dennis.

Bayou City Concert Musicals announced an encore engagement of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music at the Hobby Center, with Paul Hope returning as befuddled Fredrik, Hilary Field reprising “Send in the Clowns,” and Sylvia Froman recalling “Liaisons” past, as canny Madame Armfeldt.

Third-term Houston City Council member Annise Parker urged voters to approve $808.6 million in Houston Independent School District bonds for much-needed repairs and school construction. In addition, Parker stumped for Sylvia Garcia to become the first Hispanic and first female elected to Harris County Commissioners Court, David Patronella for justice of the peace, re-election of gay-friendly state representatives Debra Danburg and Scott Hochberg, and Chris Bell for Congress.

Southwest Alternative Media Project (SWAMP) marked 25 years of dedication to independent film, including support of the Houston Gay & Lesbian Film Festival since its inception.

Channel 8’s Ernie Manouse documented “The Big Switch,” a 2-day project that OutSmart initiated to transform a pair of houses next-door in the Fifth Ward with the talents of designers Jennifer Loh and Troy Broussard.

Also this month in 2002, Houstonians David Fagan (paddle ball), Charles Caliva II (physique), Carlo Deason (track), Mitch Mitchell, Carrie Howlett, Lori Hidalgo, and Kas Cejka (billiards), Frank Garcia (marathon), Steve Ruimveld (volleyball), Kevin  Taylor (soccer), and Houston Pride Band members Russell Williams, Debbie Hunt, Connie Moore, and Kevin Taylor descended on Sydney, Australia as part of the Space City contingent to Gay Games VI and an international band festival.

Donalevan Maines wrote about The Rocky Horror Show in the October issue of OutSmart.

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Don Maines

Donalevan Maines is a regular contributor to OutSmart Magazine.

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