Pride Commemorated In Tucson And Arizona: By Mark R. Kerr

TUCSON (Observer Update) - Celebrations and commemorations continue as the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) communities in Arizona mark the 39th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and the birth of the modern LGBT rights movement.

Tucson Pride and Wingspan's Reel Pride joins up to present A Four Letter Word on June 20, 7:45 p.m., at the Loft, 3233 East Speedway. Casper Andreas's sexy comic follow-up to Slutty Summer nabbed the Grand Jury Award for Best Screenplay at L.A. Outfest.

Get ready to experience a little romantic profanity with a Four Letter Word (from Casper Andreas, acclaimed writer/director of Slutty Summer), a sexy, raunchy and sweetly-satisfying comedy that proves love in the 21st century isn't as easy as it looks.

"A Four Letter Word coasts on a good-natured raunchiness that's explicit but never sleazy ... its a surprisingly endearing romantic comedy that explores gay relationships with low-budget verve. As for the male nudity, well, you won't hear any complaints from me." - Jeannette Catsoulis, the New York Times. For more information go online to loftcinema.com.

On Saturday, June 21, slap on your spurs and saddle up for Gay West '08 on June 21 at Old Tucson Studios. Gay West is a western-themed festive fundraising event that benefits Wingspan, Tucson and Southern Arizona’s LGBT Community Center, located at 425 E. 7th St.

Hold on to your hat because this year's event features an exclusive Old Tucson Studios performance by Grammy legend Thelma Houston to perform her #1 Dance/Pop hit, Don't Leave Me This Way and songs from her newest CD “A Woman's Touch.” Great food and drink with Famous Jakes BBQ / Chuck Wagon Grill, inside and outside bars all over the park. Ride the Sabino Canyon Train, tour the Haunted Mine, pan for gold, drive the famous antique cars, and ride on the carousel. Test your skill on the Mechanical Bull, Quick Draw, Rope-A-Steer and many other great western games. Enjoy Miss Kitty and her Girls in an all new musical revue at the Grand Palace Hotel & Saloon! Someone is looking to rob the bank in town square, and you’d better keep an eye out for the bad guys! Enjoy high-flying stunts with pyrotechnics at the Three Amigos mission set.

Later in the in evening join Lucinda Holliday for the Lipstick and Lashes show as well as Tucson’s own great talents. Grand Palace: Dance Mix with DJ Blade and Ken Carr. Dance the night away with the best club mix in town. After the concert, Lucinda Holliday hosts Madonna, Cher, Beyonce, Michael Jackson! Who else will show up?

Tickets for Gay West are less than $20 a person. Special VIP meet and greet with diva Legend Thelma Houston (VIP Tickets on sale now at Woody’s) Reception with hors d’oeuvres and bar, autographed photo and her new CD “A Woman’s Touch” Special VIP seating for concert and more! Visit Old Tucson's website, oldtucson.com, for tickets.

In Flagstaff, the Northern Arizona's Pride Association (NAPA) will be presenting the 2008 Pride in the Pines, June 20 - 22, the twelfth annual event.

Organizers have expanded their “kids” area so that more families will be able to partake in our celebration. There will be plenty of food, clothing, arts and crafts and LOTS of entertainment.

Ce-Ce Peniston, Frenchie Davis and Jason and DeMarco will headline the entertainment at Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff. For more information, go online to the NAPA website at flagstaffpride.org/.

In anticipation of author Armistead Maupin's visit to the Loft on June 25, come enjoy a free screening, Saturday June 21, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., at the Joel Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone in the Lower Level Meeting Room, of the original TV mini-series Tales of the City based on his work. Free popcorn will be provided.

Rainbow Planet, located at 606 N. Fourth Avenue in Tucson, will be hosting two Pride events on Sunday, June 22 and Monday, June 23. On Sunday, enjoy the musical stylings of local Tucson musician Daryl Shawn and on Monday, join Tucson Pride for Craft Night. For more information, call (520) 620-1770 or go online to theplanetcoffeehouse.com.

For the younger set, ages 13-23, EON Youth Lounge will be hosting a dinner and movie, Tuesday, June 24, call EON at (520) 620-6245 for directions.

Bear night will take place Wednesday, June 25 at the Rainbow Planet, call (520) 620-1770 for details.

Wingspan, Wednesday, June 25, will be hosting the Pima Community Access Program Day, with an ice cream social, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call (520) 624-1779 or go online to wingspan.org for more information.

Also on Wednesday, June 25, 7:00 p.m. at the Loft Cinema, 3233 East Speedway, join the Pima County Public Library and the Library's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Committee in welcoming Armistead Maupin, author of Tales of the City, The Night Listener, and Michael Tolliver Lives to Tucson. Maupin will talk about and read from his books. A book sale and signing will follow. For more information go online to library.pima.gov/spotlight/maupin/ or loftcinema.com/node/299.

Desert Girls will be performing on Thursday, June 26, at the Rainbow Planet, call (520) 620-1770 for more information or go online to the planetcoffeehouse.com.

Also on Thursday, IBT’s, located at 616 N. Fourth Avenue, will be hosting a “Fireman’s Party,” from 10:00 p.m. till closing, with drink specials, a sexiest Fireman Contest and other wonderful surprises. Go online to idkex.com for details.

Boy’s R Us will be performing at Club Congress, 311 East Congress, 6:00 p.m, Friday, June 27, so come celebrate Pride Week at Club Congress with Mistress of Affairs Janee’ Starr. Pre-show featuring Human Project, performances by EON youth group and all your favorite Gender Benders. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., showtime at 6:30 p.m. $5 for 18 and under, $7 general admission, $10 limited seating at the door. Parental advisory warning for content and subject matter, ages 14 and up. For more information on upcoming shows please call (520) 304-2155 or visit myspace.com/tucsondragkings.

SAAF (Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation), online at saaf.org, will be offering free and confidential HIV testing at their offices, 375 S. Euclid and other locations around Tucson for National HIV Testing Day, Friday, June 27. For additional locations or information, call Dave at (520) 628-7223. Know your status, get tested.

Wingspan, 425 E. 7th Street will be hosting, Friday, June 27, their Front Porch Music Series, with details online at wingspan.org,

On Saturday June 28, MSHAPE Sunset BBQ & Volleyball will take place at De Anza Park (Located at the southeast corner of Speedway and Stone), 4 to 8:00 p.m. MSHAPE invites you to come play volleyball, eat some barbequed hamburgers & hot dogs and hang out.

Lastly but not least, Out Loud and Queer Open Mic. will take place at Rainbow Planet. Join Tucson Pride and show off your vocal abilities for Out Loud and Queer Open Mic. at Rainbow Planet. For more information, contact Rainbow Planet at (520) 620-1770 or online at theplanetcoffeehouse.com.