Last week, we celebrated the veto of a ridiculous discrimination bill (SB 1062), which means (yay) I don’t have to leave the state. On a personal note, I received word that my first published work of 2014 will be my short story “Don’t Ball the Boss”—an audacious gay romance about a celeb and his PA.
Finally, though (and come on, most importantly), last Thursday was Dallas Arizona’s birthday. I met Dallas a couple years ago. He’s probably the most famous gay guy in Phoenix and not only because he’s hot but because he’s sweet and he can dance. He dances often, all over the city, but my favorite venue for a good old Dallas time is at Ice Pics Video Bar on McDowell.
The place looks scary from the outside because there are no windows, and the front door is sort of hard to find. Whenever I’ve gone there, I’m one of the only chicks; seriously, you can hear crickets singing when I walk in the front door.
Ice Pics is dark on purpose. Inside, there are TV screens everywhere, playing clips of old musicals and current music videos. There’s a dance floor and stage. They have indecently cheap drinks. And despite the fact that my girlfriends and I are usually the only chicks, we feel welcome.
The thing I’ve realized about Ice Pics: you have to come prepared. The friendliness of its clientele can be truly overwhelming. Case in point: Thursday, Dallas’s birthday. As soon as I saw Dallas (who was wearing nothing but fluorescent yellow underwear stuffed with dollar bills, of course), I was wrapped in a huge hug and my picture was taken. I was introduced around, hugged some more.
I’m in there somewhere …
When I go to Ice Pics, I feel like I’m on vacation—and, it seems, so does everyone else. There is long, loud laughter and sudden, unexpected stage performances by Dallas and his crew. One second, you’re outside talking to a strange, tall boy in multi-colored skivvies. The next, you’re inside, and Dallas is in a wig and glitter, dancing to the Bee Gees. Next, you’re on stage, too! You just never know.
Last week, we in Arizona celebrated the epic failure of a disgusting piece of legislature, but we also celebrated Dallas. I’m happy to know him, and I’m happy to live in a place with a pretty rocking gay scene.
Happy Birthday to Dallas. I think I saw on your Facebook page that he just turned 40. Is that right? That’s insane. He even looks good for a 25 year old.
I’m interested to hear what in SB1062 was so appalling that you would have left the state if it passed. I read the actual bill (its only about a page and a half), and I cannot for the life of me see why this has received as much vitriolic response as it has. I think people have gotten worked into a lather over nothing. What am I missing, from your point of view?
Dallas turned 48!!!! Insane!!!!! And I wouldn’t really have left the state. I think I just get really freaked when the state tries to legislate religion. I’m a paranoid person where laws are involved, especially in regards to religion and education. I want those dirty politicians keeping their noses outta my personal business … but I guess we all do
HOWEVER the hype was a little out of control, and I think Brewer vetoed it based on hype. I dunno if that’s a good thing either. (?)
48? I hate him. I’m not anti-gay, just anti-gay-guys-that-look-that-good-at-48. Maybe I should do a push-up or two.
Yeah, Brewer essentially had no choice except to veto the bill. For one, I think the legislation would have been so minor in its impact, so vetoing it wouldn’t hurt much. She was also right in saying that this law didn’t address any imminent religious infraction, so it isn’t — technically — a must-have bill.
In addition, the coercion of outside groups (the NFL, conventions, etc.) made it near impossible to enact. Sadly, the reaction would have crippled Arizona.
I agree with your statement that the government needs to stay out of our lives, but I would argue that this legislation was targeted at reinforcing that exact sentiment. It was borne out of the fallout from lawsuits where the government forces individuals, by force of law, to participate in activities they find religiously objectionable. I’m sure I’m in the minority among your readers, but I agreed with the essence of SB 1062.