This & That

by Deb Spilko

Lesbian comedy performer and writer Elvira Kurt will be at Allegheny College October 6 in observance of National Coming Out Day. She performs at clubs all over North America, on television and in the theater. She's profiled and showcased in a documentary about lesbian and gay comedy called We're Funny That Way. She was voted Funniest Female Comedian at the Canadian Comedy Awards, has had two specials on Comedy Central and Elvira Kurt: Adventures in Comedy on the Comedy Network. She's a hot college act, and has been nominated both U.S. College Comedian and Entertainer of the Year. You can read more about Elvira, and watch her Comedy Central special, at her website at www.elvirakurt.com

AIDS Community Services of Western New York will once again be hosting ManSEX 101 in Jamestown, NY. This is a series of fun and informative workshops for men who have sex with men. Topics include Meeting Men, Love, Attraction, Fetishes & Sex, HIV/STD's and Sex & How to Do It Safely. The workshops (or "party meetings") are free and open to the public. They take place every Tuesday night 6:30 to 8:00 PM starting October 5 and ending November 23. For more information or to register for the ManSEX 101 program call Tom at (716)664-7855 or email glbt_educator@yahoo.com or tomplace@aidscommunityservices.com

Sort of along the same lines... Teenwire has a really well-done online video called How to Use a Condom. The video is done slowly enough that you can practice along with it. Might sound funny, but there are tips that help make condoms more effective in protecting you and your partner. You also might want to look over the rest of the site... it's from Planned Parenthood, and while it's mainly of interest to young people who are straight, bi or questioning, the information is sensitive to all sexual orientations. www.teenwire.com/index.asp

Finally, I know this is going to sound like nagging for some folks but, if you aren't registered to vote already, please consider doing so before the October 4 deadline. The outcome of this election will have enormous consequences for our community, for a long, long time to come.