The American Civil Liberties Union wants to help make sure the domestic partner registry in the North West Arkansas region remains an option for residents and guests. Your stories of love and commitment are the best way to defeat efforts to ban the registry. If you are a same-sex couple in this region, we want to hear from you now. Please click here and complete our couples survey:

http://www.freedomtomarry.org/stories/page1.asp

All stories count. Especially if you've had some obstacles around the fact your relationship is not legally recognized. Let us know if you or your partner were denied health care, medical decision-making, housing, inheritance, child custody, etc. because you are considered strangers by the law. Even if nothing bad has happened to you, let us know about your loving and committed relationship.

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The latest entrant into Eureka Springs' Domestic Partnership Registry Sweepstakes is our own local representative to the Arkansas Legislature, State Representative Bryan King.

«Personally I oppose the Deomestic (sic) Partner Registry,» King announced in Tuesday's carelessly-spelled press release. «Because of the numerous phone calls and the future impact to our area on this issue, I will say that I am considering asking an Attorney General opinion and possible future legislation regarding city, county or government entities issuing Domestic Partner Registtry's (sic).»

King's debut as a soldier in God's Chosen Army, Traditional Marriage Protection Regiment, is a bold move by our local first-term legislator. Here at home, back in the district, we know King as the poultry and cattle farmer who spent his entire first term trying to get permission from the state's environmental protection agency for poultry farmers to spread leftover chicken manure on cattle grazing lands.

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I guess this all started when a friend emailed me about an email he got from a friend. With me so far? A snippet of the email was more or less what will they («they» being the self proclaimed, saved and named Christians) take over next.

We have Christian Rockers, Christian Bikers, Christian Politics, Christian Motels. Damn. Weren't they content with just having Christian Bookstores? Guess not.

But it got me to pondering. Is there some kind of Christian porn? Christian hot, hot, steamy, sex? You bet your Baby Jesus there is. Didn't take long at all to find there are classes, manuals, sex toys, porn movies and all kinds of smut for salvation sluts. Baby Jesus butt plug and all.

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Photography is Art. There I said it. When I attended The Memphis College of Art, I along with fellow painters would never have uttered those words. John Rankine and Al Hooks are two of Eureka Springs' many fine photographers who prove that snapped images rightly deserve the label of «fine art.»

Toronto native John Rankine came to Eureka Springs via Key West ten years ago. With his partner, Billy King, and friend Mary Pat Boian they started a newspaper, «The Lovely County Citizen.» John became the staff photographer. Almost immediately he worked magic with his camera documenting events and people for the publication.

Despite a hectic work schedule, Rankine finds time to work on themed shows with tremendous success. The «Doll Series» contained images of discarded toy dolls carefully placed in still life and environmental settings. His highly acclaimed artist portrait series featured sixty photos of seventy-five local artists and strongly captured the essence of each individual. The show sold out.

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We're pleased to report that Eureka Springs' Domestic Partnership Registry is bringing piles of new visitors to our quaint little village. This just in from a group that calls themselves Jericho Riders: They say Eureka Springs has «given into Satan and his tactics» so they're coming to pray for us.

Isn't that sweet?

Here in Eureka Springs, we're equally worried about Satan. «Satan» is not his real name; it's just what we call him. But ever since Satan quit his three-night-a-week dish washing gig at the House of Biscuits and Gravy--then spent his final paycheck on yet another blackwork tattoo, three new facial piercings and a bottle of MD 20/20--we've all been worried about his welfare.

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Get «hitched» in Eureka Springs during Diversity Weekend

For out-of-towners coming to our annual summer Diversity Weekend (Aug. 3-5), here's a concise countdown to achieving connubial bliss at the same time:

1) Print out the online application for a Domestic Partnership Registry certificate, available here:

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A growing number of Eureka Springs businesses want to say Thank You for coming to Eureka to register your Domestic Partnership. Check back often as the list grows!

• Eureka House - Situated on 12 private acres just 5 minutes to downtown Eureka Springs. Perfect for your commitment ceremony in the gardens and plenty of room for your reception with guests. Sleeps 6. View our site for complete info and pictures. Our Domestic Partner special: Take $35.00 (the cost of your DP registration) off your first night with us. 2 night minimum stay. Stay for 3 or more nights and we'll pay for your minister too..commitment, renewal of vows, etc. Book for a week and get $35.00 off the first night, a minister for vows, dinner for 2 and your 7th night FREE. Subject to availability.

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That's right Grrls. Eureka Springs has a restaurant named «Rowdy Beaver.» Hold the double entendre. We'll get to that when we Ruthlessly Review the business that offers you a chance to «Dive on Beaver.» (Yes there is one. Really.)

Rowdy Beaver is a family-style roadhouse, complete with an under-12-kit menu for your little Beavers and Beaverettes. If you're a loyal Diversity visitor who wonders whatever happened to the fun folks at the Copacabana Club, now you know: Bartender Mikie is spinning the blender at the Beaver Bistro; Lita is spinning the hits on Thursdays at the Beaver's «Karaoke with Lita.»

The menu at the Rowdy Beaver includes basic roadhouse comfort food: burgers, sandwiches, steaks, chops, seafood, beer, wine and a full bar. As Coca-Cola addicts in a village awash in Pepsi, the Gay News Noshing Crew finds it inexplicably important to mention that the Rowdy Beaver serves genuine Coca-Cola products.

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We're not utterly mannerless savages here at Gay News, s0 we think it's only proper to pause, reflect, and share a moment of silent gratitude for Pastor Phillip Wilson--the best little jingle writer in the gay promotion business.

Sure, we'd like to take credit for gems like, «Eureka Springs is a gay Mecca,» or «Eureka Springs is a sex destination» and today, live from the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch, «Come to Eureka Springs — the most homosexual city in the South.»

Is there any officer in the Gay Recruitment Army who wouldn't be proud to pin those brilliant, strategic campaign ribbons on his custom tailored, 100% natural fiber uniform? No? We thought not.

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Eureka Springs has been known as an art enclave since the 1930's and the city's art community in 2007 is more vibrant than ever. With a population of 2100 the city is home to more than 300 artists with many more artisans scattered among the surrounding hillsides.

Listed in the top 25 USA art destinations by American Style magazine, Eureka has more than 20 galleries, hosts a month long festival in May devoted to the arts, and is home to the Eureka Springs School of the Arts.

On the first Saturday of each month several galleries participate in a stroll showcasing works by featured artists. Not to be missed is the Eureka Springs Fall Art Fair the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving held in the Convention Center of the Inn of the Ozarks. During this show patrons will find the largest gathering of the town's artists under one roof than at any other time during the year.

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