It's autumn in the Ozarks, that glorious time of year when trees don their colorful gay apparel in preparation for Fall Diversity Weekend. As is traditional in the weeks leading up to every Diversity Weekend--particularly fall--the HSA (Homosexual Security Agency) division of Gay News has noted a sharp uptick in religious terrorism chatter.

The first thing that caught the attention of alert Gay News readers was a poll on the front page of Eureka's local right-wing newspaper. The question: «How do you feel about the efforts of Eureka Springs Mayor Dani Joy so far?»

Innocent question, no? Perfectly normal thing for a newspaper to ask: «How do you feel about the performance of an elected official?»

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Dear Jericho Riders:

Hey, dudes, thanks for the plug on, jerichoriders.org.

Back atcha, bros.

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We haven't done an official tally lately, but the number of gay-owned businesses in Eureka Springs may have just breached the 50 barrier with the recent opening of two new retail shops. An old-favorite motel has new owners, too.

Glass Act

Fusion Squared, a suitably eclectic enterprise at 84 Spring St. (479-253-4999) features extraordinary fused-glass jewelry and decorative plates and bowls--along with chain-mail bracelets, necklaces, to-die-for tie-dyed tees and original drawings by Topeka, Kansas artist Chris Prouty.

Proprietors and artists-in-residence John Rinehart and John Jarrett happily abandoned corporate ships in Topeka to launch their new retail venture in Eureka Springs. «We had visited the town four or five times in the past, loved it and, well, the rest is history,» says Rinehart. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

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Yes, our toe-tapping bride with the wide stance is a graduate of the Larry Craig School of Dance and Social Graces (we knew you'd ask.) She's jitterbugging with joy because Fall Diversity Weekend is almost here!

November 1-4, 2007, GLBTi and PFLAG visitors of all ages will journey to our little village for a weekend of friendship and fun. This is the biggest and most beloved Diversity Weekend of the year with so many things to do and people to see (or should that be so many things to see and people to do?) Either way, there's plenty of activities to choose from. (Yes, Virginia. In this case--it's a choice.)

NEW! Surrender to your inner Diva and avoid the DUI. Affordable and elegant transportation is available from Eureka Springs Limousine. Just $15 bucks (plus tips) will get you everywhere you want to go on Friday & Saturday.

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Visitors and new residents often ask, «How can I meet people in Eureka's GLBT community?» It's so easy that we forgot explain it. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Attend what is informally (and jokingly) known as the, «Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting.»Wednesday night, starting about 6:30 p.m., is nominally gay night at Eureka Live. The turnout varies from 20 to 35. The music is kept at a low volume and we--singles, couples, triples and straight friends--pull the tables together as the crowd grows and actually talk to each other.It's a very good way to get to know people and socialize in a low-pressure, non-cruisy atmosphere.We're often joined by gay and lesbian (and straight) tourists who happen to be in town. The drinks are half price and there's a buffet for $3 or $4. It's a very good way to meet and get to know people.

   So, as a starting point, think about coming to a Wednesday night gathering at Eureka Live. Just walk up to the string of tables and introduce yourself to one person. He or she will then introduce you to everyone else and you'll feel conspicuous and self-conscious for all of five minutes.

   Eureka Live is located at 35 1/2 North Main Street (lower level). Phone: 479-253-7020.

2. If you're looking for a real prayer meeting, check out the Metropolitan Community Church of the Living Spring. The loving, diverse and welcoming communion of Eureka's MCC is now celebrating its 20th year.Worship time is Sunday evening, 6:00 p.m., 17 Elk Street in Eureka Springs. Contact information for Pastor Steve Urie, the church, and the praise and prayer request group is available on the MCC's web site.
3. Get to know us from a distance. Let your fingers do the walking... so to speak.Eureka's literal and virtual community (gay, straight and friendly to all) meets and greets at Eureka Pride. Join the conversation, make new friends, and invite them to join you at the prayer meeting of your choice.

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We've been asked to comment on the local press coverage of last weekend's PDA in the Park and, yes we'll admit we've been stalling, but here goes:

The only mention of the event comes from our old friends at the Patriots' Herald. It's short. It's to the point. Here it is, reproduced in its entirety:

«....gays passed out pink hats and posed for a picture in the park.»

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Among trial attorneys, there is an unwritten rule that proscribes putting a witness on the stand unless you know in advance what he or she will say. In the courtroom, surprise is not a good thing.

In the court of public opinion, however, the unexpected and unanticipated can be downright refreshing. Unless you're Al Pryor, the publisher of the righteous and rightward leaning Patriots' Herald weekly newspaper.

In last week's edition, Pryor gave his readers six chances to vote on the worthiness of Diversity Weekends, including five opportunities to more or less bash them. A staunch opponent of the Domestic Partnership Registry, Pryor may well have thought he was polling to the choir.

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Compared to the Diversity Weekend dance parties, pool parties and the non-confrontational showdown with the motorcycle evangelists in Basin Spring Park on Saturday, the Cake n' Cocktails reception for Domestic Partners was low-key, high-calorie affair.

Several out-of-town couples who arrived early enough on Friday to get their Domestic Partnership certificates at city hall were in attendance at the soiree, along with local couples who swarmed city hall June 22 when the DPR went into effect. Hosted by Henri's, 19 1/2 Spring St., the event drew enough of a crowd to fill the bar, the dining room and the outdoor deck.

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In a show of civic and civil solidarity, town residents and tourists turned out en masse to celebrate Diversity at noon in Basin Spring Park on Saturday, August 4th.

There were singles, couples, entire families with kids, dogs and even a pig. They stood shoulder to shoulder to mug for the camera with big, genuine grins. And somewhere on the fringes were the very dour faces of the Jericho Riders and some of their local supporters. They had come to «witness,» but what they witnessed was joy, not shame, inclusiveness not discrimination.

To give the Riders credit, they were not disruptive, intrusive nor belligerent--though they did look a bit stunned to see a couple of hundred residents and tourists--gay and straight--having such a good time. The Riders behaved and thus were treated with dignity and respect by everyone else.

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On the level you're a little devil (but I'll soon make an angel of you.)--Ragtime ditty, 1918

The Hells Angels left Eureka Springs on Sunday morning in a cloud of exhaust and badass attitude. Curtain call. Set change.

Enter stage left: Simmering Summer Diversity revelers and their faithful, helpful saviors-- the Jericho Riders-- who will not be here to protest anything, no not anything at all, you understand. The Jericho Riders simply intend to «storm the gates of Hell» (as they put it), serve the Lord, and game our «sinful» souls, with a full courtier press.

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