Get the Dish with Miss Priscilla Pride!
by Miss Priscilla Pride

2002 - Resolutions Reverberate Round Long Island!
Sing to 'Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow:' "Oh, the weather outside was pretty, and the snow was no where near the city. I made holiday rounds and ate sooo... much I grew 2 dress sizes and move slow!" Well, the holidays are over and the New Year is here! Resolutions are abounding everywhere and now's the time to start the most resolved chant of all... "I'm going to diet so I can wear that thong/bikini or go topless at Fire Island this summer." Well good luck kiddies and remember Jane's chant from her aerobics video, "Make it burn, make it burn!" I did that years ago. Jane sounds a little warped when you throw the VCR in the fireplace with her tape still playing but the burn effect is just the same.

Some of you made the resolution to get more involved in the Long Island GLBT non-profit community. Good for you, we need you! Attendees of the 6^th Annual Winter Ball hosted by Long Island Pride Parade Inc. on December 2, 2001 know how hard those cuties work. DJ Denise of Twisted Dee Productions Inc. spun the dance tunes, The West Lake Inn fed us and the décor was elegant! 380 people attended; among them: Jon Cooper, Maxine Postal, Helen of Club 608 and her 4 tables (you go girl), Forevergreen's, LIGALY, GALFOLI, The L.I. Eagle, Blanche, The Bunkhouse boys and their 3 tables (faboo), The L.I. Ravens MC, Auntie M's, New Century Singers, Suffolk Gay Men's Group, and... oh it was a veritable 'Who's Who' of the Long Island GLBT community. Everyone looked simply divine. Me, well... I was a HUGE hit in a stunning one of a kind plaid creation by UNO GALLONO, famed cousin of John Galliano. John won't design plaid creations for us big boned gals so UNO took up the slack. He allowed us to be part of the recent fashion world craze. As Galliano got his plaid inspiration from Roman Catholic architecture GALLONO takes his muse from other famed building designs. The card with my gown listed the Taj Mahal as the inspiration, big and beautiful. UNO, we love you!

I applaud the Parade Committee for this event and other fundraisers throughout the year, which culminates to the 12^th Annual Long Island Pride Parade & Festival In The Park on Sunday, June 9^th. All the proceeds from the Winter Ball and the other events are used for the Parade and Festival. The first 2002 Long Island Pride Parade fundraiser is at Club 608 on Friday, January 18^th. Join them, commiserate about the weirdest gift received this past holiday and support the Parade! Find out about the group and how to lend them a hand organizing Long Island Pride Day.

I attended a faboo concert during December presented by the New Century Singers. These guys and gals are so talented and just too cute! Elaine Kirkland, Artistic Director, reminds us that this group is an ensemble of members and friends of the GLBT community. To find out about upcoming events or how you can join them, call (631) 363-9546 or visit their simply divine web site. Remember that old saying, "If music be the food of love, play on!" Well, Priscilla loves you all and hopes you play on for many years to come!

February and March are already packing in the fund raising events. Pick from the varied events, support the group and remember - have fun! We have LIGALY's Mardi Gras on February 16^th at the Island Hills Golf and Country Club. Tickets are $50 per person and the party is for adults. All the money raised benefits programs and services for GLBT youth and their families! What a worthy organization. They do so much to help the future GLBT generations realize their self-worth and potential as vital contributors to the GLBT community. David and the gang at LIGALY, Priscilla sends kisses!

February 17^th has Auntie M's Helping Hands Inc. fundraising event (the Annual Miss Aunite M's Pageant -- Ed.) at The Vanderbilt. Now I tried to find out the details and could not locate the specifics. I know it's an evening of music, dancing and drag led by Mirkala Cristal! Call (516) 679-8820 or send an email to info@amhh.org for the latest info! Priscilla loves these dedicated men and women and the work Helping Hands Inc. does for the local non-profits.

The Long Island Ravens M.C. 'Toys for Tots' campaign collected over 100 toys and distributed them through worthy Long Island GLBT non-profits. These guys are so sweet and just a bunch of mush-pots, I love 'em! They're working on their March 22 - 24 10^th Anniversary Weekend Celebration at the Airport Holiday Inn in Ronkonkoma! This faboo celebration includes the X-Rated Ball and their Annual Master/Slave Auction, which kicks off their fundraising efforts for their CHARITABLE FUND. Each year the Long Island Ravens M.C. makes grants from this fund to organizations for their work in the Long Island gay community. The Charitable Fund aids organizations supportive of the purposes of the Long Island Ravens M.C. including, but not limited to, organizations providing AIDS/HIV care and support. Reservations, ticket sales and information can be obtained by visiting www.liravensmc.org on the web or call (631) 665-9027. I see a poster about the event with a man in a leather harness, bare-chested and smoking a cigar pointing at me with one hand and carrying a whip in the other with this slogan under him, "Be there or else!" Oooh I love it when they get rough! Is it hot in here?

Another resolution many made this year-become politically aware! Well Long Island has many worthy groups to help you meet that goal. One group, led by cutie patootie Bill Borman, is the Nassau County Lesbian & Gay Democrats. Phone them at (516) 294-3366 or write them at P.O. Box 334 Long Beach, NY 11561-0334 to find out about this year's candidates they support. If the Republican Party is your choice, well visit the Log Cabin Republicans at www.lcrny.org and find out their issues and candidates! 2002 is an important NY political year as we get to elect Senators and our new Governor. Since SONDA (Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act) was not passed in 2001, this year's elections become more important. Visit Empire State Pride Agenda at www.prideagenda.org and read how you and your vote can make an important difference this year!

I am sure headlines will read real soon: Local Long Island Band Hits It BIG! I was riding the LIRR home from the Opera last December and met a 21-year-old cutie pie, Jordan Durante. I hear you all screaming, 'The LIRR??? What happened to Fabrizio, your hot, Italian stud chauffeur?" I get misty just writing his name. Fabrizio left me for love. Taking him to Fire Island these past 2 years did me in. He always claimed to be straight, then in 2000 he was bi and after the 2001 trip he said bye-bye. He met a hot Brazilian and the two whisked off to South America. I was devastated. I am weepy all over again. I don't how mothers do it. You raise them, nurture them and they just run off and leave! I hear tell there is trouble in paradise though. Apparently Fabrizio found out that his new flame, Fernando, secretly likes to do drag. Supposedly Fabrizio found Fernando dressed a-la Carmen Miranda lip-synching to "Ma Ma Ma Quiero!" Serves Fabrizio right! I told him, I have the name and others play the game. Anyway back to Jordan. His group TRAGIC SENSE, I classify it as alternative rock, is so hot they are lighting up the international CD waves! Go to www.tragicsense.com and you can find out more about them. I am having a drink with Jordan soon so I will fill you in on their doings in February. Jordan is straight but very gay friendly and Priscilla is proud of her new friend and his road to success so I thought I would share it with you. More about them in February darlings!

There's so much on Long Island to be proud about. Sit on your fannies, complain daily that nothing is changing and that life is like a fan - stand in front of it and it blows or behind it and sucks! OR, get up and dust off those "I don't know the L.I. groups!" or "I am just one person and what can I contribute?" blues and you all can make a difference. Check out www.galfoli.org or any other Long Island GLBT website and click on LINKS! You are bound to find out some worthy group that can use your help! Or simply write to me at Priscilla@licktheweb.com and I will steer you in the right direction. Also, write me about upcoming group events or if someone is celebrating a milestone in our community (i.e. a couple celebrating an anniversary, a retirement or starting a business venture, etc.). Help me get the word out to all of you!

Love and Kisses as always! See you in February when Cupid is sharpening his Valentine arrows!

Priscilla!

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