The opportuni� es are endless when you begin at Minnesota State Community and Technical College. Get ahead with a career or technical degree that will get you into the workforce quickly, or earn a transfer degree. M State is the exible, aff ordable and personal op� on for higher educa� on in the F-M area.

Discover your future at minnesota.edu Minnesota State Community and Technical College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universi es System.An equal opportunity educator/employer.

F L E X I B L E . A F F O R D A B L E . P E R S O N A L .

M|StateYour Regional College of Choice.

R e d R i v e r Z o o

The opportuni� es are endless when you begin at Minnesota State Community and Technical College. Get ahead with a career or technical degree that will get you into the workforce quickly, or earn a transfer degree. M State is the exible, aff ordable and personal op� on for higher educa� on in the F-M area.

Discover your future at minnesota.edu Minnesota State Community and Technical College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universi es System.An equal opportunity educator/employer.

F L E X I B L E . A F F O R D A B L E . P E R S O N A L .

M|StateYour Regional College of Choice.

Schedule of EventsThursday, August 8th· Bowling - 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM @ All-Star Bowl· Karaoke & LGBT Trivia - 9:00 PM @ Rhombus Guys

Friday, August 9th· FM Pride 5K - 7:00 PM @ Dike East - Fargo· Show/Dance Party - 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM @ Aquarium Host: Kelly Coxsyn with DJs Dee-Duhbblyoo, Noelle, KLMNOP & Aveey

Saturday, August 10th· Pride in the Park Noon – 5:00 PM @ Davy Park in Moorhead· Youth Event “So You Think You Can Drag?” - 6:00 PM @ MSUM Underground · FM Pride Block Party (21+) - 6:00 PM (outdoor) 11:00PM (indoor) @ Usher’s House in Moorhead

Sunday, August 11th· Interfaith Service - 12:30 PM @ Historic Fargo Theatre· Parade - 2:00 PM @ Downtown Fargo· Pride Rally - Following Parade @ Fargo Civic Center (West Lawn)· FM Pride After-Party (Karaoke) – 5:00 @ Sidestreet

Here is a more in-depth look at our events...

The 2013 FM Pride weekend begins on Thursday, August 8th, and contin-ues with a series of events culminat-ing on Sunday, August 11th with the Annual FM Pride Parade and Rally in downtown Fargo. The FM Pride Committee expect to draw attendees from throughout North Dakota, Min-nesota, South Dakota, and stretch-ing into Canada, as they once again claim their spot as one of the nation’s largest rural celebrations. There are several events throughout the week-end –a few are highlighted below.

2013 FM Pride 5k Fun Run and Walk

The FM Pride 5k Fun Run and Walk will be held on August 9, 2013 at 7:00 PM. The event is a drug, tobacco, and alcohol free, all-ages race to celebrate the Fargo-Moorhead lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender (LGBT) com-munity’s commitment to promoting positive activities and healthy living. As in previous years, the 2013 FM Pride 5k Run and Walk’s starts at Dike East in Fargo, follows along the Red River down one of the area trails, and finish-es back at Dike East. All participants receive the official Pride 5k t-shirt, as well as several other items donat-ed by local businesses and organiza-tions. Register to join FM Pride at the starting line of this Pride spirit packed event today by visiting the Website.

2013 FM Pride Dance PartyThe FM Pride Dance Party will be held on August 9, 2013 for the third consecutive year at the Aquarium in Downtown Fargo. The Dance Par-ty event will feature a collection of Fargo-Moorhead’s best and favor-ite local DJs. If you are 21+, enjoy high-energy beats, and dancing with a wall to wall audience, this event is made for you. The music starts promptly at 9:00 PM, so FM Pride encourages everyone to join the par-ty early so they do not miss out! The cover is $10 at the door; pre-sale tick-ets are not available for this event.

2013 FM Pride in the ParkPride in the Park is an annual event that acknowledges the achievements and progress made in and by the lo-cal LGBT community and beyond. The afternoon jam packed with fun and celebration geared at families and individuals of all-ages. The 2013 festival will be held in Davy Park in Moorhead, MN on Saturday, August 10th. Pride in the Park includes ven-dors, merchants, artisans, business services, local community groups, games, and live entertainment. The over 100 booths and unique attrac-tions draw both local residents and out of state visitors in the name of equali-ty. Pride in the Park is the place to stop and listen to area performers, grab a bite to eat, or pick up some Pride gear. The best part: FREE admission!

2013 FM Pride Block PartyThe 2013 FM Pride Block Party will be held on Saturday, August 10th in partnership with Usher’s House in Moorhead for those 21+. The FM Pride Committee is excited to wel-come back the legendary DJ Joyride and Minneapolis Drag Superstar Nina DiAngelo as hosts for 2013. The Block Party is FM Pride’s biggest event each year, with well over 1,000 people in attendance. The stage show starts at 6:00 PM outdoors with music and ce-lebrity drag performers, and continues through the night after the show inside Usher’s House with more music and dancing. The cover is $15 at the door; details about pre-sale can be found by visiting the FM Pride Website.

2013 FM Pride Parade and Rally

Fargo-Moorhead businesses, orga-nizations, and individuals are wel-comed each year to participate in the FM Pride Parade and Rally. These groups create floats, signs, toss candy, and flags to show their support of the LGBT community, while the many onlookers cheer and wave in celebra-tion. The parade route leads us to the FM Pride Rally, which traditionally features a welcome message from the Grand Marshal of the FM Pride Pa-rade and is then led by local activists and politicians. The FM Pride Parade begins on Sunday, August 11th on the North end of Broadway, marches through the downtown streets, and ends on the lawn of the Fargo Civ-ic Center with the FM Pride Rally.

BeBe Zahara Benet

We are excited to have the Season One win-ner of RuPauls Drag Race, BeBe herself. Bebe started her career at the Gay 90’s with the Ladies of Lafemme in Minneapolis. Shortly after she had the life changing experience of winning the very first season of Drag Race. Today Bebe lives in New York City, where she is constantly working and traveling across the country to en-tertain. Check out her songs “I’m the Shit” and “Camaroon” available on iTunes .

Nina DiAngeloNina has been performing at The Gay 90’s for over 16

years. She is currently the MC and the Show Direc-tor and can be seen there every Wed thru Sun 10pm

nightly. She has several local and state titles under her belt , but most notably she captured the National title of Entertainer of the Year in 2003. Nina is always

excited to share her passion for celebrity imperson-ation. Her most noted characters include Bette Midler

Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Cher, Pink, Cyndi Lauper, Liza Minnelli, and Judy Garland. “I am very excited to be back celebrating pride with my Fargo

peeps, Happy Pride !

Dragon Radio and after 5 years with the station Joyride became a piv-otal member of community radio station, KNDS 96.3FM, where he host-ed a 2-hour dance/remix/mash-up music based program every Friday night. While at KNDS he built the well-known and popular Friday Night Fre-quency Sessions as well as making several public appearances at dance events throughout the region. Joyride currently resides in Portland, OR and we are very excited to welcome him back to the Red River Valley!

Joyride

Joyride is a child of the late Mid-west DJ scene. He learned his craft while studying music at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Joyride co-founded Icedbreaks Crew, a DJ team, in 1999 and the crew has held countless club events, private events, summer barbecues for the public, and fundraising events for non-profit groups over the years. During his time at MSUM, Joyride worked for

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Roxy Marquis

Roxy Marquis originally hails from Sioux Falls, SD where she began per-forming at a local club in 1989. She moved to Minneapolis in 1992 and started working in numerous clubs in the Twin Cities before finally making the Gay 90’s here permanent home for over a decade. She has captured nu-merous local titles including Miss Gay 90’s, Miss City of the Lakes, Miss Minnesota USofA, Miss Northern Star USofA, and has placed in the top 12 on a national level in the USofA pag-eant system on 8 seperate occasions with her strongest ever being 2nd run-ner up. She has been recognized as “Best Drag Queen” in the Twin Cities several times by Lavender Magazine and City Pages. Roxy is perhaps best known for her performances as Ma-donna and Dolly Parton. In her person-al life, she has been in a comitted rela-tionship with her partner for 11 years.

Sunny Dee-Lite

Sunny Dee-Lite is a New Yorker! Entertaining, party promoting, and competing in beauty pageants is how Sunny enjoys her life. Capturing many titles including Ms. Renais-sance 2011 and is the current reign-ing Ms. Sweetheart International. She uses the art form of female imperson-ation and illusion to travel to some of the world’s most beautiful places in-cluding Hawaii and Thailand. Sunny is also a cast member of the Kit Kat Lounge in Chicago, Illinois. Perform-ing is her passion and entertaining is her purpose... she is Sunny Dee-lite!

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Looking Back andPushing Forward

By Joshua A. BoscheeIt is hard to believe that it’s been eight years since I came out to my friends and family. Looking back, the fall of 2005 looked vastly dif-ferent than the fall of 2013 does when it comes to LGBT equality.

Massachusetts was the only state that recognized same-gender couples and their families. LGB members of the military had to keep their per-sonal lives secret. Representation of LGBT Americans in the media was minimal and often only discussed when they were violently attacked, completed suicide or ballot initia-tives were won that limited their rights and opportunities as citizens.

Looking forward there are 20 states that have full marriage equality, civil unions or broad domestic partner-ship laws. LGB members of military are able to serve openly and honest-ly with the full support of the Pen-tagon. The President of the United States fully supports marriage equal-ity and has worked to broaden LGBT rights throughout the reach of the federal government. LGBT Ameri-cans are positively featured in adver-tising; primetime shows and coming out stories are rarely newsworthy.Dakota politically and socially. Why not North Dakota in the next 10 years?

While momentum in support of full equality for the LGBT community is in our favor, now isn’t the time to rest on our laurels. It was 20 years ago that the state of Minnesota became the first state to ban employment discrimi-nation based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Twenty years of grassroots organizing and electing pro-equality policy makers at all levels of government led to the defeat of a mar-riage equality ban and passage of pro-marriage equality legislation all within seven months. It wasn’t an easy task and took a long-term vision in order for this historic accomplishment to occur.

I hate to rain on a good parade, but take a short ferry ride across the Red River and we find the complete op-posite to be reality. LGBT North Dakotans can still be fired from their jobs and a nine-year old ban on same-gender marriage still holds strong.

One could argue that states like North Dakota are lost opportunities and should wait for a national solution. Call me Pollyanna, but I don’t’ think that’s the case at all. We have seen the ND University System and its member institutions adopt more inclusive poli-cies, faith-based organizations come out in support of full-equality for LGBT North Dakotans and now city govern-

ments explore how they can strength-en policies to protect LGBT citizens.

The lesson here, right from the Min-nesota playbook, is that progress can be made when we establish goals, build coalitions and elect pro-equali-ty policy makers. We are seeing this type of progress happen in states like Missouri, Utah and Florida. While we share a geographic, ethnic and re-ligious history with Minnesota, these states aren’t too different from North Dakota politically and socially. Why not North Dakota in the next 10 years?

To keep building on the small victo-ries, LGBT North Dakotans need to continue finding the courage to come out, tell their stories and ask to be treated as equal under the law. We, along with our family, friends and allies, need to make sure that policy makers that represent us know that we expect them to support policies that protect LGBT North Dakotans. It can be done and I believe it will, if we fol-low the game plan provided by Min-nesota, Missouri, Utah and Florida.Our biggest motivator should be the

example provided by Texas State Sen-ator Wendy Davis, who recently fili-bustered the Texas Senate for 13 hours in order to hold off legislation that would have further eroded reproduc-tive rights of women in Texas. Forty years after Roe v. Wade was decided by the Supreme Court, protecting women’s reproductive rights, Senator Davis and millions of women across America continue fighting to uphold their constitutionally protected rights.

Progress cannot be taken for grant-ed. We all have something at stake.

Joshua A. Boschee was elected in November 2012 to the North Dakota House of Representatives.

The Fall of DOMA and What It Means for North Dakota.

By Heather SmithThe recent Supreme Court case, Unit-ed States v. Windsor, which struck down the core of the Defense of Mar-riage Act (DOMA) has raised many questions about what this means for states like North Dakota which still do not recognize marriage for same sex couples. It leaves a patchwork of laws across our country that we are now trying to understand. What rights, state and federal, do gay and lesbian North Dakotans have if they are mar-ried in a state where marriage is legal for same sex couples? Where does North Dakota stand in this patchwork?

The answers are not simple but we can start to unravel the puzzle. The first question is whether North Dakota will recognize the marriages of same sex couples performed in other states or be forced to begin mar-rying same-sex couples in the state be-cause of this ruling. The answer is no.

In 2004, North Dakota passed a constitutional amendment defin-ing marriage as a “legal union between a man and a woman.”

But we’ve come a long way since that

amendment was passed. The ACLU and many other civil rights organiza-tions have worked tirelessly to change the political atmosphere throughout our country. And more states have changed their laws to allow any loving committed couple the ability to marry. The next question is what happens to couples that marry in one of the 13 states (and the District of Colum-bia) where same-sex couples can le-gally marry and then move or return to North Dakota. The answer on the state level is that their marriage will not be recognized by the state of North Dakota. On a federal level, eventu-ally same sex couples will be able to access all of the benefits that het-erosexual couples currently receive.

But here is what we know so far. Un-der current law, the federal govern-ment typically defers to states to de-termine whether a couple is married. There is no uniform rule across all federal agencies and programs on how to define a valid marriage. Some de-termine validity by the location where the marriage took place (“place of cel-ebration”) while others look to where the couple currently lives (“place of domicile” or “place of residence”). For example, the “place of celebra-tion” is currently used by the De-partment of Defense. Therefore, a legally married same-sex couple with one spouse in military service who is transferred to Minot AFB in North Dakota, would still be eligible for

the civilian spouse to receive mili-tary spouse benefits such as on-base housing and healthcare. In contrast, the Social Security Administration currently uses a “place of domicile” method, which would exclude the same couple. President Obama has publicly stated that he will do every-thing in his power (which is a lot) to ensure federal agencies recognize “place of celebration”, but this might take some time. There is also a bill cir-culating through Congress that would require that all agencies change their requirement to ensure that same sex couples are granted the same benefits and privileges as opposite sex cou-ples. The DOMA decision means that same sex couples should be afford-ed these benefits, now we just have to wait for the agencies to catch up. The ACLU is confident that the day will come when all loving couples have the freedom to marry in ev-ery state and we’re committed to making it happen. For more infor-mation about how we’ll do it, visit http://www.aclu.org/out-freedom.

Heather Smith is Director of Com-munications for the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota and North Dakota.

The City of Fargo values human diversity and works to promote equal opportunities.

The Fargo Human Relations Commission is committed to working in the area of human rights

development in the community. www.cityoffargo.com/humanrelations

Is God Gay?Michael D. Larson

“You are made in the image of God.” I grew up in a small town in a Luther-an family, and this phrase (repeated throughout my life) leaves me with questions. Exactly what part of me is created in this Divine Image? I don’t believe God is this old man far beyond our galaxies, playing master puppe-teer--so, for me, God doesn’t have arms and legs as I do. If not physical attributes, maybe the “image” in which we are created is something with-in...but does this include sexuality?

My Lutheran upbringing greatly in-fluenced my worldview, providing me with great space for questions and doubt. However, even though I was taught that I am “created in the im-age of God,” I felt my attraction to individuals of the same-sex was for-

bidden. I thought, as some friends preached at childhoodsleepovers, I would surely “burn in Hell.” So, I kept cozy in my shrinking “closet.”

Sifting through my religion and com-ing to terms with my sexuality as a gay man left me confused. My Lutheran worldview didn’t match this hateful God. I continued to struggle with what it meant to be created in the image of God. This wrestling led me to gradu-ate school where I studied religion and theology at a Lutheran seminary in Berkeley, California. There, I was surrounded by people of all differ-ent faith traditions who not only em-braced me fully, but also came from the vast spectrum of human sexuality.

“Sin” began to shift in its defini-

tion. No longer did “sin” equal “[in-sert non-straight sexual orientation here],” but rather, “sin” in my working thoughts became a turning away from the holy and beautiful human I was created to be, therefore turning away from a loving and creative Mystery.

In regards to my sexuality and my own journey, “sin” meant staying “in the closet.” When I experienced “coming out” to myself as a gay man, I expe-rienced complete wholeness and love (regardless of the particularities of my ever-evolving understanding of my own spirituality). I felt whole. I felt holy. I experienced love, grace, and a con-nection to part of Something Greater.

“Coming out” to yourself and oth-ers can be quite painful. But for me, even in those moments when com-ing out is uneasy, I feel further con-nected to a Holy Mystery. I am af-firming the human I was created to

be in God’s image. Perhaps, God is gay...just as God is straight, and bi-sexual, and lesbian, and transgender. Or, maybe God is much greater than our human categories of sexuality.

Sexuality is not to be ignored, but rather accepted as a gift--a gift not to be locked away, but to be hon-ored and respected. So, I say, “YES!” to my sexuality. I say, “YES!” to your sexuality. I do these things be-cause we are unconditionally loved and made in the image of God.

Michael D. Larson is the Director of Music and Arts Ministry at Lutheran Church of the Cross in West Fargo, ND. He is also the co-coordinator of the 2013 FM PRIDE Interfaith Services to be held on Sunday August 11th at 12:30 PM at the Fargo The-atre.

Meet Your 2013 FM PRIDE Planning Comittee

Angie Mann KrauseVolunteer Coordinator

Pride is important because many people who do not feel com-fortable being out in the community on a daily basis have a chance to be themselves with no inhibitions at Pride venues.

Kristine HolmCo-Chair and Event Coordinator

Fargo-Moorhead Pride is a chance for us all to be visible, cel-ebrate diversity, promote equality, show passion, and provide education in our community and beyond. The annual renewal of energy makes a strong foundation for another year of prog-ress and success, as we work together with a shared vision of the future for Fargo-Moorhead.

Nicole HoldenMarketing Chair

My favorite part of Pride is seeing the support the community puts behind each event. For me, Pride is a symbol of our fight for equal rights much like other civil rights struggles of the past but ours has more glitter… much more glitter.

Joshua A. BoscheeCommunity Relations Chair

FM Pride plays an important role in celebrating the grow-ing progress made in LGBT equality for North Dakota and Minnesota. My favorite aspect of FM Pride is the Interfaith Service as it brings together a diverse spectrum of people of faith that use their spirituality to support LGBT persons and their families.

Meet Your 2013 FM PRIDE Planning Comittee

Lindsey WarnerFM Pride Co-Chair and Event Coordinator

I love a good celebration, so seeing people come together to celebrate the LGBT community warms my heart. Having been part of FM Pride for many years, it has been great to see the events grow each year and it is always fun reconnect with old, and new, friends, family, allies and members of the LGBT community in this place that we call home.

Andrew LakeWebmaster

My favorite part of Pride is showing up to the various Pride events and seeing the community together and having fun and knowing that our hard work is definitely worth it.

Amanda LoganYouth Event Coordinator

This year’s youth event is a great opportunity for LGBT youth and allies to be a part of FM PRIDE and have a fun and healthy event to attend. Educating the young people in our community about the history and activists that helped paved the way for equality is very important. The youth event plans to do just that with trivia, drag and rainbow cupcakes.

Cory SyversonPride 5K Coordinator

My favorite part of FM Pride is seeing parents with their children at our events. I am grateful to have a supportive and loving family and I want that for everyone. We are stronger with our allies.

2013 FM Pride ParadeHonorary Grand Marshalls

Thanks to their votes in support of marriage equality, Minnesota became the 12th state to ensure that gay men and lesbian women in committed relation-ships will have full rights and responsibilities of marriage under the law. These three legislators represent communities in west central Minnesota in-cluding Moorhead, Dilworth, Glyndon, Detroit Lakes, Barnesville, Sabin, Ada, Felton, Borup and many others in Norman, Clay and Becker counties.

RepresentativeBen Lien

House District 04A

Senator Kent EkenSenate District 04

RepresentativePaul Marquart

House District 04B

While our Honorary Grand Marshalls are unable to join us, the FM PRIDE Planning Committee invites all couples that have or plan to be mar-ried in Minnesota to join in leading the 13th Annual Pride Parade. Line-up begins at 1:30 PM at the intersection of 5th Street North and 4th Av-enue North in downtown Fargo with the Parade starting at 2:00 PM.

RepresentativePaul Marquart

House District 04B

Meet Our SupportersPlatinum Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Friends of PRIDE

Alisha Ankers, Attorney at LawF-M Unitarian Universalist Church

Minnesota School of BusinessTom Fiebiger, Attorney at Law

CrossFit 701

YMCAEdward Arthur & Co.

Raw FitnessStrive Chiropractic

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church