No Transvestites Allowed?

There is a new bar/lounge opening soon (exact date to be determined). It will be called the Rubio Bar & Lounge. From what I have been told it will located in the front of Cha, utilizing the terrace. That is not the part that is newsworthy. In publicizing the new bar it was revealed that Transvestites would not be allowed to enter. As you can imagine this set off a firestorm. Seeing as the owner of Cha is herself a member of this community, it was seen as a slap in the face. Transsa, an organization that fights for transgendered rights, wrote a scathing item about it. Because of the furor which ensued the restriction has now been lifted. This wasn't the first time that this has been done. The new place, Eco Le Kua, also had a flier stating no Transvestites. Everyone wants to create a place that offers 'exclusivity.' Unfortunately, only excluding Transvestites isn't the way to go about it. I am for discriminating against ALL transgendered people as long as we don't discriminate against: fat people; ugly people; black people; poor people, blind people; short people; Spanish people; people with AIDS; gossips, people who live in Naco; people with acne; people who are on Adam4Adam; white people; devil worshipers; people with long-hair; people who don't wear Prada; etc., etc., etc.

Sarcasm intended. But you get my point?

Latest

Photo by Paul Culver

Been very lazy over the last week. It seems that the heat is starting to rear its ugly head again. It is always 'hot' here, it just seems like the humidity is picking up. There are predictions that it is going to be an active hurricane season. And feel the same way for some strange reason. This past winter was unseasonably cool. Not complaining, but seemed like it was too nice. The last couple of weeks I have been traveling around the country taking day trips with friends. Hoping to go to Bani this weekend for their carnaval. We'll see.

There were many things that happened that I had been wanting to blog about. But I will just put them here at the bottom with the links:
Zoe Saldana was in the country (along with Wyclef Jean) to accept a Casandra award. She was beautiful and radiant, as per usual, and exuding Hollywood glah*mour. She was also honored at the presidential palace with the country's highest honor.

Here is an inspirational story of a young baseball player and his family.

Interview with Dominican Writer Junot Diaz, who has a new piece published in this week's New Yorker magazine.
For those looking for hamburger while looking at women with beautiful breasts, then you will be happy to know that Hooters has just opened an outpost in Republica Dominicana. Located in Acropolis Center.I had wanted to write about Rita Indiana, a young dynamic Dominican singer who is generating a lot of buzz. There is a photo of her online kissing her lover. Yes, in the Dominican Republic. She showed up to the Casandra Awards like it was just normal to show up with the person you are dating. Right? Well, anyway I was surprised and shocked at how she is not bothered. How beautiful AND courageous. I wanted to do something specifically about her, but Blabbeando has written a great piece about her that includes videos. It just makes me even more proud of her. It doesn't hurt that she is also a great musician with her own distinctive style.
The Cha family lost one of their bartenders. He was killed being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Rest in peace, Juan Carlos.

Happy 2010!

I spent New Year's eve with some friends (and strippers, of course!) at Ernest's house. Everyone just left to go to Cha. But unfortunately I went out last night and drank WAY too much. I went to Esedeku, Eukliptus and Cha last night. Not many people were out but it was quite festive. While the new year rang in tonight I took a photo of the moon. It was really quite beautiful surrounded by all the stars. You can't really tell from the photo but it had a ring around it tonight that looked like a rainbow. I then find out that it was a "blue moon." Perhaps an omen to a great new year.

May everyone have a healthy, safe and prosperous New Year!Working the pole @ Ernests' on New Year's Eve

Merry Christmas

Today, Christmas Eve, is the day that Dominican families gather to celebrate the birth of Christ. In most Dominican homes there will be a lot of food, along with family and friends. Then later on tonight people will be hitting the clubs. Today is also the day to be very careful about driving, as there will be a lot of Brugal absorbed today.

The weather has been cloudy and rainy the last couple of days. I thought it would be the same today. But it has stopped raining and the sun is out shining brightly, though a few clouds are still lingering about.

Tonight the bars/clubs will open after midnight. Tonight is Chachita Rubio's birthday party at Cha. And also the re-opening of Eukliptus (special party tomorrow). I believe the curfew has been canceled this week. Every year since the curfew was implemented in 2006, it has been suspended for the week of Christmas/New Year's. Here's hoping it is.

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. If you don't celebrate Christmas, then I wish you Happy Holiday's. If you don't celebrate anything then I wish you Peace.

Hola

Photo by Ernest Montgomery

We don't have change of season here in the Caribbean. At least you can't tell by the weather. As a matter of fact, it seems that September has been hotter than August. If that is possible. Anyway, it has been a great summer for me. I happy and blessed. Can't ask for more.

On September 27, 2009, Escandalo Nights is having its Viva Las Vegas theme party. With special guest, Dominican Republic's own Chachita Rubio.

Craiglist used to have a Caribbean portal where all the islands were included. They now have a portal specifically for the D.R.: http://santodomingo.craigslist.org

Is Gazela officially closed? It seems that would be the case. I have been told that the place has been padlocked. It is a great space, but unfortunately it was not managed properly. I wonder what will happen now? Will another club/bar soon open? We'll see ...

Mark Anthony and Jennifer Lopez arrived by private jet in Santiago, with their twins Emme and Max. Mark is to perform in Santiago this weekend.

Until Soon.

Benefit for Mahoney tonight @ CHA

There is a benefit tonight at CHA for Mahoney La Vaca. Mahoney has been around the gay community for many years and now he is ill and in need of a kidney transplant. Mahoney is a great guy and we wish him the best.

Gay Pride 2009?

As first reported on Blabbeando, there was to be a gay pride celebration in Parque Duarte in the colonial zone section of Santo Domingo (last weekend), but it was thwarted by the police. There was no march down El Conde this year. I understand that permits were not granted for any marches, or for celebrations in Parque Duarte. The police showed up and tried to use intimidation to get everyone to disperse. But, most people stayed. Even after they pulled out cameras to take photos of the revelers, and turned on spotlights, and other measures to make people leave. There was even a "symbolic wedding" in the park. I think that really set off some people (wedding invitation at bottom).

Parque Duarte is the gathering place for gays in Santo Domingo, particularly young gays. In fact, most gays from around the country know that this is the place to come to meet other gays. The park is named after one of the founders of the country, Juan Pablo Duarte. Also, there is a church, and an order of nuns across the street. And people have started to complain about the "delinquents" who gather in the park. Many years ago the gay gathering spot was over near Plaza Espana. Many of the businesses there didn't like it one bit. They put enormous pressure on the authorities to do something about it. And gays no longer gather in that area in large numbers. I believe the same campaign is being started now with regards to Parque Duarte. Could it be that the same campaign is being tried again?

At least there was a big gay pride party @ CHA: