PT NEWS PT NEWS PT NEWS PT NEWS PT NEWS PT NEWS PT NEWS _____________________________________________________________ An Interactive Weekly Newspaper full of stories, weekly articles, gay news, news from the Pink Triangle chat room, trivia, BIOS, screen names, and much, much more! Without YOU, the reader… the PT News would not exist! _____________________________________________________________ Pink Triangle News pinktrinews@mailexcite.com Issue No. 55 April 30,1999 Circulation: 253 Editors: FreddieB & Alladdinn ____________________ Howdy Guys and Gals and welcome to another issue of the PT News! This week's paper focuses of several different views on many different topics, and I sincerely hope that each of you will take the time to read each article and submission with an open mind and understanding! ____________________ NOW…without any further delay…We proudly bring you this week's edition of the PT News! _____________________________________________________________ DISCLAIMER: DISCLAIMER: DISCLAIMER: DISCLAIMER: DISCLAIMER: _____________________________________________________________ Any information in this newsletter is not verified and therefore may not be true! All articles and submissions have been accepted and printed here in good faith (without editing, with the exception of spelling and personal information that may be harmful, or dangerous to our readers (ie. Full name, address, etc.) It is the intent of this paper to provide an enjoyable, informational reading material to you, the reader. The opinions and/or advice given throughout this paper are those of the people that submit, and may not necessarily be those of the editors! WARNING: SOME ARTICLES CONTAIN SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL! _____________________________________________________________ WEEKLY CONTRIBUTORS OF THE PT NEWS: _____________________________________________________________ RE__ - "Round 'em UP" Primebear - Gay Voice Of America & Coming OUT gayvoice@hotmail.com Tech Master - Tech Tips vp_tips@hotmail.com Misty - Misty's Drag Bag Fairmerly - The Wormhole fairmerly@hotmail.com Goldie12 - THE Poetry Corner pinktrinews@mailexcite.com Maxam - Our resident "Roving Reporter!" Ganymede03 - Various articles _____________ THE EDITORS OF THE PTNEWS Alladdinn (Co-Editor, PT Birthdays) alladdinn@mailexcite.com Freddieb (Co-Editor, Up Close and Personal) fredericb@mailexcite.com _____________________________________________________________ EDITORIAL (Alladdinn) I don't really have a whole heck of a lot to say this week. I'd just like to remind everyone (AGAIN) that the PT Reunion is only a month away. If you are planning on attending, PLEASE let us know when you are arriving, if you are flying and your arrival times so that we make only one trip to the airport (since it is a 2 hour drive to the cottage). If you have any reservations about attending the reunion due to conflicts of personal interests with someone you think might be attending, Please ask and we'll try to settle your mind and put your fears to rest. I realize that with the controversy in the room as of late that no one wants any confrontations at the reunion. However, wouldn't it be a shame to miss out on what could be a very enjoyable weekend because of false fears? Planing this reunion and all that it entails has become an obsession of mine through the past few months! (Just ask Freddie, it's all I ever talk about!) I absolutely love throwing parties and planning events and I really wanted this to be the get together that would go down in PT history. I figured everyone would want to attend and meet the people they talk to on a daily basis. Instead, we (Freddie and I) have become the root of rumors about playing favorites, people trying to destroy the reunion plans by causing problems between friends, and so forth... and personally it is absolutely tearing me up inside! When we first talked about having the reunion at the cottage, I thought it was an absolutely wonderful idea and it would be tremendous meeting everyone. When Goose and Gander, Ashlee, Phipp, Shymom, Jade, Worry, Freddie and I met in Canada last year, we had a blast. That was what sparked this idea. We also thought if we gave plenty of advance notice of our plans it would also give people ample time to prepare to be there. Hey, I realize money is tight everywhere, that is why we gave ample notice! We are not made of money either, but we also want this to be something wonderful for everyone. We have not asked for anything more than help in preparing for the events that are planned and have also stated that contributions are more than welcome. I printed the schedule of events in hopes that it would get people more interested in attending, as well as show that this is not going to be some rinky-dink get together where all we do is sit around drinking beer and gossip! Freddie and I also wanted all of our friends to be able to attend our very special day of commitment with us. I only plan on getting married once in life and I have the opportunity to have the wedding I have always dreamed of, and I'd like for all my friends and my new "family" to be there to share in that joy! I don't mean to sound like I'm "down" about the reunion. I am very excited to meet those of you who are planning on attending. I know that we are going to have a wonderful and enjoyable weekend! It just bothers me that some don't feel it is something that is not worth their presence in attending, for one reason or another. I'm by no means scolding those that aren't attending, or "preaching", please don't take it that way. I understand circumstances come up that are beyond our control. I just simply wish that all of my friends and family could be there to make that circle complete! You guys just don't realize how important you all are to me! I honestly care a great deal about each one of you (Sometimes I feel I care too much!) and I really wanted to meet all of you at the reunion! From the heart and soul, Ali ____________________________________________________________ LETTERS TO THE EDITORS pinktrinews@mailexcite.com __________________ Send your letters to the editors to: pinktrinews@mailexcite.com ALL comments and suggestions are valuable to us in providing you with the most enjoyable reading material possible! All will be taken into consideration! ___________ Dear PT Family, I have been told some of you in here don't like me, well that is fine. I come here to have fun and see my real friends. I have too thought about leaving PT, but I have decided not to give those of you who do not like me the satisfaction. I also want my friends to know I have been picked to be apart of a copycat. This person comes in the room as Animal and steels av's and people identities and says things about them that is not true. Just for the record, " I DO NOT HAVE HIV OR AIDS" this has really pissed me off and don't like and will not tolerate SLANDER of me or of my friends in real life or VP. I have met a lot of great people here and I have been coming here a year now and I want those of you who will and do talk to me, I look forward to seeing each and everyone of you every time I come in the room. To Mary, you fill my life with joy and make me feel wanted and needed. Screw, you are a great guy and I love to tease and have fun with ya! Re, what can I say, you are an angel. West76, man I love ya and miss ya, you are my strength when I have needed it most. Dr. Love, you are a great man and I enjoy our conversations very much, thanks you for the other night when you and Mary stuck beside me (thanks to every one else too) your friendship to me is so very important............. I love getting this paper and wish to continue to as well. I hate that our family is fighting all the time, we have enough in our lives to deal with without all this stuff. I want to say so much to so many people and I can't at this time as I have to be up in like 1 hour and 30 min. so ALL MY PT FAMILY, KNOW I LOVE YOU ALL, AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU SOON!!!! For those who are thinking, " wonder if WEST is single still, well YES I am. I have met a man in pt this last week, and hope I get to meet him real soon. He is a great guy.... I to you, and you know who you are.. MR. J.. heheheh To Alladdin and Freddie, I am sorry I can not make the reunion, however know my thoughts and prayers are with you for a great time. Everyone have fun and play safe. P.S. I did get an IM asking me not to be such a slut in the room, I want everyone to know, I am not a slut and I am a person with feelings just like you! I am kind, gentle, compassionate, all the things my parents raised me to be, and trust me with 18 kids in the house, you better learn something... Thanks for listening and have a great Day!! WEST/WEST1959 _____________ Dear Freddie and Alladdin, I know you said no more personal notes regarding disputes. I am asking you please print this one. This is an apology to my dearest friend Tawanda who I love so much. This letter is hard for me to write but it is straight from my heart. Please consider this for print. I have been looking for the woman I have called sis for a few days now and I cant think of another way to reach her. Thanks for the consideration. Love Ashlee Dear Tawanda, I am writing this letter to say to you, I am so very sorry, I am wrong. This is really hard for me to write but I feel you and all that witnessed our dispute deserve some kind of explanation. I went to the pt news with this because I made the fuss in front of family and now I want to say I am sorry sis, and I do love you very much. I am wrong and I can only promise to work on it. I myself for my own reasons can never call you Sir or Daddy but in my heart I love you like a sister and therefore will learn to accept hearing you being referred to as such. I at least want to try to explain why it makes me so crazy. There are two reasons actually. The first one I can't understand why a woman who is more masculine and butch should be genderized with male titles. You are not a woman who is trying to be a man but a woman with masculine features. None the less you are still a woman. You are not trying to be a man. I understand this is a common practice in California. Although I have asked around and not many in the rooms I go to have heard of it. But then again most are straight. Really though this is not the major reason I have been freaking about the title daddy more than sir. The second reason I am certain is the major reason this has been a very hard pill for me to swallow. I can only explain and say honey I am so sorry and pray you will understand and forgive me. The word Daddy for me is such a word of hurt and hatred. Sis I know you know why. I honestly can say, from the pit of my tummy I hate the word Daddy. I know it is just a word but to put a word that I cannot tell you in words how much I hate, to represent a woman I have come to love so very much was just and is really hard for me to think about. So I was choosing not to. I was thinking if I choose not to be your friend anymore, I would not have to think of that word. To me Daddy is a word that brings back so much pain, hurt and hatred. You on the other hand I love so much. You are indeed my sis. We have had some really cool times together in VP, some heart breakers and some good laughs. We are special friends. When I see you I always smile and I am happy. Now when I see you I am happy but because of the word Daddy it is mixed with this anger inside I just cant explain. Simply put for me to put such a horrible name on such a wonderful person. Anyone else I probably would have been fine. But to me you in my heart do not represent a Daddy. I know that is my problem. I am so very sorry. I love you Taw- sis. I hope you will forgive me. Never know, maybe eventually the love I feel for you as a sis will turn the word Daddy into a good word for me. I really hope you can forgive me. I love you sis. Always. In my heart I want you to be happy always. I was wrong. Please send my apology to Alyx. Again this really has nothing to do with her but to do with something inside myself. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me Taw. I still want to be your sis. Love Always, Ashlee _____________________________________________________________ "ROUND 'EM UP" - THE NEWBIE CORNER (PT Recruiter…RE__) Let's take a moment to get to know our new folks that have joined our room! Hey all! Star here doing a newbie report for the delectible Ms. Re. Thought that since I knew the new guy intimately (yeah...we sleep together) I would ask if I could write the intro for him, and Re said yes. So since you are all in anticipation...the new chatter is my guy... Sheridanboy. I call him Phil though (Who thought I would ever date a guy named 'Phil'...) Okay then...I finally got Sheridanboy to go onto excite chat on Tuesday. He liked it so much that he became an excite member, though he can't download the full software yet as far as I know, he chats off of the school computer. Phil is 21 (just turned April 18) and is a Human Resources student at Sheridan College in Oakville (hence the name). He is really cute (no I'm not being biased), the av I have of him doesn't do him justice. Phil is pretty much open about being gay, his family and friends know, and he runs GLISS at Sheridan during the school months. GLISS is a gay lesbian bi str8 friendly social group at the college. Since he started running it this year the membership in the group quadripled. Phil is also this huge music freak, he loves B52's and ABBA, and can probably tell you the name and singer of just about any song out there. He likes wrestling for some strange reason too, got me hooked on it (only because Ken Shamrock is kinda cute). And he has this really weird taste in guys...he thinks that N'Sync and the BSB are cute, I just don't see it. Phil works at Aldo at the mall in Oakville, yeah he's a shoe salesman, but he's good at it, and they are really nice shoes. (How the hell does Re do these week after week, I already ran out of things to say!) So I think that is about all I can say...but any questions? Just ask me. And thanks to all for making him feel welcome in the room. I know that he will be back, just got to get him to talk in the room now, he's a little shy when it comes to that. _____________ Hello pinkies!! How are you all this fine weekend? Are we getting excited for the upcoming reunion? I know I am that is for sure!!!! I have newbies this week... yay! Let me tell you about jem_6. She is great just like her partner Thatgirl. Jem lives in SC with thatgirl and they are raising a son. She is a secretary/receptionist for a pipe-lining company. Jem said thatgirl showed her the family and she has loved it ever since. I have talked a lot to jem the last few weeks and she is a wonderful lady and she loves her partner very much. Jem loves the outdoors and the things that go along with it. Planting flowers, mowing, horses, dogs and big trees. She has an interest in computers because she used to build them. Welcome to the family jem hope you are around for a long time to come. Semisweet is another wonderful lady that I have gotten to meet. Kasey lives in Minnesota and is 24. She is currently going through a divorce and would like to thank everyone who has lent her an ear or shoulder to cry on. She does appreciate this greatly. Kasey works as a cashier and enjoys her job. She loves to swim, read, write, and all the romantic things you could imagine. Please feel free to talk to these ladies and make them feel more welcomed to our family. They are great people to get to know. This is it for this week. Hope to have more for you next week as I am already on the lookout for more newbies. Take care and be safe RE _____________________________________________________________ Tough Questions for Heterosexuals (Submitted by Curlyhi) 1. What do you think caused your heterosexuality? 2. When and how did you decide you were a heterosexual? 3. Is it possible that your heterosexuality is just a phase that you may grow out of? 4. Is it possible that your heterosexuality stems from a neurotic fear of others of the same sex? 5. Do you parents know you are straight? Do your friends and/or roommates know? 6. Why do you insist on flaunting your heterosexuality? Can't you just be who you are and keep it quiet? 7. Why do heterosexuals put so much emphasis on sex? 8. Why do heterosexuals feel compelled to introduce others to their lifestyle? 9. A disproportionate majority of child molesters are heterosexual. Do you consider it wise to expose children to heterosexual teachers? 10. Just what do men and women do in bed together? 11. Bearing in mind the current divorce rate, why are there so few stable relationships between heterosexuals? 12. Considering the menace of overpopulation, how could the human race survive if everyone were heterosexual? 13. There seem to be very few happy heterosexuals. Techniques have been developed that might enable you to change if you really want to. Have you considered aversion therapy? 14. Would you want your child to be heterosexual, knowing the problems they would face? _____________________________________________________________ GAY VOICE OF AMERICA gayvoice@hotmail.com (Primebear) Ok Pinkies. Yes I was down because of that damn CIH virus but the good news is my hard drive needed cleaning anyway. Had to take a couple of days off so that I could get my puter well again. Just wished I saved everything to disc but as much as I preach about it, blonde moment me didn't do it and alas I lost everything. Ok. Now the news. Believe it or not I got most of this from a Christian Board meeting. Some I got from HRC. Funny. I had to omit a lot of the Christian stuff because they were going back into their fights of how we attack their children. They seem to forget that 90% of pedophiles are straight married males. Guess we are easy targets. Also, I have a letter from the White House addressed to a members friend who is not part of our VP Family but I'm printing it because as long as we talk to someone, and they talk to someone and they talk to someone, maybe someone will write to their representatives and say HEY!! QUIT FUCKING WITH ME AND GIVE ME EQUAL (NOT SPECIAL) RIGHTS!!!! Corporate Family Policy News Updates McDonald's recently added "sexual orientation" to its corporate nondiscrimination and anti-sexual harassment policies. The decision was announced this week by the groups behind the shareholder resolution, and lauded in Washington's "gay" newspaper, the Washington Blade. This effortless victory on the part of homosexual activists demonstrates both the growing power of the affluent homosexual lobby and the need for men and women of good conscience to stand up for their belief that homosexuality is morally wrong and unhealthy, and to hold the corporate community accountable. Such moves by big corporations like McDonald's tend to have a domino effect, as noted in the Washington Blade report. "Whenever you see a large company … taking a step like this, the competitors watch," said Kim Mills, Human Rights Campaign education director. A spokeswoman for Burger King told the Blade that the company "constantly review it's employment policies and practices 'to make sure that they are competitive and attract the best candidates.'" "Sexual orientation" does appear in Burger King's anti-harassment policy, but unlike with McDonald's, it has not yet been injected into Burger King's nondiscrimination policy. According to the Seattle Times, McDonald's amended its policies after being contacted by the Seattle-based Pride Foundation and the Boston-based Trillium Asset Management, the companies that drafted the shareholder resolution. McDonald's is attempting to downplay the role of the pro-homosexual advocacy groups. According to Bill Whitman, a McDonald's spokesperson, the company was "heading in that direction" even before the shareholder proposal. In conjunction with the decision, McDonald's is now rewriting employee handbooks and preparing new anti-discrimination posters to be hung in its restaurants. Spurred on by their victory, activists are now targeting two other large corporations that did not respond to the Pride Foundation/Trillium shareholder resolutions - General Electric (GE) and Exxon. GE has already petitioned the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in order to stop a "sexual orientation" nondiscrimination ballot resolution. GE's petition was rejected by the SEC and a vote will take place on April 21, at the annual meeting. Homosexual activists expect GE to win, but claim that the company has agreed to meet with them in May to continue negotiations. The Washington Blade reports that Exxon shareholders will vote May 27 on a shareholder resolution to prohibit "sexual orientation" discrimination. American Airlines continues its support of the homosexual agenda through corporate sponsorship. In special recognition of American's ongoing sponsorship, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) recently awarded a full-page ad to the airline in the Spring 1999 edition of its flagship publication, HRC Quarterly. Recent and upcoming examples of American's activist agenda include its sponsorship of the Philadelphia Human Rights Campaign fundraising dinner (3/27) and the Gay & Lesbian American Music Awards (4/12), and its support of the Sixth International Gay and Lesbian Business Expo and Entertainment Festival (4/17-18). But sometimes it's best to hear it from the horse's mouth. From the website of RSVP, the self-proclaimed "world leader of gay and lesbian vacations": "American Airlines is proud to provide the air travel for RSVP Vacations. … At American Airlines, we strive to be a good service provider and employer to everyone. That's why we were the first airline to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in hiring and all employment practices. We are a proud member of the International Gay Travel Association (IGTA); a supporter of many community functions, including Human Rights Campaign's (HRC's) black-tie dinners*; the official carrier for many gay and lesbian organization events; and a proud travel partner with RSVP Productions, Inc. and other fine travel companies. "Domestic partners are now eligible for Admirals Club&174;Spouse memberships, and our employees have formed a Gay and Lesbian Employee Association (GLEAM). And as a special recognition, we are very proud to have been named the Top 'Gay Friendly' Airline by Out & About Magazine for two years running. "Dedicated To The Communities We Serve. At American Airlines, not only are we committed to being something special in the air, we are also dedicated to helping organizations in the community. We are a member of the National AIDS Fund, a proud sponsor of the National Association of People with AIDS' Speakers Bureau and the official airline of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and HRC. "We are a proud supporter of AmFAR [Americans for AIDS Research], Whitman-Walker Clinic (Washington, DC), GMHC [Gay Men's Health Crisis], ASTRAEA [National Lesbian Action] Foundation, AIDS Resource Center of Dallas, Oak Lawn Community Services and DIFFA [Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS], just to name a few. Plus, our employees benefit from an ongoing HIV/AIDS awareness training program." (Source: http://www.rsvp.net/amerair.html) * In addition to its sponsorship of other Human Rights Campaign events (see above), American Airlines was a Diamond Sponsor of the Human Rights Campaign's 1998 Dallas/Ft. Worth Black Tie Dinner. The designation of Diamond Sponsor is awarded to those corporations donating in excess of $25,000. (Source: http://www.blacktie-dwf.org) Bookstore chain, Barnes and Noble has begun a full-blown Internet association with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Barnes and Noble is currently advertising on the HRC website (www.hrc.org). The Human Rights Campaign is a homosexual lobbying organization that pushes for homosexual marriage, the right to obtain and raise children, "gay" sex partner benefits, and expanded civil rights laws to put the power of law behind homosexuality in private business and in other areas. Human Rights Campaign has parted ways with United Airlines. The homosexual group announced a boycott of United because the airline participated in a lawsuit to defend itself from being forced to offer "gay" sex partner subsidies by the city of San Francisco. Over the past year, United has sponsored ads in homosexual publications, and it also sponsored a global online broadcast of HRC's annual Washington, D.C., dinner on November 8,1997. However, United is now being accused of "blatant discrimination" by HRC simply for attempting to defend its own autonomy. Shareholders for the Cracker Barrel restaurant overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to include "sexual orientation" in its nondiscrimination policy in a vote November 24. Of the 31 million votes cast, 26 million, or 84 percent, were in favor of the corporation's pro-family policies and against redefining sexual behavior as a civil right. Access Alliance, a new consumer buying network to obtain group discounts for homosexuals, announced its formation at the October 2 National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association's annual convention in Las Vegas.Corporate participants include Aetna Insurance, the Hartford Insurance Group, Continental Airlines, and National Car Rental. The Chase Bank of Texas (formerly the Texas Commerce Bank) recently fired a bank vice-president for her religiously based objections to homosexuality. According to the Free Market Foundation, a Texas-based policy institute, Betty Sabatino was told to "seek counseling" because of her religious beliefs after she questioned the inclusion of "sexual orientation" as a protected class during a company training session on discrimination. Sabatino's supervisor stated that she was "embarrassed" by Sabatino's voiced concerns. Shortly afterward, according to the Free Market Foundation report, "a representative from the bank's corporate Headquarters in Houston contacted Sabatino to discuss her comments and suggested that Sabatino seek counseling. Within a month, Sabatino was given the choice by the bank of either resigning or facing termination because management had allegedly "lost confidence in her." Sabatino is being represented by the Liberty Legal Institute, a division of the Free Market Foundation. Dear prime, This letter I'm sending to you is from a friend of mine, His name is (name left out) and he's a 25 yr old gay single who lives near me here in Wisconsin, he told me that after the death of Matt Sheppard he wrote Clinton a letter urging him to pass a federal hate crimes bill. He told the president how he was treated as a teenager coming out, and how it was not a joyful time in his life!! As you can see his letter was forwarded to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division; Dear Mr. (name left out) This is a response to your letter addressed to President Clinton regarding his call for a NATIONAL HATE CRIME LAW. Your letter has been forwarded to this office for review and response. We greatly apologize for the delay of this response. There are certain limits of federal jurisdiction regarding hate crimes motivated by the victim's sexual orientation. The Civil Division, along with the United States Attorneys, enforce the federal criminal civil fights statutes that pertain to hate crime violence. The specific statutes used to prosecute those incidents are section 245 of title 18 of the U.S. Code and section 3631 of title 42 of the U.S. code. Neither statute applies to crimes that are motivated by the victim's sexual orientation. Thus, there is no federal authority to investigate or to prosecute incidents of violence where victims have been targeted because of their sexual orientation. The collection of data by the FBI under the Hate Crime Statistics Act of 1990 regarding bias crimes, including those motivated by the victim's sexual orientation, will allow us to document the extent and scoop of violent incidents directed against gays and lesbians. While the statute only required the collection of data for a five-year period, the FBI has decided to make the inclusion of such crimes a permanent part of its data collection under the Uniform Crime reporting system. With the information obtained though that program, the department will be able to study whether additional legislation expanding federal hate crime jurisdiction to include sexual orientation can be sought. Criminal Section PO Box 66018 Washington, DC 20035-6018 This is what he got back ... I just wanted you to know that we here are doing our part to let them know in Washington know we need a hate crime law on the fed level. Thanx for your time (name left out) Until next week PrimeBear _____________________________________________________________ TECH TIPS and CYBER NEWS vp_tips@hotmail.com (Techmaster) _______ HERE'S THE ADDY FOR DOWNLOADING THE SOFTWARE FOR VP. Several people have been asking for the addy to download the free software in helping "mugs" view VP in all its glory, here is the download addy: http://www.excite.com/communities/chat/download/ ___________________________ TECH TIP #24 ------------ Pinky Pages and Cookies! bi grrrl's PT community has sure grown. Last I checked it was 345 members, much more than the Excite Chat list page indicates! Although she is way too busy shining Bill Gate's shoes, I hear she still pops into the PT now and then. The URL of bi grrrl's page is: http://mycomm.excite.com/mycomm/browse.asp?cid=.XnVU2Q-SLNJ * Be sure to check out her garden pictures. A note on exclusionary pages: Bi_grrls page is an example of a fairly non-exclusionary site. Should you ever want to make yours a bit more discrete, you can do so easily with the use of cookies. If you have a web site and you want to keep unwanted visitors out, whether in VP or in a browser, you don't need special server permissions. All you need is the use of "cookies". Cookies are small text files stored on your computer by your browser. They give your browser a sense of state. A cookie can automatically be set once a person loads a certain URL or clicks on a web control. I use javascript for this, personally. In the cookie you can create a boolean acceptance variable. This is much easier than it sounds. You can have people without the cookie or the variable be redirected, again using Javascript. If you load the page completely with JS then there really is no workaround either. If someone tries to locate you then they can't enter the room. If someone tries to alter the HTML then that won't work either. Preventing someone from accessing the cookie-setting HTML Document is easy, just put a password on it. Correct answers will set a cookie. False answers can send them to www.crayola.com or an equally annoying site. Since mugs don't use web objects this process may not work on them. I have to test this. Even if it doesn't work, mugs aren't exactly the most computer savvy anyway. I still wouldn't expect to find many mugs in an unadvertised room. One thing I must say is that if you do make a personal site for chatters in VP, please never forget what started it all, The Pink Triangle. That is what brought us together. Send your tech questions to vp_tips@hotmail.com Tech_Master _____________________________________________________________ Texas Baby (Submitted by Maxam) A Texan bought a round of drinks for all in the bar and announced that his wife had just produced a typical Texas baby, weighing a whooping twenty pounds. "WOW!" was the response from everyone at the bar. Two weeks later the Texan returned to the bar. The bartender recognized him and asked, "Aren't you the father of the baby that weighed twenty pounds at birth? How much does he weigh now?" The proud father answered, "10 pounds." The bartender said, "Why? I know that babies lose some weight after birth, but ten pounds? He did weigh twenty pounds, didn't he? What happened?" The proud Texas father said, "Just had him circumcised!" _____________________________________________________________ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! ______________________ PT BIRTHDAYS alladdinn@mailexcite.com (Alladdinn) _______ Howdy Birthday guys and gals! Let's take a look at the Birthday's for the week ending April 30, 1999: Kashra (April 26) & Mamma_tat (April 30) Happy Birthday you two! (And a very special Birthday kiss for Mamma... we MISS you!) _____________ Now, let's take a look at our upcoming Birthday guy for the week of May 07, 1999: Mandata (May 05) I'm getting prepared for a special Bday spanking for Mandata!!! ____________ That's our Birthdays for this week and next, I hope everyone is enjoying their Birthday greetings, and if anyone would be interested in having the Birthday Horoscopes return to the paper, please let me know! Until next week's list of Birthday guys and gals... Love and Happiness, Ali ______ PS I have a list compiled of all the PT family birthdays. If, for some reason you hadn't sent in your Bday previously (perhaps you are a newbie, or just thought: "Hey, I haven't sent my Bday in yet!", then please send it to alladdinn@mailexcite.com and I will add it to my list of Bday Guys and Gals! ____________________________________________________________ COMING OUT gayvoice@hotmail.com or pinktrinews@mailexcite.com (Primebear) There were NO Coming Out stories this week! If you would like to tell your story, please feel free to send them to either of the email addy's listed above! Thanks! _____________________________________________________________ THIS WEEK'S FEATURE STORIES FROM OUR FAMILY MEMBERS _____________ Donai By ReNtBoY _______ Donai was awakened by the sounds of gunshots. He immediately ran to his hiding place he prepared in his bedroom closet. Donai had brought one wall in the closet forward and left a crack in each wall that faced the other rooms. After the guns quieted, he remained hidden, too scared to move. Early the next morning, he was awakened by the sounds of footsteps moving through the house. Quietly he shifted to peep out. His heart was beating so loudly he was afraid whoever it was would hear him. Suddenly someone opened the closet door and looked around. He dared not to move. Donai remained there the rest of the day before he dared to come out. He looked all around the house before he peeped out the window. At first he thought he must be dreaming. He glanced up and down the street, not believing his eyes. An American flag had replaced the German one, American soldiers were walking around, and the townspeople were out. Donai whispered to himself, "Dear God, please don't let this be a dream. I'm so tired of being scared and having to hide." All of a sudden he turned, hearing a noise at the door. He didn't know whether to hide again or not. Before he could move, Donai heard a voice he recognized. "Donai? Donai? It's Father Joseph. Come here, you don't have to hide anymore." Donai ran to him crying, "Father, I'm so glad." There was a young soldier with him. Father Joseph turned her around, "Donai, this is Pvt. Elmo Faulkner. He is helping me check out all my people." Pvt. Faulkner smiled, extending his hand, "I'm pleased to meet you." He was a handsome man with the nicest smile Donai had ever seen. Donai took his hand and softly replied, "I'm pleased to meet you, too." As soon as Pvt. Faulkner found out Donai could speak English, he got him a job in his unit as a translator. They worked very closely together and gradually became good friends. In the months that followed they became more than good friends. They fell in love and became the center of attention of both the camp and the townspeople. Elmo began to stay at Donai's house, sharing his rations, helping him fix the house up, and together they planted a garden. When not working, they were like children running in the fields, riding bikes and going on picnics. Other times they would be as one. Donai and Elmo became a popular topic, and Elmo was teased constantly. "Tease all you want, but remember fellows, he's mine," he would warn. Elmo's commander also got involved in the teasing. He called them "kids" and had a long talk with him. "Son, you are so young. You need to slow down and not get too involved." "I know what you're saying, sir. But I am afraid it's too late. We may be young, but we know what we feel and want. Please give us your blessing?" "You have that, my son. I'm here if you ever need to talk." Too soon it came time for his unit to move on. After packing his belongings, Elmo headed for Donai's. "Our last night together. I love you so much, Elmo. I can't lose you now." "You will never loose me. I'll always be here for you." Morning came and Elmo made Donai stay in bed. Elmo kissed him goodbye but Donai held onto him real tight, afraid to let him go. Donai began working with Father Joseph at the church. Father Joseph tried to keep him as busy as he could. Donai had been working there about two months when Father Joseph came in with a message from Elmo's commander. "Elmo has been wounded and is in the hospital. I'm sorry, my dear boy." Donai wrote every day and finally they were returned marked "deceased." "Father Joseph, I've got to find out what happened. I need time off to go to the hospital." "Of course, my dear boy. I understand. Go with my blessing." Donai returned a week later, going straight to church. "Oh! Father. The only thing I could find out was he had died from his wounds and was buried in the service cemetery near by. I visited the sight and there was nothing on the cross except his name and a grave number." "At last my child, you know where he is and you can visit the grave now and then and get on with your life." Donai did visit the grave as often as he could, always placing a bouquet of flowers on Elmo's grave. "My dear Elmo, I miss you so much." As he sat beside Elmo's grave, Donai felt someone kneel behind him. He held his breath not knowing who it could be, he had not heard anyone walk up. Donai began to turn around, when suddenly, he felt arms encircling him and a shadow was cast in front of him. He froze, scared to move. A voice spoke softly, "My darling, Donai. Father Joseph told me where you were. It has been too long." The shadow suddenly turned him around, and as he glanced up, he could only stare. Finally he found his voice. "Elmo! Elmo! Is it really you?" he looked toward the cross, then back at him. "I'm sorry, my dear, for all your worries, but my dog tags were lost and evidently were placed on another soldier. I was sent home wounded with lost memory. My memory finally returned a month ago, and I immediately started making plans to return." Elmo kissed him, and held him tight. Donai clung to him as though he would disappear. "Oh! My Elmo. It has been so long. I can't believe you really are here. I...er....thought, I believed you were dead." He kissed him again. "My darling, I was until I held you again." Elmo helped him up and held him close. "Let's go home, Dear Donai." tely started making plans to return." _____________________________________________________________ REX'S BASKET Hello sports fans! I would like to thank everyone for peeking into my basket last week. Did you like what you saw? I am devoting this week's column to Anna Kournikova, our favorite tennis babe. I am therefore sparing you one of my already-famous lists this week. ANNA K - WHY ALL THE FUSS? The beautiful Anna Kournikova has, again, refused to play for her country in Fed Cup competition (which is similar to Tennis Olympics). Earlier this week, Russian tennis officials expressed their displeasure with Anna, who gave no reason for her decision not to play. 17-year-old Anna began playing tennis at the age of 5 with friends in a weekly children's sports program. In February of 1992 she moved to the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida, to be with her coach, Nick Bollettieri. She was a 1995 Wimbeldon Juniors Semi-Finalist, and a 1995 French Open Juniors Quarter-Finalist. As a qualifier, she won her first professional title at a 1996 ITF Women's Circuit satellite event in Midland, Michigan. Directly after winning the tournament, she flew to Oklahoma City in time to win her first-round qualifying match the same day. As the fifth seed, she earned her second pro title at an ITF Women's Circuit satellite event in Rockford, Illinois. Her biggest success to date was making it to the Semi-Finals at Wimbledon, after which she achieved her highest yet ranking of 25. She is currently ranked 12th in the world. Here are links to some sexist - er...sexy photos of beautiful Anna. Enjoy. http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Stadium/1078/anna179.jpg http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Stadium/1078/dress.jpg This is a pic of Anna from last year's DuMaurier Open. I didnt' miss this match! http://www.kourni2.clara.net/photos/produ/pp22.htm This is a movie of anna on the courts doing what she does best: http://www.kourni2.clara.net/Anna11.mpg MY ONGOING SOFTBALL BATTLE AT THE OFFICE I'm worried about Dave. He is a supervisor in the R&D dep't. He is not a very sporty guy at all. He doesn't appear to be very fit either. All he cares about is his work. I sense that he has already created his own resistance forces, mostly the R&D top brass. It will probably only be a small group though, maybe 4-5 people at most. I fear that this obstacle may have to be eliminated. All is fair in love and war. Meanwhile, I have to figure out a way to exclude Tom, our resident psychopath. I think he is interested so I am not encouraging him at all. You can reach me, Rex, at vp_tips@hotmail.com _____________________________________________________________ "An AV is the person we all want to be!" ___________________ Weekly Avatar Contest! ____________ HERE IS THIS WEEK'S AV WINNERS: REMEMBER… the winners have to PASS THE "Crown" on to the next winner!!! (You get to keep your personalized AV though!) This is all meant to be FUN, eventually everyone will have won! GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE! This is all meant to be FUN! Be creative! And may the BEST AV's Win! Male - Dav-7 Female - Azzazar Couple - PLR_BEAR & semisweet_ Cutest - TCat Classiest - 1mary CONGRATULATIONS FOLKS! You may pick up your winning AV's from either Youel/BEARs_boy, (Who creates them-Thanks youel!), or you can also pick them up now at our new (also created by Youel/BEARs_boy ) Avatar Contest Winner's Gallery at http://www.angelfire.com/fl/arlemzrealm/wingallery.html Please note the new URL, I had to change it cuz a basher followed Joiee and i there last week, sorry for the inconvenience...bears :) (Just right click on your av and choose Save Picture As and save it to your gallery folder) This site is updated weekly at midnight EST. The new winning avs are not posted til then, so no peeking! New this week is the Past Winners Gallery. (Note from BEARs_boy who built the av gallery. Any winner who does not wish their avatar to be posted in the gallery, for whatever reason, please let me know. I will remove it from the gallery ASAP. This is intended to be fun, not to invade anyone's privacy.) Thanks to our AV Judge who has the hard job of deciding which AV will make it to the winners block each week! It's a tough job, but we leave it in very capable hands! Every effort is being made to avoid repeat winners to be fair to all. So in an effort to help make the av judges job easier, the following Av gallery links are included: Lucylastics Fantasy & Erotic Avs - truly one of the BEST av galleries I have ever seen... (Please note this site DOES contain adult and BDSM images, if this offends you or you are under 18, please stick to Lucy's non adult galleries. She works VERY hard on her site and takes great pride in it and we have no wish to cause her any trouble.) She has a wonderful selection of many different types, something for everyone. http://members.home.net/lucylastic Another great link that includes links to many, many different avatar galleries (And gesture sites as well) Ing's AV & Gesture Links by Type http://members.aol.com/cowtowning/bottom.html (The AV Judge must remain anonymous so as not to be tempted with bribes! LOL) _____________________________________________________________ "A Screen name becomes the Alter ego for some of us!" ____________________ SCREEN NAMES pinktrinews@mailexcite.com If you'd like to share how you chose your screen name, please feel free to send in to: pinktrinews@mailexcite.com _____________ Kerbear88 - It's a plain and simple story - Kerbear has been my nickname since I was a tot and 88 is my hockey number :) ______________________________________________________________ ATTENTION PLEASE…I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE!!! ______________________________________ Dear pinkies... We had a birth in PT Sunday evening... our beloved Joiee became the proud "mother" of twins... First came little Sven, Sven is the son of Western Man.. then out came little TantaNisha, whose father is Cement. Seems our sweet little Joiee got a bit frisky at a party held in PT a few weeks ago. He got a little friendly with West and Cement, and by some miracle of the PT gods, became impregnated by both of the gents. Kalii2 delivered the gorgeous babies. Dr. Love was out on a call, and my love Dee was in bed. Kalii jumped right in there like a trooper and took care of it. I do believe my Mama Alyx left with a sore hand, Joiee took his pain out on her... poor Mama Alyx. In a moment of panic, I fainted twice, but oh well shit happens. Joiee recovered just fine from the births with West by his side, comforting him. The babies were beautiful. And finally... CONGRATS GUYS, all three of you... this was the first male vp birth, I do believe (correct me if I'm wrong) Love to you all Stephanie aka Blisse ______________ Dee_32 and Dee_sBlisse humbly request your presence at the renewal of their vows on May 4th at approximately 11pm Eastern Standard Time. The ceremony will be held in private room Steph_loves_Dee. The couple appreciates your attendance at this glorious event. ______________ Mikey and Biglips Unite in Virtual Marriage (Alladdinn) On Wednesday night at 9:00 p.m. EST Mikey and Biglips were united in virtual marriage in the beautifully decorated Goonie wedding chapel, with Ms RE_ officiating the ceremony. The blushing bride wore a stunningly beautiful white lace wedding dress, and the handsome groom look smashing in his black tuxedo. Those in attendance were: Goose, shamroxs, fauxpas_1, RE___, blissefull, Dav-6, Ali, Taw_the_Avenger, Roon_, angelina_99, _SAM_111, and of course, Sweet_Bri Following the ceremony was the reception in the Goonies reception hall. When I left, the guys were kissing the groom and the gals were kissing the bride! (Hmmm.... something wrong with that picture?) LOL It was a beautiful ceremony and I am glad I finally got to see the "straight boy" of PT finally get married (even if it was to a lesbian!) LOL CONGRATULATIONS Mikey and Biglips! (Now we're all waiting to find out when to expect little Mikey's and Biglips pitter patter around our feet while chatting!) LOL Your PT wedding reporter, Ali ____________________________________________________________ Random Thoughts (Submitted by Cupcake) 1. Everyone has a photographic memory. Some don't have film. 2. He who laughs last, thinks slowest. 3. A day without sunshine is like, well, night. 4. On the other hand, you have different fingers. 5. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. 6. Back up my hard drive? How do I put it in reverse? 7. I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory. 8. When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty. 9. Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it. 10. Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't. 11. I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 12. He's not dead, he's electroencephalographically challenged. 13. She's always late. Her ancestors arrived on the Juneflower. 14. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you. 15. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges. 16. Honk if you love peace and quiet. 17. Pardon my driving, I am reloading. 18. Despite the cost of living, have you noticed how it remains so popular? 19. Nothing is fool-proof to a sufficiently talented fool. ____________________________________________________________ BIOS BIOS BIOS BIOS BIOS BIOS pinktrinews@mailexcite.com _________________________ Everyone enjoys discovering more about the people we see in the room on a daily basis. If you have not sent in your BIO…we'd love to hear from you, and for those of you who are new to PTN, a BIO is merely a little about yourselves to introduce you to our PT family. We all chat and get to know one another in PT, but trying to keep up with chat and IM's, along with ICQ (uh oh's) can be a challenge at times. Your BIO doesn't have to be anything lengthy, just anything you'd like to share with the rest of our family, so as to get to know you better! Thanks, Ali ______ There were no BIOS sent in this week! ______________________________________________________________ AIDS INFORMATION AND SUPPORT ____________________ Study: Drugs hiding, not curing HIV (Submitted by Maxam) NEW YORK (AP) The AIDS virus might be able to hide undetected for 60 years in people taking powerful anti-viral drugs, says a study that underlines a major obstacle to the bold notion of curing AIDS. "We aren't going to be able to simply wait it out," said Dr. Robert Siliciano, senior author of the study. While the drugs can drive the body's supply of HIV down to undetectable levels, they can't attack virus that lies quietly in cells. Such hidden "reservoirs" of HIV have long been recognized, and these new calculations confirm the belief they could harbor the virus for a very long time. "This doesn't mean a cure is impossible," said Siliciano, a professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. It means additional therapy would have to be created to eradicate the hidden virus, he said. Scientists have already started studying that, as well as the alternative idea of leaving reservoirs alone but revving up the immune system enough to kill any virus that emerges from them. Siliciano also stressed the finding doesn't mean that people who are keeping HIV at bay with current medication will go on to develop AIDS. ______________ To The PT NEWS: Taken from the Wisconsin State Journal 4/29/99 AP (Submitted by Joker) HIV-infected patients whose immune systems respond well to combination treatments can stop talking pills to ward off a form of pneumonia that once was a major killer of people with AIDS, a study found. The antibiotic protects against Pneumocystis carinii and some other infections that are especially common among people with AIDS- weakened immune systems. Ten years ago, the Public Health Services recommended that those with low-blood counts resulting from HIV take the pills for life. More recently, however, a triple combination of protease inhibitors and other AIDS drugs has subdued the disease for many, and doctors have wondered weather these patients can safely stop taking the pneumocystis protection. A study in today's NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL of MEDICINE found that many AIDS patients can do this. Dr. Hansjakob Furrer and others from Bern Hospital in Switzerland followed 262 patients who stopped taking the medicine, which is called Bactrim and is known generically as trimethoprimsulamethoxazole. ___________________________________________________________ THE JOKE SHACK ______________ A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste. ____________________ Drunk (Submitted by Maxam) An Irishman walks out of a pub, stumbling back and forth with a key in his hand. A cop on the beat sees him and approaches, "Can I help you lad?" "Yes, sssshombody stole me car!" the Irishman replies. The cop asks, "Well now, where was your car the last time you saw it?" "It was at the end of this key." About this time the cop happens to notice that the Irishman's member is being exhibited for all to see. He then asks, "Are you aware that you are exposing yourself, sir?" The Irishman looks down woefully and moans "OOOH G-D... they got me girlfriend, too!!" ______________________________________________________________ "WANTED, NEEDED, SEARCHING FOR, GOTTA HAVE IT, CAN'T FIND IT!" _____________________ PT CLASSIFIEDS _______ PT Classifieds is meant to not only be humorous, but also used as a means of placing advertisements for things you might be looking for, possibly used for personals, as well as letting missing people know they are missed! If you would like to place an ad, please send it to: pinktrinews@mailexcite.com and we will gladly print it for you! ____________________ WANTED: If there's anyone that is still searching for someone to carpool with to the reunion next month, please let us know so that maybe we can find you a ride! We want everyone that wants to go to the reunion to be able to attend! ___________________ Missing: Has anyone seen Fairmerly? We haven't heard anything from him in a couple weeks now, and I'm beginning to get a little worried! ____________________ WANTED: If anyone is interested in writing or helping with the PT News in any way, shape or form, please send us an email to the PT News address and we'll gladly welcome you aboard! _____________________________________________________________ POETRY CORNER pinktrinews@mailexcite.com ____________________ When things are down and you need to release, a poem is a perfect way to feel because it can't talk back or try to give solutions to your problem. (Krymsyn) ____________________ And now, another poem from our very own POETRY CORNER HOSTESS: Goldie, our Peculiar Poet… Hello again beautiful people. I wanted to share again with you heart to heart words written by the only, Steven Morrissey, once of the Smiths. Hope you enjoy.. "I Know It's Over" Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head and as I climb into an empty bed Oh well. Enough said. I know it's over - still I cling I don't know where else I can go Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head see, the sea wants to take me the knife wants to cut me do you think you can help me? Sad veiled bride, please be happy handsome groom, give her room loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly (although she needs you more than she loves you) and I know it's over - still I cling I don't know where else I can go I know it's over and it never really began but in my heart it was so real and you even spoke to me, and said: "If you're so funny then why are you on your own tonight? and if you're so clever why are you on your own tonight? If you're so very entertaining why are you on your own tonight? if you're so terribly good-looking then why do you sleep alone tonight? because tonight is just like any other night that's why you're on your own tonight with your triumphs and your charms while they are in each other's arms..." It's so easy to laugh It's so easy to hate it takes strength to be gentle and kind It's so easy to laugh it's so easy to hate it takes guts to be gentle and kind love is Natural and Real but not for you, my love not tonight, my love love is Natural and Real but not for such as you and I, my love Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head Morrissey & Goldie LoL.. Morrissey is god.... ____________________________________________________________ Hello Family. Master PrimeBear here. There seems to be quite a bit of new faces in the room and that is always good. New blood, new energy, new conversations and NEW LEATHER. I asked boy (my slave) when was the last issue of LEATHER in PTNEWS, I was told mid 30's. We are now in our mid 50's and since there seems to be an interest in LEATHER again (with all this new blood and some old blood intrigued), I thought I'd bring this column back to life for a while. LEATHER IS A LIFESTYLE. Not a fad. Not a fashion statement. Not for the weak. A LEATHER Master or anyone who LIVES the LEATHER lifestyle can tell a wannabe from quite a distance. Straights say that "us" GAYS have a language and body signals of our own. Well the LEATHER COMMUNITY also has it's unique language and body signals not to forget we also have RULES, ORDER, CODES, and DISCIPLINE. It would do you well to know them before you go out and explore unknown territory. Wouldn't want you to get into anything that is totally out of your league. What makes a good LEATHER Master? As in life, so is it in the LEATHER Community.You start at the bottom and work your way up. Earning your punishments, your joys, your pleasures and your rite of passage into the realm of respect. Nothing is given to you. You become "PROPERTY". Your sole purpose in life is to serve your MASTER, MISTRESS, MA'AM, LADY, SIRE, SIR, Lord, whatever is the case. In return, your "DOM" will protect you. That is all that is required of the "DOM". To protect his/her "PROPERTY". You can be given to another "DOM" to be used for whatever pleasure and your sole purpose is to treat this "DOM" as "YOUR DOM" showing them the same respect and courtesy as you would to your "DOM". You will not stray from your "DOM" afterwards. You will be given back to your "DOM" after the session is over with and your "DOM" will get a report on your performance. DON'T EMBARASS your "DOM". Punishment could be severe. Now being someone's slave is not for everyone but before you decide that this is what you want, contracts should be drawn up. After all we want to protect you as well as ourselves. A SAFE WORD should be made at this time. (Below are some meanings to some words.) This safe word cannot be NO, WAIT, IT HURTS, PLEASE STOP, or I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. It should be simple. Something you both can remember. Once this SAFEWORD is spoken, the SESSION will stop. Remember though, speaking this SAFEWORD could end further SESSIONS with your "DOM" so think before you speak. Still intrigued???? O.K. I went surfing and found several sites that offer RULES. Most of them agree on these Rules below. One site went on to a total of 163 rules and his slave had to remember ALL of them. So let's just hit the basics. General Slave Rules Down on your knees slave as you read this! There is a general code of conduct that all slaves follow. They vary a little depending on if you are in a vanilla situation or with those of the same lifestyle. It is simply showing utter respect and devotion for Masters and Mistresses. It is offering yourself to them for their pleasure, as the only reason for a slave to live is to be a servant. While in private, while at a BDSM establishment, or while at a BDSM meeting of any sort the General slave rules are: 1.) Your head shall always be lower than your DOM's head. 2.) You must always show utmost respect for all DOMs by always addressing them correctly. Calling a Mistress "Mistress" or "Lady" or "Ma'am" and a Master "Master", "Sir", "Lord", or "Sire". slaves are to be called "slave (and then the first or given name)" by other slaves if any DOM is around 3.) You shall only speak when spoken to and always answer questions immediately. 4.) You shall ask permission to do everything; speaking, relieving yourself, having a drink - everything. 5.) You will always be on time to any session or appointment. 6.) You will obey all commands immediately 7.) You will accept punishment. 8.) You will strive to please your DOM, ignoring your own pleasure or discomforts 9.) You will never use the safe word unless you must end the activity immediately - begging and explaining that you are near that point is acceptable. In addition to these general rules your Master or Mistress will have specific rules for you. This is why each slave must be personally trained by their Master or Mistress. As promised. Here are some words and their definintions: BONDAGE -has to do with being restrained; handcuffs and ropes to bind the hands together and out of the way; a securing of the body to make it immobile or limited in movement; to where a person can not get away. In being bound the slave has no choice but to submit. No matter what is done to you, you cannot blame yourself for enjoying the vulgarity, because it was out of your control. You will accept things being done to you for you have no choice; often things you would feel inhibited or guilty about if not in bondage. Bondage can be mild to intense. Mild bondage usually mean that a person's hands and feet are tied but they are not secured to any object or place. The next step would be to be tied completely, unable to get away, no key in safe distance, no chance to leave or move. Intense bondage would include actual binding of the human sexual anatomy such as a cock-ring or rope tied around the cock so the cock could be secured to either a collar, or the feet shackles, or waist, or even to hang weights from. With women the breasts may be tied together with rope or breast bars would clamp the breasts together (not just the nipples). The female genitals can be tied also. Depending on the level of the S/M the bondage can be uncomfortable and securing to various stages of discomfort to pain. This depends of course on the Master/slave relationship and preferences. DISCIPLINE- refers to being submissive to commands and punished for infractions. Sometimes it is also used to refer to spanking. The type and pain and amount of the punishment is dependant on the participants. It may be as mild as verbal humiliation or as intense as a sadistic whipping that would draw blood. In a Master/slave partnership there are rules that must be followed. A slave must be trained, as any good dog or child must be trained and disciplined in order to learn the proper way to act and to please the Master. DOMINANCE- means that the DOM or TOP is in charge - complete charge - without question. SUBMISSION- is the giving of ones self to a DOM. Allowing the DOM to control you and usually involves Bondage and Discipline on some level. Also sub is used. B&D - Bondage and Discipline SADOMASOCHISM- S&M gets into the joys of giving and receiving pain. Pain is the key word. S&M involves becoming sexual excited by hurting someone or by being hurt. When someone being spanked there is an amount of pain in the spanking - but it is a quick and temporary. S&M is intense and it is the actual sexual joy of pain. SADISM - to delight and take sexual pleasure in cruelty and inflicting (usually extreme) pain on others. MASOCHISM - to delight and take sexual pleasure in receiving pain - usually extreme. TOP - the DOM, Master, Mistress. BOTTOM - the submissive, the slave. SWITCH - this is a person who can switch between dominant and submissive roles. Often preferring to switch the roles within the same sexual encounter. SESSION - this is the BDSM period of activity. A training session or a meeting for an evening at a hotel would be a session. VANILLA - ordinary regular sex - not fetish, B&D, S&M. PANSEXUAL - involving all groups: bi, straight, gay, les, trans, she/male, all races, all religions, and so on. GAME - the word game infers that you are into a brief sexual BDSM session, not into the lifestyle. Games are played when the Master/slave is seeking a very temporary experience. Sort of like having a casual one-night stand. LIFESTYLE - when the word lifestyle is used you can bet that the person is really into BDSM, not casually but very much so. Just because a person is into the lifestyle does not mean that this same person still does not need to be discreet about their activities. DOMINATRIX - A Dominatrix is an experienced Dominant female who understands the intricacies of the art and who is usually paid to use their experience. Many people who are not interested in an emotional attachment or just a one-time deal to give it a try will have their first experience with a Dominatrix. The rates are about the same for a high priced prostitute and be aware that many Domimatrixes demand no sexual indications that would make them a prostitute in the eyes of the law. It is a fine-line that some cross over so you should be sure to investigate the Dominatrix you intend to visit. Getting arrested for solicitation would be most embarrassing. HOUSE PET - this is a slave that has been trained and serves as a pet and toy, as a full-time submissive/slave TRAINING - Training is the time frame needed for a Master to understand the new slave. It is during training that the limits are learned and the rules refined. SAFE WORD - a safe word is an unusual word, a word you would not hear during sexual activity or during a training session that lets the Master know the slave has reached its limits. Make sure to remember.... if you are a slave the use of a safeword will end all activity and if you are a Master the use of the safeword by the submissive/slave means you must end the activity. Remember though, speaking this SAFEWORD could end further SESSIONS with your "DOM" so think before you speak. In otherwords, if you are in pain, you can't take it anymore, then fine, speak the SAFEWORD. Don't use the SAFEWORD if you are not near or at your limit because it may end future SESSIONS. Intersting huh! O.K. Next week I'll get into some LEATHER CODES. Try to help you navigate into the LEATHER REALM. Got any questions??? Need some info???? Write me at MasterPrimeBear@hotmail.com and I'll respond as quickly as possible. If I use your question in PTNEWS, I will omit your name. Some things need to remain private and identity is one for sure. Until next week Master PrimeBear _____________________________________________________________ MISTY'S DRAG BAG (Misty) _______ I was sitting in the room this week, doing the usual of trying to follow what was happening in the chat room while having an IM with someone and doing ICQ, while talking on the phone to a friend (get the feeling I love to talk yet?) when something that was said in the room got my attention. I immediately brb'd everyone including the person on the phone who I then spent a minute trying to explain what brb meant LOL. And I just sat and listened to the person in the room. Now it is difficult for someone like me to sit quietly and watch but I was interested in other peoples opinions not my own this time. The topic for this all-consuming discussion? TV's. And I don't mean television. We spend a lot of our life assigning labels to things and people to place them into categories so we have a greater understanding of them. But every so often someone comes along who blurs these barriers which labels pose. But it did show me that innocence is not gone, some people do not understand the terms used to fit people into these general categories. So this week, I shall endeavor to enlighten you with a few terms and their meanings, but do try to remember this is a general grouping and as such, there will always be those who blur across the definition and indeed people can change categories (not as easy as changing underwear but sometime it can be). These are not in any order but I will start with me, of course). Drag Queen- Traditionally a person who dresses as a member of the opposite sex, not to imitate but to take to extremes for the purpose of performing on stage. e.g. they wear more make up and in a style designed for stage not street walking, similar in their clothes taste really. CD-Cross Dresser - A Person who dresses as a member of the opposite sex (Hopefully to look like a member of the opposite sex but they don't always quite succeed) TV-Transvestite- A person who dresses as a member of the opposite sex to portray themselves as a member of that sex. NOTE: for some reason this category has also included any male who wears women's underwear but I don't know why must be that blurring I referred to earlier. TS-Transexual- A person who has or intends to have a sex change operation and therefore would normally dress according to the gender they prefer to be. TG-Transgender- A person who has had a sex change operation. I have a few more too if you are interested. sub/ submissive-A person who desires to be lead and directed. This is often a genuine need, not a weak will. Dom/Domme- A person who desires to lead and control/protect. (NOTE: these last two categories are often confused or blurred into the SM culture but this is not necessary for someone to be sub/Dom) SM- Slave/Master-similar to the above but where the sub has very little rights and the Master has a great deal more control over the person. BD-Bondage and Discipline- This is where the whips and chains usually start, if you don't believe me just ask RE. LOL. Now remember what I said about blurring? Well we also have a category called switch, which is someone who is both sub and Dom. Now from what I understand of this it depends upon how we relate to different people. From a logical viewpoint we do this all the time and a meeting of two Dommes would result in one trying to have more control than the other. Which nature has a way of working out who wins. LOL. (Little hint here- never think you can beat a drag queen LOL) Now remember this is my view and others will have their own, no-one is right or wrong we all just have minor differences of opinions and what works for us. That's all for now Lots of Luck and Love Misty ______________________________________________________________ HEALTH AND WELLNESS _____________ How to keep a healthy level of insanity in the office (Submitted by Krymsyn) (1) Page yourself over the intercom, don't disguise your voice. (2) Find out where the boss shops and buy exactly the same outfits. Always wear them one day after he does. (3) Make up nicknames for all your coworkers and refer to them only by these names "That's a good point Spikey". "No, I'm sorry I'm going to have to disagree with you there Shorty". (4) Send e-mail to the rest of the company telling them what you are doing at all times. For example, "If anyone needs me I'll be in the washroom". (5) Hi-lite your shoes, tell people that you haven't lost your shoes since you did this. (6) While sitting at your desk, soak your fingers in Palmolive. (7) Put up mosquito netting around your cubicle. (8) Put a chair facing the printer, sit there all day and tell everyone you're waiting for your document to print. (9) Everytime someone asks you to do something ask if they want fries with that. (10) Put your garbage can on your desk and label it "in". (11) Decorate your office with pictures of Cindy Brady and Danny Partridge and try to pass them off as your children. (12) Send e-mail messages saying "free pizza" "free donuts" in the lunchroom, when people complain that there was none, lean back, pat your stomach and say "Oh, you've go to be faster than that". (13) Put decaf in the coffemaker for 3 weeks, once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso. (14) Rearrange your coworker's cube, perhaps making it smaller, in order to remind him that size is never an indication of his value to the company. It just doesn't matter. Really. (15) Tell the receptionist how much you appreciate all that she does, then give her funny looks as you walk by the next day. (16) Talk to yourself in the bathroom. _____________________________________________________________ Part 2 - Guide to Gay Wedding Etiquette!! (Isa) After finishing the previous article, I considered that is pretty remiss not to include the etiquette for the day of the wedding and the reception, as this is the most important parts!! LOL So here it is... **On The Day** Traditionally the bride's family and friends sit on the left and the groom's is on the right. Gay couples however should toss a coin, to avoid a power struggle on who in fact wears the dress! LOL So Ali and Gander invite more people than our respective others, so that you will look more popular! LOL. A bride may be 20mins late, but hey we are gay so an hour is fine. Remember the guests will be 30mins late anyway. Entrance is everything. If your father is giving you away, take his right arm and walk down the aisle. When exchanging your vows, speak clearly and loudly, and smile alot: those camera flashes will be running wild. And when you kiss, look like you mean, and please no tongue, Think romance!! LOL **The Reception** It is important to plan the sequence of events for the reception, such as times for serving, cutting the cake, speech's dancing and most importantly throwing the bouquet. Study the opening titles from "The Mary Tyler-Moore Show" for the correct throwing technique: you know full turn, joyous, big and life affirming. LOL. Place cards should be allocated for the reception dinner. Keep al those ex-boyfriends away from each other though, as they will mercilessly tear you apart. It's a tradition. Speeches are an important part of any wedding, but they should be brief, sincere and to the point. So Goose and Freddie any stories involving Gander and Ali's penis size is not appropriate. Remember romance!! LOL After the meal, the newly weds will cut the cake with a knife that has bee overly decorated by Aunt Maud, a waiter will the take it away and finish slicing it, and no-one will ever eat it. Well there you have it guys and girls, it was concise but I hope it helps!!! Love Isa xxoo P.S. Congratulations to you all! _____________________________________________________________ SITES WORTH SEEING Websites from a few of our "Family" members for you to check out! (Maxam) ____________________ Here is a NEW site for you to check out!!! Ali has designed a new page with all the websites from our family members. It is called: "The Pink Pages" (Kinda like the yellow pages!) You can use this page to link to everyone else's pages!!! (Note: Freddie & Ali's page of pics is not complete yet, so you can't view any of the pics… but I am working on it!) Here's the addy: http://www.hotyellow98.com/ptreunion/pinkpages.html Here are a few new additions that Maxam and Looksjustlikeme sent us this week: http://www.plumbdesign.com/theraurus/ http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/tree.html http://www.netfinder.com/links/html/sgpl.html http://www.webbyawards.com/ http://www.prolaunch.com/ http://www.wpdfd.com/wpdres.htm Thanks Maxam and looksjustlikeme!!! _______ REMEMBER folks…Please let us know if you CAN NOT link to these sites. We are trying to make it so that it is easy for you to use the PT News as an informational tool to go to these sites! ____________________ If you have a personal website you'd like to include in your list, please fell free to send us the site address: pinktrinews@mailexcite.com and we will gladly add you to our list! __________________________________________________________ UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL (FreddieB) Howdy Pinkies! I am overwhelmed by the responses to my questions and commend everyone with being so Up Close and Personal with myself and our readers. The minute I send out the paper each week with it's series of questions, I race to my email to check to see if Viking has sent in his responses. (LOL) He is always the first to respond each week. Thanks Viking...Love You!!! Each response is exciting to read and I'm sure the readers are enjoying the questions from the responses I have been getting. If you have a question you think I should ask, DON"T HESITATE to send it in with your responses. In case some of you have wondered where I have been lately? The answer is I have been very busy with training new management personnel, running our phone bill through the roof with Reunion plans, fixing up the house, and just plumb tuckered out to deal with the room sometimes. I miss you all but promise to keep the news pumping at you each and every week. Look forward in seeing you all soon. Here are last week's responses to my questions, and again, THANKS to all that take the time out to read and send in their answers. FROM VIKING (XV666boyiking) Alli: I agree - Keep personal probs out of the NEWS...OUR paper is NOT an open forum/bitch session etc LMAO - SCREWY should have been driving to pick up ROON; who knows what the route would have been. I really wish I could have been there with y'all - long beach walk or not. TEX-tx - u know u and I always got along ok AND I respect your views/feelings as far as using the ROOM as an attack thing. Virtual Weddings to me are kewl and I think are as serious as the vows exchanged in a church etc - they should be for real not just a sham!!!!!!!! I am a go-getter as far as life goes and there are those in the family that know that all too well. If I had a terminal illness I would definitely live differently with the time I had left. I like "alone" time a lot because I am surrounded by people 12 hours a day and the room is alone time also for me - MY TIME. Those are my feelings and thoughts - I did not appreciate being made a fool of last night re how a newbie needs help but hey, I've done that shit b4 too (A LONG LONG TIME AGO) so c'est la vie and no problem. I love the room and ALL the roomies. LOVE Y'ALL, VIKING (XV666boyiking) _____________ Freddie, In response to your questions, I think I will answer a few of them...Would I help someone from the room in financial trouble?... I think this would most depend on if I had any other contact with them i.e. Phone, letters etc. If I did, then I would not hesitate to help. If someone in the room told me about someone else in trouble and they were taking up a collection, I would do that as well. I would hope that all the family in the triangle would do this for another family member. As for the question about being terminally ill, I would do some things differently, but the majority of things I do would be left as it was. I think the only thing I would change would to have Shammy with me wheather that meant going to her or her coming to me. Please keep theses questions coming. I think it is stimulating and I like to read the answers that people send in. Keep up the great work on the paper!!!! Kisses and Hugz 1LEZ69 _____________ Dear Ali and Freddie: I'd like to say hello and ask how you both are doing. Everyone here is doing just fine and are looking forward to the reunion. Anyway here are my answers to the questions that you had in the news. 1. My feelings on virtual weddings is that I think that it is great, providing neither partner has a relationship outside of the computer. 2. Yes, I would. I would find the money somewhere even if I had to do without. I would help that friend even though I would not be able to ask for help myself. 3. Yes I am afraid to "really" say what I feel in fear that people will not like me anymore. I am so afraid of losing the people that I love by saying the wrong thing, therefore I just let them pass hoping they will work themselves out. 4. I am a very passive person. I dream of going out and getting what I want. I have low self-esteem about my ability in getting what I want. I usually just buckle to whatever is going on in my life and accept it. 5. Well I have answered this question many times. You see my dad died from cancer when I was 17. I saw my dad fight for 2 years and he had 7 major operations in 14 months. So I always stated that if they ever told me that I had cancer that they would not touch me and that I would live my life to the fullest and enjoy everyday as if it was the last. Yes I would change the way I live as I would want to enjoy every moment that I still had and savor it. 6. The one thing in life that I haven't done yet is go to Disneyland in Florida. That is a dream that one day I can take my family there and have a blast. 7. I enjoy being around a group of people but not all the time. I enjoy being by myself just to meditate or relax with nothing to think about or worry about. Kinda like me quiet time. That is why I love going to the Pink Triangle that is my escape. 8. I'm proud of being a homemaker but at times I feel I am qualified to do something else but getting the courage up to do so is another matter. 9. I would jump at the chance to meet someone. To be honest I would have someone with me on the first visit. The more friends that I have the better. I always have room for more. I enjoy people. Love to all and take care PT-mom ______________ Hey! Star here responding to Freddie's ?'s. Using shitty old hotmail cause school is out for another week. What are your feelings on virtual weddings? I just don't understand what the point of them is. I mean, if you are virtually married to someone is that a relationship? Even if they are 200 miles away? Can you still date a live person close to you? The wedding thing just escapes me...but no offense to those who are virtually married. maybe you can clarify for me. If one of your friends from chat were financially unstable, would you be willing to help them out by sending them money? Probably not...but I most likely wouldn't do that for a friend I live near either unless they were immediate family or my bf. That's just me though. Are you afraid to "really" say what you feel about situations that occur in the room or do you just let them pass hoping they will work themselves out? Not at all. Though I won't volunteer my opinion unless it directly involves me. You ask and I will answer, but I won't lie to spare feelings. (That one gets me in a lot of trouble in the "real" world) Would you consider yourself someone that goes out and gets what they want in life or just wait for it to come along? Mostly the 'go out and get', but a little of the other one as well. It gets a little difficult sometimes to do stuff for yourself when you have had it done for you all your life. (that sounds a little weird, just think "born with a silver spoon.....") If doctor's told you that you had just been diagnosed with a terminal illness, would you live your life differently? No. But depending on the disease I might have to be even safer for the sake of others. What is the one thing you want to do in life that you haven't had the chance to do yet? There are lots. Skydiving, rock climbing, a whole bunch of adventurous stuff. Do you enjoy being around a group of people all the time or do you like spending quiet time to yourself? NEED some quiet time for myself sometimes. Are you proud of your profession or do you think you are qualified to do something better? Want to be a cop...gonna be a cop. If someone in the chatroom told you that they want to visit and meet you in person, would you jump at the chance or decline? Depending on the person and their intentions... (Now if I could just sit down and get the nergy to do a bio....) Star _____________ tenordan answers questions: What are your feelings on virtual weddings? I have never been to one, but they seem like a cool idea. If one of your friends from chat were financially unstable, would you be willing to help them out by sending them money? If I had money to give away, yes- (please send me a list of all others who said "yes" j/k) Are you afraid to "really" say what you feel about situations that occur in the room or do you just let them pass hoping they will work themselves out? I usually say what I feel, but sometimes comments just add to a problem- silence can be golden. Would you consider yourself someone that goes out and gets what they want in life or just wait for it to come along? Yes.....no......maybe......... If doctor's told you that you had just been diagnosed with a terminal illness, would you live your life differently? I certainly would! What is the one thing you want to do in life that you haven't had the chance to do yet? Live with my sweetie permanently Do you enjoy being around a group of people all the time or do you like spending quiet time to yourself? I like small groups usually, sometimes as few as 2. Are you proud of your profession or do you think you are qualified to do something better? I'm proud of my music job. If someone in the chatroom told you that they want to visit and meet you in person, would you jump at the chance or decline? Depends on who it is, and how cute he is ;-) tenordan _____________ What are your feelings on virtual weddings? It's a nice show of affection. If one of your friends from chat were financially unstable, would you bewilling to help them out by sending them money? If I were close to them, yes Are you afraid to "really" say what you feel about situations that occur in the room or do you just let them pass hoping they will work themselves out? Depends on what it is and whether or not I feel that it is any of my business to say anything. Would you consider yourself someone that goes out and gets what they want in life or just wait for it to come along? Hmm... not in the best situation to answer that right now... lol If doctor's told you that you had just been diagnosed with a terminal illness, would you live your life differently? I'm pretty sure I would live my life very differently. What is the one thing you want to do in life that you haven't had the chance to do yet? Go on a hiking trip through snowy mountains alone. Do you enjoy being around a group of people all the time or do you like spending quiet time to yourself? Hmm... as an only child, I like to have my alone time : ) Are you proud of your profession or do you think you are qualified to do something better? My job is okay, but I don't intend to do it forever If someone in the chatroom told you that they want to visit and meet you in person, would you jump at the chance or decline? Depends on who it is... JennaJenna __________________________________________________________ EMAIL LINKS AND INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL: pinktrinews@mailexcite.com (Letters to the Editors, Opinions, Comments, Complaints, Submit an Article, Classified Ads, Birthdays) gayvoice@hotmail.com Political (Primebear) vp_tips@hotmail.com Tech Tips (Tech Master) fairmerly@hotmail.com Fairmerly (The Wormhole) fredericb@mailexcite.com FreddieB Alladdinn@mailexcite.com Alladdinn _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS ____________________ Now that you have finished reading the PT News…NOW is the time to respond! Please be sure to RSVP if you ARE planning to attend the PT Reunion May 28, 29, 30, 31 1999. To: pinkconnections@mailexcite.com It is VERY important that we know how many people to expect and when you are arriving and your lodging plans! We want this to be the most enjoyable weekend possible and are trying very hard to look at the entire picture for the weekend! _______________ THANKS for your help in keeping these articles in the PT News alive and responding in such an efficient manner! Without your help, the PT News would not be what it has become today! And PLEASE folks… CONTINUE TO RESPOND, RESPOND, RESPOND to the articles that need your help to remain in the paper!!! (That means take the time to sit down and answer questions, take any polls that are in the paper, Be a part of the contests, Write a Letter to the Editors. We need YOUR feedback as well as comments and suggestions!) _______________ If you like what you are reading on a weekly basis, tell us! Also… tell a friend who may not know about the PT News! It's easy! Just have them send in their screen name and email address to: pinktrinews@mailexcite.com _________________________ Until next we meet, whether it be in the PT, or coming to you through your mail boxes…Stay warm, be safe, and keep chatting! Have a GREAT weekend! FreddieB & Alladdinn Editors PT News