Queer As Folks

Fantasy Gifts Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Fantasy Gifts is celebrating its 30th anniversary. In 1980, Bob and Marlene Bertino established the business with a now-defunct store on what is now Block E in Minneapolis. Under the aegis of their daughter, Colleen Bertino, Fantasy Gifts now has nine stores in the Twin Cities metro and one in St. Cloud. Visit www.fantasygifts.com.

Jaqueline Captures Nuestra Belleza Gay 2010 Title

A drag contest in the suburbs? Of course! On June 10, Jaqueline won the Nuestra Belleza Gay 2010 title at the Queen of the Night Contest from a field of five contestants. The event took place during the Rainbow Party at Olmeca, a Latin bar at 1927 West Burnsville Parkway, Burnsville. Several hundred people attended.

Phoenix Wins Miss Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League Contest

On July 11, the Miss Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League (TCGSL) Contest was held at Solera in Minneapolis. The Phoenix team, sponsored by Tickles, won. Phoenix performers included Tyler Hayden, Darren Heydanek, Peter Nelson, Bradley Reichenberger, and Jaysen Saly. The TCGSL Sunshine Fund was the beneficiary.

Twin Cities Hosts Queer Southeast Asian Conference

Hosted by local group Shades of Yellow (SOY), the Queer Southeast Asian Conference took place July 9-11 at the University of Minnesota. Its mission was to establish a national network of GLBT Southeast Asians united to collect and share data and information; build community; and identify national advocacy issues.