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The Equality Herald - East Tennessee's source for LGBT community news |
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Kate Clinton still laughing after all these years 2007 tour began Jan. 26 in Royal Oak, Mich. by Beth Maples-Bays - Editor and Publisher
Her current tour, dubbed the Climate Change Tour, coincides with her 60th year of life on the planet. “This is an exciting time. After the mid-term
elections, we are finally seeing some good things happening in Washington
after the last six or seven years of being terrorized of having our
patriotism questioned constantly,” Kate reflects. “I am excited because I
sense a change in the air. I guess I’m just “60 is the new 40,” says Kate whose tour will include lots of material about the recent political changes in Washington. She looks great sporting her signature cropped hairstyle, now a shiny silver. “I work better under deadline,” she quips referencing her status as elder. “I find that a little push can be liberating.” But Clinton is a long way from the end of her cycle on earth. The plans for the tour are daunting, regardless of age or physical condition. From Michigan, she will go to approximately 12 states as well as the Dominican Republic and Tahiti. These stops are hardly as the crow flyes. She will zig and zag all over the country . Stops include a benefit for the Gill Foundation, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Outfront MN, as well as an Olivia cruise. The closest she will come to us is her October gig in Lexington, Ky. She is definitely worth the drive. I know because I was part of a local group, Mountain Womyn’s Coalition, who produced Kate in 1982 here in Knoxville. Her appearance marked the second lesbian cultural event sponsoring a well-known national entertainer since 1975 when Meg Christian gave a concert here. We flew by the seat of our pants, but managed to pack the Turn-Key Center at the corner of Summit/Dandridge and MLK/Vine with 300 lesbians and two kegs of beer. It was like cool water in the desert to hear her speak to topics of great importance while making us laugh at the same time. “I love to laugh,” says Clinton. “I mean physically. It is a great gift to make people laugh. I wish I had some sort of longitudinal study on the effects of having all this laughter directed at me over the years.”
From Kate’s com board: Use your imagination! Tell us some of the witty, gay civil protests you've done. We do recommend for example
that you adopt a church in your neighborhood and while you're out on your
round of Saturday errands, if you see a wedding going on, make a visit.
When the minister gets to the part about "Are there any objections to this
union?" stand up and make a little speech. You don't need to know the
people. Something along the lines of, "I don't think anyone should be able
to get married, until all people can get married." Then go off to the
grocery store. Just don’t be surprised if you spend a lot of time at Kate’s online venue. Her imprint is on everything there and draws you like a magnet and won’t let go. She’s hilarious and wise, a winning combination for a change agent these days. |
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She can make you laugh until you cry, but she always
has insight and understanding that go beyond the humor. She is Kate
Clinton, lesbian comedienne extraordinaire and beloved comic icon for many
lesbian and GBT fans across the country. She tackles the hard topics with
the self-confidence that come from her roots in education. Yes, she used
to be a high school English teacher, but that was another life ago for
this celeb.
the resident optimist. I
believe that each person can make a difference. I urge everyone to get
involved.”
She speaks of the liberating power of humor and how
it can open minds and sometimes defuse potentially bad situations. Her
dedication to making us and the wider community laugh is an invaluable
tool against hopelessness and battle fatigue. For a sweet respite and
virtual inoculation against despair, visit Kate’s Web site at
