Financial Planning is important for

anyone.
For gay and lesbian partners it can
be crucial.

 

For same sex partnerships, proper financial planning can
help ensure that you and your loved ones are properly
protected. That's why Smith Barney is sponsoring a free
seminar called A Position of Strength. In this seminar
we'll discuss how we can help you address the following
questions:

I Can I protect income and assets for my partner and me?

I Can my partner receive income if my pension benefits
cannot be transferred?

I Can I make decisions for my partner if he or she is
hospitalized? .

I If one of us should die, how do we make sure we inherit
each other's property?‘

Seating is limited. Reserve your seat today.

DATE: Thursday, March 10, 2005
TIME: , 6:00 - 7:30 PM
PLACE: Clarion Hotel
Burlington, VT
SPEAKER: Mitchell Rosengarten
Financial Consultant
RSVP: (802) 7754371 or (800) 628-2132
Seating is limited, so reserve your seat now!

THIS IS WHO WE ARE. THIS IS HOW WE EARN IT.‘

SMITHBARNEY
* cltlqrouiil‘

Smith Barney does not offer tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax/legal adviser for such
guidance. ©2005 Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Member SIPC. Smith Barney is a division and
service mark of Citigroup G obal Markets inc. and its affiliates and is used and registered throughout
the world. ClTlGROUP and the Umbrella Device are trademarks and service marks of Citicorp or its
affiliates and are used and registered throughout the world. THIS IS WHO WE ARE. THIS 15 HOW WE

crowned Queen of the Ball started
out in a fabulous and creative cos-
tume — Japanese-style make-up,
black tape over his nipples and a
huge red fan. For some reason he
changed into a lace top, short black
skirt and fishnets, like a quick
knock-off of the Madonna of the
early eighties for the crowning of
the king (more on that later) and
queen of the ball.

The “Seeing Stars” theme
for the evening morphed into a
“Pop-stars in their Mid-Eighties
Incamations” theme. We saw a
one-gloved, red-jacketed Michael
Jackson who gave a very convinc-
ing performance on the stage, and a
be-hatted Prince in gold paisley.

The kings at Drag Ball
aren’t generally what might be
called “fabulous,” rather, they tend I

to fall into the “hot-T!” category.
This year a group of them treated
the audience to a striptease, danc-
ing to that old favorite, “You Can
Keep Your Hat On” of Full Monty
fame. (Sadly Vermont law doesn’t
allow that sort of thing, so they had
to keep a bit more than that on.)

The locally famous
Lluvia Mulvaney-Stanak was
crowned King of the Ball, and she
was definitely butch and boyish —
every bit as boyish as the queen —
first in a white sailor suit for the
strip number then in a newsboy
outfit to accept the crown.

What do the judges look
for in a King and Queen of the
Drag Ball? Slimness and youth?
Recognizability? Smooth faces?
Maybe those in wigs and gowns
had gone home by the time the

judging began. Well, who can com-
plain? Most years the Drag Ball — a
benefit, by the way, for the
Vermont People with Aids
Coalition — is promoted with the
line “Drag — whatever it means to
you.” This year it was, “Come as
your favorite star or just as you
are.”

The show was hosted by
the House of Lemay. There were
singers and performances through-
out the night. The highlight was dj
Elliot Matos who kept everyone
dancing until their shoes fell apart,
and ultimately, everyone had a 
ball. V

Francesca Susanna is a freelance
writer who lives in Burlington.

EARN lT is a service mark of Citigroup Global Markets lnc.

  SEE ME FOR YOUR
INSURANCE AND
FINANCIAL REVIEW.

'l‘ogel:her we will prioritize your
needs and help you plan your
financial future. Schedule your
free review today.

WE LIVE WHERE you LIVE ®

Karen Blosser, Agent, CLU LUTCE ChEC
33 N ort.’n.l'icld Stmct

Montpelier, VT 05602-3407

Bus: 802.229.5757
karen.blosser.btsl1@statefarrn.com

Come in for an appointment with Karen by l\l.iy 31, 2003
and i'eCelVe a FREE 20 l\v1l.\'L'TE PRE-PAID l’HO.\'E CARD

IYAII IAIH

LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR STATE FARM IS TI-[ERE.°°

INSURANC‘

(unllycutnulegdutlviwiorspeifiulvioe. ‘
Such: - Iluneofliies: nu-'-no-. ll

WI!!! Mill