News

The VItal Voice just got wind that barring a very unlikely "no" vote to close off the street by its City Council, Belleville will be hosting its first ever Gay Pride event on Saturday, June 21, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It will be held on 2nd street between W. Main and A street(s) outside of Club Escapade, which is located at 133 W. Main street.

The confirmed speakers are:

The Honorable Tom Holbrook, Illinois State Rep.
Mr. Lynn Clapp, Chair, Belleville Human Relations Commission
Mr. Mark Kern, Chair, St. Clair County Board.

Via Yahoo's LGBTA listserv, The Vital Voice got wind of an attempted robbery, a shooting, and a possible death on the 2000 block of Russell on Sunday, April 27. St. Louis City Police spokesperson Schron Jackson confirmed an incident happened, sending an email that stated:

At 5:27 a.m. Sunday, detectives responded to the 2000 block of Russell for a shooting, the victim was en route to an area hospital.

It is all too easy to forget that these old-school hate mongers exist. If it wasn't live and Memorex, one could be lulled into thinking they were a set piece from Geraldo's greatest hits, or one could stare in curious wonderment at a movement thought extinct, much like the first South African to gaze in the Cretaceous eyes of a coelacanth.

Well into the dot-com era, we have immediate access to information about everything we could possibly envision. A common problem, though, is that despite the availability of information out there (and despite powerful, wide-reaching search engines), people still have difficulties filtering through the mess. Where exactly could you purchase eco-friendly furniture made with FSC-certified wood? Is there such a company in St. Louis who deals with termite and mold control that is safe for humans and pets? What “green” events are happening in your neighborhood?

By Joan Lipkin

According to data released by the Pew Research Center last September, 58% of Americans know little or nothing about the practices of Islam, a percentage that has changed very little since 2001.

When I met with Melissa Matos, director of the St. Louis chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a civil rights advocacy group for Muslims in North America, I started the conversation with questions that I hoped were basic, but not misguided.

“Can you clarify the terms Islamic and Muslim?” I asked.

The urban identity of St. Louis and its surrounding counties has been shaped in many respects by the skills, culture and political leanings of immigrants over the centuries. These new Americans had a particular impact on city neighborhoods from the Italian influences of “The Hill”, The Irish settlers of “Dogtown” or the German heritage of Benton Park.

As the Aug. 5 primary fast approaches, the Vital VOICE spotlights two hotly contested Democratic races for the Missouri General Assembly. Due to weak Republican opposition, the winners of these primaries will likely win the general election.

St. Louis attorneys Joan Landmann and Mike Colona are the front runners for the open Missouri House seat for the 67th District being vacated by term-limited Democrat Michael Daus.

A small but dedicated group of 5th Ward and 19th Ward residents have fought for and were granted a meeting with the Mayor's office Wednesday June 4 at 10 a.m. This group, spearheaded by Sheila Rendon, spokesperson for Neighbors for Social Justice