Another Conservation Society grant for Bonham Exchange building
QSanAntonio.com, December 13

The San Antonio Conservation Society has awarded a $5,000 grant to the owner of the Bonham Exchange to repair the facade of the historic building it occupies near the north wall of the Alamo. This grant comes on the heels of a similar award for $10,000 that was given last year to help rehab the building which is on the National Historic Register.

The Turnverein Building, as it is known, was erected in 1891 and has housed San Antonio’s most popular gay disco since 1981. James Wahrenberger, a prominent Swiss-American architect of the period, chose a French Renaissance revival style for the edifice which was originally built as a German social and athletic club.

Local entrepreneur and club owner, Arthur "Hap" Veltman, purchased the building in 1981 as a successor to the San Antonio Country that was located on North St. Mary’s Street. The new club was named after James Bonham, one of the heroes of the Alamo. Velman, who died in 1988, left the club to his partner Kenneth Garrett and his colleague Wade Strauch who died in 1992. Garrett still owns the building today.

The Bonham Exchange has evolved into one of San Antonio’s most popular and successful gay clubs. Its interior spaces are large and vast. There are several full-sized bars, a disco, an outdoor bar and a large ballroom on the second floor that once served as a theater for live performances. The building is also home to the Happy Foundation, San Antonio’s GLBT archive.

Gene Elder, chief archivist at the Happy Foundation. Paul Boskind (left), proprietor of the Church Bistro and Theater with playwright Del Shores.

Gene Elder interviews "Sordid Lives" playwright Del Shores
QSanAntonio.com, September 24

Gene Elder, the chief archivist at the Happy Foundation, sat down with Del Shores, the playwright who penned "Southern Baptist Sissies" and "Sordid Lives." Shores’ adaptation of "Sordid Lives" debuted recently as a LOGO television series. Elder elicits comments from Shores on everything from the influence of Texas on his writing to what’s wrong with the Log Cabin Republicans.

Elder: So Del, I'm delighted to get you on the Chartreuse Couch. It's not as important as a Hollywood couch but it'll do for a good Texas interview. So, let's see. I believe we got to meet in person when you came to San Antonio for "Southern Baptist Sissies," which I greatly enjoyed. Were you happy with that production?

Shores: Yes, I love Paul Boskind, and the Church Theatre was just amazing for that production. Honestly, it's always hard for me to watch any production other than the ones I direct and produce, because those are my vision, but I've learned over the years to watch the audience and their reactions to the production as well as what is going on stage. The San Antonio audience adored the play and I really did enjoy the cast, the audience, the direction and the production. Well done! Thank you, Paul.

Elder: And now you are getting a good response with "Sordid Lives" on LOGO?

Shores: I am. The show is their biggest show to date -- by far. They tell us that it is in a league all it's own. I wrote, directed and produced all episodes, so I really took a chance, knowing that if it worked, I'd get a lot of praise, if it didn't, I'd be the fall guy. So I'm getting a lot of praise which I prefer. My fan mail has exploded to the degree that I can barely keep up. I still answer all My Space messages (myspace.com/sordid_lives) and all my fan mail that comes to del@delshores.net personally and I'm getting such amazing letters from everywhere.

Elder: That is really great to hear because, I am, and I suspect that you are too, a Texas chauvinist. And I'm glad to know this tale that takes place in Texas --meaning "Sordid Lives" -- is getting a good reaction. I am interested in one thing right off the top of my head. How did your Texas experience serve you in creating the play and TV series?

Shores: When asked how my Texas experience influenced my writing, I always respond, "How has it not?" All the people I grew up with, the sayings, the church, the family -- everything has gone into my writing. I love my home state, warts and all, and it has given me a wealth of material.

Elder: And most important, we need news about all the interesting actors you get to work with, particularly about my hero Delta Burke.

Shores: I work with so many great actors and we are all good friends. Rue McClanahan is a doll and I adore her. She is gearing up for her one-woman show. Leslie Jordan is on the road, promoting his book with his one-man show "My Trip Down The Pink Carpet." The show is wonderful, as is the book. I recommend both highly. I see that he has several Texas dates coming up. Delta and I remain good friends, even though she wasn't able to do the series. I hope to bring her in for a fun cameo in Season Two.

Elder: As you know I am the Archives Director for the HAPPY Foundation, San Antonio's GayBLT history archives, and I do keep a file on Leslie. I know about his performance. I plan to see it. And LOGO what are they like?

Shores: LOGO is MTV's gay channel, about 3 years old. Part of the Viacom family. They are wonderful to work with and are very invested in the series and allowed me creative freedom. Like most new networks, they are limited in terms of budget, but we all got creative to make "Sordid" happen. It is my pleasure to work with them.

Elder: OK, enough of that. I want to move on to politics. Is there anyone you know in that bunch who likes Bush and how are you going to use "Sordid Lives" to help correct all of the world's problems? That is what I want to know.
Shores: Yes, there are people who still like Bush. Kathy Griffith said it best when she said (and I paraphrase) "Southerners are so proud of their ignorance." Some people, no matter how glaring the evidence, just CAN'T BE WRONG! Regarding Texas and "Sordid," I just write characters I know and love and adore. They happen to be from Texas (mostly) and I try to tell the truth.

Elder: I know we both are very concerned about all the problems in the gay community and I like to keep up with GLAAD. I have been out and causing trouble in San Antonio since 1972 and watching the groups come into existence and fight is one of my favorite soap operas. What do you think about GLAAD?

Shores: I actually have been nominated for two GLAAD awards, one for the play "Sordid Lives" (I didn't win) and one for "Southern Baptist Sissies" (I did win). Besides the fact that they give awards and I have great memories of those awards shows, I happen to think GLAAD does amazing work.

We need you and GLAAD and HRC "causing trouble", fighting the fight. I had an experience in Nashville when we were touring my plays "Sordid Lives" and "Southern Baptist Sissies." A TV show there invited Leslie Jordan and Delta Burke to be on their show, then uninvited them because "they felt their audience would be offended by the subject matter." I cried foul, GLAAD stepped in and helped expose how the station was supporting homophobia. We didn't get back on the show, but thanks to GLAAD we exposed the truth and stirred it up.

Elder: Well, about the Log Cabin Republicans and the Stonewall Democrats, what do you think of their organizations? I know you won't say anything hateful, but give us some constructive criticism at least.

Shores: Me, not say anything hateful? Oh come on, you know I have a mouth (laughs). Look, I love what the Stonewall Democrats are doing and have real issues with the Log Cabin Republicans.

When the Log Cabin Republicans refused to endorse Bush in 2004 (which they had endorsed the first time the monster won)... but this time they didn't because of his proposal for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage... well, I wrote them and said, "What the hell did you expect? Your party has never supported gay rights or gay marriage; the only difference now is they want to make it a constitutional amendment. But every time you voted Republican, gave your money to that party, you gave to a party and a candidate WHO DID NOT SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR EQUAL RIGHTS. And that fact has never changed. Sure, the Republicans accepted your endorsement, they accepted your money and support, but THEY NEVER ACCEPTED YOU. Don't be mistaken Log Cabin Republicans, you will always be the redheaded step sister in the Republican party!" Needless to say, I did not hear back from them.

And now they've endorsed McCain and Palin (don't get me started on her!). Gene, I have never known a gay Republican who was a Republican for any other reason than money. It's always fiscal. Always. A party that is anti-gay rights, pro war, pro guns, wanting to take away a woman's right to choose -- that's what you are endorsing Log Cabin Republicans and I say shame on you. There is a line in my "Southern Baptist Sissies" -- "How do you embrace something that doesn't embrace you?" Enough on that subject!

Elder: Del, this was great talking with you and I know your two plays are an inspiration to all of Texas -- gay, Baptist and confused. Thank you for sitting on the Chartreuse Couch with me and know that Alamo queers are your biggest fans, and I don't care who knows it. Also, see if you can work a chartreuse couch into "Sordid Lives" somewhere.

Shores: Thanks for inviting me and I love you San Antonio.

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