Demian needed to stop working on the Purple Circuit in order to realize his other projects, such as publishing the book “Operating Manual for Same-Sex Couples: Navigating the rules, rites & rights,” now available on Amazon, and to publishing his “Photo Stories by Demian” books based on his more than 6 decades as a photographer and writer.

QueerWise and Michael Kearns have committed to offering a continuation of the Purple Circuit. The new Web address is purplecircuit.org. Bill Kaiser continues as editor and can be reached at purplecir@aol.com

Bill and Demian express their appreciation for the hundreds of writers, directors, actors, and publicists who sent their articles and play data. They have toiled mightily to bring our gay, lesbian, trans, and feminist culture into public view, and appreciation.

As American As Apple Pie Presented by That Uppity Theatre Company Directed by Joan Lipkin, Sarah Shimshick, and Andrew Schneider The focus is on GLBT culture from an intergenerational perspective, and includes reflections by PFLAG parents on moments of recognition, bravery, shame, pride and the arc of their parental journeys. It also features work by GLBT youth from 14-19 years old on gay icons, violence in the schools, family dynamics, self-mutilation, and love. A groundbreaking collaboration between That Uppity Theatre Company, Growing American Youth (GAY), and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Metro St. Louis chapter (PFLAG). May 22-23, 2004 - Saturday 7:30pm; Sunday, 3:30pm Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri

Almost 400 people packed the Contemporary Art Museum at St. Louis’s first theater production featuring a performance of original works by glbt youth and PFLAG parents. It was one of the most age-diverse events I had ever seen.

Before and after the performance, PFLAG moms circulated with trays of apple pie, and audience members were offered feather boas, masks and face glitter by a welcoming committee.

Sam Kleinman, Jeremie Pace, Dan Rea, Alex Nooran photo: Lisa Mandel

While tickets were low — $5 for the disabled youth 22 and younger, and $10 or free for limited income — we still covered expenses, and also raised money for PFLAG and Growing American Youth.

The museum itself was open for viewing, and it is truly a fantastic new space.

Sam Kleinman, Dan Rea, Dream Weaver, Alex Nooran photo: Carrie Zukoski

About 20 minutes later, we recited a deconstruction of the Pledge of Allegiance. Then we preceded with a funny and poignant mixture of pieces by the glbt youth, alternating with works by the PFLAG parents.

Our production was community-based, developed by the participants, most of whom have limited theater experience and yet, they inhabit what they are doing fully and with great heart. This gives it a different kind of presence, a different kind of beautiful, than traditionally produced plays. Not only that, it also had moments of great theatricality.

During the time we came to know them, several of our youth had very limited support at home, or had actually been kicked out of their homes. As we said in the piece, “The lives of adolescents are complicated. The lives of glbt youth are a whole different kind of complicated.”

Chris Krug, Dream Weaver, Andrew Schneider photo: Lisa Mandel

It really took a village to put this on, and a village came together.