The 2004 election results gave voice to an influential 22 percent minority of “moral values” voters, mostly folks against gay marriage. But what are the moral values of other minorities? We at InTheFray thought the year wouldn’t be complete without an exploration of the rarely heard views of a few other groups.

We begin with queers. American Indians have long been under- or misrepresented in mainstream U.S. culture, and queer Indians even more so. Emily Alpert investigates how the Two-Spirit movement has grown over the last 10 years in Rainbow and red. Meanwhile, Park Slope tribe member Keely Savoie, in her debut column, explores how Democrats sold out gays following the election.

On the subject of sex, we turn to Editor Laura Nathan’s interview with porn star and feminist-activist Christi Lake, who has some startling views about her job and the media’s representation of it. Writer Eric Duncan reveals what it is like to go through life being called “‘Sugar,’ ‘Peaches,’ ‘Hon,’ ‘Miss,’ ‘Sweet Thing,’ ‘Girl,’ and ‘Little Lady, ’” in Propositions, a fictional tale of a waitress who resents being treated like a sex object, and then decides to oblige.

Next, we make a quick stop at the Amazon.com Theater, as columnist Afi Scruggs returns to ITF with a Christmas critique of the megalith’s latest marketing ploy. Then we escape from all things commercial, as photographer Tewfic El-Sawy shares a fabulous photo essay centered on the Delhi shrine of Sufi Saint Nizzamuddin. Think mystical love of God, combined with a devotion to the poor on earth. It’s a combination that very well could put you in the proper holiday spirit.

Nicole Leistikow
Managing Editor
Baltimore, Maryland

Coming mid-December:
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite pieces of the past year in our annual BEST OF ITF Survey!
Also, Jairus Grove’s review of Cornell West’s new book Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism.

Nicole Leistikow