Oh la la Paris previews the hot new issue of reFresh.

· Over the weekend, the Cleveland Plain Dealer published a wonderful profile of a new resource for urban gay youth, the Beyond Identities Community Center. Counselors say more teens—especially those of color—are coming out and the center helps ease the transition. "Nationwide, inner-city gay kids of all backgrounds are coming out because of tolerant kin, urban-centric hangouts, more gay peers and a more accepting popular culture. The phenomenon is challenging everyone from pastors to gay leaders, who have either ignored or can't reach these urban youths."

· "Kevin Taylor and his church fill an extraordinary need in the lesbian and gay community," says Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality. News 12 and The Star-Ledger profiles the "charismatic" Rev Kev, pastor-activist-BET producer and his Unity Fellowship Church of New Brunswick. "Taylor said he recognized the need in the community for a church that welcomes gay and lesbian African-Americans. And even though the majority of the members are African-American lesbians, Taylor said his ministry is a place for everyone. 'I do not postulate to head a gay black church,' he said. 'Ministry is ministry is ministry.'"

· The Chicago Tribune discovers the underground ball scene and the burgeoning house community of Chicago. "In neighborhoods where being gay can be shameful, or even dangerous, the ball represents a chance for a small group of young black men to step out in over-the-top flamboyance, to act out what many of them suppress for the rest of the week."