From ThinkProgress.org: "Andy Towle is reporting that like the Texas GOP, the Montana Republican Party has adopted a platform that would criminalize “homosexual acts”:
Homosexual Acts
We support the clear will of the people of Montana expressed by legislation to keep homosexual acts illegal.
Ironically, the platform uses some form of the word “constitutional” at least 10 times and even argues that constitutionality should be decided by the states. But the Montana Supreme Court struck down the State’s sodomy law in 1997 and ruled that it violated the constitutional right to privacy. In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court found in Lawrence v. Texas that Texas’ “Homosexual Conduct” law — a measure outlawing oral and anal sex — unconstitutional. The Court ruled that the Texas statute “making it a crime for two persons of the same sex to engage in certain intimate sexual conduct violates the Due Process Clause.” “The liberty protected by the Constitution allows homosexual persons the right to choose to enter upon relationships in the confines of their homes and their own private lives and still retain their dignity as free persons,” the Court ruled in a 6-3 ruling."
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Pride (In The Name Of Love): Why the Gay Pride Parade Still Matters
From Chicagoist.com: "For some gay men and lesbians, the thought of going to the Gay Pride Parade is slightly cringe-inducing (the crowds! the noise! the heat!), vaguely uncool, and spiritually unsatisfying, and so they stay put on their housecoats and catch the highlights online or on the evening news. Gay Pride Parade fatigue is likely more common with older generations who have seen it all, or think they have, but in reality there are gay men and women of all ages that avoid the parade—which to them feels more like an excuse to party, than a political statement.
Cyon Flare (Robert Mitchell) has a unique insight into the minds and hearts of gay men, a skill she’s honed as the popular weekend host for Hydrate, one of the more prominent dance clubs in Boystown. Flare—a Billboard-charting recording artist—gives Chicagoist her take on Gay Pride Parade fatigue, half-naked boys on parade floats, and why gay men need to step away from the computer and start connecting in-person, at the parade. (Readers take note: the “fierce” is strong with this one, Obi-Wan.)
Chicagoist: You’ve heard people criticize the Gay Pride Parade, claiming the presence of outrageous, over-the-top drag queens and scantily clad go-go boys actually puts people off. How do you respond to that?
Cyon Flare: Gays—like a lot of people in this world—are outrageous and over-the-top for what they believe in—so that doesn’t concern me. What hurts us is when we march without a cause, and march without the knowledge of why pride parades exists in the first place. Stonewall was “yesterday” but the struggle goes on. I think we need to spend more time educating people and reminding them why we march—and still be outrageous! We must show our brothers and sisters, along with our [heterosexual] supporters, how to be naked and unashamed. We need our parades for the sake of presence! It’s a powerful tool if used wisely.
C: Is the Gay Pride Parade simply an excuse to party?
CF: It is a time to party openly and publicly, and to celebrate freedom and the right to exist in a world that constantly tells us that we can’t, or shouldn’t, exist or thrive. Gay and straight people do parties and festivals all the time. Why can’t we? Look at the events celebrating the Blackhawks or the Cubs. It is time to party! But, party with a cause, a purpose.
C: What does gay pride mean to you? What are some of your earliest memories of gay pride celebrations and how they impacted you as a person and a performer?
CF: For starters, “Pride” is not just a word, it’s a lifestyle, so come out and live it! For me, [Gay ] Pride started when my lesbian mom would say, after I ran home with bloody noses and black eyes from school or in the ‘hood, “Robby, don’t be afraid to fight back, they can’t take anything from you. Fight back by showing them they can’t stop you. When those that beat you up see you refuse to live in fear—that is strength.”
So, Pride, for me, is about never giving up, even when the odds are against you, and not being afraid to stand up for yourself. It’s funny—being beat up in the ‘hood is nothing compared to what other gay people do to each other. We use hateful words with each other. Some people use the word “bitch” just to say hello, and then use it to insult you. I mean, seriously, the world is watching gay people and how we treat each other! While working in the community, I see fighting and so much abuse, and it’s gays against gays— not straight. Yes, gay bashing and homophobia are still a problem with but we, I feel, are constantly bashing each other, which is far worse.
C: What is your response to those that can’t seem to shake that feeling of parade fatigue?
CF: I think that we’ll always have many age groups that suffer from pride parade fatigue, at some point in their lives. The key is to enjoy what you can [about Gay Pride celebrations], what you feel comfortable with, and to remain visible to the community. We need you 40-somethings; too many are tired, and I understand that, but the power of your presence makes a difference. Rise up, children rise!
C: As online social networking sites like Facebook and Grindr continue to evolve, why do you think participating in gay pride is more important now than ever before?
CF: People are so afraid to get hurt and they are looking for easy ways out or to avoid drama. Ironically, the drama changes form to suit the means. We are so afraid of face-to-face encounters. I know so many people that feel safer playing online games, rather than going out and being man or woman enough to interact with each other in-person.
I feel we need to have another coming out celebration: coming out of the house, getting off the computer, coming out of cyberspace, to enjoy the old fashion way of meeting and connecting. We must learn to celebrate when someone rejects us, because we are not meant to be lovers with everyone we meet or connect with. So, enjoy the moment for what it is, and learn to re-embrace that human side and face one another. Remember, pride is not just a word, it’s a lifestyle—so come out!"
Cyon Flare (Robert Mitchell) has a unique insight into the minds and hearts of gay men, a skill she’s honed as the popular weekend host for Hydrate, one of the more prominent dance clubs in Boystown. Flare—a Billboard-charting recording artist—gives Chicagoist her take on Gay Pride Parade fatigue, half-naked boys on parade floats, and why gay men need to step away from the computer and start connecting in-person, at the parade. (Readers take note: the “fierce” is strong with this one, Obi-Wan.)
Chicagoist: You’ve heard people criticize the Gay Pride Parade, claiming the presence of outrageous, over-the-top drag queens and scantily clad go-go boys actually puts people off. How do you respond to that?
Cyon Flare: Gays—like a lot of people in this world—are outrageous and over-the-top for what they believe in—so that doesn’t concern me. What hurts us is when we march without a cause, and march without the knowledge of why pride parades exists in the first place. Stonewall was “yesterday” but the struggle goes on. I think we need to spend more time educating people and reminding them why we march—and still be outrageous! We must show our brothers and sisters, along with our [heterosexual] supporters, how to be naked and unashamed. We need our parades for the sake of presence! It’s a powerful tool if used wisely.
C: Is the Gay Pride Parade simply an excuse to party?
CF: It is a time to party openly and publicly, and to celebrate freedom and the right to exist in a world that constantly tells us that we can’t, or shouldn’t, exist or thrive. Gay and straight people do parties and festivals all the time. Why can’t we? Look at the events celebrating the Blackhawks or the Cubs. It is time to party! But, party with a cause, a purpose.
C: What does gay pride mean to you? What are some of your earliest memories of gay pride celebrations and how they impacted you as a person and a performer?
CF: For starters, “Pride” is not just a word, it’s a lifestyle, so come out and live it! For me, [Gay ] Pride started when my lesbian mom would say, after I ran home with bloody noses and black eyes from school or in the ‘hood, “Robby, don’t be afraid to fight back, they can’t take anything from you. Fight back by showing them they can’t stop you. When those that beat you up see you refuse to live in fear—that is strength.”
So, Pride, for me, is about never giving up, even when the odds are against you, and not being afraid to stand up for yourself. It’s funny—being beat up in the ‘hood is nothing compared to what other gay people do to each other. We use hateful words with each other. Some people use the word “bitch” just to say hello, and then use it to insult you. I mean, seriously, the world is watching gay people and how we treat each other! While working in the community, I see fighting and so much abuse, and it’s gays against gays— not straight. Yes, gay bashing and homophobia are still a problem with but we, I feel, are constantly bashing each other, which is far worse.
C: What is your response to those that can’t seem to shake that feeling of parade fatigue?
CF: I think that we’ll always have many age groups that suffer from pride parade fatigue, at some point in their lives. The key is to enjoy what you can [about Gay Pride celebrations], what you feel comfortable with, and to remain visible to the community. We need you 40-somethings; too many are tired, and I understand that, but the power of your presence makes a difference. Rise up, children rise!
C: As online social networking sites like Facebook and Grindr continue to evolve, why do you think participating in gay pride is more important now than ever before?
CF: People are so afraid to get hurt and they are looking for easy ways out or to avoid drama. Ironically, the drama changes form to suit the means. We are so afraid of face-to-face encounters. I know so many people that feel safer playing online games, rather than going out and being man or woman enough to interact with each other in-person.
I feel we need to have another coming out celebration: coming out of the house, getting off the computer, coming out of cyberspace, to enjoy the old fashion way of meeting and connecting. We must learn to celebrate when someone rejects us, because we are not meant to be lovers with everyone we meet or connect with. So, enjoy the moment for what it is, and learn to re-embrace that human side and face one another. Remember, pride is not just a word, it’s a lifestyle—so come out!"
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Smithsonian Museum Puts Gays In The Vault
From HuffingtonPost.com: "A dozen picket signs on old wooden sticks carry the DNA of the gay civil equality movement in America. Forty-five years ago, this month, in 1965, these pickets were held high by men and women considered among the first generation of LGBT activists in front of Lyndon Johnson's White House.
With the men wearing jackets and ties and tailored skirts for the ladies, all arrived neatly dressed to disarm the looks of fellow citizens, while their hand-lettered signs proclaimed unimaginable things like "First Class Citizenship for Homosexuals". Despite their professional appearances, this handful of men and women on this history-making picket line, knew perfectly well that their conduct literally put themselves and their jobs on the line, in broad daylight.
Today, however, those brave pickets are stored in the dark of a Smithsonian vault, where they have been held for they past four years, ever since they first were presented to The National Museum of American History.
In 2006, the original protest pickets were donated to the Smithsonian by The Kameny Papers Project, funded in part by former Congressman Michael Huffington and other generous friends and allies. Frank Kameny is often considered the still living father of the gay civil equality movement in Washington, D.C. and led many such picket lines in his day. Fired by the federal government in 1957 because he was gay, Kameny responded in righteous fury that such an action could be taken against him, a World War II veteran who had seen combat in Germany, a Harvard-educated astronomer determined to work for America's nascent space program.
Like many Americans, he sought nothing more than to be an equal part of JFK's "New Frontier" and Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society", yet was locked out, then forced change and acceptance by his nation's government over the following decades by sheer application of his wits and his will. The man has lived even to see a Washington, D.C. street named for him this month, "Frank Kameny Way".
So how is it that the nation's treasured museum, our Smithsonian Institution, can keep these very special artifacts in the vault? To be fair, it takes time for a museum the size and quality of this great institution to curate and interpret artifacts of contemporary history.
However, beyond the pickets, even if a casual visitor or respected historian pays a call today, he or she will quickly discover there is not a single gay or lesbian story told in the entire National Museum of American History.
In our nation's capital - for over two centuries, our city often has witnessed and staged the struggles for many Americans fighting to achieve their full measure of equality and visibility. Within the Smithsonian, in fact, you will see their stories chronicled, their sacrifices narrated, their faces displayed. Major exhibits on "American Ideals", "Public Opinion", "Communities", "The Price of Liberty", "Culture" and "Science in the Public Eye" make absolutely no reference whatever to LGBT Americans. It is a time warp in itself, to see this absence given how the country and public opinion have changed since World War II, and how many nationally respected historians, story-tellers and journalists have documented LGBT contributions and challenges, including even our generation's terrible HIV/AIDS epidemic. You will search in vain to find today on exhibit even a piece of the AIDS quilt, or a single mention of gay and lesbian involvement in politics, civics, culture or war. Within the Smithsonian - the nation's lens on American history - we remain invisible.
In contrast, in 2006, the Kameny Papers Project donated nearly 50,000 items to The Library of Congress. These documents have been catalogued in their entirety and are now fully available to anyone with a Library card. The Library also knows that they have a responsibility not merely to keep these documents under lock and key on their shelves. This month, as part of their LGBT Pride activities, the Library of Congress launched an innovative, new web portal focusing largely on the Kameny archive, along with the papers of gay civil rights leader Bayard Rustin and other prominent writers and doers, with a very generous Introduction by our national Librarian James Billington. The Library of Congress sets the standard for telling the story of all Americans who envision, celebrate, build and defend American liberty.
The National Museum of American History plays an especially important role among all Smithsonian museums. It tells the story of freedom, and how that freedom has steadily expanded to include all Americans from the abolition of slavery, to granting women the right to vote, to the African-American civil rights movement of the Sixties, to defending the rights of the disabled. It is past time to bring LGBT Americans out of the vault and into the fold of that liberty story, where we belong, at the Smithsonian and to be shared with all Americans
Charles Francis is the founder of the Kameny Papers Project. Bob Witeck is CEO of Witeck Combs Communications."
With the men wearing jackets and ties and tailored skirts for the ladies, all arrived neatly dressed to disarm the looks of fellow citizens, while their hand-lettered signs proclaimed unimaginable things like "First Class Citizenship for Homosexuals". Despite their professional appearances, this handful of men and women on this history-making picket line, knew perfectly well that their conduct literally put themselves and their jobs on the line, in broad daylight.
Today, however, those brave pickets are stored in the dark of a Smithsonian vault, where they have been held for they past four years, ever since they first were presented to The National Museum of American History.
In 2006, the original protest pickets were donated to the Smithsonian by The Kameny Papers Project, funded in part by former Congressman Michael Huffington and other generous friends and allies. Frank Kameny is often considered the still living father of the gay civil equality movement in Washington, D.C. and led many such picket lines in his day. Fired by the federal government in 1957 because he was gay, Kameny responded in righteous fury that such an action could be taken against him, a World War II veteran who had seen combat in Germany, a Harvard-educated astronomer determined to work for America's nascent space program.
Like many Americans, he sought nothing more than to be an equal part of JFK's "New Frontier" and Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society", yet was locked out, then forced change and acceptance by his nation's government over the following decades by sheer application of his wits and his will. The man has lived even to see a Washington, D.C. street named for him this month, "Frank Kameny Way".
So how is it that the nation's treasured museum, our Smithsonian Institution, can keep these very special artifacts in the vault? To be fair, it takes time for a museum the size and quality of this great institution to curate and interpret artifacts of contemporary history.
However, beyond the pickets, even if a casual visitor or respected historian pays a call today, he or she will quickly discover there is not a single gay or lesbian story told in the entire National Museum of American History.
In our nation's capital - for over two centuries, our city often has witnessed and staged the struggles for many Americans fighting to achieve their full measure of equality and visibility. Within the Smithsonian, in fact, you will see their stories chronicled, their sacrifices narrated, their faces displayed. Major exhibits on "American Ideals", "Public Opinion", "Communities", "The Price of Liberty", "Culture" and "Science in the Public Eye" make absolutely no reference whatever to LGBT Americans. It is a time warp in itself, to see this absence given how the country and public opinion have changed since World War II, and how many nationally respected historians, story-tellers and journalists have documented LGBT contributions and challenges, including even our generation's terrible HIV/AIDS epidemic. You will search in vain to find today on exhibit even a piece of the AIDS quilt, or a single mention of gay and lesbian involvement in politics, civics, culture or war. Within the Smithsonian - the nation's lens on American history - we remain invisible.
In contrast, in 2006, the Kameny Papers Project donated nearly 50,000 items to The Library of Congress. These documents have been catalogued in their entirety and are now fully available to anyone with a Library card. The Library also knows that they have a responsibility not merely to keep these documents under lock and key on their shelves. This month, as part of their LGBT Pride activities, the Library of Congress launched an innovative, new web portal focusing largely on the Kameny archive, along with the papers of gay civil rights leader Bayard Rustin and other prominent writers and doers, with a very generous Introduction by our national Librarian James Billington. The Library of Congress sets the standard for telling the story of all Americans who envision, celebrate, build and defend American liberty.
The National Museum of American History plays an especially important role among all Smithsonian museums. It tells the story of freedom, and how that freedom has steadily expanded to include all Americans from the abolition of slavery, to granting women the right to vote, to the African-American civil rights movement of the Sixties, to defending the rights of the disabled. It is past time to bring LGBT Americans out of the vault and into the fold of that liberty story, where we belong, at the Smithsonian and to be shared with all Americans
Charles Francis is the founder of the Kameny Papers Project. Bob Witeck is CEO of Witeck Combs Communications."
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Take Back Pride
From GoodAsYou.org: "The LGBT community's annual pride celebrations were born out of activism. It was seen as a time to bust out of closets and bound into the streets, an act of liberation in an all-too-constraining world. One part celebration, one part call to action.
But while the sense of liberation has remained and the joy of celebration has grown exponentially, the activism has a tendency to take a back seat in modern parades. I get that. Everyone wants to celebrate, especially in the summer. It's understandable that marginalized people would want a day to just shut down, throw on some glitter, and fight not to obtain equal rights but rather to get to the front of the bar to obtain that frozen rainbow cocktail. Make mine a double.
This year, we are at an interesting point in time. We have what might be the most favorable political landscape we will see for quite some time. We are in an election year, where we need to fight like LGBT Partiers to maintain some of those allied seats in all areas of government. And we have a list of promises for which we need to hold those who are already in office accountable. We have to rise up before the opportunity passes us by. Or better yet: We have to rise up so as to sustain whatever opportunity we currently have.
That's why I, Jeremy, have signed on to this new effort to bring a renewed sense of activism to this year's pride celebrations. Check it out and see what you think:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 13, 2010
"TAKE BACK PRIDE" CAMPAIGN HOPES TO EDUCATE LGBT COMMUNITY AND ALLIES
TAKEBACKPRIDE.ORG
(NEW YORK, NY) April 13, 2010 - In response to the current political environment and in the interest of unifying the work of LGBT Organizations around the country, Take Back Pride is a new campaign aimed towards educating our community and the citizens of the United States on the many inequalities we currently face.
Over the past forty years, since the very first Pride March, we feel that some of the aspects of protest have disappeared from many Pride celebrations. While it remains alive and well in some places, we believe that through education and inclusion of ALL members of our community, we can work to actually use our incredibly diverse and beautiful marches to advance our civil rights.
The website, which will continue to be updated as we move ahead, will serve as a resource to those willing to participate in the campaign. While we are based in New York and are in communication with Heritage of Pride NYC in the hopes of working together on this project, we hope to include citizens in every part of the US in Taking Back Pride.
Please consider the attached letter and endorsements as an open letter to our community and allies.
***
April 13, 2010
Dear Members of the LGBTQ Community, Our Allies and Community Partners,
While last year we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of our liberation at Stonewall on the last Sunday of June in 1969, we are celebrating another anniversary in 2010. And we need to do it right.
On the last Sunday in June 1970, Gay Liberation Front and Gay Activists Alliance, in
commemoration of the Stonewall riots, staged the first “Gay Liberation Day March.”
Organizers in Los Angeles and San Francisco also held marches that day.
We have much to celebrate. As a community we have struggled and fought for our very
lives. Together, we have accomplished what at one time was a fantasy at best. Our sexual
liberation has been celebrated every year now for 40 years with what was once a march
and is now a parade, in the streets of New York and dozens of other cities across the
country and the world.
This year, in light of the major battles we have ahead of us, we are asking for all of you to
join us in taking back pride. While we have so much to be proud of in what we have
accomplished as a community, this fight is far from over. We want our community to not
only remember those who have fought and died before us, but to forge ahead in the
struggle -- so that our children may one day live truly free and equal lives in this country.
The organizers of Pride Marches around the country work tirelessly over the course of the
year to bring us the most inclusive marches and celebrations in the world. We want to help
those organizers by working with them to implement plans for education and protest within
our marches.
We know that our community is made up of every race, creed, religious affiliation and
political background imaginable. We come from everywhere, from Africa to New Zealand.
We represent Conservatives and Socialists. We are made up of Catholics and Buddhists
alike. The time has come to embrace our ideals and differences and remember that what
we have in common as a community - is our strength.
For Pride 2010, we ask that organizers and participants of marches around this great
country take this opportunity to be heard. Yell. Scream. Chant. Wear your chaps and
thongs, but carry a sign while you do it. Put on your most sequined ball gown, but shout
for your rights as you flaunt your fabulousness. The sheer number of people who turn out
in the streets this June will send a clear message around the world that we are not content
with what we have. We are somebody. We deserve full equality.
If you’re marching with a group, ask your group what they are angry about. It could be
Marriage Inequality, or Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. It could be that in 31 states, you can still be
fired for being gay (see the “What Are You Angry About” section on this page.)
We owe it to our community and to those young gay people who are still afraid to say who
they are to TAKE BACK PRIDE. Make your signs. Create your chants. It’s time for us all
to remember this is a march, not a parade. This is OUR celebration of who we are and it
has the potential to once again be something we are ALL truly proud of.
On Tuesday, May 11th in New York City, we will be having a community town hall
discussion about what we can do to Take Back Pride. We encourage all groups
participating in Pride to take part. And for those of you outside New York, the meeting will
be posted on YouTube. You may also visit www.TakeBackPride.org to see how YOU can
help Take Back Pride.
Jamie McGonnigal
www.TalkAboutEquality.org
Lt. Dan Choi
US National Guard
NYC Pride Grand Marshall
Robin McGehee
GetEqual
Alan Bounville
Member-Queer Rising, New York
Brandon Brock
Western Queens for Marriage Equality
Tituss Burgess
Broadway Actor - The Little Mermaid
Andrew Conte
Marti Gould Cummings
Co-Founder, Broadway Speaks OUT!
Natasha Dillon
Member - Queer Rising, New York
Matt Doyle
Broadway Actor - Bye Bye Birdie
Peter Dunn
DrinkingforaChange.org
Eric Ethington
PRIDE In Your Community
http://prideinutah.com
Justin Elzie
Activist & Writer
Todd (Tiff) Fernandez, Esq
David John Fleck
Get Equal; Activist
Marcelo Gomes
Principal Dancer - American Ballet Theatre
Blake Hayes
BlakeHayes.com
Jeremy Hooper
www.GoodAsYou.org
Jordan Fife Hunt
www.TalkAboutEquality.org
Hugh Hysell
Hugh Hysell Communications
Corey Johnson
Towleroad.com
Tom Johnson
Partner in Therapy & Barrage
Jenny Kanelos
Broadway Impact
Adam Kern
Jim Klever-Weis
Executive Producer - Ugly Betty
Jennifer Michaud
Graphic Designer - Take Back Pride logo
Rebecca Louise Miller
Actor - “Prayers for Bobby”
David Mixner
DavidMixner.com
Rich Murray
Member-Queer Rising, New York
Scott Nevins
TV Personality truTV’s “The Smoking Gun
Presents”
Dan Nicoletta
Photographer
Ann Northrop
Co-host, GAY USA
Rory O’Malley
Broadway Impact
Ken O’Neill
Author of “The Marrying Kind”
Randy Redd
We are the Song:After the Storm
Chris Ryan
Chris Ryan Productions
Christopher Sieber
Broadway Actor - Shrek, The Kid
Melissa Sklarz
Guy Smith & Robert Montenegro
Activists: MENY, The Power, Married
10/17/08 Tujunga, CA.
Tom Viola
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
If you would like to add your name or your organization to this list, please email us at takebackpride@gmail.com.
But while the sense of liberation has remained and the joy of celebration has grown exponentially, the activism has a tendency to take a back seat in modern parades. I get that. Everyone wants to celebrate, especially in the summer. It's understandable that marginalized people would want a day to just shut down, throw on some glitter, and fight not to obtain equal rights but rather to get to the front of the bar to obtain that frozen rainbow cocktail. Make mine a double.
This year, we are at an interesting point in time. We have what might be the most favorable political landscape we will see for quite some time. We are in an election year, where we need to fight like LGBT Partiers to maintain some of those allied seats in all areas of government. And we have a list of promises for which we need to hold those who are already in office accountable. We have to rise up before the opportunity passes us by. Or better yet: We have to rise up so as to sustain whatever opportunity we currently have.
That's why I, Jeremy, have signed on to this new effort to bring a renewed sense of activism to this year's pride celebrations. Check it out and see what you think:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 13, 2010
"TAKE BACK PRIDE" CAMPAIGN HOPES TO EDUCATE LGBT COMMUNITY AND ALLIES
TAKEBACKPRIDE.ORG
(NEW YORK, NY) April 13, 2010 - In response to the current political environment and in the interest of unifying the work of LGBT Organizations around the country, Take Back Pride is a new campaign aimed towards educating our community and the citizens of the United States on the many inequalities we currently face.
Over the past forty years, since the very first Pride March, we feel that some of the aspects of protest have disappeared from many Pride celebrations. While it remains alive and well in some places, we believe that through education and inclusion of ALL members of our community, we can work to actually use our incredibly diverse and beautiful marches to advance our civil rights.
The website, which will continue to be updated as we move ahead, will serve as a resource to those willing to participate in the campaign. While we are based in New York and are in communication with Heritage of Pride NYC in the hopes of working together on this project, we hope to include citizens in every part of the US in Taking Back Pride.
Please consider the attached letter and endorsements as an open letter to our community and allies.
***
April 13, 2010
Dear Members of the LGBTQ Community, Our Allies and Community Partners,
While last year we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of our liberation at Stonewall on the last Sunday of June in 1969, we are celebrating another anniversary in 2010. And we need to do it right.
On the last Sunday in June 1970, Gay Liberation Front and Gay Activists Alliance, in
commemoration of the Stonewall riots, staged the first “Gay Liberation Day March.”
Organizers in Los Angeles and San Francisco also held marches that day.
We have much to celebrate. As a community we have struggled and fought for our very
lives. Together, we have accomplished what at one time was a fantasy at best. Our sexual
liberation has been celebrated every year now for 40 years with what was once a march
and is now a parade, in the streets of New York and dozens of other cities across the
country and the world.
This year, in light of the major battles we have ahead of us, we are asking for all of you to
join us in taking back pride. While we have so much to be proud of in what we have
accomplished as a community, this fight is far from over. We want our community to not
only remember those who have fought and died before us, but to forge ahead in the
struggle -- so that our children may one day live truly free and equal lives in this country.
The organizers of Pride Marches around the country work tirelessly over the course of the
year to bring us the most inclusive marches and celebrations in the world. We want to help
those organizers by working with them to implement plans for education and protest within
our marches.
We know that our community is made up of every race, creed, religious affiliation and
political background imaginable. We come from everywhere, from Africa to New Zealand.
We represent Conservatives and Socialists. We are made up of Catholics and Buddhists
alike. The time has come to embrace our ideals and differences and remember that what
we have in common as a community - is our strength.
For Pride 2010, we ask that organizers and participants of marches around this great
country take this opportunity to be heard. Yell. Scream. Chant. Wear your chaps and
thongs, but carry a sign while you do it. Put on your most sequined ball gown, but shout
for your rights as you flaunt your fabulousness. The sheer number of people who turn out
in the streets this June will send a clear message around the world that we are not content
with what we have. We are somebody. We deserve full equality.
If you’re marching with a group, ask your group what they are angry about. It could be
Marriage Inequality, or Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. It could be that in 31 states, you can still be
fired for being gay (see the “What Are You Angry About” section on this page.)
We owe it to our community and to those young gay people who are still afraid to say who
they are to TAKE BACK PRIDE. Make your signs. Create your chants. It’s time for us all
to remember this is a march, not a parade. This is OUR celebration of who we are and it
has the potential to once again be something we are ALL truly proud of.
On Tuesday, May 11th in New York City, we will be having a community town hall
discussion about what we can do to Take Back Pride. We encourage all groups
participating in Pride to take part. And for those of you outside New York, the meeting will
be posted on YouTube. You may also visit www.TakeBackPride.org to see how YOU can
help Take Back Pride.
Jamie McGonnigal
www.TalkAboutEquality.org
Lt. Dan Choi
US National Guard
NYC Pride Grand Marshall
Robin McGehee
GetEqual
Alan Bounville
Member-Queer Rising, New York
Brandon Brock
Western Queens for Marriage Equality
Tituss Burgess
Broadway Actor - The Little Mermaid
Andrew Conte
Marti Gould Cummings
Co-Founder, Broadway Speaks OUT!
Natasha Dillon
Member - Queer Rising, New York
Matt Doyle
Broadway Actor - Bye Bye Birdie
Peter Dunn
DrinkingforaChange.org
Eric Ethington
PRIDE In Your Community
http://prideinutah.com
Justin Elzie
Activist & Writer
Todd (Tiff) Fernandez, Esq
David John Fleck
Get Equal; Activist
Marcelo Gomes
Principal Dancer - American Ballet Theatre
Blake Hayes
BlakeHayes.com
Jeremy Hooper
www.GoodAsYou.org
Jordan Fife Hunt
www.TalkAboutEquality.org
Hugh Hysell
Hugh Hysell Communications
Corey Johnson
Towleroad.com
Tom Johnson
Partner in Therapy & Barrage
Jenny Kanelos
Broadway Impact
Adam Kern
Jim Klever-Weis
Executive Producer - Ugly Betty
Jennifer Michaud
Graphic Designer - Take Back Pride logo
Rebecca Louise Miller
Actor - “Prayers for Bobby”
David Mixner
DavidMixner.com
Rich Murray
Member-Queer Rising, New York
Scott Nevins
TV Personality truTV’s “The Smoking Gun
Presents”
Dan Nicoletta
Photographer
Ann Northrop
Co-host, GAY USA
Rory O’Malley
Broadway Impact
Ken O’Neill
Author of “The Marrying Kind”
Randy Redd
We are the Song:After the Storm
Chris Ryan
Chris Ryan Productions
Christopher Sieber
Broadway Actor - Shrek, The Kid
Melissa Sklarz
Guy Smith & Robert Montenegro
Activists: MENY, The Power, Married
10/17/08 Tujunga, CA.
Tom Viola
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
If you would like to add your name or your organization to this list, please email us at takebackpride@gmail.com.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Investigations and Discharges Under DADT Will Continue
Pentagon: Investigations and Discharges Under
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Will Continue
SLDN issued warnings to service members before and after the recent House floor and Senate committee votes
on repeal amendment
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), a national, legal services and policy organization dedicated to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), responded today after a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed to the Denver Post that investigations and discharges of gay and lesbian service members will continue. Cynthia Smith, a Pentagon spokesperson, said: "The law is still in effect, and if someone were to out themselves, we would have to begin the discharge process." SLDN issued warnings to gay and lesbian service members before and after the recent House floor and Senate committee votes on an amendment that would allow for the repeal of the law. Gay and lesbian service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline: 202-328-3244 x100 or email legal@sldn.org. Any service member with questions about DADT can schedule an appointment for free, confidential legal advice with an SLDN attorney.
"The Pentagon is being very clear that they will continue the discharges and gay and lesbian active-duty service members, including those in the reserves and the national guard, remain at risk," said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "Even with the recent votes in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee, the discharges are continuing. Qualified men and women of our armed forces will continue to be fired from their jobs and it is putting our national security at risk. And even despite the new 'more humane' Pentagon Instructions, we are aware of an 'O-7' - a one-star general - signing off on a discharge very recently. Congress and the Pentagon need to stay on track to get repeal finalized, hopefully no later than first quarter 2011."
"'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' continues to be the law, and lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members remain vulnerable to being discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation," said Aaron Tax, legal director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "It is not safe to come out or serve openly until the process of repeal is complete. During this time, continue to check with SLDN regarding changes in the law, changes to the regulations, and what impact, if any, these developments mean for your ability to serve openly."
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Will Continue
SLDN issued warnings to service members before and after the recent House floor and Senate committee votes
on repeal amendment
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), a national, legal services and policy organization dedicated to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), responded today after a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed to the Denver Post that investigations and discharges of gay and lesbian service members will continue. Cynthia Smith, a Pentagon spokesperson, said: "The law is still in effect, and if someone were to out themselves, we would have to begin the discharge process." SLDN issued warnings to gay and lesbian service members before and after the recent House floor and Senate committee votes on an amendment that would allow for the repeal of the law. Gay and lesbian service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline: 202-328-3244 x100 or email legal@sldn.org. Any service member with questions about DADT can schedule an appointment for free, confidential legal advice with an SLDN attorney.
"The Pentagon is being very clear that they will continue the discharges and gay and lesbian active-duty service members, including those in the reserves and the national guard, remain at risk," said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "Even with the recent votes in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee, the discharges are continuing. Qualified men and women of our armed forces will continue to be fired from their jobs and it is putting our national security at risk. And even despite the new 'more humane' Pentagon Instructions, we are aware of an 'O-7' - a one-star general - signing off on a discharge very recently. Congress and the Pentagon need to stay on track to get repeal finalized, hopefully no later than first quarter 2011."
"'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' continues to be the law, and lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members remain vulnerable to being discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation," said Aaron Tax, legal director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "It is not safe to come out or serve openly until the process of repeal is complete. During this time, continue to check with SLDN regarding changes in the law, changes to the regulations, and what impact, if any, these developments mean for your ability to serve openly."
Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" study draws fire from advocates, gay soldiers
From DenverPost.com: "WASHINGTON — A group representing more than 250 gay and lesbian active-duty soldiers has issued a letter criticizing the months-long process the Pentagon is undertaking to examine the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy and allow homosexuals to openly serve in the military.
The letter, sent Monday to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, criticizes the lack of input from gay and lesbian soldiers. It claims that lack of input "will result in failure to show that the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy has allowed the worst of atrocities to occur in our military and go unreported."
The problem for gay and lesbian service members is that as long as "don't ask, don't tell" is in effect, they can not openly discuss their experiences.
"The law is still in effect, and if someone were to out themselves, we would have to begin the discharge process," said Cynthia Smith, a Pentagon spokeswoman.
But, she emphasized, the group gathering information about "don't ask, don't tell" understands that it is "very important to get feedback from gay and lesbian members currently serving, and we are developing tools to gather that information."
The letter highlights that gays and lesbians already serve openly in many units with tolerant commanders and claims such units should be studied to understand how and why they work, something impossible under the study's restrictions.
"Our heterosexual counterparts see their gay and lesbian brothers and sisters at arms being unjustifiably called 'a social experiment' and 'potential rapists' while no leadership defends us," said the letter from Citizens for Repeal, which grew out of a group of gay cadets at the Air Force Academy and now encompasses gay and lesbian service personnel from all five military branches.
"The very groups that make these claims have direct access to the Pentagon working group, but gay and lesbian soldiers who risk their lives every day, do not," the letter said.
Citizens for Repeal is withholding the names of the gay military members who support the letter because they would be subject to discharge if their identities were known, said Ty Walrod, Citizens for Repeal's civilian spokesman.
Pentagon officials conceded that they are limited in the ways that they can collect information for the study, due Dec. 1, which commanders told Congress in February would be key to repealing a policy still popular with many in the military.
However, officials said they are also setting up work- arounds that might include a hotline or anonymous interviews done by a third-party contractor.
Military members and their families can also anonymously post information on a website set up by the 65-member comprehensive review working group, tasked by Gates to do the study. But the limit of those comments is 1,000 characters — or less than 250 words.
Much of the information for the study is being gathered by working group teams, which are holding forums that include several hundred people at a time on and around military bases. The forums are meant to gather views on how repeal could affect unit readiness and cohesion as well as recruiting.
According to a compromise worked out last month in the Senate, the president must certify that military readiness won't be adversely affected before repeal can take effect.
Members of Citizens for Repeal say the organization grew out of the need for mutual support among gays and lesbians serving under "don't ask, don't tell," including harassment, blackmail or the inability to report crimes because it might also involve outing themselves and thus ending their careers.
Many of those stories can't be told under the current process, they say, despite the millions of dollars the Pentagon is spending on the study.
"They're missing a lot," a gay Air Force officer and member of the group said of the Pentagon investigators.
"They need to learn how gay soldiers and straight soldiers are getting along right now and how we can make that work across the whole military. That's how they can learn about the relationships and how we can get past the barriers and the stigma."
Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., said Tuesday that he'd read the letter and had contacted the Pentagon over the issue.
"I will be on close watch to ensure that gay and lesbian service members currently serving in the military who participate and answer questions as part of Secretary Gates' review are able to speak openly and honestly about their experiences without fear of retaliation," Udall said."
The letter, sent Monday to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, criticizes the lack of input from gay and lesbian soldiers. It claims that lack of input "will result in failure to show that the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy has allowed the worst of atrocities to occur in our military and go unreported."
The problem for gay and lesbian service members is that as long as "don't ask, don't tell" is in effect, they can not openly discuss their experiences.
"The law is still in effect, and if someone were to out themselves, we would have to begin the discharge process," said Cynthia Smith, a Pentagon spokeswoman.
But, she emphasized, the group gathering information about "don't ask, don't tell" understands that it is "very important to get feedback from gay and lesbian members currently serving, and we are developing tools to gather that information."
The letter highlights that gays and lesbians already serve openly in many units with tolerant commanders and claims such units should be studied to understand how and why they work, something impossible under the study's restrictions.
"Our heterosexual counterparts see their gay and lesbian brothers and sisters at arms being unjustifiably called 'a social experiment' and 'potential rapists' while no leadership defends us," said the letter from Citizens for Repeal, which grew out of a group of gay cadets at the Air Force Academy and now encompasses gay and lesbian service personnel from all five military branches.
"The very groups that make these claims have direct access to the Pentagon working group, but gay and lesbian soldiers who risk their lives every day, do not," the letter said.
Citizens for Repeal is withholding the names of the gay military members who support the letter because they would be subject to discharge if their identities were known, said Ty Walrod, Citizens for Repeal's civilian spokesman.
Pentagon officials conceded that they are limited in the ways that they can collect information for the study, due Dec. 1, which commanders told Congress in February would be key to repealing a policy still popular with many in the military.
However, officials said they are also setting up work- arounds that might include a hotline or anonymous interviews done by a third-party contractor.
Military members and their families can also anonymously post information on a website set up by the 65-member comprehensive review working group, tasked by Gates to do the study. But the limit of those comments is 1,000 characters — or less than 250 words.
Much of the information for the study is being gathered by working group teams, which are holding forums that include several hundred people at a time on and around military bases. The forums are meant to gather views on how repeal could affect unit readiness and cohesion as well as recruiting.
According to a compromise worked out last month in the Senate, the president must certify that military readiness won't be adversely affected before repeal can take effect.
Members of Citizens for Repeal say the organization grew out of the need for mutual support among gays and lesbians serving under "don't ask, don't tell," including harassment, blackmail or the inability to report crimes because it might also involve outing themselves and thus ending their careers.
Many of those stories can't be told under the current process, they say, despite the millions of dollars the Pentagon is spending on the study.
"They're missing a lot," a gay Air Force officer and member of the group said of the Pentagon investigators.
"They need to learn how gay soldiers and straight soldiers are getting along right now and how we can make that work across the whole military. That's how they can learn about the relationships and how we can get past the barriers and the stigma."
Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., said Tuesday that he'd read the letter and had contacted the Pentagon over the issue.
"I will be on close watch to ensure that gay and lesbian service members currently serving in the military who participate and answer questions as part of Secretary Gates' review are able to speak openly and honestly about their experiences without fear of retaliation," Udall said."
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton Opposes 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal
From HuffingtonPost.com: "WASHINGTON — The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday said he thinks the military should keep its ban on openly gay service members in part because he doesn't want to open a national discussion about homosexuality.
Rep. Ike Skelton, a conservative Missouri Democrat, said he thinks the debate in Congress over the proposed repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" law might force families to explain homosexuality to their children.
"What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?" Skelton asked reporters during a media breakfast.
Gay rights groups argue that the United States is much more comfortable talking about homosexuality than in the past.
The House voted 234-194 last month to overturn the 17-year-old law. Skelton was among the 26 Democrats who joined 168 Republicans in opposing the bill.
Skelton told reporters that no one in his district has raised the issue with him, but he says he still doesn't think the discussion is family-friendly enough.
"My biggest concern are the families," he said.
Rep. Ike Skelton, a conservative Missouri Democrat, said he thinks the debate in Congress over the proposed repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" law might force families to explain homosexuality to their children.
"What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?" Skelton asked reporters during a media breakfast.
Gay rights groups argue that the United States is much more comfortable talking about homosexuality than in the past.
The House voted 234-194 last month to overturn the 17-year-old law. Skelton was among the 26 Democrats who joined 168 Republicans in opposing the bill.
Skelton told reporters that no one in his district has raised the issue with him, but he says he still doesn't think the discussion is family-friendly enough.
"My biggest concern are the families," he said.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Right-wing ‘media watchdog’ is outraged that ‘Glee’ doesn’t have friendly homophobic characters
From ThinkProgress.org: "L. Brent Bozell III, right-wing scion and president of the conservative “media watchdog” group the Media Research Center, wrote a column today in TownHall to express his absolute outrage at the television show “Glee” for promoting a “homosexual lifestyle.” Bozell, whose “think-tank” is funded by foundation money from David and Julie Koch of the oil conglomerate Koch Industries and ExxonMobil, among other corporate sources, denounced the show for portraying opponents of homosexuality as “vicious school bullies.” Bozell lamented the fact that that Glee’s homophobes were “two brutish football players” who “threatened to pummel the openly gay and riotously effeminate character Kurt for dressing up like a girl”:
“Bill O’Reilly recently hosted a “culture warriors” segment at Fox News where both “warriors” agreed that homosexuality is morally acceptable. That same no-debate mentality has been a regular drumbeat on the Fox television series “Glee,” a musical drama/comedy about a high school glee club in Lima, Ohio. [...] The only characters on the show disapproving of homosexuality are vicious school bullies. In the May 25 episode, two brutish football players threatened to pummel the openly gay and riotously effeminate character Kurt for dressing up like a girl. Everyone else in this series approves, endorses or participates in the homosexual lifestyle.“
While it may seem astounding that Bozell found the urge to whine that “this show has presented gay as the ‘new normal,’” and that “Glee” lacks enough friendly gay-bashers, his complaints are par for the course for his organization, which is considered a mainstream conservative establishment. Yesterday, Bozell’s bloggers tried to drum up an absurd conspiracy theory, accusing Time magazine of printing a picture of the World Cup logo that looks “strikingly like that of the Obama logo
“Bill O’Reilly recently hosted a “culture warriors” segment at Fox News where both “warriors” agreed that homosexuality is morally acceptable. That same no-debate mentality has been a regular drumbeat on the Fox television series “Glee,” a musical drama/comedy about a high school glee club in Lima, Ohio. [...] The only characters on the show disapproving of homosexuality are vicious school bullies. In the May 25 episode, two brutish football players threatened to pummel the openly gay and riotously effeminate character Kurt for dressing up like a girl. Everyone else in this series approves, endorses or participates in the homosexual lifestyle.“
While it may seem astounding that Bozell found the urge to whine that “this show has presented gay as the ‘new normal,’” and that “Glee” lacks enough friendly gay-bashers, his complaints are par for the course for his organization, which is considered a mainstream conservative establishment. Yesterday, Bozell’s bloggers tried to drum up an absurd conspiracy theory, accusing Time magazine of printing a picture of the World Cup logo that looks “strikingly like that of the Obama logo
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Jennifer Holliday & Crystal Waters Headline St. Louis Pridefest
From Stltoday.com: "Singer Jennifer Holliday, one of the original “Dreamgirls” on Broadway, headlines PrideFest’s main stage entertainment June 26 at Tower Grove Park.
PrideFest is June 26-27.
Also on the main stage June 26, hosted by Dieta Pepsi and Trish Busch, are the Grave Dolls, CHARIS, Gateway Men’s Chorus, Anti-Gravity, Josh Zuckerman, Pride St. Louis Royalty Court, and Jen Foster.
On the main stage June 27, hosted by Michelle McCausland, is Crystal Waters, Summer Osborne and Band, Josh Duffy, and Eric & the Adams.
PrideFest will include the official Pride Parade, Morgan Ford Pet Parade, a dance pavilion, and a commitment ceremony.
Ultra, the after party, is June 26 on the Atomic Cowboy patio with Peppermint, Lola Van Ella, and more.
Get more information at www.pridestl.com, or at alivemag.com for the Ultra party."
PrideFest is June 26-27.
Also on the main stage June 26, hosted by Dieta Pepsi and Trish Busch, are the Grave Dolls, CHARIS, Gateway Men’s Chorus, Anti-Gravity, Josh Zuckerman, Pride St. Louis Royalty Court, and Jen Foster.
On the main stage June 27, hosted by Michelle McCausland, is Crystal Waters, Summer Osborne and Band, Josh Duffy, and Eric & the Adams.
PrideFest will include the official Pride Parade, Morgan Ford Pet Parade, a dance pavilion, and a commitment ceremony.
Ultra, the after party, is June 26 on the Atomic Cowboy patio with Peppermint, Lola Van Ella, and more.
Get more information at www.pridestl.com, or at alivemag.com for the Ultra party."
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Homophobic Obama Appointee Ousted
From Metroweekly.com:
"by Chris Geidner
Published on May 17, 2010, 10:04pm | 20 Comments, 28 Tweets
Jonathan I. Katz, a professor of astrophysics at Washington University in St. Louis, ''will no longer be involved in the [Energy] Department's efforts'' at addressing the oil spill continuing to spread in the Gulf of Mexico, a Department spokeswoman relayed on Monday night, May 17.
The news came after what the spokesperson, Stephanie Mueller, termed ''controversial writings'' – which included a ''defense of homophobia'' – spread out over the web on Monday, writings of which she said the Department was unaware when it sought his assistance.
On May 12, Energy Secretary Steven Chu ''assembled a group of top scientific experts from inside and outside of government to join in today's discussions in Houston about possible solutions,'' according to a Department news release. Katz was one of five outside scientists noted in the release. Bloomberg News reported about the group of scientists on May 14, reporting Chu ''signaled his lack of confidence in the industry experts trying to control BP Plc's leaking oil well by hand-picking a team of scientists with reputations for creative problem solving.''
Once news of the team spread, some of Katz's writings were discovered at his university website, including one titled, ''In Defense of Homophobia.'' In the essay, dated May 13, 1999, he wrote about the ''rationalist'' and the religious person's views of homosexuality.
''The religious believer may see the hand of God, but both he and the rationalist must see a fact of Nature. The human body was not designed to share hypodermic needles, it was not designed to be promiscuous, and it was not designed to engage in homosexual acts. Engaging in such behavior is like riding a motorcycle on an icy road without a helmet,'' Katz wrote. ''It may be possible to get away with it for a while, and a few misguided souls may get a thrill out of doing so, but sooner or later (probably sooner) the consequences will be catastrophic. Lethal diseases spread rapidly among people who do such things.''
More than 10 years later, Energy Department spokesperson Stephanie Mueller was announcing on Monday night – less than a week after being described as ''our best scientific minds'' by Chu – that ''[s]ome of Professor Katz's controversial writings have become a distraction from the critical work of addressing the oil spill.''
Writing that Chu ''has spoken with dozens of scientists and engineers as part of his work to help find solutions to stop the oil spill,'' she referenced the writings and stated, ''Professor Katz will no longer be involved in the Department's efforts.''
In response to an inquiry from Metro Weekly about whether Chu or the Energy Department was aware of Katz's additional writings before he was selected to help with the oil spill, Mueller responded, ''No, the Secretary was not aware and disagrees with them. The Department wasn't aware either.''
Another essay pointed to by Katz's critics – ''Cold Thoughts on Global Warming'' – has been cited to as proof that he is a ''climate change denialist.'' Despite that, Katz actually states, ''The conclusion that anthropogenic emissions [those derived from human activities] of these gases will likely warm the climate has been generally accepted for a century. It is a consensus, but it is not emerging or new. It has been there all along. Only a panicky fear of the consequences is new.''
"by Chris Geidner
Published on May 17, 2010, 10:04pm | 20 Comments, 28 Tweets
Jonathan I. Katz, a professor of astrophysics at Washington University in St. Louis, ''will no longer be involved in the [Energy] Department's efforts'' at addressing the oil spill continuing to spread in the Gulf of Mexico, a Department spokeswoman relayed on Monday night, May 17.
The news came after what the spokesperson, Stephanie Mueller, termed ''controversial writings'' – which included a ''defense of homophobia'' – spread out over the web on Monday, writings of which she said the Department was unaware when it sought his assistance.
On May 12, Energy Secretary Steven Chu ''assembled a group of top scientific experts from inside and outside of government to join in today's discussions in Houston about possible solutions,'' according to a Department news release. Katz was one of five outside scientists noted in the release. Bloomberg News reported about the group of scientists on May 14, reporting Chu ''signaled his lack of confidence in the industry experts trying to control BP Plc's leaking oil well by hand-picking a team of scientists with reputations for creative problem solving.''
Once news of the team spread, some of Katz's writings were discovered at his university website, including one titled, ''In Defense of Homophobia.'' In the essay, dated May 13, 1999, he wrote about the ''rationalist'' and the religious person's views of homosexuality.
''The religious believer may see the hand of God, but both he and the rationalist must see a fact of Nature. The human body was not designed to share hypodermic needles, it was not designed to be promiscuous, and it was not designed to engage in homosexual acts. Engaging in such behavior is like riding a motorcycle on an icy road without a helmet,'' Katz wrote. ''It may be possible to get away with it for a while, and a few misguided souls may get a thrill out of doing so, but sooner or later (probably sooner) the consequences will be catastrophic. Lethal diseases spread rapidly among people who do such things.''
More than 10 years later, Energy Department spokesperson Stephanie Mueller was announcing on Monday night – less than a week after being described as ''our best scientific minds'' by Chu – that ''[s]ome of Professor Katz's controversial writings have become a distraction from the critical work of addressing the oil spill.''
Writing that Chu ''has spoken with dozens of scientists and engineers as part of his work to help find solutions to stop the oil spill,'' she referenced the writings and stated, ''Professor Katz will no longer be involved in the Department's efforts.''
In response to an inquiry from Metro Weekly about whether Chu or the Energy Department was aware of Katz's additional writings before he was selected to help with the oil spill, Mueller responded, ''No, the Secretary was not aware and disagrees with them. The Department wasn't aware either.''
Another essay pointed to by Katz's critics – ''Cold Thoughts on Global Warming'' – has been cited to as proof that he is a ''climate change denialist.'' Despite that, Katz actually states, ''The conclusion that anthropogenic emissions [those derived from human activities] of these gases will likely warm the climate has been generally accepted for a century. It is a consensus, but it is not emerging or new. It has been there all along. Only a panicky fear of the consequences is new.''
Monday, May 17, 2010
Obama Appoints Homophobe to Help Stop Gulf Oil Leak
From Americablog.com: " Please sign our public letter to the President urging that this homophobe be fired immediately.__________________________________
UPDATE: He's a climate change denialist as well:
Who is stoking the alarm about global warming? There is Al Gore, an over-the-hill politician who wants to remain in the public eye. His house uses 20 times as much electricity as the average American house and he flies private jets. Obviously, he does not believe what he preaches; it must be an act. Conservation is for the little people. I'll think about reducing my emissions after he reduces his by 95%. Then there is Jim Hansen, would-be dictator who wants to throw in jail anyone who disagrees with him or burns coal. He may wish himself another Mussolini (or worse), but people just laugh at him. And finally John Holdren, who in his younger days was prophesying disaster from the ice age then just beginning (so he said). Fictitious crises are a demogogue's route to power.
Fortunately, global warming is probably good for humanity. Sit back, relax, and watch it happen.
Nice guy for the Obama administration to be calling one of our best scientific minds - a climate change denying kook. I'm sure the oil companies are thrilled that the President is elevating this man in the public eye.
________________
New Obama appointee Jonathan I. Katz on the "innocent victims" of AIDS:
"These people died so the sodomites could feel good about themselves."
Jonathan I. Katz. was recently appointed by the Obama administration, along with four other scientists, to an elite panel of "our best scientific minds" to help BP cut off the oil spill.
Jonathan I. Katz is also a "proud homophobe," by his own admission. He's even written an article, published on his personal Web site at the Washington University physics department, titled "In Defense of Homophobia." And what a defense it is.
Here are a few snippets from one of our best scientific minds about how the homos killed lots of innocent people with their AIDS:
The religious believer may see the hand of God, but both he and the rationalist must see a fact of Nature. The human body was not designed to share hypodermic needles, it was not designed to be promiscuous, and it was not designed to engage in homosexual acts. Engaging in such behavior is like riding a motorcycle on an icy road without a helmet. It may be possible to get away with it for a while, and a few misguided souls may get a thrill out of doing so, but sooner or later (probably sooner) the consequences will be catastrophic. Lethal diseases spread rapidly among people who do such things.
Unfortunately, the victims are not only those whose reckless behavior brought death on themselves. There are many completely innocent victims, too: hemophiliacs (a substantial fraction died as a result of contaminated clotting factor), recipients of contaminated transfusions, and their spouses and children, for AIDS can be transmitted heterosexually (in America, only infrequently) and congenitally. The icy road was lined with unsuspecting innocents, who never chose to ride a motorcycle. Guilt for their deaths is on the hands of the homosexuals and intravenous drug abusers who poisoned the blood supply. These people died so the sodomites could feel good about themselves.
What of those cursed with unnatural sexual desires? Must they forever suppress these desires? Yes, but this is hardly a unique fate. Almost everyone has desires which must be suppressed. Most men and women think adulterous thoughts fairly often, and find themselves attracted to members of the opposite sex to whom they are not married. Morality requires them to suppress these desires, and most do not commit adultery, though they feel lust in their hearts. Almost everyone, at one time or another, covets another's property. They do not steal. Many people feel great anger or intense hatred at some time in their lives. They do not kill.
I am a homophobe, and proud. (emphasis added)
President Obama promised us change. He promised to be our fierce advocate. Appointing avowed bigots to elite panels, and lauding them as the best minds of our nation, is offensive the millions of LGBT Americans who voted en masse for this President. It is difficult to believe that the Obama administration couldn't find anyone else to help deal with this crisis. We all want the government to do everything it can to stop the oil spill, but elevating an avowed homophobe, and giving him the imprimatur, and the stamp of legitimacy, of the Obama administration, is simply wrong.
Please sign on to our public letter urging the President to fire Jonathan I. Katz.
No more Rick Warrens
UPDATE: He's a climate change denialist as well:
Who is stoking the alarm about global warming? There is Al Gore, an over-the-hill politician who wants to remain in the public eye. His house uses 20 times as much electricity as the average American house and he flies private jets. Obviously, he does not believe what he preaches; it must be an act. Conservation is for the little people. I'll think about reducing my emissions after he reduces his by 95%. Then there is Jim Hansen, would-be dictator who wants to throw in jail anyone who disagrees with him or burns coal. He may wish himself another Mussolini (or worse), but people just laugh at him. And finally John Holdren, who in his younger days was prophesying disaster from the ice age then just beginning (so he said). Fictitious crises are a demogogue's route to power.
Fortunately, global warming is probably good for humanity. Sit back, relax, and watch it happen.
Nice guy for the Obama administration to be calling one of our best scientific minds - a climate change denying kook. I'm sure the oil companies are thrilled that the President is elevating this man in the public eye.
________________
New Obama appointee Jonathan I. Katz on the "innocent victims" of AIDS:
"These people died so the sodomites could feel good about themselves."
Jonathan I. Katz. was recently appointed by the Obama administration, along with four other scientists, to an elite panel of "our best scientific minds" to help BP cut off the oil spill.
Jonathan I. Katz is also a "proud homophobe," by his own admission. He's even written an article, published on his personal Web site at the Washington University physics department, titled "In Defense of Homophobia." And what a defense it is.
Here are a few snippets from one of our best scientific minds about how the homos killed lots of innocent people with their AIDS:
The religious believer may see the hand of God, but both he and the rationalist must see a fact of Nature. The human body was not designed to share hypodermic needles, it was not designed to be promiscuous, and it was not designed to engage in homosexual acts. Engaging in such behavior is like riding a motorcycle on an icy road without a helmet. It may be possible to get away with it for a while, and a few misguided souls may get a thrill out of doing so, but sooner or later (probably sooner) the consequences will be catastrophic. Lethal diseases spread rapidly among people who do such things.
Unfortunately, the victims are not only those whose reckless behavior brought death on themselves. There are many completely innocent victims, too: hemophiliacs (a substantial fraction died as a result of contaminated clotting factor), recipients of contaminated transfusions, and their spouses and children, for AIDS can be transmitted heterosexually (in America, only infrequently) and congenitally. The icy road was lined with unsuspecting innocents, who never chose to ride a motorcycle. Guilt for their deaths is on the hands of the homosexuals and intravenous drug abusers who poisoned the blood supply. These people died so the sodomites could feel good about themselves.
What of those cursed with unnatural sexual desires? Must they forever suppress these desires? Yes, but this is hardly a unique fate. Almost everyone has desires which must be suppressed. Most men and women think adulterous thoughts fairly often, and find themselves attracted to members of the opposite sex to whom they are not married. Morality requires them to suppress these desires, and most do not commit adultery, though they feel lust in their hearts. Almost everyone, at one time or another, covets another's property. They do not steal. Many people feel great anger or intense hatred at some time in their lives. They do not kill.
I am a homophobe, and proud. (emphasis added)
President Obama promised us change. He promised to be our fierce advocate. Appointing avowed bigots to elite panels, and lauding them as the best minds of our nation, is offensive the millions of LGBT Americans who voted en masse for this President. It is difficult to believe that the Obama administration couldn't find anyone else to help deal with this crisis. We all want the government to do everything it can to stop the oil spill, but elevating an avowed homophobe, and giving him the imprimatur, and the stamp of legitimacy, of the Obama administration, is simply wrong.
Please sign on to our public letter urging the President to fire Jonathan I. Katz.
No more Rick Warrens
Pawlenty: Gays Shouldn’t Have The Power To Decide What To Do With The Body Of A Deceased Partner
From ThinkProgress.org: "If you’re straight and your husband or wife dies, you have the power to decide what to do with your loved one’s body and how to carry out their wishes. However, if you are a gay man or woman in Minnesota — a state that doesn’t recognize marriage equality — you won’t have that option, thanks to Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R). Explaining his veto of the bill, Pawlenty simply said there “is no actual need” to give same-sex couples equal end-of-life rights. From his official statement on Saturday:
The bill addresses the categories of individuals who under the law shall be given priority for purposes of determining the disposition of the remains of a deceased person. Currently a person can, by executing a will, designate who shall be empowered to control final disposition of his or her remains. The bill therefore addresses a nonexistent problem.
Marriage — defined as between a man and a woman — should remain elevated in our society a special level, as it traditionally has been. I oppose efforts to treat domestic relationships as the equivalent of traditional marriage. Accordingly, I am opposed to this bill.
Ann Kaner-Roth, executive director of LGBT advocacy group Project 515, responded that Pawlenty’s “comment that the proposed legislation is unnecessary shows he is out of step with the experiences of real Minnesotans. … The language in this bill reflects closely language already used by Minnesota’s leading businesses.” Additionally, a person in a heterosexual marriage is not required to have a living will in order for his or her spouse to carry out end-of-life wishes, so it’s unclear why one should be necessary for same-sex partners. The bill would also have given “surviving partners the right to sue those responsible should their partner be killed.”
As a new Center for American Progress report on the needs of LGBT elders finds, Minnesota is considered a “legal stranger” state, where “same-sex partners (or members of families of choice) in these states effectively have no chance to be designated as surrogate medical decision makers for their incapacitated partners/loved ones.” LGBT elders therefore generally need an advanced health care directive (AHD), which includes a living will and a health care power of attorney:
In practice, to protect themselves, LGBT elders must remember to carry their AHDs with them at all times — if an individual is rushed to the hospital without these documents, a loved one can still legally be denied access (see sidebar on page 40). Finally, problems may arise when an elder travels out of state, as one state may not always recognize the health care directive of another state.
Additionally, obtaining an AHD can be difficult, since many elders are unaware or do not have the means to secure one, and “medical providers and long-term care facilities often ignore or challenge the AHDs of LGBT people.” (HT: Joe Sudbay at AMERICAblog)
Update In Rhode Island last year, Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) vetoed a similar bill."
The bill addresses the categories of individuals who under the law shall be given priority for purposes of determining the disposition of the remains of a deceased person. Currently a person can, by executing a will, designate who shall be empowered to control final disposition of his or her remains. The bill therefore addresses a nonexistent problem.
Marriage — defined as between a man and a woman — should remain elevated in our society a special level, as it traditionally has been. I oppose efforts to treat domestic relationships as the equivalent of traditional marriage. Accordingly, I am opposed to this bill.
Ann Kaner-Roth, executive director of LGBT advocacy group Project 515, responded that Pawlenty’s “comment that the proposed legislation is unnecessary shows he is out of step with the experiences of real Minnesotans. … The language in this bill reflects closely language already used by Minnesota’s leading businesses.” Additionally, a person in a heterosexual marriage is not required to have a living will in order for his or her spouse to carry out end-of-life wishes, so it’s unclear why one should be necessary for same-sex partners. The bill would also have given “surviving partners the right to sue those responsible should their partner be killed.”
As a new Center for American Progress report on the needs of LGBT elders finds, Minnesota is considered a “legal stranger” state, where “same-sex partners (or members of families of choice) in these states effectively have no chance to be designated as surrogate medical decision makers for their incapacitated partners/loved ones.” LGBT elders therefore generally need an advanced health care directive (AHD), which includes a living will and a health care power of attorney:
In practice, to protect themselves, LGBT elders must remember to carry their AHDs with them at all times — if an individual is rushed to the hospital without these documents, a loved one can still legally be denied access (see sidebar on page 40). Finally, problems may arise when an elder travels out of state, as one state may not always recognize the health care directive of another state.
Additionally, obtaining an AHD can be difficult, since many elders are unaware or do not have the means to secure one, and “medical providers and long-term care facilities often ignore or challenge the AHDs of LGBT people.” (HT: Joe Sudbay at AMERICAblog)
Update In Rhode Island last year, Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) vetoed a similar bill."
Saturday, May 01, 2010
DOD Gates: Don't Repeal DADT This Year
From ThinkProgress.org: "As part of the Obama administration’s plan to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), the Pentagon has convened a “Working Group” that is meeting with servicemembers, chaplains, and others individuals about how to repeal the ban on gay men and women serving openly in the military. The process is going to take until at least Dec. 1, 2010, and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has said that the President is committed to letting the group complete its work before moving forward. Some members of Congress have raised the possibility of passing DADT repeal legislation this year — before the review process is complete — and delaying implementation until next year.
However, today Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) a letter (in response to an inquiry from Skelton) telling him that he doesn’t want Congress to take any action at all on DADT this year. From the letter obtained by ThinkProgress:
I believe in the strongest possible terms that the Department must, prior to any legislative action, be allowed the opportunity to conduct a thorough, objective, and systematic assessment of the impact of such a policy change; develop an attentive comprehensive implementation plan, and provide the President and the Congress with the results of this effort in order to ensure that this step is taken in the most informed and effective matter. [...]
Therefore, I strongly oppose any legislation that seeks to change this policy prior to the completion of this vital assessment process.
Gates’ moratorium on any DADT action this year is troubling. Thirteen Senate Democrats have introduced a bill to replace DADT with a new nondiscrimination policy that “prohibits discrimination against service members on the basis of their sexual orientation.” The Senate bill mirrors Rep. Patrick Murphy’s (D-PA) repeal bill in the House but goes several steps further, laying out a timeline for repeal and setting benchmarks for the Pentagon’s ongoing review of the policy.
Gates’ stance makes it significantly harder for Congress to help fulfill Obama’s pledge to repeal DADT and has some supporters of repeal questioning the Pentagon’s dedication to moving forward. Democrats in Congress will have a tougher time attracting moderate and Republican co-sponsors in light of this letter, and if Congress waits until next year — after the Pentagon review is completed — to move forward on legislation, the make-up of the legislature will be different and could again delay repeal.
Update Statement from Servicemembers United Executive Director Alexander Nicholson, who is a former U.S. Army interrogator discharged under DADT:
If the White House and the Department of Defense had been more engaged with us and had communicated with us better about the alternatives available, Secretary Gates would surely not feel that legislative action this year would disrespect the opinions of the troops or negatively impact them and their families. This is partly a failure of the Administration to substantively engage the gay military community in a timely manner, and it remains unacceptable. The Commander-in-Chief should strongly and immediately speak out about the need to move swiftly and decisively on this issue for the sake of military readiness. It is, after all, as the President said, "the right thing to do."
Update DADT repeal advocate Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) is pushing back on Gates' recommendation, saying, “There is no reason why Congress shouldn’t pass legislation this year that would time the repeal to follow the conclusion of the study."
Update Response from the White House: "The President’s commitment to repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is unequivocal. This is not a question of if, but how. That’s why we’ve said that the implementation of any congressional repeal will be delayed until the DOD study of how best to implement that repeal is completed. The President is committed to getting this done both soon and right."
However, today Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) a letter (in response to an inquiry from Skelton) telling him that he doesn’t want Congress to take any action at all on DADT this year. From the letter obtained by ThinkProgress:
I believe in the strongest possible terms that the Department must, prior to any legislative action, be allowed the opportunity to conduct a thorough, objective, and systematic assessment of the impact of such a policy change; develop an attentive comprehensive implementation plan, and provide the President and the Congress with the results of this effort in order to ensure that this step is taken in the most informed and effective matter. [...]
Therefore, I strongly oppose any legislation that seeks to change this policy prior to the completion of this vital assessment process.
Gates’ moratorium on any DADT action this year is troubling. Thirteen Senate Democrats have introduced a bill to replace DADT with a new nondiscrimination policy that “prohibits discrimination against service members on the basis of their sexual orientation.” The Senate bill mirrors Rep. Patrick Murphy’s (D-PA) repeal bill in the House but goes several steps further, laying out a timeline for repeal and setting benchmarks for the Pentagon’s ongoing review of the policy.
Gates’ stance makes it significantly harder for Congress to help fulfill Obama’s pledge to repeal DADT and has some supporters of repeal questioning the Pentagon’s dedication to moving forward. Democrats in Congress will have a tougher time attracting moderate and Republican co-sponsors in light of this letter, and if Congress waits until next year — after the Pentagon review is completed — to move forward on legislation, the make-up of the legislature will be different and could again delay repeal.
Update Statement from Servicemembers United Executive Director Alexander Nicholson, who is a former U.S. Army interrogator discharged under DADT:
If the White House and the Department of Defense had been more engaged with us and had communicated with us better about the alternatives available, Secretary Gates would surely not feel that legislative action this year would disrespect the opinions of the troops or negatively impact them and their families. This is partly a failure of the Administration to substantively engage the gay military community in a timely manner, and it remains unacceptable. The Commander-in-Chief should strongly and immediately speak out about the need to move swiftly and decisively on this issue for the sake of military readiness. It is, after all, as the President said, "the right thing to do."
Update DADT repeal advocate Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) is pushing back on Gates' recommendation, saying, “There is no reason why Congress shouldn’t pass legislation this year that would time the repeal to follow the conclusion of the study."
Update Response from the White House: "The President’s commitment to repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is unequivocal. This is not a question of if, but how. That’s why we’ve said that the implementation of any congressional repeal will be delayed until the DOD study of how best to implement that repeal is completed. The President is committed to getting this done both soon and right."
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Iconic Chicago Dance Club Closes
From ChicagoPride.com: "Chicago, IL — Crobar Chicago, 1543 N Kingsbury St, will officially be closing it's doors after "The Last Dance" celebration on April 17.
Crobar Chicago is the original in a chain which started the success of nationally acclaimed Crobar in New York City, Miami and Buenos Aires. The nightclub originally opened in 1992 in the industrial corridor of Chicago and reopened again in 2003 after a nearly one year renovation and reconstruction. Crobar locations in New York and Miami have also recently closed.
The popular nightclub was made famous by celebrity clientele such as Dennis Rodman and Bill Corgan. Rodman will help close the club when he hosts a party on Saturday.
"The music was dirty, deep, louder than hell, full of bass and progressive while the massive LGBT crowds filled every sweaty corner and partied along side the likes of Dennis Rodman, Jeremy Piven and Carmen Electra," recalled promoter Matthew Harvat who launched Circuit MOM at the nightclub in 1997. "Often, it was so packed and hot, the ceiling would drip rusty condensation, but no one complained, instead wore the rust stains as a badge of honor."
From the beginning, Crobar Chicago catered to the gay community with well-attended special events such as SuperStar Sundays on Market Days and Pride, Fireball, IML, Labor Day and Halloween; however, the nightclub was probably best known for G.L.E.E. Club which became a Sunday night institution and the longest running gay-themed weekly party in Chicago.
After it's remodel 2003, Crobar Chicago hosted the gay-themed Anthem Sundays which was produced by G.L.E.E. creator Paolo Pincente and Harvat.
Crobar Chicago's gay-themed events featured world-renowned DJs, including Timo Maas, Tony Moran, Joe Gauthreaux, Ralphi Rosario, Lydia Prim, Tracy Young, Manny Lehman, Frankie Knuckles and Victor Calderone.
"Many amazingly talented people shared their passion for club culture and music with the world audience that came to revel in the Crobar mayhem. Never one to follow, Crobar will always stand alone as an iconic treasure to the clubland creatures it crafted," Harvat told ChicagoPride.com.
"New York had Twilo, Tunnel, Paradise Garage and even a Crobar hybrid, but the original Crobar in Chicago, the one that gave me my start will forever remain the deep and dirty phantasmagorical vessel of music, muscle and memories which will never, ever be replaced in my heart".
The 6000 square foot space is reportedly to become a new club, The Vibe, which has yet to announce an opening date. "
Crobar Chicago is the original in a chain which started the success of nationally acclaimed Crobar in New York City, Miami and Buenos Aires. The nightclub originally opened in 1992 in the industrial corridor of Chicago and reopened again in 2003 after a nearly one year renovation and reconstruction. Crobar locations in New York and Miami have also recently closed.
The popular nightclub was made famous by celebrity clientele such as Dennis Rodman and Bill Corgan. Rodman will help close the club when he hosts a party on Saturday.
"The music was dirty, deep, louder than hell, full of bass and progressive while the massive LGBT crowds filled every sweaty corner and partied along side the likes of Dennis Rodman, Jeremy Piven and Carmen Electra," recalled promoter Matthew Harvat who launched Circuit MOM at the nightclub in 1997. "Often, it was so packed and hot, the ceiling would drip rusty condensation, but no one complained, instead wore the rust stains as a badge of honor."
From the beginning, Crobar Chicago catered to the gay community with well-attended special events such as SuperStar Sundays on Market Days and Pride, Fireball, IML, Labor Day and Halloween; however, the nightclub was probably best known for G.L.E.E. Club which became a Sunday night institution and the longest running gay-themed weekly party in Chicago.
After it's remodel 2003, Crobar Chicago hosted the gay-themed Anthem Sundays which was produced by G.L.E.E. creator Paolo Pincente and Harvat.
Crobar Chicago's gay-themed events featured world-renowned DJs, including Timo Maas, Tony Moran, Joe Gauthreaux, Ralphi Rosario, Lydia Prim, Tracy Young, Manny Lehman, Frankie Knuckles and Victor Calderone.
"Many amazingly talented people shared their passion for club culture and music with the world audience that came to revel in the Crobar mayhem. Never one to follow, Crobar will always stand alone as an iconic treasure to the clubland creatures it crafted," Harvat told ChicagoPride.com.
"New York had Twilo, Tunnel, Paradise Garage and even a Crobar hybrid, but the original Crobar in Chicago, the one that gave me my start will forever remain the deep and dirty phantasmagorical vessel of music, muscle and memories which will never, ever be replaced in my heart".
The 6000 square foot space is reportedly to become a new club, The Vibe, which has yet to announce an opening date. "
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Suit Charges Elderly Gay Partners Were Forced Apart
From NyTimes.com: By GERRY SHIH
"Clay M. Greene’s story, as recounted in his recent lawsuit against Sonoma County, is a tale of loss, doubled and redoubled. For gay men and lesbians, the series of events outlined in the complaint hits very close to home.
Mr. Greene, a 78-year-old gay man from Sebastopol, has filed a lawsuit against Sonoma County after saying he sustained a spate of indignities at the hands of officials during a bizarre estate battle that took place when his partner, who was 88, fell and became hospitalized in 2008.
News of Mr. Greene’s complaint came as President Obama was making headlines for his order extending hospital visitation rights and decision-making authority to same-sex partners.
The detailed complaint was filed on March 22, but news of it began ricocheting around the Internet, beginning on gay and lesbian sites Sunday and reaching venues like Daily Kos by Monday.
Mr. Greene’s troubles began when Harold Scull, his partner for more than 20 years, fell down the steps of their home in April 2008. At the time, the complaint said, Mr. Scull was showing signs of mental impairment.
County officials successfully petitioned the court to gain some powers of conservatorship. Then they “sold, kept, converted to their own use, and otherwise disposed of” almost $500,000 worth of belongings from the home shared by the two men — including furniture, art objects, memorabilia from the years Mr. Scull spent working in Hollywood, as well as a truck and two cats, the lawsuit alleges.
Mr. Greene said that he and Mr. Scull had previously specified each other as executors in case either became incapacitated, but the county ignored the legal documents and the history of their relationship, and at one point referred to Mr. Greene as Mr. Scull’s “roommate.”
Citing the state of Mr. Greene’s mental health, county officials then moved him against his will into a nursing home and sold the rest of his belongings, the suit charged. He was not allowed to visit Mr. Scull, who died several months later, in August 2008.
The nursing home, Agua Caliente Villa of Sonoma, is named as a defendant in the case. So is the auction company that sold the couple’s belongings.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights has joined the lawsuit, calling the situation an example of why “same-sex couples need full equality.”
Gay and lesbian elderly individuals, in particular, are vulnerable because “they are often estranged from their family and don’t have a legally recognized relative,” said Shannon P. Minter, the legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “Even here, where they had filled out legal documents, because their relationship is so thoroughly invisible and disrespected, it didn’t protect them.”
Mr. Minter said Mr. Greene’s situation was far less likely to happen to the surviving spouse of a heterosexual marriage.
Messages left at the office of Sonoma County’s legal counsel seeking comment were not returned. A message seeking comment left at the office of Anne Dennis, Mr. Greene’s lawyer, was not returned. Mr. Minter said Mr. Greene was unavailable for comment because he was in a “fragile” psychological state.
Embedded in the legalese of the complaint were stark anecdotal nuggets. At one point, as county officials moved through the couple’s home, the complaint alleged, they commented on the “quality” and “desirability” of the furnishings. They also mocked Mr. Greene, he said, calling him a “crazy old man,” said he had “dementia” and was a lost cause, laughed at him, and told him to “shut up and go to your room.”
On another instance, Mr. Greene claimed that employees acting as the county’s Deputy Public Guardians rolled their eyes and said in his presence, “you know how those gay boys are” and later expressed “displeasure at dealing with expressions of grief by a gay man who had lost his longtime partner.”
The case will go to trial on July 16, Mr. Minter said."
"Clay M. Greene’s story, as recounted in his recent lawsuit against Sonoma County, is a tale of loss, doubled and redoubled. For gay men and lesbians, the series of events outlined in the complaint hits very close to home.
Mr. Greene, a 78-year-old gay man from Sebastopol, has filed a lawsuit against Sonoma County after saying he sustained a spate of indignities at the hands of officials during a bizarre estate battle that took place when his partner, who was 88, fell and became hospitalized in 2008.
News of Mr. Greene’s complaint came as President Obama was making headlines for his order extending hospital visitation rights and decision-making authority to same-sex partners.
The detailed complaint was filed on March 22, but news of it began ricocheting around the Internet, beginning on gay and lesbian sites Sunday and reaching venues like Daily Kos by Monday.
Mr. Greene’s troubles began when Harold Scull, his partner for more than 20 years, fell down the steps of their home in April 2008. At the time, the complaint said, Mr. Scull was showing signs of mental impairment.
County officials successfully petitioned the court to gain some powers of conservatorship. Then they “sold, kept, converted to their own use, and otherwise disposed of” almost $500,000 worth of belongings from the home shared by the two men — including furniture, art objects, memorabilia from the years Mr. Scull spent working in Hollywood, as well as a truck and two cats, the lawsuit alleges.
Mr. Greene said that he and Mr. Scull had previously specified each other as executors in case either became incapacitated, but the county ignored the legal documents and the history of their relationship, and at one point referred to Mr. Greene as Mr. Scull’s “roommate.”
Citing the state of Mr. Greene’s mental health, county officials then moved him against his will into a nursing home and sold the rest of his belongings, the suit charged. He was not allowed to visit Mr. Scull, who died several months later, in August 2008.
The nursing home, Agua Caliente Villa of Sonoma, is named as a defendant in the case. So is the auction company that sold the couple’s belongings.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights has joined the lawsuit, calling the situation an example of why “same-sex couples need full equality.”
Gay and lesbian elderly individuals, in particular, are vulnerable because “they are often estranged from their family and don’t have a legally recognized relative,” said Shannon P. Minter, the legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “Even here, where they had filled out legal documents, because their relationship is so thoroughly invisible and disrespected, it didn’t protect them.”
Mr. Minter said Mr. Greene’s situation was far less likely to happen to the surviving spouse of a heterosexual marriage.
Messages left at the office of Sonoma County’s legal counsel seeking comment were not returned. A message seeking comment left at the office of Anne Dennis, Mr. Greene’s lawyer, was not returned. Mr. Minter said Mr. Greene was unavailable for comment because he was in a “fragile” psychological state.
Embedded in the legalese of the complaint were stark anecdotal nuggets. At one point, as county officials moved through the couple’s home, the complaint alleged, they commented on the “quality” and “desirability” of the furnishings. They also mocked Mr. Greene, he said, calling him a “crazy old man,” said he had “dementia” and was a lost cause, laughed at him, and told him to “shut up and go to your room.”
On another instance, Mr. Greene claimed that employees acting as the county’s Deputy Public Guardians rolled their eyes and said in his presence, “you know how those gay boys are” and later expressed “displeasure at dealing with expressions of grief by a gay man who had lost his longtime partner.”
The case will go to trial on July 16, Mr. Minter said."
Girls accused of killing gay man in attack like Clockwork Orange
From TimesOnline.co.uk:
Adam Fresco, Crime Correspondent
Ruby Thomas and Rachel Burke, both 18, stamped on Ian Baynham’s chest and kicked him in the head after their friend Joel Alexander, 19, had punched him to the ground, knocking him unconscious, the Old Bailey was told.
As Mr Baynham lay bleeding the teenagers continued to assault him, it was said, causing him to suffer a fit from brain damage after his skull had been fractured.
When Mr Baynham’s friend stepped in to try to save him, Ms Burke attacked him too, punching him in the face, the jury was told.
The three alleged killers fled from the scene and Mr Baynham was taken to hospital in East London, but he never regained consciousness and died 18 days after the attack in September last year.
Brian Altman, QC, for the prosecution, told jurors that Mr Baynham and Philip Brown were walking through Trafalgar Square, in Central London, “minding their own business”.
He said: “The scene is Trafalgar Square at the very heart of London, one of this city’s most famous open spaces, home to the National Gallery, Nelson’s Column, the famous plinths and late that evening, a scene of despicable violence.
“One onlooker likened the level of violence to a scene from the film A Clockwork Orange. What happened was an all too familiar and depressing tale of drunken, loutish behaviour. But what they did went far beyond mere antisocial conduct.
“Remarkably, two of these defendants are teenage girls. Fuelled by copious amounts of alcohol, all three jointly participated in a violent attack on a defenceless man in public.”
Mr Altman continued: “Mr Baynham was openly homosexual and what led to his death began with Thomas hurling homophobic abuse at him and his friend Mr Brown. She called them ‘f***ing faggots’. Mr Baynham grabbed and slapped her.
“Alexander intervened and lunged at him, punching him in the face. He fell to the ground. It is certain that the force of the punch was such as to render him unconscious. His head hit the pavement and there was nothing to break his fall. The impact was so heavy that he suffered severe brain damage from which ultimately he was to die.
“However, that did not suffice. There’s evidence that the females then began putting the boot into Mr Baynham as he lay unconscious on his back. He was deeply in distress from the blow. Shocked onlookers saw repeated stamping on his chest and forceful kicks to the head. He began making snoring noises, evidence of unconsciousness, and fitting on the pavement, signs of primary brain damage.”
Mr Alexander, from Thornton Heath, Surrey, Ms Burke, from East Sussex, and Ms Thomas, from Litchfield, Staffordshire, all deny manslaughter and violent disorder. Ms Burke also denies causing Mr Brown actual bodily harm.
The trial continues.
Adam Fresco, Crime Correspondent
Ruby Thomas and Rachel Burke, both 18, stamped on Ian Baynham’s chest and kicked him in the head after their friend Joel Alexander, 19, had punched him to the ground, knocking him unconscious, the Old Bailey was told.
As Mr Baynham lay bleeding the teenagers continued to assault him, it was said, causing him to suffer a fit from brain damage after his skull had been fractured.
When Mr Baynham’s friend stepped in to try to save him, Ms Burke attacked him too, punching him in the face, the jury was told.
The three alleged killers fled from the scene and Mr Baynham was taken to hospital in East London, but he never regained consciousness and died 18 days after the attack in September last year.
Brian Altman, QC, for the prosecution, told jurors that Mr Baynham and Philip Brown were walking through Trafalgar Square, in Central London, “minding their own business”.
He said: “The scene is Trafalgar Square at the very heart of London, one of this city’s most famous open spaces, home to the National Gallery, Nelson’s Column, the famous plinths and late that evening, a scene of despicable violence.
“One onlooker likened the level of violence to a scene from the film A Clockwork Orange. What happened was an all too familiar and depressing tale of drunken, loutish behaviour. But what they did went far beyond mere antisocial conduct.
“Remarkably, two of these defendants are teenage girls. Fuelled by copious amounts of alcohol, all three jointly participated in a violent attack on a defenceless man in public.”
Mr Altman continued: “Mr Baynham was openly homosexual and what led to his death began with Thomas hurling homophobic abuse at him and his friend Mr Brown. She called them ‘f***ing faggots’. Mr Baynham grabbed and slapped her.
“Alexander intervened and lunged at him, punching him in the face. He fell to the ground. It is certain that the force of the punch was such as to render him unconscious. His head hit the pavement and there was nothing to break his fall. The impact was so heavy that he suffered severe brain damage from which ultimately he was to die.
“However, that did not suffice. There’s evidence that the females then began putting the boot into Mr Baynham as he lay unconscious on his back. He was deeply in distress from the blow. Shocked onlookers saw repeated stamping on his chest and forceful kicks to the head. He began making snoring noises, evidence of unconsciousness, and fitting on the pavement, signs of primary brain damage.”
Mr Alexander, from Thornton Heath, Surrey, Ms Burke, from East Sussex, and Ms Thomas, from Litchfield, Staffordshire, all deny manslaughter and violent disorder. Ms Burke also denies causing Mr Brown actual bodily harm.
The trial continues.
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