The big news today comes out of Des Moines, Iowa, where a trial judge last night ruled that the state's DOMA is unconstitutional and that same-sex couples are entitled to marry. Gay City News has a fantastic breakdown of the arguments presented before the court and the key points upon which Judge Robert Hanson based his decision. The case will no doubt be appealed to a higher state court, but the decision is still monumental.
You can read Judge Hanson's full decision here.
The New York Times gives its opinion on the Larry Craig issue, which pointedly calls out the Republicans' blatant homophobia: "Underlying the hurry to disown the senator, of course, is the party’s brutal agenda of trumpeting the gay-marriage issue. To the extent Senator Craig, a stalwart in the family values caucus, might morph into a blatant hypocrite before the voters’ eyes, he reflects on the party’s record in demonizing homosexuality. The rush to cast him out betrays the party’s intolerance, which is on display for the public in all of its ugliness. But it also betrays their political uneasiness as the next election approaches."
The Middletown Times Herald-Record points out the double standard in the Republican rush to get rid of Larry Craig. What ever happened to Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana, who also had some not-so-nice skeletons break free from his closet? One must assume that because his interest is in prostitutes of the opposite sex, the Grand Ol' Party is more willing to forgive.
Gay City News' Doug Ireland provides a racy analysis of Larry Craig's bathroom adventures, but also brings up the fact that gay men are disproportionately affected by police entrapment in public lewdness cases.
A lesbian couple in Denver became Colorado's first same-sex couple to legally adopt, thanks to legislation signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter earlier in the summer.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
A labor of love
The current issue of The Advocate features an article called "A Labor of Love," which discusses the contribution that organized labor is making to the movement for LGBT equality. The Pride Agenda's "Pride in Our Union" program was referenced as a model for national organizations looking to organize support within politically powerful unions.
In the article, the Task Force's Thalia Zepatos said that Pride in Our Union is an "out front model" and adds that "what ESPA has done is really comprehensive, and other states are looking to them as a template." Not to toot our own horn, but the initiative is quite fabulous. There are currently just under 1 million working New Yorkers who are represented by unions that support marriage equality. Additionally, 300,000 New Yorkers are represented by unions who support transgender non-discrimination legislation--and that number gets bigger and bigger every month.
Pride in Our Union was launched last November, and to cap off an amazingly successful year, the Pride Agenda will be honoring one of New York's most influential labor leaders with the Douglas W. Jones Community Service Award at this year's Fall Dinner. Randi Weingarten, President of United Federation of Teachers, has been instrumental in helping to get some of the other major unions on board with LGBT issues. Union support was one of the key factors in getting the Assembly to vote on and pass the marriage bill on June 19.
You can read the complete article here.
You can find out more about Pride in Our Union here.
In the article, the Task Force's Thalia Zepatos said that Pride in Our Union is an "out front model" and adds that "what ESPA has done is really comprehensive, and other states are looking to them as a template." Not to toot our own horn, but the initiative is quite fabulous. There are currently just under 1 million working New Yorkers who are represented by unions that support marriage equality. Additionally, 300,000 New Yorkers are represented by unions who support transgender non-discrimination legislation--and that number gets bigger and bigger every month.
Pride in Our Union was launched last November, and to cap off an amazingly successful year, the Pride Agenda will be honoring one of New York's most influential labor leaders with the Douglas W. Jones Community Service Award at this year's Fall Dinner. Randi Weingarten, President of United Federation of Teachers, has been instrumental in helping to get some of the other major unions on board with LGBT issues. Union support was one of the key factors in getting the Assembly to vote on and pass the marriage bill on June 19.
You can read the complete article here.
You can find out more about Pride in Our Union here.
Morning Sweep
Here are some perspectives on the Larry Craig situation from newspapers in New York:
From the Staten Island Advance, the paper's Deputy Editorial Page Editor writes, "The Idaho senator is not just any old conservative Republican. Nope, he is one of the most vocal ones when it comes to family values and is one of the generals in the political party's war against the so-called gay agenda."
The New York Post writes in an editorial, "Craig's sexual orientation doesn't really matter. But his guilty plea and subsequent conviction take his irresponsible and distasteful actions to a whole new level."
In Newsday, James Pinkerton (a Republican and former George H. W. Bush advisor) suggests that, "the gay left and libertarians should not over-interpret the results of what happened here. The country, in its basic conservative wisdom, still wants to see order maintained - on the streets, on the border and in men's rooms."
Former New York City Parks Commissioner Henry Stern writes in the New York Sun: "If the facts are as has been stated by the press, there is nothing that should compel Mr. Craig's resignation from the Senate. He has a right to be judged by the electors, not be hounded from office by self-appointed judges who may be bigger hypocrites than Mr. Craig is."
In other news...
David Mixner has a nice item about Szetey Gabor, an openly gay member of parliament in Hungary, who is fighting for equality and justice for LGBT people in Central and Eastern Europe.
The New York Post is being offensive to gay people. Again.
MSNBC's Tucker Carlson essentially admitted to taking part in gay-bashing in response to being cruised by a man years ago. (Note to whomever cruised Tucker: Eww!)
From the Staten Island Advance, the paper's Deputy Editorial Page Editor writes, "The Idaho senator is not just any old conservative Republican. Nope, he is one of the most vocal ones when it comes to family values and is one of the generals in the political party's war against the so-called gay agenda."
The New York Post writes in an editorial, "Craig's sexual orientation doesn't really matter. But his guilty plea and subsequent conviction take his irresponsible and distasteful actions to a whole new level."
In Newsday, James Pinkerton (a Republican and former George H. W. Bush advisor) suggests that, "the gay left and libertarians should not over-interpret the results of what happened here. The country, in its basic conservative wisdom, still wants to see order maintained - on the streets, on the border and in men's rooms."
Former New York City Parks Commissioner Henry Stern writes in the New York Sun: "If the facts are as has been stated by the press, there is nothing that should compel Mr. Craig's resignation from the Senate. He has a right to be judged by the electors, not be hounded from office by self-appointed judges who may be bigger hypocrites than Mr. Craig is."
In other news...
David Mixner has a nice item about Szetey Gabor, an openly gay member of parliament in Hungary, who is fighting for equality and justice for LGBT people in Central and Eastern Europe.
The New York Post is being offensive to gay people. Again.
MSNBC's Tucker Carlson essentially admitted to taking part in gay-bashing in response to being cruised by a man years ago. (Note to whomever cruised Tucker: Eww!)
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
A note on toe-tapping
I’ve taken an unscientific survey among gay men I know about toe-tapping in restroom stalls and there was near universal agreement that this was something we knew very little about. And believe me if gay men in New York City are unfamiliar with this, that says a lot right there.
I have to say I learned more about this system of clandestine communication by watching clips of ostensibly straight newscasters and commentators either demonstrate it or talk about their own past experiences.
A lesbian or two also quizzed me about toe-tapping and I had to admit to them that I was also learning about it. They were disappointed and confused at the same time. They were sure after listening to the news the past day or two that this was an experience fundamental to all gay men.
They would be wrong.
What’s my point in even talking about this?
Well it’s this. Toe-tapping in restrooms is about the closet and the behavior of those who live in the closet.
And a CNN piece from yesterday essentially confirmed this suspicion of mine when a police officer stated to a reporter that it wasn’t usually gay men being arrested in restrooms for lewd behavior. It was married men who have families, or, in other words (my words) men living straight lives that are deeply closeted.
If our opponents had their way we would all be living in the closet, living in shame and living in unhappy marriages that are unfair and dishonest to the ones we’ve married. I guess that’s “family values.”
Perhaps then my friends and I would be familiar with the art of toe-tapping in restrooms.
What a wonderful world that would be huh?
I have to say I learned more about this system of clandestine communication by watching clips of ostensibly straight newscasters and commentators either demonstrate it or talk about their own past experiences.
A lesbian or two also quizzed me about toe-tapping and I had to admit to them that I was also learning about it. They were disappointed and confused at the same time. They were sure after listening to the news the past day or two that this was an experience fundamental to all gay men.
They would be wrong.
What’s my point in even talking about this?
Well it’s this. Toe-tapping in restrooms is about the closet and the behavior of those who live in the closet.
And a CNN piece from yesterday essentially confirmed this suspicion of mine when a police officer stated to a reporter that it wasn’t usually gay men being arrested in restrooms for lewd behavior. It was married men who have families, or, in other words (my words) men living straight lives that are deeply closeted.
If our opponents had their way we would all be living in the closet, living in shame and living in unhappy marriages that are unfair and dishonest to the ones we’ve married. I guess that’s “family values.”
Perhaps then my friends and I would be familiar with the art of toe-tapping in restrooms.
What a wonderful world that would be huh?
LGBT perspectives on immigration
Last night I attended Immigration Equality/HRC's LGBT Immigration Forum, which featured headliner Rep. Jerry Nadler and included speakers from HRC, GMHC, the Asian American Justice Center and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF).
The most notable item about last night's forum was the incredible turnout. The event, which was hosted by the LGBT Center in the West Village, packed in more than 200 people. Panels like this sometimes have difficulty attracting a crowd, but it's good to see that so many people in the LGBT community are engaged (or at least interested) in an important issue--and one that doesn't get as much media play as other important gay bills (like ENDA or Hate Crimes).
The Uniting American Family Act seeks to amend the current immigration laws to allow US citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration to the US. Under current laws, only "married" couples can sponsor their partner for immigration, which automatically excludes gay and lesbian couples. UAFA would amend the current language to add "permanent partners who cannot otherwise marry," which would obviously implicate same-sex couples. It is estimated that at least 35,000 bi-national same-sex couples in the US are affected by the discrimination in the current immigration laws.
The highlight of the evening was hearing Rep. Nadler speak very candidly about the bill's chance of passage in the current Congress. When asked by an audience member what would happen if a vote were called today, he responded that he believed that he would have "close to the amount, if not enough votes to pass the bill." But he also reminded listeners that congressional politics are much more complicated than that. Questions still remain as to where this bill stands in the Senate, and although not directly stated, other pieces of pro-LGBT legislation may be taking some of the necessary political capital needed to pass UAFA.
For activists looking to make some calls and write some letters, Rep. Nadler noted that the key players in moving this bill are: Rep. Zoe Lofgren, who chairs the House subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law; Rep. John Conyers, who as chair of the House Judiciary Committee, must give his OK before a hearing on any bill; and finally House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who ultimately wields the power to call a bill onto the floor for a vote. Lofgren and Conyers support the bill, but moving it is another story...
Another interesting dimension to the forum was the discussion on where LGBT issues fall in the broader spectrum of immigration reform in the US. The issue of immigration generally has been incendiary for the current Congress, and even pitted Senate Republicans against President Bush earlier this year. Staff attorneys from the Asian American Justice Center and MALDEF gave their views on immigration as they affected the Asian and Latino communities. Their message essentially was that it's important for all parties interested in immigration reform to be working together so that 1) the reform will be comprehensive, addressing issues important to all affected minority groups and 2) legislators are facing pressure from the largest possible bloc of voters.
UAFA is one of the many pieces of legislation that same-sex couples rely on in order to get some of the protections and benefits that marriage would otherwise automatically provide. But because the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) will likely happen anytime in the immediate future, this bill is a worth-while cause. The consensus of the panelists was that passage of bills like UAFA will not likely come until Democrats pick up a few more seats in both the House and the Senate and a new (and Democratic) President is elected. According to HRC's scorecard, all Democratic Presidential candidates have vocally supported the Uniting American Families Act.
In the meantime, Rep. Nadler advises us to keep our US Representatives' "feet to the fire" so that once the planets align in Washington, we as a community can take full advantage.
The most notable item about last night's forum was the incredible turnout. The event, which was hosted by the LGBT Center in the West Village, packed in more than 200 people. Panels like this sometimes have difficulty attracting a crowd, but it's good to see that so many people in the LGBT community are engaged (or at least interested) in an important issue--and one that doesn't get as much media play as other important gay bills (like ENDA or Hate Crimes).
The Uniting American Family Act seeks to amend the current immigration laws to allow US citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration to the US. Under current laws, only "married" couples can sponsor their partner for immigration, which automatically excludes gay and lesbian couples. UAFA would amend the current language to add "permanent partners who cannot otherwise marry," which would obviously implicate same-sex couples. It is estimated that at least 35,000 bi-national same-sex couples in the US are affected by the discrimination in the current immigration laws.
The highlight of the evening was hearing Rep. Nadler speak very candidly about the bill's chance of passage in the current Congress. When asked by an audience member what would happen if a vote were called today, he responded that he believed that he would have "close to the amount, if not enough votes to pass the bill." But he also reminded listeners that congressional politics are much more complicated than that. Questions still remain as to where this bill stands in the Senate, and although not directly stated, other pieces of pro-LGBT legislation may be taking some of the necessary political capital needed to pass UAFA.
For activists looking to make some calls and write some letters, Rep. Nadler noted that the key players in moving this bill are: Rep. Zoe Lofgren, who chairs the House subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law; Rep. John Conyers, who as chair of the House Judiciary Committee, must give his OK before a hearing on any bill; and finally House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who ultimately wields the power to call a bill onto the floor for a vote. Lofgren and Conyers support the bill, but moving it is another story...
Another interesting dimension to the forum was the discussion on where LGBT issues fall in the broader spectrum of immigration reform in the US. The issue of immigration generally has been incendiary for the current Congress, and even pitted Senate Republicans against President Bush earlier this year. Staff attorneys from the Asian American Justice Center and MALDEF gave their views on immigration as they affected the Asian and Latino communities. Their message essentially was that it's important for all parties interested in immigration reform to be working together so that 1) the reform will be comprehensive, addressing issues important to all affected minority groups and 2) legislators are facing pressure from the largest possible bloc of voters.
UAFA is one of the many pieces of legislation that same-sex couples rely on in order to get some of the protections and benefits that marriage would otherwise automatically provide. But because the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) will likely happen anytime in the immediate future, this bill is a worth-while cause. The consensus of the panelists was that passage of bills like UAFA will not likely come until Democrats pick up a few more seats in both the House and the Senate and a new (and Democratic) President is elected. According to HRC's scorecard, all Democratic Presidential candidates have vocally supported the Uniting American Families Act.
In the meantime, Rep. Nadler advises us to keep our US Representatives' "feet to the fire" so that once the planets align in Washington, we as a community can take full advantage.
Morning Sweep
A spectrum of responses to Republican Sen. Larry Craig's press conference yesterday:
The Idaho Statesman: "During a brief—and largely defiant—public appearance Tuesday afternoon, Sen. Larry Craig apologized for bringing "a cloud over Idaho." We're sorry, senator. This cloud does not belong to the people who have elected you for the past 27 years. It's all yours."
Hilary Rosen: "Larry Craig isn't gay. Thank god cuz we don't really want him to be. Ick. Now that he has told the country that he isn't gay in a press conference, I am so relieved."
Pam Spaulding: "Oh lord, he's denying it all, blaming the Idaho Statesman, and said categorically that he is not gay ('I've never been gay.") He has not yet decided on whether he's running for re-election. He took no questions. OK, boys, if you've done Sen. Craig in a washroom, this is a Gary Hart moment. He's seeking counsel now. How on earth can you plead guilty by mistake!"
Mitt Romney: "Once again, we've found people in Washington have not lived up to the level of respect and dignity that we would expect for somebody that gets elected to a position of high influence." (for the Romney-Craig connection, click here)
Lady Bunny: "Of course, the very republicans who espouse rewriting the Constitution to redefine marriage as between a man and a woman so that gays can never marry keep on getting busted for homo-sex in tearooms."
Tom Toles (political cartoonist)
MediaMatters calls out The New York Times and various networks for failing to include Sen. Craig's record on gay issues in their reporting of the scandal.
In non-Craig news:
The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago may be electing a lesbian as their new bishop, which would make her the second openly LGBT Episcopal bishop in the US.
The ACLU and Human Rights Watch are looking into the death of a transgender inmate at a San Pedro, CA immigration detention center. These groups believe that Victor Arellano may have been denied vital AIDS medication and thus died while in custody.
The Idaho Statesman: "During a brief—and largely defiant—public appearance Tuesday afternoon, Sen. Larry Craig apologized for bringing "a cloud over Idaho." We're sorry, senator. This cloud does not belong to the people who have elected you for the past 27 years. It's all yours."
Hilary Rosen: "Larry Craig isn't gay. Thank god cuz we don't really want him to be. Ick. Now that he has told the country that he isn't gay in a press conference, I am so relieved."
Pam Spaulding: "Oh lord, he's denying it all, blaming the Idaho Statesman, and said categorically that he is not gay ('I've never been gay.") He has not yet decided on whether he's running for re-election. He took no questions. OK, boys, if you've done Sen. Craig in a washroom, this is a Gary Hart moment. He's seeking counsel now. How on earth can you plead guilty by mistake!"
Mitt Romney: "Once again, we've found people in Washington have not lived up to the level of respect and dignity that we would expect for somebody that gets elected to a position of high influence." (for the Romney-Craig connection, click here)
Lady Bunny: "Of course, the very republicans who espouse rewriting the Constitution to redefine marriage as between a man and a woman so that gays can never marry keep on getting busted for homo-sex in tearooms."
Tom Toles (political cartoonist)
MediaMatters calls out The New York Times and various networks for failing to include Sen. Craig's record on gay issues in their reporting of the scandal.
In non-Craig news:
The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago may be electing a lesbian as their new bishop, which would make her the second openly LGBT Episcopal bishop in the US.
The ACLU and Human Rights Watch are looking into the death of a transgender inmate at a San Pedro, CA immigration detention center. These groups believe that Victor Arellano may have been denied vital AIDS medication and thus died while in custody.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Morning Sweep
This morning is all about Idaho Senator Larry Craig, the latest anti-gay Republican to be caught in a scandal involving lewd behavior of a (you guessed it) gay nature. BlogActive originally speculated on Sen. Craig's gay tendencies last year. But it wasn't until Roll Call posted a story yesterday on the Senator's June (mis)adventures that the story really started to gain traction. More here, here, here, here and here. We'll be saying more on this later...
In other news:
Deb Price is calling on Congress to get moving on pro-LGBT legislation (she specifically points to ENDA) before all attention is directed to the 2008 election.
If you have a subscription to the Wall Street Journal, you can read how Middle Eastern countries are now starting to market to gay and lesbian travelers. "You have to be creative and sometimes discreet," says a Middle Eastern gay services travel adviser. Sounds fun, huh?
A highly regarded principal of a school in Port Ewan, NY will be undergoing male-to-female transition surgery in the coming months. The school will be holding meetings to discuss transgender issues with students and parents.
GenderPAC released its 2007 Gender Equality National Index for Universities and Schools, which (among other things) evaluates how well schools across the country are handling issues of gender identity and expression.
In other news:
Deb Price is calling on Congress to get moving on pro-LGBT legislation (she specifically points to ENDA) before all attention is directed to the 2008 election.
If you have a subscription to the Wall Street Journal, you can read how Middle Eastern countries are now starting to market to gay and lesbian travelers. "You have to be creative and sometimes discreet," says a Middle Eastern gay services travel adviser. Sounds fun, huh?
A highly regarded principal of a school in Port Ewan, NY will be undergoing male-to-female transition surgery in the coming months. The school will be holding meetings to discuss transgender issues with students and parents.
GenderPAC released its 2007 Gender Equality National Index for Universities and Schools, which (among other things) evaluates how well schools across the country are handling issues of gender identity and expression.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
