The Bilerico Project

Neg, U B 2

dgsma@hotmail.com (D Gregory Smith) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:30:00 -0500

I have done it.

At least once.

I know it's not uncommon. I hear it from friends, clients, strangers and it's even discussed in the media. So I'm pretty sure plenty of people reading this have done it, too. Or at least know someone who's done it.

I've had sex without discussing my HIV status or that of my partner.

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Bloggers honored at 2009 Courage Awards - The NYC Anti-Violence Project

pam@bilerico.com (Pam Spaulding) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:30:00 -0500

The 2009 Courage Awards were an inspiring event, and it was humbling to be honored as one of the citizen journalists (the glamour word for bloggers, don'tcha know, since we didn't have PJs on). For an organization that handles calls 24/7 in support of those who need some place to turn to when they are the victim of bias crimes, the NYC Anti-Violence Project should be hailed for its essential work for the community.

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LDS Changes Sides on Salt Lake City Human Rights Ordinance?

bil@bilerico.com (Bil Browning) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:45:00 -0500

Tonight's Salt Lake City city council meeting to pass a fully inclusive human rights ordinance might come with a pleasant surprise from the Mormons.

The LDS church previously opposed the ordinance, but according to my sources they will announce at tonight's meeting that they've flipped positions. While the church won't go so far as to endorse the measure, they will withdraw their opposition.

Why? My sources say top LDS leaders got stern warnings from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney; the politicians are concerned over a recent spate of negative publicity over the church's support of Prop 8.

Michael Westley, Media & Special Events Coordinator, confirmed that the Utah Pride Center had also heard the information. "We've heard it as well. We'll have to see if it really happens," he said.

Both Romney & Reid have supported employment protections for the LGBT community previously. The city council meets at 7pm Mountain.

About that LGBT boycott of the Obama Campaign, the DNC, and Organizing for America....

alex@bilerico.com (Alex Blaze) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500

I have the following problems with the LGBT boycott of the DNC that a few bloggers launched yesterday:

1. I thought we were already boycotting the DNC. Am I the only who thought that the gAyTM was already supposed to be shut down?

2. The list of charges against the DNC, in its current form, contains some half-truths and unconfirmed rumors on it. According to MLK, self-purification was an entire step when it came to executing a social justice action, and it should be instinctively obvious as to why. If we're seeking justice, we have to base our actions in truth.

3. They say the boycott ends once ENDA is passed and DOMA and DADT are repealed, but they don't specify whether they mean a transgender-inclusive ENDA or not. Since a known and unapologetic transphobe is organizing this, it's a very appropriate question. (And, yes, I would say the same thing if a homophobic transsexual person were organizing something like this.)

4. There has been some movement forward on LGBT issues. Hate crimes legislation passed, discrimination against trans folks in government was banned, a slew of LGBT people were appointed to high-ranking positions, LGBT-specific health care provisions were included in the House bill, an inclusive ENDA's plugging along, the HUD opened up their definition of family to include LGBT families, the Census Bureau will release data on same-sex couples who put themselves down as "married," the HUD will study LGBT housing discrimination for the first time ever, increased HIV/AIDS treatment funding through the Ryan White CARE Act was proposed in the House, the DHHS lifted the HIV travel ban, abstinence-only education is most likely gone, and the DHHS has promised to create an LGBT senior resource center.

These are important changes for lots of people in the community, and if the biggest thanks the DNC can expect to get is a boycott, then what motivation do they have to move on more issues?

Continue reading "About that LGBT boycott of the Obama Campaign, the DNC, and Organizing for America...."...

Zenyatta: Why Should We Care About a Horse?

patricia@bilerico.com (Patricia Nell Warren) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500

Whenever the U.S. economy is down and out, horse racing always manages to come up with a "feel good" champion that captures the public imagination. During the Great Depression, it was a homely little bay stallion from California named Seabiscuit. When he overcame defeats and infirmities to beat Triple Crown winner War Admiral in a historic match race, The Biscuit convinced a lot of unemployed Americans that they too could win their battles for survival.

Today, in the latest dark and gloomy time for America, that feel-good horse is a big beautiful bay mare from California named Zenyatta.

But Zenyatta is just a horse, right? Why should anybody give a hell about a frikking horse, with our country falling apart and LGBT people under fire everywhere?

Good question. But some people do see Zenyatta as a sign of hope for their own lives. This weekend at Santa Anita, when she scored the "impossible" win in the Breeders Cup Classic, most of my local LGBT horse-fan friends were in that crowd, screaming their lavender heads off. And the ones who couldn't make it to the track were glued to their TVs or their computer screens.

Why would they feel that way? Read on and find out.

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From the Inbox: "Insane Happy Happy Hour"

bil@bilerico.com (Bil Browning) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0500

Sometimes I just have to share what pops into my inbox while you guys aren't watching. I love this e-mail, personally. From now on, I'd like to be known as just "B." That's even better than just one word names; that's taking it to the next level - just a letter.

The subject line was "Insane Happy Happy Hour."

Yeah, ok...Maine sucks at life. However, look at those fucked up accents. They're hair is lame too. I don't think there's any zinc or vitamin E in lobster. Pretty sure now.

I just look at em (y'know, cuz I can see Maine from my apartment) & say,"Go on. Keep breeding." They're making exponentially more mo's right now. RIGHT NOW, B.

In a bizarre turn of quotationalism, I would like to call upon the ghost of Marilyn Manson, who said,"It is your world in which we grow, and we will grow to hate you."

They're making babies with a combo of piss and vinegar in lobsterland, and it's only a matter of time before those biggots will have to eat their hats and marry off their many many gay children. Unlike the 50s, they won't exactly be moving to California anymore, will they? I think prop 8 made a bigger, badder, stronger monster.

In summary: At least everyone is mad as hell.

*bow* thank you for your time,

Your Local Recruiter

Yeah. What he said.

On Paying for Immoral Things; or: Is Stupak on to Something?

dondavis@bilerico.com (Don Davis) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:00 -0500

There has been a great wailing and gnashing of teeth over the past day or so as those who follow the healthcare debate react to the Stupak/Some Creepy Republican Guy Amendment.

The Amendment, which is apparently intended to respond to conservative Democrats' concerns that too many women were voting for the Party in recent elections, was attached to the House's version of healthcare reform legislation that was voted out of the House this weekend.

The goal is to limit women's access to reproductive medicine services, particularly abortions; this based on the concept that citizens of good conscience shouldn't have their tax dollars used to fund activities they find morally repugnant.

At first blush, I was on the mild end of the wailing and gnashing spectrum myself...but having taken a day to mull the thing over, I'm starting to think that maybe we should take a look at the thinking behind this...and I'm also starting to think that, properly applied, Stupak's logic deserves a more important place in our own vision of how a progressive government might work.

It's Political Judo Day today, Gentle Reader, and by the time we're done here it's entirely possible that you'll see Stupak's logic in a whole new light.

Continue reading "On Paying for Immoral Things; or: Is Stupak on to Something?"...

A Rally in Albany

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500

New York blogger bud Gavin contacted me with this report about yesterday's marriage rights rally in Albany, New York..

Just when I thought we were all burned out from Maine and Washington, looking at these photos made me feel hopeful after a long day of cynicism and talk of violence.

Here's just one:

1903 Muscle Mag: VIM

gloria@bilerico.com (Gloria Brame Ph.D.) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0500

Talk about rare! A wonderful relic from the Victorian age, when men were put on pedestals. So to speak.

Please Thank Senators Paul Kirk and Ted Kaufman: ENDA's Newest Co-Sponsors

jillian@bilerico.com (Dr. Jillian T. Weiss) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0500

Senator Paul Kirk of Massachusetts and Ted Kaufman of Delaware have signed on as the newest co-sponsors of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, S. 1584.

Just as it is important to ask for support, it is also important to say thank you.

Senator Kirk made the list last week, on November 4, the day before the Senate hearing. Senator Kaufman's name appeared this morning.

Please take the time to call and say thank you to Senators Kirk and Kaufman for stepping up to the plate on civil rights.

I will be on the radio tonight on a call-in show on WRFG (which you can hear on the internet) at approximately 7:30 ET to discuss this and more on ENDA. Please feel free to call in and ask a question or make a comment.

Contact info and more after the jump.

Continue reading "Please Thank Senators Paul Kirk and Ted Kaufman: ENDA's Newest Co-Sponsors"...

Our Families Count Launches Website

jerame@bilerico.com (Jerame Davis) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:30:00 -0500

In July, I wrote about a project I've been involved with that aims "to educate and motivate all LGBT Americans and households to be visible in 2010, and to take part in the 2010 U.S. Census."

At that time, Our Families Count was in its infancy with little more than a list of participating organizations and a website I had hastily put together to fill the void while a more professional and sophisticated site could be built.

Today, Our Families Count is proud to launch our new website at www.ourfamiliescount.org. It's chock full of information for LGBT families about the Census, such as how to fill out the form, how same-sex households will be counted for this Census, and a great photo gallery of LGBT families.

So, go check it out. Let us know what you think. Official press release, including a full list of current partners and a Spanish language translation is after the jump.

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Exclusion of GLBT dialogue in schools hurts all children

donnapandori@bilerico.com (Donna Pandori) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:30:00 -0500

We've seen in California and now Maine how far religious fundamentalists will go to prevent same-sex couples from obtaining the civil right of marriage. The successful theme continually used which resonates with their supporters is "homosexuals will indoctrinate your children in schools." Buying this argument requires two things
a) A complete lack of knowledge and understanding of who GLBTs are.
b) Belief the GLBT is a community to fear.

"Homosexuality in Your Child's School," a pamphlet distributed by the Family Research Council (FRC), is an example of the type of marketing material being used in the campaign against GLBTs in schools. It's eloquently written with ostensible facts but within the first paragraph its main message is revealed:

Despite decades of activism and media propaganda promoting acceptance and celebration of homosexuality, and numerous political and judicial victories for the pro-homosexual movement, a clear majority of Americans still believe that homosexual behavior is "morally wrong."

Indoctrinating impressionable school children is an easier way of changing public attitudes toward homosexuality than persuading adults.

However, since directly promoting acceptance of homosexuality or of sexual activity by students would be controversial, pro-homosexual activists routinely deny or downplay those aspects of their agenda. Instead, they begin with the school policy proposals that are likely, politically, to win the most agreement. The first issue raised by the advocates of homosexuality is invariably the same--"safety."

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I need your help ASAP!

bil@bilerico.com (Bil Browning) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0500

This post will stay at the top of the page until midnight. New posts are underneath this one.

Projectors,

I know I was lucky enough to win the NYC Anti-Violence Project's Courage Award last night along with fellow contributor Pam Spaulding (for her own fantastic site, Pam's House Blend), Joe Jervis of Joe.My.God. and Andy Towle from Towleroad. But can you help us to win another award today?

We're only 200 votes shy from winning 1st place as Indiana's Best Blog. Think about that for a second. Indiana blog. When you think of Indiana, do you think LGBT issues? My home state didn't even have a hate crimes law until the federal government signed it into law!!

We're in 7th place currently and voting ends at midnight. Over 12.5k visitors came to Bilerico Project yesterday alone. Imagine how much we could cream the competition if everyone who visited today voted! What a landslide that would be for an LGBT blog in a Midwestern non-gay friendly state.

You can only vote once and voting ends tonight at midnight Eastern. Help us pull out the win! Please!

What the Elections Meant

dana@bilerico.com (Dana Rudolph) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:30:00 -0500

"The Republicans were quick to claim on Tuesday that their victories were a repudiation of President Obama. The truth is, voters in Virginia, New Jersey and New York said their decisions had nothing to do with Obama. And voters in Maine, who voted down gay marriage, said their decisions had nothing to do with fairness or compassion."

--Wanda Sykes, on The Wanda Sykes Show

Gays protest Catholics in Portland, Maine

alex@bilerico.com (Alex Blaze) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0500

Gays protested the Catholic Church in Maine.

Is Violence Inevitable In Our Fight For Equality?

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:00:00 -0500

Before you comment on this topic, I urge you to carefully read this post at JoeMyGod.

Joe's advice is sensible. Don't say anything in a comment that you wouldn't say when writing a signed letter to a newspaper.

The specter of gay violence has been with me for many months as the advocates for gay rights have mobilized in challenging the homophobic religious bigots who would deny us equal rights. It's as if the breath of righteous indignation could any minute cause the embers to burst into flame.

I am very worried about this.

Continue reading "Is Violence Inevitable In Our Fight For Equality?"...

Ed Flanagan, FTW

alex@bilerico.com (Alex Blaze) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:00:00 -0500

Good on Vermont senator Ed Flanagan. Take a lesson from this lawyer and politician, boys, because he didn't do the stupidest thing you can do when you get arrested for cruising: admit to doing anything wrong.

[Addison County State's Attorney Chris] Perkett said his review of the evidence found that Flanagan did engage in the conduct alleged -- masturbation in open view inside a men's fitness room at the YMCA -- in late July but did not do so intentionally.

"I don't believe beyond a reasonable doubt that he intentionally engaged in the conduct," Perkett said. "More importantly, I don't believe I could prove it beyond a reasonable doubt."

Flanagan, a Democrat from Burlington, said he was "relieved" and said he intends to serve out his two-year term before deciding what elective office to seek in 2010.

In an interview, he adamantly denied masturbating at the YMCA, but said he realized his actions could have been misinterpreted by a club member who reported the conduct the YMCA, and later to police.

Did Flanagan jack off in the shower? Who knows and who the hell cares. But what he did do was adamantly deny what he was accused of doing to the police, which counts for something. It's better than Larry Craig, who signed a confession and hoped the whole thing would go away, leaving folks like me screaming at our computer screens. These things never just go away.

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Vegas still casts desert mirage of equality

sharpietaboo@gmail.com (Cassandra Keenan) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500

It's the sex and gambling capital of the world - a place where anything goes, right? Wrong.

As far as I'm concerned, Las Vegas generally has a bogus reputation for being socially liberal, including when it comes to LGBTQ liberties, specifically regarding trans individuals. This widespread belief is likely due to the image of carnal excess and indulgence that our tourism industry and the media pound into the heads of consumers around the country and beyond.

But if you look more carefully (which I personally have done over the five years I've been living here), you will notice that what's perceived as a relaxed attitude toward sex and gender is not what it seems.

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On Snow And Cameras, Or, Health Care Gets A Day Off

dondavis@bilerico.com (Don Davis) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500

Whether you are deliriously happy, incredibly sad, or still uncertain about how you feel about what has emerged from the House this weekend, it's probably safe to say that one thing everyone is... is sick of the whole thing.

Of course, we're far from done--but just to give us all a break, I'm going to abruptly change the subject.

I have a Flip Video camera--which I am still getting used to--and last night we ran up the hill to Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, ostensibly to test the camera's low-light capabilities...but really so we could drive around in all the fresh new snow.

There's plenty of time to get back to the political wars in a bit; but for right now let's head up the mountain, see some cool stuff, talk about what the camera can--and can't--do, and, just for fun, we'll answer the age-old Seattle question: "how long does it take to find three places that sell espresso at the top of a mountain pass in the middle of nowhere?"

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Don't Ask, Don't Tell

jeff@bilerico.com (Jeff Sheng) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0500

For almost all of us, this past week has been crushing due to the results from Maine. Almost an equal disappointment for myself is that I am reminded how President Obama was elected a year ago, and change still seems incredibly slow.

Those of you who are familiar with my work, know that I am an artist and activist, where I specifically use photography to create a dialogue with the straight world about LGBTQ issues. My major project for the last 6 years has been "Fearless," which deals with homophobia in sports, particularly in our high schools and colleges.

About two years ago, I decided that my follow up photography project to "Fearless" was going to be something that dealt with the military policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

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