What's happening in your neck of the woods? (or lgbtq chat only nominally sexual...)

[neonflux]

To echo Sister Rebecca , "I think I might regret this..." It just occured to me that we have no thread to discuss the LGBT news of the day - so let's have it, local, state, national, international. What's happening in our communities and what do you think about it? Here's my first contribution:

From the Bay Times (in San Francisco):

A Farewell to Falwell in the Castro
By Sister Dana Van Iquity
Published: May 17, 2007

Above: Sisters B ella de Ball and Mary Timothy with their Tinkie Winkie pinata; right: Jay Hurley is pretty clear on his views of the late “reverend.” Photo by Rink.
The Rev. Jerry Falwell, televangelist and founder of the Moral Majority in 1987, passed away on May 15 in Virginia at the age of 73. So at 5:15 p.m. on 5/15 at approximately 515 Castro Street, citizens of the Castro and beyond held an anti-memorial for the deceased Rev. Falwell.

Some of the members of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. rallied at the Bank of America site to do a ritual, saying they wanted to make something positive out of someone who was so negative towards queer people. The idea was to let go of all the hurt and pain Falwell caused and use those emotions to knock down the very gates of his hell; then to fill the void with the joy that we are. The Sisters had set up an altar at the site, with candles, photos of Falwell, and several Tinky Winky dolls (including a Tinky piñata), since it was Falwell who first declared the kiddie show Teletubbies mascot as a homo activist (well, he WAS purple and he DID carry a purse). Click here to read the whole article.

Neon

 

[stlpenguin]

Hm... all sorts of stuff around here. I'll have to get my copy of "Between the Lines" for this week and post some articles.

-- Scott

 

[Anniejustagirl]

In Iowa... the gay marriage ban is once again being challenged after a huge step forward was taken with an inclusion in the civil rights bill of Iowa.

DES MOINES -- A legal challenge to Iowa's ban on gay marriage returned to the courtroom Friday, with plaintiffs arguing in Polk County District Court that the ban violates the Iowa Constitution.

The gay marriage ban became law in 1998, when Republicans controlled the Legislature and the governor's office. In November, Democrats gained control of the Legislature and the governor's office and it has led to a fresh push for gay rights.

The most prominent example is a bill passed last week that expands the state civil rights code to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. The measure was a top priority for Gov. Chet Culver and the leaders of the Iowa House and Senate. However, the measure includes a provision that says the new bill is not meant to invalidate the ban on gay marriage.

Great thread idea, Neon!

 

[neonflux]

Hm... all sorts of stuff around here. I'll have to get my copy of "Between the Lines" for this week and post some articles.

-- Scott

Please! Can't wait!

Neon

 

[neonflux]

In Iowa... the gay marriage ban is once again being challenged after a huge step forward was taken with an inclusion in the civil rights bill of Iowa.

DES MOINES -- A legal challenge to Iowa's ban on gay marriage returned to the courtroom Friday, with plaintiffs arguing in Polk County District Court that the ban violates the Iowa Constitution.

The gay marriage ban became law in 1998, when Republicans controlled the Legislature and the governor's office. In November, Democrats gained control of the Legislature and the governor's office and it has led to a fresh push for gay rights.

The most prominent example is a bill passed last week that expands the state civil rights code to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. The measure was a top priority for Gov. Chet Culver and the leaders of the Iowa House and Senate. However, the measure includes a provision that says the new bill is not meant to invalidate the ban on gay marriage.

Great thread idea, Neon!

That's really, really exciting! Is there anything we can do to help?

It's interesting to me that as supportive as the new politicians are in your state, like their counterparts here in "liberal" California, they're still afraid of the words, "gay marriage." But steps is steps!

Neon

P.S., glad you liked the idea

 

[neonflux]

Can you say yea! for adoption rights?

Landmark Lawsuit Protects California Adoptive Families
By Dennis McMillan
Published: May 24, 2007

Michael and Rich Butler, a San Jose couple, successfully resolved their landmark discrimination suit on Monday, May 21 against the operators of the for-profit websites Adoption.com and ParentProfiles.com. “This case was about ensuring that these businesses stop discriminating against same-sex couples in California by excluding them from offering loving, stable homes to children,” said Michael Butler, one of the plaintiffs in the case. “We have succeeded, and we believe this case sends the message that Californians will not tolerate businesses that discriminate.” (read more)

 

[Wolfman1982]

Sad news here....

The Danish government, has made a law that will make people who live in a "paperless"(meaning they aren´t married) relationship not entitled to any heritage, if their partner dies. If they haven´t written a will. I know it also hit straight people. But still the government here is beginning to get on my nerves lately.

you can read about here if you can read Danish.

http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2007/05/26/002235.htm?nyheder

 

[neonflux]

Sad news here....

The Danish government, has made a law that will make people who live in a "paperless"(meaning they aren´t married) relationship not entitled to any heritage, if their partner dies. If they haven´t written a will. I know it also hit straight people. But still the government here is beginning to get on my nerves lately.

you can read about here if you can read Danish.

http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2007/05/26/002235.htm?nyheder

Now that is pretty sad. I don't know why I've always thought of the Danish government as being so much more progressive and sane in these areas? Is same-gender marriage not then legal in Denmark?

Neon

 

[Wolfman1982]

Now that is pretty sad. I don't know why I've always thought of the Danish government as being so much more progressive and sane in these areas? Is same-gender marriage not then legal in Denmark?

Neon

I have heard that before, but thanks to MY fuckedup bush arse kissing government, we get a very screwed up law, that will even have an even weirder extra law in some months. We (the Danes) doesn´t have a social democratic government any more. And yes, if two gay people get married. Then they can inherite eachother, but not the other way around. Some years ago, there if you had been in a relation for at least 8 years, then your SO could inherite you, but not now with the government we have now. This government is so rightwinged, that the "support party" to the "Left" party (they are like republicans) have the neo nazi party (sue me Pia Kjærsgård for calling your party a neo nazi party), named "Danish People Party". Or in Danish Dansk Folkeparti. Even though alot of times they have been the only party telling the truth about different stuff, but NOT when it came to the GLBT area at all.

the "Left" party in Danish is Venstre. And the chief there is Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who is the biggest Bush arse kisser , I have ever seen. He is even bigger than Blair, and alot of stuff is rotten in the house of Denmark. And I could go on, about what is bad in Denmark. But still I am optimistic And yes I am a social democrat.

 

[neonflux]

I have heard that before, but thanks to MY fuckedup bush arse kissing government, we get a very screwed up law, that will even have an even weirder extra law in some months. We (the Danes) doesn´t have a social democratic government any more. And yes, if two gay people get married. Then they can inherite eachother, but not the other way around. Some years ago, there if you had been in a relation for at least 8 years, then your SO could inherite you, but not now with the government we have now. This government is so rightwinged, that the "support party" to the "Left" party (they are like republicans) have the neo nazi party (sue me Pia Kjærsgård for calling your party a neo nazi party), named "Danish People Party". Or in Danish Dansk Folkeparti. Even though alot of times they have been the only party telling the truth about different stuff, but NOT when it came to the GLBT area at all.

the "Left" party in Danish is Venstre. And the chief there is Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who is the biggest Bush arse kisser , I have ever seen. He is even bigger than Blair, and alot of stuff is rotten in the house of Denmark. And I could go on, about what is bad in Denmark. But still I am optimistic And yes I am a social democrat.

This "social conservative" right-wing movement world wide is a pretty frightening thing.

At least Le Pen got soundly beaten in France recently, and I think that things are going to turn here in the U.S. this election (if the Democrats can just get their act together - they are as bad as the Palestinian leadership under Arafat - never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity).

*sigh* ~ Neon

P.S., at some level, I think Blair's support of Bush actually comes from nobler motives - the old liberal desire to right wrongs... Doesn't make his actions better, but it actually makes me somewhat sad for the man. Have you read/seen either of the two David Hare plays about the same? The Vertical Hour (I saw the Broadway premiere) or Stuff Happens ?

 

[neonflux]

Gay linguists discharged from the military yet again...

On the heals of Memorial Day...

U.S. military continues to discharge gay Arab linguists, and Congress members seek hearing

The Associated Press
Published: May 23, 2007

WASHINGTON: Lawmakers who say the military has kicked out 58 Arabic linguists because they were gay want the Pentagon to explain how it can afford to let the valuable language specialists go.

Seizing on the latest discharges, involving three specialists, members of the House of Representatives wrote the House Armed Services Committee chairman that the continued loss of such "capable, highly skilled Arabic linguists continues to compromise our national security during time of war." Click me to read more.

QUESTION:

I do web work for several organizations working to overturn DADT. I have several progressive friends who have criticized me for this because they don't think that we (LGBT folks) should be in the military, period. (Well, actually, they don't believe in the military, period.)

Any thoughts???

Neon

 

[playwithlezli]

Hurray for Poland, they have decided to discontinue the research on determining whether or not Tinkie Wink the Teletubbie is gay or bi or promoting homosexuality or whatever he has been accused of. Welcome to the 19th century


Is it just me, or is promoting acceptance of homosexuality different than promoting homosexuality in and of itself?

 

[neonflux]

Not really spamming my own thread....

Hurray for Poland, they have decided to discontinue the research on determining whether or not Tinkie Wink the Teletubbie is gay or bi or promoting homosexuality or whatever he has been accused of. Welcome to the 19th century


Is it just me, or is promoting acceptance of homosexuality different than promoting homosexuality in and of itself?

Are the Poles channeling...

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q91/cleasf/harveyPeter.jpg

I originally posted this on another board (to cheer someone up) but I just couldn't help myself...