Prop 8: the ruling

You gotta love the 14th amendment of the U. S. Constitution.

Section 1.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

That clause should mean that my partner and I shall be able to marry, just like all three of my brothers have, to the person I love.

It may take a few years, but that will be the law of the land in Alabama before its over with.

Yesterday, Judge Vaughn Walker wrote:

"...Prop 8 both unconstitutionally burdens the exercise of the fundamental right to marry and creates an irrational classification on the basis of sexual orientation."

And more.

Here is the entire ruling (I'm having a hard time loading the whole thing here. Come back if you can't see it now).

Prop 8 Ruling

I love it when people express their feelings.

Here's Sam Harris.




Remember, I posted a video by Sam after Prop 8 was passed. He expressed his feeling at that time also.

Anyway, the ruling is a huge victory, if you are interested in Equality and Liberty. I will be writing more about this for a magazine!

The confirmation of Elena Kagan today is a great thing, as well.

Openly terrific

The President hosted a reception in honor of LGBT Pride month yesterday.

I'm wondering if Rick and Bubba will be able to hold their tongues. They've been warned by their sponsors and by their syndicator to hold down their rhetoric or face the music.

While most of the local community has heard what the sponsors are saying (both Academy Sports and Bojangles Chicken have said they don't agree with Rick Burgess' comments and told the radio hosts as much, and that if they targeted gays or any other group like that again they would pull their sponsorship. The syndicator of the show is unhappy as well, and he doesn't want to hear any more reports of such talk.

Here is the president speaking at the reception. He called Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis, lesbian and gay members of the House of Representative, "openly terrific."

I think that's a great new term for us. Because being gay is terrific.




Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also spoke at an event celebrating LGBT Pride month.

She was the first first lady to march in a Pride parade.

"Human rights are gay rights and gay rights are human rights once and for all."



One of my facebook friends, and straight woman who took part in the civil rights struggles during the 1960's posted this comment on one of my facebook posts yesterday.

June is Pride Month. President Obama has called upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their lives and everywhere it exists.

I am so proud of our straight allies and the way they take up for us against the hurtful rhetoric of the right.

So many people have told me or have posted on facebook that this year's Pride has given them more inspiration than they have felt in years. Polls are showing that Americans are now more accepting of Equality than they have ever been, and many religious groups or individual churches are realizing that LGBT people are created and loved by God just as they are.

In spite of the vocal frustration with the Obama administration on the slowness of advancement of LGBT Equality, we really should be thankful of the progress that has been made.

These things come to mind.

Passage of the (inclusive) Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act.

Repeal of the HIV ban on travel.

Hospital visitation for lesbian and gay partners (in hospitals that accept Medicare and Medicaid.

Federal employee benefits.

Broadening of the definition of "son and daughter" so employers would be required to offer workers in same sex relationships the same right to take 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for partner's newborns or to adopt (announced yesterday by the labor department).

And the president's call for congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), to pass an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and the pending end of Don't Ask Don't Tell(DADT). The House has passed the repeal, the Senate Armed Services Comittee has approved, and the full Senate will vote someday.

Country singer Chely Wright was at the President's reception.

Here is her video for "I Already Do."

Southern Baptists oppose DADT repeal (no surprise)

I looked back over the archives of this site and was quite surprised at how seldom I write about Southern Baptists. They are all around me, are mostly virulently homophobic, but in the last couple of years haven't had much to say about the subject.

Part of that may be because they are realizing that the denomination is shrinking, (an article in the Birmingham News a few weeks ago pointed out that teen baptisms was down and so future growth of the denomination was in question) and during their "strategizing" haven't wanted to seem too mean spirited (but when has that ever stopped them?).

Anyway, in today's Birmingham News is an article titled "Baptists fear end of Don't Ask" with the subtitle "Chaplains might lose freedom, group fears."

It seems that Southern Baptists have more chaplains in the military (448) than any other denominations (Roman Catholic - 252, Assemblies of God - 119, United Methodist - 110, Seventh Day Adventist - 43, Mormon - 37, Orthodox - 25, United Church of Christ - 17, Islam -10, Judaism - 21, Buddhist -1).

The article says there are about 3,000 active-duty chaplains, so those numbers don't add up. I think the "3,000" includes Reserve and National Guard chaplains, and the other numbers are just Department of Defense numbers.

Here's the fear.

"Southern Baptists...have told Congress and the Pentagon that chaplains
could lose their freedom to preach and counsel against homosexuality if openly
gay members are accepted by the military."

I'm thinking that if I'm in Afghanistan and am worried about an IED maiming me or knowing that the next day my unit is beginning a dangerous offensive in which I may be expected to take another person's (terrorist, woman, child) life and I go to my chaplain for counseling, that I want to hear something other than a preaching about my sexuality.

And under the current policy, since there are no "openly gay" members of the military (wink, wink), and the assumption is therefore that everyone is straight, there is absolutely no reason for a chaplain to be "preaching" against homosexuality anyway.

"Southern Baptist leaders have warned their chaplains may have to leave the
military if don't Ask/Don't Tell is repealed"

So if you can't be over there preaching your intolerance, then you don't think you can be over there making soldiers feel OK about what they are doing? That is weird, man.

Gays are in the military, and always have been.

Always.

During the Revolutionary War, Friedrich Wilhelm Augustin Ludolf Gerhard von Steuben, who was crucial in the modernization of George Washington's army, stands out.

This statue of Von Steuben by Albert Jaegers is in Lafayette Park in Washington DC.

From Gay Military Signal:

Von Steuben arrived at Valley Forge, that cold winter of 1778, with a young
French nobleman who was his 'assistant' and lover. As he spoke almost no
English, Washington assigned two young inseparable officers, who were fluent in
French and were lovers, to work with Von Steuben to translate his work.
They were 20 year old Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton (who was also likely to have been this nation's first mixed race officer) and 24 year old Lieutenant
Colonel John Laurens (who was the son of the President of the Continental
Congress that year, Henry Laurens). Laurens later died in battle, becoming
one of America's first Gay heroes. Their love letters still exist.

So, Southern Baptists, get over it. We were here before you were.

Coming out. Justin. Ricky.

"Only you will know when the time is right."

Those were the words heard by Justin as he was contemplating coming out last night on Ugly Betty. Of course, everybody else knew he was gay already, and was accepting, but he had to accept himself.

He was finally convinced that he had nothing to worry about, and that, yes, everything would change, but the change would be for the better.

So he took Austin's hand and led him to the dance floor.

Watch the entire wedding scene here.




And



Likewise, singer Ricky Martin took the same step last week, realizing the importance to be honest with himself and his kids, a familiar story if I do say so myself.



These two examples, one a fictional character and the other a heartthrob to millions; one a teen in today's world surrounded by the fashion industry, the other a bit older but having grown up in a culture and time when being gay was not so accepted - both show what all gay people have to go through. Accepting one's self, admitting that one is different, is no easy task.

People of my generation often speak of how "easy" young people today have it.

But if that were so, why do gay kids, or kids accused of being gay, still kill themselves, a scenario (true) powerfully told in the movie, Prayers for Bobby?

Why do gay youth, or kids perceived to be gay, still get beat up and/or killed?

Why do gay teens, upon telling their parents they are gay, still get kicked out of their homes?

It is never easy. One never knows what the immediate and distant future will bring.

But, one can be assured that accepting the fact that you are gay, or lesbian, or bisexual, or transgender, will give you an immediate sense of relief, and is the first step in developing the confidence you will need to deal with whatever follows.

Enjoy some Ricky.

"Those Others" now available

My book, Those Others: Navigating the "Riddle of Homosexuality" in 1965, is now available.

Buy from Amazon, right here, or get one directly from me. Details plus more information about the book and the articles from the Washington Post that inspired me.


Thank you Uncle Joe (who provided me with the Washington Post articles), and Frank Kameny (who provided special insight into the gay protest in DC in 1965).

Census chatter

I'm sure that everyone who reads this blog is educated enough to know the importance of completing your Census form and sending it in, and how much more it costs to have a Census worker come to your house and get you to do it.

Census workers at the Bridge Jubilee in Selma this year

For gay and lesbian citizens in relationships this is a first time opportunity. After at first saying that same sex couples would not be counted, now we are told that we will be. None of that extrapolating results like was done after the 2000 Census to make educated guesses about the number of same sex couples.

OK, but we have choices to make. The form asks how Person 2 is related to Person 1. Among the choices are "Husband or wife", "Roomer or boarder", "Housemate or roommate", and "Unmarried partner". For those in serious relationships, "Husband or wife", or "Unmarried partner", are the choices to consider.

In our situation, we do consider ourselves married, or with the equivalency of marriage as far as our family, friends and Valentine's Day cards are concerned. We may have come close to getting married in 2008 but Prop 8 interfered. So we have no legal status of marriage and none of the over 1000 Federal and state benefits that married heteros have.

We do have friends in this state who are legally married (in other states) but whose marriage is not recognized here, or by the feds.

The Census instructions say that "common law" marriages count in the husband or wife category.

The Census folks say that we will be counted. That both those who check "Husband or wife" or "Unmarried partner" will be counted as "same-sex couples" (if the Person 1 is of the same sex as Person 2).



We checked "Unmarried partner" because if we consider ourselves married on the only federal form that gives us that option, then it seems we have nothing left to fight for. In other words, if all the gay couples considered themselves married on this form, it could be said by the marriage foes that we already have marriage in our own eyes.

Please complete your form appropriately, whether you are gay or str8, married or not, and mail it in because it does help determine how we are represented in Washington and the number of federal $ we get.

Be counted!

Ridiculous notions of homosexuality

This video was made by one of the most confused, in denial, bisexual or gay human beings I have ever seen. via joemygod.

First she has a distorted view of where homosexuality comes from.

"The Lord spoke to me and he said that the enemy has released a giant spirit of homosexuality throughout the world."

As if that isn't enough, she encountered a lesbian and became homosexual for 45 minutes because it rubbed off on her!!! Seriously. but once she gets to her truck, she is able to cast the spirit off.




She says the feelings of homosexuality felt "natural"...because they are natural.

Read more about the upcoming protest here.

It was reported in the Birmingham News as well.

Ex-gay pushback

This is background for what you will hear next week about so-called "ex-gay" therapies, which have been discredited by every professional organization.

• American Psychiatric Association (“the risks…are great” and include “self destructive behavior,” and “reinforces self hatred…already experienced by the patient”)
• American Psychological Association (“so-called conversion therapy is not supported by the science”)
• American Medical Association (“oppose any psychiatric treatment, such as ‘reparative’ or ‘conversion’ therapy”)
• American Counseling Association (supports “appropriate interventions in order to counteract bias that is based on ignorance or unfounded beliefs about same gender sexual orientation)
• American Academy of Pediatrics (Therapy directed specifically at changing sexual orientation is contraindicated…provokes guilt and anxiety while having little or no potential for achieving changes in orientation)
• National Association of Social Workers (No data demonstrate that reparative or conversion therapies are effective, and in fact they may be harmful).

We believe that truth wins out, and here are the facts. Gay teens are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers, and are at higher risk of dropping out of school, being kicked out of their homes, and turning to life on the streets for survival. They are at risk because their distress is a direct result of the hatred and prejudice that surround them, not because of their inherently gay or lesbian identity orientation.

Next week several events will take place in Birmingham regarding an ex-gay ministry. Watch this site, facebook, examiner.com, and the news for more information.

Thank you Mitchell Gold, Wayne Besen.

Update in Bessemer. Aaron Killings and Denise Blue Poe are back on the job. No explanation given.

Celebrate!!!!

Be sure to read my Western Tribune column that follows.

It's time to celebrate.

In my Western Tribune column on November 19, 2008 , I made the following prediction:

"Barack Obama may not immediately grant all of our wishes, but I would be willing to bet that the first legislation that mentions sexual orientation to be passed and signed by a president will occur within the first year of his administration. And then we will be on the way to a nation that values each of its citizens."

Moments ago, that prediction came true. President Obama has signed legislation enacting the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

It took 11 years after the murder of Matthew Shepard and and James Byrd, Jr before this legislation was signed.

Thankfully we now have a president who supports (however slowly) our community, unlike the previous president who...well we won't even bring that up.

To see what the gay community must do to see that equality is reached, go here.

Locally, in Birmingham, we can celebrate because the Board of Education has passed a policy on Anti-Bullying that includes sexual orientation, gender identity and expression!!! The first of its kind in the state. Thanks to board member Howard Bayless for leading the way on this. Will Bessemer follow suit?

Now, if we can just get a verdict in the Larry Langford trial.

Update: Langford guilty on all counts. Carole Smitherman is now mayor of Birmingham. Let's see about electing Patrick Cooper.

Here's a video from my college years. Three Dog Night

Western Tribune column October 7, 2009 GLBT Equality

Be sure to read my report on NFL players supporting gay equality on Examiner.

This is my column from today's Western Tribune. Is this the most "gay equality promoting" column ever printed in an Alabama newspaper by a regular columnist? Maybe.

***************************************
Western Tribune October 7, 2009

I’ve had a good laugh all week after reading another letter in this paper. The phrase “gay or lesbian homosexuals” caught my eye.

As a knowledgeable gay person it made me wonder who the letter writer was referring to. I didn’t know there were any homosexuals who are not gay or lesbian.

This is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) History Month and this weekend tens of thousands of people are expected in the nation’s capital to march for equality. This will be the fifth national rally for gay equality, prior marches having taken place in 1979, 1987, 1993, and 2000.

The first protest in Washington DC for gay rights was in 1965 when about ten local men and women picketed with signs in front of the White House after several were fired from federal positions for being gay or lesbian.

But the most notable political rally in Washington was probably the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom during which Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Just as the political climate was right in 1963 for national progress on civil rights, the leaders in Washington today all support GLBT equality. In some ways, this march is a celebration of what we expect to come, but more so it is a reminder to those leaders to get on the ball.

Recently Congressman John Lewis was the keynote speaker at Equality Weekend in Birmingham. He recounted some of his personal history in the struggle for civil rights, including being injured here in Alabama, his home state. He equated the fight for GLBT equality to the fight for civil rights. “You cannot wait. You cannot be patient. You want your freedom and you want it now,” he said.

He also said it is not the business of the state or federal government to regulate who should marry whom. One day, he said, we will look back and laugh at ourselves because “the stars didn’t fall over Alabama because people fell in love and got married.”

NAACP chairman Julian Bond has endorsed this march and will be one of the speakers. "GLBT rights are civil rights; there are no 'special rights' in America. Everyone has rights - or should have - and I am happy to join in this battle for justice and fairness," he explained.

Full equality, as guaranteed by the Constitution, is all we ask.

Congressman John Lewis headlining Equality Weekend

Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) will be the keynote speaker at Equality Alabama's gala tomorrow night.

Equality Weekend begins today and lasts through Sunday. You can still register for the event. The seminars and workshops on Saturday are free. Such noted speakers as blogger Pam Spaulding and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Mandy Carter and others will offer their insight for free. For some events, including the Gala, there is a fee.

Congressman Lewis, an Alabama native, is a hero to the GLBT community as he is to the Black community and for that matter, all of America. He was a participant in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march and has fought for equality all of his life.

Here is part of an interview of Rep. Lewis.

“It is unfortunate that a segment of our society fails to see that we all should be treated like human beings, that we all are citizens of the United States of America. I’ve taken the position and I’ve long held this position that I fought too long and too hard against discrimination base on race and color not to stand up and speak out against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

It doesn’t matter if someone is gay or straight or whether someone believes in a different philosophy or different religion. We’re one people, we’re one family, and we’re one house. There is not any room in American society for discrimination based on sexual orientation. It doesn’t matter whether someone is gay or happens to be lesbian or transsexual. We’re one people; we’re one family, the American family. You call it what you want, discrimination is discrimination and we have to speak up and speak out against discrimination.

You have too many people in this society saying they’re against same-sex marriage. If people fall in love and want to get married, it is their business. Martin Luther King Jr. use to say races don’t fall in love in love and get married; individuals fall in love and get married. So if two men or two women want to fall in love and get married it’s their business. Some people say it is a threat to the institution of marriage, and some of these people who go around saying that same sex marriage is a threat to the institution of marriage, which marriage or what marriage are they talking about? Some of these same individuals have had several marriages and I don’t think individuals that happen to be gay are a threat to anybody’s marriage.

Love is love. It is better to love than to hate, it is better to be together than to be divided.”

Congressman Lewis is a graduate of American Baptist Theological Seminary, and he gets it. Make plans now to hear this great man tomorrow.

PS. As a side note, Congressman Lewis has agreed to accept my pre-publication manuscript of my book, Those Others , which includes a great deal about the Selma to Montgomery march. It will be interesting to learn what he thinks of it. I plan to publish late this year or early 2010.

Bruno

This is not about the food stores.



Sacha Baron Cohen's movie "Bruno" opens today, and naturally people in Alabama are featured. More on that later.

Roger Ebert give the movie 4 stars, saying "here is a film that is 82 minutes long and doesn't contain 30 boring seconds."

Cohen holds nothing back in this effort, which the gay community and the rest of the world doesn't yet know how to take. I mean, it is said the movie will make straight homophobes uncomfortable and make them re-examine their prejudices or something like that, but that is making an assumption that straight homophobes will go see the movie.

OK, I know. Some will, because of their secret desires and fantasies, but still, I think the majority of the audience will be Cohen fans, mostly young people who already support gay equality.

Anyway, after watching the trailer, I think I will have to see it.




Playing at Alabaster, Lee Branch, Patton Creek, Summit, Tannehill, Trussville and Vestavia Hills. See ya there!

As for the Alabama connection, Birmingham Youth Pastor Jody Trautwein is featured when Bruno goes to him seeking counseling to become ex-gay. I think the ex-gay movement...no, let me re-phrase that. I know the ex-gay movement is a sham.


Here's how a commenter (bdavis95) on al.com put it:

"As long as we have people like this pastor who lead organizations whose sole purpose is to maintain discrimination, bigotry and hate, we will continue to be made fun of."

But Trautwein is not put off by this, in the article he says he thinks this will be used to bring people to Jesus.

Actually it will bring more people to the movie.

The Arc of the Moral Universe

Many in the GLBT community feel that two of the many issues facing us are the most important: equality in marriage and repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell."

Favorable outcomes are inevitable, the only question is when? "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice," to paraphrase abolitionist Theodore Parker (1853) (A phrase made famous by Martin Luther King, Jr in 1967, echoed by Barack Obama in 2008).

Three items of interest that make me think sooner rather than later.

1. Rep. Patrick Murphy D. PA) says it is his job to "quarterback" the effort to pass legislation to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell. He has 152 co-sponsors (and need 218 votes to pass). Murphy is an Iraq veteran and a blue dog democrat and recognizes that over 13,000 troops have been discharged, not because of sexual activity but because of sexual orientation.



Like Rachel says, he's the right guy to be leading this fight.

2. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has filed a suit in federal court seeking to void the Defense of Marriage Act. She says DOMA is discriminatory and puts her state in conflict with the Federal government.

"Among many of its arguments, Coakley's suit argues that DOMA requires Massachusetts to violate the constitutional rights of its citizens by treating married heterosexual couples and married same-sex couples differently when doling out Medicaid benefits and Social Security payouts to spouses. Coakley brought up another example: Massachusetts is given federal money to maintain a military cemetery that doesn’t allow the same-sex spouses of fallen soldiers to be buried there."

My prediction, given the slow pace that lawsuits take, is that congress will overturn DOMA before the lawsuit does. Or, given the slow pace that congress takes, they may sit on their thumbs and wait to see how the court handles it.

At any rate, something will happen.

3. Steve Hildebrand said in an interview with Rex Wockner that President Obama is listening and is on top of things with the gay issues.


Photo Credit Rex Wockner

Openly gay Steve Hildebrand was Barack Obama's deputy national campaign director. He has spoken with the president in the last couple of weeks. Here are some highlights.

Regarding the justice department brief that upset so many gays: "he did not read the brief in advance but he subsequently has read the brief and was not happy at all with both the direction as well as the language that was used -- and that he expects much better from his administration."

On Don't Ask Don't Tell: "Barack Obama as president and commander in chief is, and will continue to go through, a process, methodically, to get the ducks in a row in order to get the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell done in a successful way that isn't just going to happen overnight."

On the power of the gay community: "I think too many people in the gay community do not push their elected officials as hard as they should. If you had 20 gay people together in a room and asked how many of them actually have reached out and either called, e-mailed or sent a letter to their member of Congress over the last two months, I would say the vast, vast majority of them will have done nothing...We need more voices, we need louder voices, and we need to tell politicians at every level we're not willing to take their excuses anymore."

On gay frustration with the president: "He can't change the world overnight and -- I'm doing my best to say this without providing excuses -- but this is a president who was handed a larger number of really big issues to deal with at the beginning of his presidency than any other president in history. He's got to get an economy moving, he's got to get the troops out of Iraq, there's a lot of big, big problems. At the same time, he is working within his administration to try and get in a position to get some meaningful things done to help the gay community achieve equality."

On Artur Davis (well, not by name, but): "... for too many decades now of people who say, "Yes, we support equality," but then they go to Washington and they don't do anything about it. They're too wrapped up in figuring out how to win their next election and they're not concerned enough about doing what's right for the American people. "

**************
So, these three items give me confidence that the arc of justice is getting shorter, as my patience is extending a little bit.

Things didn't start out right today

I like to read the morning paper by holding in my hand with a cup of coffee on the table. But once again, the Birmingham News did not deliver today.

I know, I could read online, but I really can't stand al.com because of their never ending pop ups and crap.

But I did read John Archibald's column because it is about Priscilla Dunn's victory in the District 19 Senate race.

At the Lipscomb Fire Station, where 373 people are registered, just 11 came out. That's a turnout of just 2.9 percent. It's a number -- really -- that is smaller than the percentage of people who live below the poverty level in Mountain Brook.

Dang.

At Fairfield City Hall, where 114 people are registered to vote, just six bothered to show up. There were 23 voters at Mulga Town Hall, 41 at Brookside City Hall, and 41 at Forestdale Square.

I'd really like to meet the voter who bothered to show up at Hueytown Community School. It's true only 39 voters in the district are registered there, but still. Only one hearty soul came.

Forget one man, one vote. We're practicing one man, one voting place...

That is absolutely pitiful. Of course, as I alluded to yesterday, it's shocking that more people voted in the runoff than in the primary.

Hey, if we can get voters in Bessemer to continue their apathy next year, maybe we can elect a progressive candidate that will offer solutions to problems rather than just thanking God for our blessings (number 9 most dangerous city in the country, potholes in every street, "thank you God").

So, I'm sitting here getting the run around regarding a writing opportunity and left to think about "Do I really want to be living here?"

No, it's not just about the crime rate. I want to see that changed. And it's not just about having air quality that keeps me confined to the house (I don't always observe the recommendations, but I do suffer when I try to have a life on "ozone" days). I would like to see that changed, too, but there's Alabama Power.

It's more about living in a city located in a county that is trying to reduce law enforcement (thankfully we have a sheriff that will stand up to the county commission), about to stop inspection services (so houses can be built without adhering to proper electrical and plumbing and construction codes...if a contractor so chooses), and is unable to support the arts and the quality of life issues that I seek.

And its about living next to a "major" city that controls the doings of the metro area, with a mayor who is an absolute nutcase. (Well, at least he supports the zoo).

Today I could continue my theme of glbt hate crimes (a teenager in the UK , a bar in Fort Worth in a case that I have been following, a sailor at Camp Pendleton and there are more)...

Jason Saunders, age 18, in the UK

...but I think I'll just post this video of an unemployed chicken catcher from Mayfield, Kentucky that wowed the judges last night on America's Got Talent. I like Garth Brooks, by the way.

40 Years Ago

Forty years ago today I was most likely at Wald Park swimming pool with my friends and my thoughts were most likely directed toward my upcoming written test and learner's permit that I was looking forward to. Can you say "Ford Falcon?"

But in New York City a landmark event took place on this date in 1969. The Stonewall Riots took place after police raided The Stonewall Inn (sometimes June 27 is named but the response to the raid really began in the early morning hours of the 28th). Here is how the Inn looked this week. It's really an unassuming little place, but it was packed the night we visited.

The Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village was a gathering spot for gays, lesbians and transgender people and raids on such establishments were common. Bar owners were often tipped off about the raids, and the lights would come on and customers would stop any suggestive behavior before the raid began. Sometimes.

On this particular night the clientele got fed up and an uprising occurred. This account at Wikipedia is as good as any of what happened, with good pictures and links.

There is no doubt that the actions of those brave men and women began the movement which is finally beginning to see some progress (although slowly) with the Obama administration.

In New York at the Public Library next to Bryant Park is an exhibit titled 1969 The Year of Gay Liberation.

Inside, the exhibit is on the second floor.





Display cases hold letters written by activists and newspaper articles, photographs and mementos of the event and the following weeks. In runs through the end of June.

The Stonewall Inn is on Christopher Street and is across from Christopher Park, where homeless youth (probably kicked out of their homes for being gay) and others hung out. Now the park is clean and is home to George Segal's art piece titled "Gay Liberation" of a lesbian couple and a gay male couple. They are cast in bronze and painted white.

You might remember this park from the movie "Big Daddy." This is the park where Adam Sandler taught the kid to spit. But I digress. (And I will have to watch the movie again to confirm this).

This park has been a gay hangout for decades, and it is said that gay sailors sought R & R here during World War II.

Anyway, today is a day to reflect and to celebrate. We've come a long way, baby, but we've still got a long way to go.

Hate Crimes: Sean Kennedy and Jeff Sessions

Remember when I wrote the post about Sean Kennedy? I also referenced it the other day.

To refresh your memory, Sean was killed during a hate crime near Greenville, South Carolina, in march of 2007. He was lured to a car when a guy asked him for a cigarette. Stephen Moller got out of the car and called Sean "faggot" and punched him so hard it broke Sean's facial bones and separated his brain from his brain stem.

A few minutes later Moller left a message on one of Sean's friend's phone: "You tell your faggot friend that when he wakes up he owes me $500 for my broken hand."

Trouble is, Sean never woke up.

Moller received a five year suspended sentence reduced to three years (with credit for time served). Oh, and 30 days community service.

Why bring this up again?

Because I have just read his mother's (Elke Kennedy) chapter in Mitchell Gold's book "Crisis."

She got the 4:30 am phone call. She rushed to the hospital in disbelief that anything could have happened to her son.

"When I finally got to see my son, my knees buckled. He was lying flat on his back, stitches on his upper lip, blood on his hair and neck, hooked up to a respirator."

The last word Sean heard was "faggot."

"At 11:20 pm, ...my beautiful Sean was pronounced brain dead. My baby was gone forever. I would never be able to speak with him again, to tell him I love him."

Even after his death, hate is aimed at his family. How did her church respond?

"After Sean's death we were no longer welcome at our church. church friends stopped calling - they didn't want to take sides! We do not belong to any church now. I have been told numerous times by people calling themselves Christians that my son is in hell and that I will go to hell because I love him and I fight for equal rights for all human beings. Although it hurts terribly when people say these things to me, it is nothing compared to the pain of losing my son."

South Carolina, like Alabama, does not have a hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation or gender identity. Neither does the United States.

We are still waiting to see if an inclusive hate crimes law will be enacted on the federal level, and we can only hold our breath for so long.

Attorney General Holder urged passage of the bill by the Senate, and it could be passed as an amendment to another bill any day. Or not.

Of course Jeff Sessions opened his bigoted mouth during hearings.

But Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), the ranking member of the committee, questioned whether data show there is sufficient need to pass hate crimes legislation for LGBT people.

"One of the things that's important is to know do we have a problem of … noticeable number of cases not being prosecuted in state and local government relating to these kinds of issues that we're calling hate crimes," he said."

First of all, Mr. Sessions, it does not matter whether a "noticeable number" of cases are involved or not. One dead man is enough. Sean's case was not prosecuted as a hate crime. What if this had been your son, Mr. Sessions, whose brain "ricocheted in his head."

Secondly, look at the statistics, Mr. Sessions. Yes, hate crimes against gays are up .

This man is dead. He's part of the statistics. But what you are really saying, Mr. Sessions, is that you don't give a damn what happens to gay men or the suffering that their mothers go through. That is shameful. But that comes as no big surprise, that's your party standard.

Back in the Saddle

I take a few days off for a much needed vacation and all hell breaks loose. I mean, I miss out on blogging about two Republican sex scandals, only of interest to me because of the hypocrisy (both of these guys were critical of Bill Clinton for his Monica thing and here they are screwing around on their spouses thinking they are immune to discovery and above the rest of the male gender).

So I'm not even going to write about them, except to say that my interest in South Carolina has been heightened, but for a different reason. That will be revealed over the next few days. Nothing surprising, I just don't have the time right now to write it. And today, I am glad to see the list of potential Republican 2012 Presidential candidates shrinking (my God, it's just 2009 anyway, we can have a lot more candidates emerge and a lot more Republican sex scandals before the next campaign begins).

I miss out on the demise of City Stages, which it appears is done for.

I miss out on Richard Scrushy...oh, never mind...he's not worth five words on this blog.

I miss out on the Jefferson County Commission's hand wringing as they realize that no matter how they twist it and turn it and blame it and point fingers, it's their ball game and everything comes back to them. Don't blame the Alabama Supreme Court. Don't blame the State Legislature. And don't expect any occupational tax to pass the legislature or pass muster unless it treats all workers fairly and does away with the exemption enjoyed by the privileged.

But this brings a sense of urgency. A Gay Exorcism.



This is what your "ex-gay" ministries are doing, but the damage to kids can be much more subtle from the teachings of so many churches.

While in New York we came across this store:

and you recall that a while back I wrote about Mitchell Gold's book, "Crisis".

So we went in the store, which actually sells furniture, of course, and bought the book. The book shares the stories of about 40 gay people and how the church and society affected them and how they overcame it. Well, the one's who survived. I'm reading it now, and over the next few days will share some of the stories. I have already posted about several of the subjects of the book, and will reference back to them.

Now I hear, too that Michael Jackson has died. What a loss. Maybe not every one's favorite, but a top entertainer never the less.

Here's part of the "Thriller" video, which set the bar high for music videos.




Both Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, who also died today, will be remembered with affection.

Who's Got the Power?

More about him later.

After last night's event there should be no doubt among candidates for offices in Birmingham or Jefferson County (that includes Bessemer) that support from the gay community is important.

It was shoulder to shoulder at the Wine Loft last night as candidates addressed the crowd. Here's who seemed to make the biggest impressions: Priscilla Dunn, running for Senate District 19, Howard Bayless, running for Birmingham City Council, Elisa Burns-Macon, running for Birmingham School Board, Earl Hilliard, Jr., and Shelia Smoot, both running for U.S. Congress.

However, all of the candidates who showed up (and there were almost 30) proved to us that they believe in the issues important to us and don't think that goes unrecognized. All the candidates there had their supporters as well.

It is good, too, to see that the GLBT community has come to the realization that politics is an important facet of our community. There are two ways that America, and Jefferson County, will progress. First, by changing the hearts of our co-workers and neighbors. Polls consistently show that people who know gay people are much more likely to support equality, so get to know those around you. Second, through legislation (and sometimes legal avenues), and this can only be done by electing those who believe in the common humanity of all regardless of race or sexuality. Pretty much, that means Democrats, and Alabama Stonewall Democrats is leading the way.

Watch for our truck Saturday Night at the Parade, which begins at 8:00. Here is where I was going to put a picture, but no, you have to wait until the event.

So instead, I'll give you a real treat. The Killers.

Here's the link to their (official) video for A Dustland Fairy Tale. A good song.

Or, watch the viewer made video (with lots of shots of Brandon Flowers).

Gossip. Because Bessemer Opinions readers want to know. Brandon is Mormon. He is opposed to his church's stance on gays rights issues. The band used to play in a drag club. He is married to his long time girlfriend, has one kid and another on the way.

Now wouldn't you rather me post a video like that than spend time commenting on Sarah Palin (whiney, whiney poo) or Carrie Prejean (bye, bye).

Are we sitting ducks?

Busy Day.

Interesting Tweets.

Adam Lambert reveals he's gay. Now that didn't take a rocket scientist.

No wonder Angelina has a difficult relationship with her dad .

The Republican party is male, pale and stale.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

And in Bessemer:

I am not the only voter (and that's what we are,voters) who feels that public safety is being ignored. A voter friend of mine sent an email to the chief of police. He gave me permission to print it. I am leaving out some identifying parts. Emphasis is mine.

Chief, what is being done to curb violent crime in our city? There have been two successful home invasions and several that have been attempted. It is true that some crime has been on the decline. It seems crimes against people have been on the increase in recent months. Whether or not the slumping economy has anything to do with recent events is irrelevant to the people who reside in your jurisdiction. We must be protected!

**************************************************. We spend alot of time outside and rarely see police cruisers patrolling the area. I come home from work between 12 and 1am every day. At least 3 days out of the week there are 2-4 patrol cars sitting at the Kangaroo on hwy 150. You told me in a sit down that we had that businesses have to be checked also at night. 90% of them are closed at night.

If everyone moves from the city for fear of being shot, robbed or burned in their car where will the revenue for the businesses come from? It seems that as a public official that the best interest of the the citizens would be your priority, not businesses whose owners mostly live elsewhere. I for one will protect my family with any force necessary. *********************************** It is a helpless feeling when things are occurring all over the city and you know your family is a sitting duck.

The city of Bessemer could be a great place to live, like it was long ago. The city needs help from the police to be the city it once was. I think I speak for most law abiding citizens of Bessemer when I beg you to increase patrols and enforce speeding and sound ordinances in residential areas. If the police become a nuisance to criminals hopefully they will avoid our city when looking to commit crime!

I hope the chief and mayor and council members get it. So far they haven't.

Push

"You don't hear politicians give a one word answer much, but its yes."

That was incoming Press Secretary Robert Gibbs response to an online question asking whether President Obama would overturn Don't Ask Don't Tell back in January before the swearing in.

Watch here, and go to the 4:17 mark.

But since the president has been in office, Gibbs has handled the issue like its a hot potato.

Some, including me, have said to be patient, to just wait and things will come to pass. Some, also including me, have been reminded of what Martin Luther King, Jr. said regarding waiting for civil rights.

Now we are told that some major announcements will come from the White House in June regarding GLBT issues.

Next month the administration will apparently be presenting a package of pro-LGBT announcements. I’m not sure all of what will be included in that package, but I’m waiting to see if it will be enough. Will anything that doesn’t address “don’t ask, don’t tell” and full marital rights satisfy the masses, who have shown increasing unrest lately?

The Advocate's Kerry Eleveld, who wrote the story, makes a good point. Because the President is dragging his feet on every gay issue, we won't be as satisfied with, say, support for ENDA (if that were announced), as we would have been had it been announced in January, when we could have taken it as an indication of things to come. Now our indication has been that we will be ignored, so it's going to take something major to satisfy.

But my little re-activism to being ignored is this. Until yesterday I was still getting emails from the Obama people and the Democratic Senate campaign and others who want both support and money. I emailed them all and told them that until I see some evidence of support from both the President and the Congress that I don't want to hear from them. Heck, everything they send me I've heard about on the news before I get their emails anyway.

They may hear more from me and other GLBT supporters and they should welcome the input because it you watch the rest of the video at the link above, he urges us "to push your lawmakers and to push this new administration to do what you know is right."

So, push.

Rob Thomas, (the singer in that video, for those who don't know) has A Big Gay Chip On My Shoulder. And he's not even gay.

"I believe the fact that an atheist, who doesn't believe in God at all, is allowed to enter into the holy land of marriage while a gay Christian is not, shows that this law is arbitrary."

He makes other good points in his post. Thanks Rob. And when are you coming back to Birmingham. You know that we gave you your start. Well, sort of.