A provision buried in a Florida tax bill prohibits a tax break to movies that display “nontraditional family values,” according to an article from the Palm Beach Post.
Governor Charlie Crist was kind enough to define what a traditional family is: “Let me define it in the positive, a traditional family is a marriage between a man and a woman. That’s traditional.”
Remove the fact this definition excludes LGBT families. Guess what else he’s eliminating? Single mothers, single fathers, widows, Dumbo (his mom was viewed as mad and her child was taken from her — the Disney version of child protective services), Bambi (his father had custody every other weekend), and little Simba (his father Mufasa died early on — leaving Simba to have psychotic delusions that he could still talk with his father).
Merriam-Webster defines family as, “a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation.” I think that is a much more positive definition.
State Rep. Stephen Precourt (R-Orlando) envisioned a different movie setting:
“Think of it as like Mayberry. That’s when I grew up — the ’60s. That’s what life was like. I want Florida to be known for making those kinds of movies: Disney movies for kids and all that stuff. Like it used to be, you know?”
I wasn’t born in the ’60’s but I hear it was a really swell time. African-Americans who participated in the sit-ins remember the ’60s with fondness. There was nothing more wholesome than sitting at a lunch counter and having the police brutalize you, dogs attack you or just the vigor of being publicly humiliated.
I agree with you, Precourt. I wish this was like a Disney movie. I wish life was just like Disney. They have one of the best songs ever — I think you’ll love it too:
It’s a world of laughter
A world of tears
It’s a world of hopes
And a world of fears
There’s so much that we share
That it’s time we’re aware
It’s a small world after allIt’s a small world after all
It’s a small world after all
It’s a small world after all
It’s a small, small worldThere is just one moon
And one golden sun
And a smile means
Friendship to every one
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It’s a small world after allIt’s a small world after all
It’s a small world after all
It’s a small world after all
It’s a small, small world
On Wednesday, Feb. 24, South Carolina’s Teen Dating Violence Bill (H3543), was briefly discussed before the Senate Education Committee and ultimately sent back to a subcommittee after further attempts to remove anti-gay language from the text.
The bill would require the state education department to create policies for reporting and responding to dating violence. It would also require schools to provide information about teen dating violence to students and parents. But, in 2009, state Rep. Greg Delleney (R-Chester) amended the bill to exclude LGBT students in same-sex relationships.
The bill originally defined “dating partner” as “a person, regardless of gender, involved in an intimate relationship with another, primarily characterized by the expectation of affectionate involvement whether casual, serious, or long term.” Delleney’s amendment redefined the term as “a person involved in a heterosexual dating relationship with another.”
Delleney has said he felt the amendment was necessary because he did not want heterosexual children to be taught about gay relationships. The bill sponsor, Rep. Joan Brady (R-Richland) approved the amendment and has said violence occurs more frequently in heterosexual relationships.
A coalition of LGBT groups in South Carolina have been criticizing the bill’s anti-LGBT language and have been encouraging their members to speak out against the bill. SC Pride SC Black Pride, and SC Equality are asking constituents to contact their state senators and express their opposition to the bill as it is currently worded.
They’ve provided a list of the members of the Senate Education Committee:
John Courson, 803-212-6250
Nikki Setzler, 803-212-6140
John Matthews, 803-212-6056
Robert Hayes, 803- 212-6410
Michael Fair, 803-212- 6420
Harvey Peeler, 803- 212-6430
Luke Rankin, 803-212- 6132
*Phil Leventis, 803- 212- 6000
Darrell Jackson, 803-212-6048
Ralph Anderson, 803-212-6032
Greg Wyberg, 803-212-6320
Larry Grooms, 803-212-6400
Larry Martin, 803-212- 6340
Gerald Malloy, 803-212-6148
Joel Lourie, , 803-212-6116
Shane Massey, 803-212-6000
Tom Davis, 803-212-6008
The Catholic Charities of the Archidiocese of Washington announced it would stop issuing spousal benefits. The protest comes in response to the legalization of same-sex marriage in the nation’s capital. The organization employs 850 people — 85 are receiving benefits.
According to TPM, Catholic Charities issued the following statement:
“The change to our benefits package allows us to remain in compliance with District of Columbia law; adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church on marriage, defined as solely between a man and a woman; and allow us to continue our partnership with the district in serving more than 68,000 people last year in need.”
The Catholic adoption and foster care group’s change would not apply to spouses already enrolled, but it would affect spouses who are currently not enrolled, new spouses of employees and new employees.
The Roman Catholic Church has been fighting what they feel to be the “good fight” all week. Mexico City legalized same-sex marriage on Thursday. According to CBS News the church spoke out against Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebard stating he is “following the line set down by foreign groups.”
It is tacky to only report the sensational, but sometimes something comes along and you just can’t help but want to pass it along.
Republican state Sen. Roy Ashburn, who’s spent years working against and voting against the interests of the LGBT community, was arrested on a DUI charge Wednesday at 2 a.m. near Sacramento, Calif. In the car with him was an unidentified younger man. But get this: He and his younger companion were leaving a gay bar, or so it has been said. And, now, Ashburn comes clean and says, “I’m gay.”
I am going to extend my humble advice to anti-gay politicians and public figures: Please do not go to a gay bar, engage in homosexual sex or peep through the crack of a restroom stall.
SFGate reported the story.
Ashburn’s initial statement is typical of what you would expect in this situation.
“I am deeply sorry for my actions and offer no excuse for my poor judgment. I accept complete responsibility for my conduct and am prepared to accept the consequences for what I did. I am also truly sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me — my family, my constituents, my friends, and my colleagues in the Senate.”
And, according to HuffPo, Ashburn now admits he’s gay:
“I’m gay,” Ashburn told local radio host Inga Barks before returning to the Senate for the first time since his arrest. “Those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long.”
I guess all this newfound openness will come as welcome news to “younger companions” who like privileged, conservative and anti-gay closet cases?
Pop singer Clay Aiken speaks with The News & Observer about his upcoming appearance at the Human Rights Campaign Carolinas Gala in Raleigh:
Clay Aiken will take the stage at the convention center Saturday night to do something he has never done before: deliver a speech about gay rights.But don’t expect him to pound his fist and scream for the right to get married.
“There are people who are loud and make noise, and there are people who are deliberate and slow and steady,” Aiken said during an interview this week at a downtown coffee shop. “Right now, at this point in my life, I feel like a slow and steady person.”
And, Aiken believes full equality doesn’t necessarily come in the form of “marriage”…
HRC provided a speechwriter to help Aiken, 31, with his remarks, but he decided to write his own. The original speech was too political, Aiken said, and included a slam aimed at George W. Bush.
“I don’t feel like this is the place to be horribly politically charged and bash people and talk about the wrongs that have been done,” he said. “My goal is to be hopeful, that it’s time for everyone to have equal rights.”
For Aiken, that means inheritance rights and hospital-visitation rights and all the other rights that heterosexual couples take for granted, including the right to be married.
But, he said, “I’m not going to be the person who says it has to be marriage or nothing else.”
The most basic need, he said, is that everyone have the same rights. He believes it will happen, although it could take decades.
I’m kind of speechless actually. I just can’t even begin to imagine the outrage and controversy if a UNC System school invited Chi Chi LaRue and a couple of her porn stars to campus.
The press release (links are definitely NOT safe for work):
COLLEGE INVASION!: CHI CHI LARUE, CAMERON MARSHALL & EDDIE DIAZ TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Monday, 22 February 2010
Chi Chi brings her boys to play with the big men on campus!
West Hollywood, CA – This Saturday, February 27th, Channel 1 Releasing director/owner CHI CHI LARUE will return to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York for the second year in a row as the DJ/host of the university’s gay-straight alliance gala, “Filthy/Gorgeous.” This time, she brings with her C1R stars CAMERON MARSHALL and EDDIE DIAZ.
“Last year the kids at Cornell made me feel like a rock star!” exclaims CHI CHI LARUE. “I hope lightning strikes twice.”
“Filthy/Gorgeous” will be held in the WSH Memorial Room on campus from 10:00 pm – 3:00 am, this year with special performances by Whore’s Mascara and Johnny “The Gay Pimp” McGovern with a charity auction benefiting Sylvia’s Place, a LGBTQ homeless youth emergency shelter in New York City. The fundraising effort is co-sponsored by Alternative Breaks, a student organization that runs public-service outings during Spring Break.
Cornell University’s Gay-Straight Alliance was founded in 2001. With the direct support and assistance of straight allies, CUGSA is dedicated to providing education, outreach, collaboration and social activities that foster an environment of understanding, respect and unity between the LGBTQ community and the larger community.
CAMERON MARSHALL and EDDIE DIAZ previously starred together in C1R’s “Black Meat, White Heat” from All Worlds Video.
Check out RuPaul’s full-page interview in the February edition of Ebony. He discusses his reality show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” hosted on the Logo network, along with marriage, kids and more.
It doesn’t look like Ebony has the interview online, unfortunately, so you’ll have to pick up a print copy.
South Carolina Black Pride is extending an invitation to those who might be interested in participating in their 2010 Expo. If you have natural abilities like singing, spoken word or other talents, get in touch with Pride organizers and sign up to participate in their talent show. Those who are interested should contact Pride entertainment coordinator Kameelah Vose by April 30, 2010.
The 5th annual festival begins its kickoff celebration on June 24, 2010 and ends June 27, 2010. For details, visit southcarolinablackpride.com.
For more information, contact Kameelah Vose, entertainment coordinator, at 803-840-1193 or ladyv94@yahoo.com.
South Carolina Pride invites all individuals to participate in their 2010 Pride Idol fundraiser. There is no entry fee. You can win cash and prizes as well as tour with SC Pride Tour. The contest will be Saturday, March 6, at The Cabaret, in Columbia.
The event features a live special performance by 2009 Pride Idol winner, Patrick Southerland. Cover is $8 with proceeds benefiting SC Pride’s 2010 festivities.
For more information, visit facebook.com/event.php?eid=263357953725.
We all encounter anxieties, relationship problems and even bouts of depression from time to time. When anxieties are left unresolved, they can rob us of happiness, a peace of mind, good health as well as mental balance. In the LGBT community, a significant percentage of us often fail to obtain needed mental health assistance from health professionals. Some neglect in doing so because they dread going into a medical office to receive the care they need. Are there alternative methods of treatment? Coach Kerri says yes.
Kerri Smith is an international LGBT life coach with clients all over the world. She hosts a weekly blog radio talk show called, “Lesbian Power Hour with Coach Kerri.” The program discusses issues that plague lesbian women.
Her radio talk show provides listeners with candid and unscripted answers and advice from live panelists from the LGBT community. Listeners are able to participate by calling or making comments within the chat room, which are read during the show. Past programming covered such topics as toxic relationships, parenting, interracial relationships, etc.
The show is aired every Monday at 9 p.m. on blogtalkradio.com/coachkerri.
For more information about Coach Kerri and her services, please visit kerrismith.com or call during her office hours, weekdays 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. at 954-594-7451.
"Winning Gardens." Courtesy of Southern Shows.
Roses are beginning to explode with color and lilacs are releasing their fragrant perfume into the longer days. These buds aren’t just signs that spring is blooming around us, but they also announce the Southern Spring Home & Garden Show.
The exhibit doesn’t just focus on patio furniture and outdoor barbecue pits. It showcases the latest that outdoor living spaces, granite counter tops and bathroom fixtures are offering. Do you have questions on how to transform your outdoors to be just as inviting as your indoors? How do you light the tacky piece of artwork your significant other’s mom gave you from her trip to Mexico? Which is better in a bathroom: granite or quartz? Get these answers from some of the 400 vendors that will be in attendance.
“Celebrate” has been named as the theme of the 50th Southern Spring Home & Garden Show, and a celebration is exactly what attendees can expect.
Stepping into the magic of the Southern Spring Home & Garden Show will be like entering another world. From the first glimpse inside the custom-built cottage just inside the Belgard Gardens entrance, and throughout the tour of over two dozen meticulously landscaped gardens, show visitors will be enthralled. The focus will be on making homes and gardens chic, unique, beautiful and easy to care for. Special, creative areas will feature everything from gorgeous gardens, to the latest and most modern of incredible home accessories; from décor, furnishings and artwork to interior design rooms; from wine and exquisite tastes to travel near and far; from home improvement products to kitchen & bath and shopping galore.
Celebrities from some of the hottest lifestyle shows will be at the expo. HGTV’s Susie Coelho; This Old House host, Steve Thomas; and blogger Pam Kueber of Retro Renovation will be there.
Tickets and information can be found here.
UPCOMING: Don’t miss qnotes‘ next print issue and our spring real estate, home decorating and gardening issue, Dwellings. Pick up a copy on March 6 or check it out online.
FOX Charlotte’s Morgan Fogarty spoke with Time Out Youth members and exec Steve Bentley about school dress codes and gender expression for a great story on last night’s 10:00 p.m. newscast.
In case you missed it:
A big thanks goes out to Morgan for her fantastic story!
According to a story from MSNBC a man was arrested in Malawi on sodomy charges. Dave Chingwalu, a police spokesperson, said a 60 year-old-man was arrested after a complaint was received from a young man who alleged he was asked to undress and then sodomized by the man.
The spokesman says homosexuality investigations will continue to yield suspects and, “we will arrest them all.”
This is not the first time Malawi has drawn criticism according to MSNBC. The country came under fire when Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were arrested when their engagement party drew a crowd of onlookers. Monjeza and Chimbalanga have been detained since Dec. 27. The couple told the Times Online, what their time behind bars has been like since their arrest. Monjeza states he was drunk when he met Chimbalanga and now wants to call their engagement off.
In an interview with The Times at the weekend, Mr Chimbalanga — visibly more at ease than Mr Monjeza, who appeared confused and disorientated — said: “I love my husband and laws should not prohibit love.”
Mr Monjeza said that he was drunk when they first met. But he admitted that he sobered up later. “I love the way he talked, the way he loved me.”
When it was suggested that he sounded apologetic and remorseful, however, he expressed his doubts about the wisdom of their historic confrontation with the conservative southern African state. “Well, I was drunk. I guess I wanted to be famous but I am now regretting. Prison life is no good. I realised we have broken the laws. I am calling this off. I am not crazy. I have another woman I intended to marry but I loved Tiwonge. I guess I should apologise to that other woman.”
Uganda will debate a law that can impose the death penalty on homosexuals who are labeled as, “repeat offenders.” Africa is in the middle of a terrifying game of human rights where the stakes are literally life or death.
Openly gay, British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, 40, has been found dead in his London apartment reports the BBC. The cause of death has been reported by several sources as a suicide, but authorities declined to comment on the exact cause.
From the BBC:
A statement released by his office — referring to the designer by his given first name, Lee — read: “On behalf of Lee McQueen’s family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the Alexander McQueen brand has been found dead at his home.
“At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee’s family.”
His death comes days before London Fashion Week — where he was set to reveal his new line.
McQueen was previously named Designer of the Year four times between 1996 and 2003.
Her Sports Fan invites all lesbians to celebrate women in sports at the 2010 Final Four Fling Inaugural on Saturday, April 3, at the Rio Rio Cantina on the riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.
The event features a live special performance by acoustic-rock singer, Michelle Mangione. Throughout the night, female MC, DJ OMG, will keep the house rocking. Ticket includes open bar, buffet, giveaways, entertainment, fling bling and private venue.
For more information, visit finalfourfling.com or call 619-299-6884.
Photo from Jeff Sheng's exhibit, 'Fearless'
Artist Jeff Sheng is scheduled to speak at Duke University Wednesday Feb. 24, at Scharf Hall in Krzyzenski Center. He will be there exhibiting his latest photo project, ‘Fearless.’ His project contains photographs shot from 2003 until present of college or high school athletes that identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
Athletes who would like to be photographed can contact Sheng via his website at fearlesscampustour.org. According to Sheng’s website the project is ongoing and will be put into a photo book in Sept.
The collection’s venues are intentionally designed to be shown at places where those who enjoy sports will see it.
It is going to be interesting to see the reaction this draws from the sports loving crowd in the Bible Belt.
Sheng’s inspiration for this project stemmed from his time as an athlete and his ability to identify with those experiences.
The idea behind FearlessCampusTour.org was to exhibit the project in highly trafficked areas that many of the people who share a love for sports with these photographed athletes would have a chance to see, instead of venues like art galleries or museums, where the audience would be self-selecting.
Since then, Jeff has exhibited and spoken about Fearless at almost forty different venues, including the 2009 LGBT Human Rights Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, the 2009 Sports and Sexuality Conference at Ithaca College, and ESPN Headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. He will also be exhibiting his work at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, while at the same time expanding “Fearless” to include athletes from Canada.
Sheng is also the author of another photobook, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, in which members of the armed forces are photographed, with brief synopsis of their experiences accompanying their photos. Each photo on his website shows military personnel, in uniform, with their face strategically blocked from the camera. The book can be viewed and purchased from jeffsheng.com.
“We are very fortunate to have received funding from the NCAA to sponsor this event at Duke. We are most appreciative of the efforts of Leslie Barnes (Student-Athlete Development) in securing the grant and look forward to sharing Jeff’s outstanding work with the entire Duke campus,” said Dr. Janie Long, director of the Duke Center for LGBT Life.
Candidate filing in North Carolina opens up today and continues through Feb. 26.
Raleigh’s News & Observer reports on the state GOP’s optimism:
Rarely have N.C. Republicans seen so much interest in running for office.
Dozens of prospective candidates have come to orientation sessions put on by House Republicans. Interest in congressional and local races also is high.
“You’re going to see a huge number of candidates file on the Republican side because they smell blood in the water,” says political analyst John Davis of Raleigh.
Poll numbers for Democrats aren’t looking too hot. In the time since the 2008 election, the economy has continued to languish and North Carolina saw one of the highest tax increases in history.
Although the Republicans haven’t controlled the state legislature since 1898, increased competitive campaigns in several districts across the state opens up the slim possibility of a power shift in Raleigh.
Again, the N&O reports:
Not since 1898 have Republicans run the state legislature. But a flurry of Democratic departures in the Senate, aggressive candidate recruiting for the House, ongoing budget woes and lingering Democratic scandals could create what Republicans hope will be a new era.
In the Senate, Republicans need six seats to take control. Seven Democrats, including Majority Leader Tony Rand, plan to retire or already have left. Some, such as veteran David Hoyle of Gaston County, are in districts that otherwise lean Republican.
The GOP needs nine seats for control in the 120-member House. Minority Leader Paul Stam of Raleigh says that of the Democratic seats he’s targeting, 14 are in districts carried in 2008 by Republican John McCain.
Last month Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling found voters split. A slight majority favored Republican legislative candidates. But independents, a crucial swing vote, preferred the GOP 45percent to 23 percent.
“It’s not as if the state is overwhelmingly deciding to vote Republican,” poll director Tom Jensen said. “We’re going to see a lot more competitive races than usual.”
If (and it’s a big if considering the state’s history) either of the state legislature’s chambers switch control from Democrats to Republicans, what exactly is at stake for LGBT North Carolinians?
Questions to consider…after the jump…
Guilford College’s student newspaper, The Guilfordian, reports on openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson’s visit to the campus.
Reporter Victor Lopez writes:
Students, faculty, and members of the community filled the benches at the New Garden Friends Meeting to hear Robinson.
Robinson began by saying, “if you’re here somewhat hesitatingly, suspiciously, or just downright contrarily, you are especially welcome.”
“The only way we are going to get through some of the issues that face us is by facing each other in an air of respect and commitment to our broader community,” he said.
After his election on June 7, 2003, Robinson received death threats, had to wear a bulletproof vest and required around the clock security.
The bishop shared the story about when he first realized he was homosexual.
Robinson said that when individuals come out, “it’s up to the parents to accept their children or act like it never happened.”
At age 13 he suspected he was different after friends were excited to see a Playboy magazine, and he was not. He knew instinctively that to admit he was gay would have endangered him physically and damaged his relationships in the community.
“There began the divide that GLBT people have encountered many times in their lives, ” Robinson said. “In my time, to come out meant you’d risk either winding up in a gutter on drugs, unhappy, or if you were brave enough you’d kill yourself.”
Yet, Robinson said that “with time ideas change.”
“Change happens when you have a world view, then you have a new experience for which that world view is not sufficient to explain, then you are thrown into chaos,” said Robinson.
The Institute of Southern Stories writes on new poll results released by DailyKos. The poll surveyed 2,000 Republicans across the country and “found that astonishingly large numbers of GOP voters believe President Obama is racist, a socialist, and a non-citizen — views that have become staples of far-right radio and TV pundits.”
Chris Kromm writes:
But the poll has one big flaw: 42% of those polled came from Southern states — way out of proportion with their share of Republican voters nationally.
This over-sampling of Southern Republicans (846 total) skews the national results, but it also means the data gives us an especially rich picture of the views held by GOP voters in the South.
And the picture is unmistakable: On almost every issue, Southern Republicans are far to the right of their national GOP brethren. In fact, GOP Southerners appear to be the driving base for some of the most extreme views circulating in the Republican Party today.
Read the rest of Kromm’s analysis…
(As for why the poll skewed so heavily toward conservative Republicans from the South, yet, on its face, tries to represent the GOP as a whole: I’m not giving any official comment, although I’m sure someone, some time today or this week will have called the poll and its pollsters out for bias. Politics, baby. Gotta know how it’s played, right?)