I know this is totally and completely nerdy...
I have been requested to post needs for Cincinnati Pride volunteers by a variety of organizations, and I have, until now, categorically turned them down. But I changed my mind because I could. So :-P *PHBBBBBBBBT*.Celebrate the New Hampshire victory for marriage equality because it’s a victory worth celebrating!As always, check out the excellent content and updates over at Rainbow Cincinnati by clicking on the image below.
No doubt in these next few days we will see plenty media coverage and commentary detailing the marriage happenings in NH and elsewhere as the effort to pass legislation granting civil marriage for same-sex couples continues across the nation.
Progress is made by changing hearts and changing minds. Now is a prime opportunity to discuss gay rights issues with your friends, family members and co-workers. These conversations are necessary for the success of the LGBT movement.
(click here for the full post, click here for the QueerCincinnati blog there)
I spoke with a regular customer and asked him what he thought of what was happening. He told me that he thought it was nice that we were doing this in support of Ronnie and that he doesn't mind us being there. I thought, "great!". He then went on to explain that his brother was a "flamer" and that it embarresses him. I said to him, "Isn't it better that he be himself?" He answered, "No.". So, I moved on. I then talked to J.T. Riley who is the General Manager of the super great Irish Pub and Restaurant, The Claddagh Irish Pub off Mason-Montgomery Road. J.T. was appauled by what had happened and said "he could never imagine that happening at his restauraunt." He went onto mention that The Claddagh is a gay-friendly restaurant...so get on over there!! (There is also one in Newport - ran by a lesbian I hear). Check them out!
So, all in all I think it was a very succesful event. We saw the progress they were making when we came in with applause and also the signs that were posted everywhere that read:
I hope that this will show others that we will not tolerate hate, bigotry or discrimination...and most certainly not abuse. We were all Ronnie that night. It could have been any one of us. Remember that. YOU ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM THIS HAPPENING TO YOU. So help us to continue the fight against hate! If you want to learn more about how to get involved, keep reading this blog of course, and also see http://www.impactcincinnati.com/ and www.facebook.com/impactcincinnati.
Thanks everyone for coming out! (heehee)
Here are some more pictures!!
And this is how activism is done. Check out Jamie Royce's experience at Tabby's after the assault of a gay man over at Stuff Queer People Need to Know. She had not realized the event was canceled due to particularly nasty weather until she arrived at the bar and had, instead, the opportunity to speak to quite a few people there about what had happened:The family is very grateful for the community’s support and response to the attack. The victim’s mother gave out hugs and spoke very highly of us queers. (We really are making a difference, so keep up the good work.)Hell to the yea, Jamie! Thank you so much for going out there in the middle of the tornadic weather on Saturday night to show your solidarity! The follow-up "sit-in" is still on, and the organizers are fiercely advertising the event on Facebook. I think, though, the focus has significantly changed... from one of "we are so angry" to "let us stand with everyone -- including the bar -- in solidarity against hate." In other words, let's go party with our supporters who seem to be equally as appalled by the assault as we are. For my part, I want to hug mom and shake the owner's hand.
The owner of Tabby’s explained to us that this attack does not reflect his establishment and apologized to the victim’s mother; he was wearing white in solidarity with the planned sit-in. Signs like this one were posted throughout the bar.
IMPACTCincinnati, along with MUSE, the Cincinnati Men's Chorus, PFLAG, GLSEN, Equality Ohio, GenderBLOC, the Gathering, Xavier Alliance, and many many others, hosted an event on Xavier's campus this evening to protest CCV's annual fundraiser also held on the campus this evening -- Focus on ALL Famillies. The weather moved the event from the green space outside to the sports arena, and organizers reported at least 200 people attended throughout the event. All in all, it was fun. I got to wander around and see pretty much everyone I know, and everyone I expect, intermixed with some new faces (mostly college kids) as well as some families (and children!).
I got a tweet shortly after -- suggesting that perhaps it was the same people that attend every event -- and there will be, of course, that ongoing dissatisfaction, I think, with anything that happens. Yes, I think, there will always be the familiar faces there, but, as Miss Chanak mightily stated, "You're giving me something to do." Sure, I saw everyone I expected, but what isn't a great event without the fabulous faces of local celebs like Lynne Lefebvre (PFLAG), Kathy Laufman (damn near everything), Dan Mess (GLSEN), Worley Rodehaver (the newspaper), Steven Van Kuiken/et al (the Gathering), or myself (of course)? I would miss them if they weren't there. But, more importantly, there were enough new people, and new organizations (Cincinnati's new group, COLAGE, made an appearance) to keep it interesting.
It was an event with a purpose, and it was pretty fun. I think, considering the rain and the move of locations, it was well attended and well put together. I can think of at least one family that did not attend because of the weather.
Jamie Royce (whom I finally met) over at StuffQueerPeopleNeedtoKnow reports that hours before the event Xavier University asked for Planned Parenthood not to attend. Silliness and absurdity, IMHO.
This post isn't the best put together, or the best written, but after the previous update, my fingers are tired. I promise I'll be more together in the future... or not. You know me, by now. :-)
IMPACTCincinnati is pulling out all stops, again. The little organization that could, that arose from the organizers of the November 15th JoinTheImpact protests here in Cincinnati, is taking on Citizens for Community Values -- the vitriolically anti-gay, fundamentalist organization based in Sharonville (just north of Cincinnati). Just how anti-gay you may ask? Of the seven actions listed on the front page of their website, three are anti-LGBT, and three are a strange effort to stop hotels from carrying porn.The Xavier Alliance invites the greater Cincinnati and Xavier communities to the University's greenspace for an evening of inclusive, diverse family fun!
On April 21st, Citizens for Community Values (CCV)-- an extreme right-wing organization-- is hosting their annual fundraising banquet in the Cintas Center on Xavier University's Campus. CCV, whose mission is to "reduce destructive behaviors" contrary to their ideals, has channeled millions of dollars into anti-family and anti-equality legislation, including the Defense of Marriage Act in Ohio, Article XII in Cincinnati, Proposition 8 in California, and most recently, an attempt to overturn marital equality in Iowa. Citizens for Community Values is directly affiliated with Focus On The Family, the Evangelist Colorado Springs organization that preaches controversial so-called biblical truths and were big Proposition 8 donors.
In response to such blatant bigotry on our campus, the Alliance has teamed with numerous student and community organizations to produce "Focus on ALL Families"-- an evening of REAL family fun. Bring your friends, family, and children for a night of fun activities-- including face painting, animals from the zoo, cotton candy, balloon animals, and snacks-- all while embracing the assortment of characteristics and qualities that make all families so wonderfully diverse.
While CCV addresses diverse communities with divisive and hateful rhetoric, the Alliance refuses to sink to their level. Instead, the evening will remain positively focused on the ideals of inclusivity, progressiveness, and acceptance.
A ticket for CCV's banquet would cost you nearly $500-- that's $500 that would inevitably be used towards anti-equality and anti-family legislation throughout Ohio and the rest of the country. Instead, HELP SUPPORT PROGRESSIVE STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS ON XAVIER'S CAMPUS!! Equality Ohio is leading a national fundraiser, asking people and organizations to donate $5 to show their support for diversity and progressiveness on Xavier's Campus.
https://secure.ga3.org/01/give2eo [QC.com: *see note]
CIRCULATE THIS LINK-- HELP SPREAD THE WORD!! Even if you can't attend the event, please consider donating $5 for the sake of diversity and inclusion!
The Alliance is thankful for the support of various organizations throughout Cincinnati and Ohio in making this event a success, including: IMPACT Cincinnati, Equality Ohio, MUSE, The Cincinnati Men's Chorus, Planned Parenthood, The Gathering, PFLAG, GLSEN, UC's Out on Campus, Gender Bloc, and the Gender Queer Coalition.
Parking is available in the lots nearest the Cintas Center*Link will take you to an Equality Ohio fundraising page -- and that's ok. Equality Ohio has generously donated their online fundraising capabilities to support this effort, just make sure you type in "Xavier University" in the "dedicated to" field.
Now, you all know this queen... I love me some good, saucy activist rhetoric, but there's something I love even more: a carnival. Give me balloon animals and face painting, and I think my life will be quite full -- thank you!
Seriously, though, not a bad idea. Why are the only people who get money on the 21st are people who hate us? If you're a local, consider going... in fact, just go. If you can't, or aren't a local, click the link above (or here) and donate to raise money for progressive and supportive organizations that oppose CCV's narrow ideal of this American life.
Dear Members of the Cincinnati LGBTQ and Allied Community,That came over the Facebook and is now making the rounds in your email inboxes. This is in response to the note to the UC Community from the UC Police Captain, Karen Patterson:
As you may or may not know, there was a serious hate crime on UC's campus the night of March 6th. If you have not yet read the message that was sent to the UC community, it's at the bottom of this email. We need to take a stand for our community and show the beauty and validity of our identities and sexualities!
In response to this incident, we will hold a demonstration TOMORROW (Thursday, the 19th) starting at 5:30 pm at the corner of CLIFTON and CALHOUN. We will congregate on the UC Law School side of the street and then walk as a group down to the corner of MLK and CLIFTON.
Bring a hand made sign that states your identity-- "I am Gay" or "I am a Lesbian" or "I am Queer" or "I am Bisexual" or "I am Trans" or "I am an Ally". Be proud! There will also be a big communal sign that states the reason for the demonstration.
Cancel whatever you had planned, make a sign, get all your friends to come, and get your butt to CLIFTON and CALHOUN at 5:30 tomorrow evening! This is important. Stand up for our community and make our voices heard!
With love,
Ethan Philbrick, Jane Meek, and many more - Please Forward!!!!!!!
To: UC CommunityBut I really wanted to call attention to the very excellent and extensive information provided to us by Stuff Queer People Need to Know, who did a lot of great research on the hate crime statutes and is intimately involved with the UC LGBT community... and therefore she speaks from a very personal position. God knows, when shit happened at Miami, we were all affected. Much love to the UC LGBTQ community. I know how you're all feeling.
From: Karen Patterson, Captain UC Police Department
Cincinnati Police have reported two felonious assaults that occurred on March 6, 2009 at 4:20am in the 2500 block of Clifton Avenue.
The victims were walking home when one of the victims stopped to talk to the suspects, who were friends from high school. Upon hearing that the other victim was a homosexual, the suspects became aggressive and attacked both individuals.
The victims were able to provide the police with the names of several of the suspects in the case. All three suspects were white males with two being described as 18 to 20 years old, 5'10", between 150 and 160 lbs, with brown hair and green eyes.
Karen K. Patterson MEd
Office phone: (513)-556-4906
Email address: karen.patterson@uc.edu
Barry is hoping to draw attention to a little reported crime at the University of Cincinnati which may have been a hate crime had Ohio passed a law to recognize felony assault as a hate crime (or if the Cincinnati bias crime penalty for misdemeanor assault were applicable) or something. The news organizations who are claiming “neither have been charged with a hate crime, and, therefore, reporting it as such would be illegal” are full of shit. No one had a problem reporting on Matthew Shepard’s murder as a hate crime even though Wyoming had no such provisions in state law. It’s very simple, “Police are investigating an assault on two local college students, an assault that some say should qualify as a hate crime… [begin discussion of the incident, follow-up with information about how Ohio state law (not to mention federal law) doesn't recognize hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity].” It’s a time-honored formula for the media and an opportunity for them to create more false balance by placing a random board member from Equality Cincinnati on the air next to a raving lunatic from CCV for a “debate.” It’s controversial and ratings gold!
IMPACT Cincinnati has put the information out there, and I believe individual members are offering logistical help as best they can.
The grand jury report of the alleged attacker -- Ethan Kirkland -- is on Friday.
I have more stuff, but it will have to wait, for now.
When IMPACT Cincinnati was founded following the passage of Proposition 8 protest late last year, we were faced with the task of putting forth our mission and philosophy for change in the Greater Cincinnati area. With several LGBTQ rights groups already active in our community, we set out to start a network of activists that would be fundamentally new and different. While LGBTQ rights remain first and foremost the reason for our existence, we also acknowledge, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., that, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” To us, this means that success is not defined solely by the realization of our goals, but that true victory will only come when our society is equitable for everyone.Both events have been added to the Community Events calendar on your right.
It is with this vision in mind that we extend an invitation to your group for our next event, which will take place on Tuesday, April 21st at Xavier University. This event is scheduled to coincide with a lavish banquet fundraiser for Citizens for Community Values, a Cincinnati-based group that is “officially associated with Focus on the Family and Family Research Council as a Family Policy Council in Ohio” (www.ccv.org). While they espouse “family values,” CCV chooses to ignore the needs of REAL families—those that are poor, single-parent, African-American, same-sex, foster and adoptive, to name a few. In light of their oversight, we will gather on Xavier’s greenspace to let CCV know that they do not “Focus on ALL Families.” We have no intention of retaliating against CCV with the same anger or hatred with which they address us. Rather, we anticipate an evening of real family fun that will help raise money for progressive student-run organizations at XU.
If you or someone else from your organization is available, we would love for you to attend our next event planning meeting on Saturday, March 21st at 1pm in the Gallagher Student Center on Xavier’s campus. We will be discussing the details of the Focus on ALL Families event, including how we can use this opportunity to promote all of the progressive organizations in Cincinnati. To RSVP and have your group be a part of the collaboration, please email us at impactcincinnati@gmail.com or call Cameron Tolle at XXX-XXX-XXXX (please just email him).
On February 5, a terrible bill was filed in the State Senate that would prohibit adoption or foster parenting by any individual "cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of a marriage that is legally valid in Kentucky." This mean-spirited bill (SB 68) is aimed directly at the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and must be stopped.We talked about this last night -- the whole gay adoption thing and the sinfully ugly man known as State Senator Gary Tapp. The Fairness Alliance is organizing a rally and lobby day on the 25th:
This bill works against the best interest of children who deserve loving homes. The state of Kentucky should not deny qualified applicants when there are over 7,000 children in need of permanent homes.
****Fairness Rally and Lobby Day in Frankfort***
Wednesday, February 25
8:30 a.m: Meeting and Lobby Training in Capitol Annex 111
9 a.m.- noon: Meet with your legislators
12:30 - 1:30 p.m: Fairness Rally
Capitol Building
700 Capitol Ave.
Frankfort, KY 40601
We cannot let unequal protections for our families perpetuate any further, especially when this inequality hits so close to home.
For more information, please contact fairness@fairness.org.
(Thanks to IMPACT Cincinnati for the information.)
EHEA: Deceptive and dangerous!This is getting frustrating. Seriously.
It has been deceptively titled the “Equal Housing & Employment Act.”
EHEA for short.
Anti-family leaders in the Ohio Legislature have promised to make passage of EHEA a priority in 2009.
Do not be misled by that deceptive title! In reality, EHEA is not about equality at all. It is about inequality, discrimination and special advantages. Inequality and discrimination against employers, property owners and all Ohioans ho hold to traditional Judeo-Christian values regarding human sexuality, and special advantages for a select few persons who identify themselves by their “sexual orientation” or “gender identity expression.”
Just how dangerous is this bill? Consider a few of its inevitable consequences:
· Employers will be coerced into establishing quotas for those who identify themselves as homosexual, bisexual or transgendered.
· In their hiring practices, churches will be required to prove that they do not discriminate against persons whose lifestyles are contrary to church beliefs.
· Students who believe that homosexual behaviors are contrary to Biblical teaching would be forced to remain silent or risk being criticized, ostracized and penalized.
And the list goes on.
"Honk for Equality" signs plastered the corner of Fourth Avenue and High Street on Saturday as hundreds of people stood in the cold to rally for gay rights. The rally was organized by Join The Impact and Equality Ohio, advocacy groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.Great work, guys and gals -- we are tremendously proud!!!!
Kim Welter, the Program Coordinator for Education and Outreach at Equality Ohio, said the purpose of the rally stretches beyond the issue of gay marriage.
"Although our national discussion is centered around marriage equality, people in Ohio are more concerned about keeping their jobs and their homes, about being able to see their loved ones in the hospital, being able to provide for their loved ones, being able to take time off to care for a sick partner, or bereavement time when a partner dies," she said.
Cameron Tolle of Join the Impact also spoke of the need to protect LGBT rights. "We are here to let people know that we deserve protection. Our love is equal, and we need to stand up for that," he said...
Like Huff, Penrod isn't going to wait for America to come around. He said, "Today, we can create change. We have a new president and a new tone."
I will ask Cameron to write up the event so we know how fabulously it went, which I'm sure it did. :-)Due to an unbelievable amount of ice at the statehouse location, the state will not permit a rally on the premises we had previously secured. But we won't let that stop us from rallying for equality with pro-equality Ohioans from across the state!This is the same protest that was going to happen tomorrow at the statehouse , that I've mentioned before (and was originally scheduled two weeks ago, but had to be canceled due to weather). Unfortunately, IMPACTCincinnati received a phone call yesterday saying that the state house grounds were a sheet of ice 3 inches thick and, due to budget cuts, they couldn't clear it. So it is being moved.
Saturday's rally for equality has been relocated to Stonewall Columbus (1160 N High St), conveniently located just a few minutes from the statehouse. Although we will not be at the state house, this doesn't change the significant impact we ALL will make tomorrow as we gather in support of equality.
PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD OF THE NEW LOCATION!!!!!
Put it in your facebook status, e-mail and call your friends. Together, we can spread the word statewide in just a matter of hours.
See everyone tomorrow!!
Dear friends,
There has been plenty of talk recently about hope and change, but we all know that actions speak louder than words. President-elect Obama has said that he will be the LGBTQ community’s ally in the White House, but we have heard the promises before. We must not sit idly by and hope that he will stand by his word. Now is the time to act.
This is why Equality Ohio, the Human Rights Campaign, and Join the Impact Ohio are joining together to produce a Rally for Equality on January 31, 2009. These three large groups have planned the January 31 event at the Ohio Statehouse in response to a national call for action against the twelve-year-old Defense of Marriage Act (commonly known as DOMA), which is a Proposition 8 type law at the federal level. DOMA denies loving same-gender couples more than 1,000 federal rights that are guaranteed to married heterosexual couples. Similar rallies will be held across the country on January 31 in protest of DOMA.
Additionally, the three groups hope to draw attention to the problem of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered Americans (LGBT Americans). While hate crimes nationally are decreasing, members of the LGBT community continue to face increasing threats of violence. Also of importance to Ohio’s LGBT community are the lack of equal housing rights, fair employment practices, and marriage equality.
Don’t let America or our new President look away from these issues. Stand up on January 31st and let your voice be heard. Whether or not you can attend, do your best to spread the word.
INVITE YOUR FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK. TALK TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS.
The more people we can get to attend, the bigger our statement for equality will be! If you would like to go but can’t find a ride, stay tuned for carpooling info to be announced Monday. In the meantime, tell everyone you know about the rallies coming up on Saturday, January 31st!
Due to weather conditions across the state, Saturday's statewide rally for equality has been rescheduled for Saturday January 31st at 1:30 [it will still be occurring in Columbus at the statehouse]. Please help us to get the word out about the new date!Make sure you join the IMPACTCincinnati Facebook page to keep updated, and don't forget to check out JoinTheImpact.com for more action!
Though its unfortunate that we will not be able to rally tomorrow, this only gives us more time to spread the word even more throughout Ohio. Be on the look out in the upcoming days as to how you can help organizing and promotional efforts in your community!
Furthermore, in light of the rally's conjunction with Join the Impact events occurring nationwide, it is still crucial for Ohio to do its part in ensuring that Barack Obama fulfills his promises to the LGBTQ community. Join the Impact has been gathering 1,000,000 signatures on a nation wide letter to Barack Obama and will continue to do so until January 12th.
Equality Ohio and the Human Rights Campaign are asking every Ohioan to sign the national letter to president elect Obama to make sure that LGBTQ and allied voices in Ohio are heard! Print the letter and signature pages and ask your family, friends, and neighbors to sign for equality. Together, we will effectively remind president elect Obama of his campaign promises to the LGBTQ community prior to his inauguration as the 44th president of the United States.
Letter:
http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Open+Letter+to+Barack+Obama
Signature page:
http://jointheimpact.com/2009/01/doma-protest-signature-drive-411/
