First, business. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, appointed to fill Hillary Clinton's seat, has decided to pull an amendment to the defense bill -- the same one with the Matthew Shepard Act -- that would put a stay on discharges from the military based on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." She decided that the Senate did not have the necessary 60 votes to end a filibuster. So many things wrong with the thing, including the question of whether we really need to overcome a filibuster every time to get anything done anymore. Remember, it only takes 51 votes to pass, not 60. Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) have promised to propose legislation to end the discriminatory policy. No word on when though.
And, second, you know all how much I love beefcake. Well, the 2010 New York Firemen calendar has come out for purchase. Though, for the most part, it is an experiment in the thought that "men in groups look better than a man alone," it's still quite tasty to look through. Thanks to Queerty for the full photo set and the below video of the making of...
Joe.My.God. points out, astutely, that it's labeled the FDNY calendar -- not the NYFD calendar as in past years after a 2008 model was found performing in Guys Gone Wild video (link -- NSFW) with his massive schlong. The department pulled its support for the calendar soon after.
A few days ago, the Matthew Shepard Act -- adding sexual orientation and gender identity/expression to the federal hate crimes statute -- was attached to the $680B Department of Defense 2010 authorization bill, which Obama had threatened to veto due to an egregious outlay for a F-22 building program. Unfortunately, such politicking begets more politicking, especially when the budget of the DoD is probably one of the more contentious things you can touch after 7 years or so war in two countries:
The F-22 funding was stripped today from the Senate bill 58-40. Though it makes Obama happy, the money was approved by the House. Even if the new bill passes as is, the two chambers have to reconcile the differences. Who knew any of us queers woudl care about a couple of fighter planes quite so much?
The ACLU has come out against the Senate version of the bill, saying that the Senate version lacks "the strong protections for speech and association" found in the House version.
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), who is, btw, against the Matthew Shepard Act and voted against its passage, added three new amendments to the bill, in a move that seems to be directed at killing it. The three amendments would allow the death penalty for some hate crimes cases, would require the Justice Department to revise its standards of a hate crime, and would create an additional set of punishment for crimes involving servicemembers. The HRC tells us why these additions are absurdities.
Friend of the blog "Maybe it's just me..." has a list of who voted for and against the Act in the Senate. All the Senators from Ohio and Indiana voted for it, whereas Bunning (KY) voted against it and McConnell.. umm didn't vote?
It's finals week for me -- eep! -- but it's going well, except that I suddenly realize I have a paper due like tomorrow. Sigh. On the bright side, I officially rocked out ethics -- I have a 99.65% in the class! I know that will shock many in the world.
To sum up what's going on in the blogosphere: the shit hath hitteth the fan, and I advise you to follow what's going on with the Obama response to the Federal DOMA challenge, as the writing seems to liken marriage equality to incest and pedophilia. It even pissed off Joe "They Have a Plan" Solmonese. And then Harry Reid tells us there is no plan for DADT in the Senate. Coupled with a DNC fundraiser that's turning into a PR disaster for the administration... leading up to the creation of a site called ObamasPlanforGayRights.com. Whoa, dude. I've got to think on all this craziness. And I thought the New York Seante was still insane.
Oh -- and it seems the National March for Equality on October 10-11 is on, and the permit has been secured. Of course, we have to know how the new Miss California -- taking over since Carrie Prejean was fired for not fulfilling her obligations -- feels on gay marriage. She doesn't like it, but she says, "I don't think I have the right or anybody has the right to tell somebody who they can or can't love." See? Was that so hard?
And, finally in national news, after we heard that the US Conference of Mayors would be voting on an equality resolution ... the body passed the resolution, supporting everything from Employment Non-Discrimination Act to, yes kids, Marriage Equality! WHOOHOO!! (Click here for a complete list of all Passed Proposals -- this one is Resolution #46) No word on whether Mayor Mallory voted for it.
The main thrust of this post is to give you a heads up on the Equal Housing and Employment Act from Equality Ohio, via email:
Finally, a state legislative body in Ohio is going to vote on a pro-equality issue! Tomorrow will be the first time a vote has ever been take in either the House or Senate on a bill that supports LGBT people and our families, rather than does them harm.
We know after three weeks of testimony, some of it compelling, some of it down right odd, that the committee members have been presented strong reasons to pass House Bill 176. We know we have a number of allies on the committee. We also know we have a number of people who are struggling to decide which way they will vote.
We have been told that those who oppose this bill are currently heating up the committee members' phones, potentially weakening their resolve to vote YES.
WE MUST CONTACT THEM AS WELL TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO VOTE YES.
Please take a moment right now to contact our primary targets on the Ohio House of Representatives State Government Committee. We believe these individuals are still considering their vote and could be swayed either way. Please call or email them and urge them to vote yes on HB 176 tomorrow.
Rep. David T. Daniels (R-Greenfield): (614) 466-3506 district86@ohr.state.oh.us
Rep. Gerald L. Stebelton (R-Lancaster): (614) 466-8100 district05@ohr.state.oh.us
The following 2 committee members are unlikely to vote yes; however, we should never give up hope. Please call or email them and ask them to give thought and consideration to protecting all Ohioans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney): (614) 466-1507 district78@ohr.state.oh.us
Rep. Dave Hall (R-Killbuck): (614) 466-2994 district97@ohr.state.oh.us
And finally, please call or email the following committee members who are either sponsors or have said they will vote yes and thank them for their on-going support for HB 176:
Chairperson Ronald Gerberry (D-Austintown) (614) 466-6107 district59@ohr.state.oh.us
Vice Chairperson Matt Lundy (D-Elyria) (614) 644-5076 district57@ohr.state.oh.us
Rep. Dan Stewart (D-Columbus): (614) 466-1896 district25@ohr.state.oh.us
Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron): (614) 466-3100 district44@ohr.state.oh.us
Rep. Brian G. Williams (D-Akron): (614) 644-5085 district41@ohr.state.oh.us
DoWhatsRightOhio.com has posted the opponent testimony to the bill -- including a bizarre one from Concerned Women of America that actually argues that the bill creates discrimination. Something about discriminating against people who believe in traditional values? I don't get it either.
See, nothing going on while I'm just being a mild mannered student trying to make it through my summer term.
I promise, starting next week, I'll be back with my over abundance of postings... just make sure you keep your eyes open tomorrow. I will post about the EHEA the minute I hear. I promise.
Oh, and, finally, I have it on good source that a window at the New Spirit MCC on Hamilton Avenue was broken during Pride, possibly during that time when I and so many others were locked into the Serpent. So that rumor is true, but there's no guarantee that the two incidents -- the broken window and the alleged fighting -- are connected. I have an email out, but have heard nothing official yet.
June 12-16th will mark the 77th United States Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting, a conference designed to set and propose and discuss urban and suburban policy amongst many other goals. Mayors from around the country will meet and discuss/vote on over 100 proposals ranging from public transit to green energy and, for the first time (I believe), marriage equality.
Meet Resolution #46, as proposed by Mayors Sam Adams (Portland), David Cicilline (Providence), and Christopher Cabaldon (West Sacramento) (full proposal list here -- warning: big file and PDF format!):
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors endorses the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, the Uniting American Families Act, and the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports marriage equality for same-sex couples, and the recognition and extension of full equal rights to such unions, including family and medical leave, tax equity, and insurance and retirement benefits, and opposes the enshrinement of discrimination in the federal or state constitutions.
It is a strongly wordy pro-LGBTQ proposal from some (maybe not so unexpected) friends from around the country. Now, these proposals, if passed, are not binding and do not require anybody to act on them. Rather, they are just political posturing and statements meant to influence national change. Most of the proposals, in fact, are easy "duh's" -- it's hard to vote against greening streets, improving education, and reducing crime. Very few are really groundbreaking, in fact, which is why this one slipped in is such a surprise, to my mind.
I think it's probably a little more divisive than 95% of those on the list, and I'm curious to know just how many -- and which ones -- will sign on.
And I think it's important to send Mayor Mallory our request that he vote for this proposal, don't you? Considering that this weekend is Cincinnati's Pride, I think it would be especially poignant to have a ringing endorsement of both LGBTQ national policies and marriage equality (though it would have been nice to separate them, as more could sign onto ENDA, I think, than marriage... especially through the South).
Don't know how to get ahold of Mayor Mallory? Simple. Just email him -- mark dot mallory at cincinnati-oh dot gov. (If you can't read anti-spam email addy's, just click here to see it... or say it outloud, it should make sense.)
U.S. President Barack Obama, taking an apparently cautious approach, is reported under mounting pressure to act on gay issues, associates and observers say.
There is a flood of gay and lesbian issues facing the president amid what The New York Times calls "a dizzying pace of social, political, legal and legislative change."
The wide range of concerns vary from same-sex marriage to hate crimes to more financing to combat AIDS to a possible gay person for the Supreme Court to succeed the retiring Justice David Souter.
...but he has been content with pushing DADT back (there has even been a soldier who came out on the Rachel Maddow show to bring national attention to it -- he was later fired from the military) via Robert Gates, has not made comments on any of the marriage issues, and then there was that whole hubbub over his website.
However, given the option between the first hundred days of Clinton's Presidency (which ushered in DADT), Clinton's Presidency (DOMA), or the entire Bush administration (FMA)... I think I'll still stick with Obama.
At least he admits we exist and thinks something should be done... just not sure what yet, apparently.
Two bills we are still watching and still waiting on:
Matthew Shepard Act (S. 909) -- The hate crimes prevention act is still sitting in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The amount of sponsors in the Senate has soared to 39 -- 12 away from complete passage. That is a jump from 34 since we last checked in, and the list now includes newly minted Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York.
Equal Housing and Employment Act (Ohio) -- No news, really. Equality Ohio is trying to get 25 sponsors in the Ohio House -- that's 1/4 of the total -- before they get it introduced. Word on the street is that the movement is going strongly, and they are cautiously optimistic about the prospects, it seems. (Previous QueerCincinnati.com post)
So, still waiting :-).
I think it says something that even I am getting a little bored talking about marriage. The sole purpose of this post is to talk about something else ... HA! Oh, and to remind people -- including myself -- that there are other equally if not more important than the marriage fight going on in this country. And stuff that will affect us LGBT'ers here in Ohio far sooner than marriage, I think. Good for Maine/etc., but, remember, keep contacting your representatives!!!
This list appeared on Joe. My. God., but the link was broken to the source.
Had a little trouble tracking down the list, but thanks to OpenCongress, here is the complete list of cosponsors for S. 909, the Senate's version of the Matthew Shepard Act (previously HR 1913):
Sen. Edward Kennedy [D, MA] Sen. Daniel Akaka [D, HI] Sen. Evan Bayh [D, IN] Sen. Jeff Bingaman [D, NM] Sen. Barbara Boxer [D, CA] Sen. Sherrod Brown [D, OH] Sen. Maria Cantwell [D, WA] Sen. Benjamin Cardin [D, MD] Sen. Robert Casey [D, PA] Sen. Susan Collins [R, ME] Sen. Christopher Dodd [D, CT] Sen. Richard Durbin [D, IL] Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D, CA] Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand [D, NY-20] Sen. Thomas Harkin [D, IA] Sen. Tim Johnson [D, SD] Sen. John Kerry [D, MA] Sen. Amy Klobuchar [D, MN] Sen. Mary Landrieu [D, LA] Sen. Frank Lautenberg [D, NJ] Sen. Patrick Leahy [D, VT] Sen. Carl Levin [D, MI] Sen. Joseph Lieberman [I, CT] Sen. Jeff Merkley [D, OR] Sen. Barbara Mikulski [D, MD] Sen. Patty Murray [D, WA] Sen. Ben Nelson [D, NE] Sen. Bill Nelson [D, FL] Sen. John Reed [D, RI] Sen. Charles Schumer [D, NY] Sen. Jeanne Shaheen [D, NH] Sen. Olympia Snowe [R, ME] Sen. Arlen Specter [R, PA] Sen. Mark Udall [D, CO] Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D, RI]
I've bolded the two of personal interest -- Ohio Sen. Brown and Indiana Sen. Bayh -- the following Senators from this area are notably absent: Ohio Sen. Voinovich, Kentucky Sen. McConnell, Kentucky Sen. Bunning, and Indiana Sen. Lugar. All are Republicans. For your convenience, I've italicized the two Republican co-sponsors... please note that both are from Maine :-). We also only had 18 Republicans vote for it in the House, so, if we assume 10%-ish votership by the Republicans, then we can expect two more to join them. Maybe NH Sen. Gregg? Maybe PA Sen. Specter? Maybe MO Sen. Bond? Maybe AZ Sen. McCain? I don't actually know, but we'll see. We also had 17 Dems vote against the Act, so... yea.
If you want to get ahold of your Senators to encourage them co-sponsor the bill or vote for it, or if you want to email your co-sponsoring Senator, check out this really easy site to find out how to contact them.
Just Another Black Sheep predicts the following likely no's on the bill: OK Sen. Coburn, TX Sen. Cornyn, SC Sen. Graham, IA Sen. Grassley, UT Sen. Hatch, AZ Sen. Kyl, and AL Sen. Sessions. Who else do we add to that list? I might put some money on AK Sen. Murkowski in expectation of Palin-Murkowski primary... Sarah, I'm sure, would use it in the campaign.
The HRC is asking you to tell 10 friends to contact their Senators, as well.
Oh, and how did the local US Representatives vote in the House? (Condensed from here)
Other Points of Interest... 100% Aye Delegations (with more than one member) Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico (sort of -- one no vote recorded), Oregon, Rhode Island
100% Nay Delegations (with more than one member) Alabama, Nebraska, Oklahoma
Neither of those last two lists are really surprising, though, really. Make sure you contact your local rep and thank them, if they voted aye, for their support... and tell your congressperson, if they voted no, that you are disappointed (be nice, kids)!
Meet Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) who spoke today during the debate over the Matthew Shepard Act -- the federal hate crimes bill that passed the US House of Representatives 249-175-11 (yea-nay-no vote or abstained).
Ms. Foxx had her very own special YouTube moment during the debate when she said the following:
“I also would like to point out that there was a bill -- the hate crimes bill that's called the Matthew Shepard bill is named after a very unfortunate incident that happened where a young man was killed, but we know that that young man was killed in the commitment of a robbery. It wasn't because he was gay."
She added: "This -- the bill was named for him, hate crimes bill was named for him, but it's really a hoax that that continues to be used as an excuse for passing these bills."
This was said, btw, whilst Judy Shepard was in the room. Real nice.
To their credit, this is what the Democratic response was:
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who supports the hate crimes bill, stared in disbelief before answering a question about the statement.
"It's just sad the Republican caucus has been reduced such a fringe," she said. "It's sad they would go out of their way to prevent people from getting justice."
And, so, I started to wonder, where the hell would she get an idea like this? Thank god for all of us, Ms. Foxx twitters, a fact which, btw, has not escaped the LGBT activists on the web, and a fact that she may come to regret in the morning... regardless, her tweet sends us to the speech of one Don Feder, from the Jewish World Review, who enlightens us on the wonderment that is the anti-hate crime point of view:
Take the 1998 homicide of Matthew Shepard. Was Shepard murdered because he was a homosexual? Possibly. But it's equally plausible that he died because his murderers wanted drug money, and Shepard (weighing in at 105 pounds) was an easy mark. According to a 2004 report by ABC's "20/20," that's what many close to the case believe.
Well, I'm glad that's off our chest. Although, it sends a chilling tone about future robberies... apparently, it's common practice for robbers to pick up gay men in bars, drive them around, beat them, and then tie them to a fence post a la the crucifixion. Remember, kids: carry a gun or this, too, could happen to you in a simply mugging (I have a sneaking suspicion Ms. Foxx is also a fan of the NRA, unconfirmed, so she would like the sentiment).
Of course, that side would have to ignore the queer panic defense...
So, Ms. Foxx, today I give you a special present:
For being just so-gosh-darn-special. But, you know, at least this little YouTube clip will put you up there with the likes of, oh, I don't know, Marilyn Musgrove, Sally Kern, and Jean Schmidt. And we all know how wonderful those women are.
As for the remainder of Don Feder's article, I'll say this: the majority of it is a mass of slippery slope, "end of the First Amendment" argument that we've become used to. I'm sure I've said this before, but, if not, it bears repeating: freedom of speech does not include freedom to rape, assault, or kill. And, yes, we do consider intent in murders... self defense, what?
This is what happens when I sleep... shit gets done!!!
New Hampshire Senate APPROVES equal marriage bill!!!!!!!!!!!
US House of Representatives APPROVES Matthew Shepard Act!!!!!!!
Oh, and little late: the Maine Judiciary Committee recommended the equal marriage bill be taken to a floor vote in shocking 11-2-1 vote.
WOW!!!!
In a bit of a rush at the moment, I'll talk details later! But yea!!!! Oh -- and, you know, the last time we had Guerrilla Queer Bar, Iowa had just passed.... I think it's auspicious that we have it again this week.
Have you called yet? Now is the time, if you haven't. E-mail, if you have to, in support of federal hate crimes protections.
The House of Representatives votes todayon the Matthew Shepard Act (HR 1913). Hold you breath, kids... 10 years later, it may finally be done.
This is all over the web this morning, thanks to Bilerico for the complete statement from Pres. Obama yesterday:
This week, the House of Representatives is expected to consider H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. I urge members on both sides of the aisle to act on this important civil rights issue by passing this legislation to protect all of our citizens from violent acts of intolerance - legislation that will enhance civil rights protections, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association. I also urge the Senate to work with my Administration to finalize this bill and to take swift action."
A question: will this be the first time a President something pro-gay into law outside of HIV/AIDS?
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA)/Matthew Shepard Act gives the Department of Justice (DOJ) the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence by providing the DOJ with jurisdiction over crimes of violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
The Act provides the DOJ with the ability to aid state and local jurisdictions either by lending assistance or, where local authorities are unwilling or unable to act, by taking the lead in investigations and prosecutions of bias-motivated, violent crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury. The LLEHCPA also makes grants available to state and local communities to combat violent crimes committed by juveniles, train law enforcement officers or assist in state and local investigations and prosecutions of bias-motivated crimes.
It doesn't seem to be getting a lot of press around, so let me see if I can stir up some trouble, yea? Rep. Conyers (D-MI) also introduced this bill in 2005 (it seems, I could be wrong... it's really hard to find good info on that particular proposal), and it was intro'd in both 1999 and 2007.
It currently has 42 co-sponsors, including three from Ohio! Rep. Driehaus (Cincinnati), Rep. Kilroy (Columbus), and Kucinich (Cleveland) are all on board for it! Yea!
Make sure you email your Representative and Senator to push this through and protect LGBT people against hate!
Oh, and make sure you check out the HRC site -- FightHateNow.org -- dedicated to passing this very very important law.
Thanks to all of the QueerCincinnati.com readers! The current incarnation has moved. Click here for the new site and please update you bookmark to "http://queercincinnati.wordpress.com"
2009 Local Elections
Candidates -- Cincinnati City Council
Democrats Laketa Cole (inc.) Jeff Berding (inc.) Greg Harris (inc.) Cecil Thomas (inc.) Wendell Young Laure Quinlivan Nicholas Hollan Tony Fischer Bernadette Watson
Republicans Chris Monzel (inc.) Leslie Ghiz (inc.) Amy Murray Charlie Winburn George Zamary
Charterites Chris Bortz (inc.) Roxanne Qualls (inc.) Kevin Flynn
