Wisconsin Gazette TWO STEPS
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TEN CHIMNEYS TIMES TWO Wisconsin WIGOUT! looks at Ten Chimmeys — both the place and the Rep's new play. Pages 21, 23 Gazette THE VOICE OF PROGRESS FOR WISCONSIN'S LGBT COMMUNITY August 11, 2011 I Vol. 2, No. 20 Abele signs benefits TWO STEPS resolution • ARD By Louis Weisberg Dimitrijevic and Eyon Biddle, By Louis Weisberg Staff writer coordinated the effort to CAT ON The same-sex partners enact the benefits. Abele got Despite rising statewide unem- of Milwaukee County work- immediately behind the reso- CARE ployment and a groundswell of ers are set to receive health lution, first announcing his anger about GOP Gov. Scott insurance coverage under a support at the June 10 open- Walker's policies toward the mid- resolution signed by County ing of Milwaukee PrideFest. dle and working classes, corpo- Executive Chris Abele. "Today's victory is a criti- rate-backed Republican lawmakers "Done," Abele said to cal step in the movement to narrowly clung to control of the applause after applying his achieve full equality for lesbi- Wisconsin Senate following his- signature to a resolution that an, gay, bisexual and transgen- toric recall elections on Aug. 9. supervisors approved on July der Wisconsinites," said Fair Republicans retained four of 28 by a supermajority vote Wisconsin executive direc- the six Senate seats challenged of 13-5. The benefits will tor Katie Belanger in a state- by Democrats, leaving -them with become available to employ- ment. "Providing domestic a 17-16 advantage in the chamber. ees beginning Jan. I, 2012. partner health care coverage Democratic state Rep. Jennifer "I've been looking forward is an investment in the future Shilling, D-La Crosse, hand- to it, like a lot of you, for a of Milwaukee County and its ily defeated Republican incumbent while;' Abele said prior to sign- employees. We are thrilled Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse, by a ing."With this resolution, we're with County Executive Chris 55-45 margin. Democrat Jessica bringing our benefits into line Abele and the Milwaukee King, D-Oshkosh, edged out with the rest of employers and County Board's visionary Randy Hopper, R-Empire, by 51-49. the 21st century" leadership ... and commit- Hopper's campaign was doomed The LGBT rights group ment to providing an inclu- by marital and ethical lapses. Equality Wisconsin, work- sive workplace for all." Democrats needed to take ing with Fair Wisconsin The Aug. 3 signing of )sa three of the races to reclaim the and Milwaukee County the resolution marked the Senate. Although they failed, the Supervisors Marina two-year anniversary of the election revealed significant vul- day that same-sex couples nerability for the Wisconsin GOP began registering as domes- as it heads into a major election tic partners in Wisconsin next year. This under a law that passed Democrats made strong show- before Republicans took ings in solidly Republican districts, issue over all branches of state ing 40 percent or better in inside and online at government. To date, more every race and coming within wisconsingazette.com than 1,800 couples have striking distance in the effort to registered, and only 37 of r recall Sen. Luther Olsen. His dis- News those have terminated their trict, which he retained with 52 WiGWAG 2 partnerships, according to percent of the vote, is so sol- Regional Gaze 3 Belanger. idly Republican that he hasn't even National Gaze 10 In Milwaukee, more than faced a Democratic challenger in Editorial 14 300 same-sex couples have more than 16 years. Faith Gaze 16 registered their partnerships Voter turnout was At "presiden- and only two have terminat- tial levels" in many wards, accord- Features ed, said Milwaukee County RECALL page 18 WiGOUT 21 Clerk Joe Czarnezki. Theater 23 "Compare that to the Art Gaze 24 BENEFITS page 18 Music 30 On the Town 32 AME-SEX COUPLES COUNT IN CENSUS PAGE3 WISCONSINGAZETTE.COM I August I i, 201 I LGBT news with a twist WIGWAG By Lisa Neff & Louis Weisberg Fort Lauderdale tourist and write about them in eye- "On average, they molest 1 17 instructing supporters to pressure BECK BYTE officials, long depen- brow-raising detail. people before they're found out." the former Minnesota governor. Radio host Glenn Beck, a for- dent on LGBT dol- Pawlenty's campaign quickly shift- mer Fox News host, offered his lars, want gay new- HE GETS WORSE COURAGE ed gears on Aug. 5 and apologized perspective on a right-wing ter- lyweds from New When the Massachusetts con- UNDER FIRE? to NOM, blaming the whole thing rorist's massacre of dozens of York to feel the love. gressional delegation put together After coming under heavy fire on a misunderstanding. young people attending camp on Marketers for the beach des- a video for the "It Gets Better" from anti-gay groups for refusing Norway's Utoya Island. Beck said tination purchased a full-page ad project, one member was missing. to sign a National Organization RUNWAY GROOMS the camp, run by Norway's lib- in The New York Times courting GOP Sen. Scott Brown declined for Marriage pledge, GOP hopeful Fashion designer and "Project eral Labor Party, sounds a "little same-sex couples. The ad read, the invitation to participate in Tim Pawlenty abruptly changed Runway" host Michael Kors is like the Hitler Youth or whatever. "After Your I Do's Consider Our the project, which aims to reas- his mind. On Aug. 4, Republican marrying his longtime partner Who does a camp for kids that's Proposal." sure LGBT youth who may be presidential candidates Michele Lance LePere. "Lance and I are all about politics? Disturbing." A getting bullied that their lives will Bachmann, Rick Santorum and very excited to finally be able to gunman confessed that he opened 'PORNO PETE' LOSES improve when they get older. Of Mitt Romney all signed the five- have the opportunity to marry fire on youth in the camp to TAX STATUS the 12 lawmakers who repre- step, anti-gay document. But in our home state after many save Europe from Muslim coloni- Americans For Truth About sent Massachusetts in Congress, Pawlenty turned it down, prompt- years together," Kors said in a zation and to challenge the Labor Homosexuality, which was des- Brown is the only one who does ing NOM to send out an e-mail statement. Party's policy of ethnic tolerance. ignated as a hate group by the not appear in the suicide-preven- A spokesman for the Norwegian Southern Poverty Law Center tion campaign. government said Beck had reached for promoting inflammatory mis- a "new low" with the comment. truths about LGBT people, lost METAL POISONING ARRIEAXESD? Now, how much lower can he go? its tax-exempt status after failing Heavy-metal preacher Bradlee GETTING .) to file a series of required tax Dean is suing Rachel Maddow for GAY PEOPLEBEALLOWED TO VOTE AND PAY T HONEYMOON HAVEN? forms for three consecutive years. $50 million, charging the out lesbi- (NEXT THEY'LL More than 60 percent of Florida The group's founder and president an MSNBC host with defamation. voters in 2008 approved a state Peter LaBarbera has been dubbed Dean's suit claims Maddow omit- Rd 1O0, constitutional amendment banning "Porno Pete" for his seeming ted portions of his 2010 live radio totitieti to Equal same-sex marriage. Neither the obsession with the mechanics of rant on homosexuals to make it Stteultlial all Of state's political leaders nor tour- gay sex. LaBarbera often goes appear that he was calling for their ism officials have done anything to "undercover" to leather bars and execution. Dean has a record of suggest the Sunshine State wants sexually charged events, such as making outrageous statements to revoke that amendment. But the Folsom Street Fair, to observe about LGBT people, including: A new billboard from designer Kenneth Cole. 4 www.outpost.coop Anyone can sell you insurance. 414.961.2597 lc! open daily The difference is service. lotal nilmk midstate insurance and ooci puoge zoo investment services Outpost is the original source for delicious SPECIALIZING IN Group Health Insurance and Benefit locally grown foods in Milwaukee. Plans, Individual Health Plans, Dental, Life & Disability From grass fed beef and local Domestic Partnership Benefits Serving Milwaukee and the LGBT artisan cheeses to organic Community for over 20 years fruits and vegetables of every Call or email for a kind, you'll find real Wisconsin Customized Quote O O flavor at your local Outpost! John M. Tomlinson t ix Mid-State Insurance on downer (414) 254-9964 (262) 241-0550 JohnT©midstateis.com NATURAL FOODS WlHealthlnsure.corn 2634 N. Downer Ave. 1OO E. CAPITOL DRIVE MILWAUKEE (414) 964-3125 7OOO W. STATE STREET WAUWATOSA 2826 S. KINNICKINNIC AVE. BAY VIEW optixondowner.corn WISCONSINGAZETTE.COM I August I Got news? Tell us REGIONAL GAZE managingeditors wisconsingazette.com. Census records more same-sex couples, but... By Louis Weisberg Bass' son from a previous The analysis also showed tion officials said the 1996 Staff write, marriage. He said it's impor- that same-sex couples live Defense of Marriage Act The 2010 census recorded tant for same-sex couples to Wisconsin's top 5 throughout the state, includ- prohibited federal agencies a 66-percent increase in the be counted. ing in small towns and from tabulating and The state's top five counties and cities among reporting number of same-sex couples "It gives some degree of rural areas. Katie Belanger, data those with more than 50 same-sex couples: on same-sex marriages. living in Wisconsin, thanks to validity to our relationships," executive director of Fair The administration directed Same-sex couples Per 1,000 households an unprecedented effort by Bass said.