out words the voice of Montana’s LGBTIQ community January 2009

Is obama afraid of us?

Prop. 8 spurs new movement

Is Gay the new black?

New year, new challenges, new victories Serving the LGBTIQ Community Inside This Edition of Out Words The Since 1998 Western Montana COVER STORIES: Community Center Prop 8 fallout spurs action on many fronts...... 8-9 127 North Higgins, Suite 202 Missoula, MT 59802 Phone: 406-543-2224 Is gay the new black? E-mail: [email protected] The debate between rights and race ...... 10 Website: www.gaymontana.org

Editors: Ken Spencer, content Did Obama throw us under the bus? Suzie Reahard, design Choice of Warren angers many...... 13 Contributors: Philippe Naughton, Deb Price, Frank Scheck, Marco R. della Cava, Dr. Susan Corso, Jesse McKinley, Rita Sharma, Charles M. Blow, Alexandra Milk - the time is right ...... 5 A&E Briefs...... 4 Zavis, Jessica Garrison, Marua Dolan, David Stalling, Julia Marsh, Ben Smith A spiritual challenge to gays ...... 6 Opinion/Letters...... 6-7 Nia-Malika Henderson The gay greats ...... 11 Calendar of Events...... 15 Cover Art: Justin Boyes Advertising: Jon Freeland Obama’s daughters - a new horizon ...... 7 Community Resources...... 14 Monthly Circulation: 3,000 copies Annual subscriptions cost $10. Mail a check to Out Words Newlyweds fighting for their dream...... 8 via the Center address. Submit letters to the editor at [email protected] hings are gonna be fine in Center Board Members A JanuaryT issue of any publication is always so predictable. into April, the plans and schemes and resolutions 2009 of the New Year Jon Freeland [email protected] The only thing anyone can focus on is resolutions or new are left sitting on a shelf. Those important lessons of the old year Jamee Greer [email protected] beginnings or some pithy sentiment involving change. Page count are forgotten. Our attention span is filled with a new drama or Bernie Kneefe [email protected] is usually down, due to the holidays and the excuses of advertising tragedy or celebrity train wreck. Before we realize it, June is upon Mija [email protected] sales reps hitting too many parties. Writers and editors pull some us and summer beckons. Josh Peters-McBride [email protected] fluff out of their collective memory and try to pander to base What does all this mean? Heck if I know. I gave up on resolutions Dan Dewitt [email protected] emotions of readers, who have gorged themselves on sweets, made on a drunken whim. I try to make a resolution every day. Molly Moody [email protected] expensive gifts and resentment-filled arguments with family. Sometimes I succeed and most days I fail. Angel Nordquist [email protected] “This is a new year,” we are told. “The year of the (fill in the I try to live with as much exuberant imperfection as possible. I blank.)” “Orange is the new pink.” “Gay is the new Black.” talk to my dog and I support my friends...on the days I don’t yell at One copy of Out Words is available free of charge for each reader at current Lists will fill pages upon pages - the top ten scandals of 2008, the my dog and ignore my friends. distribution locations. Copies of Out Words which have not been picked up for ten worst dressed, the ten best stories. I don’t feel I’m qualified to make predictions or spot trends. I the purpose of reading them are the property of the Center. Any unauthorized Those notable enough to be noted and dead enough certainly am not comfortable enough to offer sage advice to my person who takes or moves multiple copies of Out Words to prevent other people to be deceased are remembered in glowing tributes. dear readers. from seeing or reading them shall be considered guilty of theft. Violators will And finally, predictions are made. I’ll leave that to other publications, other writers and editors. be prosecuted. This is the year of the woman, the child, the dog or the cat. The Instead, I’ll offer you my hopes. I hope that this year that my year of the teacher, the doctor or the poor. The headline will be Multiple copies can be sent to any distribution location. Please call or email us gay, lesbian, transgender and questioning brothers, sisters and for information. bold, the prediction will most likely be wrong. everyone in between can continue the dialog that has begun on Trends will be forecast - Cures will be found, conflicts will be The Western Montana Gay & Lesbian Community Center is a 501(c)3 organization resolved. the national level. I hope this is the year that you come out to your and cannot endorse any candidate for public office. Articles or advertising is Someone, somewhere will note: This will be the year we figure it family, your friends, your boss, your legislator and your president strictly the opinion of the writers or advertisers, not that of the Board of - so that they can see what a gay person looks like, so they can Directors, members of the editorial staff of the Out Words, nor the Western all out. This is the year we will learn from our mistakes. This will be learn what a gay person is. Montana Gay & Lesbian Community Center. Those who contribute, advertise and the year we amend our wrongs. This will be the year we do yoga, distribute Out Words do not necessarily identify as LGBTIQ. lose 20 pounds and find Mr. Right, Miss Wrong, Ms. Independent I hope we are safe this year, that our families and friends realize or ourselves. This will be the year we pay off our credit cards the harm they perpetuate with homophobia and forms of subtle Out Words is distributed at the following locations: and establish a savings plan that defies the national trends of bashing. Billings: Barjon Books, Hastings, YAP, The Loft, Good Earth Market plummeting loss. My partner reminds me that it’s OK to be optimistic. I believe that Maybe it’s the giddiness of writing a new number on paper, typing hope is often the engine of change, that change begins within. Bozeman: Bozeman Community Food Co-Op, Bridger Clinic, City Brew Coffee, Gallatin I offer no prediction for 2009, no declaration that this is the Community Clinic, Leaf and Bean, Nova Café, Plonk it into data fields that makes our collective heart beat a little faster. “Ooh,” I think. “I gotta remember it’s 2009 and not 2008,” as I year where our love becomes accepted and not feared. I can only Helena: Bert & Ernie’s Restaurant , Birds & Beaslies , No Sweat Café , Real Food scribble out the dateline on a check. note the passing of time and offer you the hope that 2009 offers Market & Deli , Staggering Ox , Taco Del Sol , Tori’s Antiques & Exquisite Jewelry, And then as January slips into February, as March plods along all you need. GamePODS, Gaia’s Galleria

Kalispell: City Brew Coffee, Colter Coffee, Dolce Villa, Flathead Valley Alliance, Starbucks Call for artists, photographers Livingston: Coffee Crossing, Montana Cup Coffee House and Bakery, The Owl Out Words is looking for cover art for upcoming issues. If Artist Name: Justin Boyes Missoula: The Badlander/Palace Billiards, Bernice’s Bakery, Betty’s Divine, Butterfly you are an artist or photographer and would like to see your Location: Bozeman, MT Herbs, Catalyst, Chocolat, Crystal Video, Dan Fox Foster Homes, Dauphine’s, Ear Candy work featured on the cover of Montana’s LGBTIQ newspaper, What mediums do you work in: Digital, 35mm and 120 Records, Fact and Fiction, FDH & Associates, Forward Montana, Front Street Pasta and contact Wraps, Taco Del Sol, Staggering Ox, The Good Food Store, The Jeanette Rankin Peace Tell us a little about this piece: A snapshot of our snowbear Editor, [email protected]. Center, Liquid Planet, Missoula AIDS Council, Midnight Dreams, Missoula Community - glad I got the shot, about an hour later the wind tipped We’re looking for topical work, reflecting the diversity and Food Coop, Pita Pit, Public Library, ClubQ him over. beauty of the Big Sky State Also distributed to: Havre MT, Browning MT, Butte MT, Culbertson MT, and her LGBTIQ community. the human person lives against the truth, against the Creator That still, unfortunately, would leave transgender workers Spirit.” vulnerable at private companies. News Briefs Mark Dowd, campaign strategist at Operation Noah, the Christian So the ALCU and other gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender environmental group, who is a gay man and a former Dominican groups are urging the Democratic-led Congress and Obama to Pope accused of stoking homophobia after he friar, said that the Pope’s remarks were “understandable but fulfill campaign promises by outlawing job discrimination based equates homosexuality to climate change misguided and unfortunate”. on sexual orientation or gender identity -- whether by Uncle Pope Benedict has spoken out against ‘gender theory’ He said that he understood the Pope’s vision of creation in which Sam or his private-sector sisters. By Philippe Naughton Used with permission rainforests were protected and men and women “complement Schroer’s ongoing legal battle over a job to provide expert policy one another, reproduce and live happily ever after”. analysis to Congress on terrorism underscores the need for Pope Benedict was accused of stoking homophobia today But he said: “The problem is that if you study ecology seriously swift action next year. after a speech in which he declared that saving humanity as any intelligent man would do, and the Pope is a fantastically As David, she gave her country 25 years, including 16 in Special from homosexuality was just as important as saving the rainforest intelligent man, you realise that ecology is complex, it has all Forces with 450 parachute jumps and combat experience in from destruction. sort of weird interdependencies and it is the same with human Panama and Haiti, followed by directing a 120-person classified The Pontiff made the remarks yesterday in an end-of-year sexuality. Pentagon organization that tracked and targeted terrorists. address to the Curia, the Vatican’s central administration. He said “It is not a one-size-fits-all model, there are lots of differences, It’s only right that the government repay Diane -- as well as other that humanity needed to listen to the “language of creation” to so therefore I think it is really sad that these comments transgender Americans -- with equal job opportunities. understand the intended roles of man and woman and behaviour betray a lack of openness to the complexity of creation.” beyond traditional heterosexual relations was a “destruction of The Florida Attorney General’s office is preparing to God’s work”. Activists pin hopes on Obama banning transgender appeal a ruling by a Miami judge striking down the “The tropical forests do deserve our protection. But man, as a bias state ban on adoptions by gays and lesbians. creature, does not deserve any less,” he told scores of prelates by Deb Price from Huffington Post used with permission gathered in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall. from Huffington Post Used with permission “What’s needed is something like a ‘human ecology,’ understood Florida Assistant Attorney General Valerie Martin said the appeal in the right sense. It’s not simply an outdated metaphysics if the Six months ago, a highly decorated retired Army colonel told would be filed on behalf of the state Department of Children Church speaks of the nature of the human person as man and Congress of instantly going from “hero to zero” in the eyes of & Families. Martin declined additional comment but it is widely woman, and asks that this order of creation be respected.” a prospective employer when she disclosed that she was in the believed the appeal will be filed before the end of the year. It is not the first time that the Pope has used the Curia speech process of changing gender. No matter which way the appeals court rules, it is expected the to throw out a controversial idea – two years ago he complained Since that hearing, Congress has done nothing to protect case will end up in the Florida Supreme Court. that Islam had yet to learn the lessons of the Enlightenment – transgender workers, despite evidence of outrageous job Florida law allows gays to serve as foster parents but not adopt. but the comments were quickly denounced by gay and lesbian discrimination. The law is considered the most repressive of its kind in the groups, both inside and outside the Church. But a federal judge has stepped in to say that the Library of country. Some states bar same-sex couples from jointly adopting. The Rev Sharon Ferguson, chief executive of the Lesbian and Congress broke the law against sex discrimination by rescinding Arkansas voters last month approved a measure blocking all Gay Christian Movement, described the Pope’s comments as the job offer it had made before learning David Schroer was unmarried couples from adopting or fostering children but does “totally irresponsible and unacceptable in any shape or form”. becoming Diane. not specifically name gays. There is a similar law in Utah. Only She said: “It is more the case that we need to be saved from “The evidence establishes that the Library was enthusiastic about Florida bars gays, single or coupled, from adopting. his comments. It is comments like that that justify homophobic hiring David Schroer -- until she disclosed her transsexuality,” Last month, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman ruled bullying that goes on in schools and it is comments like that that James Robertson, a U.S. district judge for the District of there is “no rational basis” for prohibiting gays from adopting justify gay-bashing. Columbia, ruled in September. children. “There are still so many instances of people being killed around “The Library revoked the offer when it learned that a man The case involved 47-year-old Martin Gill, who wished to adopt the world, including in Western society, purely and simply because named David intended to become, legally, culturally, and physically, two young brothers he has cared for as foster children since 2004. of their sexual orientation or their gender identity. a woman named Diane. This was discrimination ‘because of ... The boys had been placed with Gill after he was approached for “When you have religious leaders like that making that sort of sex’,” the judge continued. help by a state child abuse investigator. statement then followers feel they are justified in behaving in an Schroer’s transition is being followed by another one in political The placement was supposed to be temporary, but three years aggressive and violent way because they feel that they are doing Washington, of course. And the American Civil Liberties Union, later, the boys and Gill had become a family, and Gill wanted to God’s work in ridding the world of these people.” which is handling her case, is hopeful that the new administration ensure the children would not be removed at some point from Her views were echoed by the Reverend Dr Giles Fraser, the won’t fight the decision. his care. vicar of Putney and president of Inclusive Church, the pro-gay Already, the judge is preparing to order remedies, such as Gill and lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union asked Anglican movement. “I thought the Christmas angels said ’Fear requiring the Library of Congress to hire Schroer and pay her Lederman to overturn the ban on gay adoption and award him not’. Instead, the Pope is spreading fear that gay people somehow back wages or monetary damages. But the ruling, while a groundbreaking warning to other permanent custody. threaten the planet. And that’s just absurd ... Can’t he think of An attorney appointed by Lederman to represent the children something better to say at Christmas?” employers that they might be sued and held liable for similar discrimination, doesn’t automatically protect anyone beyond said in a report to the court that the children refer Gill and his Pam Spaulding, a leading lesbian blogger from the United States, Schroer. In fact, federal judges disagree over whether federal sex partner as “dad” and that Gill should be granted the adoption. was even more direct. She said: “The Prada Papa Ratzi opens his discrimination laws cover transgender Americans. The Florida Department of Children & Families and the state trap again, and the homophobia stinks like trash piled up during A growing number of companies as well as 13 states -- California, attorney general’s office argued the ban should be maintained. a NYC garbage strike.” Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, The position has the support of Gov. Charlie Crist (R) who said The Catholic Church teaches that while homosexuality is New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington he has no plans to have the law repealed. not sinful, homosexual acts are. It opposes gay marriage and, -- and the District of Columbia have enacted transgender “They’re a good family,” Lederman said in her ruling. “They’re a in October, a leading Vatican official called homosexuality “a protections. But most transgender workers are on their own in family in every way except in the eyes of the law. These children deviation, an irregularity, a wound”. a workplace or job interview. have a right to permanency.” The Pope’s speech was also seen, however, as a denunciation of The ACLU is heartened, though, that President-elect Barack “The only real permanency is adoption in the home where they “gender theory” – the study of how gender assignments affects Obama’s transition team, in an historic first, includes “gender are thriving,” she said. “There is no rational basis to preclude the behaviour of individuals. The Catholic Church has repeatedly identity” in its nondiscrimination policy for appointment-level homosexuals from adopting.” spoken out against gender theory, which gay and transsexual jobs in the next administration. In September, another South Florida judge ruled against the law groups promote as a key to understanding and tolerance. The legal group hopes, as president, Obama will take the next step in a separate case. “That which is often expressed and understood by the term -- signing an executive order formally banning job discrimination The group behind the successful bid last month to constitutionally ‘gender’ in the end amounts to the self-emancipation of the based on gender identity within the federal civilian work force. ban same-sex marriage in Florida said it would seek intervenor human person from creation and from the Creator,” the Pope President Bill Clinton signed a similar order banning discrimination status in the case calling Lederman’s ruling “classic judicial said. based on sexual orientation in civil service jobs. The ACLU wants activism.” “Human beings want to do everything by themselves, and to Obama to expand it to cover government contractors as well, control exclusively everything that regards them. But in this way, both based on gender identity and sexual orientation. (continued on page 6)

Out Words  “Shrek” a family musical with gay-pride element

By Frank Scheck W O R D E N T H A N E P. C. A&E from Queerty A T T O R N E Y S A T L A W Used with permission Shane A. Vannatta NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - The trend of adapting Briefs animated movies to the stage continues with this first attempt Suite 600 The Florence • 111 N Higgins Ave

by DreamWorks to cut in on the bounty that Disney has Missoula Gay Men’s Chorus now accepting new P.O. Box 4747 • Missoula, MT 59806 enjoyed on Broadway. (406) 721-3400 members Not as transformative as the landmark in the genre, “The Lion

King” (to which this production pays playful homage), or as If you want to make a difference, educate the community reductive as the mediocre “The Little Mermaid,” “Shrek the and have some fun and meet new people, come sing with the Musical” is a fun, largely successful musical version of the first chorus. New members will be accepted through February. installment of the hugely successful film franchise. Only the Come on Monday nights at 7 p.m. at the WMGLCC 127 N. daunting economic climate could get in the way of this show Higgins Avenue, Suite 202, Missoula, For more information, becoming a family audience Broadway hit. please call (406) 543-2224. Hope to see you there. Plenty of impressive theatrical talent has been assembled

here, including director Jason Moore (“Avenue Q”), composer Rachel Maddow reveals what’s best about being out Jeanine Tesori (“Caroline, or Change”) and lyricist/book writer from the Gay and Lesbian Leadership SmartBrief David Lindsey Abaire (“Rabbit Hole”). used with permission After an opening scene depicting a 7-year-old Shrek being sent >emWXekjWgk_Ya_[5 off by his parents to fend on his own, the show stays largely MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow appeared Conan O’Brien’s show faithful to the movie’s plot, depicting the love that blossoms recently and discussed becoming a journalist, Ted Stevens’ 56- between the giant green ogre (Brian d’Arcy James) and the second long standing ovation good-bye in the Senate (8 seconds 0 .'"
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4FSWJDFT Said Maddow: “I get a lot of mail - some of it hate mail, some of it (Christopher Sieber). nice mail - about the fact that I am openly gay. I get straight men Obviously geared for children, the show will not bore their writing me emails or sending me letters saying, ‘if I like you, does adult chaperones in the least thanks to large doses of the that make me a lesbian?’...So I always just say ‘yes.’ irreverent, often scatological humor that also infused the She jokes, “It’s well-known among gay people if you have any film and a gay-pride subtext that is exemplified by having the interest in a gay person whatsover, even if you’re not sure supporting cast of fairy tale characters harmonizing about they’re gay, that if you’re a man that makes you a woman - check letting their “Freak Flag” wave. Theater aficionados will enjoy your pants - and you’re definitely gay. It’s nice. It’s meant to be the fleeting references to such shows as “A Chorus Line,” a compliment, but... they’re trying to compliment me and also “Wicked” and “Dreamgirls,” while fans of the movies will tell me that they’re not gay. It’s awkward, and then you also get appreciate the cameo appearance by Puss ‘N Boots. the hate mail where people write in specifically to tell me that Tesori’s music is more functional than fabulous, but there I’m gay. As if I didn’t know. Oh my God I had no idea. I’ll get off are plenty of lively uptempo numbers and several affecting television. That is the single best thing about coming out of the ballads. Highlights include “Morning Person,” which shows off closet, is that nobody can insult you by telling you what you just Foster’s physical comic skills as her princess deals rudely with told them.” various forest creatures; “I Think I Got You Beat,” a hilarious duet between Shrek and Fiona in which they fall in love and No Will and Grace spinoff compete to see who can produce the grossest bodily functions; from Queerity and “What’s Up, Duloc,” in which Sieber, cleverly costumed Used with permission to convey Farquaad’s small stature, performs a raucous dance number almost entirely on his knees. One of the stars of hit comedy show Will and Grace has said Director Moore and scenery/costume designer Tim Hatley have that talk of a new spinoff is just a “fun rumour.” infused the proceedings with plenty of clever visual touches -- Eric McCormack was asked by OK! magazine about internet such as Pinocchio’s (John Tartaglia) ever-growing nose, a fawning speculation that characters of Jack and Karen from the popular Magic Mirror (Tartaglia again), a giant puppet dragon (yup, series would be given their own show. Tartaglia) and a hilarious Gingerbread Man -- that often recall Will and Grace debuted on NBC in September 1998, and was their respective efforts on “Avenue Q” and “Spamalot.” one of the first network shows to feature ‘realistic’ gay characters The lead performers deliver beautifully sung and wonderfully - Will is a successful lawyer who lived with his best friend Grace comic performances that give the show a winning human Adler, an interior designer. dimension: Although Breaker’s Donkey was both a little too fey The characters of Jack McFarland, a camp out-of-work actor and not quite manic enough, he garners the requisite laughs; and society lush Karen Walker, were for many the stars of the Sieber is hysterically hammy as the dwarfish Farquaad; Foster is show and since Will and Grace was cancelled in 2006 there have feminine charm personified as Fiona; and d’Arcy James is utterly been several stories about a spinoff. endearing as the title character even with the handicap of being Mr McCormack said: “To my knowledge, there’s no talk of that unrecognizable beneath his extensive makeup. - it’s all just a fun rumour.”

Out Words 

445 W Alder, every demographic,” she says. “They want adults in big cities. Four years ago, Black decided to write a spec script about Milk Brokeback did cross over, and they can hope for that.” after being introduced to the icon’s former confidant and political Timing is The biggest battle that Milk fought — one that serves as the operative Cleve Jones (who in Milk is played by Emile Hirsch). thematic glue for Milk — has echoes in the one waged over the “When I met Cleve, I got to know the real Harvey,” Black says. finally right recent measures in California, Arizona, Arkansas and Florida. “Not the legend, but the deeply flawed man who did so much. Dubbed the Briggs Initiative, for state legislator John Briggs, That was the story.” 1978’s Proposition 6 aimed to make homosexuality a firing Jones, who famously created the AIDS Memorial Quilt project, for ‘Milk’ amid offense throughout the state’s public school system. It was says his frustration over the inability to put Milk’s life on celluloid initially expected to pass, thanks to the vocal support of orange- vanished after meeting Black. “I felt he could do this,” he says. juice spokeswoman Anita Bryant. But Milk humanized the issue Black would spend weekdays working on Big Love in Los Angeles uproar over in a series of statewide debates with Briggs and won the day. and weekends meeting with Milk’s friends in San Francisco. Once But Prop. 8 supporters say it’s a mistake to equate Milk’s historic he finished the script, Jones called Van Sant. The cast quickly filled push to today’s battle over gay marriage. “We’re not anti-gay. We out, including Josh Brolin (as White), James Franco (as Milk’s gay marriage just wanted to restore the definition of marriage as it has always lover Scott Smith) and Alison Pill (as campaign manager Anne By Marco R. della Cava, USA TODAY been known,” says Jeff Flint, campaign manager for Sacramento- Kronenberg). Used with Permission based ProtectMarriage.com. “That has nothing to do with having “Maybe the timing was perfect after all,” says Jones, who believes a teacher’s rights put in jeopardy because they’re gay, which was Milk would have become the nation’s first gay mayor. “I think SAN FRANCISCO — The mayor’s office here is a serene Milk’s focus.” America is finally ready to hear this story.” wood-paneled retreat anchored by an imposing desk and fine Mere weeks after the Prop. 6 vote, Milk was killed. Forty thousand It’s one steeped in historical detail, says Kronenberg, who oil paintings. It also is haunted by the ghosts of what might have San Franciscans marched in silence and later rioted. served as organizer and mother figure to Milk supporters. “Gus been. “I inherited a city that was stunned and divided,” says Sen. Dianne really wanted to involve those who knew Harvey well. He was “Sitting 6 feet away from the spot, it’s impossible not to think of Feinstein, D-Calif., who became acting mayor upon Moscone’s constantly running up to us going, ‘Is this what it was like?’ “ says that day,” says the office’s current occupant, Gavin Newsom. death. “The divisions were fueled by both hatred and sorrow. Kronenberg, now deputy director of San Francisco’s Department TIMELINE: The major moments in the life of Harvey Milk Over time, we were able to put the city back together, but the of Public Health. “He wanted to get everything just right.” Thirty years ago, city supervisor Dan White marched into this events of that day will remain seared in our memories forever.” One person who did, she says, was Penn: “When he walked toward room and assassinated Mayor George Moscone. He then walked Helping keep Milk’s memory alive were a book (1982’s The Mayor me for the first time as Harvey, I gasped. It was uncanny.” down the hall and pumped five bullets into fellow supervisor of Castro Street by the late AIDS chronicler Randy Shilts) and There’s similar praise for Brolin, who plays White as a roiling sea Harvey Milk, cutting short the life of a pioneering, openly gay later a documentary of that work. A feature film was considered of emotions. All of which might add up to Hollywood awards. But politician whose influence has echoed down the decades. a natural, but decades unspooled as projects came and went. that victory wouldn’t make Jones’ day. Nor Milk’s. San Francisco felt the jolt of that event in 1978; now it’s the “The issues changed with the decades,” says Bennett Cohen, who “It’s 30 years after Harvey’s assassination, and we’re still fighting nation’s turn. With Milk, which opens in New York, Los Angeles wrote a recent San Francisco magazine piece on the project’s for our civil rights,” Jones says. “If Harvey were alive, he’d say, and here on Wednesday, director Gus Van Sant weaves archival back story. “First, there was homophobia; no big actor would ‘Stay in the streets. Demand full equality.’ “ footage into a tale of a complex man who overcame his take the role. Then we moved into an ennui; the story seemed That is just what Howard Long is doing, standing outside City inhibitions to become a powerful public advocate. Van Sant’s too far back in time. But finally the commercial community got Hall with a handmade placard protesting the passage of Prop. 8. efforts are buttressed by Sean Penn, whose performance as Milk more open to it. It became the right project for the right time.” At 68, he is a decade younger than Milk would have been and is garnering Oscar attention. In the simplest terms, it took a young man meeting an older knew the community organizer in his heyday. Long remembers But what nobody could count on was the uncanny timing of mentor to make Milk come to life. the good times when friends packed a local bar because 5 cents the film, which may well elevate it from historical reminiscence “I owe my life to Harvey Milk,” says Milk screenwriter and of each beer went to Milk’s campaign. And the tough times, the to what some gay rights activists see as a rallying cry. This past executive producer Dustin Lance Black, 29, who made a name clashes with police and that mournful candlelit march. election put an African American in the White House, but it also for himself as a writer on the HBO hit Big Love. “I was a dark, “Harvey wouldn’t be surprised we’re out here now,” says Long, saw the defeat of gay marriage laws in California and a number gay kid. Only after coming to the Bay Area and learning about who married his longtime partner in August. of other states. Harvey did I actually think I could be out and experience a thing Long is eager to see Milk but isn’t taking his eyes off the prize. “It For some, that stings. called love.” doesn’t feel good to be a second-class citizen,” he says. “Harvey “The same day Barack Obama becomes president, many gay Penn as Milk: ‘It was uncanny’ would want us to fight on.” Americans had their rights taken away. It’s surreal,” says Newsom, a vocal supporter of gay marriage. “I’m the least likely person to be pushing this, raised by nuns and priests, being from an Irish Catholic family. Maybe I should let go of it, but I can’t. It’s a core belief in my soul.” Newsom starts to say that Milk should have come out before the election, to help defeat Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage initiative. “But maybe it’s good it’s out now,” he says. “Milk is such a hopeful movie, and people need to believe again.” Not a guaranteed hit Hope may be the political currency of the president-elect, but three decades ago, Milk became known for a phrase that is etched on his bust in City Hall: “You gotta give ‘em hope.” “Harvey was our Martin Luther King Jr. — he stood up for our rights,” says Corey Scholibo, arts editor at The Advocate magazine. “We need a Harvey Milk now. This movie reminds us what it’s like to fight for our rights, something I think many of us have forgotten how to do.” More efforts are afoot to bring Milk, who would be 78, back into the limelight. California state Assemblyman Mark Leno is pushing to make Milk’s birthday, May 22, a non-paid holiday. “He gave his life so I could make a contribution,” says Leno, who also is gay. “Harvey wasn’t just a great public servant. He was a visionary who will resonate with this generation that helped Obama win. I’m guessing the success of Milk at the box office is going to translate into political action.” A big box-office score isn’t a given, says Pamela McClintock of Variety magazine. “Focus Features (which distributed 2005’s Brokeback Mountain) is under no illusion that Milk will play to

Out Words  News Briefs contiuned few weeks ago,” before the Warren controversy erupted. Goodman said Baldwin would have no comment on Obama’s spiritual challenge to Baldwin named honorary co-chairwoman for pick of Warren to lead the invocation. A Baldwin is among 16 co-chairs, who include former Presidents Obama’s inauguration Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter along with State Journal staff the LGBTIQ community: relatives of Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. Used with permission In a statement, Baldwin said: “It’s a great honor to be named an honorary co-chair of the presidential inauguration. Every Pray! U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, the only openly lesbian member of by Dr. Susan Corso inauguration holds special significance, but the swearing- Congress, has been named an honorary co-chairwoman of Used with permission in of Barack Obama as president marks a turning point in President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration — days after American history.” Obama announced evangelical pastor Rick Warren, who Darlings, we are some of the most spiritual people on the planet. During the Democratic primary, Baldwin endorsed Obama’s supported California’s ban on gay marriage, would give the You know this. I know this because I live it and so do you. What’s my rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York. inaugural invocation. point? I’ve had it with the outrage about Rev. Rick Warren getting his She later served as a co-chairwoman of a steering committee Debbie Mesloh, a spokeswoman for the inauguration, said she two minutes in the freezing cold sunshine during the invocation at on gay and lesbian issues for Obama’s general election couldn’t say whether criticism from gay rights groups over Obama’s Inaugural. campaign. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I don’t like his theology or his politics. That’s the Warren announcement contributed to the selection of “We’re very excited to have Wisconsin represented in this not the point. The point is that I’m tired of living in outrage. I’m tired Baldwin. But she said the co-chairs were picked based on way,” Mesloh said. She said Baldwin will “play an important of hearing about this gay mucky-mucky “decrying” Obama’s choice. “their service and what they’ve done for their country.” role” on Inauguration Day, but specifics have not been Or that queer activist feeling “disappointed” in Obama. Or that by Jerilyn Goodman, a spokeswoman for Baldwin, said the worked out yet. this choice Obama has “ruined” his inauguration. Okay, I get it--we’re Madison Democrat was asked to co-chair the inaugural “a outraged. Where does outrage stop and genuine spiritual practice begin? I’m asking, really.You know and I know that prayer changes things in a big A Great New Years Resolution - Fight! Civil rights and religious rights - who’s right? way. Prayer is, in fact, the one thing I am certain changes things. We’ve all seen it. Impersonal prayer for the highest good for all concerned Editor: Dear Editor, carries a big dollop of miracle when it’s answered. Usually, this time of year is my time to distress and So what are we doing, LGBTQI prayer warriors? Are we expending decompress. The holidays are over. Time to get back to the I think for me at least, the few words of Wayne Besen in our energy in outrage or are we using our own varied forms of prayer never ending battles of daily life. New Years resolutions get his article in the Seattle Gay News of December 12th say to lift up Obama, the inauguration, and our beloved community for the highest good for everyone, everywhere, every when? No exceptions. made only to be forgotten in about a week or two. And since all that we need to think about what homosexual Americans Where there is no vision, sang the Psalmist, the people perish. I far I usually spend way too much on Christmas presents, it’s time must believe and understand about our future civil rights prefer my own paraphrase: where there are no people, the vision to tighten the purse strings and keep a closer eye on the budget. and the affect on them by religious people and groups. perishes. Here’s a new vision -- catch it if you can! But not this year. For me, 2008 has been a bit more of In the middle of the good article he says, “We must Gay Christians enter into their prayer closets, and affirm the highest a bitter year than most. Yes, Obama won. Yeah. Woo hoo. still work to enlighten the flock where we can, but good for us all. But I wouldn’t start celebrating yet. With that victory fundamentalist leaders will only transform their anti- Lesbian Jews wrap themselves in their prayer shawls, and give thanks came an even more bitter defeat. California’s passage gay views when popular opinion decidedly turns against for the manifestation of the highest good for us all. Bisexual pagan of Proposition 8 bitch slapped most of us. To me it came them-as it did with race relations in the 1960s and 1970s.” priestesses remember that Nature holds only the highest good along with a donkey kick right to the misters. Perhaps That is how we must understand our work. And as for us all. Transgendered shamans, honored two-spirits, dance their it’s because I grew up a member of the LDS (Mormon) an obscure thought on the views of the religious right on the prayers for the highest good for us all. Queer Buddhists sit in their church. Perhaps it’s because I still have friends and family sanctity of marriagve, I would refer them to two mentions meditations, watching their thoughts and remembering the highest who are Mormons. But it was definitely the last straw for on the subject of how marriage was used in the early days good for us all. Intersex recovery folk invoke their Higher Power for me. I sent to the Mormon church a letter officially asking by one church group against another. The mentions are in highest good for us all. Queer-curious people of all faiths ask for their them to take my name off of their records.”I no longer wish an old book, published in 1940, which not only discussed the own highest good and that of all others. Closeted, fearful gay people my name to be associated with the church” I told them. important issues such as how the Baptists were such strong all over the world pray in the silence of their isolation that the highest good for all us come to be. For many of us, protests come in many fashions. For some supporters of the separation of church and state, but how the You see the pictures, don’t you? it’s breaking ties with those who continue to fight against southern churches so easily left the main church to use the I truly understand and appreciate the outrage, Beloved Ones, but I our equal rights. For some it may mean trying to open up the Bible to promote slavery, etc, and the authors were from know better than to think it ultimately serves us. And so do you. bridges of communication. For some it may mean standing on (and the book is was published by) the University of Chicago. Instead, come with me into the sacred space of prayer as best you the street side holding up a sign with our friends while people In the book, A Short History of Christianity, in discussing know how. Remember that the highest good for all is really that -- drive by. For others it may be simply being themselves everyday, the early church in France, on page 179, it says, about the highest -- and for all. living among those who simply don’t understand - yet. attempt to overcome Catholic opposition to Protestant Oh, and bless the misguided, hate-filled Rev. Warren as well. God However you fight, keep on fighting. We can not afford to stop. churches, with the “church in the Desert,” “Its services were knows how to change his hardened heart and mind. We don’t. We win some, we loose some. We take a few steps forward, celebrated in secret, and its members were without civil rights. And take comfort -- he’s getting only two minutes of his fifteen we take a few steps back. Our supporters are still with us, Because marriages at which its ministers officiated were minutes of fame. Even if these two aren’t to our taste, fighting and crying with us. We’ve made progress, and though deemed void, Protestants were all legally illegitimate.” And let’s get to work to change the remaining thirteen. it may seem slow, we must keep up our optimism and look on page 234, talking about religion in England, it says,”...but Visit Susan Corso’s spiritual blog or subscribe to forward to the day when gays and lesbians and all other protestant bodies were shut out and their ministers Seeds at www. everyone can simply live and love freely, without were not permitted to perform marriage ceremonies.” susancorso. com. hate, with equal rights and without feeling alone. I wonder how the religious right fundamentalists answer 2009 may be a tough year. But we’ve been through worse. such clear evidence of how the church has abused the words We may be fairies, but that doesn’t mean we’re not tough. of the Bible and theology in the past and is doing so today. Is it too much to say that it is not the homosexuals who are Sincerely, on trial, and it may be that the ones who have to change to Glenn Wilkins survive are the religious right.

Sincerely, Billy Glover Bossier City LA Co-funder of the Homosexual Information Center (Website: tangentgroup.org)

Out Words  Gay Marriage and a Moral Minority girl’s eventual wages by more than 10 percent, and Opinion By CHARLES M. BLOW asha and a year of secondary school increases it by up to from Gender PAC,used with permission S 25 percent. When those wages stay in her hands EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a commentary. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily the views of Out Words. as a mother, her children are healthier and better Malia Enhance educated. A study in Brazil found that a child’s We now know that blacks probably didn’t tip the balance for Proposition 8. Myth chance of surviving increases by 20 percent when busted. However, the fact remains that a strikingly high percentage of blacks said they his or her mother has her own income. voted to ban same-sex marriage in California. Why? the orizon Producing Food, Eating Less There was one very telling (and virtually ignored) statistic in CNN’s exit poll data that H Being a girl in many countries means that she must eat may shed some light: There were far more black women than black men, and a higher last and least after the men have finished their meal. percentage of them said that they voted for the measure than the men. How wide was for orld s This is despite the fact that girls and women produce the gap? According to the exit poll, 70 percent of all blacks said that they voted for the W ’ most of the food in the household: Rural women proposition. But 75 percent of black women did. There weren’t enough black men in alone produce half of the world’s food, and up to 80 the survey to provide a reliable percentage for them. However, one can mathematically deduce that of the raw number of survey respondents, nearly twice as many black Girls percent of the food in most developing countries. women said that they voted for it than black men. By Ritu Sharma - WeNews commentator Violence, particularly from family members, Why? Here are my theories: Editor’s Note: The following is a commentary. The opinions continues to be the No. 1 threat to girls’ (1) Blacks are much more likely than whites to attend church, according to a Gallup expressed are those of the author and not necessarily mental and physical health. Worldwide, 1 in 3 report, and black women are much more likely to attend church than black men. the views of Out Words. girls and women will be the victim of abuse- Anyone who has ever been to a black church can attest to the disparity in the pews. -physical, sexual or psychological--because of And black women’s church attendance may be increasing. (WOMENSENEWS)--As our nation prepares their gender, at some point in their lifetimes, and According to a report issued this spring by Child Trends, a nonprofit research center, for the momentous inauguration of our first not just at home but also at school or work. weekly church attendance among black 12th graders rose 26 percent from 1993 to Despite the odds stacked against girls, investments 2006, while weekly church attendance for white 12th graders remained virtually flat. African American president, the rest of the in them and all that they are capable of are In 2006, those black teenagers were nearly 50 percent more likely to attend church world is watching with much anticipation as well. once a week than their white counterparts. And it is probably safe to assume that There is little precedent for the enormous interest producing a sea change in societies worldwide. This many of them were going to church with their mothers since Child Trends reported this U.S. election generated overseas, and the is especially seen in education, which is one of the that around the time that they were born, nearly 70 percent of all black children were celebrations from Kenya to India to Senegal when best and most basic investments to make in girls. born to single mothers. Barack Obama was elected were truly amazing. Over the past two decades some of the poorest (2) This high rate of church attendance by blacks informs a very conservative moral Clearly, not all of them were celebrating based on the countries in the world have made a remarkable view. While blacks vote overwhelmingly Democratic, an analysis of three years of significance of the event to just African Americans. commitment to revamp their public schools, national data from Gallup polls reveals that their views on moral issues are virtually While the election may have confirmed the increase their expenditure on education and make indistinguishable from those of Republicans. Let’s just call them Afropublicrats. best impressions that people worldwide have a real effort to get girls in school. (3) Marriage can be a sore subject for black women in general. According to 2007 Moving Up in School Census Bureau data, black women are the least likely of all women to be married and about meritocracy and democracy in our In Africa for example, after Mauritania made the most likely to be divorced. Women who can’t find a man to marry might not be country, it still does not explain all the jubilation. thrilled about the idea of men marrying each other. Instead, I believe much of the world is simply education both free and compulsory, the country’s Proponents of gay marriage would do well to focus on these women if they want to elated that America will soon have a president schools changed radically in just six years: from win black votes. A major reason is that black women vote at a higher rate than black who looks something like them; that it’s possible having only 67 girls for every 100 boys to having men. In the CNN national exit poll, there were 40 percent more black women than for someone who looks like them to occupy the 93 girls per 100 boys. In Lesotho, where AIDS was black men, and in California there were 50 percent more. But gay marriage advocates most powerful political position in the world. causing many thousands of girls to leave school, an need to hone their strategy to reach them. Amid all that, I’ve been thinking about little girls in the innovative program that eliminated school fees and First, comparing the struggles of legalizing interracial marriage with those to legalize developing world. What might it mean for them to provided free meals reversed the trend. And when gay marriage is a bad idea. Many black women do not seem to be big fans of interracial see Sasha and Malia growing up in the White House? the government of Bangladesh started to provide a marriage either. They’re the least likely of all groups to intermarry, and many don’t look stipend to female students, the enrollment of girls kindly on the black men who intermarry at nearly three times the rate that they do, I have a deeply personal reason for having this focus went up to double the previous national average. according to a 2005 study of black intermarriage rates in the Wisconsin Law Review. on the next first family. Wrong reference. Don’t even go there. Princess Aura Restricted Such initiatives open girls’ windows on themselves, Second, don’t debate the Bible. You can’t win. Religious faith is not defined by logic, it As a cocoa-complexioned girl who grew up helping them see what is possible for them. This defies it. Instead, decouple the legal right from the religious rite, and emphasize the in ethnically diverse southern Arizona, I never is true even for girls in our country. Discovering idea of acceptance without endorsement. imagined anyone who looked like me would that something is possible is the foundation for Then, make it part of a broader discussion about the perils of rigidly applying yesterday’s have sleepovers in the Lincoln bedroom. It was self-esteem, which is one of the most important sexual morality to today’s sexual mores. Show black women that it backfires. The never said out loud, but always understood, that prerequisites for success. The implicit “you-too- stigma doesn’t erase the behavior, it pushes it into the shadows where, devoid of perhaps someday a woman would be in the can-have-the-dream” message that Obama’s victory information and acceptance, it become more risky. White House, but not a president (with a family) has beamed across the globe, will also, through For instance, most blacks find premarital sex unacceptable, according to the Gallup his daughters, reach hundreds of millions of girls data. But, according to data from a study by the Guttmacher Institute, blacks are 26 of color. The princess-like aura of presidents’ percent more likely than any other race to have had premarital sex by age 18, and the daughters was then also limited by race. No longer. who never thought that someone who looks like pregnancy rate for black teens is twice that of white teens. They still have premarital We won’t see the Obama daughters in the media them could be growing up in the White House. sex, but they do so uninformed and unprotected. spotlight, nor should we, but we’ll all know they’re While Sasha and Malia must be focused on just being That leads to a bigger problem. According to a 2004 report by the federal Centers settling in, thriving and playing with their new hypo- kids, not celebrities, I hope that they will peek out for Disease Control and Prevention, black women have an abortion rate that is three allergenic puppy. The hope their father symbolizes of the White House to see and come to know girls times that of white women. for what is possible to so many people worldwide around the world. That would give other girls a look More specifically, blacks overwhelmingly say that homosexuality isn’t morally acceptable. just might ripple from these two girls to children, into a world where being a little girl of color poses no So many black men hide their sexual orientations and engage in risky behavior. This has especially girls, around the world. problems, sets no limits and creates no boundaries. resulted in large part in black women’s becoming the fastest-growing group of people In my travels from Afghanistan to Nicaragua to Even if they are a world away, and their lives are with H.I.V. In a 2003 study of H.I.V.-infected people, 34 percent of infected black men completely different, I know in my heart that said they had sex with both men and women, while only 6 percent of infected black Zimbabwe, I find that four words too often sum up women thought their partners were bisexual. Tragic. (In contrast, only 13 percent of the existence of female children: “I’m just a girl.” Asian, African and Latin girls will see a part of the white men in the study said they had sex with both men and women, while 14 And yet, girls everywhere are our best hope for a themselves in the Obama daughters. Perhaps a percent of the white women said that they knew their partners were bisexual.) prosperous, safe and stable world. When their lives part that says, “Anything is possible for me, too.” So pitch it as a health issue. The more open blacks are to the idea of homosexuality, improve, the entire community benefits. the more likely black men would be to discuss their sexual orientations and sexual For many, being a girl means they must work in EDITOR’S NOTE: Ritu Sharma is co-founder and histories. The more open they are, the less likely black women would be to put the fields while their brothers attend school. But president of Women Thrive Worldwide, which advocates themselves at risk unwittingly. And, the more open blacks are to homosexuality over a single extra year of primary school increases a for international assistance and trade policies that all, the more open they are likely to be to gay marriage. This way, everyone wins. prioritize the needs of women and girls worldwide.

Out Words  sex marriage. The same court is currently considering a challenge Gay Marriage to Proposition 8. Gay couple won’t But many activists seem unwilling to wait for a legal solution and have planned a series of events to keep the issue in the public eye, let Proposition 8 Ban Inspires New including a nationwide candlelight vigil later this month, a Million Gay March in Washington next spring and continued protests at county clerks’ offices throughout California. steal their dream Wave of Activists “We’re doing an end run around the mainstream organizations Two men who moved from Ohio to California to marry continue to By JESSE McKINLEY that run our causes,” said David Craig, a movie producer who is an protest the measure’s passage. from the Gay and Lesbian Leadership SmartBrief organizer of Wednesday’s “call in gay” protest. “And the Internet has By Alexandra Zavis given us the tool to create these events.” Used with permission SAN FRANCISCO — They’re calling it Stonewall 2.0. Indeed, in much the same way a previous generation used phone Outraged by California voters’ ban on same-sex marriage, a new trees and megaphones, Amy Balliet used Facebook and Twitter Fearing taunts and disapproval, they kept their love hidden wave of advocates, shaken out of a generational apathy, have pushed to spread the word about protests on Nov. 15 that drew tens of for nearly two years. But with the Nov. 4 election looming, to the forefront of the gay rights movement, using freshly minted thousands of people in scores of cities and towns across the nation. Christopher Lewis and Cody Horton resolved to take a leap grass-roots groups and embracing not only new technologies but Ms. Balliet said the skills she used had been learned in her work at of faith. also old-school methods like sit-ins and sickouts. a search-engine marketing firm in Seattle. “I’m good at driving traffic Following in the footsteps of generations of adventurers and Matt Palazzolo, 23, a self-described “video artist-actor turned gay to Web sites; that’s what I do,” said Ms. Balliet, 26, who with a friend, romantics, the shy young couple from Ohio announced they activist,” founded one group, Equal Roots Coalition, with a group of Willow Witte, founded a group called Join the Impact last month. were heading west to marry and begin a new life in California. friends about 10 days ago. “I’d been focused on other things in my She added that their impatience with the status quo had played a part. They put on dark suits and exchanged vows on an unseasonably life,” Mr. Palazzolo said. “Then Nov. 4 happened, and it woke me up.” “We said: ‘Why are we going to wait for the organizations to have a balmy afternoon in late October, before family, friends and the Often young and politically inexperienced, the new campaigners protest? They’re going to have to go through all their bureaucracies wide Pacific Ocean. include an unlikely set of leaders, among them a San Francisco to get approval. Why don’t we just do it?’ ” Wanting to give back to the state that recognized his union, Lewis chess teacher, a search-engine marketer from Seattle and a former The sudden burst of energy has drawn some comparisons to took a job as a physician’s assistant at a community health center contestant on “American Gladiators,” who jokingly suggested that demonstrations during the early days of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. in Tehachapi, southeast of Bakersfield, caring for migrant farm he had become involved in the movement as a way of making up for But Larry Kramer, the playwright and founder of ACT UP, which workers. But by the time they had packed up their apartment in his poor performance on the show. used confrontational tactics to fight for money for AIDS treatment Ohio and returned to California, voters had approved a change “We’re a gay couple in West Hollywood, neither of us involved in and research, said advances in treating the disease had, somewhat to the state Constitution that put their marriage in doubt. activism, but we just wanted to help,” said Sean Hetherington, 30, incongruously, robbed the gay rights movement of broader political Before they moved here, the self-effacing couple had never even a stand-up comic who was the first openly gay contestant ever to momentum. seen a demonstration, much less protested themselves. But two do battle, however briefly, in the Gladiator Arena. “And we were “For activism to work, you have to be scared and you have to be days after the election, they drove two hours into Los Angeles amazed at what happened.” angry,” Mr. Kramer said. “Nobody’s frightened anymore. The drugs and nervously joined the throngs marching in protest against Mr. Hetherington and his companion were among several people have taken care of that.” Proposition 8. The next night, they were back on the streets in surprised by the strength of positive reaction after starting Web Still, many current activists seem to be enrolled in crash courses Long Beach. The night after, in Silver Lake, then Westwood and sites geared toward a demonstration planned for Wednesday, “Day in protest politics, with almost daily organizational meetings in downtown L.A. Without a Gay.” Its organizers are asking gay rights supporters cities across California. Some also study the arc of the gay rights “It just hurt so bad; it’s all we could think of doing,” Lewis said. to avoid going to work by “calling in gay” and volunteering in the movement, which custom dates from the riots at the Stonewall Inn, “It’s all we have left.” movement instead. a gay bar in Greenwich Village, in 1969. They are pessimistic that the California Supreme Court Many grass-roots leaders say the emergence of new faces, and “I see a lot more people reading history books now,” Mr. Palazzolo will overturn the ban, despite the high-profile appeals by top acceptance of tactics that are more confrontational, amount to an said. politicians, including state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown. implicit rejection of the measured approach of established gay rights Quite a few activists said they had also been inspired by the “I did send a wedding picture to the chief justice and wrote groups, a course that, some gay men and lesbians maintain, allowed acclaimed film “Milk,” which chronicles the fight by a member of a note on the back of it asking him to share it,” Lewis said. passage of the ban, Proposition 8. the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Harvey Milk (played by Sean “Hopefully, if they see enough faces, they will realize that their “I think we are demanding as a community that we democratize our Penn), to beat back a 1978 ballot measure that would have barred decisions make a huge difference.” processes and ensure we all have a voice,” said Molly McKay, media gay teachers from California’s public schools. Lewis, 24, and Horton, 20, found each other online during one director of the volunteer group Marriage Equality USA. “Because we Justin Lenzi, a 23-year-old chess coach who attends San Francisco lonely Christmas vacation in 2006. Horton was in his last year of are not a campaign. We are a movement.” State University, said he saw Mr. Milk, who was murdered inside City high school in Middletown, Ohio. Lewis was studying to become The executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Hall here shortly after the 1978 election, as a model for activism. So a physician’s assistant at Kettering College of Medical Arts, a Kate Kendell, a member of the No on 8 campaign’s executive do others in his social set. Seventh-day Adventist school in nearby Dayton. committee, said the criticism was understood. “I’m seeing a lot of people at my university, either gay or straight, “It was awful,” Lewis said. “We had to take religion classes, and “Even from my vantage point, I would have a wish list of things I would who want to be part of my cause,” he said. they teach being gay is wrong.” have done differently,” Ms. Kendell said, adding that she would have The new campaigners are also showing a willingness to learn. Robin He started searching MySpace pages for anyone listing themselves preferred “to give our community a greater level of engagement.” Tyler, 66, a lesbian activist in Los Angeles, said she had been invited as gay in the Dayton area. A song posted on Horton’s page (Say Now, however, the ballot initiative’s passage has forced many in the to speak at a meeting of grass-roots groups on Saturday and was Anything’s “Slowly, Through a Vector”) caught Lewis’ attention, gay community “out of our stupor” and opened the door for new inspired by the younger generation’s efforts to take the movement and he left Horton a message. They chatted online, then agreed leaders, she said. “It’s totally legitimate to say that the normal way of “into the streets.” to meet at a club. Later, they went to the home of Horton’s doing things did not get us to the finish line,” Ms. Kendell said. “And “The grandchildren in the movement are like us,” Ms. Tyler said. “I grandmother, who was out of town. They put on a movie, and now some of those groups need to move over a couple of lanes to told them, ‘We just had to skip the generation above you.’ ” Horton put his head on Lewis’ shoulder. make room.” Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, a gay rights It felt right, Lewis said. “We felt like we fit in each other’s arms.” On Tuesday, another group behind the failed campaign, Equality group in New York, said he applauded the sudden involvement of At first they met in hotel rooms. “Where else could we go to California, announced that it would add several new board members “people who were either complacent or not reached” during the hug or hold hands?” Lewis said. to reflect a surge in interest. The group has also added two “faith campaign against Proposition 8. But he cautioned that the advances After Horton graduated from high school, they found jobs so leaders,” reflecting the opinion of many critics that the campaign and methods of older groups should not be discounted. they could afford an apartment together. But they continued should have courted the religious vote. “Let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater,” Mr. Wolfson said. to hide their relationship from most people. More than once, The new activists have impressed some gay rights veterans. “It’s not so much a failure of leadership; it’s an opportunity to bring passing motorists shouted abusive comments as they walked “They’ve shown a clear ability to turn out large numbers of people,” more people in.” down the street together. Some real estate agents refused to said Cleve Jones, a longtime gay rights advocate and labor organizer. Mr. Palazzolo, the activist-actor-video artist, said it had taken show them single-bedroom apartments. “It’s also clear that they are skeptical of the established L.G.B.T. Proposition 8 to reawaken political consciousness that he and many Earlier this year, Lewis bought the nicest ring he could afford -- organizations. And I would say they have reason to be.” peers abandoned during college. white gold with three tiny diamonds -- drove Horton to a park The ban, which passed with 52 percent of the vote, overturned a “We’ve been spoiled,” he said. “Because while we knew we’d been and proposed. They hugged and cried. But they could not make decision by the California Supreme Court in May legalizing same- discriminated against in the past, we’d never felt it until now.” the union official.

Out Words  The only state at the time that performed same-sex marriages was Massachusetts, which requires a couple’s home state to Jerry Brown asks California Supreme recognize such unions. But in May, the California Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to ban same-sex marriage, a Court to void gay-marriage ban decision that did not have the same limits as Massachusetts’ law. Lewis and Horton, thinking there was no rush, began considering The state attorney general, who had earlier vowed to defend Prop. of Protect Marriage, the group said Friday. a California wedding. In September, realizing that Proposition 8 8, offers a novel legal theory for why it should be overturned. The Some opponents of gay marriage have said that if the might pass, they went online to book a Long Beach restaurant action surprises some legal experts. court strikes down Proposition 8, they expect to see an and find an officiant. By Jessica Garrison and Maura Dolan effort to recall justices who vote against the measure. Horton’s father did not realize his son was gay until the invitation The issue could also have an impact on Brown’s political arrived. Horton’s stepmother tried to persuade him to attend Reporting from San Francisco and Los Angeles — California future. The attorney general, a former governor, has been the ceremony; she said he walked away and wouldn’t look at the Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown asked the state Supreme Court to exploring a run to return to that job in 2010. Among his card. He later apologized to Horton for missing the big day and invalidate the voter-approved ban on gay marriage, declaring potential opponents for the Democratic nomination are San awkwardly wished his son well. that “the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who is a hero to many gay Lewis has been estranged from his father for years and did fundamental constitutional rights without compelling rights advocates for his decision to begin same-sex marriages not bother to invite him. But both mothers and Horton’s justification.” in his city in 2004. grandmother flew to California for the Oct. 26 wedding. Brown’s argument on Proposition 8, contained in an 111-page The current legal chapter started because of those weddings. The day itself passed in a blur. But leading up to it, the thought brief filed at the last possible moment before the court’s deadline, In a landmark ruling in May, the California Supreme Court of standing on a public beach, in front of people they had lied to surprised many legal experts. The attorney general has a legal ruled 4 to 3 that the guarantee of equal protection in the state for years, filled them with dread. For days, they had practiced duty to uphold the state’s laws as long as there are reasonable Constitution required that same-sex marriage be treated the the perfect wedding kiss: long enough for photos, but not too grounds to do so. Last month, Brown said he planned to same as heterosexual marriage. sloppy. In the end, they managed only a quick peck. Yet for all the “defend the proposition as enacted by the people of California.” In response, foes of gay marriage mounted a well- awkwardness, it was a day they treasure. But in his filing, Brown, who personally supports same- organized campaign to amend the Constitution in an “In a lifetime we both spent with no support for any of our sex marriage, offered a novel legal theory to back effort to put the question out of reach of the judges. relationships . . . it is so great to stand up in front of your friends his argument that the measure should be invalidated. Passage of the ballot measure ignited widespread protests and family, the state of California and the Pacific Ocean, and have The California Constitution protects certain rights as by gay rights groups, including boycotts of supporters of the somebody recognize it, appreciate it and celebrate it,” Lewis said. “inalienable,” Brown wrote. Those include a right to liberty measure. “That’s a huge deal for people like us.” and to privacy, which the courts have said includes a person’s The day after the election, gay rights advocates and several Back in Ohio they packed up and began the drive west. The first right to marry. city governments, including those of San Francisco and Los four days were like a honeymoon. But Nov. 4 found them at The issue before the court “presents a conflict between the Angeles, filed legal challenges. a hotel in Flagstaff, Ariz., watching election returns. Lewis slept constitutional power of the voters to amend the Constitution, They argued that the proposition should be rejected because fitfully, waking up twice to check on Proposition 8. By 7 a.m., it on the one hand, and the Constitution’s Declaration of Rights, it was a wholesale revision of the Constitution instead of a was clear it had passed. “It was the end of our last hope,” Lewis on the other,” Brown wrote. more limited amendment. A constitutional amendment can said. The issue “is whether rights secured under the state be passed by majority vote after being put on the ballot by Horton was asleep, so Lewis slipped into the bathroom to cry. Constitution’s safeguard of liberty as an ‘inalienable’ right a signature drive, but a revision can be placed on the ballot He then called his mother from the car. may intentionally be withdrawn from a class of persons by an only by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature or a constitutional “They just took away my marriage,” he wept. His mother’s advice initiative amendment.” convention. was to fight. Voters are allowed to amend other parts of the Constitution Brown then rejected the argument that Proposition 8 was a They abandoned plans to visit the Grand Canyon and drove by majority vote, but to use the ballot box to take away an “revision,” saying the court had previously upheld initiatives straight to Tehachapi, a rural community known for its apple “inalienable” right would establish a “tyranny of the majority,” that made similarly broad changes in the Constitution. orchards, wind turbines and maximum security prison. They which the Constitution was designed, in part, to prevent, he Supporters of Proposition 8 agreed with him on that pulled into a bleak apartment complex and collected their keys. wrote. point. But they sharply denounced his chief argument. The magnitude of what they had done fully set in only when they In an interview, Brown said he had developed his theory after Protect Marriage had earlier received permission from the got their Internet connected and looked up how their neighbors weeks of consultation with the top lawyers in his office. “This court to intervene in the case on the side of Proposition 8. in Kern County had voted. Just over 75 percent voted in favor analysis was not evident on the morning after the election,” At the time, the group had argued that Brown could not be of Proposition 8. he said. trusted to defend the measure. “It is not an accepting environment,” Lewis said. Opponents of gay marriage, who also filed arguments with the Legal analysts had previously thought the majority of the They spent the night under a comforter on the oatmeal-colored court Friday, offered a sharply differing view of the case. court was leaning toward upholding Proposition 8. The carpet. The next day, they spread sheets of yellow cardboard on The brief, filed by the Protect Marriage coalition, told the argument that the proposition was an improper revision of the the floor and started writing: “Marriage license: $70. Wedding justices that they should uphold the proposition, which Constitution appeared to face a difficult path. By introducing ceremony: $1,000. Plane tickets for family and friends: $2,700. voters approved 52% to 48% on Nov. 4 after one of the a new argument, Brown might find an opening for justices to Our wedding: priceless.” most expensive and emotional campaigns in state history. maintain the right to same-sex marriage, they said. “It’s liberating to take everything you feel every day and put it The law “commands judges -- as servants of the people - Nonetheless, the attorney general’s brief surprised some legal on a poster,” Horton said, “and hold it up and say, ‘I don’t care - to bow to the will of those whom they serve -- even if scholars. who sees it.’ “ the substantive result of what the people have wrought in Santa Clara University law professor Gerald Uelmen, an Unthinkable even a few months ago, Lewis now has organized a constitution-amending is deemed unenlightened,” they expert on the state high court, said Brown’s argument “turns protest himself. argued. constitutional law on its head.” Uelmen said he was unaware When he found out that the American Academy of Physician In an interview, Andy Pugno, the lawyer for Protect Marriage, of any case law that supported Brown’s theory. Assistants, a professional association to which he belongs, called Brown’s argument “an astonishing theory.” He added He added that he expected the state Supreme Court to reject planned to hold its annual conference at San Diego hotels that he was “disappointed to see the attorney general fail to the argument. “I think it is much too radical for this court,” owned by the Manchester Financial Group -- which donated defend the will of the voters as the law instructs him to.” he said. $125,000 to help pass Proposition 8 -- he sent letters to senior The two briefs also disagreed about the fate of the estimated Goodwin Liu, associate dean and professor of law at UC officials at the academy, asking them to reconsider, and posted 18,000 same-sex marriages performed before the election. Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law, said it was “extraordinary messages on Internet forums, urging colleagues to do the same. Brown argued that Proposition 8 was not written to be for the chief law enforcement officer of the state to All he could think of was how much money the conference retroactive and that the marriages should remain valid. decline to enforce a law -- even on the grounds that it is would bring the hotels. Protect Marriage argued that no same-sex marriages should unconstitutional.” “It just kind of pushed me over the edge,” he said. “Somebody any longer be recognized. “The chief law enforcement officer of the state is charged has to put their neck on the line, and I was willing to do it, I The Supreme Court justices have indicated they will hear with enforcing laws, even laws with which he disagrees,” Liu guess, this time.” arguments in the case as early as March, with a ruling expected said. later in the spring. Kenneth W. Starr, the former Whitewater “Whether or not it will carry the day,” he added, “I have no prosecutor and U.S. solicitor general, plans to argue on behalf idea.”

Out Words  Is gay the new black? Marriage ban spurs debate From Gay365.com used with permission Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s said Andrew Cherlin, a professor of sociology and public policy at largest gay rights organization. Johns Hopkins University. “The experience of blacks in the United Gay is the new black, say the protest signs and magazine covers, casting “We liken some of the experiences that we have had and will have States is very different. ... I don’t think it helps the fight for equality to the gay marriage battle as the last frontier of equal rights for all. to the (black) civil rights struggle. We also are enormously respectful make that claim.” Gay marriage is not a civil right, opponents counter, insisting that of the differences,” he said. “What we are best served doing is when Cherlin says that fight began in the 1980s when the AIDS epidemic minority status comes from who you are rather than what you do. we take lessons from the civil rights experience and apply them to unfolded. Gay partners had few rights to help their ailing loved ones, The gay rights movement entered a new era when Barack Obama was our work.” visit them in hospitals or inherit their property, which led to the push elected the first black president the same day that voters in California Complicating the issue is the domination of minority politics by blacks for civil unions. and Florida passed referendums to prevent gays and lesbians from and Latinos, who can be less than friendly to gay issues. Today, only Connecticut and Massachusetts permit gay marriage, and marrying, while Arizonans turned down civil unions and Arkansans In the vote on Proposition 8 in California, which repealed gay marriage, a few states allow civil unions or domestic partnerships that grant said no to adoptions by same-sex couples. about 70 percent of blacks favored the ban, according to an exit poll; some rights of marriage. Galvanized by the stinging Nov. 4 defeat in Racism was defanged by Obama’s triumph, leaving gays as perhaps Latinos’ close vote may have favored it, though the poll’s small sample liberal California, the marriage movement is now as much symbolic as practical. the last group of Americans claiming that their basic rights are being left some uncertainty. In Florida, 71 percent of blacks and 64 percent “There was a shift in the ‘90s, from rights to the symbolism of being systematically denied. of Latinos favored a similar ban. married,” Cherlin said. “This is not primarily a battle about rights now. “Black people are equal now, and gay people aren’t,” said Emil Wilbekin, a Opposition to gay rights often has a religious basis, and blacks and If it was, all you’d be hearing about is domestic partnerships. Now it’s black gay man and the editor of Giant magazine. “I always have this discussion Latinos are more churchgoing than society at large. Twenty-six percent at two levels simultaneously. One is the level of rights; the second is with my friends: What’s worse, being a black man or a black gay man?” of blacks attend religious services more than once per week, compared the level of symbols.” “Civil rights have come much further than gay rights,” he said. “A lot of with 16 percent of Latinos and 14 percent of whites, according to a One symbol that some see missing from the gay rights movement is a people in the gay community have been condemned for their lifestyle 2007 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. figurehead. There are famous people who are out and proud, such as and promiscuity and drugs and sex, so it’s odd that when they want “I do not consider (gays) to be a minority in legal and adjudicated Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., or Ellen DeGeneres. But “we don’t have our to conform and model themselves after straight people and have the terms, the same way people who only like to eat broccoli with Martin Luther King or Malcolm X or Barack Obama,” Wilbekin said. same rights for marriage and domestic partnership and adoption, butter aren’t a minority,” said the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president Yet the nature of activism has changed since the days when King they’re being blocked.” of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. “We can’t proposed the idea of a mass march on Washington. The recent In a cover story for the Advocate magazine titled “Gay is the New Black,” categorize things according to behavior. It’s based on ethnicity, on who nationwide gay protests were instigated by a Seattle blogger who set Michael Joseph Gross wrote, “These past few years we’ve made so much we are rather than what we do.” up a Web page three days after the California vote. progress that we’d begun to think everybody saw us as we see ourselves. “Who am I to say that you weren’t born that way ... (but) sexual activity, And in some ways, gays see Obama himself as a symbol of gay progress Suddenly we were faced with the reality that a majority of voters don’t like what you do, who you sleep with, is your business,” Rodriguez said. — even though he opposes gay marriage. us, don’t think we’re normal, don’t believe our lives and loves count as much “That’s between you, your lover, and the good God Almighty in heaven. Obama is in favor of civil unions, and during his victory speech, when or are worth as much as theirs.” I don’t want to know. Let’s leave sexual activity in the bedroom. The he included gays in his description of America, it made them feel part Yet even some gay leaders are reluctant to directly tie their fight to the government shouldn’t be legislating what we do behind closed doors of the historic racial milestone. African-American legacy. They acknowledge significant differences in the between two consenting adults. And to compare it to the African- Solmonese said that the election defeats of Nov. 4 have inspired a level experiences of gays and blacks, ranging from slavery to the relative affluence American struggle, to me that’s an abomination.” of gay activism not seen since the early days of the AIDS epidemic. of white gay men to the choice made by some gays to conceal their sexual So is gay the new black, or did the election define a new and unique “That is buoyed by equal parts anger and rage about Proposition 8,” orientation, which is not an option for those with darker skin. set of gay challenges? he said, “but also hope and inspiration about doing something that for “I believe we are very much in a modern-day civil rights struggle,” said “The gay fight for marriage has its own integrity, its own background,” a long time we didn’t think possible — like electing Barack Obama as our president.”

Out Words 10 The Gay Greats: Why Should it Matter? By David Stalling meant. I occasionally heard the terms “fairy” and “light Special to Out Words, Permission by author in the loafers,” as my dad used to say. I knew I wasn’t one of those. I knew I wasn’t like Elton John or Liberace. When I was young and naive I did something I regret: I I played football, I wore hiking boots. joined the Marine Corps. I was cocky, considered myself I felt sick, and thought I could beat it. What better place tough, and bought into a lot of bullshit (unfortunately, to prove I was a tough, macho straight guy than the still common) myths and misconceptions of manhood. Marine Corps? Why not follow in the footsteps of Like most 20-year-olds, I was confused; I thought other tough, macho heroes like, well, like von Steuben? learning to kill and going to war might clarify things. Maybe if I had known about the speculations, maybe if The Marine Corps emphasizes pride and tradition, I had been taught that men like Lincoln and Buchannan forcing a lot of distorted history into young brains and Alex and Freddy the Greats were likely gay, maybe during boot camp. I learned all about past warriors, I would have felt a bit more secure and comfortable medal-of-honor winners and men who influenced with my own self. Just as Marines are motivated by and shaped the Corps, the U.S. Military and warfare past warriors; just as blacks and women are inspired in general. And, of course, I wanted to be like them. by leaders who came before them, it helps (at least for One such “hero” was Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von me) to know there were people like von Steuben. We Steuben. don’t hesitate to talk about the great women behind A Prussian military officer, von Steuben distinguished the great men of history, and the influence they may himself in the Seven Years War and served under have had. What influence did that young handsome Frederick the Great. But he was discharged in 1763 Frenchman have on von Steuben? Perhaps, he too and fled to France, where, years later, he met Benjamin is a hero? Who were the great men behind Lincoln Franklin, who urged George Washington to recruit von and Buchannan and the Greats? And why are we so Steuben to train rebellious farmers into a proficient, reluctant to teach such things? Why the shame? Why disciplined enough force to take on the British. And the cynicism? Why should it matter? so he did. Arriving to the colonies in 1777, he began I spent much of my life in various stages of denial, training troops at Valley Forge in the winter of 1778. He suppression and living a secret, double-life. My shadows did a pretty good job: von Steuben is widely considered loomed large with shame, guilt and sorrow. There have the second-most-indispensable hero of the American been mental and emotional consequences in pretending Revolution after Washington. I learned that in boot to be something I’m not. If I had been more secure in camp. my manhood, more understanding and comfortable What I didn’t learn until years later is this: von Steuben with whom I am, I likely would not have felt the need was gay. to prove some misguided notions of manhood. I doubt Most biographies of Steuben cautiously state that I would have joined the Marine Corps. And even if I did, his homosexuality is “speculative.” But here’s a bit I would not have done the things I did. of evidence: He was discharged from the Prussian Since I came “out,” I helped change a lot of people’s army and fled Germany because he was accused of views about being gay. I don’t fit the “stereotypes,” I am “indiscretions” with “several young men;” He arrived told. “You don’t act gay,” people tell me. Yet I fall in love in America with a “handsome” 17-year old Frenchman with men. I have sex with men. That’s pretty damn gay. he was unusually close to; He became the protégé I have a job now in which I play on my Marine Corps of Pierre L’Enfant (another gay man who George special-ops background to persuade people that the Washington hired to design our nation’s Capitol city); “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy ought to be repealed, and He settled in New York (a gay-friendly city even then) that gays should be able to serve openly and honestly, and hung out in gay “social sets;” He died a bachelor in and be treated equally and fairly, in the very armed 1794 and left all his property to two men he was close forces von Steuben helped create. I am uncomfortable too. And so on. Sounds pretty gay to me. with the role. I still feel like I am acting. Certainly, gay “Gay propaganda,” I’ve been told, when I bring up such people should not be discharged from the military for things. “Sketchy and speculative” at best. Perhaps. But being gay. But why the hell would they want to serve I can relate to von Steuben: Not only did I also serve in the military? Why would anyone—gay straight or honorably in the U.S. armed forces, but I share his otherwise—want to learn to kill? I wish I hadn’t. apparent fondness for young men. Maybe I (and other Perhaps I am non-stereotypical because I never felt gays) look a bit too reaffirmingly into such matters? comfortable being stereotypical. It seems a bit twisted There’s evidence Lincoln was gay, as well as “bachelor that my defiance of the stereotype, derived from President” James Buchannan, and Frederick the Great pretense based on fear of an ignorant, non-accepting and Alexander the Great and other greats who were society, now helps create awareness and acceptance. likely gay greats. Why should it matter? And that’s the Maybe Elton John and Liberace should have been my point? Well, it matters because it shouldn’t matter. role models. Perhaps I should have worn light loafers. Or To suggest an historical figure may have been gay better yet, maybe our society should teach the truth, the seems akin to accusations of murder, or thievery, or whole truth, nothing but the truth, and help people grow some fundamental flaw in their character. Particularly if up more comfortable with whoever they are. they don’t fit the stereotype. Sure, we don’t speculate Certainly, I would have lived a healthier life more if historical figures were straight. It requires no solid true to myself. Maybe von Steuben would have lived evidence to attribute what most of society considers differently, as well, if his “abstract manner” were seen “good” traits to our heroes, even when proven false. as natural and normal. But that’s all in the past, as they Even though we know George Washington didn’t really say, history. If von Steuben hadn’t lived the life he did cut the cherry tree down, and likely told a few fibs in his perhaps we would not have gained independence life (who hasn’t?) we still pass the story on as a lesson from Britain and arisen as a nation dedicated to the in honesty and integrity. The Marine Corps puts strong ideals of liberty. Ironically, in von Steuben’s homeland emphasis on honesty and integrity; unless, of course, a gay person can now serve openly and in the military. you’re gay. Homosexuality has been viewed as a flaw, a Here, in the good-ole-U.S. of A.—in which von Steuben crime, and such serious allegations require solid proof: played such a pivotal role in the fight for freedom—you innocent until proven guilty. can’t. Fortunately, there are still heroes amongst us who In von Steuben’s day, there were no terms to describe continue the quest for equality. Some of them are gay. same-sex attraction, though it might be said such men Postscript: The other day I walked to Lafayette Park in had an “abstracted manner” or “affected.” It was in von DC to check out a statue of von Steuben. He’s depicted Steuben’s homeland, Prussia—while arguing to repeal sitting down, clad in little but a helmet, reaching out to of sodomy laws in 1869—that Karl Maria Benkert a muscular, toned, naked young soldier holding a large coined the term “homosexuality.” When I was a sharp sword pointed towards von Steuben’s crotch. The teenager and felt freakish, sick and confused about my inscription reads: *MILITARY*INSTRUCTION* Nearby, attraction towards men, I did not know what “gay” I saw two hot guys holding hands. It was beautiful.

Out Words 11 Bush-Era Regs Form ‘Undo This’ Wish List for 2009 By Julia Marsh - WeNews correspondent Washington-based think tank whose president, John Podesta, is champion of worker’s rights, as labor secretary. on leave to head up the transition team. Bush’s Department of Labor weakened anti-discrimination WASHINGTON (WOMENSENEWS)--Susan Cohen joined a Arons also said the new administration would likely take aim at tools such as the monitoring of federal contracts that go to 60-member group of reproductive rights activists who met with the so-called conscience rule, which current Secretary of Health female-owned businesses, said Lisalyn Jacobs, vice president the transition team of President-elect Barack Obama in mid- and Human Services Michael Leavitt issued on Dec. 18. It allows for governmental relations at Legal Momentum, a women’s December and left the gathering feeling upbeat. any health care employee to refuse to provide abortion or legal advocacy group based in New York. She hopes the next “They were already quite knowledgeable about our agenda and certain kinds of contraceptive services for personal reasons. Two secretary of labor will rebuild an incubator program for female very interested in what we had to say,” said Cohen, director of options for overturning the regulation--through the Congress or small business owners under the department’s Small Business government affairs for the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive an agency review process--could be lengthy and complicated. Administration. rights organization with headquarters in New York and Washington. A Third Fix Enforcing Title IX Many in the women’s advocacy community share that optimism But there is a third fix, which Obama has already promised: Bush-era education regulations are also on the radar. and are targeting Bush-era regulations on reproductive health canceling the rule. Both Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden support and rights, labor and education for Obama-era reversals. To do this, Anne Joseph O’Connell, an assistant law professor eliminating gender discrimination through enforcing and Two of the changes--reversing the so-called global gag rule and expert in agency regulations at University of California, expanding federal laws, according to Change.gov, the transition and restoring congressional funding to the United Nations Berkeley, said Obama could issue a memorandum to federal team’s Web site. Population Fund--are expected in Obama’s first days in the Oval agencies ordering the suspension of any regulations that have The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education Office and both are expected to have widespread international yet to take effect. This would include the conscience rule and submitted two pages of first- year recommendations to the repercussions for reproductive health. other rules finalized 60 days before Jan. 20. Obama administration. Posted on Change.gov, they focus on First imposed by GOP President Ronald Reagan and reinstated by O’Connell said that while suspended rules are supposed to be both specific issues such as stricter enforcement of Title IX, the the two Bush administrations, the global gag rule--also known as revisited by the next administration, they rarely are. 1972 law guaranteeing sex equity in education, and more general the Mexico City policy because Reagan announced it at a meeting Many advocates are also expecting the Obama administration to ways to improve education for women. there in 1984--prevents foreign recipients of State Department- make regulatory changes in health, labor and education. As one of the drafters of the recommendations, Lisa Maatz, administered family planning grants from performing abortions, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards hailed the public policy director at the American Association of University counseling women about abortion or lobbying their nations to appointment of Sen. Tom Daschle as the next secretary of the Women in Washington, D.C., has met with the transition team change abortion restrictions. Health and Human Services Department, which administers over on 10 occasions. Both Obama and his Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton 300 programs including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Maatz wants Obama’s secretary of education--current chief said during their presidential campaigns that they would release Services and the Food and Drug Administration. “Former Sen. of Chicago public schools Arne Duncan--to rescind a 2005 $45 million in annual appropriations for the United Nations Daschle has a strong record of standing up for women’s health modification by the Department of Education that she and other Population Fund. and women’s rights and supporting commonsense policies,” she critics say relaxed enforcement standards of Title IX. U.N. Funding at Stake For seven years the Bush administration said in a statement. The modification allowed administrators to use an e-mail survey has denied a total of $235 million in Congressional approved The reproductive rights coalition that met with the transition to students to show whether it is meeting the interests of funds to the U.N. agency that works to reduce maternal deaths team on Dec. 12 published a 55-page agenda outlining steps female athletes. Since a student’s failure to respond to the survey in over 180 countries, including those with coercive sterilization that Obama can take in his first 100 days. Those include fixing could be counted as a lack of interest, Maatz calls it “civil rights policies like China. an administrative error in the Deficit Reduction Act that raised enforcement via spam.” Because China is only one of hundreds of the agency’s recipients, the monthly cost of birth control for low-income women and Neither Obama’s transition team nor former advisors responded Bush’s refusal to contribute is often decried as another way of students to $40 to $50, up from between $5 and $10 a month. to requests for comment for this article. rewarding opponents of family planning. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., wrote to HHS Secretary Leavitt “I think President-elect Obama has a strong commitment to to correct the error affecting about 4 million women, but the Julia Marsh is a DC-based correspondent covering domestic and preventing unintended pregnancy,” said Jessica Arons, director error stayed in place. foreign affairs for a Japanese newspaper. of women’s issues at the Center for American Progress, a On Dec. 19, Obama nominated Rep. Hilda Solis, D-Calif., a

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Out Words 12 people are wanting to direct it somewhere,” Solomonese “Rick Warren gets plenty of attention through his books told Politico. and media appearances. He doesn’t need or deserve this Gay leaders The selection of Warren to preside at the inauguration is position of honor,” said the president of People for the not a surprise move, but it is a mirror image of President American Way, Kathryn Kolbert, who described Warren Bill Clinton’s early struggles with gay rights issues. Obama as “someone who has in recent weeks actively promoted furious has worked, and at times succeeded, to bridge the gap legalized discrimination and denigrated the lives and between Democrats and evangelical Christians, who form relationships of millions of Americans.” a solid section of the Republican base. Warren’s spokeswoman did not respond to a message with Obama Obama opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposed the seeking comment, but he has tried to blend personal By: Ben Smith and Nia-Malika Henderson California constitutional amendment Warren backed. In tolerance with doctrinal disapproval of homosexuality. selecting Warren, he is choosing to reach out to conservatives “I have many gay friends. I’ve eaten dinner in gay homes. Barack Obama’s choice of a prominent evangelical minister on a hot-button social issue, at the cost of antagonizing gay No church has probably done more for people with AIDS to deliver the invocation at his inauguration is a conciliatory voters who overwhelmingly supported him. than Saddleback Church,” he said in a recent interview with gesture toward social conservatives who opposed him in Clinton, by contrast, drew early praise from gay rights BeliefNet. November, but it is drawing fierce challenges from a gay activists by pressing to allow openly gay soldiers to serve, In the same interview, he compared the “redefinition of rights movement that — in the wake of a gay marriage ban only to retreat into the “don’t ask, don’t tell” compromise a marriage” to include gay marriage to legitimizing incest, in California — is looking for a fight. that pleased few. child abuse, and polygamy. Rick Warren, the senior pastor of Saddleback Church in The reaction Wednesday in gay rights circles was universally Obama’s move may deepen some apparent distance Southern California, opposes abortion rights but has taken negative. between him among gays and lesbians, one of the very few more liberal stances on the government’s role in fighting “It’s a huge mistake,” said California gay rights activist Rick core Democratic groups among whom his performance was poverty, and backed away from other evangelicals’ staunch Jacobs, who chairs the state’s Courage Campaign. “He’s worse than John Kerry’s in 2004. Exit polls suggested that support for economic conservatism. But it’s his support really the wrong person to lead the president into office. John McCain won 27 percent of the gay vote in November, for the California constitutional amendment to ban same- “Can you imagine if he had a man of God doing the up four points from Bush’s 2004 tally — even as almost all sex marriage that drew the most heated criticism from invocation who had deliberately said that Jews are not going other voters slid toward Obama. Democrats Wednesday. to be saved and therefore should be excluded from what’s But despite the symbolism of picking Warren, Obama is likely “Your invitation to Reverend Rick Warren to deliver going on in America? People would be up in arms,” he said. to shift several substantive policy areas in directions that the invocation at your inauguration is a genuine blow The editor of the Washington Blade, Kevin Naff, called the will please gay voters and their political leaders, including to LGBT Americans,” the president of Human Rights choice “Obama’s first big mistake.” a pledge to end “don’t ask, don’t tell” in military service. Campaign, Joe Solomonese, wrote to Obama Wednesday. “His presence on the inauguration stand is a slap in the And some gay activists were holding out hope that they “[W]e feel a deep level of disrespect when one of faces of the millions of GLBT voters who so enthusiastically would either persuade Obama to dump Warren or Warren architects and promoters of an anti-gay agenda is given supported him,” Naff wrote, referring to gay, lesbian, bisexual to change his mind. the prominence and the pulpit of your historic nomination. and transgendered people. “This tone-deafness to our “Rick Warren did a real disservice to gay families in California The rapid, angry reaction from a range of gay activists comes concerns must not be tolerated. We have just endured eight and across the country by casually supporting our continued as the gay rights movement looks for an opportunity to flex years of endless assaults on our dignity and equality from a exclusion from marriage,” said the founder of the pro-same its political muscle. Last summer gay groups complained, president beholden to bigoted conservative Christians. The sex marriage Freedom to Marry, Evan Wolfson. “I hope in but were rebuffed by Obama, when an “ex-gay” singer led election was supposed to have ended that era. It appears the spirit of the new era that’s dawning, he will open his Obama’s rallies in South Carolina. And many were shocked otherwise.” heart and speak to all Americans about inclusion and our last month when voters approved the California ban. Other liberal groups chimed in. country’s commitment to equality.” “There is a lot of energy and there’s a lot of anger and I think

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DJs Nero, Critical Bill and HAuLi will be spinning techno/pop/club/ebm/ industrial

Club Q (Elks Lodge - Front St entrance) 112 N Pattee St, Missoula , MT

Out Words 13 ommunity esources Flathead LGBT State-wide Events LGBT -F HIV Positive Group Support -Helena CHIV Positive Group Support Hot Springs, MontanaGay andBisexual Men’s Gallatin Carroll Collage Gay-Straight Butte Butte Men’s Group Support Bozeman GLBTIQResource Center M University Congregational Church U T ROutfield Alliance Officer Nicole Pifari Missoula CityHealthDepartment Missoula L W K Imperial Gay Men’s Gay Men’s Chorus KISMF M iving www.qnewsmontana.com 406-599-3230 Meets monthly-Call Greg at596-2013for more info Call Rickat406-491-1378for information andlocation www.EmbraceDiversity.org www.flatheadvalleyalliance.org •406-758-6707 HELENA, any questionscallNik(406)-868-3602 www.buttebass.org BASS at406-490-6125 office CallRick406-491-1378or Meet 2nd Tuesday ofeachmonthatBlaineCenterBASS Last Monday of the month 406-491-1378 or 406-490-6125 [email protected] www.BozemanRC.org, 406-600-3608,     building. 406-726-3525or406-777-1169 University Ave, entrancedown thestairsatrear ofthe Meetings every Thursday 5:30p.m. at The Ark at538   building.. University Ave, entrancedown thestairsatrear ofthe Meeting every Monday 7-8:30p.m. at The Ark at538 upport GroupSupport upport Groupransgender Support eep ItSimple of 406-741-2810 omyn’s Night ont issoula [email protected] orcall406-243-2762 attheUniversityand theirsupporters ofMontana. Email A CoalitionofLGBTIfaculty, graduate students, staff 406-829-8075 370-9876 127 N. Higgins Ave., at406- Suite 202-ContactGary Meeting every Monday 7-9p.m. at The Center, 406-243-5922 http://www.uccmsla.org •406-543-6952 405 University Avenue, Missoula Contact Emily Phippsat406-550-3835. (406) 552-6300 (main) 435 RymanStreet •Missoula, MT59802 LGBTI LiaisonOfficerMissoula Police Department 406-258-4745 406-543-4770 Call Andrew Laueat406-327-9445 Meet Wednesday evenings 7-9p.m. 406-543-2224 or406-721-3824 http://www.iscsm.org Call RosalindadelaLunaat406-499-0078orvisit: M F upport Services AIDS Support orward

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Rosary Church,Rosary 521Custerat7:00p.m. month inBOZEMAN. Contact AIDS Outreach at406-551-1016for Location changes. ContactSandyat406-442-0200. [Helena] W Location: Fireside Coffee House1446Euclid Ave, [Helena] W directions andinformation. [Missoula] Group Hot Springs, Montana,Gay a &Bisexual Men’s Support information at406-327-9445. [Missoula] every Wednesday from 7to9p.m., call Andrew Laue, LCSWfor more Living F 5922 for more information. [Missoula] M U [Missoula] to 6:30p.m.. CallRandyat406-726-3525orCelia406-777-1169 K Randy at406-726-3525[Missoula] Gay &Lesbian 543-4770 [Missoula] the University Congregational Church, callMike or Annette at HIV+ Monthly Dinner 406-721-5013 or406-541-0163for more information. [Missoula] month priortopotluckattheUniversity Congregational Church, call PFLAG Missoula/Five Avenue) [Missoula] the University Congregational Church -Fireside Room(405University LGBTI Community Potluck 7 p.m. attheCenter[Missoula] Center Board Meeting details.[Bozeman] Poz [Bozeman] of eachmonth. CallGreg at406-596-2013for timeandlocation. BozemanGroup HIV/ADS Support month at7p.m. basement. intheFlatheadCountLibrary [Kalispell] Flathead out: bozemanpflag.com for more information. Bozeman PFLAG Meeting [Bozeman] third, and fifth Thursday at International Coffeenew people and talkTraders, to old friends 720 Sin 10th an informal Ave. setting. JavaQ 7 p.m., every first, Union Building room 276 at 7 p.m. [Bozeman] Q (406) 245-2029. [Billings] information contact the Client Action Body at [email protected] Night or staff at Client 7:00 p.m [Billings] the UCCChurch inConference officelocatedat2016 Aldersonat Billings PFLAG Meeting Billings E-mail [email protected][Missoula] MissoulaRd.,2835 Fort Ste. 301, CallJoni orSusieat406-721-1118 Cancer Patient Group Support 1417 13 St. West. Call DuaneGLBT Open Nez at 406-861-8478 [Billings] Wednesday ofthemonth7p.m. attheCenter[Missoula] GroupChristian LGBTISupport Questions callJayce 461-1001. [Helena] Helena Men’s Group, YAP at6:00PM [Billings] eep ItSimple/ niversity of SA eetings omen’s Potluck, omen’s Coffee andChat Affected Pot Luck

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, January: February: Serving the LGBTIQ th Community Tuesday, Jan 6th: KALISPELL Monthly FVA business Saturday, Feb 7 : MISSOULA– Blue Mountain The Since 1998 Clinic and UM students for choice present The Off Western meeting – Basement Meeting Room – Kalispell Main Montana Library from 7 – 9 pm the Rack Fashion Show. Two show times: Community 7 to 9 p.m. and 10 to midnight Center Saturday, Jan 10th: KALISPELL Pride Fund Raiser Tickets: $13/advance, $15/door, $8/students (on Weekly Events – Masquerade Ball – Red’s upper Mezzanine @ 8 pm campus purchase from UM Students for Choice). Reception, sneak preview, drinks and tapas at former Monday Saturday, Jan 10th: BOZEMAN. Watching a Movie Scotty’s Table with Bravo Catering: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Gay Men’s Chorus Rehearsal and Pot Luck @ 3:00PM-6:00PMish Location TBA and 8:30 to 10:00 p.m. Tickets: $75 (includes fashion show ticket) Tuesday Wednesday, Jan 24th: KALISPELL Pride Barn Dance 7 p.m. - Womyn’s Night: A Lesbian Support Saturday, Feb 14th: KALISPELL– Pride – Pine Awards & Hay Ride – Location & time to be announced Group – location & time to be announced Thursday, Jan 29th: MISSOULA YWCA Annual nd Thursday Meeting, time and place TBA. Featuring award-winning Sunday, Feb 22 : KALISPELL – Sledding – time and 7 p.m. - Gay Men Together, A safe and affirming documentary filmmaker Gita Saedi Kiely location to be announced place for gay & bisexual men to meet. th Wednesday, Jan 31st: KALISPELL FVA Monthly Saturday, Feb 28 : KALISPELL – FVA Monthly Dance – Kalispell Eagles @ 8 pm Dance – time and location to be announced Save the date for

The 4th Annual

Black & White Ball Saturday, March 14th at 7:00 pm

at the Double Tree Hotel

Join us for the Western Montana Community Center’s annual fund raiser. There will be appetizers and a celebration cake along with a no-host bar. During the evening dance to Full Grown Men and enjoy the silent auction. Also, raffling off a weekend for two at the Holland Lake Lodge. Tickets are $40 and all proceeds go to the Western Montana Community Center. HOMOPHOBIA. IT’S AS UGLY AS IT LOOKS. If you or someone you know has been harassed based on sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, we want to know. For a safe, confidential way to report any form of harassment in the Missoula area, call 552-6300 and ask for the Quality of Life Officer or go to stopbias.com

Brought to you by the Missoula Police DePartMent and the city of Missoula.

Sponsored by the Missoula Police Officers’ Association, City of Missoula Communications Office, High Stakes Foundation, The University of Montana President’s Office, saltStudio, YWCA of Missoula, Mountain Broadcasting, Western Montana Gay & Lesbian Community Center, Bodies by Bender, Margot Belden, Neva Hassanein, Andrew R. Laue and Hipolito Rafael Chacon, Missoula Men’s Chorus, Missoula Office of Merrill Lynch, Montana Fund for Tolerance, Montana Human Rights Network, NCBI Missoula, Pride Foundation Advocacy Fund and University Congregational Church.