University of Southern Maine USM Digital Commons MLGPA News Periodicals Spring 2002 MLGPA News (Spring 2002) Mark Sullivan Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/mlgpa_news Part of the American Politics Commons, American Studies Commons, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Commons Recommended Citation Sullivan, Mark, "MLGPA News (Spring 2002)" (2002). MLGPA News. 45. https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/mlgpa_news/45 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Periodicals at USM Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in MLGPA News by an authorized administrator of USM Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. MEDICAID WAIVER REINSTATED FOR PEOPLE SENATE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS ENDA WITH HIV/AIDS TO FULL SENATE Funding comes after scare that budget shortfalls would jeopardize program HRC Applauds Historic Vote, Says It Bodes Well By Tony Giampetruzzi on the forefront of HIV prevention WASHINGTON - The Human People in Maine living with that kept this at the forefront of the Rights Campaign recently praised HIV/AIDS received good news in legislators' agenda," said Galena. members of a Senate committee March when state officials an­ The program, when imple­ for a voice vote recommending that the entire Senate consider the nounced that money would mented, will grant a Medi­ caid waiver to those with Employment Non-Discrimination indeed be made available HIV who wish to work Act. If passed, ENDA would to implement an HIV without compromising prohibit workplace discrimination Medicaid Waiver. The program, which their ability to receive drug based on sexual orientation . assistance from the federal Specifically, it would bar employers had been approved and government. Originally, the from using a person's sexual planned 3 years ago was HIV/AIDS Medicaid waiver orientation as the basis for stalled due to budgetary would allow people living employment decisions, including fast-track for passage in the matters and was stricken hiring, firing, promotion or Senate. We thank members of the altogether from the state with HIV to earn up to 300 percent of the poverty compensation. committee who voted in favor of budget in January. level, approximately "This historic bipartisan voice ENDA, particularly Senator Pressure from activ­ $25,000, and still be vote is a momentous step towards Kennedy, for his phenomenal ists and those living eligible to have Medi- a day when ali Americans are leadership and steadfast support." with HIV forced officials caid pay for life-saving treated equally in the workplace The Senate Health, Education, to take a second look at protease inhibitors. The revised regardless of sexual orientation,• Labor and Pensions Committee, the matter, said Maine Lesbian and said HRC Executive Director chaired by Sen. Edward M. Gay Political Alliance Rick Galena. appropriation announced in March Elizabeth Birch. "We believe that Kennedy, D-Mass ., considered "We're obviously delighted. It lowers the poverty level to 250 (Continued on page 12) today's events put ENDA on the (Continued on page 6) was the work of activists and those !i;i!i;i:iii!i::;i;i;i~~~!~:~~~i:~~~!!!!!!!:!!::i:!:!!!!i! WESTBROOK CONSIDERS CIVIL RIGHTS ORDINANCE Effort would make city 13th in Maine extend protections to gays and lesbians MLGPA Exec. Says Goodbye to 2 New Pro-Gay AD Campaign By Tony Giampetruzzi for or against the measure, was the crowd was equally split be­ PorUand: Gay Mecca? 3 Westbrook city officials held "typical." tween those for and against the proposal and most everyone was their first public forum in March to "It was pretty equally divided, HRC Backs Collins 4 discuss the possibility of a citywide although I think that more people wearing stickers that showed which side they were on. The Portland equal rights ordinance. The meas­ Press Herald estimated that as Gay Candidates Lose In Primaries 5 ure, introduced by Susan Gilpin, a "Civil rights is about our family, ~I many as 60 people stayed for the 2 pastor at the Pride's Corner Con­ friends and co-workers. It's about our i=l Salvation Army Loses In Portland 6 gregational Church, would prohibit neighbors. "Civil rights unite us.• '=\ %hour discussion. "Civil rights is about our family, discrimination based upon sexual Rev. Susan Gilpin ;11 CCL Anti-gay Referendum Fails 7 friends and co-workers. Ifs about Bylaws Change Notification orientation in housing, employ­ ment, credit and public accommo­ our neighbors," Gilpin said accord­ ing to the Press Herald. "Civil Hate Crimes 8 dation. According to Rick Galena, the spoke in favor of it than against it," rights unite us." said Galena. "In fact, the entire MLGPA Awards and Scholars 9 Executive Director of the Maine Galena said the proponents of meeting was very civilized and Lesbian and Gay Political Alliance, the measure, including Gilpin, Cop Sues Lewiston Police 10 those in support presented a very focused on "all the right themes." Brennan Wins Special Section the meeting, which prohibited non­ Westbrook residents from speaking good argument for approving a gay "There were those who said rights measure." Galena said that {Continued on page 11) Bangor Rights Law Under Fire 11 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Friends: • To reach out and strengthen more challenges demanded our lenges await us and this year's MLGPA's ties with other ad­ resources and attention . If we are elections will certainly prove to be It is with mixed feelings of vocacy organizations. to continue to build on our suc­ the most critical in over a decade. sadness and excitement that I write cesses of the past, we must remain Please do your part and get in­ my last words to you as Executive • To grow MLGPA's member­ strong and plan for the future. volved. Director of MLGPA. As of the end ship and build a strong team As a community we are grow­ So while I won't be lobbying in of July, I will be stepping down of activists ing stronger and more resolute in the halls of the State House, or from my position to pursue other • To further MLGPA's legisla­ our collective goal of full equality. I advocating for civil rights ordi­ professional opportunities. tive agenda am proud to have been a part of nances in City Halls across Maine, But even as this door closes , • And to keep the fight for the most amazing social movement please know my heart will always others are opening. I have enjoyed LGBT equality moving for­ of our time. I hope that I have be with MLGPA. my time at MLGPA greatly. During ward. served each of you well during my Best wishes to all of you . the last year and a half, I have met I am extremely pleased to tenure at MLGPA. many wonderful people, and to­ report that together, we have ac­ Toward Justice and Equality, As my final act as E.D., I en­ gether we have accomplished so complished all this and more. courage each of you to redouble many amazing things . But MLGPA is at a critical time your support and commitment to When I first came to MLGPA, I in it's history. Never before have Rick Galena MLGPA. We need you know more had four goals: more people been involved or have Executive Director than ever. Many important chal- SPEAKOUT LAUNCHES NEW PRO-GAY AD CAMPAIGN 1111111111111111111111111~111111111 t!' FQR.... ::: .. :\ :1 ....... :f'NEWWE8S11lEPRAJECT:.;.\1:1:1:1:\ t /f :·:=·.·.: ••.. ····:--:~!!'. ..... _.: .. -~! .._.!i ... ·.·.:11\ .... :·:\ ... ·... :t\:::!::::::;:::'.;:)::·i!/(/( The Maine SpeakOut Project is ramping up photograph of her son as a baby. Another efforts to make Mainers more aware of the shows a father speaking about his daughter. state's gay and lesbian community and recently He says that he knows she is gay, but that he previewed eight public service announcements really should call her up and talk to her directly that will be shown on television stations about it. throughout the state. In another spot, a minister affirms that Produced by Surprise Advertising, whose sexuality is not a choice and that people need past work includes campaigns for charitable .. ,_.;.,,...,,..,,,;ftn~'''x to learn to go beyond :::;1r,:1~1:;:f:::: .:a,;ii::r.:;; d;~i ers, children , the clergy and friends . 't:::,.J,.,.. ,\ ~l~ilJJIIJ)u ences of oth~rs. All the All the spots call for better under- .. ~,. :{§l'!.,,,,"" :-"'""·.·.- ~.· spots were previewed at the standing and the need to elimi- . = . )jl · lit Charlie Howard Memorial Li- na!~ bigotry and homophobia in ,f:j°~t;,,t, iJ ~ra~ at the Maine SpeakOut Pro- soc1ety. ... 'k J. rn Jects Portland office. According to SpeakOut, the pur- '\J\.iii' lf According to Robbe, partici- 1 fa::e ~o;d ths~o~~~ .:~e t~~tv:n~ ~e~~:~ ~='''=~11: .. ,di!l1;![IJ ~~:s ~nli:i\f ~l:~~ w~::~~~:e; ::::~:b~:;:r~~::~~nexperience here m Mame. All spots~ +tt:;r:::t?' . ~::~~:::Ea;:~~i~=~W SpeakOut. All, m some way, gay mour communities. .,1,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.,.,.,.,,,, fair representation of the population as a "The focus is to tell the stories of a t4t!Mllf whole. number of people who have been in- · ·· ·.~," The Maine Speakout Project was organ- volved in gay and lesbian lives," said Scott ized in April 1995 to promote respect and un- Robbe, the new executive director of the Maine derstanding among persons of differing sexual SpeakOut Project. "Clergy people, sons, daugh- orientations. To accomplish its mission, Speak- ters, parents ... they are all represented." Out trains and empowers volunteers to share The spots, which are all close-up face shots their personal experiences and perspectives of individuals telling there stories include a with individuals and community groups. mother who speaks of having to come to terms www.mainespeakout.org that her son isn't heterosexual.