Michigan Lawmakers Hear from Community
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GLENN CLOSE ON GENDER-BENDING ‘ALBERT NOBBS’ CATCHING UP WITH COMIC LEGEND JOAN RIVERS TROY MAYOR CAUSES ANOTHER GAY CONTROVERSY ‘GAY FAMILIES MATTER’ MICHIGAN LAWMAKERS HEAR FROM COMMUNITY PRIDESOURCE.COM JAN. 26, 2012 | VOL. 2004 | FREE 2 BTL \ January 26, 2012 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com January 26, 2012 / BTL 3 1.26.2012 Cover Story 9 | Parting Glances My rainbow visitor 4 | Lawmakers hear ‘Gay families matter’ Michiganders protest anti-LGBT legislation 10 | Creep of the Week passed and proposed by their state lawmakers, Patrick Wooden Gov. Snyder smiled and waved Photo: Affirmations Life News 13 | Glenn, close up 5 | Troy mayor causes another gay controversy Actress talks gender-bending role in “Albert Nobbs,” unexpected bisexual turn and the GSA plans “major event” to help all involved possibility of going lesbian – in real life 5 | Four Michigan mayors sign onto marriage 14 | Graffiti fix equality Graffiti6 frontman Jamie Scott talks “amazing” gay following 7 | King of non-profit turn-around takes on Brooks Patterson 16 | Joan Rivers takes off the face Comedian on “gay humor” and 9 | ACLU: Michigan domestic partners can’t reality show’s second season wait Injunction sought to stop enforcement 19 | Stagecrafters gambles with serious, moving musical 9 | College gets $23 million for social justice “Kiss of the Spider Woman: The Musical” explores love, longing and liberation 10 | Holland is Ready recognized 20 | Happenings 11 | GOP candidates head to Florida, none Featured: Gallery Project’s American support equal rights Dream through March 4 in Ann Arbor 11 | Detroit community mourns the loss of Leon smith Rear View 11 | Lesbian couple files legal challenge of 22 | Classifieds state adoption law Opinions 23 | Horoscopes 8 | Heard on Facebook 24 | Puzzle Readers respond: Another gay teen, Phillip of Tennessee, commits 25 | Dear Jody suicide over anti-gay bullying. 26 | Cocktail Chatter 8 | S/he Said LGBT youth and Mayors for Freedom JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email your op–eds and letters to @ [email protected] Chat on our FB Fan Page. Search FIND THESE STORIES ONLINE “Between The Lines Newspaper” Images from Perceptions’ Open House Fundraiser Get breaking news updates. Video footage of “Gay Families Matter” rally Follow us @YourBTL Book Marks: “Double Life” and more Receive our E–Digest – just sign up today online 4 BTL \ January 26, 2012\ Michigan News www.PrideSource.com Lawmakers hear ‘Gay families matter’ Michiganders protest anti-LGBT legislation passed and proposed by their state lawmakers, Gov. Snyder smiled and waved BY TODD HEYWOOD they hate they have.” Agema has been hostile not only to the More than 150 people from across Michigan LGBT community, but also to undocumented had a message for Gov. Rick Snyder and the state residents. Last fall he spoke at a rally featuring legislature Wednesday: “Gay families matter.” an alleged former terrorist. Agema has The was the message they hoped their state introduced legislation that requires employers lawmakers would hear and act on after a year and contractors to use the federal E-Verify that saw the most anti-gay legislative action in system, which immigration activists say is Michigan history. riddled with problems. He has also introduced The rally was organized by a coalition legislation modeled after Arizona’s controversial of LGBT community centers from across the immigration law. state. People from centers in Ann Arbor, Benton The state legislature currently has three Harbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Saginaw and pieces of legislation targeting the LGBT Detroit were present at the event. community, according to a press release from “We are homeowners. We’re taxpayers and Equality Michigan. we’re residents of the state of Michigan,” Curtis First is HB 5039, introduced by Rep. Tom Lipscomb, executive director of the group KICK, McMillin (R-Rochester Hills). If passed, this told the crowd. “We deserve the same rights as law would force local communities that have heterosexual families.” passed inclusive local human rights ordinances Zachary Bauer, executive director of on discrimination to strip those laws down the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource to the state’s less inclusive law. It would also Center, said lawmakers are trying to undermine prohibit local communities from adding any other democracy. protected category not included in the state law. “They took away your voice,” he said. Second is SB 518, introduced by Sen. Tupac “They took away your vote.” Hunter (D-Detroit). This legislation would force David Garcia, executive director of counseling and psychology programs at state Affirmations, the LGBT community center in universities from discriminating against any Ferndale, blasted sponsors of anti-gay legislation student who objects to counseling LGBT students as “moral hypocrites.” because of moral convictions. This law would “Anytime that someone works to deny the supersede the codes of professional conduct to rights of group - rights that they enjoy - they are which these university programs adhere. In an a moral hypocrite,” Garcia said. “The gay agenda earler interview the Michigan Messenger, Hunter is not so tough. I can sum it up in two points. One, said he would not support a white nationalist equality. Two, see number one.” using his or her sincerely held religious beliefs But Garcia also pleaded for heterosexuals to discriminate against a person of color, even who support equality for the LGBT community though the legislation would in fact allow that to “come out of the closet.” to happen. “The straight community must get off the Third is HB 4889, introduced by Rep. Tom sidelines and act,” he said. Hooker (R-Byron Center). This legislation would State Rep. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) prohibit medically necessary sex reassignment stopped by the rally. surgery for people in some state programs, “To take these rights away is a great step including prisons. Gender reassignment surgery backwards, I think,” he told the crowd. “We are is not an option in the Michigan Department of together and we are mighty.” Corrections. Meanwhile, Gov. Snyder, who is under Not mentioned in the Equality Michigan growing pressure and criticism from the LGBT release was new legislation introduced by Protestors angry with attacks on LGBT citizens, gathered in Lansing Jan. 18 to let legislators know how angry they Agema, a former pilot, which would eliminate community, did not make an appearance, at least are chanting “Gay families matter” as legislators arrived for the State of the State. Photos courtesy of Affirmations not intentionally. the state’s Healthy Michigan Fund Initiative. As the rally was getting under way, Snyder concerns for the state’s budget. State Rep. Dave Agema (R-Grandville) - who The fund provides the state’s matching dollars exited the state Capitol. He was greeted by boos On Tuesday, The American Independent sponsored the legislation denying partner benefits for HIV prevention and care dollars, and without and chants of “Gay families matter!” He smiled reported that Snyder’s office has repeatedly - exited the building. He too was greeted with it, the state would be unable to receive federal and waived at the crowd; a Michigan State Police denied requests for an interview about LGBT boos and “Gay families matters!” Protesters cash for HIV care. Agema’s bill would move the security escort stood between the governor and issues in the state. Interview requests have followed Agema a block down Michigan Avenue funding to airport care. the protesters. similarly been denied to TAI media partners from the Capitol, chanting and waving signs. Snyder has come under fire for signing Between The Lines Newspapers and Lansing Later, Agema posted the following on his legislation that prohibits public employers from Online News. Communications officials from Facebook page, “It was an interesting day today. offering health benefits to the unmarried partners the governor’s office have yet to provide possible When I left the Capitol I was swarmed with gay View the Online Gallery of public employees. Snyder claims he made dates for such an interview. men screaming hate at me for the elimination of the decision to sign the bill based on economic Shortly after Snyder passed the rally, same sex/unmarried benefits. It seems the hate www.pridesource.com www.PrideSource.com Michigan News / January 26, 2012 / BTL 5 Troy mayor causes yet Mayors John Hieftje of Ann Arbor, George Heartwell of Grand Rapids, Karen Majewski of Hamtramck and Bobby Hopewell of Kalamazoo have signed on to another gay controversy marriage equality. GSA plans ‘major event’ to help all involved Four Michigan mayors sign on to BY KATE OPALEWSKI in keeping with her policy of full disclosure, anytime,” said Mayor of Ferndale Dave Coulter. I’d like to bring the underlying issue to light,” In response to Mayor Daniels comments marriage equality TROY – Mayor of Troy Janice Daniels said Curtis. that she is the victim, suffering from bullying is under scrutiny once more for making more and disrespect, Coulter said, “It is not a fair anti-gay statements. This time, her words have comparison with the type of bullying that takes National campaign launches been recorded on tape, but Mayor Daniels has Elected officials want tape place in schools. When in a political job like refused to release the tape for the public to hear. According to Troy City Councilmen Dane ours, a person expressing their displeasure with Mayor Daniels’ anti-gay statements were Slater and Jim Campbell the Mayor should you comes with the territory and is fair game. at U.S. Conference of Mayors recorded by herself when she invited members produce the tape if she has nothing to hide and You have to have thick skin. There is nothing of the Troy High School Gay-Straight Alliance let the public hear the truth and decide what unfair about the way the students are reacting.” BY SUSAN HOROWITZ to the Troy Community Center on Jan.