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APRIL 16-29, 2009 VOL. EIGHT, ISS. 08 SERVING GAY, LESBIAN, BI AND TRANSGENDERED • WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM

■ Gay City■ HUMAN RIGHTS CRIME Iraqi Gay DA, Prostitution Murders Surge; Arrestees Meet; World Finally Dismissals May Takes Note Come BY DOUG IRELAND BY DUNCAN OSBORNE

s organized killings of Iraqi gays n what may be a prelude to dis- have escalated in recent months missing charges against some men A amid a homophobic campaign in I and women who were arrested for that nation’s media, openly gay Demo- prostitution by officers in the Manhat- cratic Congressman Jared Polis of Colo- tan South Vice Enforcement Squad, the rado has asked the US State Depart- Manhattan district attorney’s office has ment to investigate. Polis, the first non- met with some of the arrestees. incumbent openly gay man ever elected “She took it seriously, she listened to to Congress, who returned from a visit what he had to say,” said Linda Poust to Iraq at the beginning of April, told Gay Lopez, a Legal Aid supervising attorney, City News that while in Baghdad he had referring to the assistant district attor- met with the chargé d’affaires, who is ney who met with her and a male client overseeing the US embassy pending the arrested in an East Village porn shop arrival of a new ambassador. last year. “I just wish they would talk to “We asked the embassy and the State the other defendants also.” Department to investigate the reports Under an arrangement called “queen of killings of gay men, and turned over for a day,” defendants tell the story of to the chargé d’affaires the names and their arrests to the district attorney. The phone numbers of all the gay Iraqi con- deal is that the information may not be tacts we had and a letter detailing our ACETO F. DONNA used against them unless later testimo- concerns,” including allegations that GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON AT LAST JUNE’S LGBT PRIDE MARCH IN MANHATTAN ny departs from what they said during the Iraqi government is involved in the the “queen for a day” session. killings, Polis told this reporter, adding, Gay City News is aware of roughly “They seemed very willing to investi- gate.” DA P. 11 If the State Department does under- Paterson take such an investigation, that would IRAQ P. 2 In this issue: Ups the Ante ■ EDITORIAL Marriage’s time has come ■ 12 BY PAUL SCHINDLER votes for passage that Majority Leader ————————————————— Malcolm Smith of Queens continues to ■ iming to capitalize on the wave say are not there yet. The heavily Demo- TRIBECA UNSPOOLS of momentum created by mar- cratic Assembly passed the bill in June As ever, festival strongest A riage equality victories in 2007 by a comfortable margin of 85-61, in international films and Vermont — which led the Empire and is expected to do the same this year. ■ 16 State Pride Agenda’s top official to say, On April 14, hours after word of Pat- ————————————————— “I’m embarrassed for New York State” erson’s impending announcement sur- — Governor David Paterson will intro- faced on the New York Times’ website, ■ FLOWER POWER duce a marriage equality bill on April 16. Senator , an out gay “Hair” still shining, The Democratic governor’s action comes Chelsea Democrat expected to be the gleaming, streaming

VADIM SHEPEL VADIM roughly 75 days ahead of the end of the measure’s lead Senate sponsor, voiced ■ 2009 legislative session, which means optimism that, notwithstanding Smith’s 20 WEST END GAYEST YET his party’s leaders in the State Senate ————————————————— 22 will have to move aggressively to find the PATERSON P. 4 © GAY CITY NEWS 2009 • COMMUNITY MEDIA, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 16 - 29 APR 2009 2/ Human Rights

᭤ IRAQ, from p.1 have now only one safe house left.” Hili also said that he had reflect a significant change in received reports from Iraq of five US policy by the Obama admin- gay men, all Iraqi LGBT mem- istration. In 2007, two openly bers, who are in prison awaiting gay members of Congress, Dem- execution. Hili said “We have ocrats Barney Frank of Massa- been told they are expecting to chusetts and Tammy Baldwin be executed in two weeks.” of Wisconsin, wrote a lengthy Hili said it is unclear on what letter to Bush Secretary of State precise charges the gay men Condoleezza Rice detailing the will be executed. “One of our anti-gay death squads’ murder informants who was in deten- campaign and asking the US to tion with these five guys and investigate and intervene. Their then was released told me by letter, which cited extensive phone how these men told him reporting in Gay City News on that their trial was a lighten- repression of gays in Iraq, had ing-quick kangaroo court. It no effect. was an incredibly brief trial, Polis, a millionaire Internet and these five members of ours entrepreneur and philanthro- weren’t able to obtain legal rep- pist, traveled to Iraq at his own resentation or defend them- expense before his election last selves in that kind of context.” year and attempted to inves- Hili said that according to this tigate the ongoing campaign account, the five members of of “sexual cleansing” of Iraqi his group “thought they were homosexuals, and on his return being accused of being a part of contributed $10,000 to the Lon- a ‘terrorist organization,’ mean- don-based all-volunteer asso- Activists, including Barbara Anne Mohr, Walter Armstrong, Brendan Fay, and Jesus Lebron, protested outside the Iraqi Mission to the United ing Iraqi LGBT,” Hili recounted. ciation Iraqi LGBT, which has a Nations on April 10, and were stymied by the NYPD in standing on the adjacent sidewalk and in delivering a letter to the door. A Mission official The five were found by police in network of members and corre- eventually came outside to accept the letter, ending the stalemate. possession of literature from his spondents throughout Iraq that group. Hili has spoken with both has been tracking the organized this time which we believe is death squads, which Gay City com at the conclusion of this Amnesty International and with campaign of assassinations of inspired by the Ministry of the News first reported three years article’s online version). Human Rights Watch about the Iraqi gays. Interior, both in the daily news- ago (see this reporter’s March Iraqi LGBT activists in Iraq case of his five members await- Ali Hili, the coordinator of papers and on nearly all the 23, 2006 article, “Shia Death have been the victims of Badr ing execution. Iraqi LGBT, who briefed Polis television stations. Their reports Squads Target Iraqi Gays,” a Corps members operating in Dalia Hashad of Amnesty by telephone for his Iraqi trip, brand all gays as ‘perverts’ and link to which appears in the police uniforms, including five International told Gay City told Gay City News from Lon- try to portray us as terrorists online version of this story at key gay activists arrested in a News, “Amnesty has been don that “we have been able to who are undermining the moral gaycitynews.com). “Gay men police raid on a secret organiz- unable to get from the Iraqi gov- confirm 63 more murders of gay fiber of Iraqi youth.” Hili said and lesbians have long been ing meeting in 2006; no word of ernment any confirmation that people in Iraq just since Decem- the current homo-hating media among the targets of both Shi- them has since surfaced, and the men are in custody or that ber,” bringing to nearly 600 the campaign appears to have been ite and Sunni death squads” in they are presumed to have been they are facing execution, but number of cases of LGBT Iraqis sparked as an unfortunate reac- Iraq, the Times reported. killed (see the link to this report- from what we have heard from killed for their sexuality that his tion to an April 4 Reuters dis- Unfortunately, the Times er’s December 7-12, 2006 arti- individuals in Iraq, they were group has documented since patch that reported: “Two gay article omitted any mention of cle, “Iraqi Gay Activists Abduct- sentenced to die for belong- the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sis- men were killed in Baghdad’s the anti-gay death squads of the ed”). There have been 17 Iraqi ing to a ‘banned group.’ We are tani, the spiritual leader of all Sadr City slum, a local official Badr Corps, the military arm of LGBT activists killed since the protesting to the Iraqi govern- Iraqi Shiite Muslims, issued a said, and police said they had the former Supreme Council for Ayatollah Sistani’s 2005 fatwa, ment and are continuing to try death-to-all-gays fatwa in 2005. found the bodies of four more the Islamic Revolution in Iraq including Hili’s own brother. to investigate, but it is very dif- But, Hili added, “Since there are after clerics urged a crackdown (SCIRI), which in 2007 changed Hili said the Times article ficult to get any information parts of Iraq where we have no on a perceived spread of homo- its name to the Islamic Supreme also gave a somewhat mislead- about such prisoners in Iraq.” correspondents or members, we sexuality… The police source Council of Iraq when it entered ing impression about the degree Scott Long, director of Human are convinced that the actual said the bodies of four gay men the coalition government as to which Iraqi gays are able to Rights Watch’s LGBT desk, told number of gays killed in these were unearthed in Sadr City on its largest Islamist party, and be open. Iraqi LGBT had main- Rex Wockner’s gay news service, last months since December is March 25, each bearing a sign which acknowledges Sistani as tained a network of four safe “Together with other groups, much higher.” At the same time, reading ‘pervert’ in Arabic on its supreme leader and spiritu- houses in Baghdad for queers members of Congress and con- the BBC reported last week that their chests.” al guide. The estimated 11,000 targeted by the anti-gay death cerned activists, we’re doing according to Amnesty Inter- “After the Reuters dispatch, members of the Badr Corps squads. But now, Hili told everything we can to investigate national “in the last few weeks the Iraqi media spoke about militia, which has been respon- Gay City News, “We have had and determine who’s jailed and 25 boys and men are reported the murders of gays for the sible for a large majority of the to close three of them out of what their fates may be. The to have been killed in Baghdad very first time,” Hili said, “but murders of gays since Sistani’s fear. The guys we were trying Iraqi government and the US because they were, or perceived unfortunately in such hate- fatwa calling for such killings, to protect in those safe houses government must both investi- to be, gay.” In an unusual move, filled and incendiary terms that was integrated into the Minis- became so afraid in the cur- gate these charges immediate- Amnesty International wrote their reports and commentaries try of the Interior in 2006, and rent climate of vicious anti-gay ly.” Long is traveling to Iraq to to the Iraqi President, Nouri al- only encouraged further vio- since then its Badr anti-gay crusading by the media and the pursue an HRW investigation. Maliki, demanding “urgent and lence.” On April 8, the New York death squads have operated in clerics, and following the lat- Polis is also trying to ascer- concerted action” by his govern- Times published a story, head- police uniforms with complete est assassinations of gays, that tain the status of the five impris- ment to stop the killings. lined “Iraq’s Newly Open Gays impunity, as Gay City News has they were afraid to continue liv- oned Iraqi LGBT members, but Hili told this reporter, “There Face Scorn and Murder,” in previously reported on many ing collectively, that this made a statement given by a State is an intensive media campaign which it recognized for the first occasions (links to these earlier them easy targets. So they against homosexuals in Iraq at time the existence of anti-gay articles appear on gaycitynews. simply left our safe houses. We ᭤ IRAQ, continued on p.10 16 - 29 APR 2009 Crime /3 Will Arrests Hurt Stonewall Tourism? Activists question whether queer out-of-towners will find welcome from NYPD

BY DUNCAN OSBORNE for doing absolutely nothing ille- gal.” ity Council Speaker Among the men arrested in Christine Quinn and 2008 were at least four out-of- C ’s tourism towners. One was a 53-year- agency announced a $1.9 mil- old from California, another a lion campaign on April 7 that 19-year-old from Virginia, and will invite gay and lesbian tour- a couple, one was 37 and the ists to the Big Apple in celebra- other 42, from Europe. All four tion of the 40th anniversary of were busted in Blue Door Video Stonewall. So welcome, bienv- in the East Village. enue, wilkommen. And you’re After news of the arrests under arrest. broke in late 2008, Brendan “Perhaps the city should Fay, a longtime gay activist and rename its marketing brainchild a coalition member, heard from Stonewall, Back to the Future,” activists across the Atlantic. said Robert Pinter, founder of “I got emails from Moscow the Coalition to Stop the Arrests and from London and from and one of at least 30 men who Dublin and from Warsaw,” Fay was busted last year in Manhat- said. “All were similarly really tan porn shops by vice cops. “As shocked that this was happen- part of the marketing they could ing. For all of them, it remind- direct gay visitors to adult video ed them of tactics that they stores where the vice squad assumed were history.” JULIENNE SCHAER/ NYC & COMPANY will treat them to an authentic The police have sent young, Stonewall-era experience of tar- George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, the city’s tourism agency, was joined by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Councilwoman Rosie geting, intimidation, and arrest ᭤ STONEWALL, continued on p.15 Mendez on April 7 in announcing Rainbow Pilgrimage, an extensive marketing campaign aimed at gay and lesbian visitors.

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᭤ PATERSON, from p.1 with 2,000 signed up. Insisting here,” he said. “I haven’t seen that there will be a vote, accord- this many young people outside caution, “We’re going to do ing to Van Capelle’s thinking, is the campus in a very long time.” it this year. It’s going to pass the only way to get legislators Paul Munkholm, a 31-year-old this year.” Marriage advocates, focused and ready to get off the who lives in Williamsburg, said including Duane and ESPA’s dime on a controversial issue. that legislators should not shy executive director, Alan Van Still, the argument over the away from a pro-equality vote, Capelle, who issued the “embar- governor’s suggestion will turn arguing that upstate as well as rassed” statement last week, out to be moot, he said: “We will in the city, “I think the people are acknowledge that Republicans never get to point where we will ready.” Sue Peters, a 37-year-old will be needed to pass the bill. have to decide whether to have a who lives in Lower Manhattan, Over the past two weeks, Duane vote without knowing if we have asked if she planned to partici- has said several GOP senators enough votes, because we will pate in Equality & Justice Day in have expressed their support begin debate with the votes to get Albany, said, “I am definitely con- to him privately and that their it done.” sidering it. It’s definitely where numbers are “increasing.” Van Assemblyman Daniel we need to be.” Capelle said, “There are Repub- O’Donnell, the out gay Upper Just as Van Capelle did in licans willing to vote for the bill, West Side Democrat who steered New York, Steven Goldstein,

but there are still discussions to NEWS CITY GAY the marriage bill to victory in his chair of Garden State Equal- be had. There are no firm votes.” Senator Thomas Duane addresses a celebration of the Vermont marriage victory in Union Square chamber two years ago, clearly ity, expressed frustration with Both Republicans and some Park on April 8. saw the flap dividing marriage progress on marriage equality wavering Democrats, he noted, advocates last week as a tempest in his state. “New Jersey’s sep- are moving toward the bill out of tives in Albany. Both Duane a very good chance for this year, in a teapot. “I don’t have any arate and unequal “personal reasons” — the influ- and Assemblyman Micah Kell- because I hope my colleagues question about the governor’s law is an abject embarrass- ence of gay and lesbian family ner, an out bisexual Democrat are as competitive as I am. But intentions or commitment to ment to the nearly nine mil- members. from Manhattan, harshly criti- definitely this session.” The dis- our civil rights,” he said. “I don’t lion people who live in our pro- Senate action on a marriage cized the governor in interviews tinction between “this year” and think the governor deserves any gressive state,” he said. Lead- bill was blocked in 2007-8 by on New York 1, Duane stating, “this session” is critical. If the criticism. He has moved earlier ers of both the Senate and the the former Republican major- “Say what you will about former bill does not get done this year, than Eliot Spitzer did in 2007,” Assembly have for several years ity. In last November’s election, Governor Spitzer, a blessing it would slip over into an elec- when he introduced the bill the been on record in favor of mar- Democrats gained the major- and a curse. However, working tion year, when the full Legis- Assembly went on to approve on riage equality, and Democratic ity — though narrowly, 32-30. with him, we would have got- lature and the governor are up April 27. O’Donnell said there Governor Jon Corzine, who Some Democrats, especially ten this bill passed by now. We for reelection; bringing around was no absolute right or wrong faces a tough reelection fight Senator Ruben Diaz, a fiery anti- absolutely would have gotten fence-sitters then might prove answer about which bills to take this fall, has gradually evolved gay Democrat and Pentecostal this bill passed, and we would an insurmountable task. to the floor and that two years into full support as well, after minister from the Bronx, are have had a strategy.” Van Capelle echoed Duane’s ago that decision was left to him initially taking the position that opposed. Diaz initially threat- Now, Duane said, he sees strengthened confidence. “I as lead sponsor. civil unions should be given ened to deny Smith the majority Paterson’s commitment. “Last am convinced that working in The Union Square Vermont the chance to work. Observers, leader post specifically over the week, I was speaking from the bipartisan fashion we will reach celebration, which drew roughly however, do not expect the bill marriage equality issue. heart in response to the gover- the point that we will have a bill 100 on April 8, was coordinat- to come up for a vote prior to Smith supports the marriage nor’s vague comments on the that will pass by the end of the ed by Marriage Equality New the election, so Corzine’s pledge bill, but has consistently said marriage bill. Now he’s moved session in June,” he said. The York, a grassroots group, and might be fulfilled only in a lame he would only bring it to the into action, by introducing a ESPA leader would not quibble the Civil Rights Front, a direct duck session in late Novem- floor for a vote when there were bill,” Duane said, adding, “It’s with the governor’s suggestion action organization that grew up ber or December. Though the sufficient supporters identified now a larger part of his con- that an up or down vote should out of the Proposition 8 protests Legislature is likely to remain to ensure victory — a nearly sciousness. There is now more happen regardless of the pros- in New York. Representatives Democratic after the election, unvarying practice in the Leg- fuel in the furnace. I don’t pects for success, arguing, “At from those groups urged those Corzine’s prospects are far less islature. On April 8, Paterson want to lose, and certainly the this moment, it is probably the in attendance to participate in certain, so advocates might find stirred something of a Demo- governor doesn’t want a loss.” right message. I think that we ESPA’s Equality & Justice Day. themselves pinning their hopes cratic firestorm by telling an Duane’s confidence that a vote should not deprive gay and les- Ken Kidd, a 51-year-old Vil- on a governor willing to sign a Ithaca radio station that he will be successful this year bian families the opportunity to lage resident who has lived in marriage equality bill after los- thought the bill should be voted is stronger than it was just a lobby their legislators.” ESPA, New York for nearly 30 years ing an election. The governor’s on regardless of whether pas- week ago. On April 8, he told he said, has closed out its reg- and works for NYU, was buoyed probable Republican oppo- sage was assured, a suggestion a group of marriage advocates istration for Equality & Justice by the crowd’s enthusiasm. “I nent, US Attorney Christopher that some clearly felt was an celebrating the Vermont victory Day, its annual Albany lobby- am so energized by the fact that J. Christie, opposes marriage intrusion on legislative preroga- in Union Square Park, “There’s ing effort, this year on April 28, there are so many young people rights for same-sex couples.

NEWS BRIEFS By ANDY HUMM

NY Assembly nation,” a release from Assembly- taken up by the Senate, which up installation as the new Catholic Governor David Paterson, a Cath- ken out against marriage of gay Again Passes man Daniel O’Donnell, an out gay until this year was controlled by archbishop of New York that he olic himself, attended Dolan’s instal- couples without even meeting Anti-Bullying Bill Upper West Side Democrat, said, Republicans. would not be shy about speaking lation on the eve of announcing his any of the members of New York’s For the eighth time, the State and is not limited to the stated out against a state bill to open program bill on marriage equality. gay community. I think that if he Assembly voted overwhelmingly in categories of “actual or perceived New NY marriage to same-sex couples. Jeff Stone, secretary of the really knew us, he would realize favor of the Dignity for All Students race, color, weight, national origin, Archbishop Will Dolan said that the teaching New York chapter of DignityUSA, that same-sex couples, like all lov- Act. There were five dissenters. ethnic group, religion, disability, Fight Same-Sex of his Church on marriage is clear. said in a statement, “We welcome ing couples, want to protect their The bill was amended to “cover the sexual orientation, gender, or sex.” Marriage “You could expect me to articulate [Dolan] and pray for his success- spouses and their children with all broadest categories of students The bill aims to combat bully- Timothy Dolan, 59, said at a that with all the clarity ... I can ful tenure as archbishop, but we who face harassment and discrimi- ing in schools but has never been press conference just before his muster,” he said. are disappointed that he has spo- ᭤ BRIEFS, continued on p.9 16 - 29 APR 2009 Legal /5 Verdict Coming on Recognition NY high court will settle question on out-of-state unions, unless marriage law comes first

BY ARTHUR S. LEONARD unless a marriage equality law riages.” riages was precluded by the perfectly appropriate to apply is approved first. In a very brief ruling, the 2nd Court of Appeals’ 2006 deci- established marriage recogni- he Court of Appeals will In Godfrey v. Spano, the Department engaged in a sleight sion finding no state constitu- tion doctrine to the Civil Service finally weigh in on the Brooklyn-based 2nd Depart- of hand to avoid addressing the tional right to marry, and the situation. The 3rd Department T question of whether New ment of the Appellate Divi- merits of the marriage recogni- defendants’ counter-argument observed that the exceptions York is obliged to recognize valid sion affirmed a ruling that tion issue by giving a very lit- that Spano’s order was consis- to the general rule of marriage same-sex marriages from other Westchester County Executive eral reading to Spano’s order, tent with New York marriage recognition have traditionally jurisdictions, as an interme- Andrew J. Spano did not exceed which directed that such rec- recognition doctrine. been narrowly construed. The diate appellate precedent has his authority or violate any ognition be accorded “to the held since last February. On state laws or policies when he maximum extent allowed by March 31, the court agreed to issued a 2006 executive order law.” In December, the court The court rejected the argument that review appeals of decisions from directing all the governmental ruled, “The Executive Order two other intermediate Appel- entities under his authority “to can never require recognition such marriages would be late Division courts, in lawsuits recognize same-sex marriages of such a marriage where it “abhorrent to New York policy.” brought by the Arizona-based lawfully entered into outside would be outside the law to do Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), the State of New York in the so.” The court noted without an anti-gay litigation firm. The same manner as they currently comment ADF’s argument that cases will be argued in the fall, recognize opposite-sex mar- recognition of same-sex mar- In February 2008, the Roch- state has no statutory ban on ester-based 4th Department of same-sex marriage, and the the Appellate Division unani- court rejected the argument mously found that New York that such marriages would be must recognize valid same-sex “abhorrent to New York policy” marriages from outside New in light of its growing accep- York, establishing the existing tance worldwide. statewide precedent. Though Unlike the 4th Department, that decision will not be under the 3rd was not unanimous, review by the Court of Appeals, splitting 3-2, but the minority its conclusion will be. It’s dif- did not reject the majority find- ficult to know why the Court ing, instead holding that the of Appeals would think that recognition issue need not be the Westchester ruling is wor- decided, since the question thy of further appeal, unless it could be settled in the Civil be to address the merits of the Service Department’s favor underlying marriage recognition simply by interpreting its statu- debate. On the other hand, the tory authority in administering Court of Appeals’ review in Lewis employee benefits. v. New York State Department As of now, three of the four of Civil Service brings the mer- appellate departments state- its of the issue front and center, wide have been heard from, two because in that case, decided ruling on the merits in favor of earlier this year, the 3rd Depart- recognition, one punting on ment followed the lead of the 4th the substance, but rejecting Department ruling that estab- ADF’s challenge. Since there MAGGIE GALLAGHER AIN’T NO lished the existing precedent. is no intermediate-level appel- WINSTON CHURCHILL ADF is challenging the Civil Ser- late split, it is not clear why the vice Department’s 2007 decision Court of Appeals has granted The right-wing National Organization It turns out that the anti-gay group “Funny Anti–Gay-Marriage Ad Sparks to recognize legal same-sex mar- review. Perhaps the high court’s for Marriage (NOM), led by Maggie Gal- used actors, not real people, to mouth YouTube Revolt.” The NOM ad itself, riages by employees of the state, members who voted to grant lagher, who has devoted most of her adult these statements, which the Gay and Les- which is currently targeting TV viewers and of many municipal govern- review agree with the appellate life to stopping gay people from getting bian Alliance Against Defamation calls in Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, ments under the jurisdiction of rulings already made and seek legal recognition for their relationships, is “distorted” and “misleading” to begin New Jersey, and California, can viewed its benefits plan. to give them a firmer statewide spending $1.5 million on a nationwide ad with. The hilarious audition tapes for the at youtube.com/watch?v=4AzLrn5JVIo. The Albany-based 3rd status. Neither appellate ruling, campaign with the message that same- actors, probably leaked by some godless Maddow, not thrown off by NOM’s Department ruling, replicating on the heavily Republican 3rd sex marriage is a threat to Christians. or gay employee of the ad firm, were orig- censoring of her report on YouTube, much of what the 4th Depart- and 4th Department benches, “I’m a California doctor who must choose inally posted on YouTube by the Human several days later mocked the acronym ment held last year, pointed had dissenters on the sub- between my faith and my job,” one says. Rights Campaign, but NOM asserted its that NOM rolled out for its effort to out that the Court of Appeals’ stance of the recognition issue, “I’m a Massachusetts parent helplessly copyright to force their removal. NOM identify Two Million Americans For Mar- 2006 marriage ruling “did not so it seems unlikely the Court watching public schools teach my son was even successful in having a clip of riage — 2m4m. She wondered out loud hold that same-sex marriages of Appeals would take a con- that gay marriage is okay.” The ad cam- Rachel Maddow discussing the tapes, on her show whether the NOM crowd solemnized elsewhere would trary view, but it’s still domi- paign is dubbed “The Gathering Storm,” and briefing airing two snippets, on her had any familiarity with personals ads. not be defined as marriages nated by appointees of former also the title of the first volume of Win- MSNBC show, taken down. That clip from “The Rachel Maddow here, and it observed that Republican Governor George ston Churchill’s Nobel Prize-winning six- Other sources, including blog.wired. Show” can be viewed at youtube.com/ the Legislature could ratio- Pataki, including the judges volume history of the period from 1919 com, meanwhile, at least for the moment, watch?v=r1MGtULY73Y. — Andy Humm nally choose to permit same- who wrote the plurality and through 1945. are keeping the tapes available. Google: & Paul Schindler sex couples to marry in New concurring opinions opposing York.” Consequently, it was marriage equality in 2006. 16 - 29 APR 2009 6/ Politics Vermont Is the First Overriding guv’s veto, Legislature brings marriage equality through a vote

BY PAUL SCHINDLER so recognizing that this is an issue that is intensely personal, with strongly held n an historic vote that hinged on beliefs and convictions on both sides.” three members of the House of Rep- Then, arguing that the more important I resentatives and was not sealed until goal is federal recognition of same-sex three hours before the question went to unions, whether in marriage or civil the floor, the full Vermont Legislature, unions, he wrote, “Our civil union law on April 7, adopted a civil marriage serves Vermont well and I would support equality law over the veto of Republican congressional action to extend those Governor James Douglas. A coalition of benefits at the federal level to states that 94 Democrats, Progressives, and Inde- recognize same-sex unions. But I believe pendents were joined by six Republi- that marriage should remain between a cans, including the minority leader, Patti man and a woman.” Komline of Dorset, in delivering the 100 According to Marty Rouse, nation- votes needed in the 150-member House. al field director for the Human Rights The final override vote was 100-49. Less Campaign (HRC), the Washington- than an hour before the House voted, based LGBT lobby, who was on the the heavily Democratic Senate approved ground in Montpelier, the final votes the override, 23-5. needed to secure the override were not The evening before, the Legislature nailed down until 8 a.m., about three had given final approval to the marriage hours before the vote. The task facing law — with the number of yes votes in advocates was to retain support from the House inching up by one, from a the six Republicans, who faced pres- preliminary vote the week before, to 96 sure to uphold the actions of the GOP — and sent it to Douglas. Minutes later, governor, while winning over three the governor returned a veto message to Democrats. The House speaker, Demo- the Legislature, which read, in part, “I do crat Shap Smith, who typically does not NEWS CITY GAY At an April 8 marriage equality rally in Union Square, Heath Tucker of the Civil Rights Front, a direct action organization that grew up in New York in the wake of Proposition 8 protests, points out that the Empire State has fallen behind.

vote, was able to cast the 100th vote about complying, which finally result- in support of the override. The Barre- ed in a civil union bill, the first in the Montpelier Times Argus reported that nation, going to then-Governor How- capitol observers had characterized ard Dean, who signed it. “In the years the override question as a leadership since then,” Rouse said, “legislators got test for Smith, who assumed the House to know their constituents, including speakership in January. According to their gay and lesbian constituents and Rouse, the willingness to stand with families who had gay or lesbian mem- Smith was among the selling points bers. This was a conversation that took made to Democrats targeted during the place over kitchen tables across the override effort, but he emphasized that state over the years.” the issue was largely a matter of con- Rouse singled out the leadership of science on both sides of the aisle. Beth Robinson, who heads Vermont “Today we have overridden the gov- Freedom to Marry, saying she was ernor’s veto,” Senate President Pro Tem “tenacious in traveling the state” to Peter Shumlin said in a written state- rally support for the bill. That group got ment released by HRC. “I have never felt an assist from MassEquality, the coali- more proud of Vermont as we become tion of organizations that mobilized the first state in the country to enact after the 2003 Massachusetts high marriage equality, not as the result of a court ruling in favor of gay marriage, court order, but because it is the right to defend it against any effort at voter thing to do.” HRC president Joe Solmo- repeal through a referendum. Rouse Monday, April 20th 2009, 8pm nese, in the same release, stated, “This headed MassEquality during the most historic vote in the Vermont Legislature critical years of that struggle. Contestants Symphony Space reminds us of the incredible progress As the House voted Tuesday morn- 2537 Broadway at 95th Street Tony James (Mr. Lion King), Anthony being made toward equality.” ing, tensions ran high despite advo- Hollock (Mr. Hair), Adam Fleming Purchase tickets at symphonyspace.org (Mr. Wicked), James Brown III (Mr. Little Rouse said the marriage equality law cates’ optimism that they had the or call 212.864.5400 Mermaid), David Larsen (Mr. Billy Elliot) resulted from a nine-year “Vermont votes. Rouse noted that three of the family discussion.” In late 1999, the critical votes — those of Democrat Jeff www.aliforneycenter.org/beauty Photos by Curtis Brown Photography.Com State Supreme Court ordered the Leg- Young of St. Albans City and Republi- islature to confer all the rights of civil cans Richard Westman of Cambridge marriage on same-sex couples, wheth- and Kurt Wright of Burlington. — came N E W Philip Marie er by opening up marriage or through at the end of the roll call. other means. Despite the court order, “That’s your headline,” he said. “Two a contentious legislative battle ensued W’s and a Y.” WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM 16 – 29 APR 2009 7

■ POLITICS BREAST CANCER Politics Favorable SURVIVORS DIAGNOSED in Iowa BETWEEN 2000 AND 2005 With strong support from top legislators, Seeking Lesbian, Bisexual, and marriage ruling has cover Women who BY PAUL SCHINDLER ing, “You guys don’t understand. You’ve already lost. My generation doesn’t care.” Partner with Women ess than two hours after the Iowa He then recounted his experience going Supreme Court, on April 3, ruled home to his wife of 37 years the night of L unanimously that the state’s ban the ruling: “I hugged my wife. I felt like This study is being conducted by the Boston University School of Pub- on marriage by same-sex couples violat- our love was just a little more meaningful lic Health and is funded by the American Cancer Society ed their equal rights protections, the two last Friday night because thousands of leaders of the Legislature, both Demo- other Iowa citizens could hug each other crats — Senate Majority Leader Mike and have the state recognize their love for Gronstal of Council Bluffs and House each other.” A YouTube clip of Gronstal’s Join our healthy survivor study! Speaker Pat Murphy of Dubuque — speech had received just under 100,000 issued a joint statement effusively prais- hits as of April 14. One time telephone interview. ing the decision. On April 9, Murphy ruled that a “Thanks to today’s decision, Iowa con- motion to have the House consider a tinues to be a leader in guaranteeing all measure calling for an amendment CALL OR EMAIL of our citizens’ equal rights,” the state- was out of order, and hours later, on a ment read. “The court has ruled today straight party line vote, the chamber 617-638-5982 that when two Iowans promise to share turned down a procedural motion to their lives together, state law will respect force the issue. 877-414-1399 that commitment, regardless of whether Gay marriage opponents have one the couple is gay or straight. When all is other potential route for upending the [email protected] said and done, we believe the only last- high court decision. In 2010, Iowa voters ing question about today’s events will be will have their once-a-decade opportu- why it took us so long.” nity to call a constitutional convention, Opponents of same-sex marriage a political choice they have not made equality, including some Republican law- in modern times. That could provide * Free Espresso or Cappuccino * makers, immediately called on the Legis- anti-gay forces the chance to reopen the With a purchase and this ad lature to begin the process of putting a marriage equality question, but it could constitutional amendment before voters also bring up other issues, which might to overturn the high court ruling, but not be to the liking of conservatives and such a measure could not go before vot- Republicans in a state currently skewing C e l e s t e Di n e r ers until at least 2011, were it approved Democratic. When Connecticut voters by two successive legislative sessions, in had a similar opportunity to call a consti- majority votes of the full membership of tutional convention — open to them only each chamber. every 20 years — last November, shortly Gronstal and Murphy quickly made after the marriage equality ruling there, clear they would block that effort. The they decisively turned it back, with little Café Grill Democrats hold a 56-44 majority in the public debate. House of Representatives and a 32-18 Iowa’s Democratic governor, Chet margin in the Senate. In a telephone Culver, is opposed to marriage equality interview with Gay City News the day of for gay and lesbian couples, but, unlike the ruling, Gronstal said, “I am not going the legislative leaders, waited more than to call up a constitutional amendment. four days to issue a statement about At the entrance of walk path Breakfast I’m the guy who gets to decide, and there the ruling, finally saying he would not to the Brooklyn Bridge. will not be a vote as long as I am the challenge it. He did, however, state he majority leader.” He recalled that when was open to discussions about having Lunch & a constitutional amendment barring a 2011 constitutional convention and By Subway: marriage equality was considered five about establishing a residency require- Dinner years ago, with a Republican majority in ment for same-sex couples seeking a A,C,F to Jay St, Boro. Hall the Senate, a united Democratic minor- marriage license. ity was joined by four GOP legislators to Despite the friendly reception from beat it back. legislative leaders and the muted reac- OPEN 7 DAYS On April 6, three days after the court tion from the governor, emotions have ruling, Gronstal held to his prom- run high in Iowa since the ruling. A ise, turning back an effort to have an photo posted on the Des Moines Register Order Online: www.seamlessweb.com amendment measure taken up in the website the day of the ruling showed an Senate. He recounted a conversation anti-gay protester, outside the Supreme 63 Tillery Street, Corner of Adams Street his daughter had on her job, in which Court, holding a sign reading, “Same sex she told some older co-workers express- 718-596-5178 www.celestediner.com ing anger about the Supreme Court rul- ᭤ IOWA, continued on p.8 16 - 29 APR 2009 8/ Legal Iowa Court Unanimous 14 DAYS Building on California, Connecticut, pioneering Midwest opinion sweeping 14 NIGHTS

BY ARTHUR S. LEONARD opinion also built on the impor- and responsibilities, just as it that the statute substantially tant 2008 opinions from Califor- does for heterosexual couples. advances an important state THU.APR.16 n a sweeping unanimous nia Chief Justice Ronald George Society benefits, for example, interest. decision, the seven-member and Connecticut Justice Rich- from providing same-sex cou- The court framed the ques- I Iowa Supreme Court ruled ard N. Palmer. ples a stable framework within tion before it as “whether the READING on April 3 that the state law lim- The court decided to treat which to raise their children state has ‘exceedingly persua- Rhythm & Rhymes iting marriage to different-sex this as an equal protection and the power to make health sive’ reasons for denying civil In the latest installment of “Drunken! couples violates the equal pro- case concerning a statute that care and end-of-life decisions for marriage to same-sex couples, Careening! Writers!,” host Kathleen tection guarantee of the State discriminates based on sexual loved ones, just as it does when not whether state-sanctioned, Warnock presents “Poetry in Motion!” Constitution. Additionally, the orientation. The plaintiffs had that framework is provided heterosexual marriage is con- — featuring Guillermo Castro, an court held that only equal mar- challenged on both gender and for opposite-sex couples.” The stitutional... whether exclud- Argentine-born New Yorker whose work riage rights, not some paral- sexual orientation discrimi- only distinction, Cady asserted, ing gay and lesbian people from appears in the Brooklyn Rail, the Belle- lel structure like civil unions, nation grounds, and the trial was sexual orientation, which civil marriage is substantially vue Literary Review, La Fove, Bloom, and could satisfy the constitutional judge had seen this as a gen- does not mean the plaintiff related to any important gov- Barrow Street, among others, and the equality requirement. The rul- der discrimination case, but the couples are not similarly situ- ernmental objective.” This rea- anthologies “This Full Green Hour,” “My ing in Varnum v. Brien, which court decided to cut through the ated, because that would lead soning is a direct rejection of Diva,” and “ Saints of Hysteria”; Ron affirmed an August 2007 Polk semantics and get to the heart to a “circular approach,” under the methodology used by state Drummond, a founding editor of Barrow County trial court decision, is a of the matter: the challenged which “all distinctions would courts that have embraced the Street, whose “Why I Kick at Night” was triumph for Lambda Legal, the law, enacted in the recent surge evade equal protection review.” “channeling procreation” theo- a Portlandia Press Chapbook Competi- leading national LGBT public of state Defense of Marriage The court also rejected the ry as a justification for provid- tion winner; and Gloria, a Brooklyn-born interest law firm that conceived Acts, was intended to exclude county’s fatuous argument ing marriage only to different- poet, visual artist, and member of the and organized the litigation in gay people from marrying. “How that the law did not discrimi- sex couples — especially the music group Kanipchen-Fit. KGB Bar, 85 collaboration with Iowa LGBT can a state premised on the nate against gay people because absurd contention by the Court E. Fourth St., btwn. Bowery & Sec- rights groups, and cooperating constitutional principle of equal they are free to marry different- of Appeals’ Smith here in New ond Ave., 7 p.m. Free. attorney Dennis W. Johnson of protection justify exclusion of a sex partners. “Viewed in the York that because same-sex ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯ Des Moines. Johnson was mas- class of Iowans from civil mar- complete context of marriage, couples can only have children terful in arguing the case to the riage?,” Cady wrote. including intimacy, civil mar- through “intentional actions” MUSIC court this past December. The threshold questions riage with a person of the oppo- (such as donor insemination, Making It Sing This is the first time that a in equal protection cases are site sex is as unappealing to a surrogacy, or adoption), there OUTMusic, the organization pro- state supreme court has unani- whether the plaintiffs, excluded gay or lesbian person as a civil is no need to dangle the benefits moting the work of out LGBT artists, mously concluded that same- from some right, are similarly marriage with a person of the of marriage in front of them in presents the latest in its seminar series sex couples have an equal right situated with those who are same sex is to a heterosexual. order to “channel” their procre- with singer/ songwriter Dan Manjovi with different-sex couples to included, and, if so, whether Thus, the right of a gay or les- ative activities. Different-sex leading “Homegrown: The Art and Busi- marry as a matter of state con- the state can justify that. The bian person under the marriage couples, in contrast, according ness of the Independent and Out Singer/ stitutional law. Prior victories — state’s burden is heightened if statute to enter into a civil mar- to Smith’s argument, often bear Songwriter/Performer.” LGBT Commu- and defeats — have come from the court decides that the clas- riage only with a person of the children with no planning, and nity Center, 208 W. 13th St., 7-9 p.m. closely divided courts. Since sification that the law estab- opposite sex is no right at all.” so need to be steered toward a Admission is $10. More information at the Polk County Recorder was lishes — in this case, sexual ori- The Iowa court followed the stable family structure. danmajovi.com. the defendant in this case, it entation — is “suspect” in some path blazed in California and Cady quickly demolished ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯ was that county’s attorney, not way, triggering more demanding Connecticut, finding that a the county’s argument that the Iowa attorney general, who judicial review. The court decid- heightened level of judicial scru- maintaining or preserving tra- Sweet Baby Jane argued the state’s position. ed that same-sex couples seek- tiny for sexual orientation dis- ditional marriage could qualify Baby Jane Dexter presents a new The beautifully and clearly ing to marry are similarly situ- crimination claims is warrant- as the necessary justification. show based on her just-released CD, written opinion by Justice Mark ated to different-sex couples. ed. This is a critical conclusion “A specific tradition sought to “If,” with music director Ross Patterson, Cady stands as a strong rebuke “Plaintiffs are in committed and because it throws the burden of be maintained cannot be an bassist Boots Maleson, and directed by to the bizarre plurality opin- loving relationships, many rais- justification on the state. With- important governmental objec- Elissa Patterson. Room ion produced by Judge Robert ing families, just like hetero- out heightened scrutiny, a law tive for equal protection pur- at Gotham, 34 W. 22nd St. Apr. 16-18, Smith of the New York Court sexual couples,” wrote Cady. is presumed constitutional, and poses,” he wrote, “when the 23-25, 30 & May 1-2, 7:30 p.m. Cover of Appeals in the 2006 ruling “Moreover, official recognition the burden falls on the plaintiff tradition is nothing more than charge is $25, plus a two-drink minimum. in Hernandez v. Robles, which of their status provides an insti- to demonstrate its total irratio- the historical classification cur- Reservations at 212-206 0440. rejected the right of same-sex tutional basis for defining their nality. In a heightened scru- ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯ couples to marry here. Cady’s fundamental relational rights tiny case, the state must show ᭤ IOWA COURT, continued on p.9 GETAWAYS Find Your Place in ᭤ IOWA, from p.7 allies who have worked tireless- suit, said, “Today’s victory is In praising the marriage qual- the Sun ly for equality over the years,” a testament to the strength of ity victory, Gronstal and Mur- Center Share-a-Thon, presented animals don’t mate. God Bless. said Brad Clark, the director of love, hope, and courage — our phy likened the ruling to Iowa by Out Professionals, is a way to find Culver man up.” The Regis- the One Iowa Campaign, which clients have shown an abun- Supreme Court decisions that housemates to fill your summer home, ter reported that out gay Des led marriage equality efforts in dance of all three for many abolished slavery, in 1839; or find a full-, half-, or quarter-share in Moines Senator Matt McCoy the state, shortly after the rul- years, and now at long last they that barred racially segregated a place you’ll enjoy. Admission is $40 had received telephone death ing was announced. “This rul- will be able to marry.” schools, in 1868; that ended if you’re looking for housemates; $15 if threats. ing is huge.” Camilla Taylor, The Supreme Court’s rul- racial discrimination in public you’re look to buy a share, or if you’re “Today’s victory was made senior staff attorney at Lambda ing affirmed a Des Moines trial accommodations, in 1873; and a housemate with a share offeror who possible through the support of Legal and the lead architect in court ruling from August 2007, that admitted women to the the LGBT community and our the successful marriage law- and will take effect on April 27. practice of law, in 1869.” ᭤ APR 16, continued on p.10 WWW.GAYCITYNEWS.COM 16 – 29 APR 2009 9

᭤ BRIEFS, from p.4 read his rights. Taped calls to his Appeals. Stark’s statement said girlfriend where he said that “gay that her department has hired Premier Sponsors the legal rights and responsibilities things need to die” will be allowed hundreds of people. “It is therefore of marriage. into the trial. not surprising or significant that a “We also remind Archbishop small handful… would have had Dolan that the issue currently Martha Stark, some connection to me.” before the Legislature in New York Bloomberg Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and many other states is not mar- described as “stern” by the New AIDS Finance riage within the Catholic Church, Commish, Under York Times, said this week, “Given but civil marriage in the eyes of Investigation that Martha Stark runs an incred- the state. Churches will always New York City Finance Com- ibly vital city agency, we’re asking Grand Sponsors WA L K be able to determine who to marry missioner Martha Stark, an out the COIB and the DOI (Department and who not to marry.” lesbian, is being investigated by of Investigation) to do this work as the Conflicts of Interest Board quickly as possible.” Stark’s lawyer NEW YORK Trial Begins in (COIB) for dating a former subor- is Rudy Giuliani’s former deputy Colorado Slaying dinate, Dara Ottley-Brown, and mayor Randy Mastro, who said in of Angie Zapata hiring Ottley-Brown’s ex-husband a statement, “These allegations of MAY 17, 2009 Allen Andrade, 32, is on trial for as a graphic artist, the couple’s a personal relationship with some- first degree murder as a hate crime daughter as an intern, and several one who was a subordinate of hers in Greely, Colorado, for the July kill- Stark relations who quit March 18 are demonstrably false. ing of Angie Zapata, 18, a transgen- after the New York Post reported dered woman prosecutors say was that Stark was “moonlighting” as Strub New Head SIGN UP TODAY! beaten to death with a fire extin- a director of a real-estate company of Cable Positive guisher by him. Andrade, who met for a more than $134,000 over two Veteran AIDS activist Sean Zapata through a mobile networking years, a position she has since Strub, the founder of POZ maga- site and spent the night with her, resigned. zine, is taking on a new challenge aidswalk.net told investigators that he thought he Stark, 48, told the Post in a as president and CEO of Cable killed “it,” as he referred to her, after statement, “I have never used my Positive, the response of the cable OR two blows, but resumed the beat- position to obtain any advantage TV industry to the HIV/AIDS crisis OR ing when Zapata tried to get up, the for an relative or personal relation, since 1992. His appointment was Associated Press reported. The first and I have not had a personal rela- introduced on April 2 at the Nation- 39 minutes of Andrade’s confession tion with a subordinate.” Ottley- al Cable TV Association’s show (212) 807-WALK were thrown out by the trial judge, Brown is now a commissioner on who determined he had not been the City Board of Standards and ᭤ BRIEFS, continued on p.10

Benefiting ᭤ IOWA COURT, from p.8 The county also argued that the ban on same-sex marriage is intended to pro- rently expressed in the statute being mote stability in opposite-sex relation- challenged. When a certain tradition is ships, but the court could not see how used as both the governmental objec- excluding same-sex couples from marry- tive and the classification to further that ing advances this interest. and other tri-state area objective, the equal protection analysis is On the question of religious objections AIDS service organizations. transformed into the circular question of to marriage equality, the court noted whether the classification accomplishes that Polk County had not raised this the governmental objective, which objec- issue: “The County’s silence reflects, we tive is to maintain the classification.” believe, its understanding this reason Thanks to Tellingly, Cady observed, “If a simple cannot, under our Iowa Constitution, be showing that discrimination is tradition- used to justify a ban on same-sex mar- al satisfies equal protection, previous riage,” Cady specifically denied that the successful equal protection challenges court’s decision would abridge the right of invidious racial and gender classifica- of anyone in Iowa to the free exercise of tions would have failed.” religion, noting denominations are free The court also rejected the argument to marry only those couples they wish. that the existing exclusion somehow “We are firmly convinced the exclusion advances the best interest of children, of gay and lesbian people from the insti- which the county argued is achieved tution of civil marriage does not substan- by having them raised in traditional, tially further any important governmen- different-sex marital households. Cady tal objective,” wrote Cady, summing up pointed to the court record and the inde- the court’s holding. “The legislature has pendent research it conducted showing excluded a historically disfavored class

that all the professional opinion on child- of persons from a supremely important Created and produced by MZA Events. rearing supports the plaintiffs in arguing civil institution without a constitution- AIDS Walk Founder/Producer: Craig R. Miller. that same-sex couples are as capable as ally sufficient justification.” Iowa’s court © MZA Events, 2009 different-sex couples in raising children. was not ready to embrace the halfway He noted that barring same-sex mar- measures suggested by the New Jersey riage still allows different-sex couples and Vermont Supreme Courts, which led patently unfit to raise children to marry, to the enactment of civil union laws in while denying marriage to same-sex cou- those states. “A new distinction based on Tough times won’t ples capable of parenting well. The chil- sexual orientation,” Cody wrote, “would dren of same-sex couples are not helped be equally suspect and difficult to square by barring the marriage of their parents, with the fundamental principles of equal and neither are the children of different- protection embodied in our constitu- break our stride. sex couples, Cody concluded. tion.” 16 - 29 APR 2009 10/ Youth FIERCE Presses Open Space 14 DAYS LGBT youth advocacy group wants to open up Hudson River Park board 14 NIGHTS

BY ALBERT AMATEAU proposal would increase the the chances for big commercial $57.5 million in infrastructure ᭤ APR 16, from p.8 board’s size to 15, and make development on the pier,” Mar- work needed to stabilize Pier 40. IERCE, the Fabulous community representation shall said, adding the Trust “is “Most of New York’s stimulus paid the $40 fee. Register in advance at Independent Educated equal to each of the two other going behind closed doors to money goes to the Department gaycenter.org. LGBT Community Cen- Radicals For Community blocs on the board. FIERCE change the act, and we want to of Transportation and the Envi- ter, 208 W. 13th St., 6-9 p.m. F ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯ Empowerment, which has long also seeks to increase the influ- make sure if the act is changed, ronmental Protection Fund,” battled on behalf of LGBT youth ence on the Trust of the Hudson the process is transparent and Pietrantone said. “There is no who find refuge on the West River Park Advisory Council. beneficial to the community.” program that the park is eligible NIGHTLIFE Village waterfront, delivered a The group made a specific FIERCE also wants to make for; we are not a road, we are Daddy Moves to strong message — backed up by demand for a 24-hour drop-in sure that the Trust lives up not a bridge, we are not a water- Thursdays a new report — to Manhattan center for LGBT and question- to the spirit of the require- treatment plant, so the park Robert Valin, the creator of Truck Stop Community Board 2 Waterfront ing youth somewhere on or near ment that 50 percent of Pier can’t get stimulus money unless and the upcoming Urban Bear Weekend, Committee on April 13. They Pier 45 — at . 40 be reserved as public open DOT says, ‘We don’t need that presents Daddy, a new weekly party that want to reform the Hudson “We need Community Board space. The definition of open money for a bridge; it should go pays homage to a gritty New York past River Park Trust to make sure 2 to pass a resolution, and we space could include walkways to the park.’” and the men who are looking for it hard, that public open space takes need elected officials to open and areas in front of commer- FIERCE based its recom- rough, and dirty. This weekly swine-fest precedence over commercial up the Hudson River Park Act cial attractions, Marshall said. mendations on ones made more promises to get dark and raunchy with development in the five-mile- to make these changes,” Mar- “It’s more like 30 percent of the than a year ago by the Pier 40 more testosterone than you can shake long riverfront park. shall said. She noted that the pier is public open space,” she Working Group, which includes your stick at. This week DJ Chauncey Desiree Marshall, lead orga- Trust was calling for changes explained. “We need a better community board members, D rules. HK, 405 W. 39th St., 9 p.m. nizer of FIERCE, presented a to state law that would extend definition of open space.” representatives of elected offi- Admission is $5. white paper from the group, the potential commercial lease The group also called for fed- cials, and other stakeholders ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯ which calls for the Trust to on the 14-acre Pier 40 at West eral economic stimulus money in the future of the 14-acre, include on its board of directors Houston Street from 30 to 49 to be devoted to the Hudson two-story pier on the Lower two members chosen by the years. Last year, the Trust River Park. However, A. J. West Side waterfront. Arthur FRI.APR.17 community, in addition to the rejected a proposal by the Relat- Pietrantone, executive director Schwartz, the Waterfront Com- current make-up of appointees ed Companies to redevelop Pier of Friends of Hudson River Park, mittee chair who also heads COMEDY from the governor, the mayor, 40 commercially with Cirque de told the committee that get- the Pier 40 Working Group, This Time for and Manhattan borough presi- Soleil because Related required ting federal stimulus money for said later that the committee Laughs dent. The mayor and governor a 49-year lease instead of the the park was an extreme long was drafting a resolution on Activist, actress, author, and come- each make five appointments 30-year lease mandated by the shot. The Friends, a civic group the FIERCE recommendations, dian Janeane Garofalo takes the stage to the board, with the borough Hudson River Park Act. “There that advocates for the park, which will be submitted to the in New York for five shows this weekend president naming three “com- should be no extension to met with the Trust and state May full board meeting of Com- at Comix, 353 W. 14th St. Apr. 17-18, 8 munity” members. The FIERCE 49-year leases. It would increase officials recently and identified munity Board 2. & 10:30 p.m.; Apr. 19, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $36 ($32 on Apr. 19) at comixny.com, or $41 ($37 on Apr. 19) at the door. There ᭤ IRAQ, from p.2 were being targeted for belong- recent media reports this month facing gay Iraqis and act deci- is a two-item minimum. ing to Iraqi LGBT, saying that by such diverse sources as the sively to save those threatened ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯ Department spokesman to homosexuality “is immaterial Times, Reuters, CNN, and the with death. Edge.boston.com, a gay news to Iraqis.” Fleming, according British dailies The Independent PERFORMANCE website, raises concerns that to Edge, stated, “Frankly, there and The Guardian, confirming Iraqi LGBT is desperately in Glitter and Be Gay the US may not yet be taking are other issues they are con- Gay City News’ three years of need of contributions to finance Longtime cabaret favorite Barbara the charges seriously, despite cerned about like basic surviv- reporting. its work in Iraq. Donations may Cook presents “Here’s To Life,” selec- the congressman’s recent visit. al, getting food and water. It’s This State Department staff- be made on credit cards through tions from the worlds of theater, swing, The site quoted John Flem- a luxury for the average Iraqi er’s statement suggests rather PayPal on the group’s web site pop, and jazz, including “What A Wonder- ing, public affairs officer for the to worry about homosexual- strongly the urgent need to keep at http://iraqilgbtuk.blogspot. ful World,” “Written In The Stars,” “I Want State Department’s Bureau of ity.” This statement by Fleming, up the pressure on the Obama com/. Doug Ireland can be To Be Happy,” and numbers from her new- Near Eastern Affairs, as pooh- who served a year in Iraq under administration and Secretary reached through his blog, DIRE- est CD, “Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder.” poohing the notion that the the Bush administration, is, of State Hillary Clinton to thor- LAND, at http://direland.type- Lee Musiker heads an all-star quintet in five gay men facing execution of course, contradicted by the oughly investigate the dangers pad.com/direland/. accompaniment. Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, 540 Park Ave. at 61st St. Apr. 17 & 24, May 1, 8 p.m.; Apr. 18 & 25, ᭤ BRIEFS, from p.9 LGBT Protest The protestors will have a non- rhetoric of the Vatican, which ACLU to May 2, 8 & 10:30 p.m.; April 19, 21-23, of Vatican in violence training on April 21 at labels gay people “objectively Tennessee: 28-30, 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $88-$110 at in Washington by MSNBC host New York April 8 p.m. at the Church of St. Paul’s disordered” and “intrinsically Stop the feinsteinsattheregency.com. Rachel Maddow as “a man who 22-23 and St. Andrews’s United Meth- evil,” as “a daily threat to Ameri- Censorship ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯ has had very many adventures in SoulForce, the LGBT group odist at 263 West 86th Street; it can LGBTQ people.” SoulForce The American Civil Liberties life, every one of which I know founded by the Rev. Mel White to is required for those who intend wrote the papal nuncio (ambas- Union reported that as many as Defying Gravity about has turned out to be remark- fight anti-gay bigotry, especially to engage in nonviolent civil sador) six months ago “asking 107 public school districts in Ten- Elizabeth Streb and her Action Fac- ably successful.” Strub, who is in religion, is planning to vigil at disobedience. On both days at 9 him to sign the UN’s Declara- nessee are “illegally preventing tion take a closer look at the ordinary, living with HIV, called the group the Office of the Ambassador of a.m., they will meet at the Mar- tion on Sexual Orientation and students from accessing online inanimate things around us in “Streb: he will lead “a shining example of the Vatican to the United Nations ble Collegiate Church at 1 West Gender Identity” and to ask the information” on LGBT subjects. In Catapult,” the company’s spring season. the cable and telecommunications on April 22 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) 29th Street, before proceeding pope to cease his anti-gay pro- a letter to several of the districts, David van Tieghem’s sinuous, evocative industries’ commitment to the and 23 (10 a.m. –noon) at 25 to the ambassador’s office. nouncements, but has received communities they serve. East 39th Street in Manhattan. White calls the anti-gay no response. ᭤ BRIEFS, continued on p.15 ᭤ APR 17, continued on p.15