Stonewall Advocate August 2015
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Stonewall Advocate August 2015 “50 years ago, President Lyndon Indicted Texas Attorney General B. Johnson and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. challenged us all to look Ken Paxton Relents, Issues into our hearts and understand that it’s wrong to deny our fellow Corrected Document to Widower Americans the right to vote. LBJ, a bold Texas Democrat, took a shouldn't have had to fight. stand for justice and signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Especially considering that at the dream of finally being able to ex- heart of that landmark case was a ercise the fundamental right to narrative nearly identical to Stone- vote in all corners of our country Hoskins's: The state of Ohio refused became more of a reality. to amend the death certificate of Jim Obergefell's husband to reflect their “Today, our country is freer and marriage. stronger because of the Voting Rights Act. We became a more Even after U.S. District Judge Orlan- perfect union through the perse- do Garcia ruled on July 7 that, no, verance, hard work, and empathy John Stone-Hoskins with his husband's amended death certificate. Texas cannot enforce any laws pro- of so many courageous Ameri- hibiting same-sex marriage cans. But the dark days of our Via the Houston Press rights, the state had refused to rec- country’s past were not so long ognize same-sex marriages on criti- ago. Although we have made The first thing John Stone-Hoskins cal documents like birth and death tremendous strides to end racial did after the U.S. Supreme Court certificates. discrimination and prejudice, the legalized gay marriage was call to dream is still at arms length.” have his husband's death certificate Attorney General Ken Paxton had set amended. Because instead of cele- —Texas Democratic Party the tone early for Texas's resistance brating, he was mourning. Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa to a Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality. Following the rul- An employee with Texas Depart- ing, Paxton wrote two statements in ment of State Health Services an- which he called the ruling “flawed” — swered the phone. As Stone- three sentences in a row — and also Hoskins remembers it, the state “lawless,” “disturbing” and “a dilution worker told him they would not be of marriage as a societal institution.” adhering to the court's ruling — in In response to John Stone-Hoskins's turn refusing to recognize Stone- simple request for an amended death Hoskins's marriage on his husband's certificate, Paxton's office has said death certificate. He called again the that it is a “complex, fact-specific in- Stonewall Democrats next day. Same response. His late quiry” that must be “resolved in sub- husband, James, would remain sequent legal proceedings.” of Dallas listed as "single," as if their ten-year PO Box 192305 relationship never existed. Paxton even argued that it wasn't Dallas, TX 75219 clear if the Supreme Court ruling ap- It was the beginning of a legal battle plied to cases like that of Stone- (214) 506-DEMS that, given the landmark Supreme Hoskins — despite the fact that that Court case, Stone-Hoskins and was exactly what stonewalldemocratsofdallas.org countless others like him feel they continued on pg. 2 Page 2 The Stonewall Advocate August 2015 Death Certificate Issued, Cont’ News Jim Obergefell had argued and won in the Supreme Court. Finally, on August 5, the day after he Briefs turned 37, Stone-Hoskins won and received his amended death certifi- SDD Updates cate. It was like a grim, belated birth- day present. Atty. General Ken Please join us for our August Stone- wall Democrats of Dallas meeting And it only took a court order and a Paxton Charged with taking place on Tuesday, August contempt-of-court threat against Pax- Securities Fraud 18th at Ojeda’s Restaurant, 4617 ton and Interim Commissioner of the Maple Ave. Via The New York Times Texas Department of State Health Services Kirk Cole to get the state to An informal social period beings at put hyphens between “Stone” and McKINNEY, Tex. — Ken Paxton, 6:00 PM. The meeting begins at “Hoskins” and add the words the Texas attorney general, was promptly at 6:30 PM. “surviving partner” to a death certifi- arrested on felony charges Monday cate. and booked at the county jail in this Our special guest speakers is: Dallas suburb after a grand jury indicted him last week for securities Stone-Hoskins is a man of exactness Texas Comptroller Nominee fraud, the start of a criminal case who remembers dates, times, facts. It Mike Collier that could complicate and even has been 206 days since James com- jeopardize his tenure as the state’s mitted suicide. They had been togeth- Mike will discuss his vision for top lawyer. er a total of ten years, four months, 23 turning Texas BLUE in the coming days. But Stone-Hoskins is terminally few years! ill, and the number one doctor gave Mr. Paxton, 52, smiled as he stood him is less exact, anywhere from 45 for a booking photograph at Collin This will be an informative meet- to 60 days. He's suffering from can- County Jail, nine months after win- ing, so please join us and bring a cer, liver disease, neuropathy from ning election as the chief law en- friend! the metal rods in his back that make forcement officer of Texas. his legs and hands unsteady. He'll go ______________________ nearly all day without eating or drink- The grand jury... charged him with ing, his body no longer urging him two counts of securities fraud and along with hunger pangs or thirst. “It one count of acting as an invest- Please visit the F.A.Q. Tab on the could be two minutes from now, two ment adviser representative without Stonewall Democrats of Dallas months from now — who knows?” being registered with the state se- website for additional information on Stone-Hoskins says. curities board. (Read about the how to renew your membership. watchdog firm responsible here.) Thank you to all of our new mem- bers and renewing members. Your Urgent: Dallas Trans Woman Murdered, support is critical to our ongoing success. DPD Needs Leads Sustaining Memberships start at the Medical District. Schuler’s body A 22-year-old woman found just $10/month or $120/year. was badly decomposed, according dead last month in Dallas is the 13th to police, and it took them nearly two transgender person murdered in the Please help us continue our good weeks to identify her. US this year, eclipsing the total from work by renewing, or revising your all of 2014. member-ship level at: Please contact Detective Chaney at On Monday, police identified the 214-671-3650; case #174511-2015. http:www.stonewalldemocratsofdall body of Shade Schuler, which they (And a big thanks to Nell Gaither for correcting Ms. as.org/membership found July 29 in a vacant field just Schuler’s gender description in both DPD press west of 5600 Riverside Drive, near releases and media reports.) August 2015 The Stonewall Advocate Page 3 President’s on Faux News, but the good news is we will have the opportunity to watch serious candidates this Au- Corner tumn beginning on Tuesday By Jay Narey, President evening, October 13th. Stonewall Democrats of Dallas The Dallas County Democratic Party Get ready Stonewall we’ve got a is hosting a Democratic candidate lot of events coming up over the debate watch party at the Angelika next month or so. Film Center at Mockingbird Station. We hope you can join us. August Meeting You can become a Sponsor quickly and easily online at: Visit the event Facebook Page at: First, is our August meeting where www.stonewalldemocratsofdallas.or g/donate and just note “Trivia Spon- https://www.facebook.com/ our guest speaker this month is events/301469453310704 Comptroller Nominee Mike Collier sor” in the “comments” section. on Tuesday the 18th. Mike will pre- That’s it for this month – stay cool sent the results of his “listening All of our Sponsors are invited to a Pre-Trivia reception at 2:30 pm be- and well hydrated out there every- tour” from across Texas following one! JAY the 2014 election. fore our Game begins at 3 pm. Annual Stonewall Fundraiser Labor Day Then coming up on Sunday after- After what promises to be an excit- noon August 30th, is our 2015 an- ing and relaxed Sunday-Funday af- nual fundraiser. We wanted to ternoon event, then we have the keep the fun in fundraiser this year annual Dallas County Democratic so we will be playing “Political Triv- Party Labor Day Picnic just a week ia” to test your knowledge on Na- later on Sunday, September 7th. tional, State, Local, and LGBT poli- Stonewall is a sponsor of the DCDP tics. Labor Day Picnic. We even have prizes for the smart- Then on Tuesday, September 15th DCDP Labor Day Picnic est team. Our event MC will be is our September monthly member- Celebrate Labor Day at the 18th An- Dallas entertainment icon Edna ship meeting. nual Dallas County Democratic Party Jean Robinson who is very excited Labor Day Picnic on Monday, Sep- about hosting this event and she Pride Parade tember 7, 2015. From noon to 4 PM, will probably even do a number or join your fellow Democrats, including two for us during the show! You But let’s go ahead and fill up our elected officials and candidates. We won’t want to miss it. calendar with the Alan Ross Dallas will meet again at the usual place, Pride Parade on Sunday, September 4930 Military Parkway [the former I would like to personally ask you 20th ! Catholic Czech Club], Dallas 75227.