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Volume #4 Issue #8 /August, 2014

from msnbc.com and towleroad.com OBAMA SIGNS HISTORIC ORDER ON LGBT EQUALITY By Emma Margolin and Andy Towle

Six years after promising to do so, President Barack Obama added his signature on Monday to an executive order barring LGBT discrimination by federal contractors. He also went further and formally amended a separate executive order to include workplace protections for transgender employees of the U.S. government.

“I know I’m a little late,” said Obama, referring to the near-30 minute delay of Monday’s signing ceremony (though some might argue that it was a delay of six years and 30 minutes). “Many of you have worked for a long time to see this day come.”

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe — a Democrat whose first order of business after his inauguration was to sign an executive order prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the state government — Deputy Secretary of Labor Chris Lu, and a number of LGBT workplace equality advocates joined the president for the announcement. Obama declared that, as of Monday, the federal government would “become just a little bit fairer.”

“For more than two centuries we have strived, often at great cost, to form a more perfect union,” said Obama. “Many of us are only here because others fought to secure rights and opportunities for us. We’ve got a responsibility to do the same for future generations.”

Though the order won’t protect all LGBT employees, it will apply to approximately 20% of the national workforce, which is the percentage employed by federal contractors legally bound to comply with the order. To cover the remaining 80%, the president urged Congress to act on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). If passed, the law would bar any employer from firing, refusing to hire, or otherwise discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. A version of ENDA was first proposed on the House floor in 1974. Cont’d on page 2 2

HISTORIC ORDER, cont’d from page 1

“Congress has spent 40 years — four decades — considering legislation that would help solve the problem. That’s a long time,” said Obama. “But I want to do what I can with the authority I have to act. The rest of you of course need to keep putting pressure on Congress to pass federal legislation that would resolve this problem once and for all.”

Religious Exemption

The latest version of ENDA passed the U.S. Senate last year, but failed to go anywhere in the Republican-controlled House. After the U.S. Supreme Court issued a controversial ruling allowing companies like Hobby Lobby, a craft store chain owned by evangelical Christian family, to be exempt from contraception- related provisions under the Affordable Care Act, LGBT advocates walked away from ENDA in its current form because the bill contained a broad religious exemption. Last week, the White House announced that Monday’s executive order would not include a similar exemption despite pressure from high- profile faith leaders — some of whom are Obama’s allies — to create one for religious organizations in business with the U.S. government. Whatever their religious beliefs, all federal contractors will be prohibited from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“[Obama’s] decision not to include a new religious exemption is a testament to his understanding of religious freedom,” said Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, president of Interfaith Alliance, in a statement. “We cannot secure the separation of church and state if religious organizations are allowed to use federal money to pursue a sectarian agenda. This executive order is an important step toward ensuring that public money does not fund religiously motivated discrimination.”

Since taking office, Obama has made tremendous strides for LGBT equality — enough to earn him a reputation as “the first gay president.” Along with his overseeing the demise of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which was the military’s ban on openly gay service members, and becoming the first sitting president to publicly endorse same-sex marriage, many view Obama’s action on LGBT workplace equality as “the third leg of the stool.”

“While there remains much work still to do to achieve the goal of full civil rights protections for LGBT people, we must take time to celebrate the landmarks along the way,” said to ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero in a statement. “This is a huge win.”

Here are details from the White House on the executive order President Obama signed barring LGBT discrimination by federal contractors:

Executive Order 11246, issued by President Lyndon B. Johnson, prohibits federal contractors from discriminating “against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.” President Obama’s Executive Order will add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected categories.

President Obama’s Executive Order does not allow for any exemption beyond the one added by Executive Order 13279, issued by President George W. Bush, which permits religiously affiliated contractors to favor individuals of a particular religion when making employment decisions, by specifying that Executive Order 11246, “shall not apply to a Government contractor or subcontractor that is a religious corporation, association, educational institution, or society, with respect to the employment of individuals of a particular religion to perform work connected with the carrying on by such corporation, association, educational institution, or society of its activities. Such contractors and

subcontractors are not exempted or excused from complying with the other requirements contained in this Order.” In

addition, under the First Amendment, religious entities are permitted to make employment decisions about their ministers as they see fit. Cont’d on page 3 3

HISTORIC ORDER, cont’d from page 2

Executive Order 11246 governs only federal contractors and federally-assisted construction contractors and subcontractors who do over $10,000 in Government business in one year. It does not affect grants and President Obama’s Executive Order does not impact the administration of federal grants. The Order is administered and enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). As part of these duties, OFCCP conducts compliance reviews, receives complaints from individuals who believe they have been discriminated against, and provides technical assistance to contractors regarding their contractual obligations. More information can be found at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

Executive Order 11478, issued by President Nixon, bars discrimination against federal employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and age, and was amended by Executive Order 13087, issued by President Clinton, to include sexual orientation.

President Obama’s Executive Order will add gender identity to the list of protected categories. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other federal agencies already apply Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect federal employees from discrimination on the basis of gender identity as a form of sex discrimination. The President believes it is important to explicitly prohibit – in both Executive Action and in legislation – discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

NOTES FROM CASA Q

The Art Auction was a HUGE success

Thanks to everyone who made our Art Auction event at the house into a HUGE success. We had roughly 125 guests who got to see the house and hear about our plans. That included three elected officials: State Representative Elect Debbie Armstrong, County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins, and City Councilor Debbie Gibson. Money is still coming in as there were just a few unsold pieces, but the event already raised roughly $8,000. Kudos again to event chairs Erica Bearman and Chris Papaleo.

Hiring for a Program Manager

We have great candidates for Program Manager, so the posting is now closed. More news coming soon.

The Kitchen is Done!

We now have a brand new and fully functional kitchen in the house. It even has a full set of brand new appliances including an extra oversized freezer, thanks to generous support from Bernalillo County Commissioners Maggie Hart Stebbins and Lonnie Talbert!

We Received Our Second Grant From A Private Foundation!

We just got the great news that we were awarded another $10,000 grant from a private foundation. That’s two! Thanks to the FHL Foundation of New Mexico for their generosity!

LGBTQ Youth Can Have a Bright Future

A recent series of articles in The Advocate shows that LGBTQ youth facing homelessness can have a bright future. Many have progressed to become community leaders. Programs such as Casa Q play a key part: http://www.advocate.com/youth/2014/06/06/meet-lgbt-leaders-who-used-be-homeless Cont’d on page 4

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CASA Q cont’d from page 3

Another Interesting Article

Another interested article about services for LGBTQ youth facing homelessness. It notes that they are even harder to reach and face greater struggles than their heterosexual counterparts: http://www.theatlanticcities.com/housing/2014/01/particular-challenge-helping-homeless-lgtbq-youth/8212/

We want everyone to stay informed. If you got this email from a friend, drop us a note at [email protected] and we’ll add you to the list. You can also “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CasaQNM to get regular updates.

As always, you can safely donate by check or credit card. Please visit our website for details: http://www.casaq.org/#!donations/c1jxp

Thanks for your ongoing generous support!

Andrew Gans and Cristy Carbon-Gaul Casa Q Board Co-Chairs

TAOS PRIDE

Taos Pride is August 14-16, 2014. This is our 5th Annual Taos Pride Celebration and we have some very special new events including our first ever Taos Pride Parade!! Here is a schedule of events:

Thursday, August 14, 2014 Kick off Taos Pride weekend with a FREE event at the Hotel Don Fernando. Live music by popular high-energy local band, Mesa Jam with some special guests starting at 7pm! No cover.

Friday, August 15, 2014 The Gayest Dance Party EVER!!! Featuring the return of DJ Scoobie to Taos Pride! Starts at 9pm at Casa Los Cordovas. $5 cover. Cont’d on page 5

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TAOS PRIDE cont’d from page 4

Saturday, August 16, 2014 - 4 Events!

1. First EVER Taos Pride Parade! The route will be along Paseo del Pueblo from the Taos County Complex heading north to Kit Carson Park. Parade scheduled to begin at 10am. Visit taospride.org if you would like to be IN the parade!

2. Pride in the Park FREE, all-ages event in Kit Carson Park begins right after the Parade. We have fabulous entertainment onstage from Noon-5pm, vendors, delicious food, a beer garden AND the Taos County Clerk will be issuing marriage licenses and we will have a judge available to marry you on-site!!! Look for the specific times and information about the weddings on our website at taospride.org.

3. Mary Gauthier Live in Concert!!! Thanks to Mattress Mary and Taos Lifestyle Productions, Mary Gauthier will be performing live during Taos Pride weekend at the Old County Courthouse on Taos Plaza! Doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7:30pm and tickets are only $15 at http://holdmyticket.com/event/176888. This event is likely to sell out, so you want to purchase your tickets early online!!! For more information on the amazing Mary Gauthier, visit www.marygauthier.com.

4. The Gayest Drag Show EVER!!! This annual event has become the hottest show of the year! Featuring Fabulous Queens AND Kings from The United Courts of the Sandias, this show is at the Alley Cantina just around the corner from Mary Gauthier's concert and will begin after Mary Gauthier Mary's show is over around 9pm and dancing with DJ Scoobie will continue into the night! The cover on this show is $10 and you must be 21or over to enter the Alley Cantina. This crowd is always at capacity, so you want to claim your spot for the amazing Drag performances!

Please go to www.taospride.org or friend us on Facebook under "Taos Pride" for more information!

Taos Pride's mission is to create community events to celebrate diversity, increase awareness and provide a safe place to be exactly who you are!

AVERS CELEBRATES ANNUAL BASH

Come one, come all to great fun before the summer ends with your friends at American Veterans for Equal Rights. We are celebrating our annual yearly bash, and a time to get together and enjoy each other's company on Saturday, 9 August 2014 from 11 AM to 3 PM.

Michael Burdick and Renato Estacio are hosting AVER and our Allies at their home in Glenwood Hills in Albuquerque. Their home is wonderfully large with multiple shaded patios, a large pool and easy to find. There's also a relaxing man cave, basketball half court, and horse shoes. Bring your guest as it's a great opportunity for camaraderie and to make new friends. Cont’d on page 6

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AVERS Cont’d on page 5

A short business meeting will begin at 11 AM where we will present our annual awards. At NOON, the fun and food begins with swimming, water volleyball and savory bar-b-qued burgers, and dogs. Those who need to leave early, may do so while others may stay, swim and play water volleyball.

To receive directions to the bar-b-que and so that we have enough good food, please RSVP as soon as possible, but not later than Thursday, 6 August 2014 to Denee at 505-688-1652 or Stephani at 505-401-4186 or reply to this email. More information will follow soon.

Come join us for the fun and fellowship.

Veterans Proudly serving since Valley Forge!

Denee Mallon President Bataan Chapter American Veterans for Equal Rights www.aver.us

Albuquerque Sunday Night Out Albuquerque's Only GLBT Bowling League

SUNDAY NIGHT OUT BOWLING LEAGUE STARTING

It's almost time for league to start again and I'm calling all family and friends! (See Schedule on page 11.)

The new season begins August 3, 2014. For more information, go to http://abq-sno.org. League meeting for New Bowlers and team captains at 4:45pm in the Bar at Holiday. League bowling starts at 5:50pm with 10 mins of practice and league at 6pm. Cont’d on page 7

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SUNDAY NIGHT OUT Cont’d on page 6

If you need a team, we can get you placed on one or if you have a team, that's great as well. A full team consists of four bowlers with up to two alternates for a total of six that may belong to a team, but only four bowl every week.

League fees are $16 per week and if you are not currently sanctioned by USBC, it will be a $21 fee that is renewable once a year. (House ball and shoes are included in league fee, if needed.) We bowl for 18 weeks (17 weeks league and 1 Fun Night/Awards). Sunday nights, 5:50pm practice starts at Holiday Bowl, Lomas/Pennsylvania.

Be aware that Leisure Bowl is across the street. We bowl at HOLIDAY.

We are not a competitive league. We are a social league. We don't care how you bowl, just that you want to have fun and enjoy everyone's company!

Fun Bowl

We have an upcoming Fun Bowl on Saturday, 7/12, at 6:30pm at Silva Lanes. The cost for this event is $15 and includes three games, ball and shoes if needed. (Like the Sunday Night Out FB page for updated information on bowling and events).

Annual Albuquerque Roadrunner Tournament

Also, we have our Annual Albuquerque Roadrunner Tournament September 12-14th. WWW.beepbeepbowl.org. This is a handicap tournament and we have fun! You do not have to be a high average bowler to enjoy our tournament! It's fun and we have people come from multiple states to bowl!!! Registration is now open!

Please feel free to contact me directly.

Thank you, Gina Sunday Night Out Secretary/Treasurer

ROADRUNNER BOWLING TOURNAMENT TAKING REGISTRATIONS

We are gearing up for TART (The Roadrunner Bowling Tournament) and preparing for everyone to join us for this year's tournament!

Registration for THE ALBUQUERQUE ROADRUNNER TOURNAMENT (TART) is now Live and Ready for you! http://beepbeepbowl.org/entry/

WHEN: September 12-14, 2014 WHERE: ABQ, of course WHAT: FUN, FUN, FUN http://beepbeepbowl.org/

Note: Hotel rates are only guaranteed through August 15th!!!!!

See you in September!

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BARDS & BAKERS: QUEER POETRY SLAM MEETS QUEER BAKE-OFF

Saturday, August 16th, 7pm North 4th Arts Center 4904 4th St NW

GLSEN Albuquerque & All Families Matter Coalition present an evening celebrating the creativity of the LGBTQ Community sponsored by EQNM & Pie Pals.

Bards & Bakers: Queer Poetry Slam meets Queer Bake-off will feature Local Slam Poets, Bake-Off Awards Ceremony & Bake-Off Auction. This fundraiser event will benefit the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) of Albuquerque to support safer schools for all by providing Professional Development and resources to local educators.

Bake-off entries will be accepted from 6:15-6:45pm. The Queer Bake-Off is open registration for ALL community members with a $1 entry fee!! For Bake-Off guidelines please visit www.queerbakeoff.com

Prizes will be awarded for the following categories:

Pies & Tarts Cakes & Cupcakes Cookies & Bars Other Delectables Gluten Free AND Best of Show Over the Top & Queerest!

For more info please contact: GLSEN Albuquerque: [email protected] or All Families Matter Coalition: [email protected]

GLSEN Albuquerque strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

GLSEN Website: http://glsen.org/chapters/Albuquerque Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GLSENABQ Follow us on Twitter: @GLSEN_ABQ

WOMEN’S CHORUS ANNOUNCES NEW SEASON

The New Mexico Women's Chorus announces the start of its Fall-Winter Concert season with open rehearsals starting August 25th through September 15th. These rehearsals allow interested women to "try us out," rather than the other way 'round. The Chorus is based in Albuquerque, with membership from as near as Los Lunas and as far as Santa Fe.

We are a non-auditioned all-women chorus that welcomes ALL levels of musical experience. We strive to promote the strength, power, diversity and beauty of our community in our choice of music. We promote culturally diverse women- authored and feminist music.

New members can look forward to having fun and working hard to produce memorable performances for our audiences. Rehearsals are every Monday in Albuquerque from 6:30 to 8:30 at First Congregational Church, corner of Lomas & Girard. Dues are $50 each season. No one is turned away for lack of resources.

For more information visit www.nmwomenschorus.org

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For more information and to register your interest, go to nmgmc.org and click on “Join Us.”

Season Ticket Subscriptions

Concerts of the 2014/2015 Season include: 2014 Holiday - December 2015 Winter Cabaret - March 2015 Auction - April 2015 Pride – June

$40 - $54

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NM OLOC Older Lesbians Organizing for Change [email protected] MEETING SCHEDULE -

2014ALBUQURQUE PUBLIC LIBRARIES

DATE LOCATION STATUS CONTACT LOCATION 06.21.14 Potluck 2 - 4 pm TBA 07.19.14 Cherry Hills 2 - 4 pm Ann 6901 Barstow St NE 08.16.14 Special Pending Ann 423 Central Ave NE Collections 09.20.14 Potluck 2 - 4 pm TBA 10.18.14 South Valley 2 - 4 pm Nyira 3904 Isleta Blvd SW 11.15.14 Cherry Hills Pending Ann 6901 Barstow St NE 12.20.14 Potluck 2 - 4 pm TBA

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

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Saturday, June 13, 2015 Albuquerque Pride Announces the Date for Pride 2015

The Albuquerque Pride Board would like to thank you for your participation in the Albuquerque Pride Parade and PrideFest 2014. We wanted you to be the first to know and save the date for Pride 2015.

Need additional information? abqpride.com

Your participation and The Pride Parade Albuquerque Pride continues to contributions help us bring continues to be the support local entertainment and headlining entertainment and second largest parade in to bring a safe place for dance, help our Titleholders to continue New Mexico bringing over music, friendship, expression, their work as the face of New 40,000 spectators and art, fun and diversity. Mexico's Pride! over 90 parade entries showing their support for

the LGBTIQ community.

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from theguardian.com HOMOPHOBIA IS DEEP-ROOTED, RIFE – AND ULTIMATELY DOOMED A study shows gay men are seen as a contaminant. But as gender roles become more fluid, old prejudices will surely die by Owen Jones

Who knew cleaning wipes had so many diverse uses? Removing spilt pasta sauce from dining tabletops; exterminating bacteria in kitchens; wiping away the gay. According to recently research released (http://www.gold.ac.uk/news/homepage- news/heterosexualpeopledemonstrateneedtophysicallycleanseatthethoughtofcontactwithgaymen.php), straight people show the need to "physically cleanse" at the very thought of contact with gay men. "Yuck", was my initial reaction – sadly, a response reciprocated among many of the study's participants – but they do provide a fascinating insight into what makes homophobia tick.

Let me explain what the researchers at Goldsmiths University found. In the first study, British students who were asked to imagine borrowing a phone from a gay man came up with significantly more words about cleansing in a word-completion task. In another study, Portuguese students were offered either a yellow pencil or yellow disinfecting wipe after the experiment; those who imagined borrowing a phone from a gay man were more likely to choose the wipe. And, finally, Polish students – again asked to imagine borrowing a phone from a gay man – expressed a preference for cleaning products. Seems pretty definitive: on a subconscious level, gay men are seen as a contaminant, something to be washed away. "Ugh, I've got gay on me!", if you will.

As a gay man, maybe I should be hurt, hesitant in future to offer my hand in greeting to another person in case I trigger a subconscious urge to reach for the anti-bacterial gel. But actually the findings intrigued me, because prejudice can only be washed away (if you will) when it is understood. One possible explanation is what you could call an HIV/Aids crisis hangover. HIV was, after all, once the "gay plague" (Aids was originally christened Grid – gay related immune deficiency); good old-fashioned homophobia fused with the dread of a frightening illness. From my experience, this isn't a phenomenon exclusive to straight people: some gay men admit that their own chronic fear of HIV is down to an internalised sense of shame. But actually, Agnieszka Golec de 'The more conservative the man, the stronger the impulse to wash away gay contact – which is a Zavala – one of the researchers – tells me this is one of the menace to their identity.' -- Agnieszka Golec de Zavala least interesting explanations.

The most compelling theory is that this impulse to scrub off gayness has everything to do with group identity. Cleansing is about separating: it has "a very social meaning" as de Zavala puts it. If you have established a clear division with another group, that they are "the other", and you convince yourself that you have nothing in common with them, then any form of interaction becomes contamination. It makes sense: cleansing is often used as a metaphor to separate ourselves from groups we disapprove of. How many of us have joked "I hope you had a bath afterwards!" to a friend who has spent time with some perceived undesirables? In its most sinister form, cleansing has underpinned the rhetoric of racist totalitarian regimes: the Nazis were fixated with "racial purity" and Mussolini was obsessed with the color white. "Ethnic cleansing" is the perverse euphemism for terrorising other ethnic groups. Cont’d on page 22

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HOMOPHOBIA Cont’d from page 21

This entirely gels with a proper understanding of what homophobia is. Rather than a straightforward dislike or fear of gay people, homophobia is often about "gender policing": protecting the boundaries of what it is to be a man. Homophobia is not only directed at gays, after all: straight men suffer it, too. From an early age, those who don't conform to a certain type of masculinity – not being aggressive enough, not speaking about women in sufficiently degrading terms, not being athletic, and so on – risk being labelled a "poof". This has everything to do with sexism and misogyny. Both straight men who don't conform to type and gay men are seen as womanly, and being like a woman is considered degrading.

The rather creepy research findings show that the more conservative the man, the stronger the impulse to wash away gay contact. Hardly surprising: more conservative men tend to have a stronger belief in gender difference, in protecting a more unreconstructed masculinity. Gay men are the ultimate menace to this identity, a threat to heterosexual solidarity: the contagion to be washed away.

That's why – without sounding complacent – homophobia is ultimately doomed. Being a man isn't a static concept. Before the 18th century, it was widely believed that men and women were part of the same sex, and that women's vaginas were actually penises tucked inside the body. The idea of a rigid division between the genders only became dominant in the 19th century: but, with the rise of the women's and LGBT movements, this division has been dramatically eroded. According to the Social Attitudes Survey, in 1987, nearly half of Britons agreed that "a man's job is to earn money; a woman's job is to look after the home and family"; but that has now toppled to around one in 10. The number of "househusbands" has trebled in 15 years (admittedly from a low base); men are more open about their feelings (though not enough); male grooming is projected to be worth £1.1bn by 2017; and polls show young people overwhelmingly back gay rights and are far more likely to have gay friends than their grandparents. The old binary divisions are being swept away.

Sexism – and its bastard offspring, homophobia – still abound, of course. But because of the struggle of the women's and LGBT movements, identities are now more fluid and the urge to protect an oppressive, unreconstructed form of "manliness" becomes weaker. A society free of sexism and homophobia won't just emancipate women and gay men: it will free straight men, too.

from thedailybeast.com INSIDE THE IMPLOSION OF GOPROUD, THE RIGHT’S MOST NOTORIOUS PRO-GAY GROUP by Tim Mak GOProud was the loudest gay voice on the political right. They were the talk of Republican circles—and not all of it nice. Then it all fell apart.

There was a time when GOProud was the loudest gay voice on the political right. Then, a year ago, after it lost its foremost donor and couldn’t find a successor, its brand was sold off for scraps.

Reports began trickling out in the press this week that GOProud had decided to close up shop. In truth, the original organization functionally folded a year ago, The Daily Beast has learned. And the attempts to reboot GOProud are being actively mocked by the men who founded the group.

The decline of GOProud is a prime example of what happens to an organization that rises to prominence through confrontation—and never bothers to do the grunt work needed to sustain the outfit, once the outrage dies down. It was feisty and controversial—a Tea Party, of sorts, to the more establishment-minded Log Cabin Republicans. It was an organization running on a shoestring budget that elbowed its way into the conservative conversation. Cont’d on page 23

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IMPLOSION OF GOPROUD Cont’d from page 22

They outed a Rick Perry pollster in December 2011; they endorsed Mitt Romney, who opposed same-sex marriage; they got into social-media fights with all comers; and they called conservative activist Cleta Mitchell a “bigot,” not especially helpful considering she was on a board that would decide whether they could sponsor the Conservative Political Action Conference, a longtime GOProud goal.

Donor Unease

For many supporters of GOProud, being called a “troll” was a badge of honor. Their goal from the start was to plant a flag in the ground: There are gay conservatives, and here we are.

Others, even those sympathetic to the group, accused it of being a vanity project for its cofounders, Christopher Barron and Jimmy LaSalvia, a platform for the two to pick fights. The two split from the Log Cabin Republicans, which they viewed as too moderate, to form GOProud in 2009.

Unsurprisingly, Barron sees it differently, saying their organization was a voice on “one of the fastest- moving issues of this generation, the gay-rights fight… before GOProud, there was no conversation about gay people being part of the conservative movement.”

But after LGBT rights megadonor Paul Singer* stopped funding them, the gig was up. Jimmy LaSalvia (l) and Chris Barron Over the course of GOProud’s existence, Singer donated $570,000 to the group—representing two-thirds of its fundraising since its founding. He made his last contribution in August 2012, according to federal campaign-finance documents. It was around this time that Singer was changing his strategy: divesting in certain groups to focus on state-based gay-rights initiatives in places like New York, New Hampshire, and California.

Barron and LaSalvia, who had been the faces of the organization since its start, couldn’t make up the difference. Said a GOP strategist who works on gay-rights issues, “GOProud’s issues actually began before Chris and Jimmy exited the organization… donor unease had been building,”

GOProud had been a group known for its pugilism, not its donor development. “There just wasn’t time for [LaSalvia] to do donor cultivation,” said Lisa DePasquale, who served both on GOProud’s board as a member and as its director. “If I had to do it all over again, we should have [spent more time on it].” (Full disclosure: Margaret Hoover, wife of Daily Beast Editor in Chief John Avlon, was on GOProud’s advisory council for a time.) Cont’d on page 24

Singer’s unwillingness to donate further and the group’s financial situation, multiple sources say, led to the departure of cofounders Barron and LaSalvia. 24

IMPLOSION OF GOPROUD Cont’d from page 23

Singer’s unwillingness to donate further and the group’s financial situation, multiple sources say, led to the departure of cofounders Barron and LaSalvia.

Both of them argue that they were simply burned out after four years at the helm, and it was just time to move on. “Paul was a big donor to the organization for a couple of years, but GOProud was never an organization with deep pockets. We were able to do a whole lot on an incredibly tight budget for years,” Barron said.

In the summer of 2013, LaSalvia and Barron sold GOProud’s brand name, one of the organization’s computers, a contact list, and some posters to three former interns, and stepped away from the day-to-day management of the group.

Paul Singer Matt Bechstein, now the executive director of what is left of GOProud, said they purchased it for less than three figures. Barron said it was a nominal amount, $1. “It certainly wasn’t fair market value,” Barron said.

Long Time Coming

In a way, GOProud had already died last summer. The former interns only filed the necessary paperwork to organize “GOProud 2.0” in January 2014. Bechstein had purchased a brand that was in bad shape. “There was donor discontent, the organization was broke, they were having difficulty raising money, and they ruined just about every relationship possible,” Bechstein said, referring to the former management.

The future of GOProud, once a leading voice for gay conservatives, looks bleak. The organization still exists in theory, but it now faces the possibility of shutting down, changing its name, or changing its organizational type. “There’s high amounts of chaos and confusion,” he said, since any remaining donors have been spooked by reports that the group is closing down. Matt Bechstein

There’s no love lost between the former leadership and the current leadership. “Most people assume GOProud died a year ago. GOProud was constantly part of the conversation, shaking things up. Over the last year… I never heard from GOProud. Quite frankly, I don’t know what they’ve done over the past year. I’ve seen nothing,” Barron said.

Countered Bechstein, “They’ve been antagonistic to me since Day One… we came to be the antithesis of Jimmy and Chris, who ruined the organization.”

GOProud first elbowed its way into the conservative movement in the spring of 2009, but struggled in its early days as a startup. Really, it was nothing more than Barron and LaSalvia and a Twitter account, crammed into a Capitol Hill basement office for which they paid $800 a month. The group’s first acts were small. Fundraising during its launch netted only about $3,000, LaSalvia said. Cont’d on page 25

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IMPLOSION OF GOPROUD Cont’d from page 24

But GOProud’s prominence really emerged in 2010, after conservative activist Ryan Sorba denounced them from the stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference. “I’d like to condemn CPAC for bringing GOProud to this event,” Sorba told the audience at the annual conservative gathering, to a smattering of boos. “The lesbians at Smith College protest better than you. Bring it.”

LaSalvia, sitting outside the room, looked down at his phone. Just moments after Sorba’s rant, a $500 donation came into GOProud’s account. Many major news outlets at CPAC, eager to write about something other than the typical rotation of politicians coming up to speak on stage, covered Sorba’s outburst. “That’s really when we got famous,” LaSalvia said. Momentum flowed from controversy. They spent their last few hundred dollars on a trip up to New York City, obtaining donor commitments that kept them alive.

That summer, they held a prominent event with Ann Coulter and some 150 supporters at the New York City apartment of billionaire PayPal founder Peter Thiel, which attendees nicknamed “Homocon.” Months later, GOProud targeted four congressional districts with an ad parodying the television show Real Housewives, targeting gay men and women on Bravo and Lifetime, even running the ad during the Project Runway finale.

The 2012 presidential cycle smothered GOProud, LaSalvia argued, saying that the organization’s endorsement of Mitt Romney was a low point. The support of a candidate who opposed same-sex marriage—and the noise of the presidential campaign—combined to make them feel sidelined.

“We were following, we were falling in line… no one was out front that year,” he said.

The highlight of that year, LaSalvia said, was when more than 900 people showed up to GOProud’s 2012 Republican convention party in Tampa Bay, at a gay bar.

[*Ed Note: You might think investor Paul Singer and his $21 billion Elliot Management is the queer community’s hero. Understand that his son is gay. And so he poured $11 million into marriage equality drives since 2001. But on a daily basis he supports less than friendly Republicans and their activities. As described by Mother Jones magazine:

“Singer got his start as a megadonor in the 2004 campaign cycle, when he helped raise Wall Street cash for Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the group that attacked John Kerry's war record in Vietnam. In 2007 he backed Rudy Giuliani's presidential bid, including loaning the former New York City mayor his plane. Singer also secretly funneled $175,000 into a California ballot measure to allocate the state's electoral votes on a proportional basis—a strategic ploy designed to move some of the blue state's votes to the GOP. Singer was instrumental in the selection of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, a fellow fan of laissez-faire capitalism, as Mitt Romney's 2012 running mate; Dan Senor, now a senior adviser at Elliott, was one of the campaign's top foreign policy staffers. (Senor served as the Coalition Provisional Authority spokesman during the early days of the occupation of Iraq, where he once said, "Well, off the record, Paris is burning. But on the record, security and stability are returning to Iraq.") Cont’d on page 26

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IMPLOSION OF GOPROUD Cont’d from page 25

“Recently, Singer has given sizable sums to the billionaire Koch brothers' dark-money projects as well as to the Club for Growth, an anti-tax group that has helped tea partiers oust several mainstream Republicans. He's also donated generously to Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS, and has tapped Susan Ralston, a former aide to Rove and disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, for fundraising help. Elliott Management employees are major backers of virtually every top Republican in Washington, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, as well as 2016 presidential prospects like Ryan and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.”

And then there is the manner in which he makes his money. “Elliott has spent more than a decade waging an aggressive legal campaign to force Argentina to pay down nearly $1.3 billion in sovereign debt accrued in the wake of its 2001 financial meltdown. (Elliott would get about $300 million for bonds that Argentina claims it picked up for $48 million.) Most American banks and other creditors have long since accepted the country's offers to pay off its debts at about 30 percent of their original value. But an Elliott subsidiary has won several federal rulings that have increased the pressure on Buenos Aires.”

“It's not the first time Elliott has put the screws to poor countries. Singer let Peru's rogue President, Alberto Fujimori, flee his nation to avoid murder charges. Singer had seized Fujimori's get-away plane. The Vulture named his price: One of Fujimori's last acts as president before he fled was to order his dirt-poor nation to pay Singer $58 million. Elliot Management had originally purchased Peruvian debt for around $11 million.”

According to jounalist Greg Palast, “Singer's modus operandi is to find some forgotten tiny debt owed by a very poor nation (Peru and Congo were on his menu). He waits for the United States and European taxpayers to forgive the poor nations' debts, then waits at bit longer for offers of food aid, medicine and investment loans. Then Singer pounces, legally grabbing at every resource and all the money going to the desperate country. Trade stops, funds freeze and an entire economy is effectively held hostage.

“Singer demanded $400 million dollars from the Congo for a debt he picked up for less than $10 million. If he doesn't get his 4,000% profit, he can effectively starve the nation. I don't mean that figuratively—I mean starve as in no food. In Congo- Brazzaville last year, one-fourth of all deaths of children under five were caused by malnutrition.”

In short, know who your “friends” are and how they make their money. But his son, Andrew, did marry Corey Morris in Massachusetts. However, as Palast reminds us: Guys like Singer don't pay taxes like you and I do. While we pay taxes on income, the profits from vulture speculation and arbitrage are often recorded as "carried interest," effectively not taxed for years, then when collected, only at a low rate. It's a billion-dollar benefit for the billionaires, and every Republican candidate has sworn to keep this loophole open and make sure you and I pay Singers' taxes for him. So while you might not have been invited to his son Andrew’s wedding, it’s very possible we all helped pay for it.]

Andrew Singer (l) with his father Paul Singer 27

from glad.org DESPITE CHURCH POLICY, METHODIST BISHOP WON'T CHARGE MINSTER FOR BEING OPENLY GAY by Alexandra Bolles

A bishop in the United Methodist Church (UMC) is dropping a complaint against an openly gay minister for being a "self-avowed practicing homosexual." The news was announced by MIND (Methodists in New Directions), the LGBT-affirming reconciling organization for the UMC's New York Annual Conference.

Reverend Sara Thompson Tweedy, who is a steering committee member for MIND, had a complaint filed against her in March 2013 for being openly gay, while the United Methodist Church bans LGBT people from serving as clergy. A dean at SUNY Sullivan, Sara is also married with two children.

Bishop Martin McLee's decision to drop the complaint means that no formal disciplinary charges brought against Rev. Thompson Tweedy.

Reverend Sara Thompson Tweedy Rev. Thompson Tweedy responded to the decision:

In dismissing this case, Bishop McLee has chosen to honor the inclusive and justice-affirming intents of our Book of Discipline over its prejudiced and punitive rules. I have never denied who God created me to be and I have never denied my family. I went through this 14-month ordeal with the same integrity I went through the ordination process with, forthrightly answering questions and not hiding any aspect of my identity or my marriage. If my honesty resulted in my being defined as “self-avowed, practicing homosexual,” I was willing to face those consequences. Bishop McLee’s refusal to seek prosecution offers hope that other LGBTQ seminarians, ordination candidates and ministers in our New York Annual Conference can also live and work openly without fear of losing their jobs and their vocation.

In a statement released in March, regarding charges against Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Ogletree for officiating his gay son's wedding, Bishop McLee said, “I call for and commit to a cessation of church trials for conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions or performing same gender wedding ceremonies and instead offer a process of theological, spiritual and ecclesiastical conversation.” Bishop Martin McLee

As the UMC continues ongoing efforts towards LGBT equality and internal discussions about policies regarding the LGBT community, Bishop McLee's decision—as well as Rev. Thompson Tweedy's advocacy and visibility—are important steps towards making the church inclusive and affirming.

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A group of Christian protesters disrupted the start of Seattle's gay pride parade and got in the face of local drag star Mama Tits, who was not having it:

“I saw them coming up the road pre-Parade and looked at Sylvia and DonnaTella and said, ‘Ladies, let’s make a wall!’ Before I knew it, I was standing tits to nose with the leader guy on the megaphone. It felt like I had the strength of all the people who had ever been hurt by these people standing right behind be me giving me power! I was almost in auto-pilot mode from my days as a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence. I planted myself in his path and wouldn’t move. When he walked around me, I got back in front of him again and again. I stared him in the eyes and could see the pain in his eyes, I could see he was scared and he should have been. He tried to hit me with his sign, but like Bianca Del Rio says 'Not Today, Satan!' pushed his sign away from my face and hair, because you DO NOT TOUCH my hair. And, it was all I could do to NOT get violent, but I didn’t because once that happens, we all lose.”

Reverend Sara Thompson Tweedy

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from anotetomykid.org, newsnet5.com and towleroad.com MOTHER SPEAKS ON BEHALF OF HER TRANSGENDER DAUGHTER by Daniel Villarreal A Letter to the World from Debi about Her Trans Kid

We received, via Facebook, a note in the form of a video link, asking us to take a watch and a listen as a woman took on the myths about transgender kids. [To see video go to http://www.anotetomykid.org/2014/07/a-letter-to-world- from-debi-about-her.html And be sure to read the comments.]

We watched and, well needless to say, we were absolutely blown away by this mom, Debi Jackson, whose letter to her transgender child comes in the form of an open speech to a crowd of people, addressing the inaccuracies that she and her family face every day.

Simply put: this is one rockin' mom. Thanks to her transgender daughter, she has become a fierce political activist for LGBT rights and acceptance. She has also recently started a website for parents of transgender and gender Debi Jackson nonconforming children: trans-parenting.com.

Jackson spoke on the Plaza two months ago at the Listen to your Mother show in Kansas City. The show has women tell five minute stories about motherhood. The stories can be about anything: divorce, funny or serious stories. Anything goes. Her speech defending her transgender child has gone viral.

“I really just expected that over the next year maybe we would get 5 or 6 hundred people who had an interest in our story and want to share it,” Jackson said, “Share it with their family members and friends, something like that. I never expected it to go anywhere beyond that or bigger than that.”

The Huffington Post wrote an article about her speech today, and it went viral. “I had a message from a friend that said, ‘Hey, did you know you are on the Huffington Post?’ I had no idea. When I went to see it, I went to look at the YouTube page,” Jackson said, “It had gone from a hundred video views to several thousand, just like that, in a matter of hours.” The video also got additional help from singer Ricky Martin. He tweeted out a link to the story. Jackson is a huge Ricky Martin fan, and she said he’s her hero. “He’s living such an authentic life and celebrating diversity himself that for him to recognize our story is just mind blowing,” Jackson said, “He said that I’m an extraordinary mom and told people to listen and watch. And he followed me.”

Jackson’s daughter is 7-years-old. She transitioned from male to female when she was 4-years-old. Most important? Jackson swiftly blows away the stereotypes that the parents and allies of LGBTQ people are a one-size fits all group: same race, same religion, same political beliefs. No, there is no catch-all. Because every family is different, every parent is different, and every child is different.

In her heartfelt speech, Jackson describes her daughter’s transition as well as the parental intolerance and ignorant questions raised by others who blame Debi for her daughter’s transition. Debi starts by addressing the charge that she is a left wing liberal pushing a gay agenda. She replies that she is a self-described “conservative southern Baptist Republican” mom from Alabama who wanted a boy. She goes on: Cont’d on page 30

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MOTHER SPEAKS Cont’d from page 29

“’Kids have no idea what they want or who they are. My kid wants to be a dog! Should I let him?’”…

“There’s a profound difference between wanting to be something in imaginary play and in declaring who you are insistently, consistently, and persistently — those are the 3 markers that set transgender children apart, and my daughter displayed all of them.”

“’Kids shouldn’t have to learn about sex at such a young age.’”

Well, I agree, so it’s a good thing that being transgender has nothing to do. Gender identity is strictly about how a person views him or herself on the inside and it is completely separate from who we are attracted to.”

“’God hates transgender people. They are sinners and going to hell.’”

My God taught us to love one another. Jesus sought out those who others rejected. Some people choose to embrace biblical verses that appear to say that transgender people are being wrong. I choose to focus on verses like I Samuel 16:7 which says “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height for I have rejected him.’” The Lord does not look at the things that people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. My daughter is a girl at her heart. She knows it.”

PFLAG’s blog A Note To My Kid is a place where “parents, families friends, and allies of the LGBTQ community the opportunity to share their unconditional love, via notes, photos, and videos.”

from slate.com WHY I’M STILL A BUTCH LESBIAN by Vanessa Vitiello Urquhart

I first began wearing men's clothing a few years ago, because I thought that looking like a lesbian might help me get girls. Once I'd started, I realized almost immediately that I was feeling far more comfortable and confident and that I liked the way I looked in the mirror for the first time in my life. Other people who knew me said I looked more natural, more like my clothing fit my personality. It felt a bit like I'd been wearing an uncomfortable, ill- fitting costume all my life.

As I adjusted to this new information, it was hard not to notice that many of the people who shared my preference for the men's section and my subtly masculine mannerisms had gone a step further and stopped identifying as women entirely. At times, it almost seemed as if, by not throwing my lot in with these pronoun creators and binary-rejecters, I might be just a little bit behind the times—a little square, uncool, perhaps even cis- sexist. Facebook has more than 50 possible gender identifiers. So why have I, a female- bodied person who wears men's clothing, decided to stick with the increasingly old- Vanessa Vitiello Urquhart fashioned “butch lesbian woman”?

In part, it's because the language of gender identity has always been a bit bewildering to me—I've felt hungry, happy, gassy, and anxious, but never male or female. Even so, it has been tempting to interpret my experience in ways that separated it from that of other women. This is especially true because cis-gendered women have a distinct tendency to define themselves in ways that don't include me. I hear women throw out things like, “As women, we all know how important it is to feel pretty,” or “We, as women, are naturally more tender and nurturing,” statements that never seem to include women like me. Not only do I dislike feeling pretty and prefer arguing to nurturing, I don't even particularly like eating chocolate. Popular culture, and women themselves, often imply that I lack many of the most essential qualities of womanhood. Cont’d on page 31

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STILL A BUTCH Cont’d from page 30

So in the past I've been quite tempted by the idea that perhaps I'm not a woman after all. I mean, I'm masculine in all sorts of ways—I am ambitious, logical, aggressive, strong, and highly competitive. And I'm certainly not silly, frivolous, dainty, weak, or overly emotional ... Oh dear. That's where I run into a major problem, isn't it? When I start listing traits of mine that I'd call masculine, they're always positive. They're points of pride. Whereas when I list traits I lack that I'd call feminine, they're negatives. It seems I can't consider my own masculinity or lack of femininity without relying on some of the worst and most pernicious sex-based stereotypes. This suggests to me that the enterprise itself is suspect.

In our culture, the impulse to distance oneself from negatives associated with women and femininity is endemic. When we insult men, we do it by comparing them to women. When we compare women to men, we're generally praising them. In fact, I've probably known more straight, cis-gendered women who've bragged about how they're “one of the guys” than I've known lesbians. Ironically, one of the things I share with many women is my eagerness to point out all the ways in which I'm not like other women.

As girls grow up, they are bombarded by rules and restrictions governing the ways that they can be. I know I was—otherwise I wouldn't have been a fully grown adult before I started wearing clothes that I found comfortable. These gendered rules confine girls' choices and constrain their self-expression. Perhaps one day the gender binary will be dismantled totally, and we'll all stop limiting our children by bringing them up as either males or Vanessa Vitiello Urquhart is a females. But, in the meantime, gender continues to be one of the first things children learn freelance writer who draws the web to recognize about themselves and others, and for that reason I think it's important to keep comic Tiny Butch Adventures. the boundaries of what can and can't potentially be male or female propped open as wide

as possible. It's wonderful that people who feel uncomfortable with the gender they were assigned at birth are gaining strength and visibility. But, it's just as important that young people, girls and boys and genderqueers alike, can have as many examples as possible of men and women who don't conform to gender stereotypes. I like to think I'm doing my part for that by living as an aggressive, competitive, logical, and strong butch woman.

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from cnbc.com SAME-SEX MARRIED COUPLES FACE SOME FINANCIAL OBSTACLES by Anthony Volastro

Edith Windsor is the 85-year-old widow who helped change the definition of marriage in America. She challenged the Defense of Marriage Act, signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton in 1996, which for the first time in American history legally defined marriage between a man and a woman. Reaching all the way to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court last June, her case ended in a 5–4 decision that repealed Section 3 of DOMA, declaring it unconstitutional.

The decision meant that, moving forward, the federal government must recognize same-sex marriages that originated in any U.S. state or foreign jurisdiction that legally allows such unions. As of today, 17 states and the District of Columbia recognize gay marriages. Statewide bans on same-sex marriage, or parts of such legislation, have been ruled unconstitutional by federal district courts in a further six states since late 2013, and those cases are currently in litigation.

Interestingly, the legal motivation for United States v. Windsor was based on taxes. When Windsor's wife, Thea Spyer, died in 2009, the federal government did not recognize their union as a legal marriage, per the DOMA edict.This meant that Windsor was required to pay $363,053 in estate taxes after inheriting her wife's assets—a tax that at the time was exempt for married heterosexual couples.

After the ruling came down, Windsor's federal estate-tax bill was thrown out the window, along with those same-sex couples who were married in a state or foreign jurisdiction that legally recognized them.

It has been less than a year since the ruling, but the federal changes are already apparent: 2013 was the first year in which same-sex spouses were required to file their taxes using a married filling, according to the IRS. Therefore, the wheels are in motion for same-sex couples to start planning their financial future in a way that gives them nearly the same protection and benefits of heterosexual couples.

However, there are some significant differences and complications that couples should keep in mind.

1. The marriage penalty

Sometimes marriage can complicate finances, especially in long-term relationships where each individual has a significant amount of assets. According to the UCLA's Williams Institute, there are 640,000 gay couples in the U.S., and most likely, a portion of them will have to consider whether marriage is the best financial move to make.

According to Kyle Young, a certificated financial planner at Schmitt-Young Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, if a couple has been together for many years, they are likely to have maintained assets independent of each other. Due to the marriage penalty, which can hit certain couples based on how many dollars are involved, there isn't always a benefit to legal marriage.

Young, whose clients are nearly all LGBT individuals, said that—due to financial liabilities—he is seeing a 50-50 split on whether or not to tie the knot. He doesn't see such hesitation coming from heterosexual couples, he said, thinking it might have to do with age. "If you have assets, it's a harder decision." Cont’d on page 33

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FINANCIAL OBSTACLES Cont’d from page 32

2. Residency requirements

DOMA is still on the books and very much alive—except for the Supreme Court's repeal of Section 3. Section 2 is where complications can arise regarding same-sex couples and their financial planning.

The statute allows a state to choose whether or not to recognize gay marriage within its borders, even if a couple has married in another state or foreign jurisdiction that allows it, and even if the federal government recognizes their marriage. Therefore, gay couples who are married and live in a state that does not allow gay marriage will face some federal benefit shortfalls.

"The one [same-sex couples] don't have access to is Social Security spousal benefits," Young said. The reason for this? The Social Security Administration bases eligibility on state residency. If you don't reside in a same-sex-marriage state, then those spousal benefits will not be offered.

If a couple does hop out of a state that does not recognize gay marriage and moves to one that does in order to gain all their possible benefits, they need to be aware of residency requirements.

"When going to one of the 16 states [as well as D.C.] that will recognize your marriage, be careful: Each state has its own requirements for what is considered permanent residency," advised wealth manager Kimberly Clouse, founder and CEO of Via Global Advisors. She uses California, which recognizes gay marriage, as a prime example. The Golden State requires that at least one spouse maintains residency for six months before being considered a permanent California citizen.

3. Divorce protection

The silver lining, in the unfortunate event of a divorce for gay couples, is that they no longer have to deal with the complicated issues that arise from domestic partnerships or civil unions. These are middle-ground compromises for many states, allowing gay couples to attain some legally recognized status—in total, 21 states and the District of Columbia offer some form of same-sex civil union, domestic partnership and/or marriage.

When couples go a legal route that is not marriage, then splitting assets can become a financial nightmare. For example, retirement accounts, like a 401(k), could result in one partner having to take an early distribution, along with penalties, in order to divide assets upon the termination of a domestic partnership or civil union. The benefit of recognized marriage means that in the event of divorce, couples are able to split assets tax- and penalty-free.

from washingtonpost.com A LESBIAN DAUGHTER ASKS: DO I HAVE TO INVITE MY DISAPPROVING PARENTS TO MY WEDDING? by Steven Petrow Petrow is the author of “Steven Petrow’s Complete Gay & Lesbian Manners,” addresses questions about LGBT and straight etiquette in his column, Civilities: http://www.washingtonpost.com/pb/steven-petrow.

Dear Civilities: My partner and I recently got engaged and are planning our wedding for next summer. We are in New York. My parents live in San Diego. Neither of my parents called or e-mailed with congratulations on the engagement; in fact, they’ve avoided contact with us altogether. With this kind of behavior, I don’t want them to come to the wedding. Is it reasonable to not invite them? — Iced out from 3,000 miles away

A: Let me make sure I’ve heard you properly: You and your girlfriend, now your fiancee, have heard nary a peep from your Mom and Dad about your engagement, not even a quick e-mail that reads, “Congratulations.” Now you’re angry and hurt, and you’re considering axing them from the guest list. I’m wondering whether this is because you don’t really want them there, because you want to punish them for their bad behavior, or because you’d rather snub them than risk having them decline the invitation. Cont’d on page 34

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LESBIAN DAUGHTER ASKS Cont’d from page 33

When I posed your question on my Facebook page, many respondents were quick to validate your hurt feelings and support your inclination not to invite them. Wrote one gay man: “If they didn’t acknowledge my relationship, I would not want them there.” A heterosexual mother echoed the sentiment: “Tell them you prefer they not be there. It’s your day. They will cast a negative shadow and steal too much of your light.”

It’s hard not to hear and feel the hurt behind these sentiments, and I can understand. That’s why it’s even harder for me to try to lead you along a different, higher, road. Again, those commenting on Facebook nailed two of the main reasons to turn the other Steven Petrow cheek and invite them:

● “Give them the opportunity to grow up and show up. What they decide is up to them.”

● “The wedding day should be about inclusion and not exclusion. It’s possible that once the parents see your commitment and happiness they will change their minds.”

There’s wisdom in these words, especially since your parents’ beliefs may evolve when they see two loving brides walk down the aisle. They would not be alone; support for same-sex marriage has grown significantly in the past decade, with 51 percent of Americans now in favor, according to a recent Pew Research Study.

To boot, a majority of proponents (85 percent) and opponents (59 percent) agree that “legal recognition of same-sex marriage is inevitable.” In other words, the marriage express left the station long ago, and I wouldn’t be surprised if your parents hop on board at some point. Why not give them the chance to do that by coming to your wedding?

(However, if you think your parents will cause a disruption or in any way distract attention from the meaning of the day, I’d be sure to tell them beforehand: “We’d love for you to be there, but we need you to honor us at our wedding.”)

But there are two other reasons to extend the olive branch by sending them an invitation: If you don’t, you’re matching fire with fire, which is to say you’re being just as intolerant as they are. Second, if you take the low road, you’ll lose the significant moral ground you’re standing on and forever be remembered as the daughter “who didn’t invite her own parents to her wedding.” Who would want that?

Now, I also have a word for your parents: There are no retakes when it comes to weddings. If you miss it, you’ve missed one of the most important days of your child’s life. In choosing to attend and express your love to this couple, you’re saying “family first.” No one’s asking you to vote for same-sex marriage; no one’s asking you to make a donation to Freedom to Marry; no one’s asking you to change your religious beliefs. All they’re asking is for you to be present and support them.

In fact, I asked Bryan Fischer, a director of the American Family Association (a nonprofit organization that opposes same- sex marriage rights) for his advice to your parents. In an e-mail, directed to the letter writer’s parents, he said: “I understand your inability to affirm your daughter’s lesbian relationship. You have good reasons for your reluctance.” Then he added: “But if your daughter invites you to the wedding, I’d encourage you to attend, simply out of love for your daughter and because this is an important event for her.”

To your parents I’d say this: Why not pick up the phone today and say, “Congratulations. How can we help?”

Finally, let me end with these words from another mother who wrote to me. At first, she didn’t support her son’s marriage to another man and as a result wasn’t invited to the wedding. “Invite them with love. Explain as necessary. And leave the decision up to them. My son and his partner didn’t even tell us about theirs. I was so hurt and felt very le ft out. Give your parents the chance, please.” In this case, Mom knows best. 35

from glad.org SEEKING ASYLUM FOR UGANDAN LGBTI ACTIVIST JOHN ABDALLAH

On May 7, 2014, GLAD filed an application for asylum on behalf of John Abdallah Wambere, a prominent Ugandan gay activist. You may be familiar with John’s work, as he has been featured in the documentaries Call me Kuchu and Missionaries of Hate.

John was in Massachusetts raising visibility for his work with the LGBTI community in Uganda when on February 24 President Museveni signed into law the Ugandan Anti- Homosexuality Act. This law provides harsh penalties – including life imprisonment - for same-sex relationships, as well as for any activities deemed to “promote homosexuality.”

Since the bill’s signing, LGBTI people in Uganda have been arrested, some have gone underground, and others have fled the country. An HIV organization was infiltrated and shut down by police.

As a co-founder of the LGBTI rights group Spectrum Uganda Initiatives, John knew he was in danger. His photo and name had been plastered on the front page of Ugandan newspapers, outing him as gay under headlines like “Men of Shame Exposed”. Clients had been fleeing his travel agency till his business dropped off to nothing. He had been questioned by relatives and shunned by neighbors. He endured the murder of his John Abdallah Wambere friend David Kato. He had been evicted, repeatedly arrested, harassed on the street by strangers, and received threatening anonymous phone calls.

This law imposed harsher penalties for same-sex relationships, including life imprisonment. It also imposed new penalties for any activities that are viewed as “aiding and abetting homosexuality” and “promoting homosexuality.” The law is broad in its reach and criminalizes even activism and public health education work related to LGBTI individuals, including those living with HIV.”

The decision to seek asylum was an extremely difficult one for John, who has devoted his life to working for LGBTI people in Uganda. “It gives me great pain not to be with my community, allies, and friends while they are under increasing attack,” he told members of the press this morning.

But it is not safe for John to return to Uganda. Even before the bill was signed, he was outed as gay by newspapers, evicted from his home, beaten up, and received anonymous death threats. Now he also faces life imprisonment.

Anti-gay sentiment in Uganda has been actively promoted by American evangelicals who have travelled to the country to preach and promote legislation like the Anti-Homosexuality Act, and worse.

For John, the father of a sixteen-year-old girl, the head of his extended family since his parents’ death, a business owner and a central person in the struggle for LGBTI rights, the prospect of not being able to go home is extremely painful. He continues to financially support his daughter, who lives with a relative, but he leaves behind responsibilities, a community in crisis, and friends who are undoubtedly in danger. “I am keeping up with people at home and with the situation there,” he said. “If I were to go back to Uganda, I am certain something bad would happen to me.”

Indeed, after the bill was signed, 30,000 people rallied in a stadium to thank the president for signing the bill and to celebrate by listening to speakers who called LGBTI people “criminals,” “animals,” and “devils.” An HIV prevention organization was infiltrated and then raided by police. There have been arrests, kidnappings, and many people have gone into hiding. Cont’d on page 36

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SEEKING ASYLUM Cont’d from page 35

Said John, who is living in Cambridge with friends, “This is a safe place for me, a place where I can speak out and continue to help people at home.”

Now, the United States has an opportunity to provide safer harbor where brave Ugandan individuals like John can continue to speak out and work for change. And as GLAD Staff Attorney Allison Wright told members of the press this morning, we also have an obligation “to work to stop the export of prejudice and denounce the efforts of Americans to spread homophobia in other countries.”

Given the serious danger John faces in Uganda, we are hopeful his application for asylum will be granted quickly. But, with our co- counsel immigration attorney Hema Sarang-Sieminski, we will consider additional levels of review and appeal as needed to work President Yoweri Museveni for his safety.

And no matter how long it takes, John is committed to working tirelessly to help his fellow LGBTI Ugandans still at home.

from nypost.com THESE GAY NEW YORKERS CAN’T WAIT FOR CHICK-FIL-A TO HIT THE CITY by Gregory E. Miller

Like many people, Josh Hune loves the succulent taste of Chick-fil-A menu item No. 1, the classic chicken sandwich. Like far fewer fans, Hune also happens to be gay.

That made it a bit complicated when the fried-chicken chain’s president, Dan Cathy, admitted he was “guilty as charged” for vehemently opposing same-sex marriage and overseeing the donation of millions of dollars to anti-gay causes in June 2012. When Cathy’s comments sparked a media firestorm, Hune resisted his favorite sammie for a few days before giving in and devouring one at the Chick-fil-A outlet at NYU, where he was a student.

The move infuriated one of his friends, who was leading a petition to have the chain removed from the dining hall. “He told me I was the worst gay in NYC,” says Hune, 23. “But I personally don’t think my money or my going there is me saying I hate gays as well. I don’t think about it like that $7 is going to some foundation to stop gay marriage. For me, it’s just food.”

It’s a dirty little secret that in New York, Hune is far from alone. For many members of the LGBT community, the first time they came out, it was to tell the world they were gay. The second time, it was to tell the world they love Chick-fil-A. And now that the Georgia-based Josh Hune chain is entering the NYC market in a big way, gay Chick-fil-A fanatics are facing a serious dilemma.

The company announced that for the first time it will expand into the city with stand-alone locations. By the end of 2014, the country will have 108 new Chick-fil-A locations, “a good chunk of them” in New York City, according to a report in USA Today. Cont’d on page 37

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CHICK-FIL-A Cont’d from page 36

Chick-fil-A has always displayed its Christian roots with pride, closing its doors every Sunday in observance of the biblical day of rest. But Cathy’s comments — such as “I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about” — brought intense scrutiny to the firm’s history of supporting and donating millions to anti-gay groups, including the Family Research Council and the now-defunct Exodus International, which supported conversion therapy.

But despite the company’s controversial beliefs, some gay New Yorkers are salivating over the chance to get their hands on that iconic chicken sandwich — a savory, juicy fillet with crisp dill pickles on a buttered bun. The most common reason for their unwavering devotion? They grew up with it.

Hune, now a bartender living in Hell’s Kitchen, is from Texas. He calls the chicken sandwich “the Cadillac of chicken” and says it provided solace away from home while he attended school. “If I was having a rough day, it would calm me down,” he says. “It’s comfort food.”

Still, being gay and admitting to patronizing Chick-fil-A is like working at Vogue and wearing Crocs. “I have a healthy fear of the gay mafia,” says William, a gay 26-year-old digital strategist living in Hell’s Kitchen, who asked that his last name not be used due to anxiety over backlash over his choice. “But the crispy chicken is orgasmic. This sounds terrible because it’s fast food, but it’s the most tender chicken I’ve ever had.”

For David Lopez, a 47-year-old hospitality consultant who identifies as gay, it’s all about the health factor compared to other fast-food options: “I was aware [of the history], but I definitely wanted to try it because I heard that [they used] fresh ingredients,” says the Bronx resident. “I’m not overly political.”

After pro-gay pickets descended on locations nationwide — as well as anti-gay supporters — the chicken company stated it will no longer discuss social issues. “We sincerely care about all people,” Cathy said last month.

For Peppermint, a Harlem-based drag queen and singer- songwriter, that’s good enough. “He apologized for injecting that into the business,” she says. “I support that. I’m a firm believer that you should be able to believe what you want, as long as it doesn’t infringe on my quality of life or stop me from doing what I want to do or getting food from the Chick-fil-A. “I want to live in a place where people can think differently,” she adds. “That’s what humans do.”

Bushwick resident Robert Brigman, a 26-year-old concierge, fell for the food growing up in Tennessee and echoes Peppermint’s sentiment. The Republican-leaning gay man doesn’t think a business deserves to be boycotted over one man’s viewpoint. “I could care less about Chick-fil-A making a stance,” he says. “They are allowed to have that opinion, and I’m allowed to have mine.” Peppermint

For many members of the community, though, that’s not enough.

The company’s donations appear to have continued, though gifts to more radical groups have been dropped, according to a report in the Advocate. For others, simply knowing where the president stands is reason enough to not patronize the chain. Cont’d on page 38 38

CHICK-FIL-A Cont’d from page 37

Scott Baker, a gay 53-year-old ex-dancer in Brooklyn Heights, is among those boycotting the brand. “They’re angry Christians selling chicken,” he says. “They say that they practice the Bible, but my God is loving and understanding. I used to crave it,” he adds. “But when they come to New York, I don’t believe I’ll eat there.”

William points out that the LGBT community can be rife with hypocrisy. Many bandwagoners on the Anti-Chick-fil-A Express gleefully shop at companies that have conservative execs at the helm — they just haven’t gotten the media coverage (or been stupid enough to tweet their political beliefs). Known past offenders who have suffered far less outrage include Urban Outfitters, Papa John’s Pizza, Exxon, the Salvation Army, Purina and Cracker Barrel.

“It would shock you,” says William. “You wouldn’t be able to step out of your house if you boycotted them all.”

The result is that some gay men feel ostracized by their own community, unable to express opinions different from the GLAAD- approved agenda. “I think as a culture, we preach utter acceptance,” says William. “But as a community, we’re not always accepting — we can very much be a–holes about stuff.”

But whether you buy that chicken sandwich or not, change is on the way, argues Peppermint. “For people on the wrong side of the issue, marriage equality is becoming a moot point. It’s inevitable. It’s happening,” she says. “Whether you support it or not, everyone who’s married and gay is going to be coming into your restaurant, and you’re going to have to live with it.”

17-year-old Danbury High School senior Nasir Fleming was crowned Prom Queen in front of hundreds of cheering students in a video posted online.

Fleming, who says he was bullied as a child, "wanted to send a message about the absurdity of gender labeling, the toxicity of discrimination and the importance of being yourself" he told the CT Post, and accepted the nomination as queen, and not king. He was nominated for both.

Said Fleming on his YouTube page:

"Even though I identify as male, winning this title is a statement against transphobia. As gay people, more or less, are becoming accepted in society, transgendered people are still discriminated against severely. If I can win a title that is outside of my gender, there is no reason why a trans-person should have any problems winning titles in his/her gender (Prom Queen, Miss America, etc). Stop the hate, start the love." ---From Towleroad.com

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Steve Wile Miss Mona Sinclair from gaystarnews.com ANTI-GAY REPUBLICAN NORTH CAROLINA STATE SENATE CANDIDATE OUTED AS FORMER DRAG QUEEN After denying that he had worked as a female impersonator, he later said on Facebook : 'My job was embarrassing – I had to have a job!' by Sylvia Tan

A RepublicanBlack candidate Cat forTavern the NorthRiots Carolina Senate – who is campaigning on a platform in support of his state's ban on same-sex marriage – has been outed as a former female impersonator and drag show emcee by the co-owner of the club where he once worked some 10 years ago.

Former club owner Randy Duggins told the Winston-Salem Journal that Steve Wile, 34, who is now a real estate agent in Belews Creek, NC, worked at Club Odyssey until 2010 under the name 'Mona Sinclair.' Wiles was also a show director and performance booker.

In 2012, Wiles advocated for passage of North Carolina's constitutional amendment defining marriage as a between a man and a woman. According to a report published by the Winston-Salem Journal on Saturday, he still supports the ban.

'Why would you want to get into that knowing your past?' asked Duggins. 'He's a hypocrite.'

According to the Journal, Wiles’ responses ranged from categorical denial to tacit admission in three separate interviews in as many weeks.

'That’s not me,' Wiles first said three weeks ago, referring to his drag queen persona.

When asked whether he was gay, he said 'no'.

Wiles told the Journal this week, 'I have already apologized to the people who matter most to me for the things I did when I was young,' while declining to clarify for what he has apologized. Cont’d on page 40

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ANTI-GAY REPUBLICAN Cont’d from page 39

The report further revealed that an online search for 'Steven Wiles' and 'Belews Creek' turns up a link to the Miss Gay America website. Although the webpage with Wiles’ name has been taken offline, a cached version lists a Steven Wiles as Mona Sinclair and that he was a promoter of Miss Gay Eastern States America and a promoter for Miss Gay North Carolina America.

The webpage also says that Wiles was suspended for 'conduct unbecoming to a promoter of the Miss Gay America pageant system,' according to the webpage, without providing more information.

Following the publication of the story in the Journal, Wiles posted a message on Facebook which has since been removed:

“I'm sure many of you saw my glowing recommendation in the Winston Salem Journal - I'd like to apologize to everyone because, unlike the currently appointed NC Senator in District 31, I made mistakes. My job was embarrassing - I had to have a job! Nobody died, leaving me a millionaire capable of living in North Carolina's most expensive neighborhood. One thing I will say, I learned from my mistakes - the Republican party, under the leadership of Scott Cumbie who threatened me with my past if I ran against an incumbent Republican, seem intent to fight within the party and join in the fight with every bigot and racist they can find. I understand the gay community does not share my support for the Marriage Amendment - I RESPECT THAT and am very happy to discuss my views with any of my friends in the Democrat party and gay community. Meanwhile, I regret the fact that something so trivial would cloud an otherwise decent campaign....What more could be expected though? When policy fails, attacks begin.”

UPDATE

Steve Wiles received 27.49 percent of the vote in his primary in his very conservative District 31 but failed to win.

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Fierce Pride - A statewide organization run by and for LGBTQ folks to advocate for our health. New members are welcome. We design campaigns to reach people at Pride events and have fun doing it! Contact: [email protected] Monthly meetings in Albuquerque.

LGBTQ Al-Anon Meeting-Albuquerque: Every Saturday morning at 10:30am at the Desert Club, 4305 Mesa Grande SE (Betw. Zuni and Central, one block West of Washington) For info, call (505) 262-2177 or www.nmal-anon.org.

N’MPower-Albuquerque: Every night M-F at 7:30pm at 107 Jefferson NE. For info, call (505) 232-2990. For a monthly calendar, email [email protected].

Native GLBT Support Group: Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 7-9pm at First Nations Community HealthSource Conference Room, 5608 Zuni Rd., Albuquerque. For info, call (505) 262-6554.

PFLAG-Albuquerque: 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm at First Congregational UCC. 2801 Lomas NE. www.pflagabq.org.

PFLAG-Farmington: 3rd Sunday at 1 pm at the Unitarian Church, 219 N.Orchard.

PFLAG-Gallup: 3rd Thursday at 6:00pm to 8:00pm.The Rainbow Center, 216 West Maloney, Gallup, NM. LGBTQ, Families, Friends, and Allies welcome!!

PFLAG-Taos: Second Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Taos (adjacent to Kit Carson Park). For info, call (575) 779 7264. www.pflagtaos.org.

Santa Fe HRA and Pride: 1st Sunday of the month at 11am. For more info, www.santafehra.org

Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico-Albuquerque/Gallup/Las Cruces: For info, www.tgrcnm.org or contact Adrien Lawyer at (505) 440-3402.

Albuquerque: Rainbow Friends Support Group – 3rd Monday, 7-9 PM. Open to all transgender, transsexual, or gender nonconforming people and their SOFFAs. At Young Women United, 120 Morningside NE, ABQ Trans Youth Support Group – Every Sunday, 5-7pm. An 18 and Under TG Youth Group (with possible exceptions being made on a case by case basis). At Young Women United, 120 Morningside NE, ABQ. For info, contact Seth at [email protected]. ABQ FTM Group – 3rd Friday, 6:30 pm. Details are posted on the yahoo group: ABQ FTM Yahoo Group. Transgender New Mexico Support Group – Every Friday, 7:30pm. For info, contact Shannon at [email protected].

Gallup: GLBT Support Group of Gallup – For info, contact Jeremy at (505) 713-2828.

Las Cruces: Southern New Mexico Trans Support Group – Every 4th Friday, 6:00PM. At the Las Cruces GLBTQ Center at 1210 N. Main St., Las Cruces.

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UNM Queer-Straight Alliance-Albuquerque: Meets bi-weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7:00p-9:00p on the third floor of the Student Union Building during regular fall and spring semesters. All community members regardless of enrollment, registration, or degree status are welcome! For outside events, updates, and to keep in touch, please 'Like' our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/UNMQSA) or send an email to [email protected] to receive regular updates to your inbox.

Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice: Please check calendar at www.abqpeaceandjustice.org

HIV/STD/Hepatitis Resource Guide: The State of New Mexico provides a variety of free infectious disease services in all of the five public health regions of the state. You can find free HIV testing (conventional with a 2-week wait for results or rapid where you get results on the spot), HIV care and support services, STD testing and treatment, hepatitis testing and vaccines and harm reduction/syringe exchange wherever you live. The online

HIV/STD/Hepatitis Resource Guide allows you to search for the service you want - and in the city, county of region where you live or work. The website is located at

www.nmhivguide.org. The HIV Prevention Program of the New Mexico Department of Health has launched a version of the guide for smart phones. From your phone, you can search for resources by entering m.nmhivguide.org.

Casa Q: Casa Q is a new non-profit organization in Albuquerque that will soon open a house for LGBTQ youth ages 14-18 who are experiencing homelessness. When it opens in early 2014, the Casa Q house will have at least 6 beds for youth - and a comprehensive array of LGBTQ-friendly and specific services that will help these young people thrive. You can learn more about Casa Q on our website at www.casaq.org. The website has info on the enormous need for services, our approach, our founding Board of Directors and our strategic plan. You can also go there to make an online donation with your credit card via PayPal. There is also a Facebook page so you can "like" Casa Q at https://www.facebook.com/CasaQNM.

U21 (under 21 only group)–Albuquerque: Every Friday night at 7 PM at Metropolitan Community Church of Albuquerque, 1103 Texas NE (1 block north of Lomas Blvd & 4 blocks west of Wyoming Blvd.). If you know a GLBTQ person under 21, tell them to sign up for U/21 emails. Have them contact us at [email protected].

POSITIVE LIVING: Support Group for Men with HIV/AIDS Wednesdays, 4-5:30 pm, at the office of Susan S. Turner LISW,12836 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite B, Albuquerque, NM 87112. Discussion, mutual support, and guided meditation to gain strength, inspiration, and new coping skills. Call 275-0203 to sign up. Confidentiality strictly respected.

Free HIV Testing-Gallup: Monday to Thursday. 8:00am to 4:00pm. Navajo AIDS Network,Inc.- Gallup Office, 101 East Hill Avenue, 505 8639.

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ABQmen on Facebook: A gay men's social group in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, largely the guys who wouldn't normally go out to the bars. 60-90 guys come out each month for the events. We meet 3rd Thursday of the month 6-9PM, and 1st Sunday for brunch 11AM-1PM at various locations. Check out the ABQmen Facebook page to see what we're all about. Contact info is [email protected]. 54 4 Corners GLAD Happy Hour-Durango, CO: Every Friday at 5:30pm at Lost Dog Bar and New Mexico Community th Voice is a monthly newsletter Saloon, 12 and Main, Durango, CO. For info, call (970) 385-7202. whose editor takes no responsibility for the accuracy New Mexico Leather League (NMLL)-Albuquerque: General Meeting is every third of the information that appears Saturday of the month from 2-5 PM at I-Hop, Wyoming and Paseo Del Norte. herein. 50 If you wish to submit an article, New Mexico Women’s Chorus: The New Mexico Women's Chorus invites you to join us for 50 want to be listed in the Regular our Fall Season. Rehearsals are from 6:30 to 8:30 at First Congregational Church 2801 Meetings around the State, Lomas Blvd NE. See you there! have an upcoming event, or have a comment, please send your submission to: NMLL General Meeting-Albuquerque: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Every month on the third newslettereditor@nmcommunit yvoice.info. If you wish to Saturday. subscribe, send your request to: Prime Timers-Albuquerque: 2nd Sunday of each month at 3 pm at Sidewinders Bar, 8900 subscribe@nmcommunityvoice. Central SE. The organization is open to all men, 21 years and older. For more info, go to info. http://primetimersww.org/primetimersnm/ In order to appear in the following month’s newsletter, all Sunday Night Out: Sunday night, 6pm, Holiday Bowl, 7515 Lomas Blvd. NE, ABQ. Weekly articles and lisitings must be fee: $16, Yearly fee: $21. For more information, contact Gina Belluso, submitted no later than the 15th of the previous month. All [email protected]. submissions must include a contact person and phone The Albuquerque Leather Daddys and Albuquerque Boys of Leather: GEAR NIGHT 3rd number and/or email address Saturday of every month. We're looking for folks with: Leather/latex pants, vests, shirts, for verification purposes. Please include date, time, skin gear, uniforms, jackets, boots, biker gear, gloves, harnesses, collars, pup gear, cuffs, location and contact information ...armbands, jocks, jeans, man smells, hoods, sports gear, cigars... get the idea? We’re for all upcoming events and NOT looking for: Cologne, deodorant, sweaters, khakis, suits, slacks, dress shirts, flip-flops, activities. polo shirts, tennis shoes, loafers.... ahhhh... now you get the idea. Just come as you are and we will show you a good time. Cover starts at 9 pm, we'll be there all evening!

Twisted Sistas

A true, community-oriented women's motorcycle club for Albuquerque, and all of New Mexico! We are welcoming of all sizes, styles, shapes, makes and models of motorcycles, and riders of all experience levels. We would like to invite all women motorcyclists to get involved with us, come ride with us, and get to know us. We meet on the second Friday of every month at various locations. Look for us on Facebook at Twisted Sistas MC to find meeting locations and ride schedules.

U21 (under 21 only group)–Albuquerque: Every Friday night at 7 PM at Metropolitan Community Church of Albuquerque, 1103 Texas NE (1 block north of Lomas Blvd & 4 blocks west of Wyoming Blvd.). If you know a GLBTQ person under 21, tell them to sign up for U/21 emails. Have them contact us at [email protected].

Wilde Bunch Square Dance Club-Albuquerque: New Mexico's only GLBTQQ square dance club, The Wilde Bunch, is starting a new class, and it's scheduled for Monday, 7 January 2013, from 7-9 pm. The group also offers a free open house the first Monday of every month from 7-9 pm. All classes are held at the Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4909 -15 Hawkins NE. For more info, please call 505.410or visit www.wildebunch.org

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"LISTEN UP”

KTAO...101.9 FM, Taos. Thursday night at 7:00 PM. Focus on youth.

First Congregational United Church of Christ: We are an Open and Affirming church which extends a radical welcome to all members of the LGBTQ community. You are encouraged to check out our website at firstuccabq.org for confirmation. Our weekly Sunday service begins at 10:30am and we hold a weekly text study group of the Old & New Testaments on Wednesdays at 10:30am.

Metropolitan Community Church-Albuquerque: Every Sunday at 10:30am at 1103 Texas St. NE. For more info, call (505) 268-5252. www.mccabq.com

Our Lady of the Valley Episcopal Church: A radically welcoming community in the South Valley of Albuquerque. It is located at 2805 Don Felipe SW, just west of Coors and south of Gun Club. Service of Holy Eucharist is held Sundays at 11:00 am. More information or to contact OLV call 505-270-1546. Come and

See!"

Rising Sun Christian Community – Contemporary Praise & Worship every Sunday at 5:00pm 3501 Campus Blvd. NE (Monte Vista Christian Church). For more info call (505) 898-0908. www.rsministries.com.

St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church-Albuquerque: Eucharist every Sunday at 7:30, 9 & 11:15am and 5pm. For more info, call (505) 345-8147. www.all-angels.com

St. Paul Lutheran Church: Sunday Services: 8am and 10:30am. Summer Service: 9:15am only (June-August). Education Hour: 9:15am (Sept.-May) 1100 Indian School Rd. NE. For more info, call (505) 242-5942. www.stpaulabq.org.

Deadline for September Issue: August 25th Community Voice is Your Voice. Use it well and often.

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More than 100, 000 people gathered in Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul to celebrate the 22th Pride Parade for the LGBT community on the 29 June, under some strict security measures by the police who blocked the roads to Taksim Square and Gezi Park with water cannons since early morning. Community members, as well their families and loved ones participated in the parade, chanting for the freedom for same-sex marriage and against homophobia. They carried banners that said, “Unconditional Love is Possible.” Most attendees appeared in the parade in glamorous costumes adorned with the colours of the international flag of the community. The crowd shouted slogans against fascism and capitalism, as well, saying ‘Be gone AKP!’ and ‘Legs up Against Fascism!’ and ‘Down with all the shopping centers!’