'At Last* On her way to Houston, pop diva Cyndi Lauper has a lot to say. Page 15 voicewww.houstonvoice.com APRIL 23, 2004 THIRTY YEARS OF NEWS FOR YOUR LIFE. AND YOUR STYLE. Gay political kingmaker set to leave Houston Martin's success as a consultant evident in city and state politics By CHRISTOPHER CURTIS Curtis Kiefer and partner Walter Frankel speak with reporters after a Houston’s gay and lesbian com­ circuit court judge heard arguments last week in a lawsuit filed by gay munity loses a powerful friend and couples and the ACLU charging that banning same-sex marriages is a ally on May 3, when Grant Martin, violation of the Oregon state Constitution. (Photo by Rick Bowmer/AP) who has managed the campaigns of Controller Annise Parker, Council member Ada Edwards, Texas Rep. Garnet Coleman and Sue Lovell, is moving to San Francisco. Back in 1996 it seemed the other Gay marriage way around: Martin had moved to Houston from San Francisco after ending a five-year relationship. Sue Lovell, the former President party ends of the Houston Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus (PAC), remembers first hearing of Martin through her friend, Roberta Achtenberg, the for­ mer Clinton secretary of Fair for now Housing and Equal Opportunity. “She called me and told me I have a dear friend who is moving back to Ore. judge shuts down weddings, Houston and I want you to take Political consultant Grant Martin, the man behind the campaigns of Controller Annise Parker, good care of him.” but orders licenses recognized Council member Ada Edwards, Texas Rep. Garnet Coleman and Sue Lovell, is moving to San The two met and talked about politics for hours. Francisco. (File photo by Dalton DeHart) By JOE CREA Later it would be Martin who don’t know how Grant found out would take care of Lovell when she Lovell did not win that election, about it, but he came and he stopped Both sides in the same-sex marriage debate claimed ran for an at-large council seat in and Annise Parker had unsuccess­ to chat. He worked in the cam­ victory this week after an Oregon Circuit Court judge 2003. “Grant is one of those really fully run for city council twice paigns—not any successful ones, ordered Multnomah County to stop issuing same-sex mar­ unique kind of campaign managers before she met Martin. mind you. He was shopping around riage licenses, while striking down a law that prevents gay who takes a candidate who doesn’t Parker determined her third try for someone to work for. I don’t couples from marrying and ordering the state to recognize have the resources of other candi­ would be her last shot at a council know, over a few minutes of conver- the 3,000 gay marriages that have already taken place. dates but uses his skills, his knowl­ position. “I had scheduled a meeting edge and his grass-roots organization with people committed to being a Please see MARTIN on Page 5 Please see MARRIAGE on Page 8 to make that candidate competitive.” part of my finance council. And I JUST SAY ’NO': Gay activists PFIAG AND BAPTISTS: The Waco eclipse are hoping to prevent a Hot PFLAG chapter has named its new Dine, Page 18 Sports, Page 19 Spot Task Force raid on a bar community center after a Baptist Calendar, Page 21 in Montrose. Page 3 minister and his wife. Page 4 Bar Map, Page 27.. r f i » r » » » i i »» ’ ' » * * < *»»»»»».»»»» 2 APRIL 23, 2004 www.houstonvoice.com New! Empower 2004 has moved to Pride Week. June 12th & 13th • Sat 1 - 8 pm & Sun 12 - 5 pm The ei cr-li(>l)iilar business Exl^h Joh l air and the Performing and Visual Arts that make Emlfower a great event. to the Q JUNE 12-13 0 i FREE GIVEAWAYS DOOR PRIZES WF ENTERTAINMENT And this year we’ve added more attractions SHOPPING to the list, including: Pet Pavilion, Kids Pavilion, Home & Garden, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Food and ROCK CLIMBING Beverage Service, Big Time Entertainment For information about becoming a vendor or SPORTS & OUTDOORS sponsor, and associated benefits, contact the Chamber at www.ghglcc.org or call: 713.523.7576 GOOD FOOD HCHASE Out-Smart ECHELON f commerce HOUSTON VOICE www.houstonvoice.coni ____________________ APRIL 23,2004 3 I local news inside ISSUE 1226 LOCAL NEWS 3 Activists hope to prevent a NATIONAL NEWS 6 S FORUM a ECUPSE 8 APPOINTMENTS 8 CLASSIFIEDS police nightclub raid on Montrose 8 DISH After-hours Montrose clubs operate legally, K IB r,T'”^22-Ti»S gay activist contends By CHRISTOPHER CURTIS Gay activist Ray Hill and Houston City Controller Annise Parker are hoping to pre­ vent an after-hours bar raid like the one that took place last week in the East End from happening in Montrose. “It was horrible,” Hill said. “It looked like a relic out of the ’50s or ’60s to me.” For that reason, Hill said, he is working with city staff to schedule a meeting with BILLBOARD FOR ROSS: Friends and family of Mayor Bill White and Police Chief Harold Ross Allyn hope 15 billboards will help find his Hurtt. killer. Page 4 “A time will be found when we will be able to sit down and talk about this,” he said. “We’re doing everything possible to prevent an assault on Montrose.” The popular gay nightclub South Beach is among a handful of after-hours clubs in Montrose that activist Ray Hill Parker, a six-term council member who said operates meticulously within the law. (Photo by Dalton DeHart) last year was elected city controller, said she concurs. against the wall and everybody take out after-hours club April 4th. “I completely disagree with this and I their identification’ and basically terror­ Police said James Alonso Guevara set the think the mayor is wrong on this,” Parker ized people for an hour and a half.” North Houston fire because he was involved said. “And I think people need to talk to him. Hill added, “According to the news in a child custody dispute with his Right now they’re focusing on Hispanic reports, the club was not serving alcohol estranged wife, who worked at the club. He clubs, but if we give them any leeway, after hours. Police only arrested customers, has been charged with capital murder. they’ll be at our bars. Gay Pride week is not most of them for public intoxication." Mayor White said that incident came after that far away.” an avalanche of complaints city officials were Hispanic activists are also calling for an 30 arrested for drunkeness receiving regarding after-hours clubs. He end to the raids. An arrest for public intoxication, Hill staunchly contends that very little that is good Early Saturday morning, the newly cre­ explained, legally means the suspect takes place on Houston streets after 2 a.m. ated Hot Spot Task Force converged on La appears to be intoxicated to the extent that White said he wants to keep clubs from DOMA NIXED: An openly gay councilman in Gaviota Nite Club, 8011 Harrisburg, and the individual constitutes a danger to him­ operating past 2 a.m. He wants to change a Chapel Hill, N.C. led efforts to ask the state to arrested about 30 people. self, herself or others. “It’s inherently a sub­ city ordinance amendment passed in 1999 repeal DOMA. Page 7 “The police rushed in, I know they said jective judgment for the cops,” Hill said. “It that made it easier for clubs to remain open they didn’t make any hard entries, but why means the officers need no burden of proof.” after they stopped selling alcohol. Council would they? The doors were already open,” Police said only one of the bar patrons members originally passed the bill in part Hill said. “They poured in, and said, ‘Up was found to be in possession of drugs. to keep drunken customers off the road. Many of the people jailed in the raid But now city leaders consider after-hours were released Sunday morning. clubs not a solution but a new problem, For Hill, what he witnessed last weekend especially since two incidents occurred conjures up a frightening picture of what after Kulow’s death. might happen if a raid were staged on the Police said on Sunday professional foot­ clubs that operate in Montrose. He isn’t sure ball player Marcus Spriggs and his cousin club patrons are psychologically prepared got into a fight with another customer at the to deal with what happens when a multi­ Shame Nightclub after 4 a.m. agency task force descends on an establish­ Police said as Spriggs drove away, some­ ment at 2:30 a.m. one fired at his car, grazing the player and For that reason, Hill said, he plans to hitting his cousin in the shoulder. His monitor the movements of the task force on cousin had to be treated at a hospital. ’IRRATIONALITY MADE HIM DO IT: Canada's Friday and Saturday evenings. On Tuesday at 6 a.m., a fire broke out at first openly gay member of Parliament said There has been no confirmation that a an after-hours club in the 4300 block of "utter irrationality" made him steal a piece of raid on Montrose is imminent. But if police Wilmington. No one was hurt. jewelry. Page 9 do move on Montrose, Hill said, he will be But Ray Hill said these problems will not available to help club staff and patrons happen at after-hours clubs in the Montrose through the ordeal.