Hate Crimes March And GLSEN Dinner Highlights That LGBT Community's Work Is Not Done!

 

 

NBA Commissioner David Sterns, Jason Collins and GLSEN President Eliza Byard

As thousands marched through the streets of the West Village on Monday night to protest the rash of hate crimes hitting Manhattan, Mark Carson was on everyone's minds as an entire city mourns his loss. There was moving testimony from the victims of recent hate crimes and from Carson's family.

A few blocks up at Gotham Hall, GLSEN was having their annual dinner. The stage was filled with courage and powerful stories. GLSEN is an outstanding organization that is providing safe places for tens of thousands of LGBT students. Without GLSEN, the death toll from young LGBT suicides would be much higher.

At that dinner, Jason Collins electrified the room with his first New York appearance. The world knows of Collin's courage. How appropriate he made his first stop at the GLSEN Dinner because his act of courage will inspire thousands of our young.

However, the real stars of the GLSEN Dinner might be two young men who overcame incredible humiliation and bullying to stand up at the dinner and show unbelievable raw courage that even inspired Jason Collins. As these young men faced unbelievable obstacles, GLSEN got them through it.

Leo Washington (above) has two loves in his life - football and fashion. He grew up in Bainbridge, Georgia and his first year of high school was a living hell. He was bullied, verbally abused and humiliated for being a gay football player. The word 'Faggot" was slung at him in the hallways of the school all the time. The coach made him change in the women's locker room so the other players would haven't to change with him.

 

At a cousin's suggestion, he transferred to Hollywood Hills High School in South Florida. That high school has an active GLSEN chapter and as a result Leo was welcomed with opening arms. He became Co-Captain of his football team and his fellow players had his back. He even has been nominated to be 'Homecoming King' at the prom. His words of courage from the stage last night as he presented Collins his award moved everyone.

Also speaking last night was young Andrew Lawless from Portland, Tennessee. Here is his brave story that he shared from the stage last night in front of a thousand people. This young man has courage for a middle name. This story was printed in an earlier opinion piece that he wrote but share with us:

I never expected to become a target of violence. But then again, who does?

At school, I had a 3.6 GPA and more or less enjoyed my classes. I was proud to be granted approval to graduate a year early. It fueled my aspirations for college with New York University at the top of my list.

I was also actively involved at school and in my community. I started a bullying prevention club on campus and became a part of GLSEN Middle Tennessee’s Jump-Start Leadership Team that advocates for safer schools issues in my area.

I was relatively happy. But much of my drive and positivity changed in mere minutes.

January 18 was like any other day at school. I remember not having any homework. A pep rally was scheduled and everyone was pumped. In a small school like mine, you can feel the excitement and energy flowing through the air.

I was sitting in French class trying to grasp a verb conjugation when I suddenly had an idea involving a field trip for our bullying prevention club. I received permission to leave class and headed off to speak with my club’s faculty advisor about the idea.

On my way, I stopped at one of the school’s bathrooms. I didn’t think anything of it until a bad feeling overwhelmed me when I entered the bathroom. That feeling was only confirmed when I heard someone say, “Hey faggot.”

I was slammed against the wall where two male students continued hurling antigay slurs at me. I didn’t know what to do because I was afraid and nothing like this had ever happened to me or anyone I know.

The two students pushed me into a stall. And that’s when my safety was taken from me. I had become a victim of sexual assault.

Both students eventually left. That’s when I slouched on the bathroom floor, completely numb. I could no longer feel the excitement in the air and no smile lined my face that I always admired for. I was hurt physically and emotionally more than I ever thought possible. I had just been violated.

At the time, I didn’t want anyone to know what happened. So I kept the incident to myself without reporting it to anyone at school. I felt ashamed and was especially afraid my friends would look down on me. I didn’t want them to know that I failed to scream and get away. That I didn’t fight back.

I ended up missing nearly two solid months of school because of the fear, shame and depression.

My grades fell to a 3.0 GPA. Now, I will only be able to achieve a 3.5 GPA if I make straight A’s during the rest of my time in school; this could ruin my chances for applying to New York University.

I am now back at school, but it has become radically different for me. I now change clothes for gym class in a separate bathroom. I only use faculty restrooms for similar reasons.

Now both men, with their mothers at their sides, demanded that we match their courage. They reminded us the fight is not over by any stretch of the imagination. Without GLSEN, these two young future leaders might not have been on the stage. Either one could have taken their lives because of their horrendous story but instead they stood before us not as victims but as heroes.

Thank you GLSEN.

Texas Judge Orders Lesbian Couple To Separate To Keep Their Kids!

 

 

Justice and full equality continues to be a stranger to Texans.

In an astounding and shocking judicial decision, Republican Judge John Roach, Jr. demanded that a lesbian couple, Paige Price and Carolyn Compton separate in order to keep their kids. In a custody case involving Compton's previous husband, the Judge invoked a 'morality clause' and gave the couple thirty days for one of them to move out of the house. If they fail to comply, then they could lose custody of their children.

The clause was inserted into the divorce papers because the Judge didn't like Compton's 'lifestyle'.

The Dallas Voice reports:

“Our children are all happy and well adjusted. By his enforcement, being that we cannot marry in this state, I have been ordered to move out of my home,” Price wrote.

Price also mentions that Compton’s ex-husband rarely sees their two children and was once charged with stalking Compton. She said he also hired a private investigator in order to bring the case before the judge. Court records show the ex-husband, Joshua Compton, was charged with third-degree felony stalking in 2011 but pleaded to a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespassing.

Price declined an interview until her lawyers figure out the next step.

Compton was granted a divorce from her ex in 2011, according to court records. The case was reopened in April to dispute custody, which she shares with him.

Compton’s attorney, Barrett Stern, didn’t return a phone call seeking comment. Her ex-husband’s attorney, Paul Key, also didn’t return a phone call.

Ken Upton Jr., senior staff attorney for Lambda Legal’s Dallas office, said he is familiar with the case. He said morality clauses are rarely enforced and were historically used to prevent unmarried people from cohabitating with children present. Courts often include the clauses without people knowing, especially in conservative areas like Collin County, he said.

Gay couples are unfairly targeted under the clause because they can’t legally marry in Texas, Upton said.

So, an ex who is upset that his marriage ended because his wife was gay could use it against her later.

“What the clause has become is an extra burden on gay people because they’re no more likely to violate it than straight people,” he said. “It’s a problem that continues with homophobia.”

Hell's Kitchen Journal: Blood In The Streets of Manhattan

 

 

On Friday, the fifth violent and, in this case, deadly hate crime took place in Manhattan in just 14 days. What many in the LGBT community has feared is taking place. The more successful we become in our struggle for freedom the more anger, violence and abuse the community will face. The hateful, abusive and violent rehectoric from the religious right is starting to seep down and give people permission to beat and kill LGBT Americans.

This is an extremely disturbing trend and must be dealt with immediately by all citizens.

The crimes in Manhattan have been brutal and deadly. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and State Senator Brad Holyman have been leading the response against these savage attacks. Both have insisted on immediate action by law enforcement to protect LGBT New Yorkers.

State Senator Holyman outlined the crimes on his Facebook page:

May 5:

Four men allegedly shouted anti-gay slurs as they attacked Nick Porto and Kevin Atkins near Madison Square Garden.

May 7:

A man was assaulted in Union Square by another man who allegedly used anti-gay slurs.

May 8:

Two men reportedly shouted anti-gay slurs as they attacked a man who was leaving Pieces bar on Christopher Street

May 9:

Two gay men were attacked by a group of other men allegedly shouting anti-gay slurs near the 33rd Street PATH Station. Port Authority police officers quickly arrested two of the suspected perpetrators.

May 17:

A gay man, Marc Carson, was shot to death by another man who allegedly assailed the victim and another gay man with homophobic slurs and chased them out of a pizzeria on Sixth Avenue in Greenwich Village before the shooting.

Marco McMillian Of Mississippi Killed

In Mississippi last February, an African-American gay man running for Mayor of his town was brutally murdered.  Marco McMillian (above)died a horrible death in a gay hate crime.

Growing up in the closet, we used to be extremely careful about holding hands, any public displays of affection and watching for gangs of youths with baseball bats. Never will I forget one Judge who actually praised a group of youth who had killed a gay man in Arizona. Looking over one's shoulder was a way of life. Living in fear of a beating that the police nor government would even investigate was common among LGBT citizens in the 1950's and 1960's. Hell, often the police themselves would beat you.

Overseas there has been an unheard of escalation of violence.

In the nation of Georgia, thousands of anti-gay protesters led by priests attacked vans filled with LGBT citizens sending many to the hospital. In Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church has incitement violent actions against Russian LGBT Citizens. A twenty-three year old young Russian gay, Vladislav Tornovay, was tortured, raped and killed when he came out to his friends.  In France, citizens beat up gays, burned cars, blocked streets and broke windows in an attempt to stop marriage equality. In Africa, encouraged by some Western religious leaders violence against LGBT citizens is a daily occurrence. Many nations are considering joining those that already prescribe the death penalty for being an LGBT person.

Vladislav Tornovoy killed in Russia

What is clear is that the closer we come to achieve full equality the more violence we will face from those who preach and practice hate. What is equally clear is that such violence must be universally condemned, a priority for law enforcement and totally unacceptable to good people everywhere.

As Council Speaker Christine Quinn stated: 

“There was a time in New York City when hate crimes were a common occurrence. There was a time in New York City when two people of the same gender could not walk down the street arm-in-arm without fear of violence and harassment. We refuse to go back to that time.”

To live in fear in face of such violence can only empower the haters. All of us must be visible and proud. To remain silent in the face of such violence is in itself a crime. For those LGBT citizens who believe they are 'more than just gay', this is a wake up call. The victims were from all backgrounds and the only common factor was that they were simply gay.

(Video is of anti-gay violence in Country of Georgia this weekend)

Capitol Hill 'Roll Call' Wonders If LGBT Inclusion Will Kill Immigration Reform

 

 

In Roll Call, journalist Alexander Bolton writes about the fears on Capitol Hill that including LGBT Americans in the proposed immigration reform will kill the legislation. Republicans are vowing to kill it in the House of Representatives if an amendment by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is included which would add LGBT Americans to the bill.

Of course, House Republicans have already indicated that they are likely to kill immigration reform if it includes a path to citizenship! Guess they are just looking for a good scapegoat!

Bolton reports:

A proposal to expand gay rights is threatening to splinter a fragile, bipartisan agreement on immigration reform and kill a pillar of President Obama’s second-term agenda.

The Senate Gang of Eight, which crafted the immigration legislation, pledged to fight off “poison pill” amendments that would derail the bill. But one controversial proposal has already divided the group.

An amendment sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) would allow U.S. citizens in long-term same-sex relationships to sponsor foreign partners for green cards.

It is potentially the most troublesome amendment of the more than 300 proposed changes that have been filed by members of the Judiciary panel.

Republican members of the Gang of Eight have stated bluntly to their Democratic partners that this will sink the bill if adopted during the committee’s deliberations.

The markup begins on Thursday, which is the one-year anniversary of Obama’s decision to embrace same-sex marriage.

“If that’s in the bill, that will kill the bill,” said Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), a member of the gang. “This bill has got to get broad support to have a chance in the House, and with that provision it will not have broad support. A lot of the coalitions that are behind it will go away, and so I think that’s pretty much understood.”

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.), a Democratic member of the group, declared Tuesday he is a strong supporter of the amendment but stopped short of saying how he would vote if it comes up in committee. “I support it and hope we can find a way to resolve it. It’s a fair thing to do,” Durbin said.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), a Reid lieutenant and another member of group, is a co-sponsor of legislation that served as the template for the amendment, the Uniting American Families Act.

Durbin and Schumer are members of the Judiciary Committee and either one could strike down Leahy’s amendment by voting with Republicans against it.

Democrats control 10 seats on the panel to the Republicans’ eight. The other Democratic members of the panel are expected to back the Leahy measure.

Leahy also filed an amendment exempting the immigration status of same-sex couples from restrictions established by the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) if a state or another country recognizes their unions.

Durbin and Schumer are leading contenders to someday replace Sen. Harry Reid (Nev.) as Democratic leader. They have come under pressure from prominent Democratic fundraisers and gay-rights advocates to support the Leahy legislation.

“It will be interesting how Durbin and Schumer vote because they have huge [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] constituencies and citizens in their states, and I can’t imagine them not supporting the Leahy amendment,” said David Mixner, a prominent Democratic fundraiser and political strategist. “Since when do we separate a whole group of American citizens and say, ‘These rights apply to everyone, but not LGBT citizens.’”

Mixner said it would be a “moral outrage” if the Senate passed immigration legislation that discriminated against same-sex couples.

Leahy is one of the biggest allies of gay-rights advocates, who do not want him to succumb to colleagues who would prefer the amendment not come up for a vote.

READ ENTIRE COLUMN HERE........

Victory in Delaware; Next Priority Targets!

 

 

 

The nickname for Delaware is the 'First State' and it is certainly first in my heart this morning. It became the 11th state to pass marriage equality. We broke the '40 barrier' and now have only 39 states to go! Even though a small state it has a tradition of flirting with southern ways. This is a major victory.

More importantly every state that endorses marriage equality before the Supreme Court decisions at the end of June helps drive home the message to the Court.

What's next.

There are two target state that have a reasonably good shot of passing marriage equality before the end of the month. Both Minnesota and Illinois are close to having enough votes to take us to lucky 13! If we could only convince Governor Christie to sign the legislation but my guess is he will wait to see what the court decides in June.

After that?

According to the Williams Institute there are four states left where marriage equality is above 50% in approval. They are Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey and Oregon.

Then there are eleven states where we are within five percentage points which include: Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.

Hopefully the Supreme Court will make our job easier but if it does those twelve states will hear from us soon!

Never let up!

Towleroad.com: Waldman Says Boy Scouts Made It Worse!

 

 

 

The brilliant legal scholar, Ari Ezra Waldman, who contributes regularly to Towleroad.com has made a powerful case that the Boy Scouts allowing LGBT youth but not leaders into the organization has only made it much worse. Here is an excerpt:

The new policy reinforces the Scouts' anti-gay identity.

The Boy Scouts plan to include gay youth not because they accept their sexuality, but because they see it as something to train out of them. As children, young scouts are "still developing, learning about themselves," implying that their professed sexual orientation is, at a minimum, a passing phase. When they join the Scouts, they are still developing "a sense of right and wrong," suggesting that they don't yet know that, in the Scouts' worldview, heterosexuality is right and homosexuality is wrong. They don't yet understand their "duty to God," which requires they dump how God made them and adopt a persona the Scouts happen to think is better.

The Boy Scouts' refusal to permit gay scout leaders is only the strongest evidence of this pernicious motive behind policy reform. The ban on gay scout leaders does more evil than simply denying young gay scouts good role models. It reinforces the Scout message that homosexuality is wrong: The Scouts are saying that, as a child, you don't know who or what you are, so we will help you find yourself; as an adult, your choice to be gay, in violation of morality and God, makes you a negative influence on children.

If the Scouts really believed in accepting American youth as God made them, they would have to allow gay scout leaders. Training, teaching, and building character are important; straight and gay kids can benefit from that kind of education. But the Scouts also teach that being gay is wrong. They believe that the only valid way to conclude the youthful period of discovery and learned is to conclude that you're not gay. Gay scout leaders, as testaments to the fact that morality, esteem, and homosexuality are not incompatible, give scouting youth another option: be who you are. And that the Boy Scouts cannot abide.

SEE WALDMAN'S ENTIRE COLUMN HERE...

WATCH ZACH WAHLS VIDEO FOR SCOUTS FOR EQUALITY HERE...

LGBT: Upcoming Events In New York City

 

 

 

Andy Towle To Be Honored By Stonewall Community Foundation

We are at the peak of the Spring LGBT events that will wind down with Gay Pride at the end of June. Here are some of the upcoming events that are worthy of your support.

April 29th: Family Equality Council Night

The 8th Annual Family Equality Night at the Pier will be held at Pier Sixty in Chelsea. They are honoring this year Dan Bucatinsky, Jennifer Chrisler and Roberta Kaplan. You can get your tickets for this cocktail and dinner event by clicking here.

May 20: The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is presenting a special 20th Anniversary performance of the "The Night That Larry Kramer Kissed Me". For one night only at the Gerard W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, you can see David Drake, Rory O'Malley, B.D. Wong, Anthony Rapp and many others in this splendid reading of the play directed by Tony nominee Robert LaFosse. The evening benefits BC/EFA and Sero Project.  Get your tickets here. 

June 3rd: Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund Cocktail Party Features Coy Mathias Family, Marci Bowers and David Mixner

Kicking off the Gay Pride season in New York City will be the TLDEF's annual benefit held in the Chelsea art scene. The event will be at the Art Directors Club Gallery on 106 West 29th Street (6:30PM to 8:30PM). This year they are honoring BNP Paribas Bank, Marci L. Bowers and David Mixner. In addition, they family of Coy Mathis will be present! Get your tickets here. 

 

June 19th: Andy Towle To Be Honored At Stonewall Community Foundation 2013 Vision Event

The prestigious Stonewall Community Foundation is honoring a terrific group of people over cocktails on June 19th at Arena (135 West 41st Street). They will be honoring this year:

Andy Towle and Michael Goff of Towleroad.com
Harlan Bratcher and Toby Usnik
New York City Anti-Violence Project and Sharon Stapel
Emil Wilbekin

You can get your tickets here

New York Mayor's Race: Conduct Unbecoming - Just Bash Chris!

 

 

 

"Members of the audience called her a “liar,” an opponent relentlessly attacked her, and the moderator at one point had to beg the scornful crowd to let her speak."

-New York Times (April 21, 2013)

Little did New Yorkers realize that Speaker Christine Quinn was such an evil person.

Forget her stellar record as Speaker of the New York City Council. Ignore the fact that she presented seven balance budgets on time. Put aside that she has fought for the rights of others even when it wasn't politically popular. Don't remember the times when she travel to poor neighborhoods and stood with the mothers of gun victims often without press and sometimes only seven or eight people standing with her. And, for God sakes, don't remember how day in and day out she was there and is still there for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Quinn's male opponents have crossed the line in their conduct with personality attacks, distorting her record and whipping up their supporters in a frenzy of 'hate Chris'. The well known mild mannered Alex Baldwin launch a vicious attack on her as he is supporting Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. Really, Alex, of all the evil in the world Christine Quinn deserves that kind of tirade?

They, with delight, proclaim that she is tough, cusses and plays a hard games of politics. In fact, if they described a male candidate with those attributes he would be call a decisive leader. Let's face it. These guys are having a hard time dealing with the fact that they might lose to open lesbian who would be the first woman Mayor of New York City.

Christine Quinn is an unapologetic tough daughter of Ireland who gets things done. She is tough. She does cuss. She doesn't put up with nonsense. She doesn't like delays when Hurricane Sandy victims aren't being helped. She has no patience for homophobia from anyone. She is a feminist who wears that badge with pride.

Christine Quinn is a strong powerful leader and is the perfect person to take over the City of New York.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and her Democratic opponents are good men. They have stood for good things. This kind of conduct is beneath them and they know better. It is simply conduct unbecoming.

More important, while these candidates are strong supporters of LGBT rights, these kind of angry attacks gives permission to the homophobic and misogynist crazies out there. Of course you have every right to challenge her on the issues. Quinn can handle it. She needs to handle it.

Hopefully you can stand for more then you are not Christine Quinn!  However don't tolerate the increasing anger, disruption and hatred that is taking place. Speak out against it. Tell Mr. Baldwin and others that their anger is misdirected.

For those of us fortunate enough to attend the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund brunch this past Sunday, we heard speaker after speaker talk about the difference having one of our own in office makes in protecting the right of LGBT Americans really struck home. Congressman Sean Maloney gave an eloquent speech how it has affected his colleagues on the floor of the House.

When it came Quinn's turn she was powerful, moving and a leader. She talked about young LGBT Americans and our obligations to them. She talked about her vision for the city. All I could think of as she was speaking was what an excellent tough and visionary Mayor she would make for the Big Apple.

Go get them Christine

Michelangelo Signorile: Boy Scouts Once Again Has It Totally Wrong

 

 

 

Michelangelo Signorile writing on 'Huffington Post's Gay Voices' hits the nail on the head with the offensive proposed new policy from the national Boy Scouts. They want to allow open LGBT youth to participate in the scouting experience however not allow any Scout leaders to be openly LGBT Americans.

Of course the message is a simple one: You kids are innocent but once they get older they can't be trusted with young children. Really? You expect us to buy into that compromise?

Here is Signorile's column:

The latest decision by the Boy Scouts of America, proposing to end its ban on gay scouts but not its ban on gay and lesbian scoutmasters and den mothers, is at once ridiculous and blatantly anti-gay. Sorry, but there's just no middle ground on bigotry. The idea that you can end discrimination against some -- and actually admit that it is discrimination -- but not against others is truly breathless in its illogic. The BSA actually says in its new proposal that "no youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone," but that the organization "will maintain the current membership policy for all adult leaders."

So a boy can come out as gay, be a great scout and be accepted by the organization but not even think about being a scoutmaster as an adult? And how can a boy who comes out as gay, or is simply known to be gay because of his other associations and friendships, feel that he is not stigmatized by the BSA when the organization is still discriminating against gay adults?

The BSA's twisted reasoning is that gay adults can't be trusted around boys, because they may be sexually attracted to them and may make sexual advances on them. It's never explained why, using that logic, a lesbian can't be a den mother, and of course it feeds into the nastiest lies and stereotypes about gays, equating them with pedophiles. That continued stigmatization will fuel homophobia and bullying against gay scouts regardless of the fact that the organization now says that they won't be banned. That the BSA used its recent survey of members as a cover, claiming that a majority of its members wanted it this way, only heightens the ugliness of the message.

What I wrote last July, when the BSA decided to keep the ban on both gay scouts and gay scoutmasters, still holds: The BSA is sending a dangerous message to young people across America, telling them to keep gays away because they are not like the rest of us.

The Boy Scouts had a chance, again, to redeem itself, but it has blown it big-time. As I also noted last July, the BSA must be considered an enemy of civil rights. Any parents in good conscience must continue to realize what they are a party to by enrolling their kids in an organization whose policies would help drive hostility against a minority group. And any corporation or organization that associates with the Boy Scouts must be made to realize the ugliness that it is party to, as well.

TWO VIDEOS: Fantastic And Hilarious Speech And Parliament Breaks Into Song As Marriage Equality Passes In New Zealand

 

 

Thanks to Towleroad.com for bringing to my attention this marvelous video. Many of you have already seen it but for those of you who haven't seen it, watch it now.

The second video shows the legislature breaking into an indigenous Maori love song in the New Zealand Parliament after the vote.

Thank you to all of our straight allies around the world!