ARE YOU GLBT AND OVER 70?
Elizabeth Stewart (aka The Bitch Of Dupont Circle) has a new research project. She is conducting a research survey on sexual satisfaction among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people 70 years of age and over. This will be the substance of an article she is writing for the magazine, IN THE FAMILY, a serious publication which explores the lives and relationships of GLBTs. Their Winter 2004 issue will be taking a look at those senior citizens. She has been doing lots of research, and there is very little, if anything at all, published on this important topic. The editor says the article will be read by thousands of mental health professionals around the country who work with senior citizens in the gay community.
Are you eligible and interested? If so, please contact her to participate in the survey, which is 13 really interesting questions and will take about 10 minutes to complete, depending on how much you care to write. Others, please spread the word about the survey to any 70+ GLBTs--including seniors' organizations or online seniors' communities. The more people who respond, the more accurate picture she will be able to draw about sexuality among our elder community.
All responses will be anonymous. She doesn't need to know names or any other identifying information. Snail mail responses are also acceptable, but she needs them all by Dec. 5. For the actual survey form and any other information, email: Elizabeth F. Stewart
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Uhuru Group Staging Demonstration Tomorrow
St. Petersburg's CUSP has broadcast notice that they are sponsoring a demonstration Friday, November 21st from 8:30-10:00 AM at the corner of 2nd St and 2nd Ave N (Baywalk) to "call for an end to police violence against Africans and to stand up for free speech in the face of this brutality.
"Three men's lives are at stake. All are charged with felonies. Two for inciting to riot because they challenged the police as they brutalized a man they were arresting.
"These men are CIVIL RIGHTS HEROES who had the courage to say no to this kind of behavior by police. There was no riot. This is a strategy by the police to intimidate the African working class in our community."
please note the disclaimer at the end of the links
St. Petersburg's CUSP has broadcast notice that they are sponsoring a demonstration Friday, November 21st from 8:30-10:00 AM at the corner of 2nd St and 2nd Ave N (Baywalk) to "call for an end to police violence against Africans and to stand up for free speech in the face of this brutality.
"Three men's lives are at stake. All are charged with felonies. Two for inciting to riot because they challenged the police as they brutalized a man they were arresting.
"These men are CIVIL RIGHTS HEROES who had the courage to say no to this kind of behavior by police. There was no riot. This is a strategy by the police to intimidate the African working class in our community."
please note the disclaimer at the end of the links
Help Ensure Proper Judicial Oversight from Matt Howes, National Internet Organizer, ACLU
Congress is very close to giving government law enforcement agents even broader powers to force businesses to turn over sensitive private information about their customers without any judicial review.
Part of a little-noticed provision that is pending before a conference committee, the expanded powers would allow the government to access your travel records, car purchases, stock trades or other purchases and stop you from finding out that these records have been searched. The government could undertake these searches for loosely defined 'national security' purposes even if it has no reasonable suspicion that you were involved in a crime.
Click here for more information.
Congress is very close to giving government law enforcement agents even broader powers to force businesses to turn over sensitive private information about their customers without any judicial review.
Part of a little-noticed provision that is pending before a conference committee, the expanded powers would allow the government to access your travel records, car purchases, stock trades or other purchases and stop you from finding out that these records have been searched. The government could undertake these searches for loosely defined 'national security' purposes even if it has no reasonable suspicion that you were involved in a crime.
Click here for more information.
Will Massachusetts' Governor Implement the Court's Decision on Marrriage? from Sheri A. Lunn, NGLFT Director of Communications
Washington, D.C., November 19, 2003 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force yesterday called upon Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to uphold his oath of office by working to implement - rather than oppose - yesterday's landmark court decision finding that denying same-sex couples the freedom to marry violates the state's constitution. Immediately after the decision, Romney said that he would do all he could to stop marriage licenses from going out to "nontraditional" couples.
NGLTF's Executive Director Matt Foreman writes "On January 3, 2003 - just over 10 months ago - Mitt Romney swore to faithfully discharge all the duties incumbent on him under the Constitution of the State of Massachusetts. Yesterday, the state's highest court found that denying same-sex couples the right to marry violates that constitution and gave the legislature 180 days to facilitate the inclusion of same-sex couples in the state's marriage laws. The language of the decision is clear and unambiguous and does not - as Governor Romney claims - give the state the option of creating some separate and inherently unequal framework for same-sex couples.
By saying he will do all that he can to prevent the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, the Governor is violating his oath of office. Under his oath, the Governor has only one option - to faithfully and agreeably discharge all the duties incumbent on him under the state constitution - and that means working to implement the decision. As important, he is falling into the hands of those who will use this decision to divide the people of Massachusetts and America. We urge him to step back and do his constitutional duty."
Oath of Office for Governor of Massachusetts:
"I do solemnly swear and affirm, that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as: according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably, to the rules and regulations of the constitution, and the laws of this commonwealth -- So help me, God."
November 18 Statement from Gov. Romney:
"Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman. The exact equivalent to marriage is also reserved to a man and a woman. Over the next several months, I will work with legislative leadership and other legislators and community leaders to decide what kind of statute we can fashion, which is consistent with the law. We obviously have to follow the law as provided by the SJC. Even if we don't agree with it, we are going to follow it in terms of preparing legislation. We will initiate a constitution amendment process that will be consistent with what I think the feelings are of the people of the commonwealth."
Washington, D.C., November 19, 2003 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force yesterday called upon Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to uphold his oath of office by working to implement - rather than oppose - yesterday's landmark court decision finding that denying same-sex couples the freedom to marry violates the state's constitution. Immediately after the decision, Romney said that he would do all he could to stop marriage licenses from going out to "nontraditional" couples.
NGLTF's Executive Director Matt Foreman writes "On January 3, 2003 - just over 10 months ago - Mitt Romney swore to faithfully discharge all the duties incumbent on him under the Constitution of the State of Massachusetts. Yesterday, the state's highest court found that denying same-sex couples the right to marry violates that constitution and gave the legislature 180 days to facilitate the inclusion of same-sex couples in the state's marriage laws. The language of the decision is clear and unambiguous and does not - as Governor Romney claims - give the state the option of creating some separate and inherently unequal framework for same-sex couples.
By saying he will do all that he can to prevent the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, the Governor is violating his oath of office. Under his oath, the Governor has only one option - to faithfully and agreeably discharge all the duties incumbent on him under the state constitution - and that means working to implement the decision. As important, he is falling into the hands of those who will use this decision to divide the people of Massachusetts and America. We urge him to step back and do his constitutional duty."
Oath of Office for Governor of Massachusetts:
"I do solemnly swear and affirm, that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as: according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably, to the rules and regulations of the constitution, and the laws of this commonwealth -- So help me, God."
November 18 Statement from Gov. Romney:
"Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman. The exact equivalent to marriage is also reserved to a man and a woman. Over the next several months, I will work with legislative leadership and other legislators and community leaders to decide what kind of statute we can fashion, which is consistent with the law. We obviously have to follow the law as provided by the SJC. Even if we don't agree with it, we are going to follow it in terms of preparing legislation. We will initiate a constitution amendment process that will be consistent with what I think the feelings are of the people of the commonwealth."
ACLU Opposes Writing Intolerance into the U.S. Constitution from Matt Howes, National Internet Organizer, ACLU
In issuing a bold ruling against discrimination yesterday, the Massachusetts State Supreme Court has emboldened those who want to amend the U.S. Constitution to deny the right to marry to same-sex couples in committed relationships.
The Massachusetts ruling recognized that gay and lesbian Americans serve in our military, keep our communities safe as firefighters and police officers, staff our hospitals, build our cities and pay taxes. The Massachusetts court ruled that the state cannot deny to gay couples the same marital legal rights in pensions, health insurance, hospital visitations and inheritance that other committed couples enjoy.
Click here for more information.
In issuing a bold ruling against discrimination yesterday, the Massachusetts State Supreme Court has emboldened those who want to amend the U.S. Constitution to deny the right to marry to same-sex couples in committed relationships.
The Massachusetts ruling recognized that gay and lesbian Americans serve in our military, keep our communities safe as firefighters and police officers, staff our hospitals, build our cities and pay taxes. The Massachusetts court ruled that the state cannot deny to gay couples the same marital legal rights in pensions, health insurance, hospital visitations and inheritance that other committed couples enjoy.
Click here for more information.
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Massachusetts Supreme Court Legalizes Gay Marriage!
A Message From Rev. Troy D. Perry, MCC Founder and Moderator
Today, gays and lesbians took another historic step forward in the march for equality as the Supreme Court of Massachusetts ruled 4-3 that same-sex couples are legally entitled to marry under the state constitution.
In its decision, the Court stated, "The state has no reason to ban same-sex marriage."
Unlike the Canadian marriage court decision which was immediately implemented, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling ordered the state Legislature to come up with a solution within 180 days. The decision stopped short of allowing marriage licenses to be issued to the couples who challenged the law.
In July of this year in Toronto, Canada, I legally wed my partner of 18 years, Phillip Ray DeBlieck. During our wedding, I told the press I believed that at least one state in the United States would rule in favor of same-sex marriage within five years. I had no idea this would happen in five months.
I salute community leaders and activists in Massachusetts who have worked tirelessly to bring equality to that state's marriage laws. I am especially pleased to recognize MCC clergyperson Rev. Joan Saniuk, whose work on behalf of marriage equality has made a profound difference in that state.
Our work is not done, and this victory is not final. There is already a strong movement in the Massachusetts Legislature to circumvent this court ruling with an anti-gay amendment to the state constitution.
History will view today's decision in Goodridge et al. vs. Department of Public Health as one of the most significant steps in our ongoing struggle for GLBT equality under the law.
Metropolitan Community Churches, which performs more than 6000 same-sex weddings each year, celebrates today's decision and reaffirms its work to assure that equality under the law is provided to all citizens.
A Message From Rev. Troy D. Perry, MCC Founder and Moderator
Today, gays and lesbians took another historic step forward in the march for equality as the Supreme Court of Massachusetts ruled 4-3 that same-sex couples are legally entitled to marry under the state constitution.
In its decision, the Court stated, "The state has no reason to ban same-sex marriage."
Unlike the Canadian marriage court decision which was immediately implemented, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling ordered the state Legislature to come up with a solution within 180 days. The decision stopped short of allowing marriage licenses to be issued to the couples who challenged the law.
In July of this year in Toronto, Canada, I legally wed my partner of 18 years, Phillip Ray DeBlieck. During our wedding, I told the press I believed that at least one state in the United States would rule in favor of same-sex marriage within five years. I had no idea this would happen in five months.
I salute community leaders and activists in Massachusetts who have worked tirelessly to bring equality to that state's marriage laws. I am especially pleased to recognize MCC clergyperson Rev. Joan Saniuk, whose work on behalf of marriage equality has made a profound difference in that state.
Our work is not done, and this victory is not final. There is already a strong movement in the Massachusetts Legislature to circumvent this court ruling with an anti-gay amendment to the state constitution.
History will view today's decision in Goodridge et al. vs. Department of Public Health as one of the most significant steps in our ongoing struggle for GLBT equality under the law.
Metropolitan Community Churches, which performs more than 6000 same-sex weddings each year, celebrates today's decision and reaffirms its work to assure that equality under the law is provided to all citizens.
"Education Policy: Issues Affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth" by Sean Cahill and Jason Cianciotto
This report, released November 17, 2003, provides a comprehensive overview of the school experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, and existing policy interventions aimed at making schools safe and affirming environments for all students. It also examines recent federal policy changes that complicate these efforts, and offers a research agenda to fill these gaps in our understanding of the experieinces of LGBT youth and children of LGBT parents.
You can find this with other Reports & Research at the NGLTF Library as .pdf files. Other recent titles include: "Marriage Protection Week' Sponsors: Are They Really Interested in 'Building Strong and Healthy Marriages?" (10/15/03); "Gay Pride Survey: 2004 Presidential Election" 8/1/03); "Know Thy Enemy: Quotes About the Sodomy Ruling and the Same-Sex Marriage Backlash" (7/28/03); and "Campus Climate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender People: A National Perspective" (5/1/03).
This report, released November 17, 2003, provides a comprehensive overview of the school experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, and existing policy interventions aimed at making schools safe and affirming environments for all students. It also examines recent federal policy changes that complicate these efforts, and offers a research agenda to fill these gaps in our understanding of the experieinces of LGBT youth and children of LGBT parents.
You can find this with other Reports & Research at the NGLTF Library as .pdf files. Other recent titles include: "Marriage Protection Week' Sponsors: Are They Really Interested in 'Building Strong and Healthy Marriages?" (10/15/03); "Gay Pride Survey: 2004 Presidential Election" 8/1/03); "Know Thy Enemy: Quotes About the Sodomy Ruling and the Same-Sex Marriage Backlash" (7/28/03); and "Campus Climate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender People: A National Perspective" (5/1/03).
Monday, November 17, 2003
Metropolitan Community Churches Declared Apostate
In response to an MCC press release a news story was posted on the Radical Right's WorldNetDaily.com website on November 12, 2003. WorldNetDaily is a major supplier of news to far right-wing radio talk shows and ultra-conservative magazines and websites.
In the news story, Radical Right leaders attack both MCC, for its pro-gay theology and commitment to same-sex marriage, and U.S. President Bush, for sending 35th anniversary congratulations to MCC in the midst of the anti-gay Marriage Protection Week.
Of special concern is the harsh and vicious language used by the Radical Right about Metropolitan Community Churches: 'MCC is evidence of a growing apostasy within Christianity' and 'MCC is an apostate denomination.'
Also, please note this is not a 'political' story -- it as an example of MCC's long history of holding government leaders accountable -- whether it was Clinton's support of the Defense of Marriage Act and the Clinton Administration's restrictive immigration policies for people with HIV, or President Bush's mixed message of congratulating a gay denomination that performs 6000 gay weddings annually during the same week he also publicly supported the anti-gay Marriage Protection Week.
In any event, this story is picking up significant media coverage in the United States and Canada.
In response to an MCC press release a news story was posted on the Radical Right's WorldNetDaily.com website on November 12, 2003. WorldNetDaily is a major supplier of news to far right-wing radio talk shows and ultra-conservative magazines and websites.
In the news story, Radical Right leaders attack both MCC, for its pro-gay theology and commitment to same-sex marriage, and U.S. President Bush, for sending 35th anniversary congratulations to MCC in the midst of the anti-gay Marriage Protection Week.
Of special concern is the harsh and vicious language used by the Radical Right about Metropolitan Community Churches: 'MCC is evidence of a growing apostasy within Christianity' and 'MCC is an apostate denomination.'
Also, please note this is not a 'political' story -- it as an example of MCC's long history of holding government leaders accountable -- whether it was Clinton's support of the Defense of Marriage Act and the Clinton Administration's restrictive immigration policies for people with HIV, or President Bush's mixed message of congratulating a gay denomination that performs 6000 gay weddings annually during the same week he also publicly supported the anti-gay Marriage Protection Week.
In any event, this story is picking up significant media coverage in the United States and Canada.
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