The Best Damn Newsletter in New Jersey! ®
CHALLENGE The Newsletter of the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County – Serving New Jersey’s GLBTI Communities Continuously Since 1972
Volume 39, Issue 4, May 2013
Standing Still and Holding Our Breath...at Warp Speed! by Andy Skurna
The subject matter for this month’s article was a tough choice. The deadline for this article was 4/15, only 20 days from the day the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) heard oral arguments in Hollingsworth v. Perry (aka the “Prop 8 Case”). The very next day SCOTUS heard arguments in United States v. Windsor (aka “The DOMA Case”). But that is not all that has happened, is it?
Meanwhile, back in the backwards United States, where at least through June we are still denied the equal treatment under the law promised by the 14th Amendment in 1868, we have the story of Allen, Roger, and Lee.
Allen Mansell and Roger Gorley, civil union husbands holding each other’s power of attorney for the last five years in Missouri, had their status as second class citizens rubbed in I readily admit (and for most of you, this their faces, kneed into Roger’s back, and will NOT be a newsflash) I am plugged into cut into his wrists. Allen has been Facebook just about 24/7, thanks to forstruggling with depression for years, and mer GAAMC member Jen D., who insisted during a visit with his family, they back in 2008 that GAAMC must get with decided to take him to the hospital. the times and get a Facebook page. Five They called Roger and let him know, and years later, the stream of information and Roger met them shortly after they calls-to-action hitting my feed is like a arrived at the hospital. Lee Mansell, ride through the rapids for my eyeballs. Allen's brother, and Roger had a disagreement about Allen’s care, Our wonderful editor, Allen Neuner, sumresulting in a loud dispute in the hospital marizes the top LGBTI news stories from room. Allen’s nurse decided to ignore around the world and delivers them in Roger’s legal status as his “husband” and Challenge ten times per year in a package power of attorney, and instead of asking known as "Gleanings". [See pages 4 thru 6 Lee to leave the room, ordered Roger to Roger Gorley and Allen Mansell -Ed.] When you see those neat, little leave his husband’s side. When he blurbs flowed onto the pages like that, we refused she called in security guards who beat his wrists can sometimes lose sight of the fact of all that usually has until he lost his grip of Allen’s hospital bed. That’s when happened within the last 30 days. they forced him to the floor, where one security guard But the tide has changed. The stream of news — no, the jammed his knee into his back while placing him in stream of change has swelled into rapids. Here are the handcuffs and took him to a holding area to surrender to local police. One of the responding police offers (clearly an events of one week in the life of marriage equality: ignorant homophobe) refused to touch Roger without rubber April 10: Uruguay became the 12th nation, the third gloves on. It seems that in his very little, closed mind, one in the western hemisphere, to grant marriage equality. can contract AIDS just by touching a gay man. April 12: France’s Senate approved a marriage (continued on page 6) equality bill, after the National Assembly passed Inside Challenge their version of the bill in November, 2012. President Hollande supports marriage equality, and is Challenge Information.... ................................ page 2 expected to sign the bill that is presented to him. GAAMC Events.............................................. page 2 April 15: Ireland’s Constitutional Convention voted Bulletin Board.............................................. page 3 to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. The Meet Our Vice President of Operations................ page 3 Irish government is expected to hold debates and Rally for Marriage Equality............................... page 3 respond within four months. Gleanings: Queer news from around the world .... page 4 Calendar ..................................................... page 7 April 15: United Nations Secretary-General Ban KiDancing to Architecture: music reviews............. page 9 moon denounced discrimination against LGBT peoThe Little Box of Concerts............................. page 10 ple, declaring that religion, culture and tradition Call To Action: Rebuild the Jersey Shore............ page 11 can never be justification for denying basic rights. Poetry by Bill Realman Stella...........................page 11 April 16: New Zealand’s marriage equality bill Movie Review: Out of the Lockers: "42"............. page 12 passed into law. Getting Personal..........................................page 12 AIDS Walkathon Appeal.................................. page 12 April 17: Colombia’s Senate began debating marThis Month's Contributors............................... page 12 riage equality. February Board Meeting Minutes...................... page 13 Poetry: Poems by Tony Puma.......................... page 13 GAAMC Information...................................... page 14 BONUS Online Dancing To Architecture Extra...... page 15