July 2, 2014
Issue 1536
Wingspan’s future ignites community conversation OBSERVER STAFF TUCSON – Tucson’s LGBTQ community center is in the midst of unsteady finances and facing an imminent closure at its Fourth Avenue location and a possible merger with the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation causing many in the community to ask what happened. The Wingspan board voted to dissolve the position of executive director last week. The position had been filled by Carol Grimsby since April of 2013. Grimsby is the former executive director of a group
Inside Tucson officials now able to electrify citizens and take their food scraps
Hobby Lobby ruling:
What’s left after the sawdust and glitter settles
that advocates for neglected and abused children, the Court Appointed Special Advocates in Kansas City, Missouri, as well as an advocate for women in groups such as Women with One Voice. The board vote to eliminate Grimsby’s position set a wave of gossip and hearsay throughout the community. With its lease for the facility at 430 E. 7th Street set to expire July 31, the organization is moving quickly to make changes amid financial struggles. The impact of changes in Wingspan’s programming was Continued on page 11
Tenth Circuit rules in favor of the freedom to marry in Utah DENVER — In a landmark decision, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled that Utah’s ban on the freedom to marry for same-sex couples violates the U.S. Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and due process.
PERSON PERSON OBSERVER STAFF Monday the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the the anti-gay religious $2 billion corporation Hobby Lobby. In Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, the issue at bench was whether the craft supplier could opt out of paying for women’s contraception as part of its healthcare costs because such treatments violate the owner’s religious beliefs.
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Indiana’s ban on same-sex marriage struck down
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Did Lady Gaga say bye-bye to bi life? Page 13 Some thoughts on Wingspan and the Stonewall riots Page 7
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The dissenting opinion comes from Justice Gisnburg. Some key quotes from the ruling worthy of noting: In response to concerns that the ruling may allow for discrimination in employment,
the majority opinion ruling says: “The principal dissent raises the possibility that discrimination in hiring, for example on the basis of race, might be cloaked as religious practice to escape legal sanction. Our decision today provides no such shield. The government has a compelling interest in providing an equal opportunity to participate in the workforce without regard Continued on page 12
Former Arizona political star runs for Congress but can’t vote still registered as a Republican when he filed to run in the Democratic primary, a judge recently gave the no-no to the faux-faux -- he’s off the ballot.
The June 25 decision in Kitchen v. Herbert is the first federal appellate court ruling in a freedom to marry case since the United States Supreme Court ruled in June 2013 that the federal government must recognize the marriages of same-sex couples. The case was brought by Utah couples Derek Kitchen and Moudi Sbeity, Laurie Wood and Kody Partridge, and Karen Archer and Kate Call. On Dec. 20, 2013, U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby ruled that Utah’s laws denying same-sex couples the freedom to marry violate the U.S. Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and due process. More than 1,000 same-sex couples married in Utah in the days following the ruling. Utah appealed the ruling to the Tenth Circuit, which heard oral argument in the case on April 10, 2014.
The majority opinion was written by Justice Samuel Alito. He was joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Kennedy, Scalia, and Thomas -- all men.
MEH
Turns out there’s another candidate in the same primary who can’t vote because he’s a convicted felon.
OBSERVER STAFF
A few short years ago, the Rev. Jarrett Maupin was a political meteor blazing across the Phoenix sky. Then he was convicted of lying to the FBI in allegations against former Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon.
PHOENIX -- Arizona’s 7th Congressional District is determined to be a circus this year no matter how far into La-La Land its candidates have to venture in order to keep the fun coming.
Maupin was stripped of his seat on a Phoenix school board, ordered to pay restitution for offering legal services without a law degree, placed on five years’ probation and, of course, lost his right to vote, all in 2009.
First there was white Republican Scott Fistler changing his name to Cesar Chavez to run as a Democrat in the majority-Hispanic district.
His probation would have ended in April, but prosecutors got his probation revoked, saying his performance was “nothing more than a continuation of his predilection for lying and half-truths.”
Republican Scott Fistler changed his name to Cesar Chavez to run as a Democrat in a majority-Hispanic district.
Since Fistler/Chavez was
He’s currently scheduled to be off probation in midNovember -- shortly after Election Day. Maupin can run for Congress as a felon because the U.S. Constitution doesn’t bar it. But Arizona gets to decide who can vote, and the state bars felons on probation or owing restitution. Maupin is a long shot in the primary even though the 7th District holds the state’s largest black voting bloc. Front runners are longtime Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, who has made some surprising missteps of her own in the campaign, and former state Rep. Ruben Gallego, who once made national news by bucking the National Rifle Association by supporting a proposal to block people on the terrorist watch list from buying guns. A fourth candidate is Randy Camacho, a teacher.
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Arizona secularists blast high court’s Hobby Lobby ruling
Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a challenge to a California law that bans “conversion therapy” aimed at changing the sexual orientation of gay and lesbian minors.
PHOENIX -- The Secular Coalition for Arizona, the voice of non-theists at the Arizona Legislature, has condemned the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision released Monday in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby.
The court, in rejecting the case, effectively let stand a federal appeals court ruling issued last August that said that the state’s ban on the practice did not violate the free speech rights of counselors or people seeking treatment.
In a statement, the coalition said the court’s 5-4 decision “gives overzealous employers the green light to cite their religious beliefs when denying female employees reproductive health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.”
The appeals court had said that the state had an interest in banning professional treatments it considered harmful.
The law already exempted religious, nonprofit organizations from having to provide contraceptive services. “A nationwide corporation should not have the right to force its [owners’] religious views on their employees, especially for something as important as a woman’s health,” said Zenaido Quintana, the coalition’s director. “This is no different than refusing to serve or firing someone because they do not share your beliefs.” More information is available at www.secularaz.or.
Obama asks to expand deportation powers, trash Bush limitations WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The White House asked Congress on Monday for more power to fast-track deportation of Central American children crossing the U.S. border illegally. The move would bypass protections set up by the George W. Bush administration. Unaccompanied children from countries that do not share a border with the U.S. cannot be held by the Border Patrol for more than 72 hours before they’re transferred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement, a part of the Department of Health and Human Services. From there, they are normally transferred to family members in the U.S. (if such relatives can be found) or into foster care. President Obama wants to begin deporting the children immediately, even though some as young as 4 or 5 years old have been found alone at the border. While the numbers of undocumented Mexicans being caught at the border continues to decline, there has been a tremendous surge in children coming from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Those Central American countries are now gripped with political instability, and many families apparently think their children have a better chance of survival in trying to reach the U.S. than in staying at home.
High Court declines case contesting ban on ‘conversion therapy’ WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S.
The Supreme Court did not say why it rejected the case, as is its custom. Some conservative and religious groups continue to argue that sexuality is not innate and that a person could change his or her sexual orientation. Scientific and medical groups, however, have said that there is no evidence that sexual attractions can be changed. They also say that conversion therapies can be harmful. -- The New York Times
Town votes lesbian police chief in, homophobe mayor out LATTA, S.C. -- The residents of Latta, South Carolina, on Tuesday came through for their police chief, Crystal Moore, who was fired two months ago for reasons that many residents say had to do with her being a lesbian. The town overwhelmingly voted to reinstate Moore to her job and to strip the mayor, Earl Bullard, of some of his powers. As first reported by The Morning News in South Carolina, Latta residents passed a referendum changing the governing structure of the town from “mayor-strong” to “council-strong,” which gives the town council the ability to rehire Moore. The ballots still must be certified on Friday, but the council plans to make its first order of business rehiring Moore.
Chinese man endures 4-hour operation after pipe-in-pipe action QUANZHOU CITY, China -- Rap stars may brag about laying pipe, but Lian Tien can offer his own unique slant. After trying for two days to remove a section of pipe from his pipe, Lian took the problem to a hospital. Doctors had to defer to firefighters in Lian’s case; the firemen used cutting tools to saw the pipe off the 61-year-old’s pee-pee. As Dr. Dewei Yuan said, “The member had swollen so much that there was nothing more we could do, and we had to ask for help.” Lian’s story goes: “It was hot so I was painting the wall in the nude, and I slipped on the floor causing my private parts to fall inside the pipe that was protruding from the wall to take water outside from the air-conditioning unit.” “I went to sleep thinking that if I relaxed it would slide off, but it didn’t.
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It began to get red and inflamed. I was worried that I would get a terrible infection.” Central European News asked “Is this the world’s most improbable excuse?”
Water distressed by hateful speech? Just call it H2Woe After actress Gwyneth Paltrow endorsed a controversial theory that talking ugly to water can damage its molecular structure, The Week’s weekly word contest asked what we should call a bottle of damaged water. The top three submissions were: WINNER: H2Woe -- Audrey Nagel, Burlington, N.J. SECOND PLACE: Meaneral Water -- Douglas Brian, Cranston, R.I. THIRD PLACE: Post Traumatic Stress Diswater -- Suzanne Wolke, Salem, Mass.
July 2, 2014 any wool pulled over her eyes. The G-List Society didn't mince any of the details: "In the hilarious case where a white sugar daddy mistakenly assumed that enticing a young black man looking for a comeup with money would keep the cutie, ... Starns tried to prove to Judge Judy that his much younger black mandingo love interest ... owed him money on various loans to pay his rent, alleged college education and other needs." And as Queerty summed up the case, "After hearing both men’s testimony, Judge Judy ended up dismissing the case, ruling that the plaintiff gave the money with no reasonable expectation to be repaid. She concluded by telling ... Murphy that his actions (using the promise of sex to get money from lonely older gentlemen) left her 'gagging.' " Younger people can get money from older people in exchange for sex? The entire Observer staff stands agog.
Oklahoma man jailed on charges related to Walmart jerk-off TULSA, Okla. -- Remember all those “People of Walmart” photos that used to make the rounds in your email? Apparently those were the well-dressed, well-mannered folks. Tulsa police say Derek Bennett, 26, confessed to walking around a Walmart store exposed and stroking, but expressed surprise that anybody noticed. Yo, Derek! People weren’t the only ones who noticed. Next time you’re in the mood for public sleaze, check out the placement of the security cameras! Police said that “on finishing up,” Bennett left the store and drove away, but was pulled over before he got far. KTUL-TV reported that he was booked on two counts of indecent exposure. He was spending some time in the Tulsa County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail. So far no explanation about WTF he thought he was doing.
Grindr case leaves TV's 71-year-old Judge Judy 'gagging' The honorable Judge Judith Sheindlin (age 71) found herself facing the 21st century in Monday’s episode involving the gay dating site Grindr. The 23-year-old defendant, Adam Murphy, was being sued for not repaying a loan from the 47-year-old "friend" he met on Grindr. Responding to a question from the judge, Murphy insisted he was only using Grindr to make friends, and then met Christopher Starns or Sterns (the name has been reported both ways) at an Applebee's. "No, then you go on a website to make friends," Scheindlein said, indicating that she was not there to have
1830 E Broadway Blvd #124-215 Tucson, AZ 85719 www.observerweekly.com info@observerweekly.com Voice Mail 520-812-0909 Editor-In-Chief Bob Ellis Executive Editor Nicholas K. M. Pafford Senior Editor Greg Miller Assistant Editor Christine Beall Assistant Editor Christopher L. Pankratz Phoenix Area Distribution T-Media Promotion Send Classifieds, Inquiry Letters, etc to: info@observerweekly.com Publication of names or photos of any person or organization in the Observer Weekly is not to be construed as indication of the sexual orientation of such person, organization or advertisers or any employees thereof. Opinions expressed by contributors, advertisers or in PSA’s are not necessarily those of the Observer, its staff or advertisers. The Observer assumes responsibility for its own editorial policy only. © 2013 by Observer Publications Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted or archived in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Observer Publications Inc.
July 2, 2014
OP-ED
OBSERVER
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Letter to the Editor
‘Orange Is the New Black’ proves to be the model of queer TV By Nico Lang THE ADVOCATE
Dear Observer:
“This set is a dyke bar. All it needs is a pool table and DJ spinning ‘We Are Family,’” quips “Orange Is the New Black” actress Lea DeLaria in an interview about Netflix’s breakout hit. Although DeLaria is obviously joking, she’s also saying what viewers already know: “Orange Is the New Black” is the queerest thing on TV today. In fact, during “OITNB’s” second season, the number of lesbian plotlines is a running joke. For those tuning in for the “L Word” aspects of the show, there’s much to enjoy (including a hilarious contest between Nicky and Boo to see who can bag the most Litchfield ladies) in a medium that’s long been a home for queer-themed content. At a time when cable is taking baby steps toward inclusion on shows like “Looking” and “Faking It,” Web programming has long been unabashedly and proudly queer. Whereas television is still chained to Jack McFarland sidekicks, Billy Eichner found viral success by upending what we think about flamboyancy. On the Internet, he’s not anyone’s sassy gay friend. Eichner is the star of the show. By putting queer lives at the center of the frame, LGBT-themed Web shows like “Kam Kardashian,” “Hunting Season,” and “The Outs” run the spectrum of representation. Wenjo Carlton’s “Easy Abby” is more of a traditional lesbian rom-com, while the Ryan Logan-directed “Kam Kardashian” acts as a madcap screwball comedy, “Bringing Up Baby” as imagined through the lens of reality TV. Although “The Outs” (a seven-episode Brooklynset series) was often compared to “Girls,” its neurotic brand of honesty was all its own. Interview called it “the most accurate and essentially human portrayal of young gay men today.” According to an article in The Atlantic, “The Outs” was “born out of a dissatisfaction with mainstream television,” where LGBT representation “[tends] to all look similar.” Sitcoms like “Happy Endings,” “Modern Family,” and “Partners” are settling for inclusion (because, hey, it’s screentime), but there’s a prevailing feeling that television can be doing more. In order to survive on network TV, characters like Mitchell and Cam have had to act less like a loving gay couple than “asexual frenemies two squabbles away from a murder-suicide,” as the “A.V. Club’s” Joshua Alston put it. Although lesbian relationships took place at the fringes of Piper Kerman’s novel, which provided inspiration for
What’s the big rush to close Wingspan: Communtiy member upset with board’s ‘hasty decision’ As a proud member of Senior Pride and a community member for many years, I am appalled at Wingspan's closure. The hasty decision on the part of the board of directors without allowing the community to rally in Wingspan's support is unconscionable, and I hold the board of directors accountable to the community. As noted, Wingspan's lease is not up until July 31, so what was the big rush to close Wingspan? Oh, I am sure we will be given some excuse by the board if they choose to respond, but will it be the truth?
“Orange Is the New Black” is the queerest thing on TV today. A screen grab of an episode of Netflix’s hit show starring Taylor Schilling, right.
the series, they’ve been front and center throughout the show. In real life, Piper and Larry may have worked out their problems, but TV Piper (Taylor Schilling) is far more fixated on Alex Vause, her femme fatale lover, played with cat-eyed relish by Laura Prepon. The couple proved so popular during the first season (even spawning their own Tumblr-sanctioned portmanteau) that “OITNB” brought Alex back for a third season. This was despite the fact that the real-life character was barely in the book at all. It’s hard to imagine same-sex romance as passionate and intimate as Pipex’s on ABC or even HBO — which has been more interested recently in watching women get raped or murdered than seeing them enjoy consensual, fulfilling romance. Whereas cable’s Golden Age of Television (exemplified by the male-dominated “Breaking Bad” and “Mad Men”) has largely left women behind, as Chris Osterndorf points out in an essay for The Daily Dot, “Orange Is the New Black’s” vibrant, diverse female cast is its flaxen soul. What makes “Orange Is the New Black” truly progressive, however, is how its content expands the definition of the word “queer.” Whereas the word has become a reclaimed term to signify the endless alphabet of identities under the LGBT umbrella, “OITNB’s” diversity extends not just to its groundbreaking sapphic and transgender inclusion. “Orange Is the New Black” focuses on the stories of all of those who live at the margins, whether by dint of their sexual
I leave that up to the community to decide. As for me, I doubt that we will know the truth.
orientation, gender identity, or cultural dislocation. The ladies of Litchfield share not just bunks but experiences of marginalization, looking at sexuality through a wider lens of socioeconomic desire.
Sincerely, Dea Brasgalla
LGBT-themed TV shows have, even at their best, long struggled with transcending the fact of their sexuality. If you took away the rumpy-pumpy from “Queer as Folk” or “Looking,” what exactly do you have left? “Queer as Folk” was rarely about anything other than its characters’ own narcissistic social myopia; outside of the political aspect of representing gay men’s lives Continued on page 15
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July 2, 2014
Madame Tussauds San Gay men and the presidents who loved them Francisco getting Harvey Part 1 of 2 Milk statue
Washington has long attracted a disproportionate number of gay people, a phenomenon that really took off with the city’s massive expansion as the seat of federal bureaucracy during World War II.
By James Kirchick THE DAILY BEAST Presidents have long had gay advisers. But it’s only recently that the leader of the free world has felt secure enough to let it be known that he’s friends with friends of Dorothy. Sometimes the significance of an item in the news can be measured by how little attention it attracts. To see how far the cause of gay rights has progressed in such a remarkably short period of time, consider the following sentence buried in an otherwise banal Associated Press report about Barack and Michelle Obama’s vacation plans over the recent Father’s Day Weekend in Rancho Mirage, California. “They are staying with White House decorator Michael Smith and his partner, U.S. Ambassador to Spain James Costos, at their vacation home.” Not long ago, the notion of the First Couple spending a long weekend with a gay one, let alone advertising it to the press, would have presented the White House Chief of Staff with a PR headache. Would the public read too much into it? Would it signal support for same-sex marriage? How will it play in Peoria? Now, nobody bats an eye. American presidents have long had gay friends and advisers, many of whom have occupied positions not so stereotypically swish as White House decorator. One could conceivably start
the list with William King, who served as vice president to Franklin Pierce, and is speculated by some historians to have been the lover of President James Buchanan. More often than not, however, their homosexuality was a closely guarded secret, revealed unintentionally or as a result of embarrassing scandal. It is only very recently that the leader of the free world has felt secure enough to let it be known that he’s friends with friends of Dorothy. Washington has long attracted a disproportionate number of gay people, a phenomenon that really took off with the city’s massive expansion as the seat of federal bureaucracy during World War II. (The Advocate magazine recently lauded Washington as the most gay-friendly city in the country and The New York Times, utilizing census data, has deemed it the “gayest place in America.”) Government service often requires long hours away from home and unquestioning loyalty to one’s boss, job requirements that gay men in particular, generally free from the constraints of traditional family life, have been adept at filling. Here is a (by no means exhaustive) list of presidents and some of their gay consiglieres:
The new Madame Tussauds in San Francisco will feature the world’s most famous LGBT politician as well as A-list stars, sports athletes, historic leaders, and music moguls.
By Lynn De La Cruz OUT TRAVELER The famed wax museum Madame Tussauds unveiled its Harvey Milk wax figure June 26, for its grand opening at Fisherman’s Wharf. Here’s your chance to stand proud, and take a picture, with the gay rights visionary. Unique to this Madame Tussauds location is the “Spirit of San Francisco” room that takes guests through a portal of history iconic to the Bay. Madame Tussauds described the experience without naming the figures, as visitors should expect to “travel back in time to the era that shaped San Francisco’s liberal attitudes and gave birth to a generation of free-thinking idealists and iconic musicians.” The attraction allows guests to get up close to each wax figure and even touch the intricate details that bring these characters to life. Expect many selfies with A-list stars, athletes, historic leaders, and music moguls. Everyone from Rihanna to Mark Zuckerberg is waxed in San Francisco.
Dwight Eisenhower and Arthur Vandenberg Jr. Arthur Vandenberg Jr., the son of a Michigan senator, was preparing to start a senior job in the administration Continued on page 6
Your face here
July 2, 2014
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Congressional candidate Indiana’s ban on samewarns Wisconsin sex marriage struck down marriage ruling may lead to incestuous marriage
Photo: Michelle Pemberton
On June 25, Craig Bowen (left) Jake Miller (right), become the first gay couple married by Marion County Clerk Beth White, at the City County Building in Indianapolis.
By Jill Disis and Tim Evans INDIANAPOLIS STAR
Karen Mueller associated same-sex marriage with incest after Wisconsin struck down the same-sex marriage ban this week. Yes, you heard that right!
By Josh Israel THINK PROGRESS A Wisconsin Republican congressional hopeful warned that a federal court ruling striking down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage could lead to the legalization of marriage between siblings. Karen Mueller, an Eau Claire attorney whose practice has focused on opposing abortion and defending those “discriminated against and harassed in the workplace, the school, college and/or the public square because of their faith,” is one of three Republican candidates seeking to challenge Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI). At a Republican Party of Monroe County candidate forum, she denounced the ruling and warned that it would create a slippery slope. According to the Tomah Journal, Mueller said that the ruling might set a precedent that any two people can marry: “We’ve got, for instance, two sisters, and these two sisters want to get married. They love each other. They are committed to each other. They want to spend the rest of their life together.” Lawyers, Mueller explained, would be able to argue “‘We can just do away
with that state law the same way we did away with sodomy laws,’” noting that “once you do away with that, you reveal what is really going on here.” Mueller also suggested that the court’s ruling will be overturned on appeal because the state’s ban is not really discriminatory against gay and lesbian citizens. “They can get married. They just can’t get married to each other,” she argued. On her campaign Facebook page, Mueller calls for the impeachment of President Obama and warns that “Common Core will ultimately threaten homeschooling” because homeschooled kids won’t learn enough to pass the standardized tests needed to get into college. She also claims that the First Amendment “is under constant assault by those who wish to silence conservative ideas. There is no constitutional right to not be offended! How about some tolerance from the left towards conservative/Christian expression?” Mueller’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for clarification of her views.
A federal judge struck down Indiana’s ban on same-sex marriages June 25, leaving state officials, lawmakers, social conservatives, gay rights supporters and legal experts scrambling to sort out exactly what the decision means — and what will happen next. But for the hundreds of gay and lesbian couples who rushed to courthouses across the state for impromptu weddings, the judge’s words meant something simple, yet significant: They could finally be married in Indiana. The monumental ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Young said Indiana’s law that limits marriage to one man and one woman, and that denies recognition of same-sex marriages legally performed in other states, is unconstitutional. It mirrored more than a dozen recent federal court opinions that have struck down same-sex marriage bans in other states. “In less than a year,” Young wrote in his opinion, “every federal district court to consider the issue has reached the same conclusion in thoughtful and thorough opinions — laws prohibiting the celebration and recognition of samesex marriages are unconstitutional.” Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller’s staff quickly filed a notice of appeal and an emergency request for a stay of Young’s order, which could halt same-sex marriages pending outcome of an appeal. The motion for a stay, according to spokesman Bryan Corbin, which has been granted in other
jurisdictions, “is intended to prevent confusion and inconsistency between county clerk’s offices regarding license issuance, while the appeal is pending.” “Until the United States Supreme Court determines that traditional marriage laws such as Indiana’s are unconstitutional, it is premature to require Indiana to change its definition of marriage and abide by this court’s conception of marriage,” the attorney general wrote in the request for stay. “Nonetheless, marriages in violation of Indiana’s existing law have taken place, are taking place, and will continue to take place pursuant to this court’s order.” Supporters of gay rights saw the ruling as a historic victory in their long struggle for equality in Indiana. But opponents of same-sex marriage viewed the ruling as yet another attack on traditional marriage. “It’s a disappointing but not unexpected ruling,” said Curt Smith, president of the Indiana Family Institute. “We are deeply disappointed at the lack of respect for Indiana statute and our legislature. ... It is very distressing to see that marriage licenses are being issued and that presumably marriages will be performed in the near future on couples that are not authorized under state law.” Just minutes after Young’s ruling was released, Marion County Clerk Beth White began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples and conducted what was likely the state’s first such wedding — the spur-of-the-moment union of Craig Bowen and Jake Miller of Indianapolis.
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July 2, 2014
John Boehner: President Gay men and the Obama hasn’t ‘faithfully’ presidents who loved them executed laws
offers including leadership of the newly created Peace Corps. Nonetheless, he was such a frequent visitor to the White House during the Kennedy administration that he had his own room. Though Billings was discreet about his sexual orientation, it was well known throughout Washington. Kennedy’s unconcern about Billings crashing 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue most weekends might have been due to the fact that, as an infamous lothario himself, he didn’t worry that close friendship with a gay man would generate suspicions of homosexuality.
By Lauren French POLITICO House Speaker John Boehner said he plans to move forward with a lawsuit against President Barack Obama for misusing executive powers. “The Constitution makes it clear that a president’s job is to faithfully execute the laws. In my view, the president has not faithfully executed the laws,” the Ohio Republican said June 25. “When there are conflicts like this between the legislative branch and the administrative branch, it’s . . . our responsibility to stand up for this institution.” House Republicans have argued that Obama is misusing his executive powers by side-stepping Congress on immigration and other policies, including a decision to extend family leave to same-sex couples and bar federal contractors from discriminating against gay employees. In a memo to Republicans circulated Wednesday afternoon, Boehner accused Obama of asserting “king-like authority.” The memo sent to the GOP conference mentioned executive actions on health care, energy, foreign policy and education, but did not delve into specific orders. The speaker’s office has not outlined what specific executive orders or actions the suit will cover, but Boehner said the lawsuit was not about convening impeachment proceedings against Obama. No action on the lawsuit would occur until after the House returns from its holiday recess which began June 26.
In the memo, Boehner said he will bring legislation to the floor in July after it is considered by the Rules Committee. The lawsuit would be brought through the House General Counsel and the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group — a standing group of party leaders: the speaker, plus the majority and minority leaders and whips from both parties. It’s possible that if the lawsuit goes forward, it could take longer to work through the court than the roughly twoand-a-half years Obama will remain in office. “What we’ve seen clearly over the last five years is an effort to erode the power of the legislative branch,” Boehner said. “On behalf of the institution and the Constitution, standing up and fighting for this is the best long-term interest of the Congress,” said Boehner. White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Wednesday he was not sure if Boehner’s office gave the administration a heads up on the lawsuit. “In this case it seems that Republicans have shifted their opposition into a higher gear. Frankly, I didn’t know it was a gear that even existed,” Earnest said. “They are considering a taxpayer funded lawsuit against the president of the United States for doing his job . . . [It’s] the kind of step that I think most Americans wouldn’t support.” Democrats have widely dismissed the lawsuit as a political stunt. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel said it was a “reprehensible waste of taxpayers’ money and a desperate political stunt.”
Continued from page 4 of incoming President Dwight Eisenhower when the FBI informed him that his future as a White House staffer was not to be. J. Edgar Hoover, the agency’s director, had come into possession of compromising material about Vandenberg, information he was keeping as part of the Sex Deviates Program that would ruin the careers of thousands of gay men and women (as well as those whose homosexuality was merely presumed) over the course of nearly 25 years. “Arthur wasn’t a fighter,” wrote Dudley Clendinen, Vandenberg’s godson. “He folded. He checked into a hospital, complaining of stomach problems, and resigned the appointment for ‘health reasons’ three months after Eisenhower’s inauguration.” In a May 1953 letter to Vandenberg, Eisenhower wrote, “I want to make the personal request that whenever you may come to this city you make it a habit to give my office a ring, so that we may arrange at least a short meeting.” Three years later, the scandal magazine Confidential, likely working in collusion with the FBI, published an expose of Vandenberg’s alleged gay trysts. Despite all his work on Eisenhower’s successful presidential campaign, Vandenberg was relegated to a footnote in Eisenhower’s memoir. John F. Kennedy and Lem Billings and Joe Alsop From his schoolboy days at the tony New England prep school Choate until his death by an assassin’s bullet 30 years later in Dallas, John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s best friend was Kirk LeMoyne Billings, also known as “Lem.” According to “Jack and Lem,” a 2008 book about their friendship, Billings made a pass at the future president while the two were students. “I’m not that kind of boy,” Kennedy told him. Most men in that place and time — it was the early ‘30s — would have ended the relationship immediately. But the two remained close, traveling through Europe after graduating from high school (Joe Kennedy Sr. referred to Billings as “a second son.”) Billings worked on Kennedy’s successful 1960 presidential campaign, but declined prestigious job
JFK’s other gay friend was one of the most famous men in Washington at the time, but also one of its most closeted. Joseph Alsop was a distant cousin of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and, with his brother Stewart, penned a thrice-weekly column, “Matter of Fact,” which appeared in some 200 newspapers across the country. A virulent anti-communist and ardent supporter of the Vietnam War, Alsop was the most prominent journalist to push the supposed “missile gap” between the Soviet Union and America, a term skillfully used by Kennedy to paint the incumbent Eisenhower administration and its vice president, presidential contender Richard Nixon, as soft on communism. Alsop’s exterior toughness against the Soviets, which masked a deep secret, has led some historians to conclude that he was compensating for his hidden homosexuality. “During his early career as a congressman, Jack had been a guest at a number of Alsop’s dinner parties, until his flippant remark that there never seemed to be any pretty girls in attendance irritated Alsop, who cut off further invitations,” writes Barbara Lemming, author of a biography of Jackie Kennedy. On a 1957 trip to Moscow, Alsop was entrapped by a handsome young KGB spy and the incident was caught on camera. Confronted with the evidence, Alsop refused to become a Soviet spy, and immediately told his editors and the CIA about what had happened. Such was the Washington rumor mill at the time and the nature of the capital “E” Establishment, that many powerful people in the capital, including Kennedy, knew about Alsop’s secret but refused to divulge it. When, in 1970, after a particularly bruising series of anti-Soviet columns, the Russians sent envelopes containing photos of the 1957 encounter to Washington journalists — including two of Alsop’s many nemeses — none of the recipients publicized the information. Columnist Art Buchwald, then engaged in a long-running feud with Alsop, tore the photos up. Part 2 of “Gay men and the presidents who loved them” will appear in next week’s issue.
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Community Voices
OBSERVER
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Some thoughts on Wingspan and the Stonewall riots By Scott Blades Executive Director TIHAN
being disproportionately impacted by HIV, to the difficulty of raising funds in challenging economic times.
For almost 25 years, I have been a supporter of Wingspan, either as a volunteer or donor or working with them as a partner with TIHAN. Like all of us, Wingspan has changed over the years, and seen highs and lows, challenges and successes. But through it all, Wingspan and its mission to be a community center for the LGBTQ community of Southern Arizona has carried on. Until now, as the organization is announcing it’s closing its doors on July 31.
Although much progress has been made in the war on AIDS, the battle is not over. We need your time, your skills, and your money, and we ask you to invest them in this work we are doing.
Wingspan’s mission is to promote the freedom, equality, safety and well-being of LGBT people. Wingspan envisions -and is creating -- a community in which lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people: Are treated with dignity and respect; Live in a community free from violence and abuse; Live full, healthy, and interconnected lives; Are free to live openly with pride;
questioning youth to meet for support; a virtual and physical drop-in resource center; a place where groups can meet -- trans community, PFLAG meetings for parents, gay seniors, and more; a central location for advocacy on LGBTQ issues and policies; or whatever other needs emerge, there is a need for Wingspan to carry on its 26 plus years of service. Where is that place? Who are those businesses -- for profit and non-profit? Who are those individuals who can offer a home for Wingspan and the people we serve?
Are celebrated in their full diversity; Feel part of an organized, supportive, and active LGBT community; and Are empowered to participate fully as active citizens. But now it’s a sad time for Wingspan, and for Tucson. I believe that there is a need for Wingspan in our community. It doesn’t have to be the same as it has been in the past, and probably shouldn’t be, because the funding for that kind of organization has been so difficult in these tough economic times for smaller nonprofits. But I hope that this can be a time for our community to re-imagine what Wingspan can be. Our colleagues at SAAF and CODAC and others perhaps can carry on some of the programs that serve important community needs. But I want to believe that Wingspan, with its long history of so many people who have poured their hearts and souls into this organization, can carry on somehow. Maybe it’s too late? Maybe there’s no need? Maybe there’s no energy to make it happen? I don’t know. I just know it will be unfortunate if we let Wingspan go too easily. There must be someone in this big wonderful world who has a heart for LGBTQ issues and could gift Wingspan with a building or even donate space and give them time to get back on their feet and stabilize with a new direction for the future. Whether it’s a place for a LGBTQ and
If you can help, I hope you will contact Wignspan and offer your support during these difficult times as they face critical issues and find ways to continue their support of our community. It’s interesting that all of this is happening during the time that many cities are commemorating pride. On June 28, Southern Arizona’s KCXI Radio (91.3 FM) devoted the entire day of programming to the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. KXCI’s Amanda Shauger invited several LGBTQ and HIV groups to come and talk on air about Stonewall Day and its impact on our community’s organizations, programs, and people. Here are my words for KXCI and Stonewall Day 2014: Today, as KXCI commemorates Stonewall Day, I reflect on the great social change that was catalyzed the Stonewall revolution. I think of the outcasts, the misfits, the self-proclaimed drag queens who, 45 years ago, in 1969, stood up and said “we’re not going to take this abuse, this discrimination any longer,” and began a movement of resistance that continues today, a movement to bring understanding, justice, and equality for all of us who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered. From the silence and the shadows, brave women and men stepped up and fought for our rights, and today we are reaping the benefits of their courage and conviction, as even this week more discriminatory laws are repealed, and
equality under the law becomes more than just words but reality -- bit by bit, state by state. Marriage equality is a key right we are working towards, but we also need to work for passage of a federal employment nondiscrimination act, making it illegal for people to be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender expression. Right here in Arizona, we need to work hard to elect people who can lead our great state to be a place where diversity is valued and celebrated, and kids can grow up into healthy adults, regardless of their God-given sexual orientation or gender identity. Progress is happening, but we need your help to bend that arc of justice now. But I also want to talk about another issue related to the fight for LGBTQ equality. Since the first reports of a strange new disease impacting gay men in NYC in 1981, HIV has taken a tremendous toll on our LGBTQ community, and on our lives. It has challenged us to be more bold, and more fully who we are so that we can stand together and fight, stand together and educate, stand together and love. There are more than 33 million people around the world who are living with HIV, including 1.1 million people in the United States, and approximately 3,000 people right here in Tucson. Since the AIDS crisis first appeared 33 years ago, our community has responded again and again to challenges that seemed at first -- and to others -- to be insurmountable. Out of tragedy, our community has built a standard of service delivery for people living with HIV still unsurpassed anywhere else in the world. That spirit of determination, innovation, and love continues to carry us through as we face new challenges created by the everevolving face of HIV--from the issues of people with HIV and AIDS who are living longer, to serving new communities
The Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network is a not-for-profit volunteerbased organization made up of about 200 gay and straight volunteers. Our mission: to provide HIV/AIDS awareness programs throughout Tucson’s congregations to break down the homophobia and stigma attached to AIDS, and to provide direct volunteerbased support services to people living with HIV and AIDS. We are supporting people to live well with HIV. Every life is precious and has value. Every person can contribute and make a difference. Every one of us deserves love and the ability to be included and supported. That is what TIHAN is about. Too often in the past, bigoted and uninformed people claiming to be of God have been the loudest voices against us. But there is a groundswell of support, people of faith from every faith tradition, standing up and speaking out, advocating for justice. We must remember, As Martin Luther King, Jr. said: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” I invite you, in that proud tradition of resisting what is unfair and unjust, and standing up boldly and proudly for love and justice, and take a step forward. Whether you advocate for LGBTQ equality and justice, or HIV awareness and support, we will make more progress with your involvement. I urge you to make time for the things that are important to you. Give of your time and talents -- we need progressive and compassionate people to step forward and make a difference. Contact TIHAN and find out how you can get involved. Check us out at www. tihan.org or call us at 520-299-6647. Together, we can create a world where HIV status isn’t a barrier to living well, and everyone is valued, included, supported, and celebrated. It’s going to take all of us working together to do what needs to be done. Join us and help us build a more informed, compassionate, and healthy community. Let this anniversary of Stonewall be the opportunity for us to stand up, speak out, and be the change we want to see. It’s happening. Be a part of it!
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July 2, 2014
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Fireside Chat
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Standing on their shoulders By Wendell Hicks Executive Director SAAF
AIDS and HIV. Just as we can view films such as “Schindler’s List,” watch documentaries on TV or read books about World War II, we can never really know what it was like to live through that war. We can never really know what it was like to survive the Holocaust.
The HBO adaptation of “The Normal Heart,” Larry Kramer’s 1985 play about the AIDS crisis in New York City, first aired on May 25. The story centers on a group of gay men in New York who band together to fight a mysterious disease – first identified as a “gay cancer” – that eventually claims people from all walks of life. I hope everyone has an opportunity to watch this adaptation because as I read recently “it is a shocking reminder of how the Establishment fiddled as thousands of mostly young gay men died.” I want to say a few things about Kramer. He was and is a revolutionary. In the ‘80s he was a scolding voice on behalf of gay men infected with HIV; men who were shunned by parents, and whose dignity disappeared. Kramer was a sort of prophet – he told anyone that would listen that AIDS was going to devastate families and that the government needed to act. Kramer is 78 years old and these are his twilight years. He badly wants younger people to take up protest politics and he hopes the movie will inspire them. So do I. On the heels of the “Dallas Buyers Club,” we are experiencing another retelling of history . . . the history of
Many people viewing “The Normal Heart” or “Dallas Buyers Club” weren’t around in the ‘80s. It is difficult to explain just how horrific it was as the AIDS epidemic unfolded back then. It is impossible to really know how things were then because we know how things are now. AIDS is no longer one of the top diseases causing death in the U.S., people are not dying daily. Though the World Health Organization ranked HIV/ AIDS as the sixth leading cause of death in the world, it’s not in our face anymore. It seems everyone knows someone that is infected with HIV and managing to live a “normal” life – taking antiretroviral drugs.
‘The Normal Heart’ is currently airing on HBO On Demand: Starts July 1 TV: Wed., July 2 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sat., July 5 at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Mon., July 7 at 3:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Fri., July 11 at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tues., July 15 at 1:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
Some people actually believe that HIV has a cure. Movies like “The Normal Heart” help to educate. We at the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, and all the other AIDS service organizations in the country, stand on the shoulders of all the people that were brought together by this disease and stood up at a time when it was massively unpopular to do so. We wouldn’t be where we are now if they hadn’t spoken up.
Backlash on buggery: Jamaican church leads anti-sodomy rally emotive pronouncements in the ongoing public debate that has been sparked by the dismissal of Brendan Bain, the retired University of the West Indies professor who lost his job as the director of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training Network. This sentiment was conveyed to a massive throng of flag-waving Jamaicans, clad, for the most part, in the national colors, which were assembled in Half-Way Tree, by pastor of the Calvary Gospel Assembly, Donovan Cole, last evening.
A woman is in tears as she participates in the church-led rally in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, which condemned what it deemed an advancing homosexual agenda.
By Gary Spaulding THE GLEANER ST. ANDREW, Jamaica -Thousands of Jamaicans Sunday participated in a church-led rally in Half-
Way Tree, St. Andrew, which, among other things, registered opposition to any possible repeal of the buggery law. The church will not be tricked or coerced into making impulsive or
“We will not be silent when we should speak boldly, nor will we be drawn in premature speaking through clever attempts to put the Church on the defensive,” asserted Cole. It was a Sunday evening when Cole was among scores of other well-known church leaders who closed the doors of their sanctuaries to venture out with their membership into the popular public square to flex their collective muscles as debate over a possible repeal of the
buggery law takes root on the island. The church leaders were quick to reassert that they did not hate homosexuals but abhorred the lifestyle, in clear reference to a raging debate that has erupted after Bain got the boot from the administration of the UWI. Maria Harbajan, an evangelist stressed that Christians would remain steadfast and militant against what was wrong in society. Much emphasis was clearly being placed on the value of family, as scores of men and women with small children started the motorcade from the spot where the Church had been protesting for four weeks — at the entrance to the UWI, Mona, campus to Half-Way Tree. As the Christians leaders spoke, a group of Rastafarians, bedecked in religious paraphernalia with their own flags, were vociferous in their support of what is dubbed Jamaica Church Action Uniting Society for Emancipation.
Tipper is a gorgeous, teensy mummy kitty that we rescued from PACC with her babies. They’re weaned now, so we’re trying to find her a forever home! She’s sweet, affectionate and very even-tempered. Because she’s so little, it’s hard to believe she’s a year old! If you’re looking for a cuddly companion kitty, Tipper might be the right gal for you! Come down and meet her, or give us a call (she might be at one of our adoption partner locations).
Tipper
July 2, 2014
OBSERVER WEEKLY
Pride on Parade:
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Oslo, Norway
Madrid, Spain
Wingspan’s future ignites community conversation Continued from page 1 felt by many who vocalized concerns for the organization’s future. Wingspan currently offers a diversity of programs including Senior Pride, the Anti-Violence Programs, youth programs including EON, a bilingual support group Puertas Abiertas, and the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance. The Observer received numerous calls, and emails from community members seeking answers.
and reputation to promote and leverage for stronger LGBTQ programming, for fundraising and for continued support of the LGBT community. The board is very concerned about the welfare of current employees and volunteers and will work to protect their interests and well-being.”
The Observer reached out to recently hired Wingspan programs director Chad Mosher and board president Paul Guerrero who both expressed optimism for the organization which is in strategic talks with others in the community in search of an action plan to save the center.
In a joint press release distributed Tuesday afternoon the boards of directors of SAAF and Wingspan said:
One of the most widely rumored collaborations was with the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, a possibility which was confirmed by a press release from the board following emergency meetings: “Several advantages of this collaboration and merger include a continuation of services and programs for the Tucson and southeastern Arizona LGBTQ communities, offering the ability to exist within a stronger financial and administrative infrastructure. The board anticipates using the Wingspan name
Kansas City, Nebraska
On Monday, the Wingspan board held a meeting with executives from SAAF to discuss possibilities.
“The boards of directors for SAAF and Wingspan have begun conversations exploring the possible merger of Wingspan’s programs and activities with SAAF’s. Both boards are excited about the possibilities of this new relationship and are looking forward to finding ways to continue and grow the vital services Wingspan has provided for the LGBTQ community for more than a quarter century. “Over the next several weeks, representatives from SAAF & Wingspan will continue to meet and make important decisions about Wingspan’s future and we are committed to keeping you apprised of developments as they occur.”
New York City
Remember to send in your wedding announcements and photos to info@observerweekly.com so we can print them here for all the world to see. Donations accepted.
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Tucson officials now able to electrify citizens and take their food scraps
WEEKLY
Hobby Lobby ruling: What’s left after the sawdust and glitter settles
Continued from page 1 to race, and prohibitions on racial discrimination are precisely tailored to achieve that critical goal.” Unfortunately, this response does not mention any form of employment discrimination other than race. This ignores the fact that religious beliefs are often used to deny employment on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, sex, and gender expression. OBSERVER STAFF TUCSON – In two unrelated stories, Tucson police will soon have more defibrillators in squad cars and city environmental services will begin collecting food scraps for compost. The Gootter Foundation donated 50 automated external defibrillators to the Tucson Police Department at Monday night’s city council meeting following the police training in the use of the lifesaving shockers. AEDs can help to save lives if used in the first ten minutes after a cardiac event. Police are often the first responders before ambulance and fire trucks. The Gootter Foundation previously donated fifty of the units bringing the total to 100 AEDs. On a different floor of the city’s metaphorical central government
compound and day spa, the environmental services department launched a pilot program to collect and compost commercial food waste. The department is partnering with the University of Arizona’s Compost Cats to gather the food scraps from participating restaurants and grocery stores. Leaving a little extra on your plate may benefit the community and your waist line. Table scraps will be taken to a facility where they will be composted for use by the Tohono O’Odham nation and the Parks and Recreation Department. Compost will also be sold at farmer’s markets. The participating businesses so far include 16 restaurants which pay a $40 a month fee for the biweekly pickup service.
July 2, 2014
Ginsburg summarizes the impact of the ruling in her dissent: “In a decision of startling breadth, the court holds that commercial enterprises, including corporations, along with partnerships and sole proprietorships, can opt out of any law (saving only tax laws) they judge incompatible with their sincerely held religious beliefs.” “In the court’s view, [the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, signed by President Bill Clinton] demands accommodation of a forprofit corporation’s religious beliefs no matter the impact that accommodation may have on third parties who do not share the corporation owners’ religious faith — in these cases, thousands of women employed by Hobby Lobby and Conestoga or dependents of persons those corporations employ. Persuaded that Congress enacted RFRA to serve a far less radical purpose, and mindful of the havoc the court’s judgment can introduce, I dissent.”
It remains to be seen whether this case will be sighted by corporations wishing to cite religious beliefs to discriminate against minorities such as LGBTQ workers. In the end, the court once again reaffirmed that corporations are people in one more significant way: Corporations can have religious beliefs which should be protected from the government -- in this case, by not having to pay for contraception. While this is bad news for women’s health care, some online are hailing Ginsburg’s comments as a step forward for LGBTQ rights. Because the liberal justice brought up the potential misuse of this ruling and Alito assures that the court is not providing a “shield,” it seems that the nine cloaked figures may be trying to do the right thing by granting religious freedoms only where they do not conflict with equal protections and the right to work. Even if Alito can only stomach citing race as the only unconstitutional form of workplace discrimination. EDITOR’S NOTE: Observer Publications Inc expresses no religious beliefs. OPI does however hold several obscure superstitious beliefs surrounding the proper display of porcelain dolls.
July 2, 2014
Page 13 OBSERVER WEEKLY Did Lady Gaga say bye-bye R.I.P. Peter de Rome, the 'Grandfather of Gay Porn' to bi life? aged 89. Prior to de Rome there were amateur loops and the occasional artistic experiment, but it was de Rome who got the ball rolling with titles including: “Hot Pants,” “Underground,” and “Mumbo Jumbo.”
By David McGillivray INDIEWIRE.COM Several claims can be made for the achievements of the erotic film pioneer Peter de Rome, who died June 21st
De Rome first bought an 8mm movie camera to record his time in and around Birmingham, Alabama, where he and his actress friend Madeleine Sherwood fought (sometimes literally) for civil rights. Soon he was using the camera to film men he picked up in the street and took home for sex. As the films became artistically more ambitious – de Rome always preferred erotic titillation to the sex act itself – they gained a following at private parties. De Rome was also an advocate and testified for the Wolfenden Committee, which recommended the decriminalization of homosexuality in the UK.
Justin Vivian Bond: ‘We’re here, we’re trannies, get used to it!’
OBSERVER STAFF ATLANTIC CITY – a cryptic Instagram post from the fame monster has some wondering what exactly she meant. Did she come out as straight as the Gaily Grind reported? Or is she still as bisexual as she was a year ago when she came out as such? The gram was posted along with the above image. “Atlantic City Baby. Straights celebrating their pride by unLEASHING our gayness. @thedirtypearls @tommylondon Be proud. We were born this way. #TellemAsia" Some trigger-happy journalists were quick to jump on her use of the word straights to describe her and her hunky boyfriend Taylor Kinney, although Observer analysts believe this is just a turn of phrase. If Gaga unleashes her gayness as the tweet describes, she is clearly an ally (duh) and likely still bi. Even if the pop star is straight, she is still an LGBTQ (Lady Gaga Bisexual Talent Queen) to us. Gaga is also an honorary gay culture icon since the recording of her hit song “Born This Way” which put words like transgender, bi, and Lebanese on mainstream radio stations across the country.
OBSERVER STAFF Tony Award-nominated performance artist Justin Vivian Bond threw a hat in the ring for having the last word on the use of the word tranny. In an essay for The Stranger, Bond attempted to reclaim the word as a viable selfempowering label. Drag performer Ru Paul has also come out in support of the freedom to use the word, but many activists don’t see it as acceptable. Bond’s response reads in part: “I have said many times that our consciousness around gender is evolving much more quickly than the language used to describe it. If these transgender activists wish to get rid of the word ‘tranny’ because it’s hurtful and offensive, I would like to know which other words they would rather use to describe people who inhabit the
spaces between traditional gender representations. What are the acceptable words for those of us who refuse to identify as male or female? Please let us know. Because on most legal forms, we don’t exist. If you were born male or female, or if you’ve transitioned to male or female physically and legally, and are able to live comfortably under one of those rubrics, then there is a box for you to check. But what about the rest of us? If there is no language, do we not exist? FYI, whether there are other words or not: We’re here. We’re trannies. Get used to it! Instead of asking the world to banish certain words, we should be fighting for the inclusion of more, so that those of us who don’t identify as male or female are no longer forced to lie about ourselves and what we are every time we fill out a form. Hey, M and F! Give me a T!!!!”
We are constantly looking for caring and fun volunteers! Please call TIHAN office for information of next Volunteer orientation 520-299-6647 ext. 204 or volunteercoordinator@tihan.org Contact Alicia Talerico, Office and Volunteer Coordinator
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OBSERVER WEEKLY As Clark Saw It
Monday 12-3 p.m. 4-5:30 p.m. 4:30-6:30 p.m. 6:30-7:30 p.m. 7-9 p.m. 7-10 p.m. 7-8:30 p.m. 7-9 p.m. 6 p.m. Tuesday 3-8 p.m. 4 p.m. 7-9 p.m. Wednesday 3-8 p.m. 12-1 p.m. 3-4:30 p.m. 4:30-6 p.m. 6:30-7:30 p.m. 7-9 p.m. 7:30p.m. Thursday 3-8 p.m. 4-5:30 p.m. 5:30-6:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 6:30-7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7-9 p.m. 7-10 p.m. Friday 4 p.m.
SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health resources LGBTQA Support Group. LGBTQ Affairs Office, UA Student Union level four. SAGA Desert Boyz for trans masculine folks 3rd Tuesdays SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health resources Pink Triangle AA Meeting, 439 N. Sixth Ave. Everyday. Gender Spectrum support Group. UA Campus Health Service Building Room C312. $5 TMC Hospice LGBTQ Grief Support Group. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, Peppi’s House Chapel, 2715 N. Wyatt Drive. RSVP at: 520-324-2438. Wednesday Night Christian Bible Study, Cornerstone Fellowship Social Hall, 2902 N. Geronimo Ave. Weekly Bears Coffee at Crave, 4530 E. Broadway Blvd. Yoga at Fluxx $5 suggested donation.
Saturday 2:30-4:30p.m. 2nd Saturdays
Bears of the Old Pueblo Potluch 2nd Saturdays 520.444.2275 Transparents For parents of trans kids. RSVP SAGA to attend.
11a.m 2-5 p.m. 2:45 p.m. 3-5p.m.
5:30 p.m.
Zoe’s World
By Zoe
SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health resources Support Group for Transgender Survivors of Sexual Trauma, SACSA, 1600 N. Country Club Queer People of Color & Two Spirit support group. African American Student Affairs MLK Center, 1322 E. 1st Street. Write Now! a writer’s group open to all at Revolutionary Grounds 606 N. 4th Regardless of… NA LGBT Meeting, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 400 E. University Blvd. Weekly Meditation Classes in Central Tucson, cost: $10, Kadam Meditation Center Arizona 1701 E. Miles St. SAGA Desert Partnerz for cis-gendered 4th Thursday Triangle Tribe, Men’s Support Group. Call 520-398-6826
5:30-6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
10-12 p.m.
By Gary Clark
Mah Jongg Mondays Himmel Park Library. Ages 50+, 1035 N. Treat. In Our Own Voices, Women’s therapy group for survivors of sexual trauma, SACSA, 1600 N. Country Club, 520.327.1171 Cancer Support Group for LGBT People, Arizona Cancer Center at UMCNorth, Rm 1127, 3838 N. Campbell Ave. 520.694.0347 Regardless of… NA LGBT Meeting, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 400 E. University Blvd. SAGA General for trans forlks and allies 1st Monday SAGA Desert Girlz for trans Femanine folks 2nd Monday Reveille Men’s Chorus Open Rehearsal, Rincon Congregational Church, 122 N. Craycroft Tucson Women’s Chorus rehearsal.Call for details: 520.743.0991 Desert Girlz meeting at Wingspan PFLAG en Español Meets the 1st Monday of each month at Fortin de las Flores: 243 W. 33rd St.
Wingspan’s Eon Youth Program New Youth Orientation Fridays at 4p.m. Youth Center Open M-F Oasis LGBT Social Group. Email oasis.wingspan@gmail.com Bingo at MCC Every Friday call 207-9354 for info.
Sunday 9-11 a.m. 10-11.30 a.m.
July 2, 2014
Co-ed Softball, all abilities welcome. Oury Park, 600 W.St. Mary’s Advice For Life & Prayers for World Peace. Buddha’s teachings, Kadampa Meditation Center Arizona 1701 E. Miles St. LGBT Buddhist Meditation Group meets every Sunday at The Three Jewels, 314 E. 6th St. in Tucson. Meditation sessions with readings, recordings, and discussion. Welcoming to all.For information call Jim at 520-884-4218. Zumba at Fluxx. $5 suggested donation. Mamasitas! Men’s Sports club at Menlo Park The New Men’s Massage Group. June 15 @ 4p.m. Call Marc at 881-4582 to sign up. Or email bleu55@gmail.com in advance. It’s a great place to meet men. Safe, non-sexual but very sensual and a little erotic. Donation. Men’s Social Network “H” Club open to entire LGBTQ community. This is a fun discussion, learning and participation group meeting for discussions on major words beginning with the letter “H.” Doesn’t meet the 1st Sunday of the month.
Puertas Abiertas Latin/Hispanic LBGTQ/Ally support group meeting at Wingspan 430 E 7th St – every 3rd Sunday of the month at 5:30pm.
"Let me be to someone else what no one was to me. Let me send a message to that kid, maybe in America, maybe someplace far overseas, maybe somewhere deep inside — a kid who is being targeted at home or at school or in the streets — that someone is watching and listening and caring, that there is an 'us,' that there is a 'we,' and that kid or teenager or adult is loved and they are not alone." -- Wentworth Miller, actor, about coming out
THEATRE PROPS WANTED: Non-profit theatre needs props for upcomming production of Les Miserables. Rolling staircases, reproduction weapons, and miscellaneous props needed. Any donations appreciated. Willing to borrow and return. Costumes also needed. madpropsdesigns@yahoo.com
VINTAGE/CHIC VANITY/ DESK Fun upcycled antique vanity with five drawers and sasy elcectic knobs. In shabby-chic but sturdy condition, recently repainted in perywinkle gray. Ideal for TV stand or statement piece. $40 O.B.O. madpropsdesigns@yahoo.com
STORAGE SHED WANTED
Instanty increase your back yard size by offloading that storage shed to the Observer. Call 520-812-0909.
Classifieds rate: $30 for up to 30 words for 30 days. Contact Observer Weekly at 1830 E. Broadway Blvd, #124-215 Tucson, AZ 85719 or 520-818-0909
July 2, 2014
OBSERVER
WEEKLY
Page 15
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
BRODIES TAVERN - Service Industry Night 7 p.m.- 2 a.m. $2.50 House Well, Long Islands, Margaritas on Tap, $3 16 oz. BudBud Light-Mic Ultra Cans, Fireball Shots. IBT’s - Happy Hour 12 - 9p.m. Taking Back Mondays hosted by Diva featuring *3-4-1 Well Vodkas (Regular, Grape & Cherry) 9 - Close. Karaoke Inside or Lounge on the Patio 9 p.m. VENTURE-N - Open noon. Free pool noon-4 p.m. Free music, WiFi Noon-2 p.m.
BRODIES TAVERN - Two Buck Tuesday 7 p.m. - 2 a.m. $ 2 House Well, Fire Eater Shots, $2 Margaritas on Tap, $2 Long Islands IBT’s - Happy Hour 12 - 9 p.m.; Taco Tuesdays. $1 Tacos. Drink Specials 9-Close: Mix-n-Match Mexican Beer Special, Tequila Specials (Patron $6, Milagro $4.50, Hornitos $4, Cuervo $3.50), Million$DJ Inside 9 p.m. VENTURE-N - Open noon. Free pool noon- 4 p.m. Free music, WiFi noon- 2 p.m.
BRODIES TAVERN - Whiskey Wednesday 7-2 a.m. $3.25 Jack-Jim Beam-JamesonFireball-Makers Mark-Johnny Walker Red IBT’s - Happy Hour 12 - 9 p.m., “Viva La Diva” Drag Show Hosted by Diva at 9. “Whiskey Breath” Drink Special Every Wednesday 9-Close. $2 Well, $3 Call, $4 Select Top Shelf Whiskey and Scotch Blend Whiskies. Million$DJ Inside after the drag show. Party with DJ Import VENTURE-N - Open noon. Free pool noon-4 p.m. Free music, WiFi noon-2 a.m.
BRODIES TAVERN - Customer Appreciation 7-2 a.m. Two-for-One Well-Domestic Bottles, Margaritas on Tap House Kasiz Shots IBT’s - Therapy every Thursday. All Day *24-1 Drink Specials (excludes top shelf, wine & draft). Million$DJ Inside at 9 p.m., DJ Sid the Kid on the Patio 9 p.m. GoGo Boys @11 p.m. LOOKS - 6 p.m. to Close, Happy Hour 6-8, $3 Southern Comforts, $5 Long Islands VENTURE-N - Open 10am. Free pool 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free music, WiFi from 10 a.m.
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
BRODIES TAVERN - Get the Party Started Friday 7 p.m. - 2 a.m. $3 Malibu Rum Black-House Long Islands-Pucker Vodka, Margaritas on tap-XX Pints IBT’s - Happy Hour 12 - 9 p.m., Flawless Fridays featuring “Absolutely Flawless” Drag Show hosted by China Collins @ 9 p.m. DJ Import Inside after the show, Million$DJ on the Patio 9pm. GoGo Boys @11p.m. LOOKS - 6 p.m. to Close, Karaoke 8-12, $3.50 Absolute Lemon Drops, $5 Jamesons VENTURE-N - Open 10 a.m. Free pool 10-4, Free music, WiFi 10 a.m.- 2 a.m.
BRODIES TAVERN - Back Pocket Sabado Latino 7 p.m. - 2 a.m. $3 Magaritas on tap-Corona Bottles, $3.25 Latin Beers-XX Micheladas, $1 Tequila Shots-Corona Ritas IBT’s - Happy Hour 12 - 9 p.m., Karaoke on the Patio 5 - 8 p.m., “Saturday Night Starlettes” drag show Hosted by Janee Starr 9pm, Million$DJ on the Patio 9 p.m., DJ Import Inside after the drag show. LOOKS - 6 p.m. to Close, $3 Flaming Shots From Hell, $5 Bombay Saphires VENTURE-N - Open 10 a.m. Free pool 10.a.m. - 4 p.m. Free music
BRODIES TAVERN - Funday 7 p.m. - 2 p.m. $2.50 House Well, $3 House Long Islands, Tap Magaritas, $1 House Kasiz Shots, $1.75 Domestic Pints IBT’s - Happy Hour 12-9 p.m., Karaoke 4-8:30 p.m. “Cheap Ass Sunday’s” 9-Close feat. 2-4-1 Drinks and Bottle Beer (exclude top shelf, wine & draft), Karaoke Inside 9pm; DJ Sid the Kid on the patio 9 p.m. VENTURE-N - Open noon. BBQ Burgers or Hot Dogs, Fries. Free Pool Noon-4 p.m. Free Music, WiFi noon-2 a.m.
Tenth Circuit rules in favor of the freedom to marry in Utah
too great. Straight people couldn’t relate to gay people and their experience. … Now I think that is changing.”
Monday
Continued from page 1 Peggy Tomsic of Magleby and Greenwood, which represented the couples and presented oral argument on behalf of the plaintiffs, said: “Today’s decision by the Tenth Circuit affirms the fundamental principles of equality and fairness and the common humanity of gay and lesbian people. “As the court recognized, these families are part of Utah’s community, and equal protection requires that they be given the same legal protections and respect as other families in this state. The court’s ruling is a victory not only for the courageous couples who brought this case, but for our entire state and every state within the Tenth Circuit.” “We are overjoyed by the court’s decision, which means so much to us, our family, and everyone who believes in justice and fairness. Since the lawsuit was filed last year, we have received so much support from so many people in our state, and we are now looking forward to the day when we will finally be married,” Kitchen added.
‘Orange Is the New Black’ proves to be the model of queer TV Continued from page 3 on film, “QAF” had little to say. As well-written as “Looking” is, one has to wonder: If Patrick wasn’t queer, would viewers even care about his story at all? Otherwise he’s just a boring guy with good hair. However, what has made “Orange Is the New Black” such a cultural phenomenon is how universal its struggles feel. It’s not just about a bunch of women in prison; it’s about all of us. In the aforementioned Atlantic profile on “The Outs,” sex columnist Dan Savage argued that the kind of characters with which we identify is changing. “We can experience catharsis through a straight couple’s story,” Savage said. “But straight people didn’t used to be able to do that with gay roles. The gulf was
Savage is right, primarily because shows like “Orange Is the New Black” have challenged viewers with the complexity of queer experiences, ones that intersect with the prison-industrial complex, mental illness, health care, the American class system, and the drug trade. People used to wonder whether audiences would be put off by samesex content, but in becoming Netflix’s most-watched original series, “OITNB” showed that audiences demand it.
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OBSERVER WEEKLY
Pride on Parade 2014:
Racine, Wisconsin
Baltimore, Maryland Chicago
Barcelona
Ft. Lauderdale
July 2, 2014
Lima, Peru