January 7, 2015
Issue 1563
DREAMer drivers not likely to face tainting by licenses PHOENIX -- Newly elected state Rep. Jay Lawrence thought he'd get an early start by posting an idea online a few days ago, shortly before he took office. He wrote that he was working up a bill "to place the words NONCITIZEN across drivers licenses issued to those in the country illegally." In the first place, if you're in the country illegally, there's no way in hell you're likely to be getting a driver's license from the Arizona Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Divison. In the second place, in normal times it might be all right to issue driver's licenses specifying that the holder is a non-citizen, but can you imagine singling out the young Hispanics under the DREAM Act so that
Inside Florida’s antigay attorney general called ‘modern-day Anita Bryant’ Page 4
DoubleDickDude arises again with online ‘memoir’ Page 3
Obama and other Republicans push what may be the biggest stinker in modern times Page 5
Two great classes, and a fabulous lunch Page 6
SAAF is my home away from home Page 10
GOP thundering about Obama and gas was strictly gas of a different order Page 4
racist cops know instantly they have a candidate for extra harassment?
Trans teen suicide grabs nation’s attention
Lawrence's idea has been blasted by just about everyone who has bothered to comment on it, and apparently nobody at the legislature wants to touch it.
Leelah Alcorn’s suicide note went viral and brought national attention to the subject of transgender children. But many of Alcorn’s classmates were unaware of the teen’s decision to be identified as a transgender female because her parents isolated her after she came out. Additional coverage on page 11.
He is a Republican, so his referring to DREAMers as "in the country illegally" was a dumb move from a guy whose image up to now hasn't included being a nut case. The DREAMer driver's licenses will have a two-year expiration date, so they'll be temporary -- it just won't be emblazoned in neon. Gov. Jan Brewer had proclaimed that the state wouldn't issue them at all, but a court brought her Continued on page 12
Queen honors five LGBT-rights stars in annual honor roll
OBSERVER STAFF Snapping risqué pics in your undies now finally has a positive benefit. The National LGBT Cancer Network and Tusk and Dagger have launched an anal cancer awareness initiative branded “Behind Closed Drawers.”
Underwear selfies could help prevent anal cancer
The program is compiling a list of free and low cost anal cancer screening facilities that are LGBT-friendly. LONDON -Queen Elizabeth II honored five LGBTrights advocates in the 2014 edition of her annual list of Britons who made a difference, Pink News has reported. Nigel George Warner, adviser to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Association’s Council of Europe, was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his work on behalf of people in the United Kingdom and abroad. Carol Ann Duffy, the first out lesbian ever named the UK’s poet laureate (in 2009), was made a dame. Three people were named to the Order of the British Empire. Those were Jerry Broughton, 80, for founding the UK’s Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays; Jay Stewart, PhD., for service to the transgender community and founding the organization Gendered Intelligence; and Jenny-Anne Christine Bishop, also for work on behalf of the transgendered.
Anyone with at least one pair of undergarments and a camera can help spread awareness of the project and the importance of screening by posting underwear selfies on social media with the hashtag, #BehindClosedDrawers.
According to a statement from the organizers, physicians recommend that men who have sex with men, especially HIV+ men, should be screened for anal cancer every one to three years.
You can also help by making a donation by texting “UNDIES” to 41444. Please do not send your underwear selfies to the Observer. ; )
Some Florida counties stop performing all marriages -- to avoid gay-lesbian equality TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- By the time you’re reading this, all 67 Florida counties should be issuing same-sex marriage licenses. That’s because a federal judge ordered them to do it . . . ordered it twice, in fact. But some county clerks of court decided that their staffs will stop performing any kind of marriages in order to avoid having to serve everybody. “The problem is we can’t discriminate,” said Paula O’Neil, the Pasco County clerk of court. Continued on page 4
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AZ Supreme Court reinstates case against Obamacare PHOENIX -- The Arizona Supreme Court last week sent Republicans’ case against Arizona’s Medicaid expansion back to the Maricopa County District Court that had ruled legislators had no standing to sue. The action dealt a blow to one of Gov. Jan Brewer’s signature accomplishments less than a week before she leaves office Brewer pushed the law through the Legislature with a coalition of Democrats with enough Republicans to get it passed. The Goldwater Institute then sued on behalf of 36 Republican legislators who claim that the hospital assessment in the provision constitutes a tax, and thus in Arizona would require a 2/3 vote in the Legislature rather than the simple majority it got. About 250,000 of the 350,000 eligible Arizonans have health insurance under the Obamacare expansion and presumably would lose coverage if the GOP legislators win.
Columnist strafes ‘Christian’ parents in teen’s suicide Seattle columnist Dan Savage sent several tweets blaming the “Christian” parents and “therapists” of Leelah Alcorn, an Ohio transgender teenager who recently committed suicide after years of battles with her parents and “conversion” therapy. Alcorn posted an articulate “postsuicide note” on tumblr, full of good wishes for friends and relatives but detailing how her parents pulled her from school, isolated her from friends and made life unlivable. As a result of Alcorn’s death, a Change.org petition is urging a federal ban on LGBT “conversion” therapy, which is already against the law in California and New Jersey.
Canyon’s first wolf in 70 years possibly shot by Utah hunter NORTH RIM, Ariz. -- A gray wolf believed to be the first one seen at the Grand Canyon since the 1940s may have been shot by a Utah hunter who mistook it for a coyote, according to news reports. The female wolf, photographed on the North Rim by a tourist, had set off a furor among conservationists and wildlife experts. “Echo,” as the wolf became known, was clearly wearing a radio collar in the photo that was taken. She was shot just across the state line in Utah. The hunter called authorities when he discovered the radio collar. According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the collar showed the animal to be a 3-year-old female tagged in January 2013 -- 500 miles away in Wyoming.
OBSERVER Gray wolves are federally protected, although the U.S. government has caused controversy during the past year or so by trying to remove the wolves from the protected list and allow states to decide the animals’ fate.
WEEKLY
The only people who buy the propaganda that this is good for America need help dressing themselves.
Gay man to oversee California’s largest Dumbass clarified: civil-rights division Ruling for Florida SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. covers the state Jerry Brown celebrated New Year’s
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A federal district judge last week clarified his ruling, saying yes, when he overturned Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage, he meant it to apply to Florida. All of Florida. The way he said . . . er . . . Florida officials had pretended to believe that the ruling only overturned the ban in Washington County, where the original case began. They asked the judge to clarify whether he meant Florida or not. “Reasonable people can debate whether the ruling in this case was correct and who it binds,” Judge Robert Hinkle wrote. “There should be no debate, however, on whether a clerk of court may follow the ruling, even for marriage-license applicants who are not parties to this case.” He also pointed out that if any clerk seriously insists on disobeying the ruling, as several have said they will, they should be prepared for a legal shitstorm and be aware that they’ll have to pay the plaintiffs’ court costs. Maybe that clears that up.
GOP Senate set to canonize Keystone pipeline WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Now that the Republicans control the U.S. Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the first thing he expects in the new year is approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline, which you’ll recall failed in a November vote because only 14 Democrats would join the 45 Republicans voting for it. Four of those Democrats who voted against Keystone were bounced out of office by voters for their efforts, and four Democrats who voted against it retired and were replaced by Republicans. Any way you work that arithmetic, it appears that voters gave McConnell a free slam dunk on the pipeline. But just in case Republicans try to claim they’re voting in America’s interests, consider two facts: 1) In a December 2011 congressional hearing, when Rep. Edward Markey asked the pipeline owner’s president, Alex Pourbaix, to support a condition that would require Keystone oil to be used in the U.S., Pourbaix refused, saying that keeping the oil in the U.S. would cause refineries to back out of their contracts. 2) In 2008, when regulators at Canada’s National Energy Board asked the pipeline owners to justify building another pipeline over a route already covered, the owners conceded that Keystone would increase shipping costs by diverting oil from existing pipelines, but argued that the cost would be passed along to U.S. refiners -- to the expected tune of $3.9 billion.
Day by naming an openly gay law professor to head the state’s largest civil rights agency, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Kevin Kish’s appointment is pending Senate approval. Kish, 38, is a graduate of Yale Law School, now an adjunct law professor at Loyola Law School and director of the Employment Rights Project at Bet Tzedek legal services. He would take over an agency that has been blasted by the California State Personnel Board for unethical hiring and promotion practices within the agency that was supposed to prevent those things. The board’s report centered on the case of a woman who had been promoted twice without noticeable qualifications.
Gov. Butch seeks to end equality after two months BOISE, Idaho -- GOP Gov. Butch Otter and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden filed separate petitions last week seeking a U.S. Supreme Court review of an appeals court decision tossing out Idaho’s ban on same-sex marriage. The action is an attempt to end the marriage equality that Idaho has had since mid-October. Otter and Wasden base their actions on the argument that opposite-sex couples are better parents than samesex couples. This is apparently based on the principle of doing the same thing over and over, hoping for a different outcome. So far, they reportedly have wasted $400,000 in taxpayer money fighting marriage equality, but apparently think that Idaho’s position was bolstered by an appeals court that upheld marriage discrimination in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. The Supreme Court could agree on Jan. 9 to take up the issue of marriage equality.
It’s official: Pope demotes anti-gay top U.S. cardinal VATICAN CITY -- After weeks of reports and speculation, it’s now official: Pope Francis has removed the highestranking U.S. cardinal at the Vatican and demoted him to serving as the chaplain for the Knights of Malta. Raymond Burke, 66, previously held a seat on the Vatican’s Supreme Court, from which he continually questioned the authority of the pope -- particularly on attitudes toward LGBT people.
January 7, 2015 He will probably continue to shoot off his homophobic mouth, but he’ll have a much smaller bullhorn. Burke has said homosexuality is “always and everywhere wrong [and] evil.” “The pope is not free to change the church’s teachings with regard to the immorality of homosexual acts or the insolubility of marriage or any other doctrine of the faith,” he told BuzzFeed in October. Maybe not, Pops, but he sure as hell can rearrange the personnel at the Vatican!
Reddit allowing white supremacists to build ‘Chimpire’ Civilized people everywhere are becoming aware of online staging grounds for hate groups, but Reddit seems determined to lead the way in nurturing nut cases. One of the best-known communities in Reddit’s so-called “Chimpire” network is the charming /r/WatchNiggersDie. These white supremacists known as Squatzis -- neo-Nazis who “squat” Continued on next page
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January 7, 2015 Continued from previous page on subreddits -- gobble up any kind of subreddit that they anticipate might be used by the groups they work against. “Chimpire” even snatched up /r/ RumainBrisbon and /r/Rumain_Brisbon, co-opting the name of the Phoenix man recently killed by police while he was delivering McDonald’s to his daughters. The subreddits using Brisbon’s name reportedly were claimed the very day he was shot to death, and then bragged about in a conversation among /r/CoonTown users: I got the subs for that nigger in Arizona! ;) Good, I wonder if SRS is ever going to start scooping them up before us. Woo-hoo shout to coontown. They reportedly also control other names related to black people killed by police -- Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Lennon Lacy, Jordan Baker, Cedric Bartee and Antonio Martin -- and such things as /r/ferguson and /r/holocaust. This pretty clearly violates international human-rights law, of course, but Reddit has not indicated any intention of curbing any of it.
TGI Fridays drone clips patron’s nose in gross encounter BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- TGI Fridays gave its customers a chance to kiss under the mistletoe, and one of them lost a little chunk of her nose in the adventure. Not a cannibalistic boyfriend, no, no, no. A drone was carrying mistletoe to various tables in the Sheepshead Bay restaurant, and the operator encouraged a customer to land the 10-inch drone on her hand. The operator says the customer flinched; at any rate, the drone flew into her nose and removed a small piece.
OBSERVER “If people get hurt, they’re going to come regardless,” he shrugged. According to the Brooklyn Daily, a spokeswoman for TGI Fridays also said the company isn’t worried that more people will get hurt. Considering that the drone could have moved an inch and poked Benvenuto’s eye, it seems to us the whole thing was treated pretty lightly, but what do we know.
Two firefighters lose lawsuit over pride parade duty PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Two Providence firefighters who were required (with pay, mind you) to drive a firetruck in a 2001 gay pride parade have been rebuffed by the Rhode Island Supreme Court in their lawsuit claiming the assignment violated their religious liberty. Yes, it’s hard to see how the U.S. Supreme Court will allow the decision to stand in light of its Hobby Lobby decision, but at least it’s a ray of hope that LGBT people won’t be transported back to the 13th century in legal terms. Theodore Fabrizio Jr. and Stephen Deninno didn’t file their lawsuit until three years after the fact. Ten years after that, they lose -- for now. “No pertinent legal authority exists to support ‘the proposition that, in such specific circumstances, employees’ rights are violated if they happen to possess religious objections to the beliefs of the group with which an otherwise legitimate work assignment requires brief interaction,’ “ the court wrote. Guess that means those firefighters might someday be called upon to help Muslims ... Wiccans ... triplets from Cuando Cubango. Civilization is lost.
Georgine Benvenuto, a photographer for the Brooklyn Daily, didn’t even get her kiss.
DoubleDickDude arises again with online 'memoir'
David Quiones, operator of the drone, said he doesn’t think the incident will hurt business.
If you didn't get enough of DoubleDickDude last year, he's back with an online "memoir."
WEEKLY As he told Rolling Stone, "I realized that there are still people who are genuinely curious." [and he thought there might still be a buck to be made] It's titled "Double Header: My Life With Two Penises." The author's name is a big old secret; he goes by DoubleDickDude or Diphallic Dude. The condition is known as diphallia, and in this case, the guy says he has two fully functioning penises -- a rare phenomenon within a rare phenomenon. He also says he's bisexual and in a relationship with a man and a woman -- a couple and knew him for a few months before they "found out about my cocks" and got curious. Naturally, his double endowment has made for a unique sex life. "For the most part, girls were nervous and some changed their mind at the last minute. Dudes NEVER change their mind, they always want it even if they're freaked out a little." If you want another look at the multiple manthings, they're on Reddit and there's a link on Huffington Post. You can follow him on Twitter (@ DiphallicDude) or Tumblr (diphallicdude). He's doing everything he can in the way of self-promotion -- in other words, following the old career advice: Work with what you have.
Teen, 17, arrested in October murder of trans woman HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Police have declined to identify a 17-yearold arrested in the October killing of a transgender woman. The teenager was already in custody at a juvenile detention center when a warrant was issued for his arrest in the death of Aniya Parker, 47. According to NBC News in Los Angeles, the teen could be charged as an adult in what is being considered an attempted purse-snatching that escalated into a shooting.
Page 3 Parker died in a hospital after surgery. Two other suspects are being sought in the killing, which was captured on video.
Wyoming Repubs want redundant clergy exemption CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Republican legislators are proposing a law to make sure no clergyperson could be forced to perform a wedding of which they disapprove. Nearly all constitutional-law scholars agree that the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution already does that. Still, same-sex marriage became legal in Wyoming last year due to court rulings, and some legislators are paranoid that judges might erase the Constitution’s religious exemption. They seem to have missed the point that judges get to decide whether their new law passes the smell test anyway, but whatever . . . “This would just allow us to codify and clarify the law and take it out of the hands of a judge,” said Sen. Dan Dockstader, R-Afton, one of the bill’s sponsors. Yeah . . . right . . . whatever.
Anti-gay Gambian survives apparent attempted coup BANJUL, Gambia -- An apparent coup attempt this week against Gambia's adamantly homophobic president failed. President Yahya Jammeh was out of the country at the time, and three alleged ringleaders of the coup attempt were reported killed. Same-sex sexual activity in Gambia is currently punishable by up to 14 years in prison, but Jammeh recently signed a bill changing the punishment to life in prison. At least eight people in the country have been under arrest for gay sex since November.
January 7, 2015 OBSERVER WEEKLY Florida’s anti-gay attorney GOP thundering about general called ‘modernObama and gas was strictly gas of a different order day Anita Bryant’
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“Antagonizing Florida’s gay voters over same-sex marriage and Hispanic voters over immigration reform ensures Bondi has a bright political future ahead of her — if she moves to Mississippi.” -- Tampa Bay Times, naming Pam Bondi 2014’s “political loser of the year” Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi CREDIT: YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT
OBSERVER STAFF TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi appears to have finally lost her attempt to twist the court decision favoring marriage equality to apply only to one county as opposed to what the rest of us mean when we say “Florida.” She and other officials had asked U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle to clarify what he meant when he overturned the state’s same-sex marriage ban, pretending they thought he meant only in Washington County, where the court case originated. Hinkle disabused them of that fantasy last week -- too late to save Bondi from becoming the butt of jokes nationwide. Last week, just before the judge’s announcement, the Tampa Bay Times named Bondi 2014’s “political loser of the year” with some scathing remarks about her junkets funded by influence peddlers, but mainly about her rabidly anti-gay defense of the state’s marriage ban. “Bondi’s clumsy communication
skills and relentless defense of Florida’s gay marriage ban have made her a modern-day Anita Bryant,” the paper stated, referring to the 1970s fundamentalist former beauty queen who led the move to repeal an early gayrights ordinance in Miami/Dade County. Hinkle’s stay of his ruling ending the marriage ban is scheduled to expire Jan. 5, and Bondi had kept things in an uproar. Hinkle’s statement last week said he won’t delay any longer. The state had hired an outside law firm to write the county clerk’s association stating that Hinkle’s order only applied to Washington County. Nobody -- including Bondi, who has a law degree -- could have expected the judge to say that his ruling applied only to one county, because it was agreed early in the court process that the defendants named in the court filing were sufficient to support a state-wide ruling. It’s all part of the wingnuts’ strategy to force progressives to waste as many millions as possible on cases already settled so they won’t have that money to spend where it might accomplish something new.
By R.D. Smith GUEST COLUMNIST
showed that if Obama got re-elected, gasoline would hit $10 a gallon.
The nationwide average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.24, and that hasn’t been in the news nearly enough.
Let’s review: Obama re-elected, check. Gasoline, $5.45 to $10 a gallon . . . oopsie.
Oh, I know -- it’s been covered; it just hasn’t been put in context.
Gingrich even promised that as president he -- Newt the Wonder Pump -- would produce gas (sorry!) for $2.50 a gallon.
In March 2012 on the floor of Congress, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said that if Obama was re-elected, gasoline would cost $5.45 per gallon by the start of 2015. The statement was widely ballyhooed by the braying chupacabras of the right -- no doubt solely because it was aimed at Obama, which seems to be the only thing the wingnuts can focus on. OK, I’ll grant you it’s only SOME of us who have arrived at the start of 2015 . . . Some members of Congress (including Lee) don’t realize where we are yet. Newt Gingrich, trying to run for president against Obama, went even further than Lee: Newt’s crystal ball
Now, you and I both know that the president has very little influence on gasoline prices -- weak international demand and continued pumping by OPEC nations aren’t even things the entire U.S. can do much about. But that’s the point: Republicans know that, and they know that they’re just blasting big old thunderclaps of anal gas when they engage in such glorification of ignorance. It isn’t intended to make sense; it’s intended to influence voters who don’t stop to think whether it makes sense. Sadly, it works in far too many cases.
OW
Some Florida counties stop performing all marriages -- to avoid gay-lesbian taint Continued from page 1 Judge Robert Hinkle must be glad he finally got that much across. After he tossed out Florida’s same-sex marriage ban last year, O’Neil was among the courts of clerk who pretended not to understand that since the ban was statewide, the tossing was statewide as well. After Hinkle repeated that his decision did indeed apply to Florida -not just the parts that decided to obey it -- clerks of court began announcing that they would stop performing marriages at all. In other words, “If we can’t have it our way, ain’t nobody gettin’ nothin’.”
As blogger davidkc pointed out on Daily Kos, it’s more likely that employees with a boss like O’Neil have sense enough to keep their mouths shut in order to not get be-shitted in the fecal storm that would result if they spoke up.
The action recalled the 1950s, when public schools across the South were shut down rather than allow black students as ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court.
performing all marriages rather than condone equality, and the newspaper found that Bay County also had such a statement on its website although the clerk there refused to say anything.
When Duval County announced an end to weddings, a Jacksonville law firm said it would set up a service to perform same-sex weddings at the same price the county had been charging.
So Florida couples will be able to get marriage licenses; it just remains to be seen how many of them can get married at the county courthouse.
At any rate, same-sex couples are probably better off not being married in those county offices.
In O’Neil’s case, she said most of her staff members who perform weddings would be uncomfortable marrying gays and lesbians.
Who wants to begin your marriage in an atmosphere of hate? Especially when you’re helping pay the salaries of the people creating that atmosphere.
The first report of non-compliance said three counties had refused the 21st century that was on offer and would remain in the 20th century. Then 14 counties responded to the Tampa Bay Times that they would stop
January 7, 2015
Anti-gay Georgian won't be a judge this time around WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Obama has thrown in the towel on his nomination of anti-gay former state Rep. Michael Boggs of Georgia for a federal judgeship. Obama reportedly agreed to the Boggs nomination as a compromise with Georgia's Republican congressional delegation. Boggs' nomination needed confirmation by the U.S. Senate, where several senators opposed him because as a state legislator he sponsored Georgia's constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. He's also famous for voting to keep the Confederate insignia on the Georgia state flag and for voting to make public the names of doctors providing abortions during the time when clinics and doctors were facing violence. Why reward that with a lifetime appointment to mete out justice?
Welsh assemblyman: Politicians afraid to come out there CARDIFF, Wales -- An anonymous member of the Welsh Assembly has been credited in a Bangor University study as saying Welsh politicians are afraid to come out because of homophobia. Without knowing the context, it sounds as if the homophobia might be their own. "There are a number that I am aware of who consider themselves homosexual, and perhaps might have liked to come out, but didn't want to because of perhaps fear of changing their image, or the way they will be perceived by their constituents," the quote stated. The most prominent out politician in Wales is Chris Bryant, Labor Party member of Parliament and the shadow arts minister, who said last year he has "complete confidence" in the people of his consistency, Rhondda.
Page 5 OBSERVER WEEKLY Obama and other Republicans push what may be the biggest stinker in modern times By R.D. Smith GUEST COLUMNIST Yes, new Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that approving the Keystone XL Pipeline could be the first “emergency” action of Congress under GOP control. But Keystone’s like a modern septic system compared to the open cesspool they’re planning to feed us as a second course. Just from what little’s been leaked (sorry!), the TPP -- Toilet Paper Purgatory? Oh wait, Trans Pacific Partnership -- is bad beyond the bad we’ve become accustomed to enduring. The number of nations involved has varied, I understand, but looks to be set at 12 -- including Australia, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand. “NAFTA on steroids” is the usual attempt to explain it. I say it’s just our next step on the road to making ourselves a banana republic. That’s why only big corporations and select politicians are supposed to know anything about what’s in there -Guatemala- and Honduras-style. Those corporations and President Obama are asking for fast-track status on the TPP -- meaning that even members of Congress would not be allowed to know what’s in it. Sure, many prominent Democrats still oppose it, but both Obama and Hillary Clinton have fallen right in line with their GOP clones. For Obama, Clinton and the like, the aroma of fatter campaign contributions probably overrides the aroma that the rest of us might be noticing here. Question: Do we really want any of these people near the White House anymore? Blame the voters, of course -- when we removed the Senate Democrats’ opposition to Keystone, we appear to have cleared the way for TPP at the same time.
The underlying problem is that under the U.S. Constitution, a treaty overrides state and federal law. According to the leaks about TPP, we may as well not have environmental laws, labor laws, food-safety laws, or any kind of law that might hinder a corporation from doing as it pleases. The Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision potentially wiped out any kind of civil-rights protections that ever have been or could be passed (sorry, the corporation says, my religion prohibits equal treatment for gays, blacks, Muslims, spotted owls . . . ), and the TPP pretty much aims to cover the rest of our lives. According to Doctors Without Borders, TPP provisions could even be used to cut off people’s access to generic drugs, just to protect corporate profits. One leak said that if a state or country bans some big corporation’s product, TPP will allow the company to sue the offending government entity for whatever the company estimates it would have made by selling its products. Taxpayers grab your ankles, please. And don’t forget: Our corporate overlords had practice runs with NAFTA, CAFTA and other demon spawn that served as conduits to shuffle U.S. jobs overseas. They’ve had plenty of practice and
now they can avoid any loopholes they left in the earlier agreements. Lest you think I’m just another bombastic political columnist, remember that FedEx already sued the Canadian government under NAFTA -- claiming that the Canadian postal service limited FedEx’s profits to less than FedEx thought it should make in Canada. FedEx lost under NAFTA. That’s why I figure Big Everything will make sure the language in TPP is tweaked until democracy cries for mercy. One point that definitely leaked out: If FedEx or any other corporation sues under TPP, the case won’t even go to court -- it will go to a secretive tribunal, and the loser (almost automatically the government) doesn’t get to appeal to a court. Keep in mind also that whatever the corporations extort, the taxpayers pay. Twenty-five years of living under NAFTA shows what these trade deals do to America. There’s no doubt in my mind that President Obama can see it as well as anyone else, but NAFTA’s been a gold mine for a certain few and that’s the crowd he’s aiming for. Let the president know you oppose this mess. But be careful -- these days, any kind of serious protest can get us all arrested!
OBSERVER
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WEEKLY
January 7, 2015
Community Voices
Two great classes, and a fabulous lunch
By Scott Blades Executive Director TIHAN
meal provided. This class is only for people living with HIV, and each person can bring one guest. Pre-registration required. To sign up, or for more info, contact us at 520-306-0733 or LivingWell@tihan.org.
As we start this new year, we’re excited to announce two upcoming classes as part of our Living Well with HIV series, as well as our January Poz Café lunch. If you are living with HIV, please check out events designed to provide information, resources, and support for you. It’s a great way to start the new year and make new friends!
Poz Café, a monthly lunch for people living with HIV: Our January lunch takes place on Jan. 15. This month’s menu: Lemon pepper chicken, jasmine rice, chef’s medley of vegetables, winter salad (pears, apples, and dried cherries with a variety of greens), dinner rolls with butter, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream.
Our monthly class for January features a topic that is very hot right now. “PrEP: What does it mean for me? A Discussion about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and Increasing HIV Prevention Efforts.” Have you had a partner or loved one ask you about PrEP? Join us for a discussion with HIV physician Dr. Linda Gorgos (El Rio Special Immunology Associates) as she talks about PreExposure Prophylaxis, a way for people who do not have HIV to help prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “when someone is exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use, PrEP can help stop the virus from establishing a permanent infection.” The CDC recommends that people who are in an ongoing relationship with someone who is living with HIV consider taking PrEP, as well as sexually active people (gay, bisexual, or heterosexual) who do not regularly use condoms, as well as those who have shared injection equipment and their sexual partners. And some people recommend that ALL sexually-active gay and bisexual men talk to their doctor about considering taking PrEP. It’s a HOT TOPIC that affects everyone who is living with or affected
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and lunch is served at Noon. Make new friends, play BINGO, participate in a raffle for prizes, and mix and mingle until 1:30 p.m. by HIV, and the more we can learn about it and talk about it openly, the better decisions we can make about harm reduction and informed decisions about health and wellbeing. Come learn and join the discussion about this important topic. This presentation takes place on Jan. 29, from 6-8 p.m. at St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church (Pima and Swan). A light dinner will be served (free of charge), and we’ll have two raffles, each for a $25 gift card to Fry’s. Space is limited, and advance registration is required by Jan. 27. This class is only for people living with HIV, and each person can bring one registered guest. For more information or to reserve your space, contact us at livingwell@tihan. org or 520-306-0733. “Eating Well Food Literacy Class,” Jan. 22 and Feb. 5: This is a unique opportunity to learn
many healthy habits, such as: • how to balance calorie intake • cutting back on foods high in fats, sugars, and salts • food safety and handling • budgeting and shopping on fixed incomes • how to be physically active in your own unique way • cooking for one person (or a small family) • minimizing pre-packaged foods • utilizing a shopping list One of the highlights is participating in a food demonstration (focused on cooking with herbs) and enjoying the results! This is a two-part class – Jan. 22 (part A) and Feb. 5 (part B) 1-4 p.m. on both days at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship (near First Ave. and Glenn) Those who attend both classes will receive a $50 food gift card. No
The lunch takes place at St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church (corner of River & Swan Rds). This month’s lunch is sponsored by these caring faith communities: Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Congregation Or Chadash (Reform Judaism), and St. Pius X Catholic Church. Poz Café is free and open to all adults living with HIV. As with all TIHAN programs and services, no proselytizing is allowed. To reserve your spot at Poz Café this month, call 520-299-6647 Ext. 205, or email LinkVolunteer@tihan.org by Jan. 12. Please include your first and last name, your phone number, whether you need transportation, and the first and last name of your guest, if applicable. (Each person can bring one guest. Guests must be 18 or older and respectful of confidentiality) Start the new year by making new friends and learning more about yourself and your community. We hope to see you soon!
OW
GOP’s southern Klanapalooza finally oozing to surface By R.D. Smith GUEST COLUMNIST No doubt to the chagrin of many Republicans, the role of the Ku Klux Klan in the party’s taking over southern politics keeps seeping into view. Nobody (except probably the Klan) claims that the guys in the white sheets played a leading role; they just took advantage of the more general racism to insinuate themselves into the crowd. The most damning thing about it, of course, is that if anyone in the GOP objected to Klan allies, we aren’t seeing much evidence of that coming out yet.
On the other hand, what difference does it make if congressional Republicans lack a formal White Sheet Caucus when they have so many members doing the work without being hooded? The current kerfuffle over Rep. Steve Scalise (now the third-ranking Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives) once addressing a conference of white supremacists is comparatively small potatoes, but no doubt not something the GOP wanted broadcast. Probably no thinking person believed Scalise’s first explanation that he hadn’t known Klansmen with signs backing Republican Barry Goldwater’s 1964 what group he was addressing, considering that Continued on page 10 presidential run.
January 7, 2015
OBSERVER
Chuzapalooza update:
Deadline to register for tourney: Jan. 11
WEEKLY
Page 7
Anti-gay fire chief Obituary back on job after 30In Memory Of day suspension over 'religious freedom' Robert Morton OBSERVER STAFF ATLANTA, Ga. -- Atlanta's anti-gay fire chief returned to work this week after a 30-day suspension for loudly injecting himself into the "religious freedom" movement attempting to negate any legal protections for the LGBT community. The suspension was triggered specifically for violating city policy in writing a book that compared homosexuality to bestiality. The chief, Kelvin Cochran, was suspended Nov. 24 by Mayor Kasim Reed.
By Mark Kerr SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER The Chuzapalooza tournament committee hopes everyone had a great and safe holiday season and that 2015 is a good year for all. Thirty-three people took part in the Forty-frame tournament known as the “Escandalo!” on Dec. 28, at Tucson Bowl, the host house for Chuzapalooza 2015. Participants enjoyed the event and in turn raised $600 for the tournament effort. The winner of the event was Howard, who had seen the advertisement online. Congratulations Howard for your good bowling and to all who took part in this inaugural event. The final touches on the Welcome Bags are being worked out, which Visit Tucson, the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau is again providing for participants and those enjoying the upcoming tournament. A big thank you goes out to Pamela Traficanti and the Visit Tucson team for their help. The tournament software situation dealing with team registration has been resolved and those wanting to enter as teams can do so online at chuzapalooza. com. The deadline for entries is Jan. 11. Chuzapalooza is Tucson’s LGBT and straight supportive bowling tournament scheduled for Jan. 16-18 which is over Martin Luther King Weekend. The tournament consists of three events: singles, doubles and team. The tournament is part of the International Gay Bowling Organization and in May of 2014, the Chuzapalooza committee had hosted IGBO’s Annual Tournament. The purpose of the Chuzapalooza
tournament is not only the bowling, but unity, fellowship and communication, the purpose of IGBO.
Equality Georgia, the state's largest LGBT advocacy group, has called for Cochran's firing, but wingnut groups are promoting him as a symbol of the fight against alleged discrimination against Christians that they say constitutes the gay-rights movement.
An all volunteer committee organizes and runs the event, which is the first tournament on the schedule for IGBO’s Rocky Mountain Region (consisting of Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico).
Ralph Reed, the founder and head of the Faith and Freedom Coalition and one-time executive director of the Christian Coalition, is urging his membership to bombard the mayor with support for Cochran.
Members of the committee are primarily from the Welcome to Oz Bowling League that bowls Thursday nights, 7 p.m., at Tucson Bowl, 7020 E. 21st St.
State Rep. Sam Teasley, R-Marietta, sponsored a religious freedom bill that failed in the last legislative session and has already prefiled another version for the coming session. State Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, sponsored the bill in the Senate last year and has said he will again.
The tournament host hotel is the Viscount Suite Hotel, located at 4855 E. Broadway Boulevard. Information about the hotel can be found at the tournament website, as well as online at viscountsuite.com. As 2015 begins, the Chuzapalooza Committee hopes you will ring in the New Year with us in Tucson, at Chuzapalooza.
Robert Morton
Robert Morton died of a heart attack in Phoenix the morning of Jan. 5. He is survived by his partner Marty Bertone. The two planned to marry Jan. 17. Morton came out alongside Tucson staple Jeffrey Scott Brown in the early ‘80s. Many thought the two were brothers, which lead Morton and Brown to tell everyone that we were “adopted twin brothers.” Morton helped start a gay rugby team, worked at the Bellagio for a while and his last employment was for the Phoenix RItz-Carlton. He will be deeply missed.
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OBSERVER
#TucsonOntheTown
Photos by Observer Weekly at IBT’s Tucson
WEEKLY
January 7, 2015
January 7, 2015
OBSERVER WEEKLY
Page 9
Bunkhouse bumps in the New Year! Photos by T-Media Promotion at Pat O’s Bunkhouse Phoenix
Page 10
OBSERVER
Fireside Chat
WEEKLY
SAAF is my home away from home
January 7, 2015
Out model Ruby Rose is the newest inmate on the ‘Orange is the New Black’ cell block By Tracy E. Gilchrist SHEWIRED This is some pretty terrific news thanks to a little snippet in Elle magazine Out DJ and model Ruby Rose is slated to guest star on “Orange Is the New Black’s” third season, according to Buzzfeed. But that’s not all! Apparently her character will be the apple of both Piper’s and Alex’s eyes! The Elle article reads, “Ruby Rose, 28, oozes raw sex appeal even in an orange jumpsuit, as the newest inmate – and lust object of both Piper and Alex – at Litchfield Penitentiary on this summer’s third season of ‘Orange Is the New Black.’ ”
Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation staff members. By Wendell Hicks Executive Director SAAF SAAF is more than a workplace to me . . . it feels like home. When I walk up and down the hallways of our building, I hear the laughs of my coworkers, friends, and family. Stepping into someone’s office will guarantee a smiling face, excited to see me, and tell me about their day. Welcoming a new staff member with a hug feels like someone new sitting at the family dinner table. Traveling to Texas to see my family is something I look forward to. Spending Christmas with my parents, siblings, and my partner is all I could ask for. But when I am away, I miss my SAAF family and my home in Tucson. What makes our building so special? It’s the people and the traditions. It’s, Steve as his alter ego, “Stevil”, playing pranks or Todd decorating the lobby for clients and staff to enjoy. We both dread
and look forward to our celebratory potlucks where we say “goodbye” to our family who move on to new adventures. Our white elephant holiday party, which in true SAAF fashion, is fun, uninhibited, and a spirited showing of our love for one another. Staff recognitions and musical selections at our all staff meetings keep us learning something new about our friends while honoring their hard work as a part of our team. We take time, a few times every year, to attend retreats as departments and as an entire staff. At retreats, we resolve issues, we consider our future goals together, and we bond. SAAF builds a culture of respect and understanding through our workplace promises. Because even though families fight, we work to resolve our conflict directly and move on. We commit to each other to be the best versions of ourselves we can be for our friends and coworkers, for our clients, and for ourselves. I always invite our community to
come take a tour of our building. In the New Year, I hope to see many of you walking our halls and getting to meet all the members of my family. And in this time of new opportunities, we hope you consider joining us in saving lives!
For more information about careers at SAAF, check out the listings here: http:// saaf.org/about-saaf/ employment
Buzzfeed went on to write that the whole sex object thing can not be confirmed, but we are going to choose to believe that it’s real, because let’s be honest, Ruby Rose is just plain stunning and hotter than hell. It’s totally plausible. We would just like to say, “Dear ‘OITNB’ Writer’s Room, There’s no reason she would have to choose.” Netflix did confirm to Buzzfeed however that Rose will play Stella Carlin, “an inmate at Litchfield Federal Correctional Institution whose sarcastic sense of humor and captivating looks quickly draw the attention of some of Litchfield’s inmates.” No matter which way one looks at it, this is excellent casting. Brava ‘OITNB!’
GOP’s southern Klanapalooza finally oozing to surface Continued from page 6 the group was founded by former Klan leader David Duke, and Duke had been a close neighbor of Scalise. For anyone who follows politics, it can’t be a secret that “there be grand dragons” -- many southern Democrats were segregationists, and after Democrats pushed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the bigots just changed their T-shirts from “D” to “R.” If their politics had changed with the times, they wouldn’t have had to change parties. At least don’t insult us by trying to pretend otherwise! A new research paper from scholars at Yale University, the University of Notre Dame and Brandeis University studied the results of presidential voting
from 1960 to 2000 in the southern states from Arkansas and Louisiana eastward (in other words, not including Texas). Their research showed that counties having Klan chapters by 1966 have a stronger pro-GOP voting record than neighboring counties that didn’t have the Klan. That doesn’t prove that one caused the other, but it shows that the modern GOP thrives in a reactionary social climate. There’s nothing new about the racism that’s suddenly pervasive in America. What’s new is that for the first time in several decades, you can be a white supremacist openly without being sent to the back of the bus.
January 7, 2015
Page 11 OBSERVER WEEKLY Fort Worth police officers come out Hey Carla, love doesn’t drive in support of Texas marriage equality your kid to commit suicide
Fort Worth Detective Chris Gorrie (right) and Justin Burks
OBSERVER STAFF FORT WORTH -- Texans were seeing a series of television ads this week featuring Fort Worth police officers speaking for marriage equality ahead of a Jan. 9 federal appeals court ruling on the state's same-sex marriage ban. The officers express support for their colleague Detective Chris Gorrie, who wants to marry his partner, Justin Burks. "Texans believe in freedom and liberty, and part of that is being able to marry who you love, so Chris should be able to marry whoever he loves," Officer Jay Doshi says in the ad.
Marc Solomon, national campaign director for Freedom to Marry, said, "With poignancy, they remind Texans that anyone who puts their life on the line to protect other Americans should not be treated unequally or denied the ability to protect their own family by being barred from marrying." The appeal is pending before the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans and involves challenges to bans in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The ad aired in markets that included Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio.
Photo: Leelah Alcorn Leelah Alcorn posted this photo on Tumblr, stating “I don’t take many selfies because I hate how I look as a boy and I rarely get a chance to dress as a girl, so I’m only posting 5, but this year was a big year for me.”
OBSERVER STAFF Leelah Alcorn, a transgender teen who committed suicide in Ohio on Dec. 28 after posting an online letter blaming her parents for refusing to allow her to transition her identity from male to female, was honored at a candlelight vigil Sunday, reports People Magazine. Teachers, students and members of Kings Mills, Ohio’s community gathered to remember her. According to People, Alcorn’s suicide note went viral and brought national attention to the subject of transgender children. But many of Alcorn’s classmates were unaware of the teen’s decision to be identified as a transgender female because her parents isolated her after she came out. In Alcorn’s suicide note posted to Tumblr, the teen lashed out at her parents – and said she wanted her death to “mean something.” Alcorn also begged parents to accept their children, writing, “Even if you are Christian or are against transgender people, don’t ever say that to someone, especially your kid.” Alcorn’s death has sparked a
growing debate about how to approach transgender youth, as well as a public backlash to how her parents, Doug and Carla Alcorn, handled their child’s situation. Alcorn’s mom defended herself and Alcorn’s father, in a CNN interview. “We loved him no matter what,” Carla said. “I loved my son. People need to know that I loved him. He was a good kid, a good boy.” The Alcorns’ disconnect from their child’s reality is apparent from the way they isolated her from her peers when she came out to them, to the way they talk about her after her suicide. Carla continuously referring to her child as a male, and using the teen’s given name, Joshua, shows a complete lack of understanding of her own child -- at best. At worst, it’s a self-righteous, arrogant refusal to accept her child for who and what she was. Leelah’s parents can say what they want because they’re still alive. But they “loved” a “son” that didn’t exist leaving the real person they brought into the world without love, acceptance or place to thrive.
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As Clark Saw It
Zoe’s World
OBSERVER
WEEKLY
January 7, 2015
By Gary Clark
By Zoe
Judge to announce Cairo bath verdict in the coming week CAIRO, Egypt -- The judge in the trial of 26 men arrested in a televised raid on a 100-year-old public bathhouse said this week he'll announce a verdict on Jan. 12. A lawyer for 14 of the men said having the TV crew there violated the men's privacy and the Egyptian constitution. A Swiss film festival has fired the TV newswoman as its spokesman over her role in the alleged staging of the raid for her TV show.
DREAMer drivers not likely to face tainting by licenses Continued from page 1 back to earth. But some of Lawrence's critics don't have much room to talk. One who was immediately on the attack is new state Sen. Catherine Miranda, elected on Nov. 4 just like Lawrence. Miranda did run as a Democrat, and she might have more expertise on immigration matters than Lawrence has, but in the governor's race she endorsed the Republicans' Koch water bearer, Doug Ducey, over Fred DuVal. With that on her record, it's no wonder she's shouting to make sure she's on the side of the angels when it comes to immigration.
January 7, 2015
OBSERVER WEEKLY
Page 13
Sleazebag who would fire his employees if Obama won now flies higher than ever OBSERVER STAFF ORLANDO, Fla. -- Maybe you remember the 2008 meltdown of sleazy time-share mogul David Siegel. His business was hit hard in the 2008 housing crash, which happened under President Bush just weeks before the presidential election that sent Obama to the White House. Siegel was the one who sent a letter to his employees saying that if the evil black man won the presidency, “you can find me in the Caribbean sitting on the beach, under a palm tree, retired, and with no employees to worry about.” In other words, he told his employees they would all be fired if Obama got elected. The press mocked him, Obama got elected (even carried Florida), and it became clear that Siegel intended neither to shut down his company nor retire anywhere. Six years down the road, not only are his employees not laid off but he’s had to hire more, thanks to the most vigorous U.S. economy in 11 years. Even though his letter stated he “can no longer support a system that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive,” his company was allowed
One view of the 90,000-square-foot Florida palace being built by the guy who swore to fire his employees and leave the country if Obama got elected.
to share in the recent record profits just like other 1 per centers who hadn’t made complete fools of themselves. Not only that, but due to the record stock-market year, Siegel has literally made out like a bandit. He and his wife, Jackie, even resumed work on their 90,000-squarefoot Lake Butler palace, “Versailles,” on which work had been suspended in 2008. Reportedly, if it’s ever finished --
now expected to be next year -- it will be the biggest house in the U.S., with a 20car garage, 23 bathrooms, 10 satellite kitchens, a 6,000-square-foot master bedroom suite, two-story movie theater with balcony, a bowling alley, rollerskating rink and MANY other amenities. Siegel’s letter asked his employees: “So, when you make your decision to vote, ask yourself, which candidate understands the economics of business ownership and who doesn’t? Whose policies will endanger your job?”
It would be interesting to know how many of his employees knew more about economics than their obnoxious boss-man did.
Kitty with
extra adorable
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.
To volunteer, call Mark Rosenbaum For support services, call a Link Specialist For more information, events, or to donate, visit www.tihan.org
OBSERVER WEEKLY
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Monday 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 11a.m.-2a.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-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 2 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm.
Friday BRODIES TAVERN - Get the Party Started Friday 7 p.m. - 2 a.m. $3 Malibu Rum Black-House Long Islands-Pucker Vodka, Margaritas on tap-XX Pints IBT’s - 11a.m.-2a.m., Flawless Fridays featuring “Absolutely Flawless” Drag Show hosted by China Collins @ 9 p.m. DJ Import Inside after the show, Million$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 Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 2 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
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 - 11a.m.-2a.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-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 2 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm.
BRODIES TAVERN - Whiskey Wednesday 7-2 a.m. $3.25 Jack-Jim Beam-JamesonFireball-Makers Mark-Johnny Walker Red IBT’s - 11a.m.-2a.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. VENTURE-N - Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 22 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm.Dave’s $3.50 Margaritas and Long Island Iced Teas
BRODIES TAVERN - Customer Appreciation 7-2 a.m. Two-for-One Well-Domestic Bottles, Margaritas on Tap House Kasiz Shots IBT’s - 11a.m.-2a.m. Therapy every Thursday. All Day *2-4-1 Drink Specials (excludes top shelf, wine & draft). Million$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 Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 22 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm. 4.00 Titos/ Absolut, Cosmos/Martis from Dan G
Saturday BRODIES TAVERN - Back Pocket Sabado Latino 7 p.m. - 2 a.m. $3 Magaritas on tap-Corona Bottles, $3.25 Latin Beers-XX Micheladas, $1 Tequila Shots-Corona Ritas IBT’s - 11a.m.-2a.m., Karaoke on the Patio 5 - 8 p.m., “Saturday Night Starlettes” drag show Hosted by Janee Starr 9pm, Million$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 Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi
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.
sources
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 UMC-North, 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.
4 p.m.
LGBTQA Support Group. LGBTQ Affairs Office, UA Student Union level four. SAGA Desert Boyz for trans masculine folks 3rd Tuesdays
7-9 p.m.
Wednesday 3-8 p.m.
SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health resources
12-1 p.m.
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.
3-4:30 p.m.
4:30-6 p.m.
6:30-7:30 p.m.
7-9 p.m.
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 - 11a.m.-2a.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-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi
Two Spirit support group. African American Student Affairs MLK Center, 1322 E. 1st Street. 6 p.m. Write Now! a writer’s group open to all at Revolutionary Grounds 606 N. 4th 6:30-7:30 p.m. Regardless of… NA LGBT Meeting, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 400 E. University Blvd. 7 p.m. Weekly Meditation Classes in Central Tucson, cost: $10, Kadam Meditation Center Arizona 1701 E. Miles St. 7-9 p.m. SAGA Desert Partnerz for cis-gendered 4th Thursday 7-10 p.m. Triangle Tribe, Men’s Support Group. Call 520-398-6826
3-8 p.m.
SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health resources
4-5:30 p.m.
Support Group for Transgender Survivors of Sexual Trauma, SACSA, 1600 N. Country Club Queer People of Color &
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Ajia Simone, Owner 426 E. Ninth St. 520.624.8400
10-11.30 a.m.
10-12 p.m.
2-5 p.m. 2:45 p.m.
Friday 4 p.m.
5:30-6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
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 John 975-3166.
2nd Saturdays
Bears of the Old Pueblo Potluch 2nd Saturdays 520.444.2275 Transparents For parents of trans kids. RSVP SAGA to attend.
Sunday 9-11 a.m.
Co-ed Softball, all abilities welcome. Oury Park, 600 W.St. Mary’s
Advice For Life & Prayers for World Peace. Bud dha’s teachings, Kadampa Meditation Cen ter Arizona 1701 E. Miles St. LGBT Buddhist Medita tion 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 info call Jim at 520-884-4218. Mamasitas! Men’s Sports club at Menlo Park The New Men’s Massage Group. Sept 21 at 4 pm. 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.
3-5p.m.
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.
5:30 p.m.
Puertas Abiertas Latin/ Hispanic LBGTQ/Ally support group meeting at Wingspan 430 E 7th St – every 3rd Sunday of the month at 5:30pm.
Saturday
Thursday
SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health re-
Sunday
2:30-4:30p.m.
Tuesday 3-8 p.m.
January 7, 2015
January 7, 2015
OBSERVER
WEEKLY
Page 15
Classifieds
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Roommate wanted
Unique Studio Apartment
Post-internet artist/intellectual seeks lunch buddy who likes art, lit., history and politics. Zero interest in pop culture. Write to Box 85571, Tucson, AZ 85754. 1549
Made to your specification Birthday, Anniversary or Anything you desire Robert Grummons 520-309-0306 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Large collection of artwork to choose from 1558
Wanted FYI
Sublet
Popular blog Not getting enough biting, satirical political analysis? Check out my popular blog at dailykos.com/ wolfbane in az! 1549
Or temporary residence for a month or two. Retired male looking for reasonably priced privacy. Text Jim at 774-573-1491 (hard of hearing) or e-mail me at jimtrabulsi@yahoo.com 1564
Looking for one mature person working or retired to share a two bedroom one bath house -- 800 sqft. $350/month plus 1/2 utilities. Call JR @ 520-461-6698 1550
Certified Wildlife Sanctuary N. Soldier Trail near Catalina Highway. Fully furnished large picture windows, mountain views, and labyrinth. Perfect for writers, artists and birders. $595 monthly w/ lease Call Donna 520-760-1331 1557
Classifieds rate: $30 for up to 30 words for 30 days. Contact Observer Weekly at: 520-812-0909 or 1830 E. Broadway Blvd, #124-215 Tucson, AZ 85719 or www.info@observerweekly.com
If you can read this Shyvana came to us from Sierra Vista, and this beautiful girl is such a gentle, affectionate lady! She’s almost 2, but is rather round, so she’s making herself comfy in our weight management room, while we work to get her weight down to a healthy number. She’s talkative, sweet and such a lover! Not only will she greet you when you walk into the room, she’ll chirp and mew for attention, and gives the cutest little head boops!
Shyvana
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OBSERVER WEEKLY
January 7, 2015