May 13, 2015
Issue 1581
WNBA stars wed at Phoenix resort
Well-known pastor urges Christians to stop driving LGBT teens out of the church OBSERVER STAFF
Glory Johnson (left) and Brittney Griner wed in Goodyear on May 8.
ATLANTA -- Pastor Andy Stanley of Atlanta's North Point Ministries, one of the biggest congregations in the U.S., recently voiced his support for LGBT youth and said fundamentalists need to stop driving these teens out of the church, according to Raw Story.
OBSERVER STAFF PHOENIX -- WNBA players Brittney Griner and Glory Johnson married last week at The Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, just two weeks after
Inside Poll: More Americans ready for gay president than for a Tea Bagger or Christianist Page 4
Married gay Mormon responds to bishop’s excommunication threat: ‘Shame on you’ Pages 15
Lawsuit against all homos goes down quickly Page 4
‘Homosexual,’ ‘devil-worshiping’ hairstyles now banned in Iran Page 7
Ginsburg and Scalia -- opposite poles of what the Supreme Court should be about Page 3
People magazine said 75
Stanley's remarks were particularly notable because his father is an anti-gay Baptist pastor who once hired armed security guards on horseback to protect his church building from celebrants at Atlanta Pride.
Continued on page 4
Continued on page 16
they were both arrested in a domestic violence episode at their home in Goodyear.
Antigone Books hosts author of ‘How to Grow Up: A Memoir’ TUCSON -- Author Michelle Tea, cofounder of the legendary Sister Spit all-female open mics, will share her amazing new memoir at Antigone Books Friday at 7 p.m. In “How to Grow Up: A Memoir,” Tea shares her awkward stumble toward the life of a bona fide grown-up: healthy, responsible, self-aware, stable. She writes about passion, about her fraught relationship with money, about breakups and the fertile ground between relationships, about roommates and rent, and about being superstitious. As an aspiring young writer in San Francisco, Tea toiled for minimum wage; she drank, smoked, snorted anything she got her hands on; she dated men and women, sometimes both at once. Meanwhile, she scrawled in notebooks and organized dive bar poetry readings, working to make her literary dreams real. Tea proves that the road less traveled may be a difficult one, but if you dust yourself off after every screw-up, you just might make it to adulthood. This event is free and open to the public at Antigone Books, 411 N. Fourth Ave. For more information visit antigonebooks.com.
"Jesus died for a world with which he didn't see eye-to-eye. If a bakery doesn't want to sell its products to a gay couple, it's their business — literally. But leave Jesus out of it." -- Pastor Andy Stanley
Megachurch Pastor Andy Stanley says it's time fundamentalists put spirituality ahead of their politics.
SAGA celebrates ‘Tipping Point’ OBSERVER STAFF TUCSON – The Southern Arizona Gender Alliance has a lot to be proud of this year, so the organization gathered Saturday night at Fluxx Studio and Gallery to share successes, snacks, and goals. The party honored the steps forward SAGA has taken in protecting its own viability and the services it offers the trans and gender expansive community. This past year has been a transformative one for the organization since the dissolution of its parent organization Wingspan. SAGA has bounced back with gusto, achieving its own non-profit status and a functioning and successful board. The organization took the party as an opportunity not only to look back but to look forward, by inviting attendees to give input on the direction SAGA should go and improvements that could be made. More photos on page 9.
Germans honor Chelsea Manning with hero's statue Following the brief display of an Edward Snowden statue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn last month, a new Snowden statue has popped up in Berlin. But this time, Snowden's statue is accompanied by statues of WikiLeaks' Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning.
Story on Page 7
Page 2
Scotland is tops in LGBT equality across Europe Hot on the heels of the Scottish National Party's huge win British parliamentary elections comes an index released last week showing Scotland to be Europe's most progressive country on LGBT rights. The Rainbow Europe Index 2015 stated that Scotland meets 92 percent of the index's 48-point criteria for LGBTI equality and human-rights legislation. The United Kingdom, of which Scotland is a part, scored 86 percent overall, followed by Belgium (83 percent), Malta (77 percent), Sweden (72 percent), Croatia (71 percent), and Norway, The Netherlands and Spain (tied at 69 percent).
Homophobes again get notoriety for use of pro-LGBT people DUBLIN, Ireland -- You'd think that the anti-LGBT chupacabras of the world would have noticed by now that using photos of pro-LGBT people in those homophobic ads will only lead to publicity of the kind they didn't want. But no . . . they don't learn . . . on so many levels. With Ireland's national vote on marriage equality coming up May 22, another kerfuffle over the use of a photo from the enemy camp erupted with the depiction of a mother and father with their baby and the line "Children deserve a mother and father. Vote no." Except that the family depicted are staunch supporters of marriage equality and aren't amused that their photo is being used to promote bigotry. Oopsie . . . homophobes are the skunks at the party again. The couple, so far not identified publicly, released a statement in protest: "No one can convince us that lifelong unions of so many loving same-sex couples, here in the UK and in Ireland, are inferior to heterosexual unions, and it is important to us that our many gay friends know that we feel this way. "Discrimination on the grounds of sexuality has no place in the 21st century. If we were residents of Ireland, not the UK, we would vote Yes for marriage equality."
Right-wing campus atwitter over e-mail opposing equality HILLSDALE, Mich. -- A mass email condemning same-sex marriage recently set off an unusual discussion on the campus of right-wing Hillsdale College. The e-mail reportedly was written by a student, but it was circulated campus-wide by the school's chaplain, Peter Beckwith. "Just to give you a heads up, ugly things are happening in the Supreme Court right now," the e-mail said as if the Hillsdale community wouldn't be aware of what the court is deciding. "Justice Anthony Kennedy is seen as the 'swing vote,' and, if that is the case, he will have the power to legalize same-sex marriage NATIONWIDE!
OBSERVER Yeah . . . I do not even think we can imagine the effects this could have on our nation, the church and families," the alarm bells continued. Or, of course, you could just not get involved in a same-sex marriage and it probably wouldn't affect you much at all. . . . A campus-wide prayer gathering was held later on the same day the email was circulated. Derek Schell, an out player on last season's Hillsdale basketball team, posted a response on Facebook. "I met good, kind people in my time in that little town in Michigan, but today I am ashamed, disgusted and angry," he wrote. "When I put a ring on my husband's finger, I'll be sure your invitation is lost in the mail. Instead, I'll say a prayer that you discover some love, and stop hiding behind the fear of something that doesn't affect you at all."
Church sign says gays and lesbians should be killed MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. -- You won't catch "love thy neighbor" being a big refrain these days at Milledgeville's Ten Commandments Church. Instead, the sign out front says "Homosexuality is a death worthy crime," and references Leviticus 20:13. Even though some of his neighbors object to the sign, Pastor Robert Lee isn't interested in listening to them. "Homosexuality is an abomination, and the Bible says homosexuality is a death worthy crime," he responds. No doubt Lee also accepts Leviticus' statement that his people are not allowed to marry whites. He's just a modern-type guy that way.
Repub: Hillary's campaign simply aims to be 'divisive' Tim Miller, a spokesman for presidential candidate Jeb Bush, said last week that Hillary Clinton's recent embrace of mainstream values is a prelude to "a divisive general-election campaign." OK, kids, let's review . . . Clinton has recently (and for the first time unequivocally) endorsed marriage equality, with polls showing that 59 percent of Americans agree; a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants (majorities in every state agree); President Obama's executive orders on immigration (nearly 60 percent agree nationally); and addressing America's income equality (83 percent agree it's a problem). So we have a presidential candidate endorsing the majority view of Americans on multiple issues and that's going to be "divisive"? Not only that, but recent polls on Clinton's popularity have indicated her numbers going up despite the GOP's attempts to create scandals about her e-mail and donations to the Clinton Foundation.
WEEKLY
May 13, 2015
are working so hard in so many states to keep so many people from voting. They also have a strategy!
Matthew Petersen, one of the students asking for an explanation.
India's third gender stymies outdated U.S. visa processes
No evidence was given in the brief, and none has surfaced publicly since it was submitted.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- More and more countries, especially in Asia, are legally recognizing "third genders," but the U.S. State Department isn't keeping up with the program. Aruta Alpesh Soni of the Chhattisgarh, India, state health department tried May 5 to secure a U.S. visitor's visa from her local U.S. consulate so she can address the Trans Health Conference in Philadelphia next month. According to the Times of India, her visa application was put on hold because the State Department had no means of recording the gender on her passport, which is marked "T" for "transgender." She had marked her application "female" because that was the only option available, so of course the "T" had the consulate staff clutching their pearls and wondering what to do. The Times has since reported that the consulate found a way to resolve the issue (and avoid making the U.S. look like a banana republic!), but consulate staff refused to comment further. Originally, consulate staff stated that they (in India, mind you) had not heard that India recognizes transgendered people.
Gay prime minister to wed longtime same-sex partner LUXEMBOURG -- The prime minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, will marry his longtime partner in a samesex ceremony sometime this week, according to the news site Digital Journal. Xavier Battel, the prime minister, and Gauthier Destenay have been a legally recognized domestic partnership since 2010. Same-sex marriage became legal in Luxembourg in January under a law passed in June of last year. It was the 17th country with marriage equality; Finland has already become the 18th. Bettel, 42, had said last August in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that Destenay had asked him to marry and he'd accepted.
Students challenge med-school prof's anti-gay court brief SALT LAKE CITY -- At least 56 medical-school students at the University of Utah are asking a professor for some evidence to support his signing a court brief alleging that same-sex marriage will produce 900,000 extra abortions.
While Clinton hasn't yet said she'd do anything about any of those issues, endorsing majority positions might seem like the way to win.
The professor, Richard Farnsworth, was among 100 medical professionals who signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court claiming that same-sex marriage would cause not only 900,000 more abortions but 600,000 more outof-wedlock births.
Oh wait . . . That's why Republicans
"That didn't make sense to us," said
The students aren't asking that Farnsworth be fired, just to explain why he would sign such a document. "Really, our intentions are to promote good science and to promote good medicine and good health care for everyone in Utah, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation," Petersen said.
Six-year employee sues B&N over gender expression Managers at an Orange County, California, Barnes & Noble store have become the latest to court international publicity by allegedly firing a transgender employee over gender expression. The federal government has interpreted Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as prohibiting such discrimination. Victoria Ramirez had worked at Barnes & Noble for six years. She claims that when she told her managers she was transitioning, they at first Continued on next page
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. Š 2014 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.
May 13, 2015 Continued from previous page barred her from presenting as a woman on the job or discussing her transition with co-workers, then fired her when she stopped complying. Barnes & Noble corporate offices, on the other hand, have made a big deal of the company's 100 percent rating by the Human Rights Campaign and even insisted in an e-mail after Ramirez's lawsuit was filed that its transgender employees "are treated with dignity and respect." The company has 30 states to respond formally after being served with the complaint. "I loved my job at Barnes & Noble," Ramirez told the Transgender Law Center. "I put myself through college working there."
Ripa: Don't allow discrimination to be rebranded and live NEW YORK CITY -- Morning TV personality Kelly Ripa, accepting a GLAAD Award for Excellence in Media last week, warned the audience not to let discrimination get "rebranded" as religious freedom and still be the same old thing. The co-host of "LIVE with Kelly and Michael" issued a reminder that even if the U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of nationwide marriage equality, "It must not end there; equality means equality across the board.
OBSERVER The runoff became necessary when no candidate captured at least 45 percent of the vote in the April 7 election. Alaska Public Radio reported that the turnout in the runoff was higher than in the original election, which no doubt boosted Berkowitz's win.
Ginsburg and Scalia -- opposite poles of what the Supreme Court should be about
HAVANA -- Cuba's longtime LGBT advocate, Mariela Castro, spearheaded a mass commitment ceremony for same-sex couples last week, with the participation of evangelical Christian ministers. Castro, daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro and head of the National Sex Education Center, first campaigned for transgender rights more than 10 years ago. "We can't do a wedding [yet], but we wanted to have a very modest celebration of love with some religious leaders," Castro told the news agency Reuters. "In the future, we'll see what more we can do."
In accepting her award for opposing discrimination, Ripa said it felt odd "that I should be celebrated for treating people like people."
SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon will soon become the third state, along with the District of Columbia, banning "ex-gay" conversion therapy on minors.
Amy Demboski lost to Democrat Ethan Berkowitz in an 18-point landslide, with Berkowitz claiming 59 percent of the vote to Demboski's 41 percent.
GUEST COLUMN
Evangelicals join Cuba's same-sex commitment bash
Oregon Legislature approves banning 'conversion therapy'
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A Republican candidate buoyed by Koch money and the endorsements of evangelical preachers sank beneath the waves in last week's Anchorage mayoral election runoff.
Page 3
While bloggers described Berkowitz as a moderate, at least one attributed Demboski's poor showing to "her radical rightwingnutcase agenda."
"We must not allow discrimination to be rebranded and to be used against people in other facets of society, including housing, employment and education."
Anchorage voters bury Koch shill by lopsided margin
WEEKLY
By R.D. Smith GUEST COLUMNIST I guess we knew that the U.S. Supreme Court debate over same-sex marriage wouldn't produce a lot of truly new ideas, and certainly that some people would insist on displaying their stupidity. With a little thought, we probably could have guessed that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Antonin Scalia were the ones most likely to provide an example of each extreme. We weren't disappointed.
California and New Jersey already have similar bans in place. The Oregon Senate passed the measure 21-3 last week; the House of Representatives had approved it March 17. Similar legislation is being considered in 17 other states. Also last week, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a right-wing group's appeal challenging New Jersey's conversion therapy ban, therefore allowing the law to stand. It took the same action last year in a case involving California's ban.
When Ginsburg pointed out that same-sex marriage won't change the nature of marriage, but in fact the nature of marriage changed when it became a partnership and women didn't have to give up their legal identity when they married, I was stunned. The simple obviousness of that statement was striking, but I don't recall anyone ever making the point before. Ginsburg as much as said that same-sex couples wouldn't have been interested in copying marriage as it was before, and changing the nature of it is what made the institution more attractive to them in the first place. Yes! At age 82, this woman is still amazing.
At the butt-end of the proceedings, Scalia's insistence that approving same-sex marriage would force clergy to participate against their will would have been laughable if it hadn't been so old and tired. Scalia knows as well as anyone that members of the clergy decide who they'll marry. Some of them won't marry people who have been divorced; some won't marry couples from differing religious traditions; some even still refuse to marry interracial couples. They can all cite Bible verses to back up those positions, but even more important from a legal standpoint is that the 1st Amendment guarantees them that right to refuse. Scalia either knows that or he has no business being on the Supreme Court -- or any other court, for that matter. Of course, judges are supposed to meet what are known as standards of "judicial temperament," meaning they don't throw tantrums during court proceedings. Scalia's record speaks for itself. He has certainly made it clear repeatedly that he doesn't care if history considers him an idiot. So let him join those justices who upheld slavery and segregation -- the ash heap of history is littered with corpses. We still have Ginsburg to provoke actual thought about the issues now and then.
May 13, 2015 OBSERVER WEEKLY Poll: More Americans ready Lawsuit against all homos for gay president than for a goes down quickly Tea Bagger or Christianist
Page 4
OBSERVER STAFF AUBURN, Neb. -- A 66-year-old Auburn woman instantly achieved worldwide notoriety by filing a lawsuit written in longhand on lined notebook paper, asking a federal judge to declare homosexuality a sin.
OBSERVER STAFF If the polls are moving so swiftly toward LGBT acceptance that you can't keep up, we understand -- but take a gander at this new one: An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released last week indicated that more Americans are ready for an openly gay president than for either a Tea Bagger or an evangelical Christian. Among the 1,000 people polled, 61 percent said they'd be either enthusiastic or comfortable with a with a gay presidential candidate. For an evangelical candidate, 52 percent responded positively; for a Tea Party candidate, the figure fell to 33 percent.
Before you start flashing under your kilt, remember that 33 percent support probably would be enough if turnout matched last fall's congressional elections. But still, this is what is known as progress -- rapid progress. The same poll showed 58 percent would support a pro-equality ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court's proceeding on same-sex marriage, with 44 percent feeling strongly about it. Only 20 percent said society has gone too far in accepting homosexuality. Keep these figures in mind as you listen to Republican candidates claiming they represent America.
WNBA stars wed at Phoenix resort Continued from page 1 people attended the ceremony. Griner accepted a plea bargain April 28 to enter domestic violence counseling, and if she completes the 26-week program the charges against her will be dropped, according to USA Today. Johnson also enrolled in the counseling voluntarily. ''It is never OK for an argument to turn physical,'' Griner said in a statement at the time of her plea bargain. ''This will never happen again, and I take my relationship and my responsibility as a role model seriously. I am committed to making positive changes
and I plan to use what I have learned to set a good example and help make a difference in the world around me.'' Griner is a top player for the league's defending champion Phoenix Mercury, while Johnson plays for the Tulsa Shock. Johnson selected her wedding gown on the TLC series "Say Yes to the Dress."
Judge John Gerrard quickly knocked the case to the curb, pointing out that he had not been granted jurisdiction to decide what constitutes sin. He also said the woman, Sylvia Ann Driskell, lacked "subject matter jurisdiction" and cannot sue a class of unidentified defendants such as "all homosexuals on Earth" and "Their Alis [sic], Gay."
Christ [punctuation from the court filing]." At least then we'd have a better understanding of the hundreds of thousands of people who concurrently claim the same status without explaining how they got it, either. As might be suspected, some reactions to the lawsuit were less than charitable. One writer said Driskell easily won this week's "Really, Bitch?" award, commenting "Who appointed this lovely woman God's ambassador is a matter only she, her clergyman and the voices in her head can decide."
"No summons issued," the court noted dryly.
While the Observer would rather not describe anyone's religious views in those terms, we did wonder about the same thing.
Too bad, really. No doubt it would have emerged in court how Driskell came to be selected as "Ambassador for Plaintiff's God, and His, Son, Jesus
No word yet on whether Driskell plans an appeal.
OW
College football star dismissed from team in alleged gay attack HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- A Marshall University football star was kicked off the team last week after his arrest in connection with the April 5 assault of a same-sex couple in downtown Huntington. The FBI is investigating the attack as a hate crime. Running back Steward Butler, who would be a senior next year, rushed for 798 yards (No. 2 on the team) and seven touchdowns last season. He was the team's top rusher in its spring football game three weeks after the alleged assault. He now faces two misdemeanor counts of battery, with federal civil-rights charges possible. According to the criminal complaint, Zackery Johnson and Casey Williams were walking downtown when they stopped and kissed. Butler jumped out of a passing vehicle; reports vary as to whether hit one of the men or both of them with a clinched fist. Huntington has had an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination policy since 2013.
May 13, 2015
OBSERVER
WEEKLY
Page 5
Healthcare professionals Arizona's anti-Obamgather in Tucson to acare ex-sheriff now discuss LGBTQ care blasts Ginsburg, equality
Attendees of the fourth annual “Let’s Get Better Together” conference on LGBTQ healthcare held May 8 had many opportunities to gather information on multiple topics from a number of vendors.
OBSERVER STAFF
OBSERVER STAFF TUCSON -- The fourth annual “Let’s Get Better Together” conference brought together on May 8 experts and experienced practitioners to tackle some of the biggest issues facing LGBTQ healthcare. With eighteen unique focus sessions and a well-represented resource fair of presenters, the convention covered a wide spectrum of interests including LGBTQ challenges in mental health treatment, youth intervention and counselling, aging and veterans, faith communities, housing and appropriate treatment for trans individuals, and more. The Observer attended three sessions covering the topics of youth harm reduction, transgender housing placements in foster care and gendered facilities, and LGBTQ aging. Each session was well-attended and eye-opening. In the first two, presenters gave valuable advice for starting the conversation about necessary improvements with facility staff and leadership at health organizations. In the first session, Jai Smith, Marcos Trujillo and Sarah Bahnson, of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation teamed up to present on the topic of harm reduction strategies with youth. The trio created an insightful dialogue about how they regularly counsel youth who partake in risky behaviors including substance abuse, self-harm, and unsafe sexual practices.
They expressed a practical and pragmatic viewpoint on these behaviors and spoke to the inefficacy of an abstinence only message with youth. Things like shame and fear tactics do not keep youth from risky behaviors. But harm reduction strategies such as giving patients support networks, and less damaging alternatives to harmful behaviors can benefit the youths by “meeting them where they are.” Yvette Jackson of Devereux, presenter of the second session we attended -- titled “Serving GenderExpansive Youth in Residential Treatment: A Case Review,” started by outlining the need for an inclusive policy. “Your organization can not refuse to house a trans patient because you ‘do not have the facility,’ ” she said. Jackson summarized findings from the Human Rights Campaign as well as numerous medical studies which found that refusing to place trans and gender expansive youth in the gendered dorms and facilities appropriate to their gender to be damaging and dangerous. Jackson went on to describe how things are done at Devereux, a very inclusive and compassionate organization of facilities which strives to place each patient in the appropriate dorm facility with the appropriate treatment and programming. One of the most intriguing parts of this session was the practical insights Jackson gave for effecting change Continued on page 16
SAFFORD, Ariz. -- Former Graham County Sheriff Richard Mack, who made headlines at the start of 2015 by accepting public donations for unexpected medical bills because he had refused to sign up for Obamacare, now turns his hand to bashing the LGBT community. Hand in hand with that community, of course, is U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, described by Mack as "a very senile and evil" person who somehow is now leading the Supreme Court into godlessness. "I think this Supreme Court is bought and paid for; I think they're just political hacks, most of them, and they will not use moral agency or tradition or biblical principle. They're just going to do what they're there for," Mack told the wingnut Patriot-movement radio program "Liberty Roundtable." Of course, if God is in control, as Mack's movements are fond of telling the rest of us, then that includes the Supreme Court as well, and maybe Mack better back up and think a minute. While still sheriff, Mack sued the federal government claiming that parts
of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act violated the U.S. Constitution. (He took it all the way to the Supreme Court, where he lost 5-4.) And in 2011, he announced he was suing the Southern Poverty Law Center for "libel, slander and defamation." He also has announced plans to move to Navajo County this spring and run for sheriff there in 2016, encouraging his followers to move there and vote for him. And he does have a large following. He leads a movement preaching that county sheriffs are the ultimate authority in the U.S., with much of their power improperly usurped by federal authorities. His most famous quote is, "We will take America back, sheriff by sheriff, county by county, state by state." Naturally, the folks they'd be taking it back from would include anyone who doesn't look or live according to Richard Mack's dictates. He's a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although many Mormons would probably just as soon people would quit pointing that out.
OBSERVER WEEKLY American Family Association chupacabra: 'Gay conservative' is an oxymoron Page 6
May 13, 2015
Episcopal cathedral to baptize baby after creating a kerfuffle
OBSERVER STAFF Fox News contributor Guy Benson coming out as a "gay conservative" caused immediate sphincter-snapping from the public face of the American Family Association. Bryan Fischer, AFA finger-wagger and top homophobe, brayed that " 'gay conservative' is an oxymoron" and that Benson and his ilk are trying to turn the GOP "into a sodomy-promoting political machine."
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando's Episcopal cathedral will baptize the son of a gay couple despite balking at the ceremony when it was scheduled for April 19.
Or, he could have added, trying to drag the GOP into the late 20th century before we reach the late 21st ...
After Rich and Eric McCaffrey publicized the "postponement" on Facebook, Bishop of Central Florida Greg Brewer agreed to meet with them and then agreed to reschedule the event for June at the Cathedral of St. Luke.
Fischer also suggested that Benson should be fired from his second job, as political editor for the right-wing site Townhall. That would be because Townhall's parent company, Salem Media Group, targets a Christian audience -- which, as we know, is not allowed to accept LGBTs as human beings as long as Fischer has anything to say about it. Fischer even called Townhall "nominally conservative." That's as opposed to bat-shit crazy. This is a site that promotes columns by Ann Coulter, Pat Buchanan, Phyllis Schlafly and Cal Thomas -- it isn't "nominally" anything. Fischer blasted Benson as a believer "that the Republican Party's embrace of natural marriage, the institution God designed and defined at the dawn of time, is a 'barrier to entry to the party.' "
Bryan Fischer whose name rhymes with Ima Fister doesn’t like some Guy Benson -- so he says.
Now, whoever "designed" marriage, and no matter if it was "at the dawn of time," the historical record indicates that the church didn't get involved in it until a few centuries past Jesus' time, and church involvement is really what the whole pissing match is about. Fischer even went so far as saying gay people should not be allowed to call themselves conservatives. No doubt all those wingnut groups who refuse to allow gay groups to participate feel the same way.
You'll recall that Fischer's views got so extreme that even the American Family Association dumped him as "director of issues analysis" in January, and only serves as a stage for his blathering now. While Fischer immediately went into attack mode, Benson did get public support from conservative media figures such as Megyn Kelly and Sean Hannity.
OW
We're not saying a little negative publicity brought the change of heart, but ... well, hell yes we are -- what else would have done it? Although the Episcopal Church is generally LGBT-friendly, Brewer was one of 12 bishops opposing the denomination's 2012 approval of a provisional rite for blessing same-sex unions. And it's not like someone on the cathedral staff would have refused to baptize a baby without consulting the bishop. Amazing what a little public embarrassment can do . . .
All dressed up and no place to 'go' OBSERVER STAFF
scheduled rather than create any problems passengers might have had with arriving a few minutes late.
Seasoned travelers like to chatter about about missed flights, delayed flights, canceled flights . . . that time you got off the plane in Honolulu but your luggage continued merrily on to Manila.
We're thinking it may have had more to do with the airline wanting to maintain a perfect "on time" record. Just one case of a passenger with a serious digestion problem that day, and this would have been a memorable flight indeed . . .
But what if you made the flight and your toilet paper didn't? That'll be the new travel story for a group of passengers on a recent Ryanair flight from to London from Murcia, Spain. Apparently the passengers were philosophical about the crisis because, well, what are you going to do about it once it's in progress?
Getty Images
We're not entirely convinced that the potential disaster was justified, however.
el, the restocking error was discovered while the plane was still on the ground in Murcia.
According to a Ryanair statement published later in The MailOnline Trav-
Ryanair's statement indicated that the flight went ahead and took off as
May 13, 2015
OBSERVER
WEEKLY
Page 7
'Homosexual,' 'devil-worshiping' Germans honor hairstyles now banned in Iran Chelsea Manning OBSERVER STAFF
"Any shop that cuts hair in the devil-worshiping style will be harshly dealt with and their license revoked. Tattoos, solarium treatments and plucking eyebrows [for men] also are forbidden," his rant continued.
TEHRAN -- The head of Iran's barbers' union decided last week that the country's Islamist government isn't repressive enough, and he needed to clamp down on "homosexual" and "devil-worshiping" hairstyles.
"Usually the barber shops who do this do not have a license; they have been identified and will be dealt with," Govahi concluded.
Apparently that means anything spiky or "overly styled," whatever "overly styled" might be. The move follows western media reports about Iran's burgeoning "underground hipster" scene. Mostafa Govahi, the union chief, said barbers were handed a list of "appropriate" hairstyles, so there's probably a lot of room for interpretation -on the side of hair police, of course, not necessarily for individual barbers. "Haircuts that show
hairstyles.com
This hair is now a ticket to jail in Iran.
symbols or signs of devil worshipers or those adopted by homosexuals are banned," Govahi announced. "I won't allow such wrongful western styles as long as I'm in this position."
He said anyone providing a homosexual haircut will be "harshly dealt with," which sounds ominous in a country where homosexuality itself is punishable by death.
The Guardian, a British newspaper, noted that Iran already outlawed "ponytails, mullets and long, gelled hair for men," so presumably the hairstyle goons are already in place. The barbers' union represents only male hairdressers; females have their own trade group.
OW
'Christian' game developer tries to market 'Kill the Faggots' OBSERVER STAFF A "Christian" entrepreneur who previously tried to market a line of Christian-themed skateboarding shoes launched a singularly offensive video game last week, only to see it shut down within two hours.
BERLIN -- A coalition of activists, artists and Green Party members unveiled a statue of Chelsea Manning (cast before she began her gender transition) on May 1 in Alexanderplatz Square. Manning's statue is one of three honoring heroes of the 21st century -- along with fellow government whistle-blowers Edward Snowden and Julian Assange.
Although many Americans may not yet recognize the contributions of the three, they are widely revered in Berlin. Each statue stands on a chair lined up with a fourth chair, empty as an invitation for viewers to place themselves there. The statues are expected to tour several European cities as well as be displayed in Berkeley, California.
Buenos Aires OK's three-parent listing on birth certificate OBSERVER STAFF BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- The government of Buenos Aires province last week granted Latin America's first legal recognition of a three-parent family on a birth certificate. A lesbian couple and their son's biological father, a sperm donor, were all included on the boy's birth certificate, multiple media reported. The child, now a year old, lives in Mar del Plata with his mothers, Susana Guichal and Valeria Gaete, both 39. The father, 37-year-old Hernan Melazzi, lives in Buenos Aires city.
The process was approved smoothly without the parents even seeking legal assistance. In 2013, Argentina became the first nation to recognize a 6-year-old transgender girl's gender identity.
Nick Visser at The Huffington Post described the game action this way:
"Players are penalized for shooting 'straight' targets, and during gameplay, a voiceover repeats statements like 'straight
OBSERVER STAFF
The women married in 2012 and have been together 11 years. Melazzi is described as a close friend.
Randall Herman's "Kill the Faggot" may have set the record for short-lived video games.
"The game ... is modeled after a first-person shooter. Players earn points for killing gay characters, and receive a bonus if they hit a transgender person, which prompts a message reading 'Transgender Kill' to flash on the screen.
with hero's statue
"Kill the Faggot" -- according to Randall Herman, it's what Jesus would do.
pride' and 'whoops, I just dropped the soap.' " Herman's game made its appearance at the Steam downloadable games shop through its Greenlight initiative, intended to open sales to smaller game developers who post a $100 fee. But how did something like that get approved to begin with? Apparently it didn't.
Despite the game's two-hour lifespan, one game critic -- Jim Sterling of YouTube -- managed to download a copy and post a scathing review. Aside from Sterling's negative comments about the game itself, he also commented, "Perhaps having absolutely zero vetting process on Steam isn't the best idea."
May 13, 2015 OBSERVER WEEKLY JELL-O Wrestling a tasty treat for Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, a sticky mess in all the right places
Page 8
May 13, 2015
Page 9 OBSERVER WEEKLY Southern Arizona Gender Alliance throws ‘Tipping Point’ Celebration
Page 10
Fireside Chat
OBSERVER
J-E-L-L-O -- Our most colorful event
WEEKLY
May 13, 2015
Nevada Walmart refuses to put 'gay' on cake for gay-straight prom couple
Photo: FOX 5 News
OBSERVER STAFF
Brian and Felix wrestling in cold Jell-O at the 2015 Reno Gannon Memorial Jell-O Wrestling Benefit Auction & Extravaganza. By Wendell Hicks Executive Director SAAF Another year of Jell-O Wrestling has come and gone raising over $45,000 for the programs and services of SAAF and we couldn’t be prouder! Celebrating its 28th year, the Reno Gannon Memorial Jell-O Wrestling Benefit Auction & Extravaganza, is our longest running and most colorful event. This is true figuratively and literally with blue, green, and yellow Jell-O from one end of the event to the other. We paid tribute to people we have lost to HIV/AIDS, celebrated people living with HIV/AIDS, and raised money to provide HIV/AIDS prevention and care service programs. This year brought eight teams of dedicated community members who were willing to get into some cold Jell-O for a good cause (believe me -- it’s COLD)! We watched teams with themes of Batman and Robin, Mad Max, Super
Mario Brothers, and so many more, show off their costumes and get in the pit in hopes of winning against their opponents. Our emcee of 24 years, Miss Lucinda Holliday, even got in the ring, sequined dress and all, to wrestle her long-time friend, Miss Patti LaPlaysafe from my very own home state of Texas! The crowd enjoyed watching the Jell-O fly all while bidding on auction items and watching performances from some of our favorite drag personalities. Despite the surprisingly cool weather, we celebrated our community late into the night in the most off-the-wall way possible! I want to thank all of the people who put work into making this year’s Jell-O Wrestling a great success. Volunteers, sponsors, wrestlers, all made this event possible. To check out pictures of Jell-O Wrestling, hear updates about next year’s event, or learn more about the history and traditions check out our Facebook at Facebook.com/Jello. Tucson.
LAS VEGAS -- You've been hearing about the guy (straight) who asked his best friend (gay) to be his prom date, how Ellen DeGeneres had them on her show and presented them each with $10,000 scholarships, and how much of the civilized world has hailed them as leaders in the equality fight. Jacob Lescenski and Anthony Martinez truly represent where the future seems to be headed. So you might expect that someone would have to pee in the punch. Martinez's aunt, Jennifer Sandoval, was so proud of the boys that she went to a local Walmart for a cake to surprise her nephew. She wanted the cake to say, "You're gay, he's straight, you're going to prom, you couldn't have had a better date." A Walmart bakery employee refused to put the word "gay" on a cake.
A supervisor backed up the employee, with both saying it was against store policy. Sandoval said she then asked, "Why can't I use this? I don't understand. It's one word. It's gay." Walmart wouldn't budge, so Sandoval settled for a cake that said, "You Matter -- Prom Kings." Once the bad publicity hit the fan, of course, Walmart was all over itself wanting to make it up to Sandoval, but Sandoval's attitude was "too late now" -- after all, what can you do about a turd once it's in the middle of the table? It turns out Walmart didn't know it had any policy against the word "gay" on a cake. No doubt Lescenski and Martinez will remember the prom and the TV appearance as the experience of a lifetime; too bad they also have to remember that someone was determined to ruin it for them.
May 13, 2015
Community Voices
OBSERVER WEEKLY
Something for everyone!
Win great items and enjoy the party
Tucson’s LGBT and straight supportive bowling league, Welcome to Oz, will be finishing its winter season on May 21 at Tucson Bowl, 7020 E. 21st St. (NW Corner of Kolb and 22nd St.).
Wow! Thanks to generous donors and friends we’ve got a fabulous evening planned for you, with hundreds of amazing auction items for you to bid on and win. Come out to the Marriott University Park Tucson Hotel for great food and drink, entertainment, and check out these items you can bid on and win at Treasures for TIHAN! Join the awesome Lupita Murillo and hundreds of generous Tucsonans for the biggest party of the year to benefit the programs and services that TIHAN provides for people living with HIV. It’s May 30 at 6 p.m. at the Marriott University Park (880 E. Second St.) There’s FREE PARKING in the garage right next door (or valet parking for a small fee). Get your tickets in advance and save $10! Advance tickets are $65, and can be purchased by calling 520299-6647 or online. Tickets purchased on the day of the event will be $75 each. If the ticket price is too steep, remember that you can volunteer that night and get in free to enjoy the festivities! Hundreds of auction items (ranging in value from $20 to $2,500) have been donated by caring and generous people and businesses that support a healthy and strong community where everyone is valued, included, supported, and celebrated. There will be something for everyone! (If you are unable to attend the event, but would like to bid on an item, please contact me at scott@tihan. org and we can arrange a way for you to enter your bid without being present.) Some of the great auction items donated so far for you to bid on: • Lunch with Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild at the wonderful Café a la C’Art • Sunday brunch for four at Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch • round of golf for four at the Casino del Sol Resort • Lunch with the genius of editorial cartoonist David “Fitz” Fitzsimmons who will draw your caricature as you dine and chat • Special Tucson Rodeo package with the Vaquero Club on Feb. 21, 2016, includes admission for four, parking, lunch, drink tickets, program, and commemorative 2016 Tucson Rodeo poster • One facial a month for a year at Robert Markley Salon Spa a
Rolling in the Pines tourny in Flagstaff: Lanes filling up fast! By Mark R. Kerr SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER
By Scott Blades Executive Director TIHAN
Need
Page 11
vacation?
• A week’s stay a beautiful condo in your choice of relaxing Cabo San
Welcome to Oz is the host league for the Chuzapalooza bowling tournament, Tucson’s entry in the International Gay Bowling Organization series’ of tournaments.
Lucas or fabulous Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • A week in a lovely ocean-front cottage in idyllic Nantucket Island • Three nights at the Pecos River Cabin in New Mexico • Two nights at the Anaheim Fairfield Inn by Marriott • Weekend Stay in the Jim Click Family Condominium in the White Mountains of Arizona • Three nights in a suite at the Maui Sunseeker LGBT Resort in Hawaii, • Three night stay in fabulous Bisbee, Arizona • Two night stay in a private condo in Rocky Point, Sonora
to Roadhouse Cinemas dine-in/drink-in theater experience • Round of golf for four at JW Marriott Starr Pass • A private Wellness and Beauty Party for five people at the Aveda Experience Center at La Encantada
Or maybe you want to get away, but not too far from home? How about a night at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, two nights and breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain, two nights and breakfast at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort, or two night at The Clarendon Hotel & Spa in Phoenix.
Plus we’ve got donations of jewelry, furniture, wine and spirits, textiles, antiques, collectibles, home and garden items, private dance lessons, concerts, private wine tasting parties, yoga classes, gift baskets of wine and spirits, and much, much more!
We’ve got donations of gift certificates and products and services from the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Creative Ventures, Hermitage Cat Shelter, Golden Rule Winery, Alvernon Storage, Phoenix Suns, Judy Gomez, Party Factory, Trader Joe’s, UA Alumni Association, Body Works Pilates, Alfonso’s Gourmet Olive Oil and Balsamics, Four Winds West, Starbucks, Zinke’s Treats, Southwest Furniture and Kitchen, Discovery Toys, Pak Mail, and many more caring businesses. Or perhaps you’d like a chance to be the highest bidder and win one of these great items, for yourself or a gift for a friend: • Wine Reception and Dinner Party for 10 people at the Historic Senator Harry Arizona Drachman House, including a private tour of the historic home and grounds. • $100 gift certificate
You can also experience the world through bidding to win passes to experience The Heard Museum, Pima Air & Space Museum/Titan Missile Museum, Desert Botanical Gardens, Golf & Stuff, Funtasticks Family Fun Park, Tucson Botanical Gardens, International Wildlife Museum, Children’s Museum Tucson, The Phoenix Zoo, Artifact Dance Project (season pass), and Tohono Chul.
We need people to help with setup on the morning of May 30, as well as volunteering at the event itself on Saturday evening. (Event volunteers get into the event for free!) For the volunteer signup form, visit www.tihan.org and click on Treasures for TIHAN, then How to Volunteer, or contact Mark at 520299-6647 or volunteercoordinator@ tihan.org. If you can’t join us for this fun event, please consider making a tax-deductible donation in support of the programs and services we provide, and the people we serve. Your contribution will make a difference in the lives of people living with HIV right here in our community. Thanks to all the generous donors who give of their products and services for you to win and raise money for programs to help people with HIV to live well and be part of a thriving LGBTQ community!
OW
Chuzapalooza is the first stop on IGBO’s, Rocky Mountain Region of tournaments. The next tournament will be held over Martin Luther King weekend, January 15-18, 2016 at Tucson Bowl. Tucson and the other cities in the Rocky Mountain Region will be taking part in the Inaugural, Rolling in the Pines, a 40-frame bowling tournament taking place at Starlite Lanes in Flagstaff, July 11. Details about the event can be found at eventzilla.net/ web/event?eventid=2139073049. This is a benefit for the tournaments in the region, for which bowlers from Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada will be taking part. For more information, Email rollininthepines@ outlook.com. Organizers said they have 60 entries and room for just 20 more, so spots are going fast! The Chuzapalooza tournament committee is again, gearing up for the 2016 event. They have decided again to have the Alliance Fund (alliancefund. org) as the charity for the 2016 Chuzapalooza bowling tournament. The Chuzapalooza committee has been meeting to discuss matters and the upcoming calendar for promoting the tournaments and to hold fund raising events, which all proceeds go to the tournament and its respective expenses. The next tournament meeting will take place June 7, at 11 am, at Tucson Bowl, 7020 E. 21st St. On June 7, at 1 pm, at Tucson Bowl, Chuzapalooza will be holding their 40 frame game tournament, the Summer Escandalo. This fund-raiser will give those going to Flagstaff some early practice to bring the crown to Tucson and for those not able to go, a 40 frame game event to enjoy. The cost is only $20 and the proceeds go to the Chuzapalooza tournament to help cover costs. The Winter Escandalo had 34 participants and organizers are hopeful for a similar if not better, turnout. For more information about the Chuzapalooza tournament, go online to chuzapalooza.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/chuzapalooza.
Where God's love for all is the good news!
Page 12
As Clark Saw It
OBSERVER By Gary Clark
WEEKLY
May 13, 2015
Air your fantasy and skip the cleanup
Andrew Hetherington
Air Sex commissioner Chris Trew (right) hosts regional contests in nearly two dozen U.S. cities, where contestants engage in a veritable "airgy."
OBSERVER STAFF
Zoe’s World
By Zoe
AUSTIN, Texas -- Having sex by yourself doesn't mean you can't do it with a whole room full of people watching. Kind of like that time at the Britney Spears concert when you got bored and just decided to . . . oh wait, nobody was supposed to mention that again EVER. So welcome to air sex -- "airsexuals" R Us. No human partners are allowed, and all orgasms must be simulated, but other than that, your fantasies are the limit. Most contestants seem to use a fake name (now why would that be?), some of which probably have something to do with their performance (Juici Jessi . . . Hoochie in My Poochie . . . God Bless My Pussy . . . Lawrence of Alabia . . . in our innocence, we still haven't figure out what Peelander might be up to . . .).
You won't be surprised to hear that air sex inspires a veritable plethora of descriptive . . . er . . . descriptions. "It's in-your-face, in-your-front, in-your-back honesty for the whole world to see," according to one of its websites. A "bunch of nothing-fucking motherfuckers," according to national tour host Chris Trew. If the likes of Howard Stern called it "highly offensive," what more can we be expected to offer? If you're pretending to be reluctant to be seen at a live performance, "Air Sex: The Movie" premiered March 30. Someone named Taffy BrodesserAkner (can that name be for real?) has a long story in the current issue of GQ that can probably provide more information on air sex than you need. Brodesser-Akner even includes an Arizona anecdote: "In Phoenix, I saw a man in a bathrobe with a gold chain and a fake French name enact fake intercourse with a lotion bottle, trying desperately to become erect as his lover waited for him in the next room." The phenomenon originated in Japan and debuted in the U.S. via Austin's Alamo Taproom. The competition proved so popular that it's now in its seventh year as a traveling road show. The most recent performance was May 3 in Richmond, Va. (That must have warmed the cockles of all those Virginia wingnut hearts.) Local competitions lead up to the national and world championships. Prize winners are presented the Fleshlight -- according to Trew "the only trophy you can fuck. You cannot fuck the Stanley Cup." You can be alerted about competitions in your neighborhood by following Air Sex on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. To perform, you can generally sign up on the night of the show by putting your moniker on a slip of paper and dropping it into the "F@ckbucket," to be announced at the proper time.
May 13, 2015
OBSERVER WEEKLY
Page 13
Waitress tells governor 'Tip the Bernie Sanders may be the schools'; GOP official calls it greenest U.S. presidential 'arrogant stupidity'
candidate in history
OBSERVER STAFF U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who announced his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination last week, is the 2016 race's first true climate hawk. According to rankings by a new Super Pac called Climate Hawks Vote, Sanders was the No. 1 leader on climate issues in the 113th Congress that ended in January. He had been ranked No. 3 in the 112th Congress. In 2013, Sanders introduced a bill to help residents retrofit their homes for energy efficiency and (with Sen. Barbara Boxer of California) co-sponsored a bill to tax carbon emissions and rebate part of the money to citizens. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback reacts to his latest wave of negative publicity: Who gives a shit what some waitress thinks? By R.D. Smith GUEST COLUMNIST It was waitress Chloe Hough's last day on the job at Boss Hawg's restaurant in Topeka, Kan., when she served Kansas' wingnut GOP Gov. Sam Brownback. She recognized it as a golden opportunity. Before she presented the tab to Brownback, she put an X in the line for leaving a tip and wrote to the left "Tip the schools" -- a direct response to the state GOP's new budget, which cut public education by another $44 million. Then she posted a copy of the bill on Facebook, and of course it went viral. Oh my oh my oh my. GOP officials quickly informed her that "the little people" are not supposed to criticize Republican chupacabras who work so hard at shafting said little people. Clay Barker, executive director of the Kansas State Republican Committee, lathered his own face with shit in attacking local news media for even reporting on Hough's political statement.
"So you are publicizing her arrogant stupidity and utter ignorance," Barker wrote on KNS-TV's Facebook page. In a later e-mail to the Topeka Capital-Journal, he added, "And yes, it is perfectly in line with the party's role -- we get to say what everyone is thinking." I can't argue against the idea that both Barker and Brownback are experts on "arrogant stupidity" -- they back up their expertise with plenty of evidence. But a working woman standing up for public education is "arrogant stupidity" and "utter ignorance"?
"He has a record of really strong advocacy for solar in particular," said RL Miller of Climate Hawks Vote. His recent stances include advocating a tax on carbon; a massive investment in solar, wind, geothermal; making sure that every home and building is properly winterized; and encouraging investment in transportation to break our dependency on automobiles. Hillary Clinton also supports regulating carbon emissions, so it remains to be seen how much Sanders will set himself apart from her on climate issues.
Of course, the voters made sure neither bill went anywhere when they elected Republican majorities in both the Senate and House.
Dealing with climate issues will almost certainly be up to the president, since the way GOP legislatures have drawn congressional districts virtually assures that they'll control Congress for many years -- unless the 2016 presidential race brings an unusually large voter turnout.
Sanders, an independent from Vermont, also earned some headlines in 2012 when he introduced the End Polluter Welfare Act, aimed at ending special tax deductions and credits for coal, oil, and gas producers.
It's also safe to say that Sanders' race for the Democratic nomination is a sharply uphill struggle. But if Clinton should falter again, Sanders may be able to position himself to be her successor.
"It is immoral that some in Congress advocate savage cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security while those same people vote to preserve billions in tax breaks for ExxonMobil, the most profitable corporation in America," Sanders said at the time.
If so, let's pray for a few million more arrogantly stupid people, and maybe we can still turn the country around while there's enough left to turn. Of course, the real problem here is still the voters: These malevolent vultures remain in power because the voters keep them there. In the meantime, somebody ought to be selling "I am Chloe Hough" Tshirts.
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
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 2 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 2 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.
May 13, 2015
OBSERVER WEEKLY
Page 14
May 13, 2015
OBSERVER WEEKLY Married gay Mormon responds to bishop's excommunication threat: 'Shame on you' OBSERVER STAFF
"Shame on you for calling into question a relationship that is the cornerstone of my life – that I hold above all others," he wrote. "Shame on you for telling me that my 'behavior' is 'unbecoming of a member the Church.' Shame on you for not honoring the promises that you made to your congregations to love, value and respect each member. Shame on you for being so far away from the true lessons of Christ. And finally, shame on you for attacking me for engaging in a relationship that does you and the members of your congregation no harm whatsoever."
Knuth-Bishop's Mormon bishop back in Utah, Morgan J. Roberts, had sent a letter threatening "disfellowshipment or excommunication, because you are reported to have participated in conduct unbecoming a member of the church." Knuth-Bishop's response noted that Utah's teen suicide rate leads the nation, with young people being four times more likely to take their own life if they're rejected by family, friends or religious institutions. "Having a family who did not reject me, and having Sean by my side throughout my 'coming out' process, are the only reasons I am still on this Earth.
According to the Waco Tribune, Pierce "said he's faced some prejudice" and "witnessed hateful messages on social media after the election results came out." "Unfortunately, from the things I'm seeing posted on Facebook, it looks like bigotry won out," Pierce said. A 39-year-old real estate investor, Pierce had led the city through a year of controversy and upheaval. Both the municipal judge and the city secretary resigned after being placed on administrative leave. The police chief was fired (by the city council) for cause. A city administrator was hired, but left six months later. Taylor (left) and Sean Knuth-Bishop, who were married on the Grammy Awards show.
"Too many are not as fortunate as I am in this regard, and TOO MANY choose to take their own lives because of men like you and processes like this disciplinary council. TOO MANY feel excluded, rejected and devalued because of comments made in passing in General Conference, from their own family, and from men like you. "TOO MANY take a blade to their wrists, bullet to their brains, and pills down their throats to end their suffering because of something that they CANNOT control: a desire to live a happy lifestyle with someone of their own gender or sex." He also noted the church's longtime racist stance and other teachings it was forced to change. "The Mormon faith has been wrong on countless occasions throughout their
Pip is a gorgeous dilute tortie with an adorable voice, and a penchant for ankle polishing. She’s almost two years old, and very cuddly. If you pick her up, she also loves to give hugs! Pip gets along with other kitties just fine, and loves people. If you’re looking for an affectionate, sweet kitty to cuddle with and chat about your day, come by The Hermitage and meet this fine lady.
Pip
Texas town boots its gay mayor and trumpets bigotry VALLEY MILLS, Texas -- Gay incumbent Mayor Jerry Pierce lost his reelection bid by a whopping 244-to-100 vote last week, indicating that citizens were tired of so much change.
Gay Utah native Taylor Knuth-Bishop responded to his bishop's threat of excommunication by writing "Shame on you."
Knuth-Bishop and his husband, Sean Knuth-Bishop, were among 33 couples married on the 2014 Grammy Awards program during a performance of "Same Love" by Macklemore. The Knuth-Bishops now live in New York City.
Page 15
[sic] rocky history ... An occasion very similar to my own would be the decision to allow people of African descent the priesthood in 1978 and allowing interracial marriage with the temple." Gone are the days when young LGBT people allowed themselves to be devalued and simply shunted out of sight. And good riddance to those days!
Pierce says he was just trying to address problems he inherited from earlier mayors. The new mayor-elect is the grandson of a mayor who served several decades ago.
May 13, 2015 OBSERVER WEEKLY Well-known pastor urges Healthcare professionals Christians to stop driving gather in Tucson to LGBT teens out of the church discuss LGBTQ care Page 16
Continued from page 5 in your organization and for talking to the skeptics. She addressed the fears, stigma and roadblocks that often arise when suggesting that a gender expansive youth be housed with other clients according to their gender identity and not their assigned sex. We wrapped up the day by attending a session titled “Back in the Shadows: The Unheard Voices of the Older LGBT Arizonan -- Implications on Social and Emotional Health and Well-being.” This presentation was given by Mandee Rowley PhD, Rhea Christorhus, and Susan Sansonne of the University Of Phoenix Master of Counselling program. The aging LGBTQ population faces discrimination and isolation not only in healthcare, but also in the LGBTQ community. The presenters explained a disparity in the community centers and service organizations in Arizona noting that they targeted LGBTQ youth populations more than elders. In healthcare, many of the procedures and policies right down to intake paperwork discourage LGBTQ relationships and identities. Simple fixes like updating forms to be trans inclusive, or recognizing life-partners as family members can make an organization more accessible for LGBTQ elders.
Common themes in the sessions we attended and many of the day’s conversation were: - Equitable treatment for minority and diverse populations. - Systemic discrimination in the healthcare field. - Changes needed to update forms, procedures, and policies. - Ways to address transphobia and homophobia in your organization. - How to “meet patients where they are” socially, personally, and mentally. The “Let’s Get Better Together” conference was produced by the LGBTQ Consortium and the LGBTQ Behavioral Health Coalition of Southern Arizona. It was held at the Hilton El Conquistador Resort. Awards were presented to the following recipients: Karen Chatfield – Karen Chatfield Lifetime Legacy Award; Yvette Jackson (Devereux) – Leadership in LGBTQ Health; Francisco Luna (AZ Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project) – Up-and-Coming Leader; Kellsey Jane (One-In-Ten Youth Agency) – Youth Leadership; Amy D’Arpino (TransParents) – Pioneer in Service and Giving.
Continued from page 1 In the past, Stanley also spoke out against the current wave of religious right-to-discriminate laws by saying "serving people we don't see eye-toeye with is the essence of Christianity." Speaking recently at the Catalyst Conference in California, Stanley reportedly said: “There is not consensus in this room when it comes to same-sex attraction. There is not consensus in this room when it comes to gay marriage. "We just can't continue to look into the filter of our politics at our spirituality.
It's got to be the other way around — and specifically when it comes to this issue. "If all the Christians for just one year, would quit looking at porn, would quit smoking weed, would quit having premarital sex, would quit committing adultery, would pay their taxes, and every church just foster one kid — in one year our nation would feel different. "There are so many Christians, so basically if we would just be better Christians, everything we would like to see changed for the most part would change."
Trial under way for Missouri man in HIV infections ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- Trial began this week for a former member of the Lindenwood University wrestling team accused of recklessly infecting two other men with the HIV virus. Authorities say Michael L. Johnson, now 23, didn't tell his sexual partners that he was HIV-positive, which is contrary to Missouri law. Gay-rights and some legal activists say the case highlights outdated laws. The charges are felonies. The sexual encounters took place in Johnson's dorm room and in other campus housing. Lindenwood is a private school in this St. Louis suburb. Johnson has pleaded not guilty. Jury selection began Monday.