September 09, 2015
A star-studded cast of performers raise money for HIV/AIDS awareness, education, and services
in Turnabout for TIHAN TUCSON -- Miss Gay Tucson America 2015 Bianca Solei appeared in the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network’s Turnabout for TIHAN Sunday where she performed Kylie Minogue’s “Crystallize.”
Issue 1598
Emcees Tempest and Janee’ toast marriage equality at Turnabout for TIHAN
Solei was among both group and individual performers joining Tucson’s LGBTQ and allied community including: Diva, NLAAD, Nevaeh McKenzie, IBT’s Bar+Food, SAGA, Tucson Pride, MusicalMayhem Cabaret, and Don’t Blink Burlesque who participated. TIHAN executive director, Scott Blades presented the Stonewall Award to Paula Aboud. See pix on pages 6, 7 and 12.
Inside If people can ignore laws because they believe they want to, no law will stand Page 3
150 intolerant students protest transgender locker room use Page 4
Bus driver ain’t going near the rainbow bus Page 8
Getting into gardening: It’s never too late Page 5
#FreeKimDavis catches fire -and burns the ones who lit it Page 9
Protesters want sex workers welcomed into 21st century Page 10
Judge upholds 'show your papers' part of Russell Pearce immigration law PHOENIX -- A U.S. District Court judge last week upheld the "show your papers" part of SB 1070, Arizona's controversial 2010 immigration law. Judge Susan Bolton said immigration-rights activists failed to convince her that police might enforce the law differently for Latinos than for other groups. There was a time when people in the South insisted Jim Crow promoted equality between whites and blacks, too. Had no tether to the real world, but that's what they claimed. Russell Pearce, who championed the bill in the Legislature and became the first sitting state Senate president in U.S. history to get his buttocks recalled by the voters -- largely because of such antiimmigrant asshattery -- talked as if Bolton's conclusion were inevitable. "She made it very clear the law was written very carefully not to be a race issue. It's not a racial law," Pearce said. That is to say: If it don't say "wetback" in there somewheres, how can anybody say it's aimed at one group? Courts already threw out some sections of the law, including a provision for chargContinued on page 10
OBSERVER STAFF Over the Labor Day weekend Janee’ Star (left) and Tempest DuJour (right) emceed Tucson Interfaith HIV/ AIDS Network’s 19th annual Turnabout for TIHAN -- a benefit show in support of HIV/ AIDS awareness, education, and services.
“Through the years, this little drag show has raised more than $223,000 for TIHAN’s AIDS education programs and support our support services for people living with HIV/ AIDS, “ said executive director, Scott Blades. Members of Tucson’s LG-
BTQ and allied businesses and non-profit groups donned their finest clothes, wigs, and makeup to raise thousands of dollars for a great cause. Check out pages 6, 7 and 12 for pix of this fun and inspirational evening.
Court makes history by granting U.S. asylum to trans Mexican woman OBSERVER STAFF LOS ANGELES -- The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted asylum to an undocumented trans Mexican woman last week -- a first, according to The Advocate. Edin Carey AvendanoHernández even has a felony record for drunken driving, which caused the Board of Immigration Appeals to reject her request earlier. The appeals court ruled that must be granted asylum because "more likely than not" she would be tortured if she returned to Mexico. Judge Jacqueline Nguyen also blasted immigration officials for housing AvendanoHernández in a male cell block even though she has lived as a woman for 10 years and takes female hormones.
Edin Carey Avendano-Hernández was housed in a male cell block even though she has lived as a woman for 10 years and takes female hormones.
The ruling by the court's three-judge panel calls out the transphobia of the immigration judge who initially considered Avendano-Hernández's plea for asylum, maintaining that the judge "failed to recognize the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation, refusing to allow the use of female pronouns because she considered Avendano-Hernández to be 'still male.' "
Avendano-Hernández entered the U.S. in 2000, claiming to have been raped and assaulted by her relatives. The appeals court considered her drunken-driving problem to be a result of trauma from the abuse she suffered as a trans person. Nguyen was the first Vietnamese-American appointed a federal judge. President Obama nominated her in 2009.
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Hanks, Cholodenko to be honored at November's Outfest
Cramblett and her partner, Amanda Zinkon, chose sperm from donor No. 380 -- who is white -- but she was impregnated with No. 330, who is AfricanAmerican.
LOS ANGELES -- Actor Tom Hanks and film director Lisa Cholodenko will receive major awards Nov. 5 at the Outfest Legacy Awards.
Cramblett's concern allegedly stems from having the baby exposed to her intolerant family and from possible incidents once the child is enrolled in a white-dominated school.
Hanks will receive the Trailblazer Award in recognition of his Oscar-winning performance more than 20 years ago in "Philadelphia," the story of an HIV-positive man. Ari Karpel, co-president of the organization's board and a co-chair of the event, issued a press statement calling Hanks' role "a landmark example of a risk well-taken" and stating that when Hanks took this role and spoke eloquently about gay issues in his Oscar acceptance speech, he "sent an essential message during a time of crisis." Also honored will be Lisa Cholodenko, director of 2010's groundbreaking "The Kids Are All Right," which showcases the lives of same-sex parents and their children. Past honorees at Outfest include Hilary Swank, Lee Daniels, Bruce Cohen, Roland Emmerich, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. This year's ceremony will be Nov. 5 at Vibiana in Los Angeles, with tickets going on sale Sept. 17.
Calgary's Pride also copes with #%&!@ weather CALGARY, Alberta -- Southern Arizona isn't the only place where Pride committees set the schedule based on weather and still sometimes get shot out of the saddle. Last Sunday was parade day in Calgary, and the city woke up to 39 degrees blanketed with snow -- not a major blizzard, but enough to cover everything. By parade time, most of the snow had melted, leaving a wet, cold environment -- but thousands turned out anyway. The local organizing committee switched a few years ago from a spring date to late summer, hoping to avoid these reminders that Calgary is so far north. Still, this year's event was a far cry from the first local Pride in 1990, in which some participants kept their faces covered for fear of reprisals.
Lesbian loses case over mixed-race AI impregnation UNIONTOWN, Ohio -- The lesbian who sued a sperm bank after giving birth to a mixed-race baby has had her lawsuit tossed out of court. Jennifer Cramblett of Uniontown had requested to be artificially inseminated with a white man's sperm. She sued claiming she had experienced prejudice raising the mixed-race baby in a white neighborhood and alleging wrongful birth and breach of warranty.
DuPage County Judge Ronald Sutter said the lawsuit could not be heard on the grounds of either wrongful birth or breach of warranty. Cramblett reportedly may file a new lawsuit alleging gross negligence.
China approves gay-oriented film without cutting BEIJING -- For the first time, China's censors have approved theatrical release of an LGBT film uncut. "Seek McCartney," a ChineseFrench production, features pop star Han Geng and actor Jérémie Elkaïm. Even though the film finally got approved, censors dawdled over it for a year. Director Wang Chao called the news "a small step for the regulator and a big step for filmmakers. It was not easy, but was delightful." Earlier this year, another film featuring a same-sex kiss, "The Dead End," won approval.
Kim Davis' motion for release gives no reason for release
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cade ago) puts it on top among gay, bi and lesbian travelers. That amounts to about $6.8 billion a year -- more than France or the United Kingdom collects. (The U.S., at $21 billion, is still far ahead of any European country when it comes to LGBT tourism.)
"This influx of visitors trickles down to local bars, gyms, even taxi drivers want to be involved," Barcelona Pride organizer Tes Cuadreny told Bloomberg. "They know this benefits everyone."
As with any fad, some of the participants look really hot, and some wear bags embellished with some clever art work. And apparently some people think fitting the bag into . . . um . . . "body crevices" is being artistic.
Pair stays focused while minivan topples into lake LAKE PLANSEE, Austria -- One couple didn't notice the earth move during sex earlier this month, but they sure as hell should have noticed that their minivan was rolling away. So far identified by the daily newspaper Heute only as a 49-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman from Germany, the two were having sex in the back seat when the minivan landed in a lake.
MADRID -- In the race to rake in all those gay tourists with all that extra money (who are they again?), some people may be surprised to learn that Spain is numero uno in Europe. London and Paris may lie elsewhere, but Spain's welcoming attitude (it legalized same-sex marriage a de-
Harry Styles cheered for running around in a Pride flag BUFFALO, NY -- At a One Direction concert in upstate New York, Harry Styles appeared to pull a rainbow flag from the audience during a performance of “Act My Age” -- wearing it as a cape before dancing around and waving the flag. Continued on next page
They clambered to safety through the vehicle's windows. Possibly taking the prize among the comments was one from the United Kingdom's livethedream83: "That big stick you pulled was the handbrake!" Reminds us of that time at Kennedy Park -- oh wait, we're not sharing that one . . .
The teasing went on all year, but out crooner Sam Smith finally confirmed this week that he wrote and recorded the theme song for "Spectre," the 24th James Bond film, several months ago.
Spain winning the jackpot for LGBT tourism
But we've seen some that only made us think, "I didn't need to see my grocery bag doing that."
Oopsie.
The three-page motion for release reportedly includes no reason why she should be released.
Plaintiffs in the case against Davis had asked only that she be fined, but Bunning pointed out that right-wing groups would be happy to pay the fines and that he wanted some action that would affect Davis.
In Taiwan, bags from 7-Eleven are especially "in." A label of any kind isn't necessary, though. "Would you like a bag?" will never sound quite the same once you've ogled some of these.
Sam Smith really singing the theme for new Bond film
U.S. District Judge David Bunning, a Republican appointed by George W. Bush, jailed Davis after she defied his order to issue marriage licenses and his order survived the U.S. Supreme Court.
lian fashion collective St. George New Generation, the new hot thing is to strip down to your skivvies (or not even that) and take a selfie in which you're otherwise wearing only a plastic bag.
Even the conservatives who now run Madrid don't fail to fly a rainbow flag from government buildings.
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- According to various news media, Kim Davis' motion for release from jail demonstrates the alternate realities that Americans inhabit these days.
Well, "because I say so" is what the whole brouhaha is about in the first place, isn't it?
September 09, 2015
Just last week, Smith was still denying he was involved in the project. This week, he was bubbling all over BBC Radio 1: "I am so excited to be a part of this iconic British legacy and join an incredible lineup of some of my biggest musical inspirations." Yuk! Did the suspense work? Are you titillated? The song, titled "Writing on the Wall," is scheduled for release Sept. 25. The movie's U.S. release won't be until Nov. 6.
Bagging a selfie becomes literal if you dare do it There are always fashion trends that some people consider trashy, but maybe never one so literally "trash" as this. Starting in Taiwan but allegedly inspired by a runway show by Austra-
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September 09, 2015 Continued from previous page It’s unclear why Styles made the gesture by picking up the flag -- but it’s been welcomed by his legions of supporters. Styles has previously joked about the rumors of his sexuality. When the band members were asked to name four traits they look for in a girl, Liam Payne was quick to say: “Female, it’s a good trait.” Styles laughed, and added, “Not that important! Hey, don’t knock it ’til you try it.”
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If people can ignore laws because they believe they want to, no law will stand By R.D. Smith GUEST COLUMNIST Last week a court ruled that if a religious belief allows Hobby Lobby to ignore a law, the U.S. Constitution's equal-protection clause certainly allows non-religious people to do the same thing. Oopsie.
He also showed his support for gay NFL player Michael Sam by wearing a St. Louis Rams jersey on stage last year -- just days before Sam was cut by the team. One Direction is rumored to be breaking up after their current tour and commitments, going on a “break” from next March.
Chris Brown fails to show, accused of homophobia again ATLANTA -- An organizer of a Pride event says Chris Brown was a no-show at her event because of homophobia. Melissa Scott, founder of lesbian entertainment company Traxx Girls, told The Georgia Voice that Brown had been booked and paid a retainer to introduce singer Teyana Taylor during Atlanta Black Gay Pride Weekend. Both singers were in the area on Brown's One Hell of a Nite Tour. Brown figured prominently in advertising for the event, which was billed as "the biggest girl party in the country." He reportedly cancelled after learning that several gay men also were expected to attend. Brown denied that he was ever booked for the event, but The Georgia Voice verified that text messages were sent between Scott and Brown prior to the event. Brown set social media on fire in 2010 when he called Raz-B a "dick in da booty ass lil boy" after Raz-B made disparaging comments about Brown's attitude toward women.
This might be a good time for Americans to consider emigrating to Cuando Cubango -- or any place that still recognizes the rule of law. You can thank the U.S. Supreme Court for that. When the court ruled last year in the Hobby Lobby case that the corporation's "religious belief" gave it the right to pick which laws it would follow, the floodgate was opened. In other words, there isn't a law on the books that somebody won't demand to ignore now that the U.S. Supreme Court OK'd it.
"She's supposed to do her job, not decide what it is. But [Kim] Davis, temperamentally, is obviously more of a top, anyway, and probably should have sought a job in line with her personality. Maybe at the DMV." -- Ana Marie Cox at The Daily Beast Even if the courts eventually figure out some convoluted way to limit this to religion, it's not too strong a statement to say that civilization goes out the window. All these cases of Muslim families wanting to murder their daughters for not being respectful enough? Can't be a problem there because their religious belief!
Control freaks are about control, not about democracy or Christian principles.
Ya think maybe the Supremes didn't think this through before they rushed to the rescue of an extremely rich white Christian family? I'm thinking this may be the dumbest Supreme Court in history, and that's not an "opinion" I just made up without any evidence to back it! Of course, Kim Davis -- the Kentucky county clerk who has overruled the Supreme Court (in her own mind) -is probably just doing showbiz, with an eye toward the crowdfunding and book contract, but what she's attempting is the overthrow of the rule of law in favor of established religion. The bounty she collects personally will be small potatoes compared to the tens of millions that flow into the collection plates for every anti-gay right-wing nut assortment in the U.S. -- the people who will bankroll the war. But let's not pretend that Davis' stunt is anything other than what it is: an assault on modern, pluralistic, tolerant society.
That's the key: Davis doesn't only insist that her religious belief entitles her to ignore the law, she insists that her religious belief entitles her to ignore the religious beliefs of her deputy clerks, all of whom except her son said all along that they'd have no problem issuing marriage licenses. Yep, that's what it's about -- in Davis' world, only one religious belief would hold power. Naturally, she didn't pick one that's at odds with hers. Hitler much, Ms. Davis? The fact that a Republican judge jailed her and the fact that a legal expert on Fox News was allowed to call her lawyer's argument "ridiculously stupid" indicate that even some Republicans are beginning to see that this is not a winning position. But millions of Americans don't see it, and those millions are the loudmouthed ones these days. I wonder what Cuando Cubango's specific requirements for immigration would be . . .
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September 09, 2015
150 intolerant students protest Madonna's brother: Taxpayers transgender locker room use should pay Kim Davis to defy the courts Is there no way Madonna can have OBSERVER STAFF Madonna's openly gay brother, Christopher Ciccone, put on the tinfoil hat again last week and tried to alienate whatever friends he still has among his gay peers. Sticking his . . . er . . . nose . . . into the Kim Davis controversy, Ciccone performed cunnilingus -- oh wait, defended Davis in her refusal to perform the job she was elected to do, and added that the LGBT are just being "sore winners" again. By Christopher L. Pankratz OBSERVER STAFF HILLSBORO, Mo. -- Last week a horde of students walked out of Hillsboro High School in protest after 17-year-old transgender student Lila Perry used the girls’ locker room to change. While the protesters stood outside for nearly two hours, some 30-40 students stood up in support of Perry, who has identified as female since the age of 13. “There’s a lot of ignorance, they are claiming that they’re uncomfortable. I don’t believe for a second that they are. I think this is pure and simple bigotry,” Perry told local news station KMOV 4 St. Louis. “I wasn’t hurting anyone and I didn’t want to feel segregated out. I didn’t want to be in the gender neutral bathroom. I am a girl, I shouldn’t be pushed off to another bathroom,” said Perry. Sydney Dye, the student largely responsible for leading the protest told CNN, “This protest wasn’t out to bully Lila or call her out on anything or try to make her feel depressed; that wasn’t what it meant to be. It was so the students could have a voice.”
A voice with which the students sent a clear message that Perry was not welcome. Or as some would say: bullying. As more and more transgender youth are feeling safe enough to come out in school, peers and administration across the country are being exposed to gender diversity with varying positive and negative responses. If you or someone you know is experiencing gender-discrimination or bullying or discrimination in school, the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance has some helpful tips for working with the school: “Make a list of your questions and concerns. Include desired solutions to the problems if you can. “Remember, it is the school’s responsibility to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for your child, and this includes a space free from discrimination or harassment. It is appropriate for you to remind the school of this obligation. “Ask the school to educate themselves about gender-variant youth. Give them our website address if they do not know where to get this information.”
According to Ciccone's Facebook rant, the law and Davis' job description have nothing to do with it: She should be allowed to decide whether the law (and even Supreme Court decisions) apply to her. WTF?
Judge: Trans boy can't keep using boys' bathroom GLOUCESTER, Va. -- A federal judge ruled last week that a trans highschooler in Virginia can't continue using the boys' bathroom as he had done for months during last school term. Judge Robert G. Doumar rejected a request for an injunction on behalf of Gavin Grimm, a 16-year-old student at Gloucester County High School. Gavin had used the restroom for months as a tenth-grader with the approval of the school principal and no incidents involving his fellow students.
this guy committed until he's no longer a danger to himself and others? Actually, they probably aren't even on speaking terms -- they've feuded for years. "Is it so difficult to allow this woman her religion?" Ciccone asked. Uh, Mikey, it isn't Davis' religion that's at issue -- it's whether we're still going to be a nation under law or whether we just, you know, let everybody decide which laws pertain to them. He even went so far as to warn that "selective shaming and bullying corrupts a democracy" -- while defending Davis' "selective shaming and bullying" of same-sex couples and making the taxpayers pay her for doing it. Holy shit. This guy must need help getting his socks on.
The school board then enacted a policy prohibiting such use, allegedly at the urging of a few parents. The American Civil Liberties Union sued on Gavin's behalf, but despite the support of the U.S. Department of Justice, Doumar -- a Reagan appointee -- ruled that Gavin is not protected under Title IX, as the Justice Department contends. Doumar has not yet ruled on whether the 14th Amendment's equalprotection clause in the U.S. Constitution protects Gavin or not. Gavin begins the new school year being required to use a separate restroom. His case is part of ongoing battles across the country over the use of school restrooms by transgender students.
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Getting into gardening: It’s never too late By Greg Miller OBSERVER STAFF
OGDENSBURG, N.Y. -- A newly installed rainbow bench to welcome LGBT worshipers to an upstate New York church was set ablaze on Labor Day, the Watertown Daily Times reported.
I thought I'd begin to pester folks with my trivial gardening exploits and here's my first go: I recently sowed a lot of seeds. Most of them came from my friend R.S., currently suffering the heat of Phoenix. Some of the seeds I've pinched from homes where I've handy-manned or they came from friends like the late poet Will Inman or the never-early drama teacher C.P.
Police would not say whether the fire was being investigated as arson. However, the possibilities would seem limited for an isolated bench on gravel beside a lawn to catch fire by spontaneous combustion.
I filled a few cardboard egg cartons with potting soil on Aug. 30. Then tucked a lot of seeds into the little egg cups and placed everything on trays before soaking it all down. On Sept. 1 I noticed almost all the African daisies had popped up and two of the hollyhocks had started to show -the butter-yellow, not the cerise colored ones. (Trivia: Cerise comes from the French word meaning cherry. The word "cherry" itself comes from the Norman cherise.) A two day germination isn't miraculous but it did surprise me. I wonder how long it will take for the rest of them to pop. And I wonder where I'm going to put all these guys.
New rainbow bench outside church is destroyed by fire
The church pastor, the Rev. Laurena M. Wickham Will, said the fire was "obvious arson," and she believed an accelerant was used. Set up in the kitchen is a small plant stand I found curbside a while ago. I lugged it home and painted it a fun green-gray. I bought the paint from a big box home improvement store’s mistint section. Mistints are the way to go -- they’re affordable, buying them keeps the landfills less polluted and there’s always some fun crazy colors to choose from.
Hogwarts had its “Sorting Hat,” and I’ve got my sorting pan. This small skillet came in handy sorting the husks from the seeds.
"I can tell you that someone who is very angry did something very hurtful here," she told the Watertown newspaper. The bench had stood for only a week outside the First Presbyterian Church in this town of 11,000 on the Canadian border.
I got a little ambitious with my first go. Here's the list: African daisy, two types of hollyhocks, ruellia, Ipomoea (of some kind), seeds from a small tree-like plant that I hope to identify if/when it comes up, and finally, some mysterious seeds. Of the mysterious seeds, I don’t know where they came from or how long I’ve had them. I’m looking forward to seeing what they are. In my next article I’ll share with you how the seedlings go from carton to flower bed.
I marked crafting sticks with the name of the seeds I planted so I could tell what was what. I’m hoping that by using these cardboard-based egg cartons I can just snip them apart and they will degrade in the soil as the flowers grow.
Marigold
Marigold is a sweet little girl who came to us from Pinal County. She’s a little shy at first, but warms up quickly and loves to play. She enjoys other kitties, especially if they will play with her, and is very mellow. She needs a little patience, as she can be shy and quick to hide if she’s nervous. But the right family and home will make her blossom like her namesake.
Where God's love for all is the good news!
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Turnabout For TIHAN 2015
September 09, 2015 More photos on page 12.
September 09, 2015
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September 09, 2015 OBSERVER WEEKLY Prezidunces flock to kiss Bus driver ain't going Kimmie's . . . er . . . garment near the rainbow bus
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Of course, Donald Trump didn't know about the week's other celebrity until he had one of his aides sneak a peek at Wikipedia.
CALGARY, Alberta -- Calgary's transit authority thought it would be the neighborly thing to do to adorn buses in rainbow colors during last week's Calgary Pride events.
Yes, Trump may have kept the title as biggest publicity freeloader of the week, but not by much -- he nearly got his ass kicked by a lowly county clerk from Morehead, Ky., who declared the courts no longer have jurisdiction over her. She thereby became a fund-raising juggernaut for the wingnut universe. Even the Donald never had an ego bigger than that. Some people think Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis sort of stumbled into a chance to exhibit the densest skull in U.S. politics; others are convinced she calculated all this from the get-go, since she urged the Legislature last fall to change the law (knowing it wouldn't) and then began yelling at the courts to exempt her from the law (knowing they wouldn't). Needless to say, most of the prezidunces -- oh wait, we mean the Republican presidential candidates -- immediately tried their best to capitalize on Davis' publicity but couldn't match the Queen Bee. That is, all of them but Trump jumped in immediately. He was a day late because he didn't realize there WAS another celebrity out there who might outdo Trump the Rumpkicker.
Now one of its drivers -- who was not even asked to drive one of the buses -- says the bright colors threw his religious rights under the bus.
Jesse Rau wasn't actually asked to drive a bus promoting Pride -- he just wanted to make sure everyone knew he wouldn't.
to her faith. This is wrong. This is not America."
How now, Jesse Rau?
Mike Huckabee: "I want people to stand up" against "the interpretation of five unelected lawyers on the court."
Calgary Transit says Rau didn't file a grievance about it, so it's not like he was willing to risk his job over it. He just ... you know ... needed the spotlight for 15 minutes.
Sen. Rand Paul: "I think it's absurd to put someone in jail for exercising their religious liberties." Gov. Bobby Jindal: "I think you should be able to keep a job and follow your conscience." Sen. Marc Rubio: "While the clerk's office has a governmental duty to carry
"You just can’t ďŹ ght stupid." -- Columnist Barbara Weicksel at Barb's Gift of Gab, in "Kim Davis is not on a mission from God." out the law, there should be a way to protect the religious freedom and conscience rights of individuals working in the office."
The prezidunces sounded like a Greek chorus:
Sen. Lindsay Graham: "I appreciate her conviction. I support traditional marriage, but she's accepted a job in which she has to apply the law to everyone."
Sen. Ted Cruz: "Today, for the first time ever, the government arrested a Christian woman for living according
Donald Trump: He said he didn't know enough about the situation to comment. Which never stopped him before.
But he did hold a news conference. God help us, we're serious -- a news conference to announce he would not drive the queer bus he was not asked to drive. "There's a few people that clearly have taken advantage of the climate right now, where people are afraid to speak out against this radical sexual movement that's happening, for fear of leaving their job," Rau told reporters. "So a few people have taken advantage of that within Calgary Transit and have pushed their personal ideologies, their personal beliefs, their personal agenda onto the employees," he added. Hyper-flatulent gaggleflap. Rau said he hopes Calgary Transit and the Amalgamated Transit Union will support drivers who don't want to drive the rainbow buses in the future. Doug Morgan, director of Calgary
Transit, simply reminded Rau that there's a contract: Drivers can only refuse to work based on safety issues. Of course, Rau might try claiming the rainbow bus would scare him to death . . . According to columnist Rob Breakenridge at the Calgary Herald, Rau is a follower of Artur Pawlowski, whose Street Church has had a series of runins with the city -- such as blasting sermons over loudspeakers in city parks. The group also claims homosexuality caused God to flood the city two years ago. Back here in reality, as "lotac" stated at Daily Kos, "You drive the bus because that's what you were hired to do. It's not your job to look down the rows of vehicles at the bus garage and say 'I'll drive this one or this one, but not that one or that one.' " Rau is involved in a real-life fight to keep his job, though. He's accused of texting while driving a bus -- not only a firing offense, but one that endangered the public if it's true. Sorry, Jesse; sounds as if you're just another asshat. Time to sit down, shut your pie hole, and pray you don't get fired for texting behind the wheel.
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#FreeKimDavis catches fire -and burns the ones who lit it
OBSERVER STAFF Supporters of Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who declared she is not under the jurisdiction of U.S. courts, thought they'd be cool last week and start a Twitter fire with the hashtag #FreeKimDavis. The fire they started wasn't the one they wanted. You'd think by now that wingnuts would figure out that 10,000 pious platitudes will never be cool, but all it takes is half a dozen snarky riffs on their theme and 100 percent of the publicity is hijacked by the pranksters. Ryan Smith of Minneapolis may have been the first to tweet "#FreeKimDavis Worst coupon ever," but his words were soon expounded upon by others adding such zingers as "Can I return her to God?" and variations of "Beware -- it's a scam! In order to get the free one, you first have to buy one." Republican prezidunces Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz jumped on #FreeKim like a couple of horny rabbits, but the only publicity they're getting out of it is being compared unfavorably to the cool stuff.
Monday morning on Fox's "Happening Now," host Gregg Jarrett addressed Davis attorney Mat Staver's argument that it's "questionable" whether the U.S. Supreme Court had the authority to strike down bans on same-sex marriage in the first place. Jarrett concluded by saying it appears to be a "stunningly obtuse" assertion. "That's a very polite way of putting it," replied guest Sharon Liko, a criminal defense attorney. "I would say it's just a ridiculously stupid statement. The Supreme Court does just that ... they determine constitutionality issues, they resolve these kinds of disputes. "This woman has a choice, she can either follow the law — she can do her job — or she can get out," Liko added. "She can still practice her faith," Jarrett noted. "Just not on the job in a way that interferes with the legal rights of the citizens she serves. And in fact, the U.S. Supreme Court said so nine years ago."
"She's applying for the job of a martyr. She wants to practice her faith by not issuing marriage licenses, yet she will not agree to let the deputy county clerks issue marriage licenses even if it's OK with their faith." -- Sharon Liko, criminal defense attorney, on Fox News
Oopsie. And if Davis and her backers thought they'd get backing from Fox News on this one, OMG -- even Fox ran for the foxholes this time.
When a wingnut loses Fox News, there's not much left to do except hit the showers and wait for the next game.
To volunteer, call Mark Rosenbaum For support services, call a Link Specialist For more information, events, or to donate, visit www.tihan.org
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As Clark Saw It
September 09, 2015 OBSERVER WEEKLY By Gary Clark Protesters want sex workers welcomed into 21st century
J.D. Daniels (left) and an unidentiďŹ ed protester support sex workers.
OBSERVER STAFF
Zoe’s World
By Zoe
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -Protests in support of decriminalizing sex work occurred last weekend in West Hollywood and San Francisco. Growing out of the earlier arrests of seven people at the New York City offices of Rentboy.com, the events were part of a surprisingly strong response from many sectors of the LGBT community.
Cruz said Hurant "said to me personally, 'These guys you work around in the escort industry, they're not your competition, they're your colleagues. You should know that; you should reach out to them, you should keep each other safe.' " The absence of Rentboy "means losing a big piece of that harm-reduction community," Cruz added.
Lambda Legal and the Transgender Law Center have joined in the outcry, as have gay writers including Dan Savage, James Michael Nichols of Huffington Post, and Dirk Caber.
J.D. Daniels, who identified himself as a 17-year resident of Hollywood, said he just joined the protest to make his opinion known.
The West Hollywood protest was organized by Danny Cruz, who advertised on Rentboy.com and has become an outspoken defender of its CEO, Jeffrey Hurant, who was among those arrested.
"My purpose ... out here along with everybody else is to fight for the cause and show our support for Rentboy employees," Daniels said. "They didn't do anything wrong; they didn't hurt anybody."
Judge upholds 'show your papers' part of Russell Pearce immigration law Continued from page 1 ing undocumented immigrants with human smuggling -- of themselves. Presumably, that provision also would have been enforced equally against any scofflaw Swedes roaming around. Bolton's ruling came two days after another federal judge dismissed the U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his deputies over alleged civilrights violations.
September 09, 2015
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. VENTURE-N - Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 2 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm.
Monday 12-3 p.m. 4-5:30 p.m.
4:30-6:30 p.m.
6:30-7:30 p.m.
7-9 p.m.
7-10 p.m.
7-8:30 p.m. 7-9 p.m. 6 p.m.
Tuesday 3-8 p.m.
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.
SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health re-
OBSERVER WEEKLY
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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. 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. VENTURE-N - Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi
sources
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.
12-1 p.m. 3-4:30 p.m.
4:30-6 p.m.
6:30-7:30 p.m.
7-9 p.m.
Thursday 3-8 p.m.
4-5:30 p.m.
5:30-6:30 p.m.
SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health resources Pink Triangle AA Meeting, 439 N. Sixth Ave. Everyday. Gender Spectrum support Group. UA Campus Health Service Building Room C312. $5 TMC Hospice LGBTQ Grief Support Group. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, Peppi’s House Chapel, 2715 N. Wyatt Drive. RSVP at: 520-324-2438. Wednesday Night Christian Bible Study, Cornerstone Fellowship Social Hall, 2902 N. Geronimo Ave. Weekly Bears Coffee at Crave, 4530 E. Broadway Blvd.
SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health resources Support Group for Transgender Survivors of Sexual Trauma, SACSA, 1600 N. Country Club Queer People of Color &
Ajia Simone, Owner 426 E. Ninth St. 520.624.8400
Sunday
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
Friday 4 p.m.
5:30-6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
2:30-4:30p.m. 2nd Saturdays
Sunday
9-11 a.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. Bears of the Old Pueblo Potluch 2nd Saturdays 520.444.2275 Transparents For parents of trans kids. RSVP SAGA to attend. Co-ed Softball, all abilities welcome. Oury Park, 600 W.St. Mary’s
10-11.30 a.m.
10-12 p.m.
2-5 p.m. 2:45 p.m.
3-5p.m.
5:30 p.m.
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. Men’s Social Network “H” Club open to entire LGBTQ community. This is a fun discussion, learning and participation group meeting for discussions on major words beginning with the letter “H.” Doesn’t meet the 1st Sunday of the month.
Puertas Abiertas Latin/ Hispanic LBGTQ/Ally support group meeting at Wingspan 430 E 7th St – every 3rd Sunday of the month at 5:30pm.
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OBSERVER
Turnabout For TIHAN 2015
WEEKLY
More photos in center.
September 09, 2015