November 04, 2015
Issue 1606
Stonewall's Sylvia Rivera is first trans person in National Portrait Gallery "At the National Portrait Gallery, we look to include portraits of people who have made a significant impact on American culture." -- Kim Sajet, gallery director
Sylvia Rivera
OBSERVER STAFF Time to pull out a hankie or two: Stonewall transgender activist Sylvia Rivera took her place in history last week at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery.
Inside Catholic priest: ‘The sky is not falling’ over samesex marriage page 4
Helping to brighten the holidays Page 4
Book about transgender teddy bear sparks interest before coming out
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Kim Davis sparks backlash even among opponents of marriage equality Page 9 Houston pastor attacks lesbian mayor before vote on LGBT law
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Chick-fil-A accused of flying from right wing to left wing on gays Page 9
Even just a few years ago, would anyone have expected such a thing? No one, without consuming substantial amounts of alcohol or illicit substances!
Facebook to scrap 'real' name policy Lil Miss Hot Mess, Sister Roma and Heklin discuss their beef with Facebook about "real" names during a September news conference in San Francisco. Facebook’s policy change will require users to provide details about why they choose to use a particular name on their profile. Story on page 8.
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Forum looks for Tucson LGBTQ community needs TUCSON — A coalition of community members and supporters of the Tucson LGBTQ community is hosting a community forum to discuss the current and future programming needs of the LGBTQ community 6 p.m. at the Donna Liggins Recreation Center. Councilwoman Karin Uhlich and Catherine Tornbom of Our Family Services are the evening’s moderators. The three-hour forum will include a presentation from SAAF updating the community on the status of the Wingspan programs they acquired last year and other developments they are working on. Status updates from other LGBTQ serving organizations and groups in the Tucson area will also be shared, on some of their current priorities and goals. Facilitated discussions will gather the wisdom of the LGBTQ community on what needs are being met and unmet in our LGBTQ community and some concrete ideas on how to address them. The final portion of the forum will be to focus on potential areas of action the community would like to engage in further. Continued on page 8
Eric Risberg/AP
Boxer who did gay porn: I 'was drugged into it' Hard to believe story on page 5.
Getty Images
Boxer Yusaf Mack weighs in for a 2012 fight in Nottingham, England.
Sochi Olympic medalist comes out OBSERVER STAFF
"I've known I was gay since I was 5," said freeskier Gus Kenworthy, winner of a silver medal at the Sochi Olympics.
"Top freeskier on the planet" Gus Kenworthy came out on the cover of ESPN The Magazine's "Being Out" issue, hitting newsstands this week. Kenworthy, 24, won the silver medal in his sport at the Sochi Olympics last year. He said he's known he was gay since the age of 5, but only began coming out to family and friends two years ago. "I was insecure and ashamed," he said. "Unless you're gay, being gay has never been looked at as being Continued on page 3
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OBSERVER
WEEKLY
November 04, 2015
'Pro-gay' billionaire backs Marco Rubio for U.S. president
the police chief said. Police are investigating possible connections with the other campaign irregularities as well as possible connections to other candidates.
that James Pittman cannot hold his former employee, Cook Paper Recycling Corp., at fault because state law simply doesn't apply.
infamous double murder," so it's not known whether it would include the rumor that Borden and Sullivan were lesbian lovers -- a tidbit never fully explored onscreen.
A billionaire who has donated $10 to marriage-equality campaigns is reportedly backing anti-gay Sen. Marco Rubio for president.
U.S. now helping LGBT refugees by allowing spouses
Translation: Legally, it makes no difference that company president Joe Jurden grievously discriminated against Pittman and then fired him in 2011 for being gay.
Raven-Symoné puts foot in mouth again over student assault
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. State Department is now interpreting the word "spouse" to include partners of LGBT refugees from countries experiencing humanitarian crises, even when they have not been permitted to legally marry.
As Judge James Welsh wrote for the majority:
Actress Raven-Symoné seems to think the way to keep her career alive is to distance herself as much as possible from the black masses.
Records indicate that hedgefund manager Paul Singer gave more money to Republican candidates and causes in recent years than any other individual. The New York Times reported last week that a Republican fund-raising letter sent out by Singer "could swing millions of dollars in contributions behind Mr. Rubio at a critical point in the Republican nominating battle." A serious reporter might ask Singer what good the right to marry does anyone if they will get fired when their boss finds out they exercised their constitutional right. Rubio has campaigned squarely against LGBT civil-rights protections. Of course, Singer himself doesn't need to worry about getting fired or thrown out of an apartment, so tough shit, you guys! He became a billionaire by buying the defaulted debt of troubled nations and then suing them to collect the full amount. In 1998, a U.S. court ruled that one cannot buy debt with the sole purpose of suing the debtor. That ruling was overturned in 2000, forcing Peru to pay Singer more than a 400 percent return on his investment. He later did the same thing on a much larger scale with Argentina.
Gay candidate for mayor gets signs vandalized SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -- An openly gay candidate for mayor in this Detroit suburb has had some of his campaign signs vandalized and defaced with homophobic slurs. Ken Siver, formerly a longtime city councilman, is running against Sylvia Jordan, the city council president. The winner will succeed the longtime onand-off mayor, Donald Fracassi. Siver is white and Southfield is more than three-fourths black, with the remainder divided between white and people of Middle Eastern descent. Early in the campaign, fliers placed in Southfield mailboxes featured photos of white city officials with the words "Let's get the blacks out of Southfield" -- a move that would, of course, leave Southfield largely uninhabited. One suspect caught defacing a Siver sign had had "encounters" with the city council while Siver was a member,
National Public Radio reported that qualified refugees can apply to bring their same-sex partners along. The policy requires an Affidavit of Relationship, evidence that the relationship existed in another country for at least the previous one year, and that legal marriage in the home country was not possible. The program covers refugees from 24 countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Syria, as well as Somalia, Sudan and much of Central America.
Feds support trans student restroom use in Virginia kerfuffle
"Contrary to Pittman's and the ACLU's contentions, the language of the Missouri Human Rights Act is clear and unambiguous: It prohibits employment discrimination based on an individual's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age or disability. It does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."
Trans cheerleader kicked out of home; students buy uniform DENAIR, Calif. -- A transgender student in this town of 4,400 was kicked out of the house by her mother, but when she made the high school's cheerleading squad, students and teachers at her school collected $600 to cover the cost of her uniforms. Anry Fuentes told Sacramento's KTXL-TV that her mother kicked her out because of her gender identity.
GLOUCESTER, Va. -- Two federal agencies have come to the support of a transgender high school student who was permitted to use the boys' school restroom, then banned by the school board from continuing to do so.
"It's so much harder to hide than to come out and be yourself," she told a reporter. "Like, I found it really hard to, like, say the words you know … them actually coming out of my mouth, but once they're out, they're out. That's it."
Gavin Grimm, 16, had been allowed to use the restroom of his choice for a time last school year. In December, the Gloucester County School Board denied him such access, and an 84-yearold federal judge upheld that decision last month.
Aaron Rosander, Denair's school superintendent, told KTXL that Denair values its students.
The Washington Blade reported that the U.S. Department of Education and the Justice Department filed a 40page brief last week with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders as well as the National Center for Lesbian Rights also have filed friend-of-the-court briefs on Grimm's behalf.
Missouri boss OK to call employee a 'cocksucker' A Missouri state appeals court ruled last week that a boss cannot be liable for calling a gay employee a "cocksucker," asking if he has AIDS, and firing him after seven years for being gay, since Missouri human-rights law does not recognize LGBT citizens. A three-judge panel held 2-to-1
"We've dealt with Anry like we've dealt with all students: We welcome them all; we support all the kids on their journey through life," he said.
Sevigny, Stewart courted to star in Lizzie Borden film Chloe Sevigny and Kristen Stewart are in talks to star in a new film about Lizzie Borden, the notorious ax murderess, according to Variety. Sevigny would play Lizzie and Stewart would be Bridget Sullivan, the Bordens' live-in maid who testified at Lizzie's trial. Lizzie Borden was, of course, the woman accused of killing her father and stepmother with an ax in 1892. Sevigny was set to play Lizzie before, in an HBO min-series with Tom Hanks, but the project fizzled. The upcoming film reportedly will detail "the true facts that led up to the
Barely a week after saying she'd never hire anyone who has a blacksounding name (Raven-Symoné! Raven-Symoné!), she set off another shit-storm by criticizing the 16-year-old South Carolina girl assaulted in a classroom by a deputy sheriff. For one thing, speaking on "The View" just after the incident happened, 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. © 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.
November 04, 2015 Continued from previous page Raven-Symoné said the student "was told multiple times to get off the phone." Eventually we learned that the student did take out her phone briefly, but put it away and apologized to the teacher before the assault began. The deputy involved, Ben Fields, had faced allegations of excessive force and assault before, so what the hell was he even doing in a school classroom to begin with? Stereo Williams wrote at The Daily Beast, under the headline "Raven-Symoné has lost her damn mind," that the actress's "views on race suggest she's in total denial; beyond her own career, Raven-Symoné doesn't seem to understand how it affects American society and culture." Lost mind or calculated pose, the black community was not amused. "She operates like a person convinced that not seeing racism is all that it takes for black achievement," Williams wrote. "She doesn't get it and she doesn't empathize. And in that, she distances herself from blackness."
Lesbian couple files lawsuit in Hawaii tourist nightmare A lesbian couple's first vacation in Hawaii turned into a nightmare, and they filed a federal lawsuit last week alleging their rights were violated.
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Stonewall's Sylvia Rivera is first trans person in National Portrait Gallery Continued from page 1 Needless to say, Rivera is the first openly transgender person included in the gallery's panorama of U.S. history. The photo selected features Rivera with her partner, Julia Murray, and Christina Hayworth at the New York City Pride Parade in 2000, two years before Rivera died at the age of 50. Gallery director Kim Sajet said the gallery tries to "include portraits of people who have made a significant impact on American culture."
The photograph will be featured in the gallery's "Struggle for Justice" exhibit.
Getty Images
“In the aftermath of the Stonewall riots, Sylvia Rivera expanded the gay liberation movement and fought for equal rights for people who embraced different gender identities," Sajet said. Rivera – a leading participant in the 1969 riot at New York City's Stonewall Inn – was also a founding member of early LGBT organizations such as STAR, one of the first trans-specific rights organizations.
Activists in Italy's Millennium March in 2000 proclaimed Rivera the "mother of all gay people." Rivera was a native New Yorker of Puerto Rican and Venezuelan descent. She was abandoned by her birth father, José Rivera, early in life and became an orphan after her mother died by suicide when Rivera was 3 years old. According to Wikipedia, Rivera was
then raised by her Venezuelan grandmother, who disapproved of Rivera's effeminate behavior, particularly after Rivera began to wear makeup in fourth grade. As a result, Rivera began living on the streets at the age of 11 and worked as a prostitute. She was taken in by the local drag community, who gave her the name Sylvia.
Sochi Olympic medalist comes out Derrick Gordon, Megan Rapinoe, Chris Mosier and others.
Courtney Wilson and Taylor Guerrero were in a grocery store buying snacks when Wilson kissed Guerrero on the cheek and a man began yelling at them to stop it.
He detailed his feelings in a lengthy Facebook post with which many people can identify: "My sexuality has been something I've struggled to come to terms with. I've known I was gay since I was a kid but growing up in a town of 2,000 people, a class of 48 kids and then turning pro as an athlete when I was 16, it just wasn't something I wanted to accept.
The screamer was a Honolulu police officer, Bobby Harrison, who was off duty but still in uniform. Harrison allegedly followed the women to check-out, threatened to arrest them, and then grabbed Wilson's arm when she dialed 911. Wilson said they ended up on the floor, and she got punched in the face, splitting her nose.
"I pushed my feelings away in the hopes that it was a passing phase but the thought of being found out kept me up at night. I constantly felt anxious, depressed and even suicidal. ...
Both women were arrested for assaulting a police officer. After three days in jail, the women were released on bail but forbidden to leave Hawaii until their case was cleared -- which meant they ended up sleeping in public parks and finding a free bed when they could.
Continued from page 1 cool. And I wanted to be cool."
The Hawaii tourism industry probably will not use the women's case in promotional materials.
"I never got to be proud of what I did in Sochi because I felt so horrible about what I didn't do," Kenworthy said.
"I didn't want to come out as the silver medalist from Sochi. I wanted to come out as the best freeskier in the world." Kenworthy's story is part of an ongoing ESPN series that will include
"Part of the reason that I had such a difficult time as a kid was that I didn't know anyone in my position and didn’t have someone to look up to, whose footsteps I could follow in. I hope to be that person for a younger generation, to model honesty and transparency and to show people that there's nothing cooler than being yourself and embracing the things that make you unique."
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Community Voices
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Helping to brighten the holidays By Scott Blades Executive Director TIHAN
WEEKLY
Catholic priest: 'The sky is not falling' over same-sex marriage
OBSERVER STAFF For many of us, the holiday season brings thoughts of friends, family, warmth, sharing, and closeness. For others, including many TIHAN CarePartners, we hear that this is one of the most difficult times of the year. A season so focused on sharing and togetherness can be challenging for those who do not have a strong social network nearby, and for whom financial challenges are present.
If you would like more gift suggestions, please contact program manager Deirdre Demers at ProgramManager@tihan.org or 520299-6647 ext. 203.
Responding to this challenge, TIHAN provides holiday programs for people living with HIV. As we’ve done for many years, TIHAN works collaboratively with SAAF to hold one holiday family event for children, and one evening adults-only dinner and dance party for our CarePartners. Our hope is that we can offer a holiday gift to everyone who attends these events, and we need your help to make that happen!
Your donation of holiday gifts will help brighten the holidays for people in Tucson living with HIV! Please bring all holiday gift donations to the TIHAN office Dec. 1.
TIHAN is requesting donations of new, unused gifts that are unwrapped and in the price range of $10 to $40. We need gifts for kids (mostly teenagers) and for women, and by far, our greatest need is gifts for adult males. Here are a few holiday gift ideas for our CarePartners living with HIV: Games (for all ages), hand tools, bath towels, blankets, sheets, sports equipment, kitchen appliances, gift certificates (hair, nails, massage), and gift cards! Gift cards! Gift cards! Please remember that gifts must be new, unused, and unwrapped. We also need gift bags — used bags are okay, as long as they’re clean and in good shape.
And if you would like to collect gifts from your family, friends, group, business, or faith community, we can provide additional materials and information.
And here’s another way you can help brighten the holidays for people living with HIV: Gay community activist, leader, performer, and philanthropist Larry Moore, aka Lucinda Holliday, is planning a yard sale benefit to raise funds for the TIHAN/SAAF holiday programs for people living with HIV. It will take place on Friday and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 4401 E. Mesquite Desert Trail (near Alvernon Way and Valencia Rd.). Larry is reaching out and seeking your help in a few ways: 1) Collect items and make arrangements to drop them off before Friday, 2) Volunteer to help with the sale for a few hours on Friday or Saturday, and 3) Come by and do some shopping and contribute to the cause! I hope to see you there! For more information, contact Larry at 520-2508003.
November 04, 2015
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. -- Another Roman Catholic priest made headlines last week by not sticking strictly to the party line on marriage equality. The Rev. Peter Daly of St. Paul Vianney in Prince Frederick, Md. (a few miles southeast of Washington, D.C.), wrote an op-ed piece for the National Catholic Reporter in which he said whatever problems result from the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hobbs can be dealt with easily. "If same-sex couples go to the courthouse to obtain civil marriage, it is no skin off my nose. Who does it hurt? ... If a Catholic clerk issues a samesex marriage license, it does not mean she agrees with that union any more than when a Catholic court clerk issues divorce papers." -- The Rev. Peter Daly "There will be problems," he wrote. "Sweeping decisions always create some problems. In this case, there will be problems for religious liberty. But we will learn to live with Obergefell. ..." "The ruling may, in fact, make things better, not only for LGBT couples, but also for our society," he added. " ... The whole society benefits from more stable and committed relationships." There were no immediate reports of lightning striking Daly or his church, nor of his excommunication. Daly's piece actually expressed a fairly conservative viewpoint, while ac-
knowledging that no one's civil rights should be left up to the whim of the majority: "It would have been better if such a major legal change as same-sex marriage had come about by a decision of elected legislators or by popular vote of the people, not a decision by unelected judges. The trend was already in that direction. "On the other hand, we do not leave questions of fundamental human rights to popular vote or the will of the Legislature. ... " "Even in the rural and very conservative county where I live, same-sex marriage has hardly caused a ripple. Our court clerk has issued same-sex marriage licenses with no fuss. Samesex couples have been treated with respect. Some judges have presided at same-sex weddings. "There have been no reports of anyone denied service by a local business. Our religious liberties are protected under the law. No church can be forced to violate its conscience." Daly also affirmed a key point about marriage that the anti-equality bigots refuse to acknowledge: The legal, secular institution of marriage has nothing to do with whatever rituals any religious group wants to perform. "Our church sits across the street from our county courthouse. What we do on one side of the street is very different from what we do on the other side, even though we may use some of the same vocabulary." Kim Davis, don't you feel even the slightest embarrassment at the ass you've made of yourself?
November 04, 2015
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Come to the ‘Cabaret’ Boxer who did gay porn: I 'was drugged into it'
OBSERVER STAFF PHILADELPHIA -- Former light heavyweight title contender Yusaf Mack -- known professionally as "Mack Attack" -- says he must have been drugged and used in a gay porn flick depicting a three-way.
Ed Flores
A sultry Sally Bowles (Ali Wood Moser) poses in UA Arizona Repertory Theatre’s production of “Cabaret.”
By Christopher L. Pankratz OBSERVER STAFF It’s not often that an audience leaving in solemn silence is a sign of a successful show. Arizona Repertory Theatre’s “Cabaret” leaves audiences thoroughly transported after an emotional program of poignant theater not to be missed. As anyone familiar with the score will tell you, there is a balanced mix of high energy clever songs that conjure visuals of Bob Fosse’s choreography — the chairs, the hats and of course lots of distinct jazz movements. Choreographer Mark Esposito recalls much of the style and pizazz of the cabaret dancers. Principle among the talent in the Kit Kat Klub is singer and promiscuous pussy cat Sally Bowles, played by Ali Wood Moser, a vocal powerhouse and emotive star. What this show boasts that others in the same range of style like “Chicago” don’t is a piercingly jarring but beautiful story arc that weaves together the personal character journeys of a crosssection of the progressively bohemian society of pre-war Berlin.
Cast stand-outs in this production include Shira Elena Maas playing the weathered and practical landlady Fraulein Schneider. Maas’ wizened performance brought a haunting realism to the character faced with choosing between love and survival. With a voice that carries her internal pain, she masterfully portrayed Schneider’s passion and loss. The Emcee, an iconic and sexually mischievous role, was played by the saucy and inviting Josh Dunn who worked the crowd from beginning to end toying with the themes of the play and pressing them up against a permeable fourth wall for the audience to chew on. With the show’s Brechtian abuse of conventions and purposely uncomfortable moments, attendees are in for a very unique and moving experience directed by Danny Gurwin on an imposing and distressed two-story set designed by M Erdman. “Cabaret” plays through Sunday in the Tornabene Theatre. For tickets and more information, visit theatre.arizona. edu.
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Mack is threatening to sue the film's producer, DawgpoundUSA.com, but he has been unable to locate the person who originally hired him. Dawgpound, in turn, threatens to sue Mack for claiming he was drugged during the filming.
Mack, 35, claims he went to a New York City apartment thinking he had signed up for a heterosexual video. He says there were naked women walking around when he arrived, and he was provided with a pill and a shot of vodka.
The video appears to have been online since last December. Mack said he hasn't seen it, but friends have told him he is the person in the film -- his face is uncovered and his body tattoos are distinctive.
After that, he says, the next thing he remembers is someone telling him to wake up. He found himself on a train with $4,500 in his pocket.
Dawgpound is a subscription website featuring black men. Members pay $24.95 to join and then a monthly fee of $19.95.
"All my real friends who really know me, know I like females," said the father of 10. "My whole life, I've been what they call a whoremonger. I love females."
Mack retired from the ring last year and is currently engaged to a woman.
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November 04, 2015
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Facebook to scrap 'real' name policy OBSERVER STAFF Facebook has announced it will discontinue its policy of requiring the use of legal names, a policy that had generated considerable controversy in the LGBT community. The social network's vice president of growth, Alex Schultz, posted on Scribd that rather than "real" names people will be required to use "authentic" names, meaning names by which those people are known to friends and family. "We are deeply invested in making [this policy] better," he wrote. "I've seen first-hand how people – including LGBT people – can be bullied online by people using fake or impersonating accounts."
WEEKLY
Book about transgender teddy bear sparks interest before coming out
The policy change will require users to provide details about why they choose to use a particular name on their profile. Those who report people for allegedly using a fake name also will be asked to provide additional information. Facebook banned hundreds of drag artists last summer, but that turned out to be the work of one user submitting a huge number of malicious reports. The company promised then to change its policy, but no changes happened and the bans continued. Even a trans woman who once worked for Facebook was kicked off.
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Forum looks for Tucson LGBTQ community needs Continued from page 1 The small group discussions will be facilitated by the Center for Community Dialogue, a program of Our Family Services. The Center helps Southern Arizonans have meaningful conversations on important issues in a skilled, civil and respectful way where everyone’s voice can be heard. The results of the conversations will be made available to the public as well as to the City of Tucson GLBT Commission and other organizations and agencies that address LGBTQ needs in Southern Arizona. There is no charge for this forum and all are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served.
The children's book "Introducing Teddy" explores trans acceptance and friendship.
OBSERVER STAFF Jessica Walton wrote "Introducing Teddy" for the benefit of her young son after her father, Tina, came out as transgender three and a half years ago. Not due out until June 2016, the book is already drawing media attention as well as Tina's approval, the latter of which Walton was unsure she would receive. "Tina has been there for me so much while I've been writing this book," the Australian author said. "I was really nervous of showing her the draft of the text the first time because I thought 'I want to get this right.' " But Tina apparently couldn't be happier with the finished product. "I just cried happy tears," Tina said. "It was wonderful, such a wonderful thing and such a beautiful, positive book. "It's a book about difference and about accepting difference and I was
Scar
November 04, 2015
This beautiful, talkative gentleman came to us from Pina County’s animal control. We know we’ll find his forever home, as Scar is sweet, adorable, loving and cuddly! He’s three years old, and has the cutest little face, complete with a white goatee—so he’s stylish as well. He gets along fine with other kitties, and he is so friendly we think he could get along with dogs.
so proud of her when I saw it, and it's illustration is beautiful and the story is really appealing." Walton wanted the book to be an homage to a great dad. "When we were growing up Tina was so much fun; she was such an involved, happy, really down-to-earth dad," Walton said. Tina also believes the book's message of proudly accepting one's identity is important. "I think at some point you need to be honest with yourself and acknowledge the things that you hide or you feel shame about and just come out and be who you are and stand up and be proud," she said. The first-time author's book was funded through Kickstarter, where the public pledged more than $20,000 toward the project -- double what Walton and illustrator Dougal MacPherson had hoped to raise.
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Where God's love for all is the good news!
November 04, 2015
OBSERVER Kim Davis sparks backlash even among opponents of marriage equality
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Chick-fil-A accused of flying from right wing to left wing on gays OBSERVER STAFF NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Vox-owned foodie website Eater outed Chick-fil-A as a sponsor of an LGBT film festival in Nashville.
OBSERVER STAFF WASHINGTON, D.C. -- An Associated Press-GfK poll released last week shows for the first time that most Americans say government employees have to issue same-sex marriage licenses even over religious objections. That's a change from July, just after the U.S. Supreme Court decision on "If the government says you have to give out those marriage licenses, and you get paid to do it, you do it. That woman should be out of a job." -- Linda Massey, a 64-year-old retiree from Lewiston, Mich., who opposes gay marriage but is at the heart of a public shift sparked by Kim Davis marriage equality in June. Now 56 percent say issue the licenses regardless of religious belief, up from 47 percent in the July survey. True, 58 percent of Republicans still say a clerk's religion overrides the job description, but even that is down a whopping 14 percent from July's 72 percent.
Address sympathy cards to Kentucky's Rowan County clerk, Kim Davis, and her Jerry Falwell acolyte lawyer, Mat Staver, who thought they would ride this issue to stardom. Part of the public's reaction appears to be simply expecting public servants to do their jobs, but more widely it seems to indicate that people recognize the slippery slope of allowing some religious convictions to override the law: Eventually every law will fall to somebody's claim of religious opposition. One church recently filed a lawsuit claiming that a proposed bike lane interfered with its religious freedom because the bike lane would reduce the number of parking spaces on the public street in front of the church.
If it sounds too good to be true, that's because it is -- it's the restaurant chain's Nashville franchisee that backs the film festival, and the company says local franchises have that option. Too late for "Christian" Chick-fil-A customer Steven Policastro to avoid egg on his face, though.
an article last week about the sponsorship and reaffirming the company's anti-gay views.
As soon as Policastro saw the Eater note, he began an change.org petition with the pompous posting "per our research and findings ... " blasting Chick-fil-A for being pro-gay and asking people to contact corporate headquarters in outrage.
The company did reportedly stop donating to anti-gay causes last year after reports surfaced about $5 million in such donations.
He should actually have done a little research. The petition gathered a few hundred signatures and caught the eye of Baptist Global News, which published
At the time, CEO Dan Cathy said his corporation would steer clear of social issues to avoid further negative publicity. The Nashville festival is "Level Ground," described as "the world's first faith-based LGBT film festival."
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GOP presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz were particularly active in trying to align themselves with Davis, clearly thinking they'd gain a wave of support. Maybe send sympathy cards to all the Republican prezidunces as well -- this doesn't appear to bode well for their political longevity.
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
Zoe’s World
OBSERVER
By Gary Clark
By Zoe
WEEKLY
November 04, 2015
November 04, 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.
OBSERVER WEEKLY Tuesday
Wednesday
Saturday
Sunday
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 - 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
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.
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 &
SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health re-
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: $10, Kadam Meditation Center Arizona 1701 E. Miles St. 7-9 p.m. SAGA Desert Partnerz for cis-gendered 4th Thursday 7-10 p.m. Triangle Tribe, Men’s Support Group. Call 520-398-6826
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Ajia Simone, Owner 426 E. Ninth St. 520.624.8400
BRODIES TAVERN - Customer Appreciation 7-2 a.m. Two-for-One Well-Domestic Bottles, Margaritas on Tap House Kasiz Shots IBT’s - 11a.m.-2a.m. Therapy every Thursday. All Day *2-4-1 Drink Specials (excludes top shelf, wine & draft). Million$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
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 3-8 p.m.
Thursday
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
2:30-4:30p.m.
Tuesday 3-8 p.m.
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
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OBSERVER
WEEKLY
Houston pastor attacks lesbian mayor before vote on LGBT law OBSERVER STAFF
Welch added: "We need to remember as we are facing the enemy, if you will, that the enemy that we are really up against we can't see.
HOUSTON -- Tuesday's vote on whether Houston repeals its LGBTrights ordinance got nasty toward Election Day.
"Those that we can see are caught in the snares of deception and are being used as pawns for the real enemy.
At press time, the polls were still open. Some predictions said the ordinance would survive by a small margin, while others said it would fail by a small margin.
"We must love them enough to speak truth to them, with clarity, with consistency, with boldness, and with love. That is the only hope they have to be free."
As an example of the shitstorm, Houston pastor told the World Congress of Families last week in Salt Lake City that he only wants God to "free" Houston's lesbian mayor from her "condition." Translation: I want to make personal decisions for Mayor Annise Parker whether she likes it or not. If you thought becoming the fourthlargest city in the U.S. made Houston a bastion of sophistication, get over it. Pastor Dave Welch called on God to "free" Parker from her "condition" -that she be "turned from darkness." Welch was one of the loudest brayers in the war over the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, passed last year and controversial every day since.
Of course, to Welch, "love" for Parker mainly means calling her a liar.
The pastor called for God to cure Houston's lesbian mayor, Annise Parker.
the city's ruling that the petition seeking the anti-equality didn't gather enough valid signatures. "The mayor who lied about everything from the beginning … she literally is one of those who is caught in the darkness of her snare and her condition," Welch said.
The New York Times responded Tuesday by addressing the chupacabras' biggest objection: "The 17 states and more than 200 municipalities that have extended protections to transgender Americans have not made public restrooms less safe. Houston’s would be no different."
Tucson taxi drivers win historic ruling on employment
Welch apparently pretended that homosexuality is still illegal in Texas:
"We do pray for her … that God delivers her and lets her free from that. But we're going to make sure she's not mayor of Houston anymore!"
The National Labor Relations Board ruled recently that more than 200 Tucson taxi drivers are employees of AAA Transportation/Yellow Cab, and are therefore eligible to unionize.
"Why would we expect someone to live lawfully when they are living lawlessly?" he asked, probably referring to
As of yet, there are no reports about whether God wanted his name used in a scurrilous political campaign.
The ruling is the first of its kind for taxi drivers, who have historically been considered independent contractors.
November 04, 2015 The ruling's key clarification was a consideration of whether the employee has actual "opportunity for loss or gain," necessary for the status to be an independent contractor. The ruling is in line with a recent determination on the status of drivers for FedEx -- that scheduling is not up to the drivers, therefore loss or gain is not up to them. The Tucson case began more than two years ago.
Rachel Dolezal comes out third time, this time as white After coming out previously as black and then as bisexual, activist Rachel Dolezal said this week on Fox TV's "The Real" that she's white. Dolezal formerly headed a branch of the NAACP in Spokane, Washington, and according to reports did a good job there before her relatives "unmasked" her as white. While villainized around the world, Dolezal did get some props from singer Rihanna. "I think she was a bit of a hero, because she kind of flipped on society a little bit," Rihanna said. "Is it such a horrible thing that she pretended to be black? Black is a great thing, and I think she legit changed people's perspective a bit and woke people up." It's for sure that most white people need waking up when it comes to racism in the U.S., but we're not sure Dolezal got through to many.