Out in Maine -- December 2012

pioneer politics f meet craig hickman, a new state rep p 4

marriage prep f planning your event — and beyond

relax on the couch f what’s coming to your tv p 12 maine’s gbltq community & you | winter 2012-13

e g a t n i very ivdays hol p6

p 16

Congratulations to Maine.

LeeAuto Malls leeauto.com

out in maine | Winter 2012-2013 3

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2013

FEBRUARY 8-10 ~ Annual Mardi Gras Celebration APRIL 12-14 ~ Annual Patriots Day Celebration MAY ~ NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt Display MAY ~ AIDS Walk JUNE ~ Chamber Music Festival, Lifeguard Dash JULY 4 ~ Fireworks AUGUST 22 ~ Annual Sidewalk Art Show & Sale SEPTEMBER ~ Festival of Kites, Lobster Dash OCTOBER 25-27 ~ Annual OgunquitFest NOVEMBER 10 ~ Annual Celebrations by the Sea Wedding Expo To see more details about these events, please visit www.visitogunquit.org.

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18 a Winning camPaign _BY deirdre fulton

22 marriage WinDfaLL? _BY marc mewshaw

4 out in maine | Winter 2012-2013

Heading to tHe House Craig HiCkman on expanding His resumé _by an th o n y gi a M p et r u zzi Much has been written about Craig Hickman, 44, a black, gay, award-winning author, and former performance artist. A Wisconsin native and Harvard graduate, he now operates a 25-acre organic farm and bed and breakfast with his partner, Jop, and he is well known for donating food to the needy. In his spare time, he writes about tennis on his sports blog, one of the web’s most popular.

And, oh yeah, he was just elected to the Maine Legislature as a Democrat in an historically Republicanheld district.

As Hickman settles into his new job, he took the time to download with Out In Maine about his journey to the State House, what he sees as the “gay agenda,” and his take on some pressing issues in pop culture.

F

When you Were sWorn in last Week, What Was going through your head? It was a very emotional

day. I was thinking about my father and all my ancestors who have gone before me who paved the way for me to be standing there taking that oath. My desk was pretty wet when it was done.

at his desk representative hickman.

Much has been Made of the fact that you’re a black, gay, organic farMer froM central Maine, and therefore you represent a shift in politics in Maine and across the country. do you consider yourself a trailblazer? I’ll leave that to other

people to decide. I’m a real person and I work hard, and I don’t think that sets me apart, but I know that’s what people want in elected officials. I strive to always be honest and true to myself . . . and to always tell the truth.

besides your oWn election, What Was a high point for you in the 2012 election and Why? The

re-election of the president. I think that was huge.

It ratified a change, a shift in what we expect of our leaders. And I’m really happy that that happened.

in terMs of the gay coMMunity, What do you see as issues that May be iMportant in the next couple years? I think gay people are people — so we want

good jobs, we want opportunity, we want our kids to get a good education, and we want Maine to be a place where we attract people. I don’t think that gay people are different than anyone else in that regard.

prior to the election, What Was a typical day like in the life of craig hickMan? Good lord! There were never enough hours in the day. I farm, I cook food, I feed people, I volunteer, I lead community

‘I’m a real person and I work hard, and I don’t thInk that sets me apart,’ says the self-effacIng new legIslator.

organizations, I’m on too many boards. I think in high school they voted me “best dressed,” “most involved,” and “most likely to succeed.” So, I like to think that I’m still doing all those things well.

that’s all Work — What is your guilty pleasure?

Margaritas.

the Voice or aMerican idol? Neither. I watch cooking shows and sports. I don’t watch much TV.

speaking of idols, Who is yours? My father, my mother. They instilled in me the values of hard work and public service. I wish my father and mother could be here to see all this. My sister and I were both adopted, so when you take in something that didn’t come from you and make it your own, you are walking on water as far as I’m concerned.

Would you be in faVor of a 2013 Men of Maine politics calendar — and Which Month Would you be? Absolutely, and December because that’s the

month of my birthday. ^

Winter 2012-2013 | out in maine 5

Out with the new, in with the Old Find vintage giFts in Portland’s treasure houses _By To n y G i am p e Tr u zzi a nd a l eC m a y Ba r d u k

F

As we hurtle toward the holiday season, and the inevitable attic- and closet-cleanings that follow, it’s important to know that it is now not only acceptable but, for many, preferred, to give and receive vintage items. The fact is, like most other cities, Portland is chock full of shops, collectives, and seasonal fairs that hock all things vintage, antique, mid-century modern, atomic, retro, shabby-chic, and just plain old (for a glossary of those terms, please see the sidebar.)

Most important, people love nostalgia and, as Tonya Sattin, owner of Circa Home and Vintage put it, “people like to be reminded of times past, often simpler times that they associate with good feelings.”

We couldn’t agree more, and, while our taste is decidedly mid-century modern, a recent stroll through our fair city turned up some finds that would bring a smile to anyone whether they’re celebrating Chanukah, Christmas, or whatever festival they choose.

While this is by no means a complete vintage shopping trip through Portland, it represents the diversity of kitsch, class, and collectability that has come to exemplify a new penchant for “Buy Local — and if it’s used, we’re even more likely to buy it” phenomenon that has gripped the city.

furniture, lighting, art, and smaller curiosities (and antiques — these items don’t interest us as much, but they seem nice). A Paul McCobb dining table or complete set of Eames Bikini chairs is not out of the question here, but what you’re most likely to stumble upon is that final piece of Dansk cookware to fill out your set; a full set of iconic yellow Heller plates for your patio parties; and a selection of semi-rare bowls or other serving devices.

(It’s worth a trip just to check out the ’80s Bang & Olufsen turntable and cassette player currently on display — someone will eventually buy this gem even at the north-of-$500 price tag).

F The GifT To GeT A bronze bird sculpture set in stone by Curtis Jeré. Jeré was actually two people, Curtis Freiler and Jerry Fels, who brought the central mission of modern design, making highquality beautiful products available for mass consumption, to the world of sculpture. Like all the great modernists, they failed. You’d never have considered hanging one of these on a wall 10 years ago, but now they’re every collector’s must-have.

Many of their larger works now sell for upwards of $2000.

Merchant coMpany 656 congress st

allen and Walker antiques

allen and Walker antiques 684 congress st

When Allen and Walker was located at One Congress Square on the corner of High and Congress streets, it served as Portland’s favorite reseller of vintage and mid-century items, and in a very visible way, given its location. Here, enthusiasts like us were delighted to find George Nelson desks,

Arne Jacobsen chairs, and aluminum Christmas trees long before they commanded the three-digit price tags some of the shop’s more highend items don now.

Several years ago, the shop was forced to move to slightly more cramped digs down the road, but it has remained a continually evolving hodgepodge of mid-century

A relative newcomer to Congress Street, this collective of vendors is near equally split between artisans and vintage collectors. Tucked away and somewhat nondescript, it’s not to be missed. First, the artisans showcase top-notch crafts that range from imaginative children’s clothes (who can resist a fluffy owl hat with beaming acrylic eyes?) to reclaimed items gussied up for new functionality (’50s and ’60s radios rewired for iPod compatibility? Brilliant).

As for the vintage, while many of the items here ride a fine line between just old stuff, retro, and some really fun throwbacks, we found it to be a boon for those with a love of all things ’80s. I don’t ever remember owning a carrying case for my Apple IIe, but somehow one of those original strapped sacks ended up for sale merchant Company here, complete with a Continued on p 5

6 out in maine | Winter 2012-2013

InsIder’s vIew

a conversation With tonya sattin, one of the neWest purveyors of portland vintage

“I

think portlanders have spoken, and they want vintage. it’s nostalgic, it’s eco-friendly, and it looks good in your home.” that’s the philosophy of the new kid on the vintage block, tonya sattin, owner of circa home and vintage at 247 congress street. a native mainer with a penchant for all things vintage, sattin eventually returned from new york city to hop on the Buy local train with a business of her own. now, she is breathing new life into the space that housed eli phant before its lights dimmed a couple years ago. herewith her thoughts on the vintage phenom in portland. iT seems like There’s a soCalled vinTaGe shop on every Corner in porTland — is The CompeTiTion fierCe? you know, if we were all selling cars it could be a problem. But with vintage sellers, i think there’s a real spirit of generosity. in my eyes, it’s all about connecting a person with the vintage item that resonates with them. it feels good when someone comes into my shop and finds

i CerTainly felT ConneCTed To “12 Gay CheruBs: a Box full of holiday Cheer.”

ThaT musT Be one of a kind, so WhaT aBouT The CompeTiTion in proCuremenT — Where do you find your sTuff? is it time consuming? it’s true that there’s a heightened awareness of vintage goods in this area, in any urban area really. it just means you have to be creative and willing to get on the road and meet a lot of people you wouldn’t necessarily meet otherwise. But it’s the hunt that’s so much fun. that and matching that new item up with its new owner. and yes, it can be time consuming if you’re doing all the work yourself. something (a hand-pieced quilt, a gorgeous teak armchair, or an old industrial sign) that makes them smile, something that makes them happy. i know that item has found its new home, one in perhaps a long line of homes over the years.

Continued from p 5

rainbow Apple patch. Now big enough to serve as a suitcase for a weekend away or a huge day bag for the Apple enthusiast, this rarity was likely the cause of many back strains in the mid-’80s when it hauled around the giant brick that was the must-have computer of the day. Lighter fare here includes a selection of Duran Duran bumper stickers, Adam Ant wallets, and various period togs that would be perfect for a night out at Bubba’s Sulky Lounge.

F The GifT To GeT We don’t care how infrequently people use paper in the age of voice memos; no one should be without one of Aimsel Ponti’s handmade album-cover notebooks. These retro gems represent personal expression, and they’re perfect for Secret Santa swaps, extra-large stockings, or for any audiophile who already has every rare recording in existence. Oh, and if you come across the B-52s’ Wild Planet, we’ll take two — it’s the one where all five original band members are lounging angstily on an iconic white Woodard set. Party out-of-bounds this holiday season!

pine cone and chickadee 6 Free st

Although similar to Merchant, this relative newcomer to Free Street is a little less schizophrenic, erring more on the thematic side. This is the hub of pop culture vintage from the ’60s up through the ’90s, and faux vintage (read: new). In other words, it’s a walk down memory lane for anyone who grew up with Colorforms, the Bionic Woman Continued on p 8

polaroid cameras at pine Cone and Chickadee

do you Think This is jusT a fad? vinTaGe seems To Be hoT jusT aBouT everyWhere, BuT is iT The flavor of The day? vintage has always been hot. put another way, old stuff always makes a comeback. our current obsession with mid-century furniture and household goods is part fashion

and part common sense. a great many items coming out of that time period are quality, well-made items that last. nostalgia is also a huge part of why vintage is popular. people like to be reminded of times past, often simpler times that they associate with good feelings.

WhaT defines vinTaGe for you? a lot of people try to pass off stuff as vintage when, in fact, it’s just old junk. i’ve heard it defined as “at least 20 years old” but that’s a stretch for me. i have a hard time calling anything even from the ’80s vintage, so i guess for me it’s anything from about 1920 through the late ’60s. anything before that is antique. old junk is just old junk no matter what you call it.

Why should people Consider vinTaGe for a ChrisTmas GifT? if the goal is to bring a smile to someone’s face, go vintage. do you have any helpful dos and don’Ts for The holiday shopper? shop local when you can. come in and say “hello!”

L

A ST

Gas

ARIANI rthern Maine

BY JOHNoC o medy set in n a romantic c

"...elevating not just the slapstick but the dignity of the common dude..."

- portland phoenix "Very funny and surprisingly thought-provoking."

- portland press herald "...an achingly real story, set in a world that Mainers know intimately."

- bangor daily news

CELEBRATE IN STONINGTON

live professional theater at Opera House Arts

FEBRUARY 7-10, 2013

tix & info www.operahousearts.org 207.367.2788

8 out in maine | Winter 2012-2013

Continued from p 6

Board Game, ViewMasters, Mork and Mindy tradingcard stickers, and just about every cherished ’70s 8-track cartridge imaginable. (It requires great restraint to pass up a white egg-shaped 8-track player and a copy of The Best of Captain and Tennille on every visit.) Whether you’re stopping in for some bubble-gum regression therapy, or to browse Pinecone’s unique selection of new knick-knacks or impressive T-shirts, this is stocking stuffer heaven. And, to whoever bought the remote-controlled Robie Robot before we finally realized we might be able to program it to serve us drinks on demand: fie to you.

F The GifT To GeT Don’t know what to get the teenager or college student who seems to hate everything but posting Hipstamatic and Instagram photos on Facebook? How about the real thing: Vintage Polaroid cameras and accessories?

Polaroid is emblematic of the modern American dream. Their inventor, Edwin Land, was born to a working-class family , made his way through Harvard, invented the instant camera, sued Kodak for trying to steal his ideas, and made a fortune selling inexpensive instant gratification to the masses. The company went under in 2001, but was revived by a private equity group that moved the manufacturing to China. Now that it’s been replaced by expensive minicomputers, Polaroid is the preferred medium for “outsider art” and irony-fetishizing hipsters. It’s essentially the last century of American history epitomized in cleverly designed plastic box. Polaroid from Pine Cone and Chickadee should be your first stop.

Find

16 Free st

If you think it’s passé to gift a piece of vintage clothing, think again. Of course, in the case of Find, “vintage” simply means “used.” No matter: Find — and a few other upscale consignment stores — are the only places in Maine where you’ll be able to snag Armani, Prada, or Gucci — used or new.

You’ll also find a decent selection of logoed windbreakers, not-quite-threadbare Ts from the ’70s and ’80s, ubiquitous pea coats and the occasional oneof-a-kind oddity. Recent example: a men’s cowhide cardigan, unlabeled, adding to the mystery of its provenance.

F The GifT To GeT A well-worn pair of designer or iconic jeans. Wearing in your own denim can sometimes be a long and uncomfortable experience. But if you still can’t stomach the concept of buying your loved one someone else’s protection from the elements, why not a gift certificate? Let them do their own dirty work of selecting some Dolce and Gabanna or Chanel and then passing it off as a purchase from Fifth Avenue.

portland trading coMpany 157 Middle street

Portland Trading Company’s mantra is “beyond retail,” and with a completely unique mix of things old and new, and mostly for men, the store more than achieves its mission. For those with a fetish for all things polished varsity, this new oasis on Middle Street is manna. The space, itself, is an experience, invoking a mixture of Dartmouth dorm and Harvard Club smoking room. Bottom line: the clothing, both vintage and new, is expensive and, potentially, over-priced for some of the offerings. But, ohhhh, the offerings. This is the Continued on p 10

jeans at find

Glossary

KnoW the lingo Before you go anTique F something at least 100 years old. price tags range from priceless to worthless. do your homework. mid-CenTury modern F defines architecture, interior, and product and graphic design from roughly 1933 to 1965. the movement was about bringing expensive, museum-quality items to the masses. today, true mid-century modern items can be valued at museum-quality prices — sadly. vinTaGe F this is tough one, but generally vintage is anything old and collectible that originates from the ’20s up through the ’60s, but which can apply to many things at least 15 years old. aTomiC F items that reflect the advent of the nuclear age and often invoke a blast — starbursts, sharp angles, hairpin legs. you know it when you see it. most atomic items are not attributed to any specific designer and are therefore kitsch; their value tends to be based on demand. reTro F a post-modern throwback that is either genuinely vintage or a reproduction. at this point referring to an item that evokes the ’80s or ’90s. something that is made to make you feel old. shaBBy-ChiC F something that is distressed to look like an antique, but is really just shabby, not very chic. see “junk.” junk F all of the above, unless someone is willing to shell out money for it . . . and even then it’s questionable.

Where recycling has always been in style.

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Now accepting seasonal clothing & accessories.

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10 out in maine | Winter 2012-2013

Continued from p 8

only place in Portland where you’re likely to find a pair (that’s two!) of vintage Gucci tennis-racket protectors, Louis Vuitton wallets, an assortment of unique cuff links and other men’s baubles, and a wide selection of used men’s jeans, jackets — and lots of new, quality vetements. If you must splurge, check out the vintage varsity scarves.

Needless to say, we’d like to clean the store out and fill our closets, but, like many, we’re relegated to the shop’s more affordable gift items, which include a unique selection of new books and magazines, locally made skin-care products, socks, hats, and a nice array of masculine home goods.

F The GifT To GeT Vintage cufflinks. Men have few ways to express their flair. Furthermore, we lose things this small at an alarming rate. And, since we’ll only wear them a couple times a year, we generally won’t buy them for ourselves, which makes it a great splurge for the man in your life. Portland Trading Co. has a great selection of skulls, crossbones, and sailing ships.

circa hoMe and Vintage 247 congress st

This new addition to that fun little block on Congress Street in the East End is a breath of fresh air.

It’s tough to characterize the shop’s eclectic offerings, but it’s billed as vintage home, and we’re satisfied with that. The vintage, here, is true to form with lots of fun things ranging from — you guessed it — lots of kitchenware, atomic holiday items, and an eye-catching set of Charley Harper National Parks posters.

F The GifT To GeT Get the credit card out, because the must-haves at Circa are two fantastic bent-plywood mid-century modern lounge chairs made by Carter Brothers. These chairs are often found with broken legs, backs, and torn leather, but this pair has been restored to near-perfect condition.

Chromed airplane desk lamp at portland flea for all

portland Flea For all 125 kennebec st

We admit, the first time we walked through the doors of this behemoth, we were hoping for Brooklyn Flea, but it felt more like the off-season locale for the bi-annual Picnic. In other words, more DIY than vintage. But, oh, how things have changed.

It’s tough to know where to start here because vendors and goods come and go so quickly, especially the large mid-century pieces and the smaller atomic goodies. To keep tabs on this open-on-theweekend only shop, stay tuned to portlandfleaforall.com or look for updates on their Facebook community.

On floor one, you’ll find a rotating selection of small items: vintage knick-knacks and yet even more vintage cookware, and a lot of DIY crafts from various vendors. Of note, however, is a stationary display of what’s left of Rogue’s Gallery, the company that launched the vintage T-shirt craze in the early 2000s. New items arrive all the time, and they are significantly reduced.

Remember those silk-screened T-shirts that sold at Barney’s in the $80 range? They now go for $10 or less, and are the perfect gift for just about anyone. Keep this in mind when shopping at other local stores that have taken advantage of the low prices here and are now selling the exact same items with significant — almost criminal — mark-ups. (It’s possible that Ponti from Merchant peruses Flea from time to time for her vintage album covers from Uptown Vinyl: a nice selection of excellent quality 33s greets you as you enter.)

Gucci at portland Trading Company

Alley Oop Vintage has also taken up shop on floor one, and is best known for its collection of vintage and antique bowling accessories. We also like their antler racks.

On floors two and three there’s more breathing room, and, at times, some really collectible stuff.

For small items, look for Monkivintage, which specializes in mid-century and Scandinavian modern design, lots of Danish tableware, and some retro. Monki’s stuff, whether retro or atomic, is always in good shape and priced right.

While there are truly weird finds (illuminated McDonald’s drive-thru signs and Dunkin’ Donuts indoor/outdoor runners), the rest of the stuff on these floors is a good mix of furniture from every period and personal taste. We have been giddy to see, in Portland after all, a Richard Schultz for Knoll 1966 collection outdoor set; the occasional Saarinen tulip table and chair set, lots of excellent reproductions like that of an enormous Eero Aarnio ball chair, and a pair of fiberglass lounge chairs by Burke.

F The GifT To GeT Somehow, Flea for All has become home to Maine’s wayward art glass.

Barware, vases, lamps, and drinking glasses in all range of colors, patterns, and prices. Sift through the junk, and you may just find some wonderful pieces. We fell in love with a blue and yellow Blenko-style vase and a 1940s deco-style chromed airplane desk lamp with frosted glass.

Delish! ^

LGBT Collection

5th Annual

SAMPSON CENTER FOR DIVERSITY IN MAINE, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE

East End Holiday Stroll December 15, 2012 11am-5pm

Shop Local For the Holidays Find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list at the East End’s many unique, local, beloved, and new locations!

See more information, locations, raffle prizes, & more on facebook.

Preserving the history of the LGBT communities and empowering those communities through exhibitions and programming.

TO DONATE MATERIAL TO THE COLLECTION OR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact Susie R. Bock at 207-780-4269 or bocks@usm.maine.edu.

Portland Pottery & Metalsmithing Studio 118-122 Washington Ave • Portland, ME

22nd Annual Holiday Show & Sale FRI • DEC. 14 • 9-7 SAT • DEC. 15 • 9-5 SUN • DEC. 16 • 10-4

Over 70 Local Artists

Unique Pottery • Jewelry • Glass Portland Pottery Cafe has a New Winter Menu and will feature Holiday Specials and Treats.

8-Week Classes begin January 2nd Clay • Metalsmithing • Glass Gift Certificates Available

207-772-4334 • www.portlandpottery.com

12 out in maine | Winter 2012-2013

On Christmas speCials Who can resist the childhood memories? _by Na te t o w Ne

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Season’s greetings to you, to you and your TV-watching kin! Before you get too sauced on eggnog toddies and immerse yourselves in copious amounts of holiday party buffet, here are some TV tips to help you through the hectic holiday season. Now if I could only help you squeeze diamonds from the coal that will likely fill your holiday stocking, you naughty little creature you . . .

F

Holidays scHmolidays

If you’re as old as me (and if you’re reading a newspaper you are, you withered old crone!) you remember the magical TV “Special” intro that used to swirl on the screen right before one of the best holiday specials came on the TV. (Of course back then we were god-fearing folk — not the soulless heathens of filth we are today — and called them “Christmas specials.”) Rankin & Bass’s Rudolph, Peanuts — hellz, even those effete Smurfs — I’d watch any and all holiday specials. And yes my dears, this trend continues to this very day. Won’t you join me

as I review a few of my favorite holiday specials?

Yes, yes you will.

A ChArlie Brown ChristmAs, aBC Though its religious undertones make my partner cringe, this is my absolute favorite holiday special of all time.

(Actually, it’s tied with Pee-Wee Herman’s Christmas Special, which goes to show you just how sick in the head I truly am.) But really, this gem was made in the ’60s and who didn’t love God back then? God and metallic Christmas trees — hallelujah! It’s got a goddamn Emmy so forgive the Bible crap and just focus on the true meaning of Christmas — bullying disenfranchised youth. #ChuckYouSlyDog nestor, the long-eAred ChristmAs donkey, aBC Family If you are a cruel parent, and I truly hope you are, consider allowing your young children to watch this classic, airing on ABC Family on December 15 at 9 am. (Thank the gods for DVRs!) This delightful little holiday smorgasbord of death, religious intolerance, animal cruelty, and humanrights violations from the annals of 1977 will surely have your child in tears. Every year I bawled my

eyes out when the adorable mommy donkey sacrificed herself in a snowstorm to save her dearest babe. It builds character; your kids will thank you later, after the years and years of regression therapy. #MostDepressingChristmasSpecialEver The fates have been kind to us my little lambs — in addition to all these wonderful holiday specials we’re all getting a very special TV present this holiday season: an endless stream of Fiscal Cliff coverage on every news network. Every minute of every blessed day. CNN, Fox News, MSNBC — you won’t be able to escape it. But cheer up — it’ll all be over

by January 1. #ItsTheFiscalCliffBitches

WHat Not to WatcH

Before you know it my little muffins of mirth, the New Year will be upon us. Rather than stay positive and point out all the wonderfully amazing new shows that will be airing early 2013, I’ve decided to see the TV glass as half empty and point out two stinkers to be avoided.

Continued on p 12

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14 out in maine | Winter 2012-2013

Continued from p 12

BuCkwild, mtV How I begged, pleaded, and tried to convince the programming execs at MTV that there was no need to fill the “void” left by the departing cast of Jersey Shore. Alas, like most — they did not listen. Enter the toxic birth of Buckwild, which follows a group of nine friends on their quest to do absolutely nothing worthwhile in Sissonville, West Virginia. I hate to use the word hicks, but there it is. If you took a blender and filled it with 100 liters of tequila, threw in a few drunken fist fights à la Cops, and added the cast of Hillbilly Handfishin’ (yes, that too is a show), you’d get Buckwild. This tragedy of epic proportions is set to premiere on January 3. #AvertThineEyes roBot ComBAt leAgue, SyFy Look, I like robots just as much as the next gay, especially those little ones that vacuum my floor. But methinks SyFy is taking it one gear too far with this new show that features “brutal” boxing battles between 12 teams with tall, 1000-pound humanoid robots.

And one of those robots has an axe for a head. Fashionable and functional! Makes me think of that horrid Real Steel movie starring Hugh Jackman.

Oh Hugh. If you’re into this kind

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of automated absurdity, you can catch the premiere on February 26. #RockemSockem Sadly, that’s all the time we have today my pretty pretties — good luck making it through the holidays, Snowmageddon (it’s coming!), and avoiding a drive off the fiscal cliff. If we make it, I’ll see you in the New Year! ^

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From Fear to opportunity Crowds Climb on the gay-marriage bandwagon _by Ji ll b a r k l e y

Throughout this past election cycle, I followed the campaigns on both sides of the Question One debate very closely. In full disclosure, I worked on the issue for my non-profit organization, so I had a front-row seat to the Yes on One campaign’s strategy.

The No on One folks told Mainers we had a lot to fear if gay marriage became legal here in our state. In about three weeks, we’ll be able to see exactly how untrue that is. Same-sex couples will be allowed to go to their municipalities and request marriage licenses. Some couples will fill out their paperwork and go out to lunch. Others will plan elaborate weddings and receptions here in our state.

Gay marriage, regardless of whether or not the couple had a civil marriage license, has existed for quite some time. I came out as a lesbian over a decade ago and have attended several weddings between two women, none of them technically legal. I love a good party.

During the campaign, I kept hearing that if gay marriage became legal, churches and business owners would be sued left and right. I tried to imagine a couple demanding that a less-thanenthusiastic photographer take photos at their wedding; I never could see the scenario playing

F

out. However, I knew that if someone owned a business, they would not be allowed to discriminate against a couple for being gay or lesbian.

That’s been the law here since 2005.

The Yes on One side argued back that business owners in the wedding industry would be excited about more opportunities to have more clients and customers. One ad featured a Christian photographer who said just that: She was hoping to have more weddings to shoot. In the aftermath of election night, it is clear she is not alone.

Immediately following the victory for gay marriage, individuals and existing businesses began to announce opportunities for the wedding industry to reach out to same-sex cliental. One website, gaymarry.me, was launched on election night by Portland’s Might & Main marketing agency, providing listings of authorized Maine officiants who “proudly agree to solemnize the marriages of all who wish to marry in Maine.” While churches are allowed to choose which weddings to perform, it is nice to see a large group of people who are identifying as able and willing to help someone get gaymarried.

Another website looked at the business side of weddings, the aforementioned “wedding industry.” The organizers of Downeast Pride Alliance (DEPA) started gayweddingsinmaine.com the day after the election. Gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses can sign up for a free or paid listing to promote themselves to same-sex couples who are looking for florists, caterers, photographers, DJs, and venues as they begin to plan their dream weddings here in Vacationland.

I myself am jumping in with a wedding expo in April here in Portland, called “The Way Weddings Should Be.” Vendors who are excited to work with same-sex couples will show off what they have to offer to all couples, including opposite-sex couples.

Gay marriage isn’t actually going to destroy marriages between heterosexuals, either — in case anyone was worried.

With all of this positive outpouring of support for same-sex couples that wish to exercise their new freedom to marry, there’s not much talk of fear or lawsuits anymore. That’s not to say there won’t be a problem in the future, but if a gay or lesbian couple is looking for an officiant or a vendor to help them with their big day, there are plenty of people signing up to help with pleasure and pride. ^

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18 out in maine | Winter 2012-2013

A winning cAmpAign Looking back on 2012’s successfuL bid for gay marriage _by De i r Dr e F ulto n

A key shifting point in the cAmpAign wAs the mid-July creAtion of republicAns united for mArriAge, bringing conservAtives to the effort.

CoMMitteD SuPPorterS after a long campaign and many rallies like this one, mainers finally approved marriage equality.

In between creating Save the Date cards and booking the caterer, it’s good to take a moment and reflect on the remarkable victory we achieved in Maine on November 6. How did it happen here? And could Maine’s triumph be a tipping point for marriage equality?

“This is a huge, historic victory,” says Matt McTighe, who served as the campaign manager for Mainers United for Marriage, the well-oiled political machine that helped win gay marriage — the first time such a feat has been achieved through the popular vote (as opposed to legislative or judicial channels).

The campaign benefited from “sophisticated methodology” that helped target certain vot-

F

ers based on specific concerns, McTighe says. A 35-year-old suburban mother, for example, was likely to be most concerned about the opposition’s claims regarding gay marriage and education; tightly honed research allowed grassroots organizers to tailor messaging to such individual worries.

In addition, a far-flung network of supportive organizations made it easier to reach particular demographics, such as Catholics or conservatives.

“We made the decision that we were going to focus our energy on organizing supportive Republicans,” says Jill Barkley, marriage project coordinator for the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. Following a mid-July press conference announcing the formation of Republicans United

for Marriage, Barkley says she “could literally feel a sea change.” The group also filmed a television advertisement featuring pro-marriage GOP state legislator Stacey Fitts (who voted against the legislative measure in 2009, but came around by 2012), to capitalize on “the positive impact of having a Republican messenger.”

The data-driven campaign extended all the way to election night, McTighe adds. That evening, the pro-marriage team was able to compare, in real time, county-by-county results as compared to 2009. They were able to see that “even in places where we were losing, the margins of defeat were shrinking so dramatically” from what they were three years ago. Which is why, around 10:30 pm, during a live radio interview, McTighe recalls feeling confident enough to say: “At this point it’s a question of when we call it, not if.”

It was a long time coming. EqualityMaine executive director Betsy Smith notes that “we began working on marriage in 2006,” when organizers laid the foundation for the unsuccessful 2009 campaign. But despite previous setbacks, Smith claims to have maintained a positive outlook throughout election season.

“I felt hopeful for the duration of the campaign,” she says, “because I knew that the work Continued on p 20

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Maine’s saMe-sex couples get a new Year’s present Happy new Year, indeed. on november 6, mainers united for marriage celebrated as our state became the first to use a popular election to allow committed samesex couples to receive a marriage license. on monday, advocates cheered again, when they heard that the law would formally take effect on December 29.

“Well, we didn’t know if this would happen before the new year, but we’re thrilled!” exclaimed Jill Barkley, marriage project coordinator for the american Civil Liberties union of maine. “What better way to welcome 2013 than with full equality for samesex couples in maine?” the date of December 29 is “a little earlier than expected,” according to David Farmer, who served as the pro-marriage campaign’s spokesman. the Secretary of State had 20 days to certify the election results, Governor Paul LePage had 10 days after that to sign off, and the law is scheduled to take effect 30 days later. of course, there’s one little hiccup: December 29 happens to be a Saturday, on the weekend before new Year’s eve. How many government bureaucrats are going to be around just then remains to be seen.

Portland has already announced that the City Clerk’s office will be open at 12:01 am on December 29 for three hours, until 3:01 am. (anyone in line then will be served, we’re promised.) at least one notary public will be available to perform marriages, in addition to workers who can handle the paperwork for those who wish to get married elsewhere. the office will be closed on Sunday as usual, and open monday, December 31 from 9 am to 4:30 pm. then it’s closed for new Year’s Day, and reopens for a normal schedule on Wednesday, January 2. other towns and cities are expected to announce their own schedules to accommodate demand. regardless of the timing, here’s how same-sex marriage licensing will work (hint: it’s exactly the same as when heterosexual couples decide to tie the knot). maine residents must get an application form from the clerk of the town where either party resides; the couple must then have the marriage “solemnized” by an authorized officiant (such as a judge, notary public, lawyer, or ordained minister) within 90 days. no blood test is required in maine. Documentation and fees vary from town to town. the certified marriage certificate can then be used to change your surname with the Social Security administration and the maine Bureau of motor Vehicles. Same-sex couples from out-of-state may also get married in maine. as stated in the law, no clergy can be forced to perform a marriage to which they object, nor is any religious institution obliged to host such a ceremony on their premises. this exclusion does not apply to individuals doing business with the public nor to government officials and institutions. according to a 20-page informational packet prepared by the Boston-based Gay and Lesbian advocates and Defenders, “entering into the status of ‘married’ will affect

f

Continued from p 18

we were doing was really changing hearts and minds. On a more micro-level, I participated in lots of those one-on-one conversations and I knew that people were grappling with it, and then going on a journey, and then coming out the other side.”

But not everyone was so confident.

“I spent much of Election Day personally convinced that we weren’t going to cross the finish line,” Barkley says, attributing her pessimism to the lingering trauma of 2009’s defeat. “I wasn’t alone in that; a lot of my colleagues were also fearful. We had done all this work — again — and the idea that we could fall short was almost debilitating.”

When the news came down, “I was shocked” Barkley recalls. “I didn’t believe it. I was so elated, so, so happy. I feel emotional just talking about it now.”

My own notes from that night are barely legible; blame it on the cocktails I drank to ease my

many aspects of your public and private life. it is uniquely challenging for same-sex couples at this time since the federal government, many states and even private entities disrespect these marital commitments.” GLaD advises couples to consider issues like adoption (some foreign countries don’t allow same-sex couples to adopt), prenuptial agreements (in maine, a spouse cannot completely disinherit the other spouse unless such a signed agreement exists), and eligibility for various federal programs (1138 federal laws pertain to marriage; some rights and protections will still not be available to gay couples). now is not the time, however, to muddle through red tape. as Betsy Smith, executive director of equality maine, points out, new Year’s eve is a time for partying, for celebration — perhaps even more so, this year. “it’s a day of out with the old, and in with the new,” she says. “it’s quite perfect.” _DF

election-jangled nerves. But of this I am completely certain: The energy in the ballroom at the Holiday Inn by the Bay was absolutely electric, becoming more so as the hours ticked by.

It wasn’t official until a few minutes before midnight, when McTighe took the stage flanked by equality warriors including Smith, Mary Bonauto of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, Shenna Bellows of the ACLU of Maine, longtime gay-rights advocate and Portland attorney Pat Peard, and many others.

“We have finally won the freedom to marry,” he said, and the room exploded. There were tears and marriage proposals and smiles so big they engulfed people’s faces. There was a sense of redemption and of new possibilities.

To that end, Smith reminds us that EqualityMaine is “not just a marriage organization, we are an LGBT organization.” There are other battles to be waged, on different fronts. Early next year, EqualityMaine, along with the many

stakeholders who were involved in the fight for same-sex marriage rights, will begin planning to figure out future priorities.

Meanwhile, advocates in other states where same-sex marriage is not permitted will try to capture the momentum demonstrated in Maine, Maryland, Washington, and Minnesota on Election Day. Fortunately, “everything we did in Maine is stuff that can be replicated elsewhere,” McTighe says.

And it’s not just the high-tech data-diving that should serve as a model.

“Maine voters chose freedom over fear,” ACLU of Maine executive director Shenna Bellows said in a press release on election night. “Our work continues, but this win confirms that one-on-one conversations with friends and neighbors can effect statewide change. This victory was grounded in courage and freedom of speech by thousands of people who dared to tell their personal stories over and over again.” ^

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Marriage could Mean windfall Financial preparation For DoMa’s DeMise _by Ma r c M e w s h a w

F

With 2012 being widely hailed as a banner year for gay rights, the biggest breakthrough may be yet to come. Recent legal developments have kindled hope that the federal Defense of Marriage Act, a/k/a DOMA, will be overturned in the near future. Not only would that strike a blow for equal rights and basic human decency — it would also have far-reaching financial implications for married same-sex couples.

In June, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York ruled section 3 of the 1996 law — the part that defines marriage as a union between a man and woman — unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This was the second time that a federal appellate court invalidated DOMA, and the case is expected to go before the Supreme Court in early 2013. The Department of Justice has already signaled it won’t defend the law’s constitutionality, leading many to predict the highest court in the land will pronounce DOMA void ab initio — void from the outset.

Currently, the federal government doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages for legal and tax purposes.

According to Janis Cowhey McDonagh, a partner at Marcum LLP in New York and a specialist in the firm’s national LGBT and non-traditional family practice, the overturning of DOMA will change that.

Same-sex marriages considered legal by states will be respected on the federal level as well.

In practical terms, this means that for the first time gay couples will be able to file joint tax returns and take advantage of all the deductions and credits granted to traditional families, potentially saving them thousands of dollars a year in taxes.

But the good news doesn’t end there. DOMA’s demise would be retroactive. Same-sex couples previously denied federal income and estate tax deductions available to heterosexual couples will suddenly qualify for refunds of overpayments dating back to 2009.

This would apply to couples who were married in a state where same-sex marriage is sanctioned, and reside in a state that recognizes that union.

Sadly, Maine may not be one of them. Gay couples here are unlikely to be entitled to refunds even when Question 1 takes effect, according to Bruce Bell, manager of the legal info line at Boston-based gay legal rights organization Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders. “The federal government normally looks to state law to determine whether people have to ability to file married,” he says.

“Because Maine hasn’t considered same-sex marriages legal, those couples won’t be able to file for back returns as married.”

But that may not be the last word on Maine. This is an emerging area of law that may only be settled by further litigation.

For that reason, McDonagh recommends that all married gay couples file what’s known as a protective tax refund claim.

Individuals typically have three years to file for a refund from the IRS. A protective claim locks in your right to a refund beyond that three-year statute of limitations, if the basis for your claim hangs on the outcome of a court case that has yet to be heard. In other words, if a decision on DOMA isn’t handed down for another year, your right to claim a refund on taxes going back to 2009 will be preserved, even though the statute of limitations will have expired.

For same-sex couples who filed as singles within the past three years and want to amend their returns, the clock is ticking. Those who filed their 2009 taxes on April 15, 2010, for example, will have until April 15, 2013 to file a protective claim.

That said, completing these claims on your own can be tricky. For that reason, McDonagh urges anyone considering a protective claim to consult a tax advisor.

An advisor can also help you determined if filing a protective claim is worth the trouble.

“When it comes to federal income tax, you need to take a step back and take a look — if we had filed married, would we have saved money?” says McDonagh. “Not necessarily.” Couples most likely to see large windfalls on refunded income tax are those in which there’s a significant income disparity between partners. Those

who earn about the same may not be owed anything. (Note that DOMA is strictly a federal issue, and its overturning would have no bearing on state taxes.)

Where DOMA’s repeal could have the biggest impact is estate tax. The current situation is a discriminatory shambles: the surviving spouses in a traditional couple can inherit their deceased partner’s estates tax-free, whereas spouses in a same-sex couple don’t qualify for that marital exemption. For them, estates are treated as gifts. On any amount transferred in excess of $5.12 million, they face a 35-percent tax. (In 2009, the exemption was $3.5 million and the gift tax rate was 45 percent).

If DOMA falls, same-sex spouses would have grounds for a refund on estate taxes they paid at the time of their loved one’s death. “That can be quite the large sum because it’s the difference between paying nearly 50 percent and nothing [on an estate],” says McDonagh.

In fact, the decision handed down by the Court of Appeals in New York centered on dispute over estate tax. The case was brought by the ACLU on behalf of Edith Windsor, who married her partner, Thea Spyer in Toronto on 2007. The couple resided in New York state, which recognized their union. Spyer died in 2009, leaving her assets to Windsor. Because Windsor was unable to claim a marital deduction, she faced a $363,000 tax bill that she wouldn’t have had to pay if she had the legal rights of a surviving spouse. The judge in the case ordered the IRS to pay Windsor back in full, and declared Section 3 unconstitutional.

If the Supreme Court upholds that decision, all right-thinking Americans will share in Edith Windsor’s victory. ^

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