Thursday, Aug. 06, 2009
Catching Up
I've been in a major cleaning mood lately, part by necessity and part by a compulsion to make my life and surroundings simpler. My friends have even jokingly called me Niecy Nash (comedian and host of Style Network's “Clean House”) as I've literally transformed my condo in an effort to put it on the market. Time to get out the yard sale signs, do some remodel and trade up.
This cleaning frenzy has even carried over into my office, although it would be hard to tell by looking at my desk right now. Over the past few months I've reported on promising gay marriage victories and a few losses, a hate crimes bill that seems destined to soon reach the President's desk, the hopefully end-is-in-sight of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” for the U.S. military, and other gay news topics. The past few months have been exciting, to say the least, in the LGBT news arena. Unfortunately, however, many stories get pushed aside each week.
So here are some of those stories, which deserve a mention but have unfortunately fallen by the wayside:
turbo team
Back in February, S.C. Equality announced that it would be pulling together a group of leaders from across the state to execute a six-month work project to move several equality efforts forward. In a statement released last month from S.C. Equality, executive director C. Ray Drew said, “Although there is considerable work still to do, the Turbo Team helped S.C. Equality make significant progress.”
The team has organized “Opening Doors” forums to be held in Charlotte and Columbia in the fall. The “Opening Doors” campaign will be a series of dialogues among faith-based leaders, particularly in the African-American community to help break down the barriers that exist between those communities and the LGBT community. A meeting with the Charleston mayor is now scheduled to discuss a Human Rights Ordinance, similar to the one passed in Columbia making LGBT discrimination in public accommodations and housing illegal. Fundraising efforts have proven effective according to Drew. “‘Give Every Month’donations have more than doubled, and major donors have contributed several thousand dollars per month," and S.C. Equality has held 14 house (fundraising) parties across the state.
So far the group has completed 150 days of work for the organization and the upcoming year is looking promising. For more information, visit www.scequality.org.
the difference a year makes
"We're so gay? Nah. Wrong . . . wrong . . . wrong state," a South Carolina resident told a reporter for WCBD News of Charleston about this time last year. In case you forgot, S.C. Governor Mark Sanford and other state officials objected to state funds being spent on promoting South Carolina as a gay tourist destination last year, through the now infamous ads which read "South Carolina is so gay" placed by AMRO Worldwide in London's metro stations during London Pride Week.
Well this year, in a history-making move the Richland County Council, which includes Columbia and Fort Jackson, voted to sponsor S.C. Pride 2009 through an Accommodations Tax Grant. That's right naysayers – state tax money is being used to fund gay tourism. The South Carolina Pride Movement announced last month that it will receive a one-time grant of $12,692 to offset the costs of marketing and promoting the S.C. Pride 2009 event as a “statewide tourism-related project,” according to a statement from the organization. And AMRO Worldwide has also signed on as a sponsor this year.
This year's event marks the 20th anniversary for the state's pride festival which will be held again in Columbia's Finlay Park on Sept. 12. Last year's event had approximately 7,000 to 8,ooo attendees, according to police estimates, and more than 75 vendors. The festival typically draws people from both Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and beyond.
marriage update
First off, same-sex couples in Wisconsin started signing up for the state's new domestic partner registry on Monday. The registry will provide more rights to same-sex couples including the extension of health care benefits, property transfers, and protection under the Wisconsin Family Medical Leave. While it will still fall short of providing same-sex couples with the protections afforded to married couples, it is a move in the right direction.
Wisconsin is the first Midwestern state to enact protections of any kind to same-sex couples through legislation. However, some are already fighting it. Members of the Wisconsin Family Action group filed suit claiming that the registry violates the state's constitutional ban on gay marriage. Wisconsin passed a statewide referendum in 2006 banning same-sex marriage and civil unions. This also makes Wisconsin the first state to have a same-sex marriage ban while legally recognizing and offering some benefits under a registry. California also has a ban on same-sex marriage now, but also offers civil unions in addition to a domestic partnership registry.
Meanwhile, a fight over marriage equality is brewing in Maine. Gay marriage opponents in the New England state have submitted petitions seeking a November referendum. Leaders of the Stand for Marriage campaign report on its Web site that 100,000 signatures have been collected in support of putting the referendum on the November ballot and that the signatures have been delivered to the Secretary of State's office to be certified.
According to Maine law, a referendum will be held if at least 55,087 signatures are certified by Sept. 4. The referendum would ask voters if the same-sex marriage law shall stand, serving as what they call the “People's Veto.” The organization claims that voting yes on this veto “protects our children from the consequences of gay marriages that have been realized in other states, such as being taught in public schools that 'same-sex marriage' is the same as traditional marriage.” Looks like the people of Maine are setting the stage for another marriage equality battle similar to what we saw in California earlier this year.
tweet tweet
Finally, you can now follow me on Twitter. Yes, I'm finally tweeting away from Surge headquarters. Go to www.twitter.com/chrisrudisill to follow me and keep up with breaking news and events from A Gay in the Life perspective.
Out & About
Friday, Aug. 7 – The Gay Professionals Happy Hour will meet from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Friday at Liberty Tap Room & Grill, 7651 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach. For more information, e-mail FirstFriday@GambleLivingston.com.
Every Sunday – Drag-ulas takes a bite out of The Afterdeck. The infamous club in Myrtle Beach known mainly for its foam parties and wet T-shirt contests is now venturing into the drag scene. Each Sunday entertainers including Kristina DeeVine, Imani Tate, Lady Minerva, Ausia Lee, Akasha Tate & Canovia Laré will perform at 10 p.m. and midnight every Sunday. Cover charge is $5 before 9 p.m. and $10 after. The Afterdeck is located at 9719 N. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. For more information, call 449-1550.
Till next week, have fun and be safe.
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