Box Turtle Bulletin

Dallas County Overturns Condom Distribution Ban

Dallas County, Texas — yes, that famously conservative Dallas — has voted to overturn a 14-year-old ban on county health care workers distributing free condoms. Republican Maurine Dickey joining Democrats Jim Foster and John Wiley Price, to overturn the ban on a 3-2 Tuesday morning.

Republican Commissioners Kenneth Mayfield and Mike Cantrell, both of whom supported the ban in 1995, voted against overturning it, saying they feared it could lead to condoms being distributed in schools. But Dickey, who wasn’t on the court in 1995, said she was more concerned about the high cost of treating people with HIV/AIDS.

According to a report prepared by the county’s Health and Human Services Department, which recommended overturning the ban, the lifetime cost to treat someone with HIV is more than $600,000. “I think we need to put the taxpayers first,” [Commissioner Maurine] Dickey said. “If we prevent two people from getting AIDS in Dallas County, we will have saved over $1 million of the taxpayers money.

Utah Gay and Lesbian Ski Weekend Victim to Prop 8

Normally gay and lesbian ski bunnies would have been shooshing down the slopes in Park City, Utah this past weekend. But organizers had to cancel the event. (Park City Utah’s Park Record”

One of the ski week’s organizers, John Harriot, a bisexual who lives in West Hollywood, Calif., said six people had registered for the trip. Approximately 50 would have signed up beforehand in a typical year, and 150 or so people would have attended.

While a reduction in participation might reflect a downturn in the economy, a full scale abandment of the trip of this sort can only been understood to be a reaction to Mormon support for Proposition 8. And more than most activism, this reduction suggests to me that there has been a fundamental core change in the gay community.

It is fairly easy to get gay bars, gay businesses, or gay organizations to join a community endeavor. But like any demographic, its much harder to get individuals to change their life habits. And when you’re taking away someone’s ski trip, you really need to be convincing.

But the passage of Proposition 8 changed us.

Barack Obama Was For Same-Sex Marriage Before He Was Against It

During Barack Obama’s 2008 run for the White House, he was asked at the HRC/Logo forum about his position on same-sex marriage. His responses went like this:

…I am a strong supporter not of a weak version of civil unions, but of a strong version, in which the rights that are conferred at the federal level to persons who are part of the same sex union are compatible. When it comes to federal rights, the over 1,100 rights that right now are not being given to same sex couples, I think that’s unacceptable, and as president of the United States, I am going to fight hard to make sure that those rights are available.

…

My view is that we should try to disentangle what has historically been the issue of the word “marriage,” which has religious connotations to some people, from the civil rights that are given to couples, in terms of hospital visitation, in terms of whether or not they can transfer property or Social Security benefits and so forth. …  I…would continue to support a civil union that provides all the benefits that are available for a legally sanctioned marriage. And it is then, as I said, up to religious denominations to make a determination as to whether they want to recognize that as marriage or not.

Generally, he was supportive of what he called “strong civil unions,” but he did not want to call a same-sex union a marriage. Even though he opposed Prop 8, his reluctance to address marriage directly gave Prop 8 supporters an opening to mischaracterize his position to African-American and other voters in California.

But there was a time however when Obama felt differently and wasn’t afraid to say so. In a Windy City Timeshas a special inaugural edition, they combed through their archives for material from Obama’s 1996 Illinois State Senate race.

The first item from their archives was a questionnaire sent to Obama by IMPACT, which was Chicago’s main LGBT political action committee. On question 7 of the questionnaire, IMPACT asked about same-sex marriage in the state of Illinois. Obama’s answer went like this (his handwritten answer in boldface):

7. Do you endorse the Marriage Resolution, a statement to of support for the right of same-gender individuals to marry:

Because marriage is a basic human right and an individual personal choise.

RESOLVED, the state should not interfere with same-gender couples who chose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitment of civil marriage.

…

I would support such a resolution.

During the same campaign, the Outlines newspaper (which later merged with Windy City Times) sent a questionnaire as well. Obama’s typewritten response to question three was more direct:

I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages

By the time then-State Sen. Obama was running for the U.S. Senate however, his position shifted. In a 2004 interview with Windy City Times, his answer morphed into the one which is familiar today:

I am a fierce supporter of domestic- partnership and civil-union laws. I am not a supporter of gay marriage as it has been thrown about, primarily just as a strategic issue.

I think that marriage, in the minds of a lot of voters, has a religious connotation. I know that’s true in the African-American community, for example. And if you asked people, ‘should gay and lesbian people have the same rights to transfer property, and visit hospitals, and et cetera,’ they would say, ‘absolutely.’ And then if you talk about, ‘should they get married?’, then suddenly …

…

What I’m saying is that strategically, I think we can get civil unions passed. I think we can get SB 101 passed. I think that to the extent that we can get the rights, I’m less concerned about the name. And I think that is my No. 1 priority, is an environment in which the Republicans are going to use a particular language that has all sorts of connotations in the broader culture as a wedge issue, to prevent us moving forward, in securing those rights, then I don’t want to play their game.

In 2008, there was no mention of his position on same-sex marriage as being a “strategic” position. That part of his answer has been dropped altogether. Otherwise, his message has been consistent since 2004. But it’s sadly a far cry from where he first started.

Unions Support Overturning Proposition 8

The efforts to overturn Proposition 8 on constitutional grounds has been joined by California’s labor representatives:

More than 50 labor organizations, including United Healthcare Workers and the California Labor Federation, will file amicus brief in lawsuits to overturn ban on same-sex marriage.

The listing of participating parties is impressive. And while I’m not particularly shocked by the support from the Screen Actors Guild or the Association of Flight Attendants, I’m happy to see ironworkers, cement masons, and teamsters giving their support to our cause as well.

Kalamazoo City Council Rescinds Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, Vows To Try Again In February

We were very excited last month to learn that the Kalamazoo, Michigan, city commission voted unanimously to expand their anti-discrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation. But right away, the American Family Association of Michigan responded by announcing an effort to repeal the entire ordinance.

Well, last night after the AFA Michigan submitted petitions with 1,600 signatures, the commission voted 7-0 to rescind the law rather than have it go before the voters. Commissioner Stephanie Minor said, “We knew it would be rescinded on the basis that we were going to come back, reconvene, look at the ordinance and strengthen it, clarify it, and bring it back before the commission to bring it back.” The commission hopes to have a retooled ordinance back for a vote in February. Stay tuned.

Marriage Equality Bill Introduced in Maine House

From an Equality Maine press release:

At a State House press conference today, EqualityMaine and several coalition partners unveiled a bill that would extend civil marriage rights to same-sex couples in Maine.

The bill, titled “An Act to Prevent Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom,” is sponsored by Sen. Dennis Damon (D-Hancock).

Reaching Communities: What You Can Do Today

Much energy has been expended in the past few days in debating and discussing the conflicts and issues where race and sexual orientation overlap. And it is my hope that this discussion yields action rather than reaction and resolve rather than blame.

As I’ve said in prior commentary, I believe “do nothing, say nothing” is an ineffective and nonproductive choice. However, finger-pointing and grudge-holding is foolish and more counterproductive than playing Three Wise Monkeys. It does us no good to identify communities (whether ethnic, religious, or geographic) in which we do not enjoy voter support if we then do nothing but feel good that we are not part of that demographic.

Many of us may not “speak the language”, know the culture, or have the connections necessary to bring about change in communities other than that in which we live. But we each have the power to support those who do have the language, culture, and connection to bring about a greater understanding of the concerns of gay men and women.

The following is a small selection of groups who are dedicated to working in specific populations to build bridges and work for equality. This is not by any means a comprehensive list, and I am not endorsing any of them.

But these that have come to my attention as groups that work in communities that may be beyond the abilities of many of our readers to reach. And I believe that these organizations could make a difference in changing the perspectives of their communities.

Ethnic Communities
One organization that I’ve noticed is the National Black Justice Coalition. And when their name has come up it seems to be linked to successes in bringing about inclusion and breaking down barriers.

Their website states

The National Black Justice Coalition is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black same-gender-loving, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The Coalition works with our communities and our allies for social justice, equality, and an end to racism and homophobia. NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender-identity or sexual orientation.

If you would like to financially contribute to NBJC, you may do so here. And guess what, folks, you don’t have to be black to support an end to racism and homophobia.

(I’ve not yet identified effective national organizations whose purpose is bridge building with Hispanic, Asian, or other significant ethnic voting blocks).

Religious Adherents
Those who attend conservative churches are often exposed to language that is dismissive, demonizing, or factually inaccurate. And efforts by gay organizations to discourage religion-based homophobia are seen as an attack on Christianity.

SoulForce, due to the history and religious affiliation of its members, often has access to even the most vitriolic of fire and brimstone mega-preachers. I am especially impressed by the bridges built by their Equality Ride program.

Click to contribute to SoulForce or Equality Ride.

There is one other denomination-specific group that I think needs some attention. By all reports, Mormons were instrumental in the financing, organization, and footwork of the Yes on 8 and Yes on 102 Campaigns.

Affirmation is primarily focused on providing emotional and spiritual support for gay men and women who were raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. However, they do seek within the church hierarchy to encourage policies that are less hostile and to open lines of communication. If the Mormon Church is to take a less aggressive role in the attack on gay equality, it may well come as a result of the efforts of Affirmation.

To help them in this work, you may contribute here.

Republicans
Log Cabin Republicans is a controversial organization.

Some gay people see them as an enemy or an enabler or as a group that seeks to make excuses and provide cover for anti-gay Republicans. And those on all sides can quickly become quite heated in the debate. I am not bringing up Log Cabin so that commenters may rail one way or the other on whether it is ever acceptable for gay people to be registered as Republicans (and will delete comments that seek to hijack the thread).

But there are some hard facts that our community must face. And one is that the Republican Party is not going anywhere soon and that there are many many elected Republicans in very powerful positions.

Further, our community needs to acknowledge that elected Republicans are not easily swayed by lobbying from those organizations that are perceived as an unofficial arm of the Democratic Party. And many gay lobbyists that I’ve experienced have difficulty speaking with a vocabulary that does not immediately raise alarm and opposition among elected Republicans.

Like it or not, folks, the gay community has one vehicle of access to Republicans. We are not going to win Republican support without them, and they have not been without their successes. Looking at the voting on much of our nation’s gay rights legislation will show that quite often it has been Republican support that added the votes necessary to pass laws that have been vital to the needs of our community. We must keep a voice on the inside of the Republican Party.

I have my doubts about the effectiveness of Log Cabin’s efforts to defeat Proposition 8. But I will give them credit that in the campaign they saw a lack of targeted message and tried to speak directly to those whom they hoped to influence.

If you would like to contribute to their efforts at reaching and influencing Republicans, you may contribute here.

There are, no doubt, a great many more communities we could reach or organizations we could support. If I’ve not listed one you care to support, find one you can. Don’t forget the organizations that have already achieved some support in their communities, but please give some financial assistance to those who may be fighting for your rights in communities that are less receptive.

Heterosexual Menace: Exodus 21:7 Returns

In today’s verse we read this in Exodus 21:7-11, in which God himself told Moses:

“If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as menservants do. If she does not please the master who has selected her for himself, he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, because he has broken faith with her. If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter. If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights. If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.

In today’s news, we read:

Police have arrested a Greenfield [California] man for allegedly arranging to sell his 14-year-old daughter into marriage in exchange for $16,000, 100 cases of beer and several cases of meat. Police say they only learned of the deal after 36-year-old Marcelino de Jesus Martinez went to them to get his daughter back because payment wasn’t made as promised. Martinez was arrested Sunday on suspicion of human trafficking.

Officers also arrested 18-year-old Margarito de Jesus Galindo on suspicion of statutory rape. Investigators believe the girl went willingly with Galindo, but she’s under California’s legal age of consent and can’t legally marry. Police say arranged marriages involving underage girls have become a problem in this small Central Coast farming community.

Now you see, if de Jesus had only followed the Biblical model and paid the man, he wouldn’t be in trouble with the police right now.

You can read more examples of the heterosexual menace here, and in our report, “The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing the Myths.”

[Hat tip: Homer]

Ted Haggard Is Okay With Same-Sex Marriage…

…Except when his people call back an hour later to say he’s not.

The San Francisco Chronicle’s Joe Garofoli was talking with Ted Haggard last week about an HBO documentary, about his fall from grace. That documentary, “The Trials of Ted Haggard,” which will premiere on January 29, documents the rise and fall of one of American’s Evangelical leaders in a scandal of gay sex and methamphetamines.

As Garofoli explains it, he and Haggard were talking about his former church and how they could have used his fall from grace as an example on preaching forgiveness. He also said that he thought the church is blowing other opportunities to reach out in other areas:

“I think we’re blowing it right here in California with the No. 1 way evangelical believers are communicating their belief are things like Prop. 8,” Haggard told The Chronicle Friday.

…

“I think the government should recognize the union between people whether they’re gay or not in whatever the language they choose, whether they call it a marriage or a civil union, it’s up to them. If the government is going to be in the business of recognizing people grouped together as couples, then they need to that across the board. It’s a big change for me.”

“It’s not a change in my view of civil liberties. I’ve always believed this. It’s a change in semantics. I’m saying prior to the crisis, I would defend marriage as the sacred term for the church to use for heterosexual monogamous couples. Now I’ve broadened that and said it’s not worth having a war over the definition of a word. I believe that under civil law people should be respected. And it should be equality under the law. So either the government needs to get out of recognizing that couples are together and make everybody file the same tax returns, etc. Or they need to recognize all of them. I don’t think it’s wise for the government to separate based on what goes on in a person’s bedroom.”

Sounds great, right? Except an hour later an HBO publicity person called. Haggard wanted to clarify that he wasn’t saying he was for gay marriage.

Haggard recently acknowledged that “I have struggled and continue to struggle from time to time with same sex attraction.” How sad. He is struggling all over the place between what he thinks and what he knows.

A man divided against himself cannot stand.

Huckabee vs. Coulter: “I’m More Anti-Gay Than You”

This is what the far right has sunk to: who is more anti-gay?

Is it any wonder that nine out of ten nine-Evangelicals think Christianity is “too anti-homosexual” — and 80% of Christians of all stripes agree?

But this kind of debate is going on as a man who says out loud that being gay is a “compulsion” like kleptomania and likens gays to barnyard animals is running to head the Republican Party. At least he appears to be pulling ahead of Chip “Barack the Magic Negro” Saltsman for the time being. Meanwhile, the Log Cabin Republicans are in serious financial straits, which means that the one Republican voice for gay issues will be weaker in 2009.

The self-destruction of the Grand Old Party continues.

Belated Congratulations, Norwegians

I don’t know how I forgot to mention this earlier this month, but on January 1, 2009, Norway became the sixth nation to offer marriage equality nationwide.

Netherlands – 2001
Belgium – 2003
Canada – 2005
Spain – 2005
South Africa – 2006
Norway – 2009

Second Gay Employee Fired From Tennessee Hotel

There’s a follow-up to the story of David Hill’s firing from the Artee Hotel in Brentwood, Tennessee. The hotel’s owner, Tarun Surti, had Hill fired when he found out Hill was gay. The Assistant General Manager, Leonard Stoddard, did the firing as ordered by Surti, and explained what happened to the local media. In the process, we learned that Stoddard was also gay, and that he expected to be fired as well.

Today we learn that other shoe dropped. Stoddard was terminated via email on Thursday. Surti wrote that Stoddard was fired because he alledgedly lied to the media about Hill’s termination. Stoddard and Hill plan on picketing outside the hotel on Saturday, January 17 at 9:00 a.m.

Peterson Toscano: Why I went Ex-Gay

Peterson Toscano has been thinking lately about some conversations he had last October with other ex-gay survivors about why they tried the ex-gay route. In an email, Peterson further shared:

In sharing ex-gay survivor narratives, I see the importance of digging up the many non-religious reasons people go ex-gay. For too long Focus on the Family, Exodus, etc, have been hiding behind a religious curtain. Similarly many ex-gays and former ex-gays I meet express that their ONLY reason for going ex-gay was their faith. Warren Throckmorton capitalizes on this sort of thing claiming that the struggle is an incongruence between faith and sexuality, when in reality for many it is primarily a conflict between society and sexuality.

Here’s Peterson in his own words:

Anti-Marriage Amendment To Be Introduced In Indiana

We were tipped to this press release from the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund announcing a press conference on a proposed anti-marriage amendment for Indiana. State Reps. P. Eric Turner (R-Marion) and Dave Cheatham (D-North Vernon) are listed as co-sponsors for the amendment during for the current General Assembly session. Also participating at the press conference are unnamed representatives from the Family Research Council and the Indiana Family Institute.

[Hat tip: Mike]

Ken Blackwell: “Homosexuality Is A Compulsion”

That’s what the former Ohio Secretary of State told Michelangelo Signorile during an interview at last September’s Republican National Convention:

MS: But you realize people were insulted when you compared [homosexuality] to arson and kleptomania. I would like you to explain that because, how does that get into this whole “choice” issue? I mean, kleptomania is a compulsion.

KB: Well, the fact is, you can choose to restrain that compulsion. And so I think in fact you don’t have to give in to the compulsion to be homosexual. I think that’s been proven in case after case after case…

…

KB: If in fact you would feel better for me to say to you that, one, I believe homosexuality is a compulsion that can be contained, repressed or changed, and that makes you feel better, then that is what I’m saying in the clearest of terms.

Blackwell is now in the running to become the Republican Party’s chairman with the blessing of fellow ardent anti-gay conservatives, including Focus On the Family’s James Dobson and the Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins. Ohio’s GOP all but collapsed in 2006 with Blackwell as the standard-bearer. He’s been largely absent from Ohio politics since then. They say “As goes Ohio, so goes the nation.” Republicans may discover that this saying applies to their party as well.