Traditional Marriage-From the Bible
This video focuses on what “traditional” marriage really means. In the name of “tradition” women were denied personal freedom and personal rights for thousands of years. Women only started gaining equality in the last 100 years or so. The video leaves out any reference to interracial couples though, who until the 1960s were not allowed to get married. Read more
QTalk Arizona Labor Day 2010
Joe and I talk about all the gay goings on this weekend and this month in Phoenix.
First Monday with One Community, First Friday downtown, The Room at Madcap Theater in Tempe, Mink Stole and Peaches Christ in town for the Phoenix debut of All About Evil, the 2010 AIDS walk, Rainbows Festival, Sedona Pride and more! So much to do!
AIDS Walk 2010 on qTalk Arizona
This week on qTalk Arizona Joe talks to Kirk Baxter, the founder of Body Positive and the chair of the Phoenix AIDS walk.
The AIDS Walk is the first weekend in October and coincides with the Rainbows Festival. I walked in the AIDS Walk last year on Barbra Seville’s Wonderful 100 team. We also raised the most money! Hooray!
I also report on all the things going on this weekend: the opening of Bliss ReBAR on 4th St and Roosevelt, the Summer Chill event at the District to kick off the fundraising for the AIDS Walk, the Downtown Cool Down at the San Carlos pool and more!
Lost in a Rainbow
I saw this YouTube video at a party on Saturday. At first I was all, “stoo-pid!” but that’s only because I can be bitchy and quick to judgement (despite my best efforts). Anyways, the point is, this video is breathtaking.
I think it is one of the most enchanting YouTube videos I’ve seen lately, layered with symbolism and meaning. Read more
Candidates Endorsed by Equality Arizona
If you’re a reader of my blog you probably know where I stand on local political issues. While I don’t presume to tell anyone how or whom they should vote for I have no problem posting the names of the candidates endorsed by Equality Arizona. Read more
Fight Back
A long list of celebrities are lending their talents and money to Fight Back New York. The focus is to raise money to defeat anti-equality senators in New York, targeting both Democrats and Republicans. (The GLBT community needs to re think its relationship with the Democrats. I’m working on a post about this topic, fyi.) Read more
Sam Wercinski on qTalk Arizona
This week on qTalk Joe interviews Sam Wercinski who is running for secretary of state.
He hopes to be the last secretary of state. Let me explain.
The Arizona constitution designates the secretary of state as next in line to replace the governor. This is what happened in 2009 when our elected governor Janet Napolitano left Arizona to work for Barack Obama.
But when she left, the Never-Elected-Governor Jan Brewer, a right-wing kook, became governor. The succession changed the party in power from Democratic to Republican.
Sam Wercinski wants to fix this by eliminating the secretary of state position in place of a lieutenant governor. If this measure passes, then starting in the 2014 election governor and lieutenant governor candidates would be nominated separately, but elected as a ticket. (This is most states do it. This list is helpful.) The lieutenant governor would still have the same duties as the secretary of state, but this change would eliminate the drastic shifts in power at the top level of government.
You can listen to the interview on the qTalk website or iTunes.
Arizona to appeal ruling on domestic partner benefits
This doesn’t really come as a surprise. Arizona is appealing the ruling from U.S. District Judge John Sedwick which prevented the state of Arizona from enacting HB2013, the law that changed the eligibility requirements for health insurance benefits to deny coverage to domestic partners. (I wrote about it here.)
Paul Senseman, a spokesman for the Never-Elected-Governor Jan Brewer said, “We are appealing the preliminary injunction because we disagree with the federal court’s initial injunction ruling and we believe the Legislature has the ultimate authority to make state-employee-benefit decisions,”
Isn’t that cute, Brewer still thinks she gets to do whatever the hell she wants and that her signature on a bill makes the law untouchable. Read more
Judge Vaughn Walker- American Hero
I think it’s important to put a face to the people in the world who shape our lives. Read more
New QTalk Arizona Podcast with Felecia Rotellini
I contribute to the podcast qTalk Arizona. I let everyone know the goings on in Phoenix and elsewhere in about 3 minutes.
In this episode, Joe interviews Felecia Rotellini who’s running for Attorney General.
Scenes from the Phoenix Prop 8 Rally
Over 100 people gathered at Caesar Chavez Park in downtown Phoenix on Wednesday, August 4th and heaved a sigh of relief. The last couple years have been rough on the GLBT community.
But we saw our constitutional system of government at work. Judge Vaughn Walker wrote in his ruling, “Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.” Read more
Thank You Mormon Church for Making Gay Marriage Legal! (Almost)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Mormon Church. Yes, thank the Mormon Church for being such a great ally in the fight for marriage equality. Read more
Prop 8 Unconstitutional
Judge Vaughn Walker, an appointee of George H.W. Bush, released his decision- Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.
He said, “Moral disapproval alone is an improper basis on which to deny rights to gay men and lesbians…”
But we already knew that. Now we have a federal court saying the same thing. The ruling is a wonderful affirmation of civil rights and civil liberties, but it’s only the first step forward in the long road ahead. The full ruling can be read here.
The opponents of same-sex marriage plan to appeal to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the case is expected to reach the Supreme Court by 2011 or 2012.
The Courage Campaign has done great work tracking and fighting Prop 8 in California. Click here to donate and help fight against the forthcoming right-wing attacks.
And click here to send a quick Thank You note to the plaintiffs in the case.
Prop 8 Day of Decision
Today is a big day. U.S. Chief Judge Vaughn Walker will hand down his ruling this afternoon, deciding if there is a fundamental right to marriage for GLBT citizens guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.
This is history in the making as it is the first time a federal court will have ruled on the rights of GLBT citizens to marry. Come join the rally in Phoenix, let your voice be heard and demand Constitutional rights, no matter what the ruling is.
If you have more questions about Prop 8, check out this concise and informative Prop 8 FAQ
4 August 2010 -5:30 – 8:00pm
Cesar Chavez Plaza
201 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
The Queen, Lady Gaga
It was prophesied that one would come forward in our time to fight for equality and justice, a Queen who would unite the kingdom of the disenfranchised and the oppressed. The prophecy came true in 2008 with the accession of Lady Gaga into our collective consciousness and by 2009 the new Queen reigned supreme. Last night she graced Phoenix with her Monster Ball Tour and I saw her Majesty with my own eyes.
But all was not well in the kingdom. A divisive voice demanded Lady Gaga boycott Arizona because of a law that the wicked witch of Arizona imposed on the inhabitants. But Lady Gaga in her wisdom knew that fighting for equality and justice requires solidarity, not boycotts. Read more
