Screaming Tom

2009-03-25T22:55:00.002-05:00

Notice of Niceness

from Tom Dempsey

After much consideration, I have decided to be a nicer person in the future to a few groups and people I have held a grudge against over the years. Such activities are counter-productive to maintaining a cohesive community - and I do want the LGBT communities to advance and succeed. It is also a disservice to the community.

In the future, I will be more receptive to Outwrite Bookstore, Philip Rafshoon and Atlanta Pride in Atlanta. I will also post Human Rights Campaign information for readers without comment.

The strict use of LGBT over GLBT will be relaxed to some degree. I prefer LGBT but some cases warrant the lesser used initalism.

So a truce has been called by me.

Unfortunately, Ray Hom, Margie Archer (the Harchers) and Donna Narducci will not be included in this notice - but I will keep my comments to a minimum.

Cheers!

Tom Dempsey
Moderator - QueerNetwork

Towleroad: Did U2 strike a deal with HRC (+ comment)

2009-02-28T21:54:00.001-06:00

[This post couldn't be more wrong! The equal sign is an universal character and it is not owned by HRC. You don't think of HRC when you do math (except for subtraction sometimes).

I have even created a logo with the symbol.

I would guess the universal symbol/logo for the LGBT community is the rainbow flag.

Towleroad is way off the mark here.

Tom Dempsey]

DID U2 STRIKE A DEAL WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN?

Because that's all I see when I look at the cover of their new album No Line on the Horizon.

It was driving me so nuts that after a while I was driven to line up those design elements to see if, in fact, the most known logo in all of gaydom is the same scale. This, kids, is when you know it's time to step away from the keyboard.

more...

http://www.towleroad.com/2009/02/did-u2-strike-a-deal-with-the-human-rights-campaign.html

2009-02-27T23:15:00.003-06:00

AIDS Burger in Paradise
Season 12

Tonsil Trouble

The boys find out that one of their friends has a very serious illness.

Elton John loses defamation case against The Guardian

2008-12-13T11:38:00.002-06:00

Elton John loses defamation case against The Guardian
By Tony Grew � December 12, 2008 - 17:48

The article mocked Sir Elton's charity work

A spoof column satirising gay star Sir Elton John was not defamatory, the High Court in London has ruled.

The singer had claimed the humourous article, by Marina Hyde, made fun of Sir Elton's charity work and joked that he held events such as the White Tie Ball for self-promotion and to meet celebrities and not to raise serious funds.

In the spoof, Sir Elton recounts singing Happy Birthday to former South African President Nelson Mandela, "I love you, you adorable, apartheid-fighting teddy bear."

Sir Elton described the "A Peek At The Diary Of �" column, published on July 5th, as having a "gratuitously offensive, nasty and snide tone."

Mr Justice Tugendhat disagreed.

At an interim judgment hearing today he said: : "the words complained of � could not be understood by a reasonable reader of the Guardian Weekend section as containing the serious allegation pleaded."

Sir Elton, who was seeking damages and an apology, was ordered to pay costs. He may appeal the judgement.

Guardian News & Media, owners of The Guardian, had argued that the article represented a satirical piece of comment rather than a factual account and made an application to strike out the factual meaning of his claim.

Guardian News & Media said in a statement: "We're sorry that Elton John lost his sense of humour over this article.

"The judge - and, we suspect all readers - saw the article for what it was; a piece of mild satire. Newspapers have published satire since the 17th century in this country: the judgment is an important recognition of the right to poke the occasional bit of fun."

more...

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9879.html

amfAR

2008-12-05T20:24:00.001-06:00

Elton John AIDS Foundation - no longer supported!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy.

Visit http://www.amfar.org and get involved!

Blades: Commercial Closet abruptly closes, dismisses director

2008-11-13T01:11:00.000-06:00

Wilke was harchered!

Read story

re: USAToday: Elton John: Where Prop 8 went wrong

2008-11-13T01:08:00.000-06:00

Question: Can people in civil partnerships visit their partner in the hospital and have the same right to information as married couples?
Answer: Yes, by going to your expensive lawyer and paying him/her to draw up papers - however, a quickie marriage in Vegas (or elsewhere) grants you that right plus over 1,100 benefits under the Constitution in a country where you pay state and US taxes - just pay the Elvis preacher a small fee. Also, that "quickie" marriage will be recognized in all 50 states under the "full faith and credit act" under the Constitution instantly. Current same-sex marriages are not afforded those rights and none cannot file jointly on there income taxes - which they pay.
Tom Dempsey
--- In QueerSouthernCalifornia@yahoogroups.com, Kathy L wrote:
>
> not to sound ignorant, but can people in civil partnerships visit their partner in the hospital and have the same right to information as married couples?

> > --- On Wed, 11/12/08, Tom Dempsey wrote:
> From: Tom Dempsey
> Subject: [QueerSouthernCalifornia] USAToday: Elton John: Where Prop 8 went wrong (+ comment)
> To: "QueerAlabama" , "QueerAtlanta" , "QueerFlorida" , "QueerGeorgia" , "QueerGulfCoast" , "QueerLouisiana" , "QueerMississippi" , "QueerNewYork" , "QueerSouthernCalifornia" , "QueerSouthFlorida"
> Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 6:34 PM

> > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks, Elton! Not helping! Separate but equal doesn't work for me.
> > Tom Dempsey

> Elton John: Where Prop 8 went wrong
> > > > NEW YORK � Sir Elton John, accompanied by his longtime partner David Furnish, had some choice words about California's Proposition 8, the ban on same-sex marriage that passed on Nov. 4.
> In December 2005, John and Furnish tied the knot in a civil partnership ceremony in Windsor, England. But, clarified the singer, "We're not married. Let's get that right. We have a civil partnership. What is wrong with Proposition 8 is that they went for marriage. Marriage is going to put a lot of people off, the word marriage."
> ...
> "I don't want to be married. I'm very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership," said John. "The word marriage, I think, puts a lot of people off. You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships."
> > more...
> http://www.usatoday .com/life/ people/2008- 11-12-elton- john_N.htm
>

On Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 8:34 PM, Tom Dempsey wrote:

Thanks, Elton! Not helping! Separate but equal doesn't work for me.

Tom Dempsey

Elton John: Where Prop 8 went wrong

NEW YORK � Sir Elton John, accompanied by his longtime partner David Furnish, had some choice words about California's Proposition 8, the ban on same-sex marriage that passed on Nov. 4.
In December 2005, John and Furnish tied the knot in a civil partnership ceremony in Windsor, England. But, clarified the singer, "We're not married. Let's get that right. We have a civil partnership. What is wrong with Proposition 8 is that they went for marriage. Marriage is going to put a lot of people off, the word marriage."

more

Re: Atlanta Marriage Protest Saturday questions

2008-11-13T01:05:00.000-06:00

I have heard there will be a candle-light vigil later this day near
Blake's. I have to wonder why anyone would plan a vigil on a minor
corner in Midtown (which is no longer the gay center of town).

I would consider the following:

1 - Mormom Family History Center across from Woodruff Park.

2 - 14th and Peachtree - a much more visible corner of Atlanta.

3 - Buford Highway and Cheshire Bridge/Lenox corner - much, much more
visible.

4 - Peachtree and Lenox Road intersection - great spot for media and
very busy.

5 - Ebenezer Baptist Church - symbolic!

5 - East Hill, Decatur, ...

So why hide a vigil on a minor "commercial" corner???

Re: Separate but Equal?

2008-10-25T21:55:00.001-05:00

--- In QueerColorado@yahoogroups.com, "coffeeaugur"
wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QSxpkLe2aA&feature=related
Now here's a question I would really like to here the answer to.

--- End forwarded message ---

I, for one, believe it is time to stop being sheeple. Why vote for a candidate who doesn't openly support gay rights? Ralph Nader and Cynthia McKinney do.

And you have to wonder if President Obama will be better - he has Sam Nunn of Georgia who killed ENDA in the 90's sitting behind him in many press conferences. Nunn may be either Secretary of Defense or Secretary of State. Not good tidings for us gays. (Howdy, neighbor!)

I believe President Clinton supported gays in the military but lost that battle. The LGB community already serves in the military when it suits the government while we sit and watch other major countries openly allow military service by the gay community. The US let transgender people serve in TV's MASH as a joke.

If I said it once, I said it a thousand times, don't be a patsy to the 2 party system we have. Stop voting for candidates who do not support our rights and let them know it is time to be taken seriously. A mass non-vote would send a strong message.

If the inch-by-inch approach is to be appreciated, don't forget the changes for the better under the last 8 year Republican administration. Sodomy laws repealed and gay marriage in three states. No Gay Holocaust here unless you count HRC's tactics.

We are on the way and I believe we will reach many goals in the next 10-15 years.

The video was unbelievably on the point and asked a great question. It also got me thinking - maybe we should start calling the anti-LGBT laws Jane Crow laws! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Crow_laws)

The similarities are chilling.

So let's start working on ending the Jane Crow laws with the Gay Civil Rights Act of 20??.

These are some of the laws the Jim Crow era had to deal with:

The following examples of segregation are excerpts from examples of Jim Crow laws shown at the National Park Service website. The examples include anti-miscegenation laws. Although sometimes counted among the "Jim Crow laws" of the South, those laws also were passed by other states for many years. Anti-miscegenation laws were not repealed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964[1] but were declared unconstitutional in the 1967 Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia.
Alabama
"All passenger stations in this state operated by any motor transportation company shall have separate waiting rooms or space and separate ticket windows for the white and colored races."
Alaska
1923: Voting [Statute] In April 1925 the seventh Alaska Territorial Legislature enacted into law a measure requiring that voters in territorial elections be able to read and write the English language.

Arizona
"The marriage of a person of Caucasian blood with a Negro, Mongolian, Malay, or Hindu shall be null and void."
Arkansas
Various laws from 1884 to 1947 prohibited marriage or relations between whites and blacks or mulattoes, providing for specific fines and imprisonment of up to three years.[17]
Various laws from 1891 to 1959 segregated rail travel, streetcars, buses, all public carriers, race tracks, gaming establishments, polling places, washrooms in mines, tuberculosis hospitals, public schools and teachers' colleges.
A poll tax was first imposed in the 1890s.
Arizona
1865: Miscegenation [Statute] Marriages between whites with "Negroes, mulattoes, Indians, Mongolians" were declared illegal and void. The word "Descendants" does not appear in the statute.
1901: Miscegenation [Statute] Revision of the 1865 statute which added the word "descendants" to the list of minority groups. The revised statutes also stated that marriages would be valid if legal where they were contracted, but noted that Arizona residents could not evade the law by going to another state to perform the ceremony.
1909: Education [Statute] School district trustees were given the authority to segregate black students from white children only where there were more than eight Negro pupils in the school district. The legislature passed the law over a veto by the governor.
1911-1962: Segregation, miscegenation, voting [Statute] Passed six segregation laws: four against miscegenation and two school segregation statutes, and a voting rights statute that required electors to pass a literacy test. The state's miscegenation laws prohibited blacks as well as Indians and Asians from marrying whites, and were not repealed until 1962.
1912: Voting rights [Statute] Required voters to be able to read the U.S Constitution in English "in such manner as to show he is neither prompted nor reciting from memory, and to write his name."
1912: Voting [Statute] Arizona passed a statute in 1912 stating that voters must be able to "read the Constitution of the United States in the English language in such manner as to show he is neither prompted nor reciting from memory, and to write his name."
1927: Education [Statute] In areas with 25 or more black high school students, an election would be called to determine if these pupils should be segregated in separate but equal facilities.
1928: Miscegenation [State Code] Forbid marriages between persons of the Caucasian, Asian and Malay races.
1956: Miscegenation [Statute] Marriage of person of "Caucasian blood with Negro, Mongolian, Malay, or Hindu void." Native Americans were originally included in an earlier statute, but were deleted by a 1942 amendment.
California
1866: Voting [Statute] The 1866 California registry act required electors to complete voter registration three months before a general election. Naturalized citizens were required to present original court-sealed naturalization papers.An 1878 act applying to San Francisco required each voter to register in person before every general election. Voters had to register in their own elector precinct. Because precincts were very small, if a voter moved he was required to re-register.In 1894, California passed a constitutional amendment that disfranchised any "person who shall not be able to read the constitution in the English language and write his name." An advisory referendum indicated that nearly 80% of voters supported an educational requirement. A similar amendment was again passed in 1911.From 1879 to 1926, California's constitution stated that "no native of China" shall ever exercise the privileges of an elector in the state." Similar provisions appeared in the constitutions of Oregon and Idaho.
1866: Voter rights [Statute] Required electors to complete voter registration three months before a general election. Naturalized citizens were required to present original court-sealed naturalization papers.
1866-1947: Segregation, voting [Statute] Enacted 17 Jim Crow laws between 1866 and 1947 in the areas of miscegenation (6) and education (2), employment (1) and a residential ordinance passed by the city of San Francisco that required all Chinese inhabitants to live in one area of the city. Four voting restriction laws were passed that targeted foreign born inhabitants, particularly the Chinese. Although school segregation was banned by 1880, this law was overturned in 1902, and included Asian children as candidates for separate schools. Similarly, a miscegenation law passed in 1901 broadened an 1850 law, adding that it was unlawful for white persons to marry "Mongolians."
The legislation reflects the dominant society's growing anxiety over the steady numbers of Asians immigrating to California by the early twentieth century. An 1893 statute barred public accommodation segregation, with seven additional civil rights laws passed by 1955.
1870: Education [Statute] African and Indian children must attend separate schools. A separate school would be established upon the written request by the parents of ten such children. "A less number may be provided for in separate schools in any other manner."
1872: Alcohol sales [Statute] Prohibited the sale of liquor to Indians. The act remained legal until its repeal in 1920.
1878: Voter rights [City Ordinance] The city of San Francisco required each voter to register in person before each general election in their own elector precinct. Because precincts were very small, if a voter moved he was required to reregister.
1879: Voter rights [Constitution] "No native of China" would ever have the right to vote in the state of
California. Repealed in 1926.
1879: Employment [Constitution] Prohibited public bodies from employing Chinese and called upon the
legislature to protect "the state�from the burdens and evils arising from"
their presence. A statewide anti-Chinese referendum was passed by 99.4
percent of voters in 1879.
1880: Miscegenation [Statute] Made it illegal for white persons to marry a "Negro, mulatto, or
Mongolian."
1890: Residential [City Ordinance] The city of San Francisco ordered all Chinese inhabitants to move into a
certain area of the city within six months or face imprisonment. The
Bingham Ordinance was later found to be unconstitutional by a federal
court.
1891: Residential [Statute] Required all Chinese to carry with them at all times a "certificate of
residence." Without it, a Chinese immigrant could be arrested and jailed.
1894: Voter rights [Constitution] Any person who could not read the Constitution in English or write his name
would be disfranchised. An advisory referendum indicated that nearly 80
percent of voters supported an educational requirement.
1901: Miscegenation [Statute] The 1850 law prohibiting marriage between white persons and Negroes or
mulattoes was amended, adding "Mongolian."
1909: Miscegenation [Statute] Persons of Japanese descent were added to the list of undesirable marriage
partners of white Californians as noted in the earlier 1880 statute.
1913: Property [Statute] Known as the "Alien Land Laws," Asian immigrants were prohibited from
owning or leasing property. The constitutionality of the land laws were
upheld by the United State Supreme Court in 1923 and 1925. The laws were
justified as a means of protecting white farmers. The California Supreme
Court struck down the Alien Land Laws in 1952.
1931: Miscegenation [State Code] Prohibited marriages between persons of the Caucasian and Asian races.
1933: Miscegenation [Statute] Broadened earlier miscegenation statute to also prohibit marriages between
whites and Malays.
1945: Miscegenation [Statute] Prohibited marriage between whites and "Negroes, mulattos, Mongolians and
Malays."
1947: Miscegenation [Statute] Subjected U.S. servicemen and Japanese women who wanted to marry to
rigorous background checks. Barred the marriage of Japanese women to white
servicemen if they were employed in undesirable occupations.

Colorado
1864: Miscegenation [Statute] Marriage between Negroes and mulattoes, and white persons "absolutely
void." Penalty: Fine between $50 and $500, or imprisonment between three
months and two years, or both.
1864-1908: [Statute] Passed three Jim Crow laws between 1864 and 1908, all concerning
miscegenation. School segregation was barred in 1876, followed by
segregation of public facilities in 1885. Four laws protecting civil
liberties were passed between 1930 and 1957, when the antimiscegenation
statute was repealed.
1876: Voting rights [Statute] Gave the General Assembly the authority to prescribe educational
qualifications for electors, but laws could not take effect before 1890. An
1891 statute provided for assistance to any voter who could not read or
write. Interpreters were provided for non-English speakers.
1908: Miscegenation [Statute] Marriage between Negroes and mulattoes, and whites prohibited. Penalties:
Punishable by imprisonment from three months to two years, or a fine of
between $50 to $500, or both. Performing a marriage ceremony punishable by
a fine of $50 to $500, or three months to two years' imprisonment, or both.
1930: Miscegenation [Statute] Miscegenation declared a misdemeanor.

Connecticut
1879: Military [Statute] Authorized state to organize four independent companies of infantry of
"colored men." Companies were to receive same pay as other companies,
including one company parade in the Spring and one in September.
1908: Miscegenation [Statute] Prohibited intermarriage between white persons and those persons having
one-eighth or more Negro blood. Penalty: Performing such a ceremony subject
to a fine between $100 to $1,000. If the white person knows the other is of
Negro or mixed blood, subject to a fine between $100 and $1,000. Could be
imprisoned in state prison between one and ten years.
1925: Antidefamation [Statute] Prohibited motion picture theaters from showing any film which ridiculed
the Negro race.
1933: Miscegenation [Statute] Miscegenation declared a felony.
1935: Education [Statute] Upheld school segregation as originally authorized by statute of 1869.

Florida
"All marriages between a white person and a Negro, or between a white person and a person of Negro descent to the fourth generation inclusive, are hereby forever prohibited."
"Any Negro man and white woman, or any white man and Negro woman, who are not married to each other, who shall habitually live in and occupy in the nighttime the same room shall each be punished by imprisonment not exceeding twelve (12) months, or by fine not exceeding five hundred ($500.00) dollars."
"The schools for white children and the schools for Negro children shall be conducted separately."

Georgia
"All persons licensed to conduct a restaurant, shall serve either white people exclusively or colored people exclusively and shall not sell to the two races within the same room or serve the two races anywhere under the same license."
"It shall be unlawful for any amateur white baseball team to play baseball on any vacant lot or baseball diamond within two blocks of a playground devoted to the Negro race, and it shall be unlawful for any amateur colored baseball team to play baseball in any vacant lot or baseball diamond within two blocks of any playground devoted to the white race."
Idaho
Passed four laws prohibiting miscegenation and a statute that prevented
Native Americans who had not severed their tribal relations from voting [18] . An
1889 constitutional amendment barred segregation in Idaho schools. The
miscegenation statute was repealed in 1959.
1867: Miscegenation [Statute] Prohibited marriage between white persons and Negroes or mulattoes.
1887: Miscegenation [Statute] A restatement of the law passed in 1867.
1889: Voter rights [Constitution] "Indians not taxed, who have not severed their tribal relations and adopted
the habits of civilization" were excluded from voting.
1908: Miscegenation [Statute] Intermarriage prohibited between Negroes and white persons. A marriage
valid where consummated outside the state would be valid in Idaho.
1932: Miscegenation [Statute] Prohibited marriages between persons of the Caucasian and Asian races.

Illinois
1927: Housing [Municipal Code] Chicago adopted racially restrictive housing covenants beginning in 1927[19] ,
although other tactics had been used in earlier years to maintain a
segregated city. At one time, as much as 80 percent of the city may have
been covered by restrictive covenants. In 1924, Nathan MacChesney, a
prominent Chicago attorney and a member of the Chicago Planning Commission,
drafted an addition to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of
Real Estate Boards that "forbade realtors to introduce members of any race
or nationality" into neighborhoods where their presence would damage
property values. In 1927, MacChesney drafted a model racial restrictive
covenant for the Chicago Real Estate Board, solely targeting African
Americans. The Chicago Real Estate Board promoted the covenant to YMCAs,
churches, women's clubs, PTAs, Kiwanis clubs, chambers of commerce and
property owners' associations. Hyde Park, Woodlawn, Park Manor, South
Shore, and other neighborhoods on Chicago's South Side adjacent to the so-
called "black belt," responded as well as outlying Chicago neighborhoods
and suburbs. Additionally, the University of Chicago was a strong supporter
of the covenant campaign in Washington Park, although they denied their
affiliation for many years. In 1948, the United States Supreme Court ruled
that enforcement of racial restrictive covenants was unconstitutional. The
Supreme Court's ruling, however, did not put an end to the problem of
blacks finding adequate housing. Homeowner associations continued to push
for segregation. Shortly after the court decision, the Woodlawn Property
Owners wrote:
If the colored people are convinced that life in Woodlawn would be
unbearable, they would not want to come in. There must be ways and means to
keep whites from selling, causing colored not to want to come in because
life here would be unbearable. We are going to save Woodlawn for ourselves
and our children! (Deeds of Mistrust: Race, Housing, and Restrictive Covenants in Chicago,
1900-1950)

1953: Housing [Municipal Code] In August 1953, the first black family to move into Trumbull Park, an all-
white project of the Chicago Housing Authority, came under attack by nearly
fifty teenagers who hurled stones, bricks and racial slurs at their
apartment. Venturing outside of their home was equally frightening, and
required a police escort. Additionally, blacks traveling through the area
now became targets of violence. As more black families moved into the
project, they, too, were harassed daily. When blacks received a permit to
organize a baseball game at the neighborhood park, tensions intensified. A
hostile crowd gathered at the park. When a firecracker tossed from the
crowd hit a player, the police sat motionless. A player who went to
retrieve a foul ball was attacked by the crowd and a fight broke out. When
the police arrested the white who started the fight, the crowd quickly
turned their frustrations on the police. Reactions intensified after the
fight and there was talk among whites to "burn the dirty bastards out."
Another disturbing incident occurred in July 1954 when three black women
attended mass at a local Catholic church. After the mass the women waited
until most of the crowd had left and exited from a side door. A crowd of
about thirty awaited the women as they left the church. One white woman was
so incensed that she attacked the black women with her umbrella. Father
Michael Commins, the rector of the church, reproached his parishioners in a
bulletin later that month, saying, "Hissing, hooting and assaulting anyone
for going to Mass is very un-Christian like." Although there was much less
violence within Trumbull Park by the early 1960s, anti-black sentiments
were still firmly in place. Neighborhood taverns featured Members Only
signs, African Americans stayed away from the park, the public swimming
pool and local churches. As Arnold R. Hirsch wrote in a journal article
published on Trumbull Park, "The decade of resistance that prevented all
but a token of African American presence maintained South Deering as a
white domain even as King negotiated the desegregation of Birmingham,
Alabama." (Massive Resistance in the Urban North: Trumbull Park, Chicago,
1953-1966, The Journal of American History, Sept. 1995)

Indiana
Enacted seven Jim Crow laws in the areas of education and miscegenation
between 1869 and 1952[20] . Persons who violated the miscegenation law could be
imprisoned between one and ten years. The state barred school segregation
in 1877, followed by a law giving equal access to public facilities in
1885.
1869: Education [Statute] Separate schools to be provided for black children. If not a sufficient
number of students to organize a separate school, trustees were to find
other means of educating black children.

1905: Miscegenation [Statute] Miscegenation prohibited.
1952: Miscegenation [Statute] Marriage between whites and Negroes void.
1955: Adoption [Statute] Required that due regard be given to race on adoption petitions.
Kansas
1905: Education [Statute] Schools in Kansas City, Kansas, may organize and maintain separate schools
for education of white and colored children, including high schools; "but
no discrimination on account of color shall be made in high schools, except
as provided herein." [21]

Kentucky
"The children of white and colored races committed to the houses of reform shall be kept entirely separate from each other."
Louisiana
"Any person who shall rent any part of any such building to a Negro person or a Negro family when such building is already in whole or in part in occupancy by a white person or white family, or vice versa when the building is in occupancy by a Negro person or Negro family, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five ($25.00) nor more than one hundred ($100.00) dollars or be imprisoned not less than 10, or more than 60 days, or both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court."
Maine
1795 law prohibiting intermarriage between whites and blacks repealed.
1893: Voter rights [Constitution] Required an elector to be able to read the Constitution in English and write his name.
1893: Voting [State Code] A Constitutional amendment was passed in 1893 requiring electors to be able to read the Constitution in English and write his name.
Massachusetts
1892: Voting rights [Statute] Required voters to be able to read state Constitution in English and write
their name.

Maryland
"All railroad companies and corporations, and all persons running or operating cars or coaches by steam on any railroad line or track in the State of Maryland, for the transportation of passengers, are hereby required to provide separate cars or coaches for the travel and transportation of the white and colored passengers."
Michigan
1957: Adoption [Statute] required that race be used as a consideration in
adoption petitions.
Mississippi
"Any person...who shall be guilty of printing, publishing or circulating printed, typewritten or written matter urging or presenting for public acceptance or general information, arguments or suggestions in favor of social equality or of intermarriage between whites and Negroes, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to fine not exceeding five hundred (500.00) dollars or imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months or both."
Missouri
"Separate free schools shall be established for the education of children of African descent; and it shall be unlawful for any colored child to attend any white school, or any white child to attend a colored school."

Montana
Four Jim Crow laws were enacted in Montana between 1871 and 1921. The
school segregation act was repealed in 1895. A 1909 miscegenation law
prohibited marriage between Caucasians and blacks as well as Chinese and
Japanese.
1871: Education [Statute] Children of African descent would be provided separate schools.
1897: Voting rights [Statute] Excluded "any person living on an Indian or military reservation" from
residency, unless that person had acquired a residence in a county of the
state and is in the employment of the government while living on a
reservation. Without residency, a person could not vote.
1897: Residency [Statute] An 1897 statute excluded "any person living on an Indian or military
reservation" from residency, unless that person had acquired a residence in
a county of MT and is in the employ of the government while living on a
reservation."
1909: Miscegenation [Statute] Prohibited intermarriage between whites and Negroes, Chinese and Japanese.
Penalty: Misdemeanor, carrying a fine of $500 or imprisonment of one month,
or both.
1921: Miscegenation [State Code] Miscegenation prohibited. Nullified interracial marriages if parties went
to another jurisdiction where legal. Also prohibited marriages between
persons of the Caucasian and Asian races.

Nebraska
1865: Miscegenation [Statute] Declared marriage between whites and a Negro or mulatto as illegal.
Penalty: Misdemeanor, with a fine up to $100, or imprisonment in the county
jail up to six months, or both.
1911: Miscegenation [Statute] Marriages between a white and colored person declared illegal. Also noted
that marriages between whites and those persons with one-quarter or more
Negro blood were void.
1929: Miscegenation [Statute] Forbid marriages between persons of the Caucasian race and those persons
with one eighth or more Asian blood.
1943: Miscegenation [Statute] Prohibited marriage of whites with anyone with one-eighth or more Negro,
Japanese or Chinese blood.
Nevada
Enacted four miscegenation laws and a school segregation statute between
1865 and 1957. The education statute declared that blacks, Asians and
Indians were prohibited from attending public schools, and that a separate
school would be established for them if "deemed advisable." The state's
miscegenation law offered an extensive list of inappropriate marriage
candidates by race and color for Caucasians, including blacks, "Malay or
brown race, Mongolian or yellow race, or Indian or red race." The
miscegenation statute was repealed in 1959.
1865: Education [Statute] Negroes, Asians, and Indians prohibited from attending public schools. The
Board of Trustees of any district could establish a separate school for
educating Negroes, Asians, and Indians, if deemed advisable.
1912: Miscegenation [Statute] Unlawful for a white person to intermarry with any person of "Ethiopian or
black race, Malay or brown race, Mongolian or yellow race, or Indian or red
race, within the State." Penalty: Misdemeanor for participants and the
minister who performs such a ceremony. White persons found to be living
with the above mentioned groups would be fined between $100 and $500, or
confined in the county jail from six months to one year, or both.
1929: Miscegenaion [Statute] Miscegenation declared a misdemeanor. Also forbid marriages between persons
of the Caucasian, Asian and Malay races.
1955: Miscegenation [Statute] Miscegenation illegal. Penalty: $500 to $1,000 and/or six months to one
year imprisonment.
1957: Miscegenation [Statute] Gross misdemeanor for white to marry person of black, brown, or yellow
race.

New Hampshire
1902: Voting [Constitution] A constitutional amendment passed in 1902 required voters to be able to
read the constitution in English and to write. Exceptions made for those
currently enfranchised; those 60 years old and those with physical
disabilities.

1910: Voting [Constitution] 1910 constitutional amendment excluded Indians not taxed from voting.
1955: Adoption [Statute] Race to be considered in adoption petitions.

New Mexico
"Separate rooms [shall] be provided for the teaching of pupils of African descent, and [when] said rooms are so provided, such pupils may not be admitted to the school rooms occupied and used by pupils of Caucasian or other descent."
New York
1908: Voting [State Code] In 1908 New York City held voter registration on the Jewish Sabbath and on
the Yom Kippur holiday.

1921: Voting rights [Constitution] Required electors to be able to read and write in English. Did not apply to
those with physical disabilities that prevented them from reading or
writing, or those who were electors prior to January 1922. Prospective
voters had to pass a stringent literacy reading and writing test or present
evidence that they had at least an 8th grade education in an approved
school. This statute had the potential to disfranchise countless foreign-
born Jews who spoke Yiddish. The law was backed overwhelmingly by upstate
voters and received a majority in New York City.
1930: Education [Statute] Trustees of a school district had the authority to establish separate
schools.

1947: Housing [Municipal Code] William Levitt, the developer of the nation's first modern-day suburb of
tract housing in Long Island, NY, believed that segregation was good for
business and used restrictive covenants to maintain racial homogeneity.
Following the Federal Housing Administration's lead which recommended
against "inharmonious racial or nationality groups," he used the following
covenant in 1947 to create a segregated community:
The tenant agrees not to permit the premises to be used or occupied by any
person other than members of the Caucasian race. But the employment and
maintenance of other than Caucasian domestic servants shall be permitted. Although Levitt eliminated the racial covenants after the 1948 Supreme
Court decision declaring such provisions as "unenforceable and contrary to
public policy," he continued to practice discrimination in his housing
developments in New Jersey and Maryland. The original Levittown never had
more than a handful of black families well into the 1980s, and remains 97
percent white today. Ironically, though Levitt was the grandson of a rabbi,
he also agreed to use restrictive covenants to ban Jews from his early developments. In his mind, it was strictly business. (LI History)

North Carolina
"Books shall not be interchangeable between the white and colored schools, but shall continue to be used by the race first using them. "
"The state librarian is directed to fit up and maintain a separate place for the use of the colored people who may come to the library for the purpose of reading books or periodicals."
North Dakota
The state passed three Jim Crow laws. A 1943 statute barring miscegenation
was repealed in 1955. An 1899 Constitutional amendment gave the legislature
authority to implement educational qualificaitons for electors.
1899: Voting rights [Constitution] Gave legislature authority to establish an educational qualifying test for
electors.
1899: Voting [Constitution] In 1899, a constitutional amendment passed declaring "The legislature
shall, by law, establish an educational test as a qualifier for suffrage
should such a measure be deemed necessary." (Legislature declined to do
so.)
1933: Education [Statute] Law stated that "it would not be expeident to have the Indian children
mingle with the white children in our educational institutions by reason of
the vastly different temperament and mode of living and other differences
and difficulties of the two races.
1943: Miscegenation [State Code] Cohabitation between blacks and whites prohibited. Penalty: 30 days to one
year imprisonment, or $100 to $500 fine.
Ohio
Enacted a miscegenation statute in 1877 and a school segregation law in
1878. Segregation of public facilities was barred in 1884, and the earlier
miscegenation and school segregation laws were overturned in 1887. However,
in 1953, the state enacted a law requiring that race be considered in
adoption decisions.
1877: Miscegenation [Statute] Unlawful for a person of "pure white blood, who intermarries, or has
illicit carnal intercourse, with any Negro or person having a distinct and
visible admixture of African blood." Penalty: Fined up to $100, or
imprisoned up to three months, or both. Any person who knowingly officiates
such a marriage charged with misdemeanor and fined up to $100 or imprisoned
in three months, or both.
1878: Education [Statute] School districts given discretion to organize separate schools for colored
children if "in their judgment it may be for the advantage of the district
to do so."

1953: Adoption [Statute] Race to be taken into account on adoption petitions.

Oklahoma
"The [Conservation] Commission shall have the right to make segregation of the white and colored races as to the exercise of rights of fishing, boating and bathing."
"The baths and lockers for the negroes shall be separate from the white race, but may be in the same building."
"The Corporation Commission is hereby vested with power and authority to require telephone companies... to maintain separate booths for white and colored patrons when there is a demand for such separate booths. That the Corporation Commission shall determine the necessity for said separate booths only upon complaint of the people in the town and vicinity to be served after due hearing as now provided by law in other complaints filed with the Corporation Commission."
1903: Mining-bath facilities [Statute] "The baths and lockers for the Negroes shall be separate from the white
race, but may be in the same building." (Martin Luther King, Jr. NHS)
1904: Education-Teaching [Statute] "Any instructor who shall teach in any school, college or institution where
members of the white and colored race are received and enrolled as pupils
for instruction shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon
conviction thereof, shall be fined in any sum not less than ten dollars nor
more than fifty dollars for each offense." (Martin Luther King, Jr. NHS)
1907: Voting [Constitution] In 1907, an amendment passed requiring electors to read and write any
section of the state constitution. Exempted were those who were
enfranchised on Jan. 1, 1866, and lineal descendants of such persons.
(Declared unconstitutional in 1915; however, the provision for literacy was
upheld.)
Persons of Indian descent allowed to vote as noted in 1907 amendment.
1907: Funerals [Statute] Blacks were not allowed to use the same hearse as whites.
1908: Voting [State Code] In 1907, inmates of institutions were excluded from voting. "Any person
kept in a poorhouse at public expense, except federal, Confederate, and
Spanish-American ex-soldiers or sailors."
1928: Recreation--Fishing, Boating, and Bathing [Statute] "The [Conservation] Commission shall have the right to make segregation of
the white and colored races as to the exercise of rights of fishing,
boating and bathing." (Martin Luther King, Jr. NHS)
1937: Telephone Booths [Statute] "The Corporation Commission is hereby vested with power and authority to
require telephone companies...to maintain separate booths for white and
colored patrons when there is a demand for such separate booths. That the
Corporation Commission shall determine the necessity for said separate
booths only upon complaint of the people in the town and vicinity to be
served after due hearing as now provided by law in other complaints filed
with the Corporation Commission." (Martin Luther King, Jr. NHS)

Oregon
Enacted two miscegenation laws in 1867 and 1930 prohibiting intermarriage
between whites and blacks, Chinese, Kanaka (Indian tribe) or any person
having more than one half Indian blood. A 1953 statute required that
adoption petitions note the race of prospective adopting parents. A 1924
statute required electors to read the Constitution in English.
1867: Miscegenation [Statute] Unlawful for any white person to intermarry with any "Negro, Chinese, or
any person having one-quarter or more Negro, Chinese or kanaka blood, or
any person having more than one-half Indian blood." Penalty: Imprisonment
in the penitentiary or the county jail for between three months and one
year. Those who licensed or performed such a ceremony could be jailed for
three months to one year, or fined between $100 and $1,000.
1924: Voting rights [State Code] Required electors to read the Constitution in English and write their name.
1924: Voting [Statute] Statute and constitutional amendment passed in 1924 required electors to
read the constitution in English and write their name.
1930: Miscegenation [State Code] Miscegenation declared a felony. Also forbid marriages between persons of
the Caucasian race and those persons with one fourth or more Chinese or
Kanaka blood.
1953: Adoption [Statute] Adoption petition must state race or color of adopting parents.

Pennsylvania
1869: Education [Statute] Black children prohibited from attending Pittsburgh schools.

1956: Adoption [Statute] Petition must state race or color of adopting parents.
Rhode Island
1872: Miscegenation [State Code] Prohibited intermarriage. Penalty: $1,000 fine, or up to six months'
imprisonment.

1960: Voting [Statute] Not until 1928 did Rhode Island permit men and women who did not own
property to vote in city elections.

South Carolina
"No persons, firms, or corporations, who or which furnish meals to passengers at station restaurants or station eating houses, in times limited by common carriers of said passengers, shall furnish said meals to white and colored passengers in the same room, or at the same table, or at the same counter."
"It shall be unlawful for any parent, relative, or other white person in this State, having the control or custody of any white child, by right of guardianship, natural or acquired, or otherwise, to dispose of, give or surrender such white child permanently into the custody, control, maintenance, or support, of a negro."
South Dakota
Enacted three miscegenation laws between 1809 and 1913, and a 1952 statute
that required adoption petitions to state the race of both the petitioner
and child. A 1913 miscegenation law broadened the list of races
unacceptable as marriage partners for whites to include persons belonging
to the "African, Korean, Malayan, or Mongolian race." This law reflected
the nation's growing tension over the massive waves of immigrants entering
the country during the early twentieth century. The miscegenation law was
repealed in 1957.
1909: Miscegenation [Statute] Intermarriage or illicit cohabitation forbidden between blacks and whites.
Penalty: Felony, punishable by a fine up to $1,000, or by imprisonment up
to ten years, or both.
1913: Miscegenation [Statute] Law expanded to prohibit marriage between whites and persons belonging to
the "African, Corean, [Korean] Malayan, or Mongolian race." Penalty:
Felony, punishable by a fine up to $1,000, or by imprisonment in state
prison up to ten years, or both.
1929: Miscegenation [Statute] Miscegenation declared a felony. Also forbid marriages between persons of
the Caucasian, Asian and Malay races.
1952: Adoption [State Code] Adoption petitions must state race of petitioner and child.

Texas
Twenty-seven Jim Crow laws were passed in the Lone Star state from 1866 to 1958. Some examples include:
1950: Separate facilities required for white and black citizens in state parks
1953: Public carriers to be segregated
1958: No child compelled to attend schools that are racially mixed. No desegregation unless approved by election. Governor may close schools where troops used on federal authority.
Utah
Four miscegenation laws were passed in Utah between 1888 and 1953,
prohibiting intermarriage between whites and those of African or Asian
descent. School segregation was barred in 1895. The state's miscegenation
law was repealed in 1963.
1888: Miscegenation [Statute] Intermarriage prohibited between a Negro and a white person, and between a
"Mongolian" and a white person.

1907: Miscegenation [Statute] Marriage laws amended, with earlier intermarriage provision remaining the
same.
1933: Miscegenation [Statute] Prohibited marriages between persons of the Caucasian and Asian races.
1953: Miscegenation [State Code] Marriage between "white and Negro, Malayan, mulatto, quadroon, or octoroon
void."
Virginia
"Every person... operating... any public hall, theater, opera house, motion picture show or any place of public entertainment or public assemblage which is attended by both white and colored persons, shall separate the white race and the colored race and shall set apart and designate... certain seats therein to be occupied by white persons and a portion thereof, or certain seats therein, to be occupied by colored persons."
"The conductors or managers on all such railroads shall have power, and are hereby required, to assign to each white or colored passenger his or her respective car, coach or compartment. If the passenger fails to disclose his race, the conductor and managers, acting in good faith, shall be the sole judges of his race."
Washington
Enacted a miscegenation statute in 1866 forbidding marriage between whites
and Negroes or Indians. This law was repealed in 1887. Six civil rights
laws barring segregation were passed between 1890 and 1956.
1866: Miscegenation [Statute] Prohibited marriage between white persons and Negroes, Indians, or a person
of half or more Negro or Indian blood.
1887: Barred anti-miscegenation [Statute] Repealed anti-miscegenation law.
1896: Voting rights [Constitution] "Indians not taxed shall never be allowed the elective franchise."
1896: Voting [Constitution] A constitutional amendment passed in 1896 requiring electors to read and
speak English. In 1912 a statute was passed noting, "If naturalized, must
furnish satisfactory evidence that he is capable of reading and speaking
the English language so as to comprehend the meaning of ordinary English
prose."
1920: Restrictive Housing Covenants [Municipal Code] Beginning in the 1920s, Seattle realtors frequently discriminated against
minorities. In November 1927 the Capitol Hill development used a covenant
that read: "The parties...agree each with the others that no part of the
lands owned by them shall ever be used or occupied by or sold, conveyed,
leased, rented or given to Negroes or any person of Negro blood." An April
1928 covenant for the Broadmoor subdivision read: "No part of said property
hereby conveyed shall ever be used or occupied by any Hebrew or any person
of the Ethiopian, Malay or any Asiatic race..." (History Link)
Until 1950, Article 34 of the Code of Ethics for realtors in Seattle
included the following clause: "A Realtor should never be instrumental in
introducing into a neighborhood a character of property or occupancy,
members of any race or nationality, or any individual whose presence will
clearly be detrimental to property values in that neighborhood." Voluntary
agreements between realtors and homeowners continued well into the 1960s.
In 1964, Seattle voters rejected a referendum that prohibited housing
discrimination. In April 1968, the city council passed an open housing
ordinance, making restrictive covenants illegal. (History Link)

West Virginia
"White and colored persons shall not be taught in the same school."
This point-blank requirement for segregated schools was proclaimed in West Virginia's State Constitution as Article XII Section 8. In a remarkable show of the persistence of such attitudes extending to the highest levels of state government, numerous attempts to remove this from the constitution were defeated in the state legislature until it was finally repealed on Nov 8, 1994.

An African American drinks from a segregated water cooler designated for colored patrons in 1939 at a streetcar terminal in Oklahoma City.
Wisconsin
1893: Voting rights [Statute] Voting rights were to include "any civilized person being a descendant of
the Chippewa's of Lake Superior, or any other Indian tribe, who does not
reside on an Indian reservation and who shall subscribe to an oath�that he
is not a member of any Indian tribe, and has no claim upon the U.S. for aid
and assistance and he relinquishes all tribal relation, and right to
receive any aid from the United States."
Wyoming
"All marriages of white persons with Negroes, Mulattos, Mongolians, or Malaya hereafter contracted in the State of Wyoming are and shall be illegal and void."
1887: Education [Statute] Separate schools could be provided for colored children when there were
fifteen or more colored children within any school district.
1889: Voting rights [Constitution] Required electors to read the state Constitution.
1908: Intermarriage [Statute] All marriages of white persons with Negroes, Mulattos, Mongolians, or
Malaya hereafter contracted in the State of Wyoming are and shall be
illegal and void. (Martin Luther King, Jr. NHS)
1931: Education [Statute] Schools to be segregated only when fifteen or more colored children were in
a district.
1931: Miscegenation [Statute] Declared miscegenation a misdemeanor. Also prohibited marriages between
persons of the Caucasian, Asian and Malay races.
1945: Miscegenation [Statute] Marriage of whites to Negroes, mulattoes, Mongolians, Malayans void.
Penalty: $100 to $1,000 and/or one to five years imprisonment.

HRCF: Wake me up before you go-go (+ major comment from TDD)

2008-10-22T22:44:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

Let's be absolutely clear - there are TWO organizations working in Florida against Amendment 2 - and the main one is Florida Red & Blue (SayNo2.com). HRC is working with Freedom for All Families (VoteNo2.com) but Flordia Red & Blue (SayNo2.com) was (?) given some money (?) in HRC's name. Very confusing...

HRC works with Freedom for All Families (FFAF) and Nadine Smith/Equality Florida. And as usual - they don't like the competition.

I have been somewhat working with FFAF but they do not have a volunteer office in Pensacola listed below - most likely due to our close relationship with Derek Newton and Florida Red & Blue. (Michael Greene is doing a great job up here in Panama City 40 miles away.) Derek Newton has visited Pensacola and really got people motivated - not to mention the great work he does across the state of Florida. Pensacola's greatest achievement is geting Gulf Coast Tide, Northwest Florida ACLU and the University of West Flordia's GSA 100-member group energized and ready to work.

What is shameful is the multiple emails I have received from HRC lately asking for money. That money will not go to Florida to fight Amendment 2 and HRC should be ashamed.

If you are giving money for the fight, please send to Flordia Red & Blue (SayNo2.com). They have the local grassroots initiatives in place as well as television adversing.

There is also Florida Red & Blue election party sponsored by Tom Gerrard and Mario Duhon November 4, 2008 at Paradidio del Mar in Manalapn, FL (7-midnight). The contact number is (561) 601-2280.

So don't be fooled! HRC is trying to put their blue-and-yellow equality stamp on ALL the good work being done in Florida - and HRC is "helping" - but to push the other group aside with confusing emails on support - and then try to steal money for HRC National in unforgiviable - but I have come to expect this of HRCF.

Pensacola will have phone banking in the next week and we will be holding rallies on the street corners on election day against Amendment 2. All our bars and universities are promoting SayNo2.com at all events as well as chuches. We even had a political rally last week with many local candidates speaking out against Amendment 2. We will also be getting newspaper and TV coverage soon with Derek Newton/Flroda Red & Blue (to complement the coverage last spring) - and not like the love letter Southern Voice sent Nadine Smith the other week.

FFAF may have written us off but we perservere!

So remember - Florida Red & Blue (SayNo2.com)!

So remember - Florida Red & Blue (SayNo2.com)!

So remember - Florida Red & Blue (SayNo2.com)!

Tom Dempsey

PS But if your options are limited please volunteer with the Freedom for All Families people. We are all in this together (unless you work at HRCF).

HRC email on link

Will Gay Games move to Cleveland in 2014? (+ comment)

2008-10-16T21:18:00.001-05:00

[As I said previously, Boston is favored for the 2014 Games. Miami is hard to get around and pretentious and Cleveland - ???- you go, girl! (The Drew Carey Show comes to mind.) I guess 3.5 times is not a charm for Atlanta considering many of the members remember the 2006 bid disaster (thanks, Ray Hom & Margie Archer, et al).

I am still a strong supporter of the Gay Games and have years of experience in the bidding process. I even approached two cities in the South this year (not Atlanta) to bid and they both rejected the event as unfeasible due to financial projections. In other words, they would not touch it. I also felt some gay bias in the process. I really enjoyed Amsterdam in 1998 and came back working to get Atlanta as a host by starting the Atlanta 2006 bid. It didn't happen. Atlanta has one or two members with the Federation now and needs to heal the rift and shame caused by Harcher. Atlanta needs to start sending quality people to get involved with the Federation - and I believe 2044 could be in the bag.

The Gay Games is an example in the world where positive events are possibly - and it brings people together. We need more events like this - but maybe on a smaller scale.

Good luck to all the bidding cities - you are going to need it.

Tom Dempsey]

Will Gay Games move to Cleveland in 2014?
Oct 15th, 2008
by Matt Hennie.

Let the bidding wars begin. Gay sports enthusiasts in Cleveland are expected to announce their intentions today to bid on Gay Games IX in 2014. Under the banner of the Cleveland Synergy Foundation, the backers of the bid are scheduled to make the decision public during a press conference and enter a competition also expected to include Boston and Miami.

The new foundation is an effort to �measurably enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the greater Cleveland GLBT and Straight community by attracting and creating significant cultural, athletic and benevolent events and festivals,� according to its web site. The group is partnering with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Positively Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau on the bid.

Representatives from both of those organizations as well as the city and Douglas Anderson and Brian Tavolier of Cleveland Synergy are scheduled to speak at the press conference. Anderson and Tavolier are partners in Triad Event Management, and were elected to the Cleveland Pride board last year. Anderson is also President and League Commissioner for the North Coast Athletics Volleyball, which runs the gay volleyball program in Cleveland, and Tavolier is the Executive Secretary and league Secretary and Treasurer for NCAV.

Cleveland is expected to compete with bids from Boston and Miami for the 2014 event. For the first time in the bidding process, bidding organizations are able to propose new sports.

The Federation of Gay Games, which meets this weekend in South Africa, is expected to select a host city in 2009 during their annual meeting in Cologne, Germany. The German city hosts the Gay Games in 2010.

�We are very excited to start this round of the bidding cycle,� Darl Schaaff, Site Selection Officer, says in a prepared statement. �Several organisations have contacted us and we are looking forward to working with them and with any other interested groups during the next two years. The additional flexibility introduced into the sports program will encourage even more exciting proposals from cities throughout the world.�
Matt Hennie blogs on Atlanta�s gay sports scene at Gaytlsports.com.

SoVo Letters (+ mostly my comments)

2008-09-26T14:18:00.001-05:00

http://www.sovo.com/2008/9-26/view/letters/9222.cfm

Comments by Tom Dempsey:

The SoVo letters were pretty interesting this week but I wanted to add some personal observations:

Log Cabin Endorsement - While I agree the next administration will see 2-3 appointments to the Supreme Court, this is a country of checks and balances. McCain or Obama cannot force an appointee since they must get approval of Congress. Plus the country is changing so who is to say any one person would be for or against gay and lesbian rights.

Many of the positive changes for the LGBT community have occurred under the last Bush administration. The sodomy laws were overturned, same-sex marriage is breaking out all over the country and DADT is routinely ignored in the military (though still a problem if you go on 60 Minutes) - so the last eight years have not been the "Gay Holocaust" many were predicting in 2000. There are rumors of gays and lesbians serving in the current administration - and many Republican families have gay/lesbian children.

I applaud the existence of LCR to promote gay and lesbian rights in the Republican party although I don't agree with them.

I cannot support a candidate that doesn't stand up for my rights - and neither Democrats or Republicans do so openly. So neither will get my presidential vote and they shouldn't get your's. Don't be another token group.

Cotillion - This was another black eye for Atlanta and I totally support Laura Douglas-Brown in her editorial. I do fault AID Atlanta on this issue by continuing to stay involved with Cotillion and taking their money. This showed a major disrespect and lack of understanding of the lesbian community. Not even the black-tie HRC Dinner requires dresses.

My suggestion is if Cotillion is an annual event hold a competing event next year with the proceeds going to a more respectful organization (like AIDS Survival Project) who need the money.

As a gay man who toured the world over the years promoting Atlanta (for the Gay Games) I was surprised when I was asked if we were still lynched in the streets (yes, but that happens everywhere) - and if we wore shoes and ate dirt. Many in the world still think of Atlanta as the Old South.

Orange - Yes, Ben Elliot is scum and deserves to be in jail - especially for killing Hoedowns - but I went to Clemson University and LOVE the color orange so stop dissing the orange! Orange is very visible so I can see why prisons use it (and some use pink now to degrade prisoners!) but I would like to see the retro black and white stripes come back.

Pride - I do not know Deirdre Heffernan but do know it can be tough talking to the press sometimes ("People can be so mean" was my horrible quote years ago in Southern Voice talking about Donna Narducci) but that "Russian roulette" thing was just bad and made little sense. Unfortunately, we can't go back and change the print.

I do wonder about anyone on the Pride board since I know from experience how Donna Narducci only allowed her friends and supporters (cronyism) to be "elected" and wonder who is in charge of Pride now. Non-profits are not democracies and usually have the same power plays and struggles of any organization. We cannot vote change in these groups and normally wait till they fail for new leadership - or they go away like Hotlanta Raft Race.

But Pride is important and the LGBT community in Atlanta needs to come together and demand non-partisan change and oversight. The fact that Narducci was in charge for over 15 years in unbelievable since most organizations put term limits on leadership to encourage change and growth. There experience is valued but new blood is always good. Atlanta Pride is suppose to represent the community but issues like the Coors controversy and summer vs fall scheduling were largely unanswered by entrenched leaders like Narducci.

It's time to come together and take back Pride. Instead of a lottery, we should demand the city look at the number of participants and award the park according to those numbers. I'm not sure if Pride or the Dogwood festival is larger, but cannot see Screen on the Green given the park over Pride. (Doesn't Screen on the Green run all summer?) And Peachtree Road Race can easily move without little impact.

Tom Dempsey

Memorandum: Charles Tolbert: La Vita Nuova - Dante Alighieri

2008-09-02T14:11:00.000-05:00

My best friend died 15 years ago this week and I found this passage to describe my feelings.

A day doesn't go by when I think of him - his name was Charles "Chuck" Tolbert from Columbia, South Carolina & Atlanta, Georgia. I hope others remember him as I do. He really made an impression on my life.

I will miss him always.

Tom Dempsey

PS He called me Scooter.

In that book which is
My memory...
On the first page
That is the chapter when
I first met you
Appear the words...
Here begins a new life.

La Vita Nuova - Dante Alighieri

Note to Self: November 4, 2008

2008-08-26T20:32:00.000-05:00

Remember this email on November 4, 2008...

McCain will beat Obama due to decisions this week.

Tom Dempsey

Several Current Events That Shaped My World

2008-08-08T22:03:00.001-05:00

August 8, 2008

Today was a strange and interesting day for me. Two events occurred that brought back some painful memories (there are many to remember) from the last 15 years.

But the brighter significance was the date - 8/8/08. In numerology, it is a very lucky day:

888 - A phase of your life is about to end and this is a sign to give you forewarning to prepare. This number sequence may mean you are winding up an emotional, career, or relationship phase.

Wikipedia says:
Eight

The word for "eight" (???) in Mandarin (Pinyin: b?) sounds similar to the word which means "prosper" or "wealth" (? - short for "??", Pinyin: f?). In regional dialects the words for "eight" and "fortune" are also similar, eg Cantonese "baat" and "faat".

There is also a resemblance between two digits, "88", and the shuang xi ('double joy'), a popular decorative design composed of two stylized characters ? (xi, 'joy', 'happiness').

For me, 888 is the sum of the mm/dd/yyy of my birth - 8/17/62 - and I have always thought this was a lucky sign. I did win the genetic lottery with the family I was born into - and usually lead a very charmed life. I appreciate the struggles I am going through now because it will make me a better person.
----------------------

A minor remembrance came to me today with the Olympics in China. I was reminded of the excitement I felt when Atlanta was awarded the Olympics and I volunteered to be a participant in Atlanta. I was surprised to see I could apply to be a flag bearer for the opening/closing ceremonies and quickly submitted my application. I did receive a reply that I was accepted and was extremely excited about being a part of an international event. There was even a schedule for training submitted. Then nothing. After a few phone calls, I discovered I did not pass the background check because there were several "Tom Dempsey"s in Atlanta and they could not get the correct information. Nor did they try. I was told the slots have been filled and I could wear a puppet outfit (most likely Izzy) in Athens, GA for the soccer competition. I passed.

I believe seeing the excitement the Olympics brought to the city of Atlanta could be recreated when I attended the Gay Games in Amsterdam in 2008. I asked why Atlanta did not bid for this international event and was told it had, but lost miserable. But I also learned the time was right for Atlanta to try again. Needless to say, that was a disaster when Ray Hom and Margie Archer kicked me out so Ray Hom could take my place. (His initial proposal was to have three co-chairs and I declined because I never trusted him) Without my initial efforts and money, there would not have been a bid at all.

--------------------------

The Gay Games bid opened my eyes to the nasty world of Atlanta. I was respected by many but the harcher's HRC people sided with their friends and vilified me. I had even considered working with the situation for a few months before I saw the disaster it would be. It end that thought on August 17, 1999 - my birthday.

--------------------------

What I did learn was how HRC and their friends felt they "owned" Atlanta and nothing could take place without there approval. At the time, HRC has Georgia Equality in their pocket and many connections to Atlanta Pride. And one of Ray Hom's circuit party friends was a Coors heir who gave money to the Atlanta bid - and worked a sponsorship for Atlanta Pride for several years. I was shocked and amazed because many older gays and lesbians can remember the days where Coors was the number one enemy and Harvey Milk would protest Coors by pouring the beer into the sewers in San Francisco.

I decided to take a stand and started questioning Donna Narducci about the Coors sponsorship. Narducci "stonewalled" me and never talked to me or anyone about the deal. (I feel she may have taken some money under the table to make the deal happen...) The emails flew and the public ignored the situation - except the time the National Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Association and myself gave Donna Narducci and Atlanta Pride (as well as Atlanta Games, Inc) the Coors Whore Award. I was truly surprised to see Southern Voice print it on the front page that week.

Needless to say, Donna was not happy and I became a target for Narducci and others. I did make the mistake of send Narducci an email from work when I worked at BellSouth - and Narducci had her friends in the legal department ensure I was fired. (Looking back - it was a minor mistake and a first offense for email misuse is not a firable offense at any company.) But the Narducci had the power and contacts (RN).

My life has been in a tail-spin since then and I am still looking for solid ground.

I don't feel Narducci feels wronged in her firing. She did manage 6 more years making $65,000 annually at a time when many people were losing their jobs. And I have never reached the same salary since being fired from BellSouth. And more executive directors rarely last over 5 years, so 15 years is amazing.

The problem her is Narducci hand-picked her boards and never had to report to anyone. Her decision to keep Coors for so long, keep Pride in June, and others just show there was no control over the woman.

She was a formidable foe and won (unlike Hom/Archer) and I don't she her crying over the mess with Pride. Narducci made lots of money, built a very powerful base, was very visible in the community and will go on to do other things.

I can see Narducci on a balcony singing "Don't cry for me, Atlanta...".

She also found herself at the top of my archenemy list with Ray Hom and Margie Archer.

May they all burn in hell!

--
Tom Dempsey

Comments on: How McCain, Obama differ on gay marriage proposition

2008-07-03T21:30:00.001-05:00

OK - all the candidates are towing the party line in an effort not to alienate voters before the election and I'm learning as I get older that there is really no difference between Republicans and Democrats. I consider myself a Libertarian but get nauseous thinking about Bob Barr after many run-ins with the man myself being from Atlanta for 22 years.

But it is now lime to take a stand and tell ANY candidate that "if you're not with us - you're against us." Of course, Democrats don't want to bring up the gay word during elections because it gives the Republicans an issue to use against them. But Republicans aren't shy to drag out that old chestnut (even with the likes of Mark Foley and Larry Craig, etc...) to let people know they are the party to keep the gays down.

Funny, nothing really changed over the last 7.5 years with Bush/Cheney - and if anything, gays and lesbians are moving forward faster for equality. Marriage is breaking out all over the country, DODT is being ignored, HIV/AIDS is still getting attention (despite Lance Armstrong trying to push cancer as cooler and hipper), gay people are out of the ghettos and moving to all areas of the land, TV is embracing the gay culture with more and more realistic gay characters in TV and movies (fixing the damage Will and Grace did), and public opinion is changing toward LGBT issues with christian terrorists being ignore and berated.

So many Republicans and Christians have gay and lesbian children (Cheney comes to mind) negating the chance a Gay Holocast will happen in America.

And finally, the youth attitude toward gays is bubbling up through society as more and more under-30's start to influence the world with growing acceptance to gay rights and equality - much like the youths of the 1950/60's helped advance the civil rights movement of African-Americans. Homophobia and racism will still exist in the world but it will no longer be openly tolerated.

This presidential election will not the the pivital point in LGBT history. This is an election of ageism, sexism and racism - so it is time to start bringing the LGBT issue upfront on both parties. Gay/lesbian marriage and adoption will be the usual wedge issues along with guns and abortion. Evangelicals will be staying home because neither candidate is "christian conservative" enough. Kudos to Evangelicals for taking a stand!

Why can't the LGBT community do the same thing!

Much like many AIDS organizations fearing the end to AIDS (no AIDS, no high paying jobs/organizations), many gay rights groups love the status quo these days of being hated and discriminated against in order to have THEIR high paying jobs and limos and offices and status. It doesn't matter if these people make any advances in the fight for LGBT equality as long as they have their jobs and perks. Dinners, award shows and feel-good conferences doesn't really do the job these people are paid to do. It only adds to their elitist kingdoms to look down on the common gays and say to the wealthy they must pay to be let into the circle/club. (There are actually some gay groups in America that shun publicity and ACTUALLY work for our rights not looking for the glamour and recognition!)

So it's time to take a stand! It's time to put our heels down and say "enough is enough." Fight for US or "we will not fight/vote for you!"

And start more local groups - but do not model them against the existing A-list LGBT organizations.

Tom Dempsey

Editorial: How McCain, Obama differ on gay marriage proposition
Mercury News Editorial
Article Launched: 07/03/2008 01:31:47 AM PDT

John McCain's support for the initiative to ban gay marriage in California - Proposition 8 - was predictable, given his conservative base of support. But Barack Obama's opposition, announced this week, was not a given. Nor is it a flip-flop on principle, as his opposition claims.

Obama and McCain both have said they believe marriage should be between a man and woman. They part company on the impulse to legislate their personal belief in a way that removes rights now granted to Californians in the state constitution.

Make no mistake. This is a civil rights issue. Under law, only marriage confers certain legal rights of inheritance, medical decision-making and child custody.

The distinction Obama makes between personal belief and what should or should not be law is in keeping with American political tradition. Many Republicans and Democrats over the years have personally opposed abortion, for example, but would not take away a woman's right to make such a personal decision.

Granted, this nuance of thought and judgment makes for an easy target for Swift Boat crews revving up their political engines.

It also makes for a better president.

http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_9773612

Re: GLAAD Condemns FX Networks� Refusal to Correct Defamatory Misrepresentation by Anti-Gay Activist on 30 Days

2008-06-25T17:57:00.002-05:00

Interesting to note that Scott Seomin used to work for GLAAD. While I condemn this "supposedly" sensational representation of gay and lesbians family, it is a wonder to see GLAAD call out the show while one of its former staffers works for FX as VP for Public Relations.

But to be truly balanced, you should have some right-wing religious nut spouting the same old trite crap about gays and lesbians. ALL the news channels do it

"Something is rotten in Denmark" here... Could a venerable organization like GLAAD be using a ploy with the LGBT community to boost ratings for a second-rate television show?

See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QueerAtlanta/message/7836 for whole story.

Re: GLAAD Condemns FX Networks� Refusal to Correct Defamatory Misrepresentation by Anti-Gay Activist on 30 Days

2008-06-23T23:10:00.003-05:00

Interesting to note that Scott Seomin used to work for GLAAD. While I condemn this "supposedly" sensational representation of gay and lesbians family, it is a wonder to see GLAAD call out the show while one of its former staffers works for FX as VP for Public Relations.

But to be truly balanced, you should have some right-wing religious nut spouting the same old trite crap about gays and lesbians. ALL the news channels do it

"Something is rotten in Denmark" here... Could a venerable organization like GLAAD be using a ploy with the LGBT community to boost ratings for a second-rate television show?

Tom Dempsey

On Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 10:47 PM, Tom Dempsey <tomdemp@gmail.com> wrote:
---------- Forwarded message ----------From: GLAAD Media Advisory <media_advisory@glaad.org>Date: Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 9:05 PMSubject: GLAAD Condemns FX Networks' Refusal to Correct Defamatory Misrepresentation by Anti-Gay Activist on 30 DaysTo: tom@tomdempsey.com
Having trouble reading this?.

New York, NY, June 23, 2008 - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today urged community members to contact FX Networks to express their concerns about a defamatory claim by an anti-gay activist that will appear, unchallenged, in the June 24 episode of 30 Days.

30 Days, FX Networks' original series produced by Morgan Spurlock, "examines social issues in America by immersing individuals in a life that requires them to see the world through another's eyes,'" according to the show's Web site. In 2006, the series won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program for the "Gay/Straight" episode.

During the June 24 episode, entitled "Same Sex Parenting," Kati, a woman who opposes gay and lesbian parents and their families, lives for 30 days with gay parents Dennis and Thomas and their four adopted sons. The episode includes the personal stories of kids raised by lesbian and gay parents.

Regrettably, the episode also features a defamatory statement by Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council, an anti-gay activist organization, who claims: "Homosexuality is associated with higher rates of sexual promiscuity, sexually transmitted diseases, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, and child sexual abuse, and those are all reasons for us to be concerned about placing children into that kind of setting." While there is no credible scientific research that backs Sprigg's claim - and much that disputes it - the episode presents his assertion as if it were fact and offers no credible social science experts or child health authorities to challenge Sprigg's assertion. Indeed, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association, the Child Welfare League of America, and many other child health and social services authorities who support parenting by qualified lesbian and gay parents dispute Sprigg's claim.

After reviewing a screener supplied by FX Networks, GLAAD and the Family Equality Council, a national non-profit working to ensure equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families, contacted FX Networks last week, requesting that the inaccurate claim be removed from the episode or that a credible social science expert or child health authority be brought in to provide an on-air correction. FX Networks, however, refused to remove the defamatory content or, at minimum, address it during the course of the episode.

"This is an episode of 30 Days that GLAAD would have liked to support for its commendable effort to share the authentic story of everyday lesbian and gay parents and their families and the opposition they face in trying to provide a stable and nurturing home for their children," said GLAAD Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson. "However, FX Networks' insistence on airing - and refusal to correct the record on - this defamatory misrepresentation makes that impossible. It is unacceptable that FX Networks and its parent company 20th Century Fox would provide a platform for the inaccurate and dangerous claims of anti-gay activists - misinformation that can put gay and lesbian parents and their families in harm's way."

TAKE ACTION:

GLAAD, the Family Equality Council and Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere (COLAGE) are urging their members and the community to contact FX Networks, and 20th Century Fox, to express their concerns over providing a platform for such an inaccurate, misleading claim by the Family Research Council. Community members should let FX Networks know that it is irresponsible and unacceptable to put forth such a damaging, defamatory assertion about lesbian and gay parents, and worse, refuse to include the voices of credible experts to dispute it. GLAAD, the Family Equality Council and COLAGE honor the gay and lesbian parents and their children who are featured in this episode for sharing the real stories of their lives, and especially Dennis and Thomas and their family for opening up their home and the hearts and minds of millions through their participation on 30 Days.

FX Networks:

Nick Grad
Executive Vice President of Original Programming
(310) 369-0949
ngrad@fxnetworks.com

Chuck Saftler
Executive Vice President of Programming
(310) 369-0949
csaftler@fxnetworks.com

Scott Seomin
Vice President of Public Relations
(310) 369-0938
scott.seomin@fxnetwork.com

About GLAADThe Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org.

Please read our privacy policy. GLAAD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that depends on your support. If you are a member, please accept our thanks. If you would like to support our important work, please visit us online.

Re: Southern Voice covers chronicle 20 years of gay history

2008-06-04T02:54:00.000-05:00

Re: Southern Voice covers chronicle 20 years of gay history
An introspective view from Tom Dempsey

Congratulations to Southern Voice for 20 years!I remember reading the first issue the week it came out and was very excited at the time. Being from a smaller town in South Carolina, it was amazing to see a mainstream paper being born and keeping me educated on the news and issues in the LGBT community - especially the exploding Atlanta events. We had Cruise Magazine and then Etcetera before SoVo giving some hints and both were good publications. Etcetera was always a favorite of mine at the gym with Jack Pellam at the helm mixing news and events.

When Southern Voice came out, it was known as a primarily lesbian publication since Chris Cash and her partner favored the lesbian view of the world. But age has taught me differently. (SoVo was considered "gayer and more Republican" when bought by Chris Crain and William Waybourn.) I suppose the leadership is reflected in the paper but SoVo was always a well-balanced reflection of LGBT Atlanta society after Cash sold the paper thanks to the many great staff members - including Laura Brown-Douglas and Matt Henning (and more than I remember here).

I think the only complaint I have had with SoVo is it had to answer to its owners (as any paper does) - and SoVo has many owners in the Atlanta community. But it didn't stop Southern Voice from publishing stories I'm sure several of the "owners" didn't agree with. Some issues that come to mind include holding HRCF under a microscope and the reporting on the Atlanta Gay Games bid for the 2006 Gay Games. Southern Voice published a factual and unbiased story on my "harchering" when I was overthrown by a primarily AGI/HRC board and Ray Hom's friends - leaving people confused and baffled (cover below). Of course, friends take sides and the HRC crowd went with Ray Hom and Margie Archer in the fight but at least I was given the opportunity to tell my side - and in the end justice was served with Montreal and then eventually Chicago winning the bid. I did receive a great deal of sympathy just from that story. However, Southern Voice did not cover the crushing defeat on the second bid when Montreal pulled out and Chicago won. It would have been interesting reading (I did post the blow-by-blow on QueerAtlanta).

And then the issue of Coors came about thanks to the Atlanta bid. I wasn't aware (as many weren't) that Coors was a sponsor of Atlanta Pride. I remember reading a story of how Harvey Milk rose to his position of gay political leadership by sparking the protest in San Francisco and started researching Coors Brewings past regarding racial discrimination and homophobia. Milk led the protests to remove Coors from SF bars and actually had groups poured Coors in the sewers. So I began to wonder why Atlanta Pride was one of the few gay organizations to take money from Coors in the 1990s. Donna Narducci stonewalled me and I decided to make it an issue - including working with a national lawyers group to present the Coors Whore Award to Atlanta Pride and Atlanta Games Inc. Southern Voice was kind enough to print the news on the front page that week - I'm sure to much protest. Unfortunately, Donna Narducci found an error I made when I sent an email to her from BellSouth about the Coors protest and had me fired from BellSouth with the help of her friends. This was also reported in Southern Voice but the damage was done. Interesting how Bud is now the beer sponsor!

Bless your heart, Donna!

Narducci is an interesting figure in Southern Voice. She has done an excellent job running Atlanta Pride over the years as an evil dictator despite the fact Atlanta has their Pride celebration on one of the hottest weekends in Atlanta and must compete with New York, San Francisco and other A-list Prides for speakers and entertainment. But Pride is Atlanta's number one event during the year regardless with many rainy and sweltering summers. I actually work with Atlanta Pride for years in the late 80s and believe my suggestions about moving the celebration to October was one of my down-falls. But Donna has many friends and the few that disagree with her would not cross her since she can crush you (experience talking) and they don't want to be disinvited to the ultra-exclusive VIP reception for Atlanta Pride. Most people keep their heads in the sand - in my opinion.

But this should be an interesting year for Pride. Donna Narducci took a very feeble stand against HRCF (who infests Atlanta) but I have to wonder if this is a ploy cooked up by Narducci and HRC. Few will notice or care.

I do have to thank Narducci and Hom/Archer. They gave birth to QueerAtlanta on Yahoo! Groups (and eventually Queer Network) when I was harchered (kinked out of) by AGI. QueerAtlanta is still thriving today with over 1000+ members and provides an alternative voice to the press spin many papers give - including Southern Voice.

I have had a few grips with Southern Voice - but not enough to tarnish my opinion of the paper. Chris Cash and Chris Crain seemed to had a nepotistic flair when they were editors by promoting their friends in columns and some coverage - as well as some owners. I believe it damaged the integrity of the paper but not to the point most would see or understand. And advertisers have an undue influence on any paper - but that is to be expected.

One story really chaffed me when I read the puff piece Southern Voice printed about Ray Hom when he went moved to Singapore. I believe it was Van Glower who wrote the story and when asked why he (Ray) "started" the bid for Gay Games 2006 Van proceeded to quote my own speech from Ray - saying what I had said in the past about why I started the bid. Fact checking would have been helpful but I am familiar with the slights from Atlanta Games Inc - including the wonderful video at the bid presentation where I (Tom Dempsey) was carrying the rainbow flag during Gay Pride one year. Don't think that went unnoticed or reported to the Federation.

All in all - Southern Voice has been a great paper over the years and I feel honored to read (and occasionally be part of) the history SoVo has chronicled. I have a good 10 years saved and miss reading the paper itself (I have to endure the website) since SoVo no longer distributes a paper in Pensacola. SoVo puts Ambush to shame.

I have to admit I am not a fan of the Windows Media setup and would like to see Southern Voice become an independent paper again but you can't argue with economies of scale.

The next generation of media will be interesting to watch with the Internet eroding traditional papers. No one has found the formula to bring LGBT media into the 21st century with online activity concentrated on porn and hook-ups but I feel someone will find a way in the next 5-10 years. Most paper's websites are sad at best and blogging is boring where I believe some people just like to hear themselves type.

But I see the next chapter coming and hope Southern Voice is part of it.

Cheers!

Tom Dempsey

Sir Elton John Can Bite Me!

2008-05-03T20:09:00.002-05:00

Posted April 25, 2008 on QueerNetwork

It's 9pm on Friday night and I am sitting 5 blocks from the Pensacola Civic Center where Sir Elton John is playing.

But I am not there...

I know several of Elton's people and asked for tickets to the concert - even offering to pay for them - but no tickets.

I have been a tireless activist for HIV/AIDS education over the years and have posted many items for Elton - even promoting the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) on my emails. But this snub is too much!

I will no longer support the EJAF and will be dropping the tagline. I will also no longer defend Elton when people say he will only support your organization or event if you give money to the EJAF.

I will never listen to Elton John again and throw out ALL my CDs. I am that mad!

And Barron, I wish I never posted your protests against WSB Channel 2 in Atlanta for Alex seeing how you treated me.

Tom Dempsey

Sir Elton John Can Bite Me!

2008-04-29T11:55:00.001-05:00

It's 9pm on Friday night and I am sitting 5 blocks from the Pensacola Civic Center where Sir Elton John is playing.

But I am not there...

I know several of Elton's people and asked for tickets to the concert - even offering to pay for them - but no tickets.

I have been a tireless activist for HIV/AIDS education over the years and have posted many items for Elton - even promoting the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) on my emails. But this snub is too much!

I will no longer support the EJAF and will be dropping the tagline. I will also no longer defend Elton when people say he will only support your organization or event if you give money to the EJAF.

I will never listen to Elton John again and throw out ALL my CDs. I am that mad!

And Barron, I wish I never posted your protests against WSB Channel 2 in Atlanta for Alex seeing how you treated me.

Tom Dempsey

Gay and Lesbian News Blog: Crain's Brain: Free Gary Wayne Carriker!

2005-12-06T22:50:00.000-06:00

Gay and Lesbian News Blog: Crain's Brain: Free Gary Wayne Carriker!

Chris Crain has found a worthy cause in Carriker! This case has never passed the smell test for me and I have always wondered what was going on here. It really sounds like "jilted lover" syndrome.

Crain makes several good points in the editorial for people to think about - and makes you wonder "exactly" why Carriker is sitting in jail. Yes, Carriker committed a crime by not revealing his HIV status but Crain points out that Withrow did not bother to protect himself by using protection or asking questions. It is a two-way street. How many people go out these days and have unprotected sex? Not many. Especially in the gay community.

And the unanswered questions are bothering. Exactly when did Withrow find out Carriker was positive? Many people don't discuss their HIV status upfront and wait until the relationship progresses to bring up such matters. In today's gay society, it is always better to protect yourself and ask questions later. And I always assume it is a 50-50 chance when meeting someone and be safe. Of course, it would be better to get these questions out of the way, but we know gay men. (I have heard declaring to be HIV-positive is the exception rather than the rule. We might as well tattoo people if that was the case but this is a free country.)

And it is none of my business, but was there even a transmission of the virus in this case? Again, too many unanswered questions.

What shocks me is that someone would have the nerve to write this editorial and I applaud Chris Crain. Our community should be protesting for his release but groups like Georgia Equality and others would not touch this with a ten-foot pole. AIDS continues to be a stigma on our community and the politically correct position is help and prevention - not miscarriages of justice. Yes, a gay man is caught "dead to rights" in an illegal act committed everyday in this country - straight and gay. But the punishment seems excessive.

I have heard of one or two HIV transmission cases in the last few years where the perpetrator intended to infect as many people as he could out of anger for his own situation but we don't know what Carriker intended here. This is a common situation in gay (and straight) society and a legitimate issue - but to have a man sitting in jail reeks on gay prejudice. And no one is standing up for the man.

It's time to take action! (I'm talking to you, Lambda Legal!)

Southern Voice Online - Adult film career isn�t to blame

2004-12-10T16:32:00.000-06:00

Southern Voice Online

I can totally relate to Barry Rogers' story and appreciate his brother taking the time to write this letter and for SoVo publishing it.

I, too, suffer from depression for most of my life and the condition amplifies life's situations to the point of being overwhelming.

Trust be told, I have never gotten back on my feet after Donna Narducci of Atlanta Pride had me fired from BellSouth in 2001. Since the job market was already crumbling at that time for computer programmers and others, I have never found another good job to replace BellSouth and ended up moving to Florida to depend on family for survival. After two years and a hurricane, it is getting old. I currently started a job paying 1/3 of what I made at BellSouth (and the past 15 years) just being happy to have a steady income and benefits - if not a small income.

There were several times over the last 2 years I considered taking Mr. Rogers' path but something keeps me going. Not having an income or a home is very tough on a person and can drive them to the edge.

HRC | New HRC Board Co-Chair Selection Michael Berman Sends Strong Message of Unity

2004-12-08T13:28:00.000-06:00

HRC | New HRC Board Co-Chair Selection Michael Berman Sends Strong Message of Unity

This is total bullshit!!!

And it also proves the adage that just because someone says something doesn't make it true. Ms. Baba said “...this choice sends a strong message that the fight for equality can unite all fair-minded Americans.” The message I get is gays and lesbians can't fight for them selves and have to bring in straight people to help.

Oddly enough, I have seen this senario in the past with Sherry Stark - a straight woman from Atlanta - taking over Georgia Equality Project - Georgia's largest gay and lesbian group. Sherry wasn't a lesbian, didn't have gay children or even a gay dog or cat. She just saw the opportunity to move in on a group with her temporary charm and get herself in the paper.

I thought it was cute at first but eventually realized Sherry was looking to fill a leadership void in her life and make the papers as often as possible. She was quickly run out of town back to Marietta.

Yes, straight allies are important but having them run the largest gay and lesbian group is ridiculous. How would it look if the NAACP had a white chair?

Gay groups need gay leaders!!!

Southern Voice Online - HRC names new, straight co-chair

2004-12-06T02:47:00.000-06:00

Southern Voice Online

Nice! A straight co-chair for the country's largest gay organization.

What's next - a white man running the NAACP?