Sunday, September 30, 2007

The Trans Seperation AG(ENDA): Say NO, HRC




A Trans archivist says if HRC goes with a discriminatory version of ENDA, Then HRC should take the T out of the mission statement.
At the very least, Joe. HRC must know many Stonewall Citizens will leave HRC over this and take our dollars with us. Don't they?
Barney Frank does not always speak for Stonewall Citizen or the LGBT community at all times. He errs on occasion. This is one of those occasions where his political tactics, as reported since 2004, are not in the best interest of the community. Thanks, but no thanks Barney, Stonewall Citizen will tough it out with our Trans brothers and sisters.
Source: Pam's House Blend

"You don't stab a man in the back nine inches and pull it out six inches and say you're making progress.
--Malcolm X
All of the major LGBT 501(c) and civil rights organizations added a T to their mission statements. They didn't have to add T's to their mission statements, but they did. After they added the T's, they banded together and said that they "will only support ENDA if it is inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. That said to transgender people like me that "The LGBT community is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, AND transgender community."

Rep. Barney Frank is going to submit two ENDAs next week -- actually better described as an ENDA and a GENDA. But, "Separate but equal" ENDA's aren't going to cut the mustard at this point; either transgender people are the LGBT community, or transgender people aren't. Two bills means transgender people like me are not part of the greater LGBT community. Rep. Frank is essentially saying it's not LGBT, but LGBt.

Congressional Democratic Leadership, in the form of Rep. Franks' ENDA and GENDA, has presented major LGBT 501(c) and civil rights organizations with a dilemma. Either these organizations can choose to support a single ENDA that covers both sexual orientation and gender identity, or chose not too. But, even though legislatively it may be easier and more convenient to leave transgender people out the main ENDA bill, the "separate but equal" approach to ENDA legislation will mean deep, public division for the LGBT community. It already has meant bloody havoc -- and it'll get worse.

So to the one, large, LGBT civil rights organization that has yet to announce how it's going to come down on the "separate but equal" approach to ENDA, I have this to say:

My transgender peers and I am watching you, Human Rights Campaign, for your final statement on the "separate but equal" approach to ENDA legislation. If you support the "separate but equal" approach to ENDA, I know I'll be among the first calling for you to take the T out of your mission statement. "Separate but equal" is not going to be an acceptable option at all to transgender people, their significant others, friends, families, and most of our allies."

Monday, September 24, 2007

San Francisco Citizens For Halloween Feel Tricked

image credit: tribe.net

Can the Gay Mecca kill queer fabulousness on Halloween? San Francisco officials are planning to end this world famous Castro happening, after failing to provide adequate security last year. Shootings resulted after a tense crowd was dispersed in a way that made the atmosphere even worse, neighborhood residents reported at the time. For most of it's history, Halloween in the Castro has not been professionally produced, which may explain the years of problems leading to last years shooting.

After the problems last year, an open community process was promised by elected officials, but then discussions were held behind closed doors, disenfranchising many residents and merchants, and side tracking a community-based solution. San Francisco's Sunshine Ordinance may also have been circumvented by anxious officials.
Now, 6 weeks from Halloween, citizens have given themselves a chance to be heard by hosting a community forum attended by 500 people. (See story, below).

Meanwhile, "Citizens For Halloween" wants San Francisco to create a successful Halloween event, as New York does each year, for millions of people. The New York event is replete with appropriate production values. This years NYC theme is "Wings of Desire" and it's website boasts many business sponsors, including The Village Voice and Whole Foods.

The NY Halloween is held in "The Village", the famed gay-friendly area that was also home to the Stonewall Bar, and gay liberation protests that launched the 20th century gay liberation movement. The NY party features a costume parade and 53 bands.



Which Witch Is The Good Witch?
Apparently San Francisco is prepared to cede its event lead to New York, and all of the tourist dollars that go with it. Stonewall Citizen thinks this is so very uncreative, so very un-San Francisco. Who, in the end assumes the right to end a gay cultural and populist event without community input?
San Francisco and Castro Supervisor Bevin Dufty sternly faced the cameras last week, stated that San Francisco will "batten down the hatches" on Halloween. He is supported by Mayor Gavin Newsom, who is expected to win re-election on November 7th, a week after Halloween.

The Story, from SF's KGO News...

"Castro Residents Fear Party Will Form In Halloween

After City Banned The Event

<span class=KGO"> By Debora Villalon

- It's the party that refuses to die. San Francisco banned the annual Halloween party in the Castro. but community members are afraid thousands of people will still show up to haunt their neighborhood, this year.

Images of Halloweens past show the outrageous costumes, the huge crowd, the place to see and be seen. But recent Halloweens in San Francisco have gone bad with stabbings, and last year nine people shot and a woman trampled.

"We're going to batten down the hatches and do what we need to do," said San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty.

The supervisor who represents the Castro insists word will spread- no party this year- and zero tolerance for those who persist.

"We're reaching out to law enforcement agencies around the bay area and trust me, there will be a very coordinated approach and the message will go out that we don't expect people to come," said Dufty.

And if they do come? Concerned citizens heard at a community meeting that paramedics will be ready; but there won't be any port-a-potties, checkpoints or weapons screening- because that implies an event.

"This is a plan of staging and responding," said Capt. Rich Dyer from the San Francisco Sheriff's Department.

San Francisco police skipped this meeting, so the best preview came from the Sheriff's Department.

"There will be barricades there, there will be police officers and deputies staged around the perimeter, there will be police officers in the Castro, but in terms of anything in place at the start of the evening, No," said Capt. Dyer.

To many listeners, that plan sounds like no plan at all.

"That's like trying to decree there won't be a rainstorm, it doesn't work that way," said Castro resident George Stoll.

"They're going to come to the neighborhood looking for the party that's not going to be here," said Martha Asten.

Some Castro merchants would have preferred the city just run the party better- not end it.

"It is so well renowned, people show up from around the world," said Asten.

Others are doing as the city asks, closing for business on Halloween, and letting the tradition go.

"All the merchants have mixed emotions about that because there's nothing we'd rather see than all the locals out in costume having a blast," said Jerry Cooper from swirl on Castro.

And there's a contingent arguing if New York can host a Halloween bash for a few million people, San Francisco should be able to handle a few hundred thousand, with planning.

"Crowd control can happen, big events can be thrown, the problem here is there's a trend in San Francisco toward killing large events," said Ted Strawser from Citizens from Halloween.

As Halloween approaches, the city will launch an ad campaign aimed at the entire Bay Area- explaining the Castro party is over, and encouraging people to stay home and enjoy their own neighborhoods. But the question is haunting: if you ban it, will they still come?"

Monday, September 17, 2007

Wake Up For Us

Gay Marriage in San Diego: Straight Allies With Us or Not?


Hiding behind a weak procedural argument a so-called straight ally shocked the San Diego LGBT community earlier this month, by voting against an amendment to add a San Diego "friend of the court brief"on gay marriage arguments pending before the CA Supreme Court.
Surf Shop owner and Commissioner Donna Frye went head first off her board, and cast a killer vote, wiping out a majority of the San Diego leaders who voted yes. Frye and others will be given another opportunity to vote tomorrow in San Diego.

This kind of betrayal is precisely why Harvey Milk, the first openly gay Supervisor of San Francisco advised:

“No matter how good our friends may be a gay official is needed not just for our protection, but to set an example for younger gays that says that the system works.”

Maybe it its past time for San Diego queers to make the system work and run for Donna's seat. Since she betrayed this vibrant gay community, on such a crucial historical vote, she can not be trusted. It should also be noted the LGBT community worked very hard for her failed run for the Mayorship against current Mayor Jerry Sanders.

The policy of Stonewall Citizen: Support those who support us. Or better yet, support our own.

Call to Action: Source: The Center, San Diego Sept 17 2008 "The Center’s Public Policy Department invites you to join us tomorrow, Tues., Sept. 18 at the San Diego City Council meeting. Tomorrow’s meeting is another opportunity for the City Council to make history, as it will vote again on whether to sign on in support of the marriage equality case currently before the California Supreme Court. The hearing will begin at 2pm on the 12th floor of City Hall, 202 C St."

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Our History of Public Demonstrations Is A Key Reason We Have Come This Far


Welcome again. We are getting up and running, so to speak, so more later about why the lack of public demonstrations for LGBT rights is a problem for the movement today. Stay Tuned...