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queerVOICE
James Duggan
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In South Africa, gangs are using rape to "cure" lesbians! Does that startle you as much as me? Corrective rape is being forced upon lesbians by hetero men who say to them, "If I rape you then you will go straight, you will buy skirts and start to cook because you will have learnt how to be a real woman." Minimally, these women are insulted every day. They are beaten as they walk along paths of daily life, and they are constantly reminded why they deserve to be raped.
In Vancouver, Canada, a 35 year old man critically beat a 62 year old man after playing pool in a pub last Friday. When asked why he did it the assailant replied, "Because he's a faggot. I'm not a fag. The faggot touched me. He deserved it."
In Newark, NJ, a gay-couple was beaten outside a Brittney Spears concert. One of those assaulted had his jaw broken in two places. The group of 15 to 20 teenage girls and boys yelled "faggots" as they punched and kicked the couple.
An Oklahoma high school teacher was fired after assigning her class a project based on the movie, "The Laramie Project," which is based on the murder of gay Wisconsin college student Matthew Shepard.
In the Central African country of Burundi their governing assembly is pressing forward with legislation to criminalize being queer. The National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy Party chairperson was reported as saying, "Homosexuality is a sin. It is a culture which has been imported to sully our morals and is practiced by immoral people. If we love our country, if we love our culture, we must ban this practice which will draw only misfortune for us. "
These are just some of this weeks stories of our world-wide battle for freedom and equality . . . from near and far the stories tell of how pitched the battle is that we fight. The harder we fight for our civil rights the greater the opposition becomes. Hate crimes are seen on the rise all across the world. Yet they can not deter us from our quest for justice.
We have been burned at the stake in ancient days and beaten to death in modern days. We are targeted by bigotry and hatred, and discriminated against for simply being who we were born to be. Governments either rise against us or stand still and ignore us . . . majorities prevent or steal away our basic human rights out of an ignorance that seems at time so deeply rooted it could never be corrected.
These stories have been with us for hundreds of hundreds of generations and they're apparently not going away any time soon. Perhaps that's the danger . . . perhaps queer oppression and discrimination has been with us for so long we have become too comfortable or satisfied with our individual successful out-lives . . . seemingly free from discrimination and apparent hate . . . that some of us have lost either our drive, interest or desire for full equality for all queers in every nation. Perhaps we have forgotten what it is to be discriminated against or even hated for being queer. This needs to change!
As a member of an international class of people who are confronted daily by discrimination and sorted atrocities in the name of religious beliefs or homophobic philosophies, I believe there is a need to make our lives relative to each other in our battle for worldwide equality. We in the United States need to become relative to the lesbians in South Africa who are being subjected to "corrective rape."
If we, queer and hetero alike, believe in the equality of all peoples then we must take a stand at home for those near and far. Right now anti-queer organizations are mobilizing in both Delaware and Pennsylvania to fight the passage of nondiscrimination bills that include sexual orientation and gender identity. Good people everywhere need to prevent then from succeeding.
If you live in either of these two states, if you have family or friends who live in these states, or if you do business in or with others in these states then it is important that we mobilize as many people as we can to call the respective legislators and express strong support for including queers in their states' nondiscrimination laws. Remind each that as their constituent you expect them to support your civil rights.
This action is vital, especially in Pennsylvania, where House Bill 300 has moved out of committee and will, for the first time in that state's history, be voted on by the House for or against extending nondiscrimination protections to its queer citizens. The danger is that the vote is extremely close and without an overwhelming support from people across the commonwealth it has a very good chance of failing.
Facebook, twitter, MySpace, texting, emailing, phone calls, whatever way possible . . . get the word out to take action is needed. Our small actions at home are of great relevance everywhere . . . be relative . . . take action today.
Find Your PA Representatives Here
Find Your PA Senator Here
Find Your DE Representatives Here
Find Your DE Senator Here
[Note: The fight I speak of is referenced to a righteous fight and not of a physical fight. I advocate only peaceful, nonviolent action.]
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What It Looks Like From Here
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2009 |
 I've adored actor Paul Rudd ever since he played a serious gay character in "Object of My Affection" (1998). That was early in the gay-friendly actor's career and less frequent that a straight actor would embrace the role without worry of infringement upon his future in the entertainment industry. "I figured everyone thought I was gay anyway," he told writer Dennis Lim (The New York Time, March 15, 2009). One can only hope. Rudd definitely became my private "object of affection" in that movie and the numerous other roles that he's assumed.
Now the boyishly handsome, almost 40 year old, comedic actor will be starring in "I Love You, Man" about male bonding, with plenty of gay jokes that "shrewd enough to make them register as lampoons of homophobia" according to Lim. And this guy flick, with its bro-relationships, adds a realistic ingredient as there's also Andy Samberg's character, Mr. Rudd's character's gay brother which mixes things up a little and a lot.
"I Love You, Man" fits, writes Lim, "squarely within this current vogue in American comedy for what sociologists would call homosocial intimacy and what MTV and trend-article writers have termed the bromance. It also provides what could be a touchstone role for Mr. Rudd, whose career has, in its unassuming way, summed up the charms and contradictions of modern masculinity."
Did you get all that? I guess that the metrosexual has been now replaced by the bromantic!
 Boycotts are us? Not really, when was the last time that the LGBT community, either locally or nationally, conducted that kind of campaign?
These days there does appear to be an ongoing boycott of the state of Utah. OutFront Colorado's Managing Editor, Matt Kailey, reported (OutFrontColorado, February 25, 2009) that the Utah Gay Ski Week has been canceled this year "due to insanely low registration numbers."
While some of the anticipated low turnout might be attributed to the economy, the organizers of the annual gay ski event partially say that "blame goes to the national GLBT boycott on Utah that resulted from the Mormon Church's funding of California's Yes on Prop. 8 anti-same-sex-marriage campaign."
Taking umbrage with the decision, Kailey writes: "Boycotts sometimes work, and when used correctly, they can be a powerful activist tool. However, boycotting an entire state, including GLBT-specific events taking place in GLBT-friendly locations and sponsored by GLBT-owned and GLBT-friendly businesses, hurts no one but ourselves."
What do you think?
 Philadelphia made the "Hot List" in The Advocate (February, 2009). The leading queer magazine's editors placed it with Buenos Aires and La Reunion (a French territory in the Indian Ocean) with the recommendation to "Put these destinations on this year's travel itinerary." They wrote: "Philadelphia has been called 'the city of brotherly love (and sisterly affection)' for good reason. The birthplace of 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' has an officially designated gayborhood, many gay-friendly hotels, and thriving nightlife."
Sometimes we need to hear about the wonders and joys of our city from someone else, like the headquarters for parent company, Regent Media, of The Advocate, in Los Angeles with additional offices in New York City.
Congratulations to the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) and the Philadelphia Gay Travel Caucus (PGTC) for their concerted effort and continued work on making Philadelphia a more identified gay-friendly destination!
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speakOUT on the Qt!
copyright 2009 |
This Week's Contributor: Value All Families Coalition
Hundreds of Pennsylvanians Rally in Support of Bill to End LGBT Discrimination
Hundreds of Pennsylvanians gathered in the capitol rotunda today in support of House Bill 300, which would end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the commonwealth.
"The message today rang through the capitol loud and clear: It's time for the legislature to stand up for fairness and end discrimination," said Jake Kaskey, policy and outreach coordinator for Equality Advocates Pennsylvania.
HB 300 would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA), the commonwealth's non-discrimination law, to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression." Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny County) introduced the bill on March 4 with more than 70 co-sponsors from both parties.
"As long as we continue to allow this type of discrimination, our state will continue to fall behind economically," Frankel said. "Several of our neighbor states already have this protection, and others are taking it up."
The rally was one part of a full day of activity sponsored by the Value All Families Coalition that also included constituent lobbying of their representatives. The lobby day follows on the heels of last week's vote on HB 300 in the House State Government Committee. The committee passed the bill by a vote of 12-11.
"I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of moving this bill along," said Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia), who is chair of the House State Government Committee. "It is crucial that we pass this bill into law to show that this is a state that believes in basic fairness."
The PHRA protects people from discrimination on the bases of race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, handicap or disability, education and the use of a guide dog. Fourteen Pennsylvania municipalities already have some form of this protection, but nearly 80 percent of the state's population is not covered by those local ordinances.
"We know from the cities that have these ordinances that this can be implemented fairly throughout the state," said Andy Hoover, legislative director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania. "If passed, this bill will both protect LGBT people from discrimination and uphold the First Amendment rights of religious institutions."
Hoover noted that federal case law, state case law, and the PHRA itself exempt religious institutions from civil rights laws when following the law violates a tenet or belief of the faith.
Twenty states have non-discrimination laws on sexual orientation, and 13 of those states also have gender identity or expression protections. In the last month, legislative bodies in West Virginia and North Dakota have passed similar legislation.
The Value All Families Coalition is comprised of diverse statewide, regional, and local organizations that support equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pennsylvanians.
[speakOUT on the Qt is a new opinion column, by guest writers. Do you have something to say that you wish to share with fellow QUEERtimes readers? Then submit your column by Tuesday, noon, for publication in the Friday of the same week. The publishers reserve the right to accept, decline or edit, for content, style, accuracy, and space, from what you submit. Anonymous submissions will be rejected without being read. A byline posting is required. Up to 450 word submissions accepted which must be accompanied by your personal contact information for verification.] Send copy to james@QUEERtimes.net
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Thom's Featured Culinary Event on the Qt!
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 Foodies from the tri-state area need to indulge their culinary pleasures at South Jersey's Restaurant Week, March 22-27, at many of South Jersey's finest independently owned, chef -run restaurants throughout Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties.
The establishments are all members of the South Jersey Independent Restaurant Association (SJIRA/SJ HOT Chefs) that produce this bi-annual event. The meal deals that will be offered are truly recession-proof, four-course dinners featuring specially prepared menus at the fixed price of $35 per person.
"This is one of South Jersey's largest and most popular dining events that only comes twice a year," said Robert Minniti, president of the SJIRA and executive chef/owner of Bàcio Italian Cuisine in Cinnaminson. "With tremendous customer and community support, as well as, enthusiasm from our great sponsors, the event continues to grow each time. The chefs and restaurants are very excited to offer locals, out-of-towners and Philadelphians the opportunity to taste and enjoy the delectable cuisines at an affordable price," he said.
Minniti said that all of the participating restaurants involved in the event this month will give every diner a $10 off coupon for their next visit, redeemable at any SJ Hot Chef Member restaurants.
Diners can select from a wide range of cuisines, from traditional Italian and Mexican, to Asian influences of Thai, Chinese and Japanese flavors as well as classic steakhouses, seafood and more.
SJIRA is comprised of all local chefs and owners of independent restaurants in the South Jersey area. Members are passionate culinary professionals dedicated to providing great food and service, while working to increase awareness of dining opportunities in South Jersey. SJ HOT Chefs also hosts local farm programs and various charity and community events. South
Jersey's bi-annual Restaurant Week in October and March, and Farm to Fork Week held every summer.
Sponsors of this year's event will include Holman Automotives, South Jersey Magazine, Philadelphia Magazine, The Courier Post and Allied Beverages.
For more information, visit sjhotchefs.com
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What They Said:
copyrighted 2009 |
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 Queer Christopher Bailey, the highly acclaimed creative director who has been credited for reviving a major, well-established, basically the 153-year heritage of the conservative brand, Burberry, part of the British Establishment fashion world. The thirty-seven old readily competed in the luxury-goods market relying upon what fashion writer Courtney Colavita (Details, March 2009) called "the disheveled elegance of British style." According to Colavita, Bailey has been credited "with reinvigorating a stodgy company known for its traditional trench coat and iconic check pattern." Summing up the key to his fashion philosophy, Bailey explained: "High fashion, whatever you want to call it, can sometimes feel untouchable and a bit austere and frightening and intimidating, and I wanted the opposite. I wanted the clothes to feel like there was a little spirit to them."
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 You've got love the guy. I'm speaking about actor Sean Penn, the recent Oscar winner for 2009 Best Actor in "Milk," a role that queer director Gus Van Sant didn't even think that the highly respected but, at times, difficult rebel of Hollywood would even accept. But Penn has obviously become personally and professionally moved by the experience of having played the gay civil right activist Harvey Milk. Recently, Penn has naturally assumed the role of spokesperson for several issues in the LGBT movement for equality, everything from Proposition 8 in California that would recognize same-sex marriages to supporting a statewide Harvey Milk Day. Penn told the national media, "I trust that Governor Schwarzenegger is an increasingly reasonable man and that he understands that passing on prejudices, as surrounds this issue . . . is poisonous to future generations." (The Wall Street Journal, March 5, 2009).
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 Iconic king of the rappers Kanye West (Details, March 2009) admits that his drive to succeed in music, design, celebrity, fame, wealth comes from his sexual addiction at a very young age. Eventually, in fact, right after high school, he was able to channel the energy into music and the rest is history, as they say, and, now more than ever, history still in the making. The hip hop artist who embraced super heroes like nuclear power of the mind told writer Ivan Solotaroff that he's got no hangs up about who he is and what he wants to do in life. "Kids'll say, 'Dude, those pants are Gay,' I think that should be said as a compliment. Like, "Dude, that's so good it's almost . . . Gay! 'Dude, you pay real attention to detail, that's almost, like, Gay!' 'You had a whole conversation with that girl without bringing up sex?' That was, like, Gay!'"
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Events on the Qt! |
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Friday, Saturday (March 20 & 21)
 Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus presents: That 80's Show!
Friday, March 20, 2009, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 21, 2009, 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 21, 2009 8 p.m.
Main Stage at the Prince Music Theater
1412 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
We knew something was different on that morning in 1981 when we turned on our TV and screamed at it, "I want my MTV!"
But we had no idea then what a decade the 80's would turn out to be: Michael Jackson took the world of pop by storm back when he still had a nose. We got physical with Olivia Newton-John, came out with Diana Ross, took to the "Freeway of Love" to cure our addiction, and didn't need Weather Girls to tell us it was raining men outside. We woke up to Ronald Reagan's morning in America and put the decade to bed trying to read George Bush's lips.
Now we're ready to release our inner yuppie and relive that wonderful mishmash of a decade with some of its biggest hits.
Saturday (March 28)
 Shut Up & Dance 2009
For the seventeenth consecutive year, dancers of Pennsylvania Ballet join forces for Shut Up & Dance - a one-night-only benefit performance for MANNA at THE FORREST THEATRE (1114 Walnut Street) on SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009 at 8:00 PM.
MANNA prepares and delivers delicious, nourishing meals and counsel for people at acute nutritional risk due to life-threatening illness, empowering those individuals to battle their illness and improve their quality of life.
Hosted by WXPN Morning Show Personality Michaela Majoun, Shut Up & Dance features original works, choreographed and performed by the dancers. Reserved seating tickets to Shut Up & Dance range from $50 to $100.
The evening's excitement will continue at the Shout with Sole: a spicy after-party with The Dancers from 9:30 PM to midnight at SoleFood Restaurant at Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market Street. Hosted by DJ Robert Drake from WXPN, reserved after-party tickets can be purchased for $100.
All tickets can be purchased by calling 215-496-2662 x136, online at mannapa.org, and at MANNA (12 S. 23rd Street, Philadelphia, entrance on Ranstead Street), or at The Forrest Theatre Box Office on 3/28/09 beginning at 12:00 NOON.
Tuesday (April 7)
 Sake Fest 2009
Presented by Event Navigators
Tuesday 7 April 2009 6:00 - 8:30pm
Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Admission: $55 in advance online $75 at the door - CASH ONLY
Purchase tickets here
§ The Only Event of it's Kind in the Region!
§ Experience dozens of Saké varieties
§ Taste the Finest Japanese & US brands
§ Witness the Versatility of Saké
§ Learn how to pair Saké with any food
(Adults 21 & older only)
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