I am sure that you have heard about the outcry by many within the LGBT community concerning Florida teen Kaitlyn Hunt. Kaitlyn is a lesbian who began a relationship with a 14-year-old female high school classmate. It has been reported that the relationship began when Kaitlyn was 17.

Last month, the 14-year-old girl’s parents went to the police and Kaitlyn was charged with statutory rape. In Florida, the age of consent is 18 years old. That means there can be no sexual contact between someone under the age of 18 and anyone. Yes, that means that a 16-year-old junior in high school cannot kiss his freshman date at junior prom. That’s the law.

Since most statutory rapes cases are driven by the family of the victim, a 16-year-old being pursued for kissing his 14-year-old date to the prom is highly unlikely. When the rape charges against Kaitlyn were filed, Kaitlyn was 18 and her “girlfriend” was still 14.

When it was discovered that the relationship was a lesbian one, many in our community jumped to the conclusion that the prosecution was due to homophobia. I don’t think any parent would want their 14-year-old to have a sexual relationship with an 18-year old, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. If it were your child, would you?

Some states have passed “Romeo and Juliet” exceptions. Romeo and Juliet statutes recognize the likelihood that youth in the same educational and social settings may engage in consensual sexual experimentation and that harsh, adult criminal charges are not the way to deal with this behavior. Florida is not one of those states.

Kaitlyn was offered a plea deal where she would have been under house arrest for two years, followed by a year of probation, but she would be convicted of a child abuse felony charge. Since Kaitlyn rejected the plea deal, she now faces up to 15 years in prison for each of the two charges of “lewd and lascivious” behavior that she faces. If she loses at trial, Kaitlyn will go to jail and also be forced to register as a sex offender.

I think Kaitlyn is getting bad advice on all sides. Even if the new law, that a Florida state senator has introduced to prevent these types of situations in the future, passes it will probably be too late for Kaitlyn. If the jury acquits her, there will be countless other families who will cry foul because their son or daughter took a plea deal, or worse, ended up serving a prison term. What makes Kaitlyn so special? Is it because she is a photogenic cheerleader and also a lesbian?

There are many young males in this country serving prison terms for exactly what Kaitlyn allegedly has done. Will their convictions be reversed if Kaitlyn gets off? No. That’s what concerns me so much. Do we really want to send the message that we only care when it is someone from our community?

Where was the outrage in our community when this situation has happened all across this country for years?

I guess it only matters if it is one of our own. If that is the case, we have an even longer road ahead of us to build a national community than I thought.

STAMPP CORBIN

Shame is something that no one wants to experience. It may be caused by that most embarrassing moment in your life that if simply mentioned makes your blood boil. You are absolutely humiliated and wish you can make that awful moment go away. Shame is one of the most powerful emotions.

What makes LGBT people remain in the closet? Shame, as well as fear of rejection. Shame that they will be shunned by their family, friends and co-workers. Shame because you are thought of differently; “Hey there’s that gay guy.” The power of shame. It can control your life and affect what you accomplish.

Do LGBT people lead more productive lives after coming out? I think so. No more hiding at work, with college friends or most importantly, with your family. The energy that is expended creating this veil can be put to more productive use, accomplishing your goals in life. Living honestly and authentically is reward in itself.

I came out at 18 in 1978. I was considered a trailblazer, but hey, I just added gay to the discrimination I experienced because I am black. My family was fantastic, which can be unusual but I was free. Free to be me, no shame or regret.

We only need to look to the recent headlines to see that shame can be overcome, but also see its power to derail you. Tiger Woods is back on top. He is the number one golfer in the world and has won four tournaments this year. By the way, faster than in any year in his career. What does Tiger have to do with shame?

When Tiger’s infidelity scandal happened in 2009, the magic of his golf game seemed to disappear. Tiger lost his number one ranking and basically experienced a three year slump. I think it was all caused by shame. Can you imagine how humiliated Tiger was each time he took to the golf course? The whispering in the gallery about his infidelity, how could that not affect Tiger’s game? It did.

But Tiger has managed to come out the other side. The good thing about shame is it dissipates, once you accept whatever caused it. Tiger is finally at peace with what happened, as evidenced by his public announcement of his new girlfriend, Lindsey Vonn.

Tiger is no longer feeling shame. He is now focused upon his work and his new life. Guess what? He is back on top; so is Congressman and former North Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. Sanford had to resign his governorship also due to infidelity. He was censured by the North Carolina ethics committee. Good, bad or indifferent, Sanford is also back on top. He has moved beyond his shame.

Now comes Anthony Wiener, who is running for mayor of New York.

I say to those of you in the closet, I understand your fear; no one wants to experience shame or rejection. I am here to tell you that you will come out on the other side. Be a tiger and come out. Things will be just fine.

Stampp Corbin

Publisher

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

There are leaders within the LGBT community that are extremely frustrated that President Obama has not issued an executive order eliminating discrimination in employment for our community. Those leaders are extremely shortsighted and do not fully understand the strategy of the Obama administration.

First, an executive order can be overturned immediately by the next president who disagrees with the order. President Obama is smarter than that. What Obama wants is the Congress of the United States to recognize that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people deserve the same treatment as everyone else in America.

The LGBT community wants equality in the workplace. Yesterday.  Unfortunately, in the current political environment, if President Obama issued an executive order to ensure employment non-discrimination for LGBT people, what is likely to happen is retaliation from the Republican House of Representatives and potentially a Republican Senate, or worse an executive order by a Republican president in 2016 that codifies LGBT employment discrimination.

Executive orders are temporary fixes. President Obama is about permanent solutions; solutions that cannot be easily overturned by the stroke of a pen. That is what the LGBT community should be working toward. In this case, haste indeed does make waste.

President Obama is thoughtful and methodical, we all know that. The same LGBT voices, who cry out for an executive order ending LGBT discrimination in employment, are many who said that Obama would not repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, or pass hospital visitation rights. Those voices were wrong then and they are wrong now.

President Obama understands that it is prudent to wait for the Supreme Court decisions concerning same-sex marriage in California and the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). It is crystal clear that the court will rule that marriage is a state’s rights issue. Thereby, Californians should be able to enter into same-sex marriages by July based upon the lower court ruling.

Once the Supreme Court rules that same-sex marriage is a state’s rights issue, then they will overturn DOMA and effectively give all the federal rights granted to heterosexual couples to same-sex couples. It is a win-win-win.

When gays and lesbians get marriage in California from the Supreme Court, the LGBT community will be happy, the right wing will be happy because the ruling will not create same-sex marriage nationally, and the Supreme Court will be happy because it will be on the right side of history.

An executive order will only complicate the marriage issue, as well as the potential passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which will protect LGBT people from workplace discrimination. Why can’t our community give President Obama a break? Obama has proven that his LGBT equality agenda is working and his detractors have proven time and time again that their strategies or suggestions are not fully developed.

The president supports same-sex marriage which has dramatically changed the view of the electorate in the United States. Obama has judiciously used executive orders to ensure he does not step on the toes of Congress. The time to ask for an executive order is in late June or early July after the Supreme Court has ruled in our favor. Not now. Obama knows better, and to be frank, I trust his political judgment more than many of the leaders in the LGBT community.

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Usually I focus upon one topic; this week I thought I would change it up and give our readers three small messages.

Equality California

I had the opportunity to have lunch with John O’Connor, the new executive director of Equality California (EQCA). The organization is having an event in San Diego June 1 at the Prado in Balboa Park to raise money for its mission. Many have questioned the viability of the organization due to recent financial difficulties, as well as the revolving door in the executive director position. I asked John to give me an update.

My first question was how O’Connor would define Equality California’s mission. Given that I believe that we will be able to get married again in late June or July, what would be EQCA’s focus? Marriage will give Californian gay and lesbian people all the rights granted other couples, thereby eliminating the need for pieces of legislation to protect our rights.

O’Connor outlined EQCA’s agenda; youth and safe schools, transgender equality, seniors, immigration and health. Their current legislative portfolio includes a bill, (SB 323) that clarifies that nonprofit youth organizations will only be rewarded with special tax exemptions if they comply with California’s existing nondiscrimination laws and the School Success and Opportunity Act (AB 1266), that makes clear the obligation of California schools to allow transgender students to participate in all school activities, programs and facilities.

It is apparent that EQCA’s mission and activities are now in alignment with the new LGBT equality fights. Simply put, equality for all LGBT people.

Since O’Connor has come on board, the organization has also gotten its financial house in order. In addition, he has brought a renewed focus on San Diego because of the many nationally recognized and statewide LGBT leaders within our community.

While EQCA has had its troubles in the past, it now seems the wind is at its back. That means we will see progress in California for the transgender community, LGBT youth and seniors, as well as those with foreign partners. That is a good thing.

If you want to help the renewed Equality California continue the fight for our equality, go to the event at the Prado June 1.

Marriage equality

John O’Connor

Another domino falls in our pursuit of marriage equality; the state of Rhode Island. Rhode Island joined the equality states of Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Iowa and Washington state. Notice anything unusual? I guess it is a lot better for gays and lesbians in the northeast of the United States. Delaware joined the states allowing same-sex marriage just a couple of days ago. I thought California was supposed to be the “Promised Land” for LGBT people; you know, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, even San Diego. The California electorate failed to lead the fight.

California, the so-called “state of the fruits and nuts,” showed its conservative roots with the vote on Prop. 8 and it is now really embarrassing. Embarrassing because our state has the most populated LGBT city in America; embarrassing because more than 16 percent of the American population can enter into a same-sex marriage but not in our state, and finally when the story of same-sex marriage is told, California will be on the wrong side of history.

When the Supreme Court grants us marriage rights this June, it will not be because our residents agreed; it will be because the law is unconstitutional.

I have never been so ashamed and embarrassed.

Jason Collins “Buycott”

NBA free agent Jason Collins came out last week. Unless you live under a rock, you could not have missed the coverage because it was relentless. Collins, a male member of a major sports league, announced he was gay and African American too. That last part was obvious.

The fact that Collins added the obvious highlighted the perception that many African Americans are on the “down low,” or fighting against their sexual orientation. Whether that is true or not, I like to say I came out in the first trimester; Collins has now given many African American LGBT people a hero.

Collins is not a stereotypical effeminate gay, he is an NBA player who can dunk a basketball and has played in the league for 12 years. He has proven that gay men can perform admirably in one of the most male oriented environments.

Now we owe Collins. Any product he endorses, we should buy. Every magazine he is on, we should buy. Whatever team signs him, we should buy blocks of tickets.

I will be the first to buy the Nike’s that he endorses and will sport them proudly. I am going on a Jason Collins “buycott.”

Stampp Corbin

Publisher

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

I cannot believe in the current political climate that the Republican National Committee (RNC) decided to reaffirm their commitment to oppose same-sex marriage. As some of their members have decided to come out for marriage equality, the RNC has decided to dig their heels in.

Can someone help me understand why a political party would want to write off 5 percent of the electorate? LGBT people represent the same number of voters that the Jewish community represents. I cannot imagine a scenario where the RNC would not support Israel or the Jewish community.

If we represent the same amount of votes, why don’t we get the same respect? It is simple; the RNC hates the concept of LGBT equality. All of the RNC members subscribe to the anti-LGBT marriage policy. It passed unanimously.

The anti-LGBT policies do not stop with marriage. Locally, many states with Republican governors have a host of anti-LGBT policies. Whether it is preventing LGBT people from adopting, or allowing our community to be fired from our jobs simply for being who we are, LGBT people are under attack by many in the Republican Party. It should be noted that there are also Democrats that are anti-LGBT but the Democratic National Committee (DNC) supports marriage equality.

For example, Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu says she personally supports marriage equality but her constituents have made their voice heard and they resoundingly don’t support marriage equality. I am sure glad Landrieu wasn’t a senator when the civil rights bill came to a vote in the ’60s. But I digress, this is really about Republicans.

The likelihood of same-sex couples being included in the new immigration bill is close to nil. Why? The Republicans have no intention of acknowledging same-sex couples, regardless of the proposed United American Families Act (UAFA). The UAFA would set up a new class of citizens called “permanent partners” for immigration purposes. The Republicans paid for the defense of DOMA for heaven’s sake, so supporting “permanent partners” in the immigration bill runs counter to what their base believes.

The Republican Party is going to find itself without the majority of LGBT votes for decades to come.

I would think they would remember the history of their party with African Americans and the ’60s civil rights movement; they have never recovered African American voters.

They are headed in the same direction with the LGBT community. As the old adage says, you reap what you sow; the Republican Party is not sowing much for us.

When will the Republicans get it?

STAMPP CORBIN

Publisher

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Kerry Rhodes and Russell Simpson

The recent “scandal” concerning NFL football player, Kerry Rhodes, has many in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community on high alert. Rhodes, an NFL player who is currently a free agent, has been “outed” by a reputed lover, Russell “Hollywood” Simpson.

Simpson was motivated by Rhodes’ denial that he was gay in an interview. Simpson provided photographs of the two them that are considered intimate accounts of their life together. One photo shows Rhodes kissing Simpson on the side of his head. Simpson also provided intimate text messages.

This is only considered a “scandal” because the object of Rhodes’ affection is a man. We don’t know whether Rhodes is bisexual, gay or simply a young man experimenting, but does it matter? It should not.

Rhodes is an excellent ball player who was predicted to be picked up by an NFL team by next month. Some are speculating that this will hurt Rhodes’ chances of getting a new NFL home. Really?

The NFL has harbored wife beaters, drug addicts, drunks and even those accused of murder. Why would Rhodes’ sexual orientation be considered a negative when these other issues are readily ignored or defended? Rampant homophobia.

As this story takes hold, I am sure we will hear players or owners talking about locker rooms and the close quarters that players share. Guess what, Kerry Rhodes has been in those environments since 2005 and nothing happened. The only difference is that Rhodes would now be open about his sexuality, whatever that is.

This is the perfect opportunity for the NFL to illustrate that they have moved beyond their traditionally homophobic culture. It has been rumored for months that four current NFL players were planning to “come out” together. How the NFL treats the Rhodes situation may negatively imbue the reputed players’ decision to come out.

No one wants to lose their economic livelihood. If having a gay relationship ends Rhodes’ career, then at the end of the day no other players will come out. The question is simply “Am I willing to give up millions of dollars a year to be able to be true to myself at work?” Unfortunately, many LGBT people answer a similar question to a certain extent every day. Their answer is often “no.” I am not willing to risk my economic security to be openly LGBT.

This is why the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is so important. It will prevent employers from firing employees because of their sexual orientation or gender expression. Coupled with the sexual harassment laws, LGBT people will be protected in the workplace.

I hope the NFL knows that the LGBT community, and beyond, are watching closely how they handle Kerry Rhodes. Will Rhodes continue to be recruited by teams and his reputed sexual orientation have no affect on his ability to continue his job in the NFL?

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the world will be watching.

STAMPP CORBIN

Publisher

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Nicole, thank you for your wonderful kind words

Dear Editor,

How simply wonderful to read Nicole’s precise words on the raping of Aunties in November of last year, (LGBT Weekly issue 106 Nov. 29, 2012) and your recent follow up (LGBT Weekly issue 116 March 28). I was more than the bookkeeper. I was the general manager and the bookkeeper.

I spent 11 months busting my ass to renovate and rejuvenate Aunties. (Along with a devoted team of volunteers, and professional help.) It was so badly in need of someone who cared. I am the least disgruntled ex-employee, because I loved the job with all my heart. The good works of the astounding volunteers and the historical founders that truly cared for this community must never be overlooked. Some of the facts they missed out in the Union Tribune include missing cash from the register (somewhere around $2,400 documented) from Jan to Aug of 2012 was what we determined from an analysis of all bank deposits and daily cash receipts. (God only knows what’s gone since they ridded themselves of the only watchdog they ever mistakenly hired.) Petty cash was also routinely missing. Executive Director Michael Dudley is solely responsible for handling the weekly cash drop.

The full amount approved on his dental work was $25,000 which was a quarter of the amount of net worth at the time of Aunties.

They do not have $158k left (that’s from 2010 or 2011); when I left they were down to about $65,000 (end of Sept. 2012). However that will soon be boosted as a major donation from the estate of Roger Moser will bring Aunties about $250,000 this year.

I was so blown away by the extravagance, and arrogance of the spending. The board which consisted of two close wealthy friends of his, Terry Abrams and Miguel Yi, (they finally added another board member quickly after I was fired) and of course Executive Director Michael Dudley would often eat out at Aunties expense. One time they were at Red Lobster for $130 and I thought to myself I can feed seven hungry volunteers five times with that money. Who the hell do they think they are?

Nonprofits belong to the people. All profits from them by definition should go back into the organization. Perhaps the pain of not being respectful to the community with the irresponsibility of these losses is the biggest immoral loss for Aunties.

I would often look at the picture of Gary Cheatham and ask him to guide me to do the right thing. I know now that I have done just that. It seems sad in today’s world standing up often costs the individual great loss and the realization that criminal activity is simply allowed and swept away till people forget.

They also purchased Mike a personal iPad for around $500 and glasses for $500. Having worked in the corporate for-profit world, even with paid-for vision insurance, an employee ends up spending a couple of hundred of their own money for a decent pair of glasses.

The community must stand up and find decent people who will not use for their own gain. I am still looking for a job where they care about the honesty and devotion of the employees! Interesting that I have heard that their tale of my demise includes that I was involved in illicit works there. Funny because I was actually trying to see money go back into the business as opposed to watching it so wrongly used. 12-14 percent increase in sales from the previous year per their hired accountant.

Much love and respect to you Nicole. Your words have honored me, and what I believe in.

May the time come soon for progress in the fight for community conscience.

Thanks again.

HANK C. IVEY

San Diego

Rick Warren

I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences at the loss of your son this week. I cannot imagine the pain the tragedy has created in your family, as well as with your friends and flock.

Suicide is a painful situation for any family that experiences it: whether it is created by mental illness, drug addiction, or a sense of helplessness. It is unfortunate that those who complete suicide feel that there is no way out, or simply, things will not get better. Please note that I say complete suicide in order to eliminate the judgment of the person’s decision.

I hope that you understand that your religious rhetoric contributes to the suicides of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth each year. When an LGBT youth is rejected by their church and family, as well as bullied at school, they think there is no hope. When they hear their pastors say that “… a civil union is not a civil right. Nowhere in the Constitution can you find the ‘right’ to claim that any loving relationship is identical to marriage. It’s just not there,” this makes LGBT youth think it will not get better.

Pastor Warren, I am sure you recognize the quote; you created it. Unfortunately, it is this type of message from the pulpits in America, and beyond, which helps create an environment where LGBT youth believe suicide is the answer.

LGBT youth complete suicide more frequently than the broader community. Family Acceptance Project at California State University, San Francisco, conducted the first study of the effect of family acceptance and rejection on the health, mental health and well-being of LGBT youth. Their research shows that LGBT youth “who experience high levels of rejection from their families during adolescence were more than eight times likely to have attempted suicide, more than six times likely to report high levels of depression, more than three times likely to use illegal drugs and more than three times likely to be at high risk for HIV or other STDs” by the time they reach their early 20s.

Those who grow up in families where the church is a core of their existence, the church is extended family. Therefore, what is said from the pulpit is as important as what is said by their parents. Rejection by the church leads to rejection by parents, which leads to a higher rate of LGBT youth suicide. A equals B, B equals C, therefore A equals C, the simple transitive property. Q.E.D.

Pastor Warren, the next time that you preach against LGBT equality, I hope you remember that it is helping to create a societal environment that causes LGBT youth to commit suicide.

I am sure you do not wish that upon any family.

STAMPP CORBIN

Publisher

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Francis, rebuild my church

Dear Editor,

“Francis, rebuild my church,” is a line from a dream, according to legend, Pope Innocent III had before he approved what would come to be known as the Rule of St. Francis, the foundation of the Order of Poor Friars. Innocent had a dream of a crumbling St. John Lateran, the pope’s cathedral, and a man who looked like St. Francis of Assisi starting to rebuild the church. A metaphor for the scandal rocked the church of the 12^th century that the man from Assisi was saving, but could the pope have been dreaming of a man from the Society Of Jesus, based on the Rule of St. Francis, taking the name Francis as supreme pontiff and saving the lame Bride of Christ today?

I’m not a believer and I consider myself agnostic, but I’m a heritage Catholic as my family is Catholic. Since my grandmother died I attend Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter and Christmas Mass; attend mass with my mom when I go home and this summer I’m flying back to Missouri to see my great aunt celebrate 60 years as a Benedictine Sister of Perpetual Adoration. Before I came out to myself I considered being a Jesuit and took Ignatius Loyola as my confirmation name. Had I been born in a different time without a doubt I would have done that instead of becoming a drag nun. With that said I couldn’t stand the “classic” pope, but unlike the coke of the ‘80s I love the “new” pope.

Like all of us he is a conflicted man with a past; and as I was taught all sinners have a future and all saints have a past. While there are questions about his role in the Dirty War, he did advance the cause for Sainthood for several people who were killed by the regime. Of the two Jesuits who said that the then superior general of the order in Argentina gave them up, one, Francisco Jalics, said that after several meetings with the then Cardinal Bergoglio, he now believes he had no involvement. But questions still remain for many and I don’t think anyone would ever be satisfied with any answer from that.

And another morsel from the past is his beef with President Kirchner and the LGBT of Argentina and his statements of marriage equality being a tool of the devil and adoption by gays discrimination of children.

Yeah, it took the wind out of my sails when I heard that, but I have faith as a Jesuit that the man had a reason for the comments.

Remember, according to Canon Law all sex outside of a legal and valid marriage that can produce children is a sin to the Catholic Church. He fought to allow divorced people not to be denied Communion and to allow children born out of mixed faith traditions to be baptized. What were his reasons for his statements then?

Turns out if we believe the activist Marcelo Márquez, who received a letter from the then cardinal, the Holy Father personally believes gays deserve equal rights and would push for support from the Argentinian Conference of Catholic Bishops for civil unions.

He lost that vote and according to his official biographer had to do his job as the mouthpiece of the group and attack the gays. Since the pontiff sets the teachings and the national conferences of bishops have to figure out how to teach it, now that he is Bishop of Rome he could send out an apostolic letter directing the bishops to curtail their attacks and push for more dignity and rights as the Church actually teaches about gays, (catechism para 2358) but we’d have to give him time to do it.

Remember he was primate of a country where not only was the Catholic Church the majority religion but the state religion, and he understood that gays needed protection.

Spain, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Argentina and Mexico are all now Catholic majority nations with marriage equality or soon to have it.

Now comes the idea of married or women priests. Women priests do not have a chance in hell although married priests might happen. Why you ask? Since the Venerable Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I lifted the joint excommunication, reunification of the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Communion has been a priority Going as far as now both faiths allow communion, if no other church or priest can be found, and the current archbishop of New Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I has made history twice in his tenure, once by attending the funeral mass of Pope Blessed John Paul II the first in 1,000 years and the inauguration of Pope Francis, the first time ever.

The East has married priests but celibate bishops and is strongly opposed to women priests. And since the Pope referred to the Patriarch as his brother Andrew (Peter preached in Rome, Andrew preached in Byzantium aka New Rome aka Constantinople aka Istanbul) in a meeting with other religious leaders he won’t do anything to upset that Communion. I could see him following fellow Argentinean Cardinal Sandri’s idea of allowing nuns power positions within the Roman Curia though.

Lastly, this is a man known for advocating for the least of his brothers as Jesus is said to have commanded in Matt 25:34-46, cooked for the poor, visited prisons and shuns the trappings of the Prince of the Church. Much like the State of Union is to the POTUS, his homily at his inauguration and his coat of arms laid out his agenda. His coat contains the phrase “Miserando atque eligendo,” Latin for “Having had mercy, he called him,” coming from an episode in the Gospel where Christ picks a seemingly unworthy person to follow him. He ended the homily with “Let us never forget that authentic power is service, and that the Pope too, when exercising power, must enter ever more fully into that service … he must open his arms to protect all of God’s people and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison.” Which I understood to mean that he seeks to take the Church back to the social justice roots my grandmother and great aunt tried to instill in me of the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church.

He isn’t going to be the complete change we long to see in the Church but I think he’ll be the catalyst and start rebuilding the foundation of a learning Church.

ERIC C HUFFORD

AKA SISTER IONA DUBBLE-WYDE

San Diego

commentary

One of today’s most popular TV reality shows is the Biggest Loser. The contestants are a group of extremely overweight people whose unhealthy lifestyle habits have put them on the path to an untimely death.

Before becoming a member of the Biggest Loser cast, contestants must face rigorous health exams, and a wake-up call from doctors and therapists that includes self-examination and introspection as to how and why they became so unhealthy.

In the end, the new lifestyle regimes imposed by the show and a change in health choices and attitude results in tremendous weight loss. Contestants become healthy people with a positive future.

The contestant who is the biggest loser becomes the biggest winner. The California Republican Party (CRP) at this moment in time could be compared to those pre-show contestants as many political observers agree the political health of the CRP is in major decline and is teetering close to near irrelevance and extinction.

Today, in California, Republicans represent less than 30 percent of voter registration; they have no statewide office and are an impotent minority in both houses of the state legislature. Additionally, the CRP is broke and deeply in debt. The CRP needs to make some changes and they need to do it now.

March 1, more than 1,000 delegates convened at the recent Sacramento Convention where there was a great sense of the need to heed the wake-up call of the last election. Most of the delegates shared a sense of self-examination and introspection and the desire to turn the unhealthy CRP into a viable organization with winning elections in their future.

There is hope for a significant shift in Republican strategy beginning with the election of the new chairman and vice chairman. An overwhelming number of delegates believe that Chairman Jim Brulte and Vice Chairman Harmeet Dhillon will provide the leadership and change in direction that will bring about the necessary changes to renew and revive the CRP. CRP Secretary Patricia Welch and Treasurer Mike Osborn, both loyal supporters of the LCR, were also re-elected. As one delegate put it, “there is nowhere lower to go, and the only way is up”.

This was good news for The 29 LCR delegates that attended the convention and LGBT Republicans in general as all the LCR delegates were actively working for and played a significant role in the election of the new Chairman Brulte and Vice Chair Dhillon, a woman of color and the first woman to hold that office.

Most significantly was the election of Kevin Krick, Bay Area regional vice chair over his anti-gay opponent. Krick welcomed the LCR support and credited the LCR delegates with his smashing victory. An openly gay delegate, Greg Gandrud, was also elected to the top GOP executive board.

LCR held a public board meeting, Saturday afternoon, in the hotel convention site which was listed on the official program and hotel meeting room’s public schedule. The LCR board meeting was attended by a parade of candidates including every person running for a board position from chairman to regional vice president!

This was big change from the ‘80s. when the LCR had to host a room in the hotel across the street and no LCR materials were allowed on the official convention tables. More than 200 delegates attended the annual LCR Luau, a popular and separate event that took place in the hotel restaurant Saturday evening. The Luau was a big hit as usual, and all the candidates stopped by for a Mai Tai, a lei and conversation, including Brulte and Dhillon.

Reaching this point has taken several decades. In the early ‘90s as LCR was nearing the threshold of members and chapters to win official recognition in the form of an official GOP chartered organization, Christian conservatives led a charge to change the party’s by-laws barring a gay-focused group from joining and more resolutions targeting gay rights followed.

However after one crushing defeat after another during the past 20 years, the evangelicals have lost strength and Charles Moran, chairman of the California LCR, said, “The time is right to ‘defang’ the party’s use of LGBT community as a dividing issue.”

Many political observers see Republican antipathy toward gay issues as a turnoff for younger voters. Since the takeover of the Christian right, and their implementation of social issues into the GOP Party platform the CRP has been in a steep political decent. However, in today’s political atmosphere, with more than 60 percent of California voters now favoring gay marriage, the LCR sees some light at the end of the tunnel.

Party leaders, like newly elected Vice Chair Harmeet Dhillon, who is the current San Francisco County GOP chair and a staunch conservative, was quoted saying, “There is no doubt that public attitudes are changing toward gays and their relationships. The Party is changing. We have gay people on our board of directors and they are in committed gay relationships, so I think people are actually very accepting of that. The label of marriage continues to be controversial among some parts of the party.” Dhillon said that opposition among some party members will take time to change.

Although the LCR delegates came away from the convention feeling very hopeful about the change in direction of the GOP, there is still work to do. The state party’s platform includes opposition to same-sex marriage, and changes to the platform are not due until the 2016 revision. The platform also says the party opposes “same-sex partner benefits, child custody and adoption.” However, for LGBT Conservatives/Republicans leaving the party that most represents their governmental and constitutional beliefs is not an option.

The LCR has a great opportunity during the next two years to help bring revival to the CRP through their mutually beneficial efforts of party and organization building. Log Cabin Republicans at the local chapter level provide a place for LGBT Republicans to work toward electing Republicans at all levels of government, and at the same time provides a place for politically like-minded people to share their ideas and work toward the preservation of individual liberty and freedom. In other words, it’s OK to be LGBT and Republican at the LCR!

History shows us that no legislation of major policy and impact on society passes without bi-partisan support. It is vitally important to freedom and liberty in America that we continue to be a two-party system and for LGBT people to be involved on both sides of the isle.

What LGBT equality legislation or what HIV+ funding has been passed in any House of any state recently or the Congress without the votes of Republicans?

As a recent example; several Republicans voted in the U.S. Senate for ending “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell;” New York’s recent legislation legalizing gay marriage passed with Republican help.

In Iowa, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of gay marriage because of the Republican justices.

In California, a Republican governor, Schwarzenegger, introduced and supported more equality rights bills than any governor in the history of the state.

Lastly our own former mayor, Jerry Sanders has made historic and difficult decisions on behalf of LGBT equality and he continues to be an outspoken advocate at the national level. The more than 100 Republicans who signed onto the Amicus Brief on Proposition 8 and Sen. Rob Portman’s support for marriage equality are more recent examples.

As Congressman McCarthy put it, “Were the state GOP to somehow set aside the visceral social issues and embrace a little bit of our libertarianism, it could become relevant again, especially if the now-omnipotent Democrats overreach or fragment into factions.”

Gregory Angelo, former director of LCR national said, “Just five years ago it would be unheard of to have the Party directly addressing the need to bring gay and lesbian Americans into the big tent of the Republican Party.”

I recently had the opportunity to spend the day with newly elected state Chairman Jim Brulte and stated, “I’m confident we will be seeing him in the near future at a San Diego LCR meeting, and I’m looking forward to working him, Harmeet and our local San Diego GOP chairman, Tony Kravric, and the volunteers, to bring about the changes in the CRP that will move our Party forward.”

Republicans believe that they have the best ideas and solutions for creating jobs, a strong economy, creating prosperity and protecting individual freedom and liberty for all Americans. If they can learn to focus on solutions and communicate to voters on the issues that they, the voters, care about, they will once again become relevant.

And, if the GOP leadership continues down this new path and opens the tent, like the TV reality show where people turn their lives around, the biggest loser could well become the biggest winner.

Planned Parenthood supports marriage equality

Dear Editor,

Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in defense of and opposition to marriage equality. Among the issues addressed were the constitutionality of Proposition 8, California’s same-sex marriage ban approved by voters in 2008.

Why is Planned Parenthood, the nation’s leading provider of reproductive and sexual health care, such a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage? Planned Parenthood is an organization founded on the principles of social justice. We support and respect the decisions of all people and families, regardless of their sexual orientation. We believe that individuals should be able to make their own choices about their health, futures, partners, and who they marry. Until our LGBT patients and supporters enjoy the same rights as their straight counterparts, we will continue to advocate for equal protection under the law.

When Proposition 8 narrowly passed, many voters had misconceptions about marriage equality. They believed that because a same-sex couple could form a domestic partnership, they had the same legal protection that comes with marriage.

But domestic partnership and marriage are very different. There are more than 1,000 economic and social distinctions between the two unions, with marriage always coming up the winner. Without marriage, same-sex couples are denied Social Security benefits to their partners. This means that even if a person has paid Social Security taxes for 50 years, his or her partner would not receive the benefits a spouse would. With the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the door was opened for lesbian, gay and bisexual servicemembers to serve openly. And with the increased visibility, has come an awareness of the discrepancies in benefits afforded to opposite-sex married servicemembers which their counterparts in same-sex relationships are denied. Without a marriage certificate, gay and lesbian couples are also forced to fill out and carry power of attorney paperwork to make emergency financial decisions on behalf of their partner. The list of injustices goes on and on.

Planned Parenthood will be closely watching the Supreme Court with hope that the justices will do the right thing and extend equal rights to all Americans regardless of their sexual orientation.

Sincerely,

THE LGBT ADVISORY GROUP

Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest

Francis, rebuild my church

Dear Editor,

“Francis, rebuild my church,” is a line from a dream, according to legend, Pope Innocent III had before he approved what would come to be known as the Rule of St. Francis, the foundation of the Order of Poor Friars. Innocent had a dream of a crumbling St. John Lateran, the pope’s cathedral, and a man who looked like St. Francis of Assisi starting to rebuild the church. A metaphor for the scandal rocked the church of the 12th century that the man from Assisi was saving, but could the pope have been dreaming of a man from the Society Of Jesus, based on the Rule of St. Francis, taking the name Francis as supreme pontiff and saving the lame Bride of Christ today?

I’m not a believer and I consider myself agnostic, but I’m a heritage Catholic as my family is Catholic. Since my grandmother died I attend Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter and Christmas Mass; attend mass with my mom when I go home and this summer I’m flying back to Missouri to see my great aunt celebrate 60 years as a Benedictine Sister of Perpetual Adoration. Before I came out to myself I considered being a Jesuit and took Ignatius Loyola as my confirmation name. Had I been born in a different time without a doubt I would have done that instead of becoming a drag nun. With that said I couldn’t stand the “classic” pope, but unlike the coke of the ‘80s I love the “new” pope.

Like all of us he is a conflicted man with a past; and as I was taught all sinners have a future and all saints have a past. While there are questions about his role in the Dirty War, he did advance the cause for Sainthood for several people who were killed by the regime. Of the two Jesuits who said that the then superior general of the order in Argentina gave them up, one, Francisco Jalics, said that after several meetings with the then Cardinal Bergoglio, he now believes he had no involvement. But questions still remain for many and I don’t think anyone would ever be satisfied with any answer from that.

And another morsel from the past is his beef with President Kirchner and the LGBT of Argentina and his statements of marriage equality being a tool of the devil and adoption by gays discrimination of children.

Yeah, it took the wind out of my sails when I heard that, but I have faith as a Jesuit that the man had a reason for the comments.

Remember, according to Canon Law all sex outside of a legal and valid marriage that can produce children is a sin to the Catholic Church. He fought to allow divorced people not to be denied Communion and to allow children born out of mixed faith traditions to be baptized. What were his reasons for his statements then?

Turns out if we believe the activist Marcelo Márquez, who received a letter from the then cardinal, the Holy Father personally believes gays deserve equal rights and would push for support from the Argentinian Conference of Catholic Bishops for civil unions.

He lost that vote and according to his official biographer had to do his job as the mouthpiece of the group and attack the gays. Since the pontiff sets the teachings and the national conferences of bishops have to figure out how to teach it, now that he is Bishop of Rome he could send out an apostolic letter directing the bishops to curtail their attacks and push for more dignity and rights as the Church actually teaches about gays, (catechism para 2358) but we’d have to give him time to do it.

Remember he was primate of a country where not only was the Catholic Church the majority religion but the state religion, and he understood that gays needed protection.

Spain, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Argentina and Mexico are all now Catholic majority nations with marriage equality or soon to have it.

Now comes the idea of married or women priests. Women priests do not have a chance in hell although married priests might happen. Why you ask? Since the Venerable Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I lifted the joint excommunication, reunification of the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Communion has been a priority Going as far as now both faiths allow communion, if no other church or priest can be found, and the current archbishop of New Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I has made history twice in his tenure, once by attending the funeral mass of Pope Blessed John Paul II the first in 1,000 years and the inauguration of Pope Francis, the first time ever.

The East has married priests but celibate bishops and is strongly opposed to women priests. And since the Pope referred to the Patriarch as his brother Andrew (Peter preached in Rome, Andrew preached in Byzantium aka New Rome aka Constantinople aka Istanbul) in a meeting with other religious leaders he won’t do anything to upset that Communion. I could see him following fellow Argentinean Cardinal Sandri’s idea of allowing nuns power positions within the Roman Curia though.

Lastly, this is a man known for advocating for the least of his brothers as Jesus is said to have commanded in Matt 25:34-46, cooked for the poor, visited prisons and shuns the trappings of the Prince of the Church. Much like the State of Union is to the POTUS, his homily at his inauguration and his coat of arms laid out his agenda. His coat contains the phrase “Miserando atque eligendo,” Latin for “Having had mercy, he called him,” coming from an episode in the Gospel where Christ picks a seemingly unworthy person to follow him. He ended the homily with “Let us never forget that authentic power is service, and that the Pope too, when exercising power, must enter ever more fully into that service … he must open his arms to protect all of God’s people and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison.” Which I understood to mean that he seeks to take the Church back to the social justice roots my grandmother and great aunt tried to instill in me of the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church.

He isn’t going to be the complete change we long to see in the Church but I think he’ll be the catalyst and start rebuilding the foundation of a learning Church.

ERIC C HUFFORD

AKA SISTER IONA DUBBLE-WYDE

San Diego

I struggled as I decided to write this particular “Message from our Publisher.” Many will accuse me of playing the race card, stirring the pot or not letting sleeping dogs lie. I cannot help but see the double standard in the San Diego community. What is causing my rancor? Lilygate.

It has been more than seven months since 1,000 people trashed the lily pond in Balboa Park. The unpermitted “water fight” caused more than $19,000 in damages to the 97-year-old lily pond, one of the gems of Balboa Park. The initial reports of $10,000 in damages were grossly underestimated.

Seven months and not one arrest by the San Diego Police Department? Not one? There are pictures of people in the pond with lilies on their heads. Pictures of people with water coolers collecting water from the pond and throwing it at other participants.

Yet, not one arrest when these people’s faces are clearly visible. Even the fall guy, Matthew Hardick, has not been required to make restitution to the City and he said he was one of the organizers.

Some of the organizers of the event have very close friendships with those in power at City Hall. Is that why there have been no arrests or charges filed? Or is it because the police department actions on the morning of Aug. 12, 2012 left a lot to be desired?

What has really upset me is the knowledge that if the faces in the photos had been a different color, things would be substantially different. Had there been 1,000 Latino or African American “revelers” who had destroyed the lily pond, do you really think seven months later there would be no arrests?

In fact, had the police and City Councilmembers been alerted to the “water fight” event, as they reputedly were, but the 1,000 participants were primarily Latino or African American would they have turned a blind eye?

Unfortunately, we all know the answer to that question. No. If the event had not been prevented altogether, there would have been police patrols in the park and arrests made the night of the event. For sure.

Can you imagine the San Diego community’s outrage that would have been unleashed had the perpetrators been black or brown skinned?

The people involved with Lilygate were largely young, white people just out having some good clean fun. How could any of these young upstanding people, many who were members of the LGBT community, possibly be criminals?

I am expressing how many in the African American and Latino community feel when they see that no one has been charged, despite the photographic evidence. The organizers and promoters of the event have not been charged, or made to perform community service. I guess it is nice to have friends in City Hall.

Sure, many of the dollars required to restore the pond have been donated by the good people of San Diego. Some were anonymous donors who are likely those racked with guilt due to their participation in the “water fight.”

The lily pond was just reopened to great fanfare, but no mention of why or who had caused the need for the restoration of this San Diego treasure.

Political corruption? Police cover-up? Or simply a desire not to arrest or charge good, fun-loving, clean-cut white kids? Whatever the reason, the San Diego community deserves answers and much better from its leaders.

In the post-racial world of 2013, should we expect anything less? Tongue firmly planted in cheek.

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Your vote and financial support of a political candidate is the most personal of choices. It says that I believe this candidate best represents my values and will support policies that will help me have a better life.

I get asked, “Why doesn’t San Diego LGBT Weekly endorse candidates?” First, an endorsement would reflect what I think and believe, not what you think. Most of our readers are engaged in the political process. LGBT Weekly’s job is to provide and amplify information about candidates that will assist our readers in making an informed decision.

“Shouldn’t we support all LGBT candidates because that will help move our equality forward?” The simple answer to that question is no. For example, take Dwayne Crenshaw, who is a candidate for City Council in the 4th District. As a former executive director of Pride, Crenshaw shares the values of many in the LGBT community. Which means Crenshaw will get the votes and financial support of most LGBT people in his district.

Many LGBT people outside of District 4 will also financially support Crenshaw because of the historic nature of having the first openly gay African American San Diego City Councilmember. However, there are also members of the LGBT community who support other candidates in the district; that is their right.

Our national non-partisan LGBT political action groups, like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Victory Fund, have policies that imbue their support of candidates. Many LGBT voters look to these organizations to help them make a more informed voting decision. But you should understand their criteria for making an endorsement before you just assume that the endorsed candidate is the person for whom you should cast your vote.

For example, viability: it is one of the criteria of both HRC and the Victory Fund. In essence, is the LGBT candidate electable? This can be a subjective judgment based upon LGBT leaders in the candidate’s district or a requirement for the candidate to provide polling that illustrates they have achieved support from 20 percent of the electorate.

If you take a closer look at the published criteria to endorse a candidate from these organizations, once again you should decide whether their criteria match yours. For example, Crenshaw has the endorsement of the Victory Fund; mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio never received their endorsement. If the endorsing organization’s criteria do not match yours, then you need to do the research yourself. Or even better, go out and meet the candidate at an event; maybe even ask a question.

The sophistication of the LGBT electorate has increased dramatically during the last decade. It is not enough to just be LGBT to get our vote. The candidate must be open about their sexuality, support LGBT equality, have shown a history of support of our issues, as well as not cavort with those who do not support LGBT civil rights. Whether that is a candidate for city council, mayor, Congress, the Senate or the presidency. We have come a long way baby.

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Nonprofits and how they should perform

Dear Editor,

Countrywide, nonprofits do wonderful work for their communities, but sometimes the organization is strictly run for personal gain or ego. Such organizations must be looked at for their performance and must be transparent. There is no place in the not for profit organizations for stonewalling, unclear financials and a lack of openness by the board and executive directors.

The nonprofit that supplies no direct service, but simply raises funds should be the most, if you will, “profitable” endeavor, returning to its community at least 75 percent of the gross revenue. The remaining 25 percent would be used for salaries, office costs, fundraising and the costs of any fundraising event. The organization is not a cash draw, wherein the board or executive director uses donated funds for personal pleasure, deferral of personal expenses or gain. Self-serving parties to celebrate a holiday or event is just totally improper, the funds were raised under the guise of giving not taking.

Every nonprofit, especially, in a closed community such as the GLBT community, owes it to the donors and the community to fully disclose all costs, reduce expenses and make sure the maximum donation transfer to the actual care givers/organizations and not be used for personal pleasure or benefit.

One important message is that the executive director/CEO works at the pleasure of the board, not the other way around. The board has a fiduciary responsibility to manage and oversee the work/activities of the executive director/CEO and assure the community of the openness and honesty of both the board and executive director/CEO. There is no excuse for denying access to financials or clouding the financials in indecipherable double talk. Salaries must be clear, expenses have to be justified and the board/executive director/CEO held responsible for any abuse of power or lack of transparency.

PHILIP M. KATCHER

San Diego

Absolut Hillcrest Mardi Gras brought out our community to raise funds for scholarships that are awarded to LGBT college students or allies. Despite the frigid temperature, (48 degrees, it felt like Chicago!), many in our community showed they care about the next generation.

While the Hillcrest Business Association and its board of trustees decided to pull out of the event at the last minute, the board of trustees of the GSDBA Charitable Foundation rose to the occasion and shouldered the planning of the entire event.

The first order of business for the Foundation was ensuring that we made the event better than ever and I think we accomplished our task. Party promoter and event planner impresario, Bill Hardt and his staff, took the event to the next level. What is more amazing is Hardt helped us put on the fabulous event with only 4-weeks of planning.

In just 4-weeks, producing an event that usually takes more than 3-months was a herculean task. There are community members who deserve a special shout out: Tootie and the Lips Girls, Paris and her fantastic boy dancers, Big Mike Phillips and his fantastic bartenders and Danny Becht for coordinating many of our volunteers.

In addition, our corporate sponsors stepped forward once again this year. Absolut, Budweiser, Jagermeister, Viejas Casino, California Bank & Trust, Rage Magazine, The Pride Card and your very own San Diego LGBT Weekly. While our corporate sponsors could have dropped out due to the late planning of the event, they all had the right corporate philosophy; we want to help the college students.

While charitable community events can bring out the best in our community, sometimes they also bring out the dysfunction amongst some of our members.

DJ John Joseph posted this comment on Facebook:

“Unfortunately … I talked to some Mo’s staff about this the other day, however, and even though Mo’s refuses to have anything to do with it, I was told access to Mo’s will be blocked off during this festival (except to those at the festival, of course).” Further Joseph suggested that people come hear him DJ and avoid Absolut Mardi Gras completely on the Rich’s Facebook page.

Joseph was simply misinformed, and spreading incorrect information, which is so disappointing. While the community was coming together to keep providing the more than $125,000 in scholarships that have been awarded to date, some felt the need to be divisive. It was not about helping those who want to get an education; it was about some other agenda.

What made Joseph’s comments even more incredible is that both Urban Mo’s and Rich’s were supporters of the event. Nick Moede, owner of Rich’s, offered free staging equipment, as well as assistance promoting the event. Chris Shaw, owner of Urban Mo’s, provided food items and helped us make sure that our fencing of the event was up to code.

I could take the low road and say people should boycott events that Joseph DJs but I am an adult. I would never suggest hurting a young uninformed man’s income, unlike what Joseph suggested for our scholarship recipients.

While social media has many benefits, it can also be a cauldron of misinformation. You should always consider the source and whether they have the correct information. That is why there are so many social media scams that are successful; many take posted information as fact when it simply is not.

While I believe the Hillcrest Business Association did not serve its members by giving up its portion of the proceeds from Mardi Gras, what is more concerning is its leadership making political an event that is about the kids.

Sometimes things are about more than the cult of personality and personal political conflicts. Can’t we just help the next generation succeed?

Most of the San Diego LGBT community, and beyond, said yes. Thank you San Diego!

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Radio show trans remark was ‘offensive’

Dear Editor,

In San Diego, there is a radio program on Star 100.7 called “The DSC” show, short for the Dave, Shelley and Chainsaw show. They are usually pretty open minded and fair when talking about LGBT issues. This morning (Feb 20), during the news segment at 7:45, they mentioned Chaz Bono’s weight loss. Dave made a comment that said, in effect, Chaz should be called “that”. He also said that you can’t be a man without a penis. I don’t think that they were being malicious at all, but it does point out that perhaps they should get a phone call or two, or an email, that helps them understand trans 101. My bf is a trans guy, and I found the “that” comment particularly offensive. If you have time, send them an email, or call so they can understand that what they said was wrong. Please don’t attack them, just nudge them into understanding. They are, all in all, very supportive of LGBT issues.

I would like to see a positive dialogue about this, rather than an attack of the show. What do you think?

STEVE SALLIS

San Diego

In response to Nicole Murray Ramirez’ ‘SOHO is wrong’

Dear Editor,

Nicole Murray Ramirez wrote (San Diego LGBT Weekly issue 113 Feb. 14), “The leaders of SOHO are wrong when they say” most San Diegans are opposed to the Jacobs Plan for Balboa Park.

He continued, writing “A vast majority of us supported this plan …”

Nicole has a great history in this town, but he writes on this subject wholly unburdened by facts.

At the City Council hearing on the Jacobs plan held July 9, 2012, more than 800 citizens attended and opposed the plan. They were all volunteers, and passionate in their love for the Park, its history and beauty. Jacobs had well-paid designers, builders, lobbyists and lawyers speak in favor of the plan. And Jacobs, his family and Qualcomm had all given very generously to those Councilmembers who voted in favor of his plan, including Todd Gloria.

The Jacobs plan would have placed a freeway off ramp on the majestic Cabrillo Bridge, converted the quiet beauty of the Alcazar Garden into an annex to a valet parking complex, forced the removal of at least 15 100-year-old trees selected and planted by Kate Sessions, destroyed the seclusion and beauty of Palm Canyon, resulted in the loss of the designation of the Park as a National Historic Landmark and introduced paid parking for the first time in the Park’s 100-year history.

The Jacobs plan was actively opposed by thousands of San Diegans. Ramirez says “a vast majority of us supported this plan,” but cites no factual foundation for his assertion. Because there is no factual foundation for such a statement.

Perhaps most importantly, thanks to SOHO, the court ruled the City Council and then-Mayor Sanders violated the law when they approved of this plan. SOHO was not “obstructionist.” SOHO was following the rule of law, and seeking its enforcement.

Ramirez would seemingly approve of illegal actions and the destruction of the historic fabric of the Park.

San Diego should be grateful for SOHO’s defense of the law, and the Park. And Ramirez should be required to support his assertions with facts.

DAVID LUNDIN

President and creative director, Son Appareil Photography

San Diego

Letters

Should Auntie Helen’s and Being Alive be taken over by The Center?

Dear Editor,

I have been reading about the financial woes of Auntie Helen’s and Bring Alive. It may be a good idea for both agencies to be taken over by The Center.

Being Alive does case management. Why couldn’t this be done at The Center. North Park Family Health Center also does case management. Being Alive has a food pantry. The Center has a food pantry. Why couldn’t Being Alive’s food pantry be combined with The Center’s?

I’ve been told Being Alive has a moving service for people with HIV. Why couldn’t this be operated out of The Center. This would greatly reduce Being Alive’s operating expenses.

No one likes to see agencies close, but with the financial climate the way it is and HIV funding being constantly cut; we may need to streamline and not be able to maintain the status quo.

Sincerely,

JEFF SCOTT

University Heights

In response to ‘David Copley’s Double Life’

Dear Editor,

I learnt only yesterday of the death of David Copley last November, and came upon Nicole Murray Ramirez’ column, David Copley’s Double Life (Conversations with Nicole: San Diego LGBT Weekly issue 106, Nov. 29 2012), as I was going through the distorted obituaries of the man that had been placed on Google. I do not know whether it is too late for you to publish this letter, but I knew Copley slightly when I lived in La Jolla some years back, and want to tell you of the impression he made on me.

As you doubtless know, the Copley’s were beggars on horseback, and David – who supposedly loved the theatre (I say supposedly because I do not think he had the mentality to understand a good play – nor yet the patience to sit through a performance), was perfectly cast in the role of a loud and ignorant nouveau-riche.

I am a freelance writer and a former advertising and public relations copywriter, although I was not writing when I first met the fat paper boy at a déclassé bar where I went out of curiosity. After knowing him nearly a year, I telephoned to him at his office, and asked him whether he had need of a writer. I offered to send him my resume. ‘I don’t want your resume’ came the reply. ‘I’m not an employment agency.’ (!) He then proceeded to relate this to his friends – and to repeat, so I was told, his reply to my request.

Here, I must tell you that I grew up in New York in a moneyed and relatively social family, and that because my father and I were not friends (in part, because I am gay), I found myself with almost nothing after his death. Nevertheless, I had been to places David discovered only after Jim Copley married David’s mother. I thought nothing of asking him one evening over drinks, whether he enjoyed certain places I had frequented in New York and abroad: this clearly irritated him, as he must have thought I was trying to compete with him. In that ghastly bridge-club matron’s voice, he told me sneeringly that he did not remember!

On another occasion, he overheard me remark to someone at the same bar, that I liked Cole Porter: ‘Cole Porter!’ he drunkenly spat out. “I think the tune of the old Arrid deodorant commercial is more beautiful and moving than anything your Cole Porter ever wrote!’

One evening, he took off his shoes, and tried to beat out a tune with them on top of the bar. On still another occasion, he remarked: ‘I just found six pair of Gucci’s, which I bought in Beverly Hills, in the trunk of the Chrysler. I had forgotten all about them.’ (Did he imagine people might think he had bought them in Vista?)

When he crashed his tenth-rate Aston – and no-one who knows cars would buy anything newer than a DB6 – he boasted of the cost of the repairs. He moreover announced shortly after he had bought the thing, that Aston had sent him a plaque (I think it was a plaque; did the words on it compliment the parvenu owner on his good taste?), and that -here is an example of his famed wit – he was waiting for Chrysler to do the same.

Once, he displayed for a male prostitute from Beverly Hills, the contents of his wallet, a flashy emerald ring (emeralds on a man?) and the keys to that much-abused Aston.

Most of David’s friends (in fact the only individual he knew who might have been considered a friend, was an absurdly snobbish Australian – the kind of Australian who wishes he were English – who was being kept by an old dipsomaniac of a woman, who was seldom well enough to go out; the Australian subsequently died of AIDS – which does not alter one’s opinion of him as cruel and stupid) were middle aged women, either unhappily married or unhappily divorced, who hoped to meet rich (and I suppose blind and deaf) men through him.

Once, when he was giving a party – so he told anyone who would listen – one of these women came by his house earlier in the day. I do not know whether there was a pretext for the visit, but David seems to have believed she wanted to know the colour (sic) scheme of the floral arrangements, so that she might dress accordingly. Tittering like an adolescent girl, he said that he had thrown all the flowers away, and ordered others. (It would, I suppose, be naive to think that he had thrown them in the direction of a hospital or an AIDS hospice.)

David told me once that he did not like to call himself a homosexual, because life was uncertain, and he might one day meet a woman he loved and would marry. ‘Wouldn’t you like to think there was a beautiful woman in your future?’ he asked. ‘I’ve never thought of women in that way’ I replied. (His mother would have liked him to marry, and even arranged for him to take a woman to a grand party (grand by provincial standards – but then La Jolla is straight out of Sinclair Lewis). This particular woman was quite delightful, but – and this is ironic – married to a man who would offer himself to any other man who would sleep with him.

David boasted that he had had his friend, Halston – and I cannot think Halston was his friend – design a mink coat for his mother, but that she would not wear it. He believed she had refused the coat on principle, which is to say that she disapproved of her son being gay.

David Copley was a childish nonentity, a vulgarian – a perfect argument for eugenics. Thinking of him quite turns the stomach.

Sincerely,

CARL-EDWARD ENDICOTT

Formerly of La Jolla

Ed Koch

Former New York Mayor Ed Koch just passed away and the LGBT media jumped at the chance to vilify him before he was even memorialized by his family. The LGBT community needs to take a look at how it treats those that they dislike and what effect that has on the progress of the movement.

Koch was reputedly a closeted gay man. That supposition, coupled with his abysmal record during the AIDS crisis, made him a pariah in the LGBT community. Larry Kramer, AIDS activist and playwright, wrote “Ding dong the witch is dead,” to gaycitynews.com.

While Koch did some good things for the LGBT community in his early career, in fact he was one of the earliest nationally known LGBT rights supporters; they were all overwhelmed by his tepid response to the AIDS crisis and his perceived closeted behavior.

There are those in our community who feel that Koch betrayed us; I get that. But couldn’t we wait until he was effectively memorialized before the knives came out? Couldn’t we give his family a little time to grieve?

Koch detractors respond that his behavior “killed” many LGBT people due to his lack of leadership during the beginning of HIV and AIDS. They are right. Do we now need to act just like him by killing him in the media? The answer may be yes, but can’t we wait until he is in the ground or cremated?

Contrast Koch with Ken Mehlman, former Republican National Committee chair during the George W. Bush years. Mehlman is renowned for helping put more than 20 anti-same-sex marriage initiatives on state ballots, most in 2004. The perfect wedge issue to get his boss re-elected.

All the while, Mehlman was a closeted gay man. A gay man setting our marriage rights back at least a decade. Well Mehlman came out in 2010 and asked for forgiveness. To my shock many were ready to accept him with open arms.

To his credit, Mehlman has done great work and fundraising for LGBT organizations in New York and beyond, but I just can’t get over the damage he caused. Plus Mehlman continues to support Republican candidates that are against LGBT rights. Has the leopard changed his spots or is Mehlman just trying to camouflage himself?

Mehlman is a modern day Strom Thurmond, the senator who railed against African American rights yet he fathered a child with an African American woman.

I can’t begrudge the good work Mehlman is doing today, but it is not that different from Koch doing great work on our behalf before the AIDS crisis. They both created obstacles for the LGBT community. Some argue that Koch was worse because he never came out or apologized for his actions.

The LGBT community does not need to create a misery index to judge those that have hurt our community; we just need to hold those who do accountable.

Koch has now passed away and cannot respond or be held accountable; his family is the only one that will suffer because of our assessment of his behavior. Mehlman is the toast of LGBT New York. Does anyone find that strange?

STAMPP CORBIN

Publisher

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Elizabeth Cady Stanton with her sons Daniel and Henry, 1848

“We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall … Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”

By simply making that comparison, President Obama put LGBT equality front and center in his second term.

Seneca Falls was the birthplace of the women’s rights movement. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, among others, held the first Women’s Rights Conference in July of 1848. It was the beginning of equal rights for women, which unbelievably continues today. The conference also advocated for the right of women to vote.

Selma. What can I say? I am able to own and write this message because of the civil rights work that is largely associated with Selma. Selma was a turning point when “Bloody Sunday” happened on Sunday, March 7, 1965. That day African Americans were hosed down and dogs were used to attack peaceful demonstrators protesting for voting rights. Those images are among the most memorable from the African American civil rights movement and caused a fundamental change in American views of African American equality.

When President Obama made the comparison of Stonewall to Seneca Falls and Selma, he was for the first time in history acknowledging from the bully pulpit that the LGBT rights movement deserves its rightful place among other civil rights movements.

Alabama state troopers attack civil-rights demonstrators outside Selma, Alabama, on Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965.

It may seem like such a small thing, but it is truly historic and Obama will become the Lincoln of LGBT civil rights. In 100 years, there will be a movie called “Obama,” which will chronicle all of the things that our president has done to advance LGBT equality.

What stands in our way when the president is extolling our equality? The political landscape. Republicans, and some Democrats, are performing political calculus based upon their districts. The calculation is how will support of LGBT equality affect my chances for re-election? If I am a congressperson in North Carolina versus one in Los Angeles, how I will vote for the potential repeal of the so called Defense of Marriage Act could be fundamentally different.

It is sad that LGBT civil rights are subject to the whims of ambition of congresspeople, but that is how our political system works. Paging the Log Cabin Republicans and Go Proud. Stat! Each organization claims they are working to change the Republican Party from within. Well, here is your chance to show the LGBT community that what you say is true.

President Obama is sworn in as the 44th president (2nd term) Monday January 21, 2013

President Obama, and thereby the Democratic Party, has made our equality of national importance. The true obstacle in our way seems to be the Republicans. So as you go to the polls in 2014, remember who is against your equality, rather they be Democrat or Republican. It has a great impact on your life.

STAMPP CORBIN
PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Demographics. A simple word that everyone in America will come to love or hate. Why? The fundamental election principles in America are no longer valid. No longer are white Americans the head of the electoral process.

Do I say that gleefully? Yes. I am happy that politicians will be forced to address the diverse needs of every American, whether they are African American, Asian, LGBT or Latino.

Oh the great tableau of America. We are finally living up to America’s creed of “a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed.”

Well the governed have spoken and they will continue to speak. Our history tells us that so many were not able to speak. The only group in America that has always had the right to vote is white men who were property owners.

Granted in 1787 with the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, any male property owner at least 21 years old controlled the United States. The rest of us were just chopped liver or chattel.

With the passage of time, all men were able to vote. Of course, in theory minority men could vote beginning in 1870 with the passing of the 15th Amendment. But those pesky poll taxes, literacy and religious tests always seemed to disqualify anyone who was not white.

Voting has always been about demographics. At first it was, “How do we ensure that only white men can vote?” Then it was, “How can we ensure that only the votes of white men and women count?” In 2012, the demographic map fundamentally changed.

In order to win the presidency of the United States, a candidate needs to sew a patchwork of political groups: white women, LGBT people, Latinos, African Americans and Asians. All groups that have been oppressed in the past. As they say, “Payback is a bitch.”

I wonder if the LGBT members of GoProud and the Log Cabin Republicans have become a little bit reflective. You are supporting a political party that at the moment has nowhere to go but down. A party that did not want you as a member. I would hate to be you at an LGBT cocktail party, “Look, there’s a gay Republican.” The assembled guests burst into laughter, or worse, verbally abuse you.

Demographics: characteristics of a population. That’s what a presidential candidate needs to fundamentally understand to win votes. When only white people voted, then only white people mattered. But just like fall foliage, America is changing colors.

America’s creed also says that the country is “a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.”

Freedom, equality, justice and humanity. If only we could live up to these principles each day.

Are you free if you cannot marry the person you love? Are you equal if you can be discriminated against for being transgender? Is it just for you to pay taxes on your domestic partner benefits? Where is the humanity in denying every gay man the ability to give blood?

The diverse tableau of America has finally reached the whitest realm; politics.

And there will be no turning back.

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Hillcrest Mardi Gras 2013

Dear Editor,

Recently The Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) board announced in SDGLN and Gay San Diego that they would not participate in the production of this year’s Mardi Gras celebration event. For the past 10 years, this event has been a joint effort on behalf of the HBA and the GSDBA Charitable Foundation to raise money for LGBT and LGBT-friendly college students needing financial assistance in pursuit of their education goals.

The Mardi Gras event is the one and only fundraising event in our community whose purpose is to raise funds for LGBT college students. While we were shocked and disappointed about this decision and public announcement from the HBA, we do not intend to let our LGBT students down and the GSDBA Charitable Foundation board will be moving forward with the event as planned to ensure the Scholarship Fund continues its mission.

The Mardi Gras fundraiser, which is the only event produced by the GSDBA Foundation, has become an annual event that our community enjoys and the financial aid from the funds raised have benefited more than 120 college students.

Mardi Gras has raised more than $125,000 in the past 10 years, all of which has been awarded to LGBT students. The financial aid provided through the proceeds of this event has changed lives and moved LGBT careers forward. One outstanding example recipient of one of our scholarships is City Council President Todd Gloria, who has stated publicly many times how much the GSDBA Charitable Foundation helped him realize his educational dreams. The LGBT community is now the beneficiaries of Gloria’s achievements and work on our behalf.

To put the GSDBA Foundation Scholarship fund in perspective it is appropriate, as we move forward, to share the history of this event, the intent of the founders and those who have been working hard each year to produce and make it a success. The original concept of the event was created by Scott Crowder and formatted and organized under the leadership of Matt Ramon, Chris Shaw and Warren Simon. The GSDBA Foundation is NOT a part of the GSDBA and was a separate group of people, some of whom did belong to the GSDBA, created to produce this event, in partnership with the Hillcrest Business Association for the single and sole purpose of raising money for scholarships for LGBT college students.

We want to thank Matt Ramon, who has demonstrated consistent and steady leadership in organizing and producing this event for 10 years, as well as Chris Shaw and his staff, without whom none of this would be possible. We are looking forward to continuing our relationship and cooperation with Chris Shaw, Matt Ramon and their fine staff.

In addition to the GSDBA Foundation Board and the Scholarship Fund’s commitment to helping LGBT students, Mardi Gras brings many people in our community together, allowing a diverse group of individuals to be involved through volunteering their time, business participation, as well as personal and financial support to make the event a financial and popular success.

We want to thank the HBA for the last 10 years of partnership and support in producing this event. Various staff and members of the HBA have contributed significantly to the success of the event during the years and their participation will be missed.

However, we do want to reassure the LGBT community that this event will continue forward to help many more students in their educational pursuits.

Please join us Tuesday, Feb. 12 for another fantastic and fun evening of music, food and beverages. We encourage you to buy your tickets early and invite all your friends, as they do go quickly.

We promise that this year’s Mardi Gras will be the best ever!

SUSAN JESTER AND BIG MIKE

GSDBA Charitable Foundation

“To err is human, to forgive, divine.” This famous quote came to mind as I thought about the overall tone in America and in our city.

The ability to forgive can be a powerful human emotion, but sometimes it is the hardest thing for a person or community to do. As President Obama awaits confirmation of Sen. Chuck Hagel as the new secretary of defense, our community needs to think about forgiveness.

It is well known that Hagel opposed the nomination of Jim Hormel as the ambassador to Luxembourg. Hagel said Hormel was “aggressively gay.” Our community was outraged. Hormel’s nomination was not brought to a vote in Congress due to Republican opposition. Eventually, Hormel was made ambassador by a recess appointment by President Bill Clinton in 1999.

Is it time for our community to bury the hatchet with Hagel? Has he changed? Was his apology genuine? Similar questions were asked when City Councilmember Lorie Zapf was running for her seat. Zapf had made previous statements in emails from 2006 indicating that “homosexuality is a sin” and LGBT people were not fit for political office. Zapf said her position had changed concerning LGBT people and homosexuality. The voters of her district accepted her apology.

When is enough, enough? How long can our community hold people to account for anti-LGBT statements? 10 years, 20 years, forever? Are national politicians held to a different standard than state and local pols?

People do change as they age; sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad. I guess it comes down to whether you believe the person when they say they have “evolved” on LGBT equality. I know one person who “evolved” and he has become a “fierce advocate” for LGBT equality; President Obama. Thank goodness the LGBT community forgave President Obama as he evolved. Otherwise, we might not have won LGBT marriage equality in four states in the last election.

When a civil rights movement is having success, many politicians change their position. We need to embrace those who come to our side, regardless of their past views. To forgive is divine; it is always smart politics.

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

The New Year brings new beginnings and we at San Diego LGBT Weekly are off to a fresh start. I am pleased to announce that LGBT Weekly will produce a print publication biweekly beginning this week.

Why? LGBT Media, our new media company, has become the pre-eminent presence for our LGBT community online. Whether it is the more than 30,000 unique San Diego visitors each month who visit LGBTweekly.com, the more than 10,000 people carrying The Pride Card, or those who are using our mobile apps, OutRightNow or LGBTWeekly, our world is digital.

With our move to a biweekly publication, we will still be known as San Diego LGBT Weekly. Our Web site provides new information daily, which can be accessed through our mobile apps and the Web, and our regular columnists will continue to write for us weekly. Meaning, one week you can access the columnists by going to LGBTweekly.com and the next week you will be able to read them online or in the print publication.

Our brand is strong; the concept behind our brand remains the same: bringing our readers the best in news, entertainment and features on a daily and weekly basis. So, San Diego LGBT Weekly it will remain.

It is hard for a Luddite like me to thoroughly embrace the future, but our readers are of paramount importance. Our readers have and continue to enjoy our digital properties. Whether it is downloading our mobile apps, reading or watching content on LGBTweekly.com, or engaging with us on Facebook or Twitter, you are the reason for our existence. So, we go where you go, and now that is increasingly online.

There are still those who prefer print just like me. And our print edition continues to enjoy a healthy and growing readership. So we made the decision not to go all digital. Those who love to curl up with our newsmagazine will still be able to do that. Plus, we value all our readers, so going all digital would not honor those who read the print publication.

Our new biweekly publication will have more content and will also feature longer interviews, as well as more detailed news and entertainment features. All the things that you have come to love about the print publication will still be there.

Is print dead? No, print publications are not being moved to hospice. In fact, locally focused print media is thriving throughout the country. Going forward if you see that your favorite watering hole, coffee spot or restaurant is out of the San Diego LGBT Weekly, let us know. We will be adjusting the number of issues distributed over the next several months to accommodate our new model.

Becoming a biweekly publication makes everything work as it should and gives you our readers the best of all worlds – a solidly profitable media organization that can serve the San Diego LGBT community on multiple platforms into the future.

Thank you for moving us forward. As always, we listen.

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Re: Todd Gloria, 3rd District councilman

Dear Editor,

My experience with Todd Gloria and his organization is completely opposite of Mr. Nelson’s experience. He holds meetings with his constituents at various locations in District 3 on a regular basis; he or his staff have always responded to my communications rapidly and professionally, in many cases solving small neighborhood problems quickly and positively. I am on the board of a Homeowners Assn. and have been on the board of one of the major LGBT nonprofits, have lived in many places during my life and rarely found a politician who is as involved and as available as Todd Gloria. During the past month after his election to the council president position for the City, I have been pleasantly surprised by the level of support he has received from all the media and fellow council commentary. Even City Beat which is usually heavy-handed gave him a glowing report. So the weight of evidence certainly does not support Mr. Nelson’s viewpoint.

KEVIN MCQUILLEN

San Diego

Todd Gloria

Dear Editor,

I shudder at the thought of Todd Gloria becoming president of the City Council. In the 31 years that I’ve lived in San Diego, it’s quite possible that Todd Gloria is the worst Third District Councilmember we’ve ever had.

He does not return phone calls, he does not answer letters and he does not attend meetings pertinent to the people in this district. I’m just sorry that we are stuck with him till the next election.

Jack Nelson

San Diego

In support of Auntie Helen’s

Dear Editor,

I’m Sister Nora Torious 13 of the San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

I was asked tonight by Nicole how I felt that the Sisters supported Auntie Helen’s in “The Sisters take over Auntie Helen’s” despite the allegations of how they spent their funds?

And I will say, she asked me when I was not in the best state, after some personal family drama, so I asked her, “Not now” but she insisted, which I would describe as an attack!

So here is my answer: “I am proud to support Auntie Helen’s, as they usually make $100 for the day, but as the Sisters took over and raised over $700 on Sunday December 16.

So many people said how much Auntie Helen’s helped them, including me. When I had two broken elbows, they helped me with laundry services, as a special favor.

You see, I support Auntie Helen’s just as we have supported the “Court”, because it’s not about the political issues, it’s about the people the organizations help. No matter what any organization is dragged through the mud over, it’s “are you ready,” the people they help.

And I am not in this for any political gain. I just want to raise money for my community and the people who need the funds. They depend on it!

Auntie Helen’s may have had hard times, but I as a Sister am here to make their mission possible. Because I took vows to do so!

So Nicole, you may think we are not “politically correct” and we don’t want to be! But we do help our community be a better place.

Again, and get this straight, it’s not about the Sisters, or the Court, it’s about the community and the people who need the services.

Thank you again, Nicole, for being totally inappropriate and showing up at a “Member of the Court Celebration of Life” to ask me this question. You see, I was at this person’s bedside as requested holding his hand as he lay dying. I did so, because he asked for the Sisters to be there. Again, it’s what I got on my knees and promised to do!

SISTER NORA TORIOUS 13

San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

PS: I hate to be so blunt, but you asked. So here is your answer … helping everyone without judgment! Can you say the same?

A letter of Christmas thanks, to a diverse LGBT community

Dear Editor,

As we approach the looming day, the Supreme Court will be deciding the fate of decades of work for the gay community. In times like these, as I think about the meaning of this Christmas season, what unites us is more, what divides us is less. There are rumors emerging about another March on Washington. This Christmas, I wanted to extend thanks and appreciation for the work of many in our community on both sides of the spectrum of ideas, politics and views.

Linda Perine: I worked with Linda for the LGBT redistricting commission. She tirelessly fought to have a greater gay and lesbian district voice in City Hall and we got it. All the while she was criticized, yet kept her eye on the prize.

Richard McCullen and Albert Ogle: As a member of the community of Christian believers, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for ministers who in the midst of their own personal struggles with their sexuality, in turn, help others out of that “pit” of despair.

Stampp Corbin: After the success of the 2011 military march, Stampp extended a hand to offer financial support and celebration for the historic event, to which community support was so needed.

Ben Gomez and Bob Lehman: These two men have dedicated their lives, finances and personal emotions to the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell before it was “cool” to do so. I could have never done the work I did, if they had not laid a road for me to drive on.

Nicole Murray Ramirez: Anyone who was trans in the 70s lived a risky and hard life. You did it before it was, “cool.” You stood against Anita Bryant and John Briggs. You stood with Harvey Milk and Cleve Jones. You stood with me in the military march in 2011 and 2012. I am forever thankful.

Deloris Jacobs: As I have gotten to know Deloris over the years in brief meetings, her leadership, drive and dedication through the good times and the bad, have made her a proven leader. Our community would be empty without her drive at The Center.

Connor Maddox: Not talked about enough! The transgender community is often overlooked in the fight for equality. But we must put our FULL drive and ball, behind the trans community, removing the demonizing stereotypes.

William Rodriguez-Kennedy: While I was serving, I remember seeing Will Kennedy on Hard Ball, With Chris Matthews. Although he has changed parties since, the Log Cabin Republicans nationally and locally never received their full acknowledgment for their role in the repeal. Without the “bridge being built” into the right wing party, DADT would have never been repealed.

Joseph Rocha: I cannot say enough. The suffering he went through in the military and his national activism, led to more conversation toward the end of DADT. He is a hero to the movement.

Tres Watson: If a person with HIV or AIDS did not have access to medicinal marijuana, Tres personally suffered. I saw it in his life and in his conversations. We must respect those who stand up for issues, when issues are controversial. It is because of that, we see the nation begin to move.

Todd Gloria: As a City councilmember, he has made it his priority to never leave the gay community behind.

Johnathan Hale: His media source serves as a national voice toward full equality. Hale Media was a chief supporter of the military marches and helped serve toward its national and international success.

Carl DeMaio: Stood up for marriage equality in 2008 in a Voice of San Diego article. He was elected in the most conservative district in San Diego as an openly gay man. He has a 100 percent LGBT voting record in City Council. Now he stands to dynamically change the Republican Party of California, by moving them out of social issues with the gay community and sticking to true, “less government.”

Benjamin Nichols: He has made the business of the gay community, successful and his personal passion. A much needed ally.

Dwayne Crenshaw: Dwayne allowed me in 2011 to carry the vision of the military march to fruition. Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is let someone carry out their vision. I am thankful that he believed in me at that time. It reaped a national reward for our city and our community.

Fernando Lopez: Well … no military marches would have occurred without this steadfast, driven and dedicated friend. I don’t know many who can say that, “We made history in 2011 and in 2012.” But Fernando, I think the Pentagon owes us a coaster.

Denise Serrano: An ally, passionate, kind and sweet.

Chris Shaw: What some don’t realize is that gay bars are a safe haven for some gays who have been rejected or never found a place. Chris has provided that with professionalism and quality.

Sally Hall: Lambda Archives owes you a lifetime achievement award. Stay kind and true!

Ben Dillingham: I recently found out that he was the “secret donor,” for the troops to all have and wear T-shirts and march in 2011. History was fostered, via the T-shirt, because of his dedicated giving.

Ashleigh Janson: The next generation in the gay liberation movement, will be the freedom of the trans community. It is not just for those who “want to do it.” It is our sacred duty, as a gay community, hopefully that will be free soon. We must support trans advocates like these, wholeheartedly.

Benny Cartwright: Our renaissance man for the gay community. A kind, dedicated leader. Personality and the next generation of activism. One who is an “adult,” in the midst of the political discord.

Chris Tina Bruce: Trailblazer for those who need a voice.

Joel Trambley: Someone who has always stood by my visions for equality. Kind and supportive. (Likes red wine.)

Nick Moede: Our bright and beautiful flag hangs because of your dedication and vision.

Evelyn Thomas and Autumn Sandeen: When national organizations lacked the balls to stand up and fight, you stood up for us all.

Jeri Dilno: When gays in the military were equivalent to something of evil, you stood up for me and for others. By demonstrations in Balboa Park and tireless advocacy. I cannot thank you enough.

As this Christmas season approaches, let us unite. As New Year comes and a March on Washington is sure to occur, in our darkest hour and in our most unsure time, let us all be thankful for what we all contribute. There is more that unites us than divides us.

With much love and thankfulness for these trailblazers.

SEAN SALA

San Diego

Let freedom ring … that is what we all hope will happen with the Supreme Court agreeing to review the Prop. 8 and Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) cases. Many leaders in our community are excited, yet concerned, about the potential of the Supreme Court ruling in these two cases.

The Prop. 8 case will give the Supreme Court the opportunity to rule broadly and establish same-sex marriage as the rule of the land. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court is not a bold institution. It usually follows prevailing public opinion.

That is what concerns many LGBT leaders. What prevailing public opinion will the Supreme Court follow? The 41 states who do not allow marriage equality, will they trump the nine states and the District of Columbia who recognize marriage equality? Troubling.

Of course, there is that legacy thing. Does the Supreme Court want to make another Plessy vs. Ferguson decision? That decision established “separate but equal,” a ruling that is universally derided by all legal scholars today.

The only justice that is celebrated from the court that established “separate but equal” is John Marshall Harlan, the one dissenting justice. One of my brothers went to Harlan High School in Chicago.

I think that the Supreme Court will make a very narrow ruling only allowing marriages to begin in California when they rule in June 2013. Why? They simply do not have the intestinal fortitude to do anything else.

While public opinion now supports marriage equality by a narrow margin, there are all those states that have banned same-sex marriage. Thank you Ken Mehlman, the Republican gay man that helped many of those bans happen during the George W. Bush years. Self-hate can have long term consequences.

So the Supreme Court justices will simply rule narrowly and let marriage equality play out in the states. Until the LGBT community achieves marriage equality in the majority of the states, the court will be timid. Trust me.

The Defense of Marriage case is a horse of a different color. I think that the Supreme Court will have to rule broadly. In essence, they will decide whether the federal government has to recognize same-sex marriages performed in the nine states, and the District of Columbia, that allow them.

DOMA is a very complex issue. The Supreme Court could rule in a way that is similar to the medicinal and recreational marijuana laws. The federal government says marijuana is absolutely illegal to possess. Yet in California, Washington state and Colorado voters have voted for recreational or medicinal use of marijuana. A person can legally smoke in these states but be violating federal law. Definitely problematic.

The Supreme Court could rule that the federal government does not need to recognize marriages performed in jurisdictions that allow them. If they do that, the justices will be viewed in history just like the Plessy vs. Ferguson court; idiots.

History will show that the states that allow same-sex marriage were trail blazers in supporting one of our national tenets; all men are created equal. The ability to marry who you want is one of our freedoms and I believe the Supreme Court will make the right decision.

The justices will say that they are supporting the rights of states to establish their own laws concerning marriage, but the federal government cannot deny rights to those that are legally married.

It will be a muddled set of decisions come June 2013. Same-sex couples will be able to marry in California as Prop. 8 is struck down. But those same-sex marriage bans in the many states in America will be able to also remain in place.

The federal government will be forced to give the same rights, benefits and responsibilities to those who are legally married regardless of whether they are a same-sex or opposite sex couple. The Supreme Court will make no one happy.

Sure both rulings will be progress in the LGBT equality movement, but there will be so much more work to do. The importance of LGBT equality groups in each state will take on increasing importance. They will be critical in moving same-sex marriage forward in each state.

The next seven months will be monumental for LGBT equality. I just hope that our Supreme Court does not make a Plessy decision. As an African American, that decision affected my grandparents, parents and me in ways that seem unimaginable. I think America is better and so is the Supreme Court.

Stampp Corbin

Publisher

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

The news media is considered “The Fourth Estate,” a societal and political institution whose influence is not officially recognized. The first three estates are the branches of government; executive, legislative and judicial. While San Diego LGBT Weekly and LGBTweekly.com both qualify as a member of The Fourth Estate, we have very clear policies about what the newsmagazine and the Web site represent.

Our news coverage is just that. News. We make every attempt to present you with balanced coverage of the news that is of interest to the LGBT community. Whether it is political, business or entertainment news coverage, we strive to be the best. Of course, we have editorial discretion as to what we cover, but we have shown complete independence from the sacred cows in our community.

Our recent ten awards for journalistic excellence from the San Diego Press Club reflect our commitment to be simply the best. LGBT Weekly was the only LGBT publication recognized with so many awards and we were competing with every other non-daily newspaper in San Diego, straight or LGBT. We are more than proud of this accomplishment.

LGBT Weekly Media also has a number of columnists. Columnists are opinion makers. The problem some readers have with our columnists is that they don’t agree with a columnist’s opinions. That’s what makes the news media interesting and what keeps you reading.

There are national columnists, like Maureen Dowd and David Broder that I read frequently. I often disagree with their opinions, but reading them often gives me a new perspective on a particular issue of the day. LGBT Weekly Media also wants to create the same type of engagement with its readers.

Free speech is the most difficult of our American freedoms. Many want to silence speech they don’t agree with. Fortunately, that is not something with which our forefathers agreed.

Our ability to speak freely has become even more important, because almost anyone with a computer can instantly become a blogger, or express their opinion in the comment section of a Web site.

Many people have handles for their web comments. LGBT Weekly Media has a policy that we simply need to be able to verify your email address for your comment to be posted. We do not require that you provide your full name. That freedom is part of the Internet, interactive age.

LGBT Weekly Media also publishes comments and letters that are critical of columnists, as well as our media properties. We believe that is what civil discourse is about. Different opinions.

My “Message from the Publisher” represents my opinions. Sometimes you may agree with my thoughts, other times you might violently disagree. Either way, we are having a conversation. You can continue the conversation by a letter to the editor or a comment on the Web site. Public civil discourse. Something that makes America unique and great.

Whether it is Joel Trambley, Nicole Murray Ramirez, Autumn Sandeen or any of our other columnists, just remember that they are not reporting news. They are opinion makers, just like me. You are also an opinion maker by engaging the public with your letters and Web site comments.

In the old days, media was a one way street. The likelihood of your letter or comment getting printed was remote. Today, reputable media organizations publish every comment or letter because the Internet allows that to be relatively easy and inexpensive. Your opinions are often read as much as those of the columnists.

We love our readers; whether they agree with our opinions or not. Now if you think our news coverage is biased, that would be a problem. But our columnists are just like you. Imagine a great dinner party where you and the other guests discuss a topic of the day, that’s what our columnists do every week; put out an opinion and then we as a community discuss.

That’s why your engagement is so important. So keep those letters and comments coming. As the LGBT publication and Web site of record in San Diego, we want to hear from you.

The LGBT community is as diverse as the rest of America; we are white, African American, Latino, Asian, young, old, slim, plump, butch, queenie, Democrat, Republican and Independent.

In the end, we all share the same goal, to be accepted for the wonderful people that we are. I hope that LGBT Weekly Media helps you express who you are and if not, let us know. You can rest assured that your opinion will be heard.

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Re: ‘Conversations with Nicole’ issue 106

Dear Editor,

I rise today to write to you, about this article that Nicole, who put pen to paper, and chose to expose the life of David Copley for your readers.

I found this article distasteful, nasty and vindictive. Forty years ago David had reason to hide his gayness as many of us did in the ’70s. That was his choice and he had to live with that for his entire life. Now in death to have his sexual proclivities publicly exposed is uncalled for.

The LGBT Weekly and your publisher need to reprimand your good friend Nicole for this vicious article if your publication is to continue to be relevant in our community.

I knew David Copley as a personality in San Diego. He was not my friend and I never met him, so I take no side in this matter.

Sincerely,

ROBERT ROCCHI

San Diego

During a panel discussion for the play 8, an audience member asked, “What will the LGBT community look like in ten years?” I thought what a fabulous question.

As we look ahead to the new Obama administration and beyond, it is clear that the culture of the LGBT community will fundamentally change.

Some of the change our community will experience will be received positively, while other changes will be harder to swallow. There are already signs of what is to come.

The concept of the “gayborhood” is beginning to wane. While all of us over 40 have experienced the wonders of shopping, dining and socializing in almost exclusively gay neighborhoods, those under 40 are used to more diverse, progressive neighborhoods.

West Hollywood, Chelsea, Chicago’s Boystown, Boston’s South End, as well as Hillcrest, all represent what used to be considered gay neighborhoods. Take a look around and you will see that there are more strollers and young professionals taking over these neighborhoods. The neighborhoods have a gay sensibility, but the residents are becoming increasingly diverse; straight, gay, progressive, young and old.

As LGBT people have become more accepted by the broader community, our self-imposed “ghettoization” has become less and less. We live throughout San Diego, in every community. From Escondido to Chula Vista to Alpine, we are there.

In ten years we will have neighborhoods with lots of LGBT people versus an old fashioned “gayborhood.” To some LGBT people this is progress; to other LGBT people it is loss. A loss of “gay” culture.

It is already evident in how the twenty somethings socialize. They are just as likely to go out with their straight girlfriend downtown as they are to go to Urban Mo’s.

When they are at Rich’s, the twenty somethings may have a straight guy friend and his girl along with them. I hate this word but it is evident; assimilation.

Our community is slowly being assimilated into the broader culture; when that happens the assimilating community loses some of what makes them different. Broadway show queens will just hang out with other Broadway aficionados. Same goes for opera queens.

No more LGBT oriented gyms. “Hell, I work out with my straight buddy or girlfriend from work.” Provincetown, Fire Island and Palm Springs will no longer be LGBT havens. They will simply become places where trendy and fabulous people hangout; regardless of sexual orientation.

There will still be LGBT Pride parades but they will be like the Irish American, Veterans Day and other parades celebrating particular communities.

All of this LGBT cultural change will happen because we will have marriages just like our straight counterparts. Marriages recognized by the federal government. We will talk about our husbands and wives, thereby educating our straight counterparts about our relationships. Our lives will be an integral part of the new normal.

Will we still be able to be discriminated against in the workplace? That is an open question. The current strategy is inclusive legislation that will prohibit discrimination against LGB and T people.

The question is whether in the next ten years we will be able to convince Congress to pass anti-discrimination legislation that protects transgender Americans. Probably not.

Our wonderful president has already shown leadership on the issue, so we can hope that the transgender equality struggle is the shortest in the history of civil rights equality.

Will there be an LGBT Center, a Human Rights Campaign? Yes. There will likely be much work to do for transgender equality that the LGBT Center and the Human Rights Campaign will continue to do on a national and local level.

In addition, enforcement of existing laws will be a focus of these organizations because just because a positive LGBT law exists does not mean it is followed.

The next ten years will be a sea of cultural change for the LGBT community.

Are you ready?

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

I find it interesting that so many in the San Diego political community seem to not understand the basic tenet: elections have consequences.

After the trouncing that the conservatives in this town took on Election Day, be it ballot measures or elected candidates, I would think that there would be some self reflection. I have not seen any. In fact, I have seen just the opposite.

As the song goes “Everybody loves a winner.” It was so apparent on Facebook when so many who were vehemently opposed to Bob Filner, or stood on the political sidelines during the election, were posting their picture with the new mayor.

While we must all come together to move this city forward, if you opposed Filner I don’t think you should be at the front of the line trying to shape policy, or worse, trying to get a position in the Filner administration. It all reminds me of the story The Little Red Hen.

In the tale, the little red hen finds a grain of wheat, and asks for help from the other farmyard animals to plant it. However, no animal will volunteer to help her.

At each further stage (harvest, milling the wheat into flour and baking the flour into bread), the hen again asks for help from the other animals, but again she gets no assistance.

Finally, the hen asks who will help her eat the bread. This time, all the animals eagerly volunteer. However, she declines their help, stating that no one aided her in making the bread. The little red hen eats the bread with her chicks, leaving none for anyone else.

The moral of this story is that those who show no willingness to contribute to an end product do not deserve to enjoy the end product: “If any man will not work, neither let him eat.”

Those in our community who worked against our new mayor should not think that they deserve to share the spoils. Had the election turned out differently, Filner supporters would be in Siberia today. I know it and you know it.

Yes, we must all come together to move our city forward. That does not mean that Filner should reward those who were against him in the LGBT community and beyond.

There are plenty of highly qualified people who can join the Filner administration who were there at the beginning of his campaign, those who volunteered countless hours and those who helped to frame issues with the voters.

These are the first people Filner should break bread with; just ask the little red hen. After all, elections have consequences.

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Jaipur rugs

Hello everyone, it’s that time of year again! When we put away the bright bold prints and cool colors of the summer months and drag out those drab solid jewel tones of fall. I don’t know about you, but the only jewel tones I wanna see are in the family jewels that I keep nicely tucked away!

I think it’s time to break the monotony of what we think we should do and take design by the Chanel sling backs, and do what we want to do. What I want is for this season to be all about patterns – stripes, jacquards, flames, tribal and floral to name just a few.

Don’t give up on the past months; let everyone know that you’re the queen of the mix. But girls, here is the twist you need to incorporate the colors of the summer and the jewel tones of the fall!

You all are probably thinking that Mrs. T has found her grand-pappies lost 100-year recipe for moonshine and has been drinking heavily again. Let me set the record Trendy-style; yes, I have been drinking but not since election night!

Missoni Home dinnerware

Here is the secret to fall patterns. You can use the soft rosé, apple green, ocean blue and straw yellows if you anchor them with dark colors like midnight blue, pumpkin spice, raven black and pomegranate red. It’s seems like a lot but it’s all in the quantity.

Here is a simple Trendy rule – opposites attract! For example, straw yellow and pomegranate red or midnight blue and apple green – have some fun and mix it up. The old idea that less is more is no longer! Go for it, bring everything together and have some fun.

Natori Bushido bedding

Just because it’s getting darker earlier doesn’t mean that your decor needs to get darker too! When I was growing up in my small town of Tackysburgh, Texas, during the winter months my momma would always have a coffee can painted black with silk daffodils on the coffee table. She would say, “Lil’ T, always keep a little ray of sunshine in your house during those dark months, and get those filthy feet off the furniture before I whoop yur ass!” I never said I came from a classy family but I did come from a colorful one!

I want to give a little turkey shout out to all my fabulous Trendies out there. Have a flawless and colorful Thanksgiving and remember this, “The only way to stuff a turkey is, from behind!”

Thank You

Dear Editor,

After this year’s election, we have a lot to celebrate. We passed Proposition 30, defeated Proposition 32, and elected Dave Roberts as the first Democrat, first openly LGBT member and first new member of the County Board of Supervisors in decades. We elected Scott Peters and defeated Brian Bilbray, and of course, we elected Bob Filner to be San Diego’s next mayor!

For myself and the thousands of working families who will finally have a voice in the mayor’s office: thank you.

Thank you for the campaign work knocking on doors, making phone calls and getting voters out to the polls. Thank you for holding our candidates accountable and making sure the truth about Carl DeMaio was exposed and shared with voters across San Diego. Thank you for showing what San Diego’s progressive movement is capable of, and for taking such an important role in building a coalition that can dramatically change San Diego for the better.

Whether it’s Harvey Milk and Teamsters working together to boycott Coors, the battle for fair health benefits and equal treatment in the workplace, Labor has worked closely with the LGBT community for decades. This election was no different. When the future of San Diego was on the line and we faced the toughest fight many of us can remember, the LGBT community mobilized and came through for the sake of our city.

I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together already, and look forward to the victories to come.

LORENA GONZALEZ

Secretary-Treasurer

San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Reflection

Ray at Night has come and gone but The Potency of Objects, an intriguing sculptural exhibition by Kevin Greeland at OBR Gallery Space on Ray Street will be on view until Dec. 5. The exhibition consists of various materials that Greeland has found or deliberately sought out that he then uses as a springboard for investigating the social and emotional life of objects.

Here’s how he explains his process: “In mining the history of objects, I use the relationship of the object to the body. I mold, cast and alter the objects to explore issues of authenticity, replication, consumption, value, status and identity. My investigation is a debate between the real and the simulated.”

One example of this process can be found in an exquisite collection of small bottles decorated with amber colored glass crystals, each filled with (wait for it) a splash of mens’ urine, each one a different shade of yellow. It’s gorgeous. It’s urine. It’s art! The piece also involves 45 corresponding encaustic photographs.

Personal Structure

Clearly, Greeland does not confine himself to a single medium and his work can be approached from a variety of angles. It is about the home, which with this show of work results in reproductions of shelters, shacks, and everyday objects. Greeland is also interested in the manipulation of narrative as well as oppositions – authentic and artificial, real and fabricated – stressing that it is important to investigate both sides of anything that interests him and explore the possibilities presented by both sides.

The Potency of Objects

That’s what makes his objects all the more potent.

President Barack Obama

Obama for four more years. So the American public has voted and they have said “we want someone who cares about building the middle class.” What I love is the difference in the vote can be attributed to the LGBT community.

The LGBT vote is 5 percent of the electorate. Given that the Republican Party has made it clear that they do not support LGBT equality, that 4-5 percent of the electorate that supported Obama because of his outstanding record on LGBT issues made the difference.

I know that it could also be said that other groups put Obama over the top; African Americans, women, Latinos or young voters. A case could be made for all these groups, but I want to make sure that the Republicans understand that 80 percent of the electorate who self-identified as LGBT voted for Obama.

Over the next several weeks and months, you will be hearing one word on the political front; demographics. The demographics for the Republican Party are not good. They hate LGBT people, have crazy candidates who have dated views about women’s reproductive rights, and do not have modern policies about undocumented workers and immigration.

All of these things spell disaster for the national Republican Party going forward. They need to regroup and figure out how they can appeal to the LGBT community, progressive women and “minority” groups. Otherwise, “Hey, hey, hey goodbye,” for the foreseeable future.

The mayoral race also produced a progressive winner, Congressman Bob Filner. Filner will move San Diego forward and represent the “minorities” that now make up a majority of the city; Asians, Latinos, women, African Americans and the LGBT community.

Isn’t it interesting that Obama and Filner both won with the same coalition? Demographics. That is what will change America going forward. Thank goodness. Those who have been oppressed will now have the ability to influence government to implement fair and just policies.

It has taken us more than 200 years to get here but we are finally here. Every vote in America counts. Those who have been disenfranchised for a host of reasons over the centuries made their voice heard; loud and clear.

Unlike those who oppressed us, we will make America a place where the American dream can be realized by everyone. We will ensure that those who need a hand up, get it. We will approach civic and federal budgets through a balanced approach: revenue enhancements and reduced spending. We will ensure LGBT equality.

America has spoken. San Diego has spoken. It is a new day with a new horizon. A horizon where all are treated equally. Demographics; a word we will all come to love.

Thank you to the San Diego LGBT community for being engaged, you definitely made a difference.

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

It’s the Supreme Court, stupid!

Dear Editor,

No community has more at stake in this presidential election than the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. In Barack Obama, we have a Democratic candidate who has embraced full equality for LGBT people. We have a Republican candidate in Mitt Romney who is against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), was against ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), and is against marriage equality or civil unions for gay couples.

In Romney’s vice-presidential pick Paul Ryan, we have a man who not only voted against ending DADT, but also voted against allowing gay people to adopt in the District of Columbia. Paul Ryan has promised the president of Focus on the Family that a Romney/Ryan administration “will protect traditional marriage and the rule of law and we will provide the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) the proper defense in the courts that it deserves.” It doesn’t get clearer, or meaner, than that.

The most profound and lasting legacy for any president tends to be their lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). The Romney campaign has turned to Robert Bork to lead a committee devoted to finding his SCOTUS nominees. Bork is a radically conservative former judge whose own appointment to the Supreme Court by President Reagan was blocked by the Senate. Romney’s choice of Bork as co-chair of his Justice Advisory Committee wasn’t merely a dog whistle to the extreme right; it was a bullhorn.

Robert Bork is rabidly anti-gay. In making the case for a Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution to block gay marriage, Bork writes, “Compassion, if nothing else, should urge us to avoid the consequences of making homosexuality seem a normal and acceptable choice for the young.” Bork warns that if same-sex marriage passes, “I think we’ll become much more accommodating to man-boy associations, polygamists and so forth.” Romney said of Bork, “I wish he were already on the Supreme Court,” when he announced Bork as his advisor on court appointments.

The next president will almost certainly need to replace at least one justice, liberal-leaning Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who at 79 and a cancer patient, is very likely to retire within the next four years. Obama already has a history of SCOTUS appointments with Justices Sotomayor and Kagan. Bill Keller writes in the New York Times that for his part, Romney “is committed to filling any Supreme Court vacancies with Scalias.”

Twenty-six years ago Antonin Scalia was confirmed to a lifetime seat on the United States Supreme Court, as a legacy of the Reagan presidency. As a Supreme Court justice, Scalia voted in 2003 to uphold state laws criminalizing gay sex. He says the Constitution does not protect the privacy of consenting adults in their own homes, and believes states are entitled to pass laws singling out LGBT people for discrimination. At a book signing earlier this month, Scalia was scornful over the idea that equal protection applies to gay people. “Homosexual sodomy? Come on. For 200 years, it was criminal in every state.”

LGBT Americans are on the cusp of achieving the full equality under the law sought for decades. The nation is also only one Supreme Court appointment away from overturning Roe v. Wade, and ending hopes for federal marriage rights for gay couples for a generation. The Romney/Ryan ticket is committed to the latter.

The 2012 Republican Party platform is clear in its hatred for LGBT people. The responsibility for drafting the document’s language on gay issues was given to Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council (FRC), a man who calls gay-rights activists vile pawns of Satan. In 2010 Perkins attacked Obama when the president denounced proposed legislation in Uganda that would punish homosexual “repeat offenders” with death.

Predictably, the Republican platform calls for an anti-gay amendment to the Constitution, and criticizes President Obama for not defending DOMA and for ending DADT. But the GOP document also berates the U.S. for advocating an end to foreign anti-gay laws as well: “The effectiveness of our foreign aid has been limited by the cultural agenda of the current administration, attempting to impose on foreign countries, especially the peoples of Africa, legalized abortion and the homosexual rights agenda … We will reverse this tragic course.” The New York Times accurately calls this platform “more aggressive in its opposition … to gay rights than any in memory.”

Under a second Obama/Biden term, the forward movement on LGBT equality of the last four years will continue. Under a Romney presidency, this progress will end. A Romney shaped SCOTUS will stop LGBT equality, especially on marriage rights, not only for four years, but for a generation. Anyone who says otherwise is either uninformed, or lying.

Now go vote as if your life depends on it. In many ways, it does.

MARC PAIGE

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.

Marc Paige is a writer and HIV/AIDS prevention educator.

It is that time of year where you get to participate in our political system by simply going to the polls and voting. Most groups in America had to fight for the right to vote, which makes it so troubling that so many refuse to exercise this hard won right.

Unfortunately, the only group in America that has always had the right to vote is white men who were property owners. Granted in 1787 with the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, any white male property owner at least 21 years old controlled the United States. By 1843, all white men at least 21 years old could vote, regardless of whether they owned property.

It is so unbelievable how certain people within America were disenfranchised and marginalized in our great democracy. Non-white men, the poor and women had no say in how our country was governed. They were at the mercy of wealthy white men who elected other wealthy white men to determine the direction of American democracy.

The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed in 1870; it allowed all men to vote regardless of race or ethnicity. Of course, we all know that there were all types of laws and strategies to prevent certain classes of men from voting; poll taxes, literacy tests and religious tests were used to deny minority and other poor men their right to vote.

Women were finally granted the right to vote in 1920, followed by Native Americans in 1924. Native Americans were not considered U.S. citizens even though they were here first. The history of our voting laws illustrates how our government was designed to protect the power and rights of white men.

The Voting Rights Act of 1964 eliminated the egregious federal laws that disenfranchised the poor and minorities, which was closely followed by a court decision in 1966 striking down the use of poll taxes or property ownership requirements in all elections.

In 1971, during the Vietnam War, people 18 or older were granted the right to vote. The argument was “if they are old enough to die for their country, they should be able to vote.”

Can you believe that it took until 1986 for U.S. military personnel stationed out of the country to be able to cast absentee ballots? Sad but true.

As we approach this election, I want everyone to consider how important it is to vote. For the vast majority of those reading this, there was a time when you could not vote. You could have been a white male with no property, a woman, under 21, Native American or other ethnic minority; you would have had no say in how you were treated in America.

This year, it is troubling that many states have introduced new strategies of voter suppression all across the U.S. These laws are targeted at the poor and minority communities.

You have the right to vote: use it! So many have sacrificed so much for you to have that right. Don’t you owe it to them and yourself to participate in our great democracy? v

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

BY STAMPP CORBIN

In a complete illustration that the Republican Party comes before her community, Bonnie Dumanis has endorsed Carl DeMaio for mayor of San Diego. Dumanis knows that the LGBT community overwhelmingly supports Filner, but her allegiance is to her beloved Republican Party. The LGBT community be damned.

We all thought Dumanis was smarter than to turn her back on the LGBT community. After all, she was given a pass on a number of issues because she was an out lesbian and the first lesbian elected to be a district attorney. No longer.

Dumanis had the opportunity not to endorse in the mayoral race, but what she has chosen to do is support DeMaio and the Republican Party platform; the Republican Party platform that is anti-choice and anti-LGBT. Why? Dumanis needs the support of the Republican Party in her future electoral races.

I do not understand how Dumanis can look her former supporters in the eye and say she endorses DeMaio and supports the Republican Party platform that is so rabidly anti-LGBT. The same Republican Party from which Dumanis sought an endorsement; the party that spews hate toward the LGBT community. Worse, I cannot understand how her LGBT supporters let this happen. Did Dumanis discuss this endorsement with LGBT leaders? Doubtful.

Well I have news for you, supporting Bonnie Dumanis in the future will be akin to supporting Mitt Romney; I would keep it to myself. The vast majority of the LGBT community does not support the anti-choice, anti-LGBT policies of the Republican Party and Dumanis has helped us fully understand why we should not support moderate LGBT Republican candidates in San Diego. Dumanis has fooled us for many years, but no longer.

Many of us looked away when Dumanis did not support the use of medical marijuana, or her full throttled support of the death penalty, which has been proven to be disproportionately applied to minority communities; many who are later proven innocent. Then there was Dumanis’ support of gubernatorial and anti-LGBT candidate Meg Whitman. So many chances the LGBT community has given Dumanis and she has always disappointed in favor of her Republican Party. It is truly sad.

Dumanis attacked independent mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher all for the sake of her beloved Republican Party. She also did not drop out of the mayoral primary to ensure that the race was between Filner and DeMaio. Dumanis’ support never exceeded 13 percent. Why did she stay in? She wanted to prevent a Fletcher versus Filner race. At least Fletcher has had the intestinal fortitude to not make an endorsement in the mayor’s race.

Dumanis, we will not forget your decision the next time you ask the LGBT community to support you. You have shown your true colors and we will show ours in the voting booth. Who out there wants to run against Dumanis in her next district attorney race? The LGBT community is up for grabs.

I thought it might be fun to take a stab at the costumes that should be worn by some of our politicians this season. Don’t be surprised if some of my suggestions actually end up getting worn by our local politicians. Keep your eyes peeled at Nightmare on Normal Street.

Weather vane: Mitt Romney

Romney has proven this political season that he will take any position based upon the political winds. Severe conservative when talking to the Tea Partiers but moderate at the first presidential debate. The only positions on which Romney has remained firm this election season are his anti-LGBT stances and policies.

Mr. Rogers: Barack Obama

President Obama went to Washington with the belief that he could compromise with Republicans. It took Obama almost three years to realize Republicans had no intention of making any deals with the White House or the Democrats. The Republicans don’t want you in the neighborhood and they sure don’t want to be your neighbor!

NFL referee: Joe Biden

Biden makes good calls, but can also make an occasional bad one. But just like in the NFL this season, you would definitely miss him if he was gone; particularly if Biden is replaced by a Division 3 referee like candidate Paul Ryan.

Eddie Munster: Paul Ryan

This was too easy, that widows peek just made it a simple choice. Ryan is so proud of his political partner, Mitt Romney, that he boasts about his accomplishments to the point that some are outright fabrications. Kinda like his volunteering at the soup kitchen. Eddie Munster did the same thing when he talked about his father, Herman. All Ryan needs is the Little Lord Fauntleroy suit and he’ll be ready to go.

Felon for freedom: Bob Filner

Bob Filner was a civil rights activist in the 1960s. He was arrested for participating in the Freedom Rides that ensured that Supreme Court rulings enforcing desegregation of interstate buses were actually happening in the South. Filner should wear prison garb and a picture of his mug shot around his neck.

Two-Face: Carl DeMaio

City Councilman Carl DeMaio has two faces; the one he shows to his right-wing supporters like Doug Manchester and Roger Hedgecock and the one that wants to be an openly gay man in Hillcrest. What face would our community see if he were to get to the mayor’s office? Scary.

Palm Springs retiree: Mayor Sanders

White polyester pants, hiked above his waist, a pastel shirt, walking with a cane, Mayor Sanders should celebrate his retirement by accepting what is to come. He will be a hit at any party.

Uncle Sam: Todd Gloria

We all know Todd wants to be our congressman, so what could be a better costume. I want you and your vote! Hey, Todd is also single so it could be a double entendre. v

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

When I decided to launch San Diego LGBT Weekly, the goal was to ensure that San Diego had an independent media voice in the LGBT community. A voice that was laser focused upon the issues that matter most to us, whether they are political, news-related or simply fun entertainment stories.

We began our journey with a weekly publication that resembled the defunct Gay and Lesbian Times. Why? All of the initial staff were former employees of the Times. While my vision was fundamentally different from that of the GLT, communicating that vision would have caused anxiety in my new staff.

Gradually over the first year, LGBT Weekly found its voice, format and audience. Our readers noticed the shift to hyper-local news stories that focused on LGBT issues in San Diego. They also noticed the diversity of our covers; more women, more ethnicities; a transgender woman. Our newsmagazine reached out to and represented our entire community.

The first year was not without its concerns. There were advertisers who were skittish after the demise of the GLT. There were also advertisers who stepped forward immediately to help ensure that an independent LGBT media voice remained in San Diego.

Jim Abbott of Abbott Realty Group offered us office space for free, to help us put out our first few issues. LGBT Weekly owes him, as well as our initial other advertisers, a debt of gratitude.

Many complained “where is your Web site? We can’t access your information online.” LGBT Weekly made a conscious decision not to launch our Web site prematurely. I knew from my experience owning high-tech businesses that you only get one chance with a potential online customer.

If you produce a poor Web site, a reader may visit once. Wait and produce an excellent Web site, you will create a repeat reader. Our Web site did not debut until March 2011, five months after we launched the publication. The Web site launch was an unqualified success.

LGBT Weekly decided to partner with The Pride Card to increase its reach within the community. The Pride Card offers discounts to cardholders from select businesses in San Diego. There are currently more than 9,000 Pride cardholders who get discounts on everything from automotive services to spa treatments and of course, clothing and dining. Have you used your Pride Card today?

In August, LGBT Weekly Media launched the first mobile applications targeted at the San Diego LGBT community. LGBT Weekly and The Pride Card have a mobile application that allows you to get news and Pride Card discounts on your iPhone.

LGBT Weekly Media also partnered with OutRightNow, a mobile application that includes our news, The Pride Card discounts plus events. Information about happy hours, galas, bar events or other activities is just a touch screen away.

You can download the application that best meets your need for free on your iPhone. The apps are The Pride Card and OutRightNow. In about a month the applications will be available on Android.

What makes LGBT Weekly Media unique is the myriad of ways we can engage with the LGBT community; in print, online, through The Pride Card or on the go with our mobile applications. No other LGBT media company in San Diego can compare to our engagement with the community.

LGBT Weekly Media’s engagement with the LGBT community has helped our readers to be more knowledgeable about politics, news and entertainment. We enthusiastically engage with those that agree with our editorial content and those who don’t.

We are not afraid to publish opinions that are different from ours. That’s what civil discourse is all about. Our news coverage is always fair; our commentary is just that, the author’s opinion. Our 30,000 weekly print readers, 35,000 Web visitors, 9,000 Pride cardholders, our fast growing mobile application users and our Facebook and Twitter followers support our vision.

Some of our competitors do not want to engage with those that disagree with their points of view. They think that many in the LGBT community are looking to be led. LGBT Weekly Media believes that the LGBT community is smart, and when informed, makes great decisions; whether that is to vote for a particular candidate, support a particular organization or attend a particular event.

Finally, I would like to say thank you. Thank you for reading our publication online and in print. Thank you for supporting the Pride Card and patronizing its business partners that support LGBT equality. Thank you for supporting those who advertise with us. Thank you for downloading our mobile applications. Thank you for following us on Twitter and Facebook.

Without you we are nothing.

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Presidential terms compared

Dear Editor,

I want to make two points about the presidential election. Firstly, during Bill Clinton’s eight years, my net worth went up 87.79 percent; under George W. Bush’s eight years, it went down 0.41 percent; and so far under Barack Obama, it has gone up 39.56 percent. At this pace, it could well outperform the Clinton record, given a second term. Draw your own conclusions.

Secondly, I find it ironic that the right-wing fundamentalist Protestants are depending on the first political party ticket in U.S. history that does not include a Protestant to restore the America they feel has slipped away from them.

TEDD BUNCE

Mission Hills

Nicole’s column: no reasoned arguments, just insults

Dear Editor,

I know that there is not a chance in hell of this happening, but I really wish that your publication would stop running Nicole’s column. I won’t say that it completely lacks value, but when it is used as a bully pulpit or just a vehicle for Nicole to display his hatred of various individuals, it is simply pathetic. I don’t think that it does any good for the community in that it is an example of in-fighting, and I think that your publication would be taken more seriously without it. I understand that it is an opinion piece, but there are never any reasoned arguments for said opinions, just insults like these:

“The new 9th District was supposedly cut up for another Latino district, (yea, which worked out just great – huh, Linda Perine)” – Oct. 11, 2012

“But a snake like Johnathan can’t help but be a snake… I knew about your first kiss and when you had your first roll in the hay with Carl. Know this, Johnathan Hale, when you attack me I will respond and I will not do so by also having paid employees attack, like you do.” – Jan. 26, 2012, one of several columns (partially) dedicated to Nicole’s personal beef with Mr. Hale.

I know that the purpose of this column is community gossip and opinions, but when it gets into baseless insults like those toward Ms. Perine (he accused her of racism in a previous column – that is something that should never be thrown around loosely in print) or silly personal details about Mr. Hale’s sex life, it offends me as a community member, as I know it does others. I do not recommend your publication solely because you give Nicole an unchecked platform for insult-hurling; I absolutely would recommend the publication were the column gone.

Again, I know that the column is a community fixture and don’t expect it to ever go away, but I know I’m not alone in thinking this way, and you should know how your publication is perceived by all of the community. Thank you for reading my message.

JACQUELINE PALMER

San Diego

In response to “I Think I’m Not Going to Vote” (LGBT Weekly #99)

Dear Editor,

First let me say, great article. It seems that those that don’t take the time to vote are always the ones with the loudest complaints.

One thing I noticed you failed to mention was the law that requires employers to give their employees up to two hours during a shift to go to the polls and vote, if there is not a sufficient amount of time either before or after. I am a permanent absentee voter only for the fact that I don’t like dealing with the lines and the feeling that I need to hurry up and get out. I am sick to death of hearing the excuses that people have for not voting. There are over 1 million voting age San Diegans, but barely over 600,000 registered voters. That baffles me.

I agree with how things are done in Australia. Vote or pay a fine. Since we can’t really do that here, I say “Vote or sit down and shut the hell up.” It’s those that refuse to vote that put people like George W. Bush and quite possibly Carl “Dingbat” DeMaio in office.

STEVEN BLOCKER

San Diego

Concerns about Nicole’s column

Dear Editor,

It is with increasing concern that I watch LGBT Weekly columnist Nicole Murray Ramirez deteriorate as a leader of our community.

In the middle of a hugely important election cycle, Nicole thinks it is useful to try and create turmoil in the community. Rather than use his column to help our efforts to elect Bob Filner Mayor, Scott Peters to Congress, LGBT candidate Dave Roberts to the Board of Supervisors and Democrat Sherri Lightner to District 1 City Council, he attacks a highly respected lesbian community leader and a well-known and liked young Latino in the name of Stephen Whitburn’s candidacy for an election that is three to four years away.

In so doing, he demonstrates once again that far from being a leader, he is, at best, a distraction to the real work of the LGBT and progressive communities. At worst he is an “enemy inside.” While at one time his actions may have helped this community, his irresponsible use of his column and connections show a complete lack of concern or understanding for the importance of the election that takes place in less than a month.

Nicole, you apparently don’t care what is important to this community right now. You clearly have no understanding of the issues and very real dangers we faced in the 2010 redistricting. Between your ignorance and irresponsibility, and the incumbent’s self-absorption, we could have easily lost the “gay” district you claim to love. Far from castigating Linda Perine, you and other community “leaders” should acknowledge her immense contribution to the D3 and San Diego as a whole. If she hadn’t stood up to you and Todd and done the right thing we would be in a world of hurt right now. Maybe that is why you seem to hate her so much – she is strong and smart and she won’t kiss your fanny.

From your rigged and fraudulent Nicky Awards, to your ignorant and vicious column, you have become a liability to the LGBT and progressive communities. Please stop your childish and disruptive behavior at least until after the election.

Note to Stephen Whitburn: You should think long and hard about accepting this kind of “help.” If you can’t take on a 20 something straight guy and a lesbian leader who isn’t even a candidate on your own, maybe you aren’t the right guy for the job. Show some backbone for once – distance yourself from Nicole’s destructive nastiness.

PETE CONNEELY

San Diego

You would be surprised at how many people on both sides of the aisle are disillusioned with one or more of their candidates. While your decision not to vote is as American as the right itself, it does mean that your voice will not be heard.

The recent presidential election in Venezuela had a 90 percent turnout, while our 2008 presidential election saw a turnout of 63 percent. Forty-seven percent of American voices were not heard in determining the leader of our country.

Truth be told, most of the unheard voices lean toward the Democratic party. Did you know that there are more registered Democrats than Republicans in San Diego? Forty percent of San Diegans are registered Democrats, 29 percent registered Republicans, 27 percent decline to state party affiliation, and the remaining 4 percent are from a host of smaller political parties.

When Obama won the presidency in 2008, San Diego residents turned out in record numbers; 83.72 percent of eligible voters. Given the dominance of Democrats in the city, Obama won 54 percent of the vote, slightly more than he won nationally.

While the perception is San Diego is a Republican town, the reality is it is a Democratic leaning city. Why do we elect so many Republican leaders? Simply voter turnout. So many Democrats do not exercise their right to vote. Are you one? Progressives and Democrats often do not show up at the polls.

Not showing up at the polls has created a city government that has three ethnic city council members, and three woman city council members. That means 37.5 percent of the City Council is of ethnic origin and 37.5 percent of the City Council is comprised of women.

The City Council is not reflective of the community at large. The City of San Diego has a population that is 54.9 percent non-white or Latino. So why don’t we have more ethnic representation in City Hall? San Diego is comprised of 49.6 percent women, why doesn’t the City Council reflect that fact? It is simply voter apathy and a lack of voter turnout.

While the population numbers are similar for the County, all of the County supervisors are white men or women, with women representing 40 percent of the five supervisors. I believe that many of these people are fine political leaders, but isn’t it time for the City and County political leaders to look more like their constituents?

There are many obstacles to voting for supporters of both parties, like holding the election on a work day for most Americans, but there are options for early voting of which you should take advantage.

First, as a registered voter you can request a mail-in ballot. Do it today by going to sos.ca.gov/elections/vote-by-mail/pdf/fill-in-vote-by-mail-app-instruct.pdf or simply type “California vote by mail” in any search engine. You just need to fill out the form and make sure it arrives to the prescribed address by Oct. 30. Do it today!

Then, you will receive a ballot in the mail. Simply vote and mail it in. Your mail-in ballot must be received by Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. Be sure to mail your ballot to your county’s election office by Oct. 31. No lines, no waiting, no missing of work hours. Sit down with your favorite beverage and make your voice heard.

That will ensure that San Diego and its elected leaders begin to look like and represent those who actually live in the city. More women, more ethnicities, more LGBT people, heck, even more white people who represent your values.

Don’t let those that hate the LGBT community or want to relegate our civil rights to simply “social issues” win by suppressing your vote. If you don’t vote, it is the same as voting for the opposite party. In this election, the LGBT community cannot afford that risk.

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

Right about Roosevelt, Obama

Dear Editor,

I want to thank you for the article titled “Re-election could unleash new jobs plan” on page 4 of the Sept. 27 issue. For those of us who know and love New Orleans, we knew before Katrina that the federal “levy protection system” was bullshit. I also believe that the American Jobs Act could help us out of the current economic slump. I believe that history views Roosevelt’s public works projects as a catalyst that helped America out of the Depression.

I love the ending to your article, “New Orleans deserves more than a levy. America deserves more than just private sector jobs in the new economy.”

Wiliam Posey

San Diego

Fiery GOPer responds to recent ‘Message from our Publisher’

Dear Stampp,

I have been reading with interest your recent Publisher’s messages about Republicans, LGBT Republicans and Freedom.

Before I answer your question, “How can an LGBT person belong to the Republican Party? I think it’s only fair to examine the history of both political parties and their mutual founding principles on the issue of equal rights.

The Republican Party was formed in 1854 to abolish slavery and challenge other racist legislative acts initiated by the Democratic Party. For African Americans, the Civil war was really the war between the Democrats and the Republicans over slavery. The Democrats gave their lives to expand it; Republicans gave their lives to ban it. During the Senate debates on the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, it was revealed that members of the Democratic Party formed many terrorist organizations like the Ku Klux Klan to murder and intimidate African American voters. The Ku Klux Klan Act was a bill introduced by a Republican Congress to stop Klan activities. All of the elected officials up to 1935 were Republicans. As of 2004, the Democratic Party (the oldest political party in America) had never elected a black man to the United States Senate, the Republicans had elected three.

Congressional records show it was Democrats that strongly opposed the passage of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments. These three Amendments were introduced by Republicans to abolish slavery, give citizenship to all African Americans born in the United States and, give blacks the right to vote. Congressional records show that Democrats were opposed to passing the following laws that were introduced by Republicans to achieve civil rights for African Americans:

Civil Rights Act 1866

Reconstruction Act of 1867

Freedman Bureau Extension Act of 1866

Enforcement Act of 1870

Force Act of 1871

Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871

Civil Rights Act of 1875

Civil Rights Act of 1957

Civil Rights Act of 1960

And during the ’60s many Democrats fought hard to defeat the

1964 Civil Rights Act

1965 Voting Rights Acts

1972 Equal Employment Opportunity Act

Court records shows that it was the Democrats that supported the Dred Scott Decision. The decision classified blacks as property rather than people. It was also the racist Jim Crow practices initiated by Democrats that brought about the two landmark cases of Plessy v Ferguson and Brown v. The Board of Education. The chronicles of history shows that during the past 160 years the Democratic Party legislated Jim Crow laws, Black Codes and a multitude of other laws at the state and federal level to deny African Americans their rights as citizens.

Dr. Martin Luther King, several civil rights leaders and many historians reported that during the first two years of his administration, President John F. Kennedy ignored Dr. King’s request for civil rights. The chronicles of history reveal that it was only after television coverage of riots and several demonstrations did President Kennedy feel a need to introduce the 1963 Civil Rights Act. Congressional records show after signing the 1972 Equal Employment Opportunity Act and issuing Executive Order 11478, Richard Nixon, a Republican, started what we know as Affirmative Action. Republican President Ronald Reagan signed into law, a bill to make Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday a national holiday.

The racism established and promoted by members of the Democratic Party affected and infected the entire nation from 1856 with the Dred Scott decision, to the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case. Contrary to revisionist history, it was the Republican Party that was on the forefront of the fight for equal rights and an end to slavery for African Americans.

What about the principles and platforms of the two parties today and the answer to your question about choosing the GOP. As an American I make political choices with regard to voting and party affiliation based on what I believe is best for the country and its future as a whole. I also make choices based on my core beliefs of what makes America exceptional, free and strong and how do we keep it that way so we can continue to fight for the issues of personal concern and leave America a better place. The key question for me is “what does this political party believe is the role of government in our lives? Do the policies and platform put forth support the American Constitutional way of life? I believe the DNC philosophy and ideology of collectivism and redistribution, which are the underlying themes on all 32 pages of the platform, are in direct contradiction to the principles in our Constitution. I do not believe that changing our American domestic way of life into a more European Socialist model is going to give us more freedom or make America a stronger and freer nation. I believe the socialist model is a much larger threat to my personal freedoms than any anti-gay faction in the GOP. The DNC platform and our president both clearly state that a fundamental change in the American government under the current Constitution is desired. Page 12 of the Platform states that “we will re-think reform and re-make our government to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The president asked Congress to re-instate the authority that past presidents had to re-organize and consolidate government agencies.” Page 13 states under the heading of “Greater Together” that “our COLLECTIVE efforts produce something better than the sum of our individual actions.” Bigger government, consolidating more power in DC and collectivism are all political ideologies that I fundamentally and respectfully disagree with. I do not consider a plank that supports gay marriage an equal trade-off for my personal freedom or liberty in general. Government dependency equals slavery and it seems to me the DNC is returning to its old ways of “the massah” will take care of you.

Further, to promote the idea that as a minority participation in one political party alone is subtle bigotry at best. It is dangerous for any minority to put all their political eggs and aspirations in one basket. That simply opens the door for being taken for granted. It is healthy and vitally important for LGBT people to be involved on both sides of the isle and party activism in both makes the community stronger. What LGBT equality legislation or what HIV+ funding has been passed in any house of any state recently or the Congress without the votes of Republicans? As a recent example; several Republican voted in the U.S. Senate for ending “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” New York’s recent legislation legalizing gay marriage passed with Republican help. In Iowa, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of gay marriage because of the Republican justices. In California, a Republican governor, Schwarzenegger, introduced and supported more equality rights bills than any governor in the history of the state. Lastly, our own Mayor Jerry Sanders has made historic and difficult decagons on behalf of LGBT equality and he continues to be an outspoken advocate at the national level. During the ’80s in San Diego, it was the efforts of the Log Cabin Republican Club that produced the first county and state AIDS funding, the first Police Liaison committee, the first openly gay city commissioner, and opened the door to many other Republican elected officials creating relationships with the LGBT community that are viable today.

There will always be haters in life no matter where we go and what we do. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a Republican, didn’t let that stop him in his fight for equal rights for African Americans. Why should LGBT Republicans run from a few fringe nuts for the same reason? This is not the time in history to back down or withdraw from the fight because the actions of a few. It is not fair or correct to say that ALL Republicans hate and despise the LGBT community.

“Forward” is the theme for the DNC team’s 2012 re-election bid and I would challenge you Stampp, and the LGBT community to move forward and away from demonizing and mocking LBGT people whose political ideology doesn’t match yours. In my LGBT America, people should be able to choose what they want to believe, what they want to say and where they want to make change without bias from their own community. If we all have to walk in lock step to be LGBT politically correct, then we are in trouble as a community and as a nation. I thought the LGBT community stands for diversity? Apparently LGBT Republicans still need to go to the back of the bus and are not allowed at the LGBT lunch counter. I’ve been an openly gay Republican activist and consultant to hundreds of candidates for 30 years and have never been barred from any convention or state committee or political war room. As an LGBT activist for 30 years, I am sad to say, a lot of hate speech and demagoguery passed my way from the LGBT community about being a Republican. It’s time for the LGBT leadership to realize the value in giving the younger LGBT generation the opportunity to get involved with any party they choose. It took the Democratic Party 160+ years to change their way of thinking about African American’s equal rights, and Marriage Equality change will come in America and within the GOP sooner rather than later only if and when we have strong LGBT voices, in both political parties.

Respectfully,

Susan Jester

Past President San Diego Log Cabin Club

Founding Board Member National Log Cabin Club

Political Director New Jersey Republican State Committee

Executive Director, Union County NJ Republican Committee

Executive Director, Bergen County NJ Republican Committee

Bush/Cheney 2000 Victory Committee New Jersey Director

Bush/Cheney 2004 Victory Committee New Jersey Director

Alternate Delegate RNC Convention 2000

Alternate Delegate RNC Convention 2004

California State Committee Delegate 1984-1990

Executive Director Stonewall 25, NYC 1994

Founder, San Diego Police Liaison Committee

Ms. Gay San Diego 1983

Founder, San Diego AIDS Walk

San Diego City Neighborhood Relations Commissioner 1986

Human Rights Campaign Fund National Events Mgr. 1990=1992

The funny thing about the LGBT civil rights movement is its unpredictability. Sometimes our community makes unbelievable strides, like the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and sometimes it is a smaller advance, like hospital visitation, which is enacted and goes practically unnoticed by our community.

While the big things like marriage and employment non-discrimination are important, small advances often add up to really big things in the LGBT equality movement. It’s like achieving freedom through a thousand stitches.

Each stitch heals a cut that has been inflicted upon us in our current state of inequality. Over the last several months, several additional stitches have been added to help heal our community.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill outlawing reparative therapy in California. In essence, LGBT kids cannot be exposed to psychological therapy to try to make them straight. While the law is not perfect because a religious exemption exists, it does eliminate all psychologists and psychiatrists from performing reparative therapy.

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano confirmed that her department will issue guidance to immigration officials that “long-term, same-sex partners” should be considered families, which could stop the potential deportation of LGBT undocumented immigrants.

The LGBT community was included in the 2012 National Suicide Prevention Strategy issued by the U.S. surgeon general. While it seems like such a small thing, inclusion in strategies means those in power are thinking about our community.

The District of Columbia recently launched a publicly-funded advertising campaign to prevent transgender discrimination it its city. The campaign encourages transgender residents to contact local authorities if they experience discrimination. A small step, but an advance nonetheless.

There were more than 530 LGBT participants at the Democratic National Convention this year. This speaks volumes about how far our community has come in the political arena. There were even “two dozen” LGBT participants at the Republican National Convention.

At the White House, more LGBT functions have been held than in any other administration ever. President Obama has brought the LGBT community into the national family like no other president.

All of these things are small advances in that they affect the broader community’s opinion about us and advance our acceptance as a part of the American fabric.

As you approach the election this November, please remember there is a clear choice. You can choose Obama who has proven that he is stitching the cuts of inequality that affect the LGBT community every day. Alternatively, you can choose Romney who has promised to inflict more pain on our community by inflicting 1,000 more cuts.

I choose Obama.

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

This week’s column is dedicated to those of you who have a story to tell but who have yet to find the time, place or support structure to tell it. Your story might be a memoir, a poem, something short or a novel. It might recount the color and spectacle of your own life, from humble beginning to big ol’ San Diego or it might be a convoluted narrative that springs from your wild imagination.

Whatever the case, this week’s column is a reminder that San Diego has a plethora of small, active and very popular literary organizations that are here to help get your goals going. They range from So Say We All to Dime Stories to Vermin on the Mount. So Say We All builds the development of an idea and the presentation of your final text into their range of programs. Dime Stories hones in on presenting a short, concise story (3 minutes or so!). Vermin on the Mount presents a roster of readers 3-4 times a year and bounces between San Diego and Los Angeles.

In addition there is San Diego Writers, Ink (or the Ink Spot as it is commonly known). The Ink Spot is located downtown in a bright and breezy space with a wall of windows that helps shine some light on your inspiration. It has offered a range of classes and workshops over the years about everything to do with the writing process. Writers, Ink is very accessible and supportive to the newcomer as well as those of us who have been tinkering away at our story for a while.

On the weekend of Oct. 11-14, San Diego Writer’s Ink is offering their first Fall For Writing Conference. I suspect it is something that will grow so I encourage you to get in on the ground floor. This year the conference is going to include panels about the writing process, MFA’s and residencies; speakers focused on story, screenwriting and getting started and a workshop about poetry. On top of all that there will be readings and mixers where you can get to know some of the more active writers in town and learn about local opportunities and writing groups etc.

Writing can be a hard and messy process, especially personal writing that mines difficult journeys, but it is also rewarding and it is vital, especially in this age of abbreviated texts and Tweets. If you are young and feel stifled or oppressed you should go. If your friends tell you you’re funny you should go. If you simply don’t see your story being written you should go. I encourage you all to attend some or all of this conference, for your own sake and to ensure that our LGBT history gets written and contributes to the cultural record of our time. I hope to see you there.

sandiegowriters.org

There was a bit of controversy around whether the Victory Fund should endorse City Councilman Carl DeMaio in the mayoral race. After all, DeMaio is gay and the Victory Fund’s purpose is to expand LGBT persons in elected and appointed office across the nation.

I applaud the Victory Fund’s apparent decision not to endorse DeMaio based upon its clearly outlined criteria for any endorsement. Their first criterion is that the person must be openly LGBT.

While some could argue that DeMaio is only open before certain audiences, I think at this point most people do know that DeMaio is in a committed relationship with Johnathan Hale.

The second criterion is that the candidate must have support from the community and a clear strategy to win. I think this is the area that was most problematic for a Victory Fund DeMaio endorsement.

The booing of DeMaio at the LGBT mayoral debate, coupled with similar boos when he marched at the Pride parade and appeared at the Hillcrest flag raising, probably raised concerns about community support of DeMaio’s candidacy.

In addition, not one LGBT elected official has come out for DeMaio and only one of the many LGBT city commissioners have come out in support of DeMaio’s candidacy.

Hale tried to muster support for his partner through a Facebook event page suggesting that people call the Victory Fund to express their love for DeMaio. The event was sent to thousands of people and reportedly only 12 people liked the page. The plan clearly backfired. Plus the U-T article outlining DeMaio’s lack of LGBT support further solidified the narrative that DeMaio is not supported by our community.

The third criterion is a candidate’s ability to demonstrate support of federal, state or local efforts to advance LGBT civil rights via the legislative or regulatory process. DeMaio’s only blemish in this area was his lack of support for needle exchange to prevent the spread of HIV.

The fourth criterion is to demonstrate support of efforts to safeguard privacy and reproductive freedom. Surprisingly at an event for the La Jolla Rotary Club, DeMaio described himself as a “gay, pro-choice, environmentalist.” I think that would be a surprise to many of the Tea Partiers in DeMaio’s base.

So all-in-all the Victory Fund got it right. It is not their mission to support any LGBT candidate but those that embody the criteria for the Victory Fund endorsement.

Of note is that six San Diegans are part of the Victory Campaign Board that decides endorsements; Jeff Jordan, Bob Mahlowitz, John Lipsey, Matt Stephens, Marcia Green and Linda Perine. Clearly, their voices were a significant part of the process.

Bravo, Victory Fund, bravo. Those who support their decision should go and donate to the Victory Fund to support their courage. Donations can be made at thevictoryfund.org

STAMPP CORBIN

PUBLISHER

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com

The Maaslantkering storm surge barrier

“Where are the jobs?” That’s the unabashed clarion cry House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner bellowed upon taking the lectern as speaker in 2011, and it’s the same sad song he sings when, after nearly two years of proposing nary a jobs plan of the Republicans’ own, he needs to appear relevant again. Sure the GOP says it has proposed jobs plans in the House – “hundreds of jobs plans,” in fact. Of course, those were tax-cutting bills with the word “jobs” in their titles.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama’s American Jobs Act (AJA) has never been brought up for a vote in the House, blocked perpetually by an unmovable Republican majority in that body. Nevertheless, the president’s role as savior or sinker of the economy has been highlighted by 30 consecutive months of private-sector job growth. While a lower unemployment rate of 8.1 percent (down from 8.3 percent) is a reflection of a shrinking labor base, shrinking because people are giving up on finding work, the fact remains, unemployment is down and the private sector has added a total of 4.6 million jobs.

What’s missing from the mix is the one surefire way to rev the economy in a downturn: government work. But hiring is down in government employment settings. In fact, because it has become taboo to do anything that looks like “growing government,” the normally present component of big-government (yes, I said it) projects meant to stimulate (yes, I said that too) job growth have been avoided at all costs. If you’re a Democrat, you can’t give the GOP an example to hold up that, they can say, shows you’re a taxer and spender.

Roosevelt had a way of getting around that, which would work today too. Even today, it would be un-American to oppose the building of an icon such as the Hoover Dam or the Golden Gate Bridge. We need another iconic building project to really ignite job growth. It alone won’t do the job, but it would serve as an umbrella symbol for the AJA – the way the Golden Gate Bridge and Hoover Dam did for the Works Project Administration, giving government investment in jobs creation a good name.

If Obama pulls off re-election, there will be an opening.

The George W. Bush administration-era solution to prevent another Katrina-type disaster in New Orleans was to rebuild, and increase the height of, a stack of rocks, dirt and mortar called the levy. That’s the levy that officials were audibly relieved and outwardly proud of when it held during the recent category 1 hurricane, Isaac. Recall, Katrina was a “5.”

Here’s some inspiration for Obama’s Hoover Dam, his Golden Gate Bridge, pictured above. It’s the Netherland’s Maaslantkering storm surge barrier. New Orleans deserves more than a levy. America deserves more than just private sector jobs in the new economy.

THOM SENZEE

Editor

Tony Freeman

The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (SDHDF) has announced that Executive Director Tony Freeman is leaving his post to return to the ministry of the Metropolitan Community Church. During this transition period, long-time supporter and past board member of the foundation, David Miles has been appointed interim executive director. Together with board Vice President Drew Jack and existing staff, Miles will manage day-to-day activities at the foundation to ensure the foundation’s programs move forward effectively. An executive search process has been initiated.

“While the board is sad to lose Tony, we would not be in the position we are today without his leadership and we wish him all the best in this new endeavor,” stated Kay Chandler, SDHDF board president. “Tony’s departure will in no way hamper current foundation efforts. Our board is fully engaged as well and ready to step in whenever needed.”

During Tony Freeman’s time as executive director, The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation has experienced unprecedented growth achieving several significant milestones. Assets have more than tripled to more than $3 million, notably with the establishment of the Sunshine Brooks Fund by AIDS Foundation San Diego. SDHDF was selected, through a competitive process, to be the convener of the San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative that in 2012 has distributed more than $400,000, raised through AIDS Walk San Diego as well as other local and national donors, to HIV/AIDS service providers in the San Diego region. And a major funding initiative Aging with Dignity was launched to create new resources to address the unique needs of San Diego’s LGBT seniors.

“None of these successes would have been possible without Tony Freeman’s leadership.” said Chandler.

“I am very proud of The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation and the work it has done to address the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in San Diego.” said Tony Freeman. “The foundation is strong on all fronts – operationally, financially and organizationally. It is poised to continue to grow as a community-wide leader and supporter of efforts that benefit LGBT people.”

Tony Freeman came to the Foundation in 2007 after managing a corporate giving program and launching a new corporate foundation serving at-risk children and youth. Before that he served as senior pastor of Metropolitan Community Church San Diego from 1996 to 2006.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

This simple phrase from the Declaration of Independence helped launch our nation. But as a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender American, are you free?

Are you free when in 34 states you can be fired from your job because of your sexual orientation or gender identity?

Are you free when you cannot marry the person you love? Or walk hand-in-hand in every city and state in America? Or, when kissing your partner is considered an affront to society in so many places?

Are you free when your government denies you more than 1,100 rights granted to those that can get married? Or passes a law that prevents you from being recognized as a couple by the federal government?

Are you free when you pay taxes on domestic partner benefits provided by your employer for which your straight married colleagues pay nothing?

Are you free when politicians can espouse discrimination against you? Or suggest that you need to go through reparative therapy?

Are you free when you go to work and hide who you are or what you did last weekend due to fear of discrimination or violence?

Are you free when in your house of worship the preacher calls you a sinner and desecrates your “lifestyle?”

Are you free when you are asked to provide proof of your relationship when your partner is rushed to the hospital and you want to ride with him in the ambulance?

What other groups in America can lay claim to these horrible facts? None.

Freedom is liberty, which is at the core of all democratic principles. Yet the LGBT community is far from being free in America. As Martin Luther King said at the March on Washington in 1963, “When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men … would be guaranteed the ‘unalienable rights’ of ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’ It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note.”

Well America has written another bad check, but this time it is to the LGBT community. This election year is our time to make a collection call. It is time for us to tell America to pay up. We have waited long enough.

We absolutely must exercise one of our penultimate freedoms; the right to vote. There is only one choice if your liberty is important to you. Romney/Ryan have made their thoughts known about LGBT equality; not now, not ever, because the Bible tells them so.

Obama may not be perfect, but his record on LGBT rights is pretty close for his first at bat. Let’s make sure he gets four more years. Then freedom will surely ring.

Stampp Corbin

Publisher

San Diego LGBT Weekly

LGBTweekly.com