Simply put, we cannot support this merger until we have two guarantees.
First, we must have the County pass legislation ensuring our civil rights are preserved. Right now, those of us who live or work in the City are assured protections based on our sexual orientation and gender identity. At the Big Gay Chat last spring, sponsored by the ACDC, County Council President Rich Fitzgerald admitted that passing this type of legislation would be an uphill battle.
Second, we must insist that the County provide domestic partnership benefits for all employees. Onorato hides behind claims that it is a budget issue. That's ridiculous. If all the gay and unmarried heterosexual employees quit tomorrow and they were replaced by happily married heterosexuals, the budget would somehow accommodate their families. WHY IS MY FAMILY DIFFERENT? I can say this based on the fact that Ledcat works for the City so this will directly impact moi!
So, here's where our champions suit up and make sure that Pittsburgh's gay residents are not kicked to the curb. I understand that Luke is having a big gay luncheon at Images in the next few weeks. I'm hopeful Gary and company educate him about the importance of these two issues. It is important that we use whatever access we have to make sure Luke is aware of how this very significant legislation will impact us.
How come I never get invited to important gay luncheons? I eat lunch. I know my silverware.
Let's not forget Dan. Or our County Council reps. Oh, in my case, that's NOT Brenda Frazier so I'm basically screwed (thanks, HosPAC for quashing homo allies, by the way). We'll need that $0.15 discount on those drinks to drown our sorrows when we can't take the damn bus out of the County to find housing or jobs. Awesome.
Deep breath.
Anyway, we need to be sure that our County Council and Chief Executive understand that we are law-abiding, tax-paying, bus-riding, drink-buying residents of this County and we deserve equal rights.
So, our champions have their work cut out for them. Bill and Doug, Patrick and Bruce. Rich. Brenda. Gary and Steel City need to work with Luke to make sure he understands these issues. Someone needs to do something with Dan. Maybe explain budgets.
Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents! Or PLC as the Post-Gazette's Cutting Edge feature referred to us. The lesbians are not amused. Pgh Lesbian is an appropriate abbreviation. PLC sounds like an 80's one-hit-wonder smushed with a bureaucratic acronym.
It is curious that 2 Political Junkies was featured for a LGBT comment whereas we get the nod for police commentary. It did generate a lot of comments so perhaps that's the trick to get MSM attention -- write provocative stuff that pokes at beloved social justice entities?
Anyway, we are happy to accept the award for best female blogger in a supporting role. We'd like to thank our 26-100 daily readers. Without you, it would get mighty boring around here. We also have to thank Chris Briem, 2 Political Junkies and PittGirl for inspiring all of us to strive just that much harder to get an inch or two in the Post-Gazette.
Nothing says Pittsburgh as when the Post-Gazette ignores hundreds of other bloggers to focus on the same four voices. All you need is a quote from the CPRB ... just kidding, Beth.
Today is Ledcat's birthday and she gets to spend it at a dinner for my work. Wow! That's love, folks.
Last night, I threw her a surprise party at Hoi Polloi on the Northside and it was awesome with a capital AWE. Jessica, Sandra, Daniel, Christopher and Julian did a great job prepping for the big day and giving us super-duper-delishus service. Our friend Kerry at KS Kennedy Flowers delivered a beyootiful arrangement. We specifically invited vegetarian friends, gay and straight, all of whom raved about the food. Even our little picky eater niece -- the Pickle -- approved of the pb&j while our friends' 14 month old boy dug into a bowl of vegetarian chili.
The nice thing was that the party sort of stretched out over 4 hours. There was no single moment of party rapture even though I had to pick a critical mass moment for the cake. People rolled in and out. I mean 16 people, plus kids, but still ... it was really nice and I am very grateful to the Burgan clan for pulling it all off. They even baked a cake especially for Ledcat (they being a joint Sandra/Jessica collaborative cake effort). She's been telling people about that all day. That really touched her. And my father thinks that cake is the best thing he's ever eaten and has already planned his next five birthdays at Hoi Polloi.
I was so happy that Ledcat enjoyed her party. You always worry about these things. I knew she suspected something was up so I tried to throw her off the trail. She would never expect someone she knows just a little bit to bake her a cake.
Later that night, I asked Jessica about that as we discussed donating our magazines to their coffee table. She summed it up very sweetly ... "It is the neighborly thing to do."
That has hung in my heart all day long. I've never ever lived in a place where I had a neighborhood space to which I felt drawn. Aside from 7-11 when I have PMS and there's nothing nurturing about that.
Hoi Polloi is a wonderful place to be. The Burgans are this awesome family that just share their great vibe with whomever walks in the door. Sandra is the creator of cakes and must be always appreciated. The food is yummy and gets this somewhat stodgy lesbian to try all sorts of new soups
And they say "yes!" when you want to throw a surprise birthday party right in the middle of their business.
Neighbors. That's the real birthday gift for Ledcat (and me!).
What's good news for Californian queers may mean the battle over same-sex marriage heats up again in Pennsylvania as the anti-gay marriage amendment backers put on the pressure to revive that legislation.
They argue that predictions of courts overruling state DOMA laws has come true and call the Pennsylvania House to gird their loins for battle.
Not so quick. Michigan's Supreme Court just ruled that a statewide ban means no domestic partner benefits for state employees. In other words, the implications for an amendment about "marriage" could be far reaching. Regardless of California.
So what does all this mean for you? Well, I'd say two things. First, let's hurrah for our California sisters and brothers.
Second, maybe you should call your representative in the Pennsylvania House and let them know that you are opposed to the amendment and do not want to see it gain momentum when so much important legislative work remains to be done. You can find out who represents you via the Equality Advocates website. It can't hurt to make that call.
And remember ... a little over 30 days until PrideFest 2008. Equality Advocates should have a table there. So will Steel City Stonewall Democrats. Excellent opportunity to get involved and show them some $$ love to keep their good groove going.
Wow ... rumors abound on the recent closure of The Vault. I've had word from "the investors" claiming they closed for a few days because the staff resigned and new staff must be found.
Will The Vault reopen or is this sort of like The Vault-lite with whipped cream and everything? Will the lesbian friendly man-vibe continue? Will they serve saran wrapped sandwiches?
The California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage Thursday, saying sexual orientation, like race or gender, "does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights."
In a 4-3 120-page ruling issue, the justices wrote that "responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation."
"We therefore conclude that in view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship, the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples," Chief Justice Ronald George wrote for the majority.
How about that? We deserve basic civil rights.
I'm very happy. We need to keep moving forward here in Pennsylvania, keep working toward expanding our own civil rights. Keep motivated. Keep up the pressure and the volume.
Sad news ... Brighton Height's The Vault closed its doors tonight for the final time. As we've mentioned before, the lesbians love this place. It had what we deemed a "lesbian friendly man-vibe." I've probably been there a dozen times since last July and each was better than the last. I loved the hummus, the ice tea and the great conversation with the staff.
We stopped in for a final plate of hummus and had a little chat with Vault master-mind, Brad. He confirmed the closure and we talked about Pittsburgh's overall love affair with coffeehouses or lack thereof. He seemed resigned to the challenges of keeping afloat in a town that just isn't that into coffee houses.
I feel kind of guilty. Especially cause Brad still donated some really cool stuff to my door prize drive. I wish I had patronized them more often.
Brad and Drew helped me conceptualize a whole new recruiting tool for foster parents and I'm bummed them won't be around when it kicks into gear (I'm sure they have much bigger things to mourn, but hey ...).
Tonight, Ledcat and I were invited to a Neil Diamond release party at the home of our friends (and Vault fans) Lisel and Joe. It was big fun -- I brought jambalaya and someone else had red velvet cake. Then there was a fire and smores. Then Joe pulled out his guitar and interpreted Neil Diamond for us.
I suggested a song in honor of The Vault and what it meant to us. Joe played the next song he knew.
So long Brad, Drew and the gang. May the Northside Coffee gang live on. Thanks for making the best damn iced teaI've ever had (and I lived south of the Mason-Dixon line for 10 years).
From the point forward, memories of The Vault will forever be fused with this song a la Joe Skoski.
Cracklin rosie, get on board Were gonna ride till there aint no more to go Taking it slow Lord, dont you know Have made me a time with a poor mans lady
Hitchin on a twilight train Aint nothing here that I care to take along Maybe a song To sing when I want Dont need to say please to no man for a happy tune
Oh, I love my rosie child You got the way to make me happy You and me, we go in style Cracklin rose, youre a store bought woman You make me sing like a guitar hummin So hang on to me, girl Our song keeps runnin on
Play it now Play it now, my baby
Cracklin rosie, make me a smile Girl if it lasts for an hour, thats al right We got all night To set the world right Find us a dream that dont ask no questions, yeah
Oh, I love my rosie child You got the way to make me happy You and me, we go in style Cracklin rose, youre a store-bought woman You make me sing like a guitar hummin So hang on to me, girl Our song keeps runnin on
Play it now Play it now Play it now, my baby
Cracklin rosie, make me a smile Girl if it lasts for an hour, thats all right We got all night To set the world right Find us a dream that dont ask no question, yeah
This isn't going to be the post you might expect from me.
I am tired of watching families wail on television over the loss of a family member due to the police. I am very sorry for the loss to the family and can completely understand that in their grief, they need to blame someone.
I blame the media. For two repeated mistakes.
First, they allow to go unchallenged the perception that the police are supposed to shoot armed suspects "in the leg" or somehow incapacitate them without putting the public and themselves at risk of being shot by a person wounded in the leg, not their arm. It makes no sense. It only happens on television. Maybe we should try to incapacitate John Shumway via his leg and see if he can still shove the microphone into the face of a grieving parent? Maybe David Highfield should do a very special episode of the KDKA news and actually inform the public about police procedures so they can in turn make informed decisions when walking around with stolen weapons. Or loving the people who walk around with stolen weapons.
Second, the police dog is a police officer. It doesn't matter if you think that's stupid. It is written into state law so there ya go. Deal with it. If the dog disabled the person about to shoot you, you'd be pretty darn happy. It doesn't work both ways. The media images about police dogs always show them barking to tap right into one of the public's biggest fears -- dog bites. Good job. Make the public more afraid of the police.
It just sickens me that there is so little critical thinking happening when the media cover these stories. They are quick on WPXI to wave Justin Jackson's rap sheet all about as if that somehow warrants his death. They are equally quick to pick the soundbite of his family's denial that he needed some serious intervention long before he took a stroll down Arlington Avenue.
All that is missing is the quote from CPRB. That will hit all the high notes and they'll be on to a new story.
It is so freakin' reductionist. Justin Jackson was a messed up kid who came from God knows what kind of background. His family lost their son. The police were doing their damn job. The dog was doing his. It is a complicated, social nightmare and yet no one seems to talk about it in rational terms -- they just want to get the juicy details and point the finger.
I looked up Justin's record and it is not the record of someone who learned from a mistake. He certainly didn't learn not to carry a stolen weapon. Or how to interact with the police and come out alive. So who failed to teach him that?
The police didn't know his record. They knew he had a gun and that he was willing to shoot a police officer (yes, a dog -- we had this discussion). He wasn't an 11 year old child running the opposite direction.
Everyone had choices. None of them were good.
This makes me especially sick because of a situation in my own neighborhood one year ago. A kid similar to Justin -- record of drugs and guns -- was dealing and causing problems. Big brother in federal prison. All four dads in his life had rap sheets. We did all the right things. Made all the right calls. Tried to tap into resources like One Vision, One Life -- who should be making a television appearance any minute now -- to be repeatedly ignored and misled. The sad thing is they were really ignoring and lying to this kid. He didn't matter enough or he wasn't bad enough or violent enough for anyone to take some time to talk with him. What's more meaningful -- a whole contingent of street warriors at a memorial service or one making some time to try and save a kid who wasn't that far gone?
I'll say right now that the police were far more helpful than One Vision, One Life or our local "safety officer" or our elected officials. The police did exactly what they promised. Unlike the rest of them.
May Justin Jackson rest in peace and may his family find some peace with his death.
May the rest of us stop getting caught up in a Law & Order dramatic take on police conduct and actually start putting our energies into social programs that prevent and reduce these situations from happening. May we elect leaders who invest our valuable resources into our valuable children and families. May we hire administrators that run efficient and effective programs.
HARRISBURG -- The state Senate this evening voted to table a bill that would have amended the state constitution to ban gay marriage.
The main sponsor, Sen. Michael Brubaker, R-Lancaster, said it had become clear to him that the bill would not pass in the House and he therefore saw no point to a lengthy debate in the Senate.
The bill might have passed the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans 29-21.
Up to 14 amendments were planned on the bill, which would have meant a long night.
So what does this mean? Essentially, the bill has been put on ice, but it still has a heart beat and could come back. We can't forget that even as we rejoice.
What does that mean? YOU FREAKIN' DID IT! The Bill was expected to pass the Senate today and head for the House to be killed. But you you you beautiful homo lovin' telephone workin' fabulous folks made a difference.
Nice job, kids.
Clearly, there is work to be done. Now we have to turn our attention to HB1400 which will expand civil protections to our community. Instead of fighting against, we are on the fighting for team and we have multiple champions, including the Pittsburgh City Council.
Luke Ravenstahl is not one of those champions on this issue. He has declined to support the legislation.
Pennsylvania's most colorful Senator -- and he would stand out brightly even in the gayest of gay communities -- Vince Fumo is proposing to amend the, well, amendment legislation to outlaw divorce with a few exceptions.
Mr. Fumo, who leaves the Senate on Nov. 30, said the stated goal of Senate Bill 1250 is to "protect the sanctity of the marital institution" by defining a legal marriage as only between one man and one woman.
The next logical step, according to Mr. Fumo, is to also outlaw divorces
You know, there just isn't much I can add to that.
Except this ... if Vince Fumo will go to such lengths, can't you make a phone call?
