The More Things Change . . . .

Since there is not a whole lot of current television programming that is worth the time to watch, recently I've been checking out DVDs from the local Vancouver Public Library. Yes, one of those "Socialist" organizations - Horrors!

At any rate, this week I've been re-viewing Series #1 of "The West Wing" from 1999. Now that was television - not the crap that passes today. The following audio clip is from an episode entitled "Take Out the Trash Day" in which C.J. Craig - the White House press secretary - is talking to parents of a young gay man who died from a hate crimes attack. C.J. is attempting to enlist the parent's support and presence at President Bartlett's signing of hate crimes legislation.





Ten years later not a whole lot has changed . . . .

MOTS (More of the Same) . . . .

Somehow, this is not too surprising, is it?

Per CBS News and others:

Gates: No Change Soon On `Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
Gates Doesn't Expect Any Change Soon On `don't Ask, Don't Tell' Military Policy On Gays

WASHINGTON, Mar. 29, 2009

Don't expect any change soon to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy about gays in the military.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says both he and President Barack Obama have "a lot on our plates right now." As Gates puts it, "let's push that one down the road a little bit."

The White House has said Obama has begun consulting with Gates and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on how to lift the ban. Gates says that dialogue has not really progressed very far at this point in the administration.

The Pentagon policy was put in place after President Bill Clinton tried to lift the ban on gay service members in 1993.

The policy refers to the military practice of not asking recruits their sexual orientation. In turn, service members are banned from saying they are gay or bisexual, engaging in homosexual activity or trying to marry a member of the same sex.

The more things "Change We Can (wait to) Believe In" . . . .

H/T "drf"

Gay Bars Undergoing a Sex Change . . . .

"drf" and I are WAY past the stage of patronizing gay bars - or any bars, for that matter - although in our day we sure spent a few $$ and hours in them. There was that one time at "The Cove" . . . . but I digress.

Reading the following story - in The Anchorage Daily News of all places - did bring back some fond memories:

Gay bars change acts to appeal to straight customers

By JULIA O'MALLEY | Anchorage Daily News | 03/21/09

In Mad Myrna's drag dressing room, where a J-Lo song wound out among the wigs and gowns on a recent Friday evening, Isanoel Pinson leaned into the mirror, pursed his lips a little and smeared foundation on his forehead.

Pinson, who is in his 40s, started performing drag just after he emigrated to Anchorage from the Philippines in the early '80s. His first haunt was an old bar called the Jade Room. These days the crowds that come to his shows couldn't be more different than they were back then.

"Oh. My. God," he said, applying a ribbon of glue to a false eyelash. "Before is all like gay, gay, gay. Now would you believe? Our audience is all straight people. Couples!"

_______________


From San Francisco to Pittsburgh, Boston to Nashville, gay bars are closing their doors and shuttering drag shows, citing lack of patrons.

There are plenty of theories why clientele is changing at Myrna's. People are making connections on the Internet. Growing social acceptance means there are few establishments were gays don't feel comfortable. Simply put, the need for gay bars is fading.

_______________


Soon an old-time burlesque dancer in a bustier and ruffled panties weaves through the audience starting her act. Then comes the lithe, shirtless male go-go dancer. Then the Karaoke crooner in a brown v-neck sweater. The room is full of whistles and belly laughs. There's a soldier in dress uniform and his wife in the front row.

Today's audience is usually couples or single women, Wood said.

"The girls want to go see the drag queens," he said. "Women are more tolerant than guys are."

"You can always tell the straight people," says Koeller, "because they're the ones who come on time."

______________


Backstage not everyone is happy. But then they wouldn't be drag queens without a little drama. Pinson, affixing a 3-foot-wide Afro wig, clicks his tongue, looking at the clock. The new acts take forever. He complains in Tagalog to Joebie Fernandez, a diminutive, smooth-skinned queen, who's sorting through a tackle box of earrings. There are eye rolls all around.

The class of drag queens once at the center of the show are aging -- most are at least 40 -- and like a fading order of nuns whose convents are closing, fewer among the younger generation are stepping into their size 13 pumps.

_______________


Out on the main floor, bass from the speakers vibrates the drinks on the bar. Pinson waits off stage for her Gloria Gaynor number. Fernandez, in a leather bikini and dangling earrings, steps out to face the audience, opening a huge set of gold lamé wings into a whirl of lights.

And at least for now, the show goes on.

Let's hope it goes on for a long time . . . .

Get On With It . . . .

One of the many nice things about residing in Canada is that we've already gotten beyond this.

Per The Toronto Star today:

Vermont begins hearings on same-sex marriage
TheStar.com - March 16, 2009

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont lawmakers are starting a week of hearings on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

In 2000, Vermont became the first state in the U.S. to adopt civil unions. House and Senate leaders want to pass the gay marriage bill this legislative session, which ends in May.

______________


In the U.S., same-sex couples can legally marry only in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

It's time to move on now, folks . . . .

"Inclusive" Is One Thing. "Homophobic" Is Another . . . .

Damn, I wish Kucinich or Feingold would have had the proverbial "Snowball's Chance in Hell" of getting elected President . . . .

Canadian Blog Award Results . . . .

Not surprisingly, we failed to win the Best GLBT blog award in the Canadian Blog Award 2008 results. We came in fourth place out of five. Thanks to those of you who cast votes on our behalf. Actually, being nominated at all was a complete surprise, and we felt good about that.

Our congrats to the winner, Slap Upside the Head (which is an excellent blog if you haven't checked it out) and all the other candidates . . . .

Boys Night Out . . . .

No, not in the queer bars - we're past that stage in our lives. "drf" and I joined 4 other friends for a trip to the Pacific Coliseum to see our first professional hockey game last night. Although speaking of queers, half of our group would have been quite pleased if a locker room trip after the game had been included in our ticket price. But I digress . . . .

The Vancouver Giants of the WHL (Western Hockey League according to a young lady seated next to me) hosted the Seattle Thunderbirds. As luck would have it, the Giants annihilated the Seattle team by a score of 7 to 3 - Yay for our side! The last time either "drf" or myself had seen a live hockey game was in Atlanta, Georgia when the Flames were still there back in the late '70's. We both agreed that the Pacific Coliseum venue was much preferred to the large - at the time - Omni in Atlanta. At least you could actually follow the action and the puck here. We'll definitely attend more games as our life here progresses. (Perhaps next time we'll bring our pom-poms and join the limited cheer leading squad as they could use a little help.)

It was also announced prior to our leaving the strata for the game that local crooner Michael Buble has purchased a minority ownership interest in the Giant's operation. We're thinking the singing of "O Canada" may have some new talent featured in the very near future . . . .

We'd Like to Thank . . . .

whoever nominated us to the Best GLBT Blog in the Canadian Blog Awards. You can vote here if you're so inclined.

"We are not worthy, we are not worthy", but, gee, we're touched.




Kind of makes us feel like real Canadians . . . .

Write to Marry Day . . . .

Methinks the queer-police are going to revoke my membership in the community as our straight friend Alison had to advise me of this campaign. Once she clued me in, I shamelessly plagiarized the following post from Gay Persons of Color with a slight revision to accommodate my Florida roots:



Today, 29 October 2008, bloggers around the world are participating in the "Write to Marry Day" in support of marriage equality for same-sex couples and against California's Proposition 8, a measure on the state's November ballot that would take away the right of same-sex couples to marry. Also - on a personal note - my US residence state of Florida has an anti-gay Amendment 2 on the ballot.

The right for equality in marriage is not an issue of a minority group, i.e the LGBT community, pushing its agenda for self-serving purposes. This is a universal principle that seeks to assure that all citizens of a nation are treated in the same way, regardless of race, sex, creed, and whom they love. Without this equality, no one's rights can ever be secure.

I've already cast my Florida ballot - Please do the same in your designated polling place . . . .

Lest We Forget . . . .

MSEH, another same-sex emigrant to Canada from the US has posted an excellent reminder of our history to be chronicled in film next month.

Go.

Remember.

Never forget . . . .

Joining Hands for Justice . . . .

We like to think of Vancouver as an all-accepting city, both culturally and politically. Believe me, based on other places we've lived it is leaps and bounds above most locales in both respects.

However, even here there are instances of non-acceptance that occur. One of those was last month when a young gay man and his friend were accosted and beaten, apparently for holding hands.

Yesterday the community came together in a show of support for the victims, and also to protest any instances of hate-crimes in the city. According to the Vancouver Sun report of the rally, approximately 600 people participated, of which I was one. It was very moving to see all the community leaders, politicians, and even the Vancouver Chief of Police in support of the gay community.








Our hope is that this type of rally will never be required again . . . .

Gay conservative Loses Cool . . . .

Ricky at Queer Thoughts posted our local Vancouver Centre's conservative candidate's melt-down at the queer debate last week.

Watch the video.

Attending it as I did, it was an uncomfortable portion of the debate. Speaking to other gay constituents later, the feeling was common. We were embarrassed for his actions and confused as to why any self-respecting homosexual could support a conservative government, much less run as a candidate for that party . . . . .

Florida Joining the 21st Century ? ? ? ?

What's goin' on down in Florida since we left?

From McClatchy yesterday:

Poll: Florida gay marriage ban falling short of needed margin

Mary Ellen Klas | Miami Herald

September 08, 2008

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Charlie Crist continues to ride high job approval ratings, according to a new poll from Quinnipiac University, but the luck's not as good for the ballot amendment he supports -- the measure to ban gay marriages.

Florida voters are satisfied with the governor's performance, with 61 percent saying they have a favorable view of Crist, compared to 25 percent who say he's doing a poor job. But he isn't on the ballot this year and the proposal on the November ballot to enshrine in the state Constitution a definition that marriage is between a man and a woman falls short of the 60 percent approval threshold.

Voters support Amendment 2 by 55-41 percent, with Republicans favoring it 76-21 percent while Democrats oppose it 51-45 percent.

And now today, also from McClatchy:

Florida court strikes down 31-year ban on gay adoptions

Carol Marbin Miller | Miami Herald

September 09, 2008

A Monroe Circuit Court judge has ruled that Florida's 31-year-old gay adoption ban is ''unconstitutional'' in an order that allows an openly gay Key West foster parent to adopt a teenage boy he has raised since 2001.

Declaring the adoption to be in the boy's ''best interest,'' Circuit Judge David J. Audlin Jr. said the Florida law forbidding gay people from adopting children is contrary to the state Constitution because it singles out a group for punishment.

Florida is one of only two states — the other is Mississippi — that forbids gay people from adopting.

Circuit judges in Florida have found the statute unconstitutional twice before, both in 1991, but both challenges stalled. A Miami case expected to be heard next month may provide an additional challenge to the law.

Maybe we should have left sooner.

Hey, it's not like we didn't try to . . . .

Scientific Breakthrough . . . .

Apparently this video has been around for a bit, but what the hell . . . .

Proud in Vancouver, 2008 . . . .

This is our fourth Gay Pride in Vancouver, and our first as Permanent Residents. 'Ya know, it just keeps gettin' better 'n better:

The obligatory nearly-naked boyz

The obligatory exposed breasts

The Vancouver Police Piper Band

National and Provincial NDP'ers
Jack Layton and Carole James

NDP MP Candidate Michael Byers

Vision Vancouver Mayoral candidate
Gregor Robertson on blades - Yumm!

Vancouver firefighters spraying the crowd

Local CTV personalities

Obligatory Drag Queen

"Angels in Canada" in Heels

This year's media and police estimate was 500,000 folks enjoying the festivities. As "drf" and I made our way to the end of the route, those estimates look to be quite accurate.

What we are most appreciative of Vancouver's Gay Pride festivities is how local, provincial and national politicians clamour to participate, rather than our previous home where they are still attempting to discriminate against us.

Life is so much better North of the 49th . . . .

Un"f-ing"believable . . . .

Nicole Belle at Crooks and Liars has the story, and it truly is hard to believe.

Liddy Dole Proposing Naming AIDS Bill After Jesse Helms

Go here.

Read it. Prepare to have your jaw drop.

It must be time to go and check if hell has frozen over or pigs are flying . . . .


(Ed. note: Normally there are visuals in all of my posts. In this case, I refuse to place one to commemorate the dead former life-form.)


Updates here courtesy of McClatchy.

Economically and "Morally" Saudi . . . .

Now that the Saudis are being so cooperative on the increased oil production thing, (raise your hand if you think that's gonna happen) perhaps we can get 'em to work on this:

Per The Globe and Mail:

Saudi Arabia arrests alleged gays in raid

Associated Press - June 21, 2008

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A Saudi newspaper says religious police have arrested 21 allegedly homosexual men and confiscated large amounts of alcohol.













Al-Medina daily says the Commission for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, which employs the religious police, was told Friday of a large gathering of young men at a rest house in Qatif, in eastern Saudi Arabia.

The paper says scores of men were initially arrested but only 21 remain in detention.

Homosexuality is seen as a sin in Islam and prohibited in Saudi Arabia and most other Muslim nations. In the conservative kingdom, the offence can be punished by flogging or prison.

Of course western nations could pressure the House of Saud to amend some of their more archaic and punitive actions toward alternative lifestyles.

But then there's that oil thing, isn't there?

Guess that Moral Compass gets out of whack when oil supplies start dwindling . . . .

The Times, They Are A Changin' . . . .

And in a good way, too . . . .

Per AlterNet today:

Governor's Acceptance of Gay Daughter Sends Message of Tolerance
By Deb Price, Creators Syndicate - Posted on June 16, 2008

Last year, a young African American told her parents something that can't go unspoken for long in a close-knit family: "I'm a lesbian."

Her father immediately responded, "We love you," and her mother felt a relief rush because she'd feared bad news. The family hugged.

"It was the easiest coming out experience that anyone could possibly have," the lesbian teen later recalled. "I've been closer to my parents since coming out."

Her story might not seem remarkable in a world where millions of heterosexual women comfortably spend their TV time with funny gal Ellen DeGeneres and personal finance wiz Suze Orman, both openly gay.

But this coming out story took place in one of America's most prominent black political families.

Deval Patrick, the dad, is governor of Massachusetts. The mom is Diane. And the daughter is 18-year-old Katherine.

The Patricks recently told their beautiful family story of truth and joyful consequences to Bay Windows, a gay newspaper in their state.

It's a story with the power to blow off closet doors in countless African- American homes, says Mandy Carter, a longtime out black lesbian activist who attributes much of the unease of African Americans toward the gay rights movement to the mistaken notion that it's "about giving more to already privileged, rich, white gay men."

Something very powerful and very special is happening within the black community to counterbalance the often unaccepting messages from the black church.

Just a few weeks ago, on the front page of The New York Times, the nation's other black governor, New York's David Paterson, talked about "Uncle Stanley" and "Uncle Ronald," the Harlem gay couple who were close to his family and helped him with his spelling when he was a boy.

Paterson reminisced about his "uncles" in explaining why he directed state agencies to recognize out-of-state gay marriages: "People who live together for a long time would like to be married -- as far as I'm concerned, I think it's beautiful."

Like Paterson, Patrick supports gay marriage, which started in 2004 in his state.

Meanwhile, Barack Obama, who'll be the first African-American presidential nominee of a major party, advocates civil unions (not marriage) for gay couples, giving married gays federal benefits and getting rid of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

So . . . .

Isn't it about time that national candidates for office in the US catch up with state and local officials?

You betcha . . . .

2 Down, 48 to Go . . . .

McClatchy reports:

Gay marriage legal in California, court declares
By Crystal Carreon and Bill Lindelof | Sacramento Bee


SAN FRANCISCO - A deeply divided California Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in an opinion issued Thursday morning.

Wild cheers echoed throughout City Hall and other spots where proponents had gathered Thursday morning awaiting the opinion, which came on a 4-3 vote.

The case stems from challenges to state law by gay couples who were married in ceremonies at San Francisco City Hall in 2004, when Mayor Gavin Newsom began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

'Bout time . . . .

god, Gays, and Billable Hours . . . .

From McClatchy today:

Episcopal church split headed to court in California
Brad Branan - Fresno Bee - April 26, 2008

The U.S. Episcopal Church has filed a lawsuit to reclaim property from the Diocese of San Joaquin, which voted last year to leave the national church largely over differences with the national body's approval of same-sex blessings, ordination of a gay bishop, the role of women in the church, and how to interpret the Bible over such issues.

In a 30-page lawsuit filed this week in Fresno County Superior Court, the church argues that the vote by 42 of the diocese's 48 parishes doesn't entitle them to keep any property. The national church wants all the diocesan property, including titles to its church buildings, including the diocesan headquarters, St. James Cathedral of Fresno.

The lawsuit asks John-David Schofield, whom the national church deposed March 12 as bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin, to vacate his Fresno office and turn over the property occupied by parishes that voted to leave. A Schofield spokesman, the Rev. Van McCalister, speaking on his behalf, said the diocese will likely fight the legal action.

The lawsuit raises the question of who makes up the diocese and who's the bishop. Six of 48 parishes voted to stay with the national church and later elected Jerry Lamb as bishop. The smaller diocese has set up temporary offices in Stockton. The breakaway diocese has aligned with the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone of South America, based in Argentina.

'Ya gotta love it when the go-godders get in a pissing match with each other that includes lawyers.

A happy ending is doubtful.

Snicker, snicker . . . .