In a Minnesota Public Radio/Humphrey Institute poll released this week, a majority of Minnesotans say they do not support gay marriage, but an even stronger majority support the creation of civil unions and other rights for same-sex couples (PDF):

Family policy toward gays reveals ambivalence. A slight majority of voters (including third of Dayton supporters and Democrats) oppose gay marriage by a 51% to 40% margin. But a stronger majority of 64% (including 56% of Emmer supporters, 55% of Republicans, and 56% of independents) favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into legal agreements with each other that would give them many of the same rights as married couples (30% of likely voters oppose this option).

Richfield, a suburb along Minneapolis’ southern border (and home to Miss Richfield 1981!), is considering the adoption of a domestic partner registry. The move would make it the sixth city to adopt such a registry following Minneapolis, Duluth, St. Paul, Edina and Rochester. According to OutFront Minnesota:

Save the Date: Richfield Public Forum on Domestic Partnerships

The City of Richfield may become the sixth Minnesota city to create a domestic partnership registry for same-sex couples. On September 22 at 7pm the Richfield Human Rights Commission will hold a public forum to discuss its proposed ordinance at the Woodlake Nature Center.

If you live in Richfield, please attend this event to voice your support for fairness for same-sex couples and their families.

It may seem a bit unlikely that an ex-pastor of 25 years would be the one to tap the nerve of a community that many believe are soul-less.  Alvero Jones is the founder of a group entitled Relationship Quest – now just under two years young.  Using the strengths of social marketing through Facebook and the power of word of mouth advertising he has taken a simple idea to great heights. 

Alvero went to North Central University back in the days when it was called North Central Bible College.  He studied to become a pastor and engaged in that work for 25 years before moving on to complete another decade in mental health services.  He is passionate about the idea that men who have sex with men also have the same fundamental desire for closeness and intimacy.  Further, he believes that many of the health disparities considered to be common to the LGBTQ community are diminished when individuals are coupled. 

This belief is was what empowered him to take all of his experience and skill and apply it in a different capacity.  Just a couple short years ago he began the group entitled Relationship Quest (RQ).  RQ is part support group and part social club with regular weekly activities.  The group meets on Thursday evenings weekly at the Twin Cities Men’s Center from 7 – 9pm. 

Using limited financial resources and running currently as a labor of love, Jones is hopeful that in the coming months he will be able to file for 501 C (3) status.  He is able to garner the support of the growing fans by training many to be leaders in the effort.  This in turn is freeing him up to roll the effort into a newly developing non-profit organization.  RQ currently has over 800 followers on Facebook and a large number of regular attendees at the groups.  Jones has personally trained many of the group’s regulars as additional leaders allowing him to now focus on the further development of the organization’s structure.  The group does not charge a fee but donations are welcomed to help offset costs of operations.  RQ serves many gay, bisexual and questioning men ages 18 and up.  What is it that brings people together for RQ?   Perhaps it is the simple desire to engage in dialog about healthy relationships. 

Groups often have guest speakers who have been in successful male-male relationships themselves.  By bringing these role models to the front RQ is accomplishing something that falls outside of the box for many local HIV prevention programs.  Jones states that the desire for companionship is strong for most humans regardless of whether they are heterosexual or not.  Marriage equality or not – RQ is filling a niche market of men who want to have more than just sex with other men.  Learn more about Relationship Quest on Facebook or at their website: http://www.relationshipquest.org/

There’s only one entry in this week’s gay job watch: Assistant manager of the Gay 90s!

Accepting resumes for ast. mgr at the Gay 90s, must have experience. Apply in person or send resume. Gay 90s 408 hennipen ave no. Drop off resume or fill aplication at the Happy hour bar in the Gay 90s

Here’s the full ad on Craigslist.

If you know of other LGBT jobs in Minnesota, please pass them along to andy.birkey@gmail.com.

Even rock stars have to save a little money here and there. Who knows whether this weekend’s Simpson/Wentz sighting at a Los Angeles-area Target will spark calls for a boycott of either lip-sycher singer’s music – in the past, Wentz has cultivated an image as an outspoken advocate for LGBT equality – but if you’re a star trying to avoid their faux pas, or an angry member of the LGBTQA community just trying to boycott Target, the pop culture blog Jezebel and Minnesota’s own Randi Reitanhave some tips for where to get the same kinds of goods without spending an arm and a leg or going to Wal-Mart.

Household staples are pretty easy – Rainbow, Cub, Econo Foods, and others all carry much of what you’d need on a daily basis. But what about clothes? In an email to TheColu.mn, Reitan said she’s now shopping at Kohl’s for childrens’ clothes, and said the prices are comparable; Jezebel points out that JC Penny and Old Navy have plenty of selection, too. Most of all, Reitan said, she’s looking at redirecting her dollars to smaller stores around her area, from toy shops to hardware stores.

“I realize now how important it is to frequent those places that are owned by the people who take care of you when you come into the store,” Reitan wrote. “This has gone beyond the fact that Target was supporting one of the most anti-gay candidates in the state. It has made me really think about my shopping habits. I want to support the smaller stores. I want to be able to talk to the person who owns the store. The CEO of Target is so insulated from the public, he doesn’t know or care about the individual shoppers. I tried numerous times to talk to someone at Target headquarters who could discuss the $150,000 they gave to Emmer only to be told not to call them anymore. I will respect their wishes. I won’t be calling them anymore. I also won’t be shopping there anymore.”

Three investment funds who, together, own $57.5 million in Target stock are pushing for the company to establish a review process for future political donations to make sure the company keeps itself out of any new scandals.

The shareholder resolution (posted by MinnPost’s David Brauer, and first reported by the Star Tribune and the Associated Press) filed by Trillium Asset Management, Calvert Investments, and Walden Asset Management calls for senior management to consider how endorsing a candidate with donations may conflict with “Target’s publicly expressed values.” The resolution also implies that managers should err on the side of protecting Target’s brand, regardless of any “hoped-for benefits,” like tax breaks, that could come from supporting particular candidates.

The three investment management companies are part of a growing crowd of “socially-responsible investors,” who seek to leverage their holdings in companies to effect change their corporate policies to benefit causes like social justice or protecting the environment. What the resolution does not do, however, is call for a ban on donations that violate Target’s stated values, so management is allowed to continue donation to foes of LGBT equality, so long as they think they can get away with it.

Is it there a queer economic recovery? There a whole host of LGBT jobs open this week. HRC, MAP, Lavender and even a one time bartending gig so long as you are male and pleasant to look at.

JOBS with the Human Rights Campaign !

Need a job? Want to help end workplace discrimination of the GLBT community?

Currently, it is still legal in 29 states to fire someone just for being gay. The Human Rights Campaign is working to pass a bill this year that would end employment discrimination, but we need your help! Come help HRC recruit new members, raise money, and fight for equality.

–Get good training on campaign tactics, fundraising, and community organizing
–Make $9 – $12/hr
–Leadership and career positions available
–Work with a staff of people passionate about equality.

Call 612-331-8400 or apply online at www.JobsThatMatter.org!!

View the full ad on craigslist.

We are looking for a bartender who happens to also be an exhibitionist, to serve drinks for a party.
You must be comfortable in your own skin – literally, as well as working around a group of gay men.
If you have ever worked a party of gay men before, you know the money is never better. It goes without saying you
must be polite and pleasant to look at. You must have a modicum of knwledge behind a bar. If you’re interested, send us
a work history and a face pics, we’ll go from there.

View the full ad at craigslist.

LAVENDER MEDIA, home to LAVENDER MAGAZINE,

LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM, LAVENDER YELLOW PAGES, LAVENDERYELLOWPAGES.COM, BIGGAYNEWS.COM, WANDAWISDOM.COM, AND NUMEROUS LOCAL EVENTS, is perfect fot the person who enjoys working independently and thrives on being rewarded for the energy they put into their work each day.

LAVENDER MEDIA, leaders in GLBT marketing and events, is seeking a sales account executive. The right candidate will be responsible for selling multi-platform advertising solutions including print, online, e-newsletters, and event sponsorships to an eclectic and exciting group of clients through relationship building and on-going account management.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

You will generate leads and cold call potential clients to expand your client base. Sales experience preferred, but not required if you are driven, have a great attitude, a proven ability to surpass goals, and a desire to be the best.

Compensation potential has no limits. We pay based on performance.

We provide Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability insurance

Business Hours Monday-Friday work week (40 hours/week)

View the full ad at craigslist.

CLEAR Counselor (part-time) (Minneapolis)

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
Minnesota AIDS Project seeks a counselor to work in its CLEAR (Choosing Life: Empowerment, Actions, Results) program targeted to young gay and bisexual men who are either HIV-positive or negative. The program goal is to reduce sexual and substance use risk behaviors and improve mental and physical health by working one to one with clients through a set series of program modules. The CLEAR Counselor will provide the CLEAR intervention to eligible high risk individuals from targeted population in order to (a) reduce HIV infections and related health risks particularly among young gay and bisexual men, and substance abusers, (b) increase knowledge of HIV status through referral to CTR and promote knowledge about living with HIV and self-care capacities.

Desired Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

• Experience working individually with clients and carrying a case load.

• Background in human services, social work or chemical dependency.

• Experience working with targeted population.

Hours:
Part-time (20 hours/week)

To Apply:
SUBMIT RESUME WITH COVER LETTER TO:

Minnesota AIDS Project
Attn: Human Resources
1400 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
jobs@mnaidsproject.org

No telephone inquiries, please.

Deadline:
Open until filled

The Minnesota AIDS Project is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We encourage applications from all interested persons, including women, people of color, persons with disabilities and GLBTQ persons.

See the full ad on Craigslist. See all of MAP’s job postings at www.mnaidsproject.org.

Outreach Coordinator (Twin Cities, MN)

Shades of Yellow is a Hmong Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender organization that supports a community of empowered Hmong LGBTQ to create positive cultural and social changes that enhance their lives and communities. Please visit www.shadesofyellow.org for more information.

Submit a copy of your resume, a cover letter, and three references to kevin.xiong@shadesofyellow.org by no later than Friday, August 27th for consideration.

Contracted Stipend Position – no benefits available
15-20 hours/week – Part Time
Compensation: During the first month probation, the position is paid $350.00 biweekly, and upon satisfactory, $400.00 biweekly afterwards.

Period of appointment: 6 months renewable

75% The Outreach Coordinator will implement strategies to outreach to Hmong and non-Hmong LGBTQ and allies in the Twin Cities and across the region. He/she will establish relationships with individuals, collaborate and network with other community based organizations, leaders, and individuals and sustaining these relationships.

15% Office Management to include making sure filing and documents are filed away and in compliance with both local, state, and federal laws and with all confidential legalities pertaining to personal and legal files. Also responsible for all operational management duties including security, office coordination, planning and structuring of office logistics.

10% The Outreach Coordinator will also be responsible for administrative and clerical duties related to implemented projects at the moment. He/She will be responsible for seeking additional funding sources (foundations, fundraising, corporate sponsorship and/or personal giving), filing, creating brochures, business cards and related organizational documents.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Build and develop professional relationships with Hmong LGBTQ and allies
• Verbally and electronically advertise the programs that SOY offers
• Recruit and sustain volunteers through retention programs
• Build relationships and create partnerships with funders, donors, and community leaders
• Attend conferences, trainings, and convenings to be updated on social justice and advocacy trends within the LGBTQ movement
• Create outreaching strategies for both staff, volunteers, constituents, and participants
• Develop monthly social events within given budget
• Establish and maintain media outlets for Hmong LGBTQ and allies to meet and greet.
• Maintain and coordinate all outreaching and sustaining program within SOY.
• Maintain all administrative and office managerial duties within the office to include filing, copying, office coordination, and compliances.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities
• Develop skills necessary to work with parents and elders of the Hmong community
• Provide personal counseling advices to LGBTQ individuals
• Seek financial support for projects and organizational development
• Creating and implementing projects from start to finish.

Administrative duties
• Assist with grant-writing and funding opportunities
• Organize paperwork
• Create handbooks, brochures and other materials
• Assist the Executive Director and Programs Assistant as needed

Other duties as it directly or indirectly relates to this position not described above.

QUALIFICATIONS
• MUST BE IDENTIFIED AS HMONG LGBTQ OR ALLY TO BE QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION – MUST BE ABLE TO SPEAK HMONG FLUENTLY!!
• High School Diploma
• Although it is not required that candidates have advocacy and social justice experience, he/she must be willing to learn and grasp the concept of advocacy work within three months of hiring process.
• 2+ years of working with the LGBTQ community (must be stated on resume and in what capacity)
• Experience working with the Hmong community (must be stated on resume and at what capacity)
• Knowledge of GLBTQQI issues and advocacy
• Ability to meet new people and maintain these relationships
• Positive and optimistic attitudes are essential to be successful in this position

See the ad posting on Craigslist.

Target told HRC this week that they will not donate to a pro-LGBT candidate or cause in order to make up for their donation to MN Forward which is trying to get anti-gay GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer elected. Target’s donation has spurred a ton of boycotts and videos. Here’s a few:

A flash mob at Target

MoveOn’s new ad:

Randi Reitan tells Target ‘No more!’

Last week’s Target protests in Minneapolis:

After her untimely removal from the emcee position at The Gay 90’s LaFemme Show Lounge, Miss Glori Halleluia has found new use for her talents!  She recently took a moment out of her busy schedule to record a podcast about the untold side of the story leading to her removal.  Not used to standing still she has already signed up for new opportunities and continues to enjoy her growing following of fans!

Recently she appeared in the audience of The Mismatched Game and was brought up to the stage to play a guest round!  This community has a lot in store for the performers we love so rest assured this is not the last you will see of Glori Halleluia!

Good luck to you Miss Glori in your future endeavors!

Gov. Tim Pawlenty told political activists in Iowa that he supports efforts in that state to vote out judges who ruled against a ban on same-sex marriage. Three Iowa Supreme Court justices who ruled in favor of gay marriage are up for reelection in 2010 and social conservatives are waging a campaign to get them voted out of office.

“I think the law should support that, and to the extent you have judges inserting their personal views to change that, I don’t like it,” Pawlenty said.

“The notion that judges stand for election is embedded in the Iowa Constitution. It’s embedded in the Minnesota Constitution,” Pawlenty said. “It’s the right and privilege of the citizens of this state and my state to weigh in on whether they like or don’t like the job that a judge is doing and to agree or disagree with him.”

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/08/12/pawlenty-judges/

Minnesota Public Radio’s Bob Collins explores what Pawlenty might really mean in his statements:

Pawlenty’s comments, however, reduce legal rulings in Iowa and San Francisco to mere personal opinions, when, in fact, both cited case law in building the foundation for their ruling.

There may well be case law that Pawlenty has in mind to counter the the rulings, but he doesn’t provide it. He provides his opinion that marriage should be between a man and a woman.

Jessica Flatequal, director of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s LGBT Center, is being honored by Go Magazine’s “100 women We Love.” Flatequal has held the position at the LGBT Center for 6 years. She joins other women such as “Family Ties” actress and producer Meredith Baxter, “4 Non Blondes” songwriter-singer Linda Perry, and actress Portia DeRossi.

“I am fortunate to be a part of making change on campus every day, and to be a part of so many students’ development, whether through the coming out process, or through their development as activists, leaders, and educators,” Flatequal said in a statement released by MSU-Mankato.

Rep. Michele Bachmann took to the podium on Tuesday at a press conference condemning the overturning of California’s Prop 8. She chided Judge Vaughn Walker, the judge who ruled Prop 8 to be unconstitutional. Bachmann is one of 17 lawmakers who have introduced a resolution condemning the decision.

“Frankly I believe that progressive activist judges who issue their personal moral pronouncements under the guise of constitutional law are instead demonstrating themselves irrational rulings.”

Though Bachmann calls Judge Walker a progressive, Walker was appointed by Republican presidents and has been on the opposite side of gay activists on decisions before. He is a conservative judge, but he is also gay.

I did it. I took the leap. My boobs are gone and I am left with a scarred, flat chest and significantly smaller nipples. I am also left with a brain that feels like it has gone through a blender…maybe not my physical brain but the thoughts that it houses; those have been jumbled so badly I fear it will take years to untangle them. I’m not sure where to start.

Garrett Hoffman is blogging his transition at transformgarrett.blogspot.com. You can read the rest of his posts on TheColu.mn here.

While I am not quite ready to dive into the cerebral mess I can give you a taste of my surgery experience. I’ll sort some stuff out and update you in due time. The things going on in my head are actually much more interesting than what physically happened to me. I’ll try not to bore you.

I actually had surgery on July 27th in San Francisco with Dr. Michael Brownstein. I heard he was the best. I did a tiny bit of research but not much. I looked at peoples’ results for about an hour online. His were, by far, the best and I didn’t want anything less than the best. I called him and him only. I arrived in SF on the Friday before surgery to do some touristy shit since I had never been before. It was Dore Alley weekend (I’ll let y’all google that for yourselves) so I spent some time there and some time with friends.

I had a pre op appointment the day before surgery. Brownstein is eclectic. Everything about him screams that this man is doing his own thing…everything from the location of his office to his staff to his 15 year old wiener dog, Frank, that he keeps in his office to his big yellow throne to his $4000 British aviator watch that he wears to the fact that he attended Carleton College, my alma mater, exactly 50 years before I did. Eclectic. Definitely.

I’m not going to go into the specifics of what actually happened. If you’re interested, ask, and I will give you all the details you want. But, I’ll say it again, I don’t want to bore you and I also don’t want to gross you out. Surgery is messy. So I had surgery on Tuesday and I slept all day Wednesday and felt horrible on Thursday. I stopped taking my pain meds on Wednesday night and Thursdays horrible feeling was due to, I think, a Percocet hangover which had absolutely nothing to do with my chest except for the fact that I was taking the Percocet so I wasn’t in pain. My drains were left in until Monday which resulted in the worst weekend of my life.

Drains are gross and annoying. Emptying them is horrible and ended up being a pretty intense trust exercise with the person who was taking care of me. I didn’t want her to accidentally pull at them and I physically couldn’t empty them myself for the first few days so I had to submit to her. It was harder than it sounds.

I felt fine over the weekend except for the drains. They came out Monday afternoon which wasn’t soon enough. I had heard that getting them yanked out hurts. I couldn’t actually feel a thing which was either due to my high pain tolerance or that I don’t actually have feeling in that part of my chest. Either way, no big deal.

Now I am slowly relearning how to do normal activities. I had a hell of a time getting my coffee cup off the top shelf today. I finally retrieved it by climbing onto the counter, knocking the cup off of the shelf and (thankfully) catching it before it shattered on the ground. I still can’t sleep on my sides or my stomach. I have to wear a binder for another couple of days. Playing tug-of-war with my pup is pretty much out of the question, which is upsetting to the both of us. I can’t run for a while. I am going a bit stir crazy but I’ll get back on the road soon enough.

I leave tomorrow to move to Missouri. I start my new job on Monday and school in a few weeks. I am nervous but excited, happy but sad, looking forward to it but dreading it. It’s the same with my surgery. I feel great about it but sad at the same time. It’s a both/and world we live in. This is, perhaps, the most important lesson I have learned during my transition. As I figure out more, I’ll share. For now, rumination is in order.

You know your cause is on the outs when even anti-gay candidates don’t like what you’re doing. Paul Gazelka, who’s running against State Sen. Paul Koering, recently sent this email to supporters, after the National Organization for Marriage apparently flyered Senate District 12, in support of Gazelka. It’s only one data point, but it contributes to a growing sense that the GOP is abandoning same-gender marriage as their classic wedge issue – at least for the 2010 midterm elections.

Paul Gazelka Responds to the National Marriage Advocacy Mailing

I want to express to the voters of Senate District 12 my frustration and deep disappointment at the
mailings sent by the National Organization for Marriage comparing me and Paul Koering. This group, which
supports marriage, a cause near and dear to my heart, has regrettably chosen to use mean-spirited ads
instead of what most of us demand, civilized debate on the issues.

Campaign laws forbid me to be aware of what others want to do to “help” me, and early on, I was clear
that if issue related advocacy groups were going to independently support me that they should not do
negative campaigning. My personal, Christian view, is that it reflects poorly on Christ’s command to do
unto others as you would have done unto you and it is not speaking the truth in love.

My campaign has always been about the issues of jobs, reining in wasteful government spending,
and protecting life, marriage and family values, and second amendment rights. I appreciate the
support of the voters in Senate District 12 and assure you that if I earn your support in the August 10th
Primary I will continue to conduct an ethical, positive campaign that is focused on issues and the people
of Minnesota.”

Paul Gazelka
Republican Endorsed Candidate
Senate District 12

Over at the Awl, Abe Sauer has continued to drill into the Target story, and now he turns his focus to Target Corp CEO Gregg Steinhafel’s personal life. He’s found some circumstantial, but quite suggestive, evidence that Steinhafel, his family, and key members of Target’s senior management are long-time members of the Christian religious right. Sauer suggests that this constitutes the driving force behind Target’s donations to MN Forward, and Target’s resistance to making any kind of restitution for its donations.

Yet, anyone who had ever had an intense fight with a spouse or lover knew the “I’m sorry it made you feel that way” nopology when they heard it.

Sauer cites four main pieces of evidence: Steinhafel’s membership in a conservative West Metro church that he shares with anti-gay former Congressman Jim Ramstad; Steinhafel’s daughter’s decision to attend the super-Christian and anti-gay Wheaton College; Steinhafel’s fondness for inspirational speakers who look to Jesus for management skills consulting; and the anti-gay political sympathies and careers of the two other Target execs responsible for vetting the company’s political donations.

Steinhafel has consistently claimed the MN Forward donation was motivated solely by business interests – the promise of future tax breaks – but his reluctance to be interviewed for The Awl’s story does nothing to dispel many people’s suspicions of his ulterior motives.