Will Marriage Equality Fail in Maine?
A Research 2000/Kos poll of 600 likely Maine voters conducted between September 14-16 shows that, if Mainers voted today, a ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage would pass by a narrow margin (Via Towleroad). The Maine legislature voted to legalize same-sex marriage earlier this year, and Governor John Baldacci signed it into law on May 6th. Since then, many national right-wing groups have poured money and volunteers into the state in an effort to pass the ballot initiative, called Question 1. In addition, the Catholic Church of Maine has taken up a collection in support of Question 1, and has begun strongly advocating in favor of Question 1.
Via Pam’s House Blend comes news that No One 1, a coalition of groups opposing efforts to repeal the same-sex marriage law, wants you to take a vacation — a “volunteer vacation” to help their campaign.
If Mainers succeed in protecting marriage equality in their state, it will help turn the tide nationwide. It can set a precedent of voters affirming equal rights. It can give us hope in places like my home state of Nevada to one day replace Question 2 and SB 283 with real, complete civil marriage equality.
WI Rep. Tammy Baldwin — Why care about healthcare?
Southern Wisconsin’s Representative Tammy Baldwin – probably the highest-profile lesbian in national politics – issued a short video yesterday, arguing that LGBT Americans should be more involved in the healthcare debate. While the most prominent healthcare reform bill circulating in the US Senate includes no LGBT-related provisions, a different version being discussed in the House of Representatives includes a provision allowing for data collection on LGBT health issues. Look for more on this issue from us next week!
(h/t Towleroad)
‘If not now, when?’: McCollum, Ellison sponsor repeal of marriage ban
Minnesota Reps. Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum are among the original co-sponsors of the Respect for Marriage Act which was introduced on Tuesday. The RMA, as it’s becoming known, would repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act, thus legalizing same-sex marriage, and introduce a so-called “Certainty Provision” that would guarantee federal benefits for any couple whose home state does not recognize same-sex marriage but who get married in another state.
“I’m supporting [the RMA] because I believe in equality, I believe in people having rights,” said Ellison. “America started out giving certain rights for a limited set of people – white men of property…Since then we’ve been expanding rights, and this is on that trajectory.”
Rep. Betty McCollum could not be reached in time for publication of this story.
Controversy is brewing over the bill, however, as one of the House of Representatives’ few openly gay members, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), does not support the bill. As reported by the Washington Blade last week, Frank sees getting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and an expansion of federal benefits for same-sex couples through congress as the three highest priorities. Furthermore, he told the Blade, he does not think the RMA has the necessary support to pass.
“Barney Frank is giving what he believes to be good counsel,” Ellison said. “We’re not talking about principal, we’re talking about tactics and timing, I also think Jerry Nadler has a point – if not now, when? We can always talk about tactics and timing, but we always have to stand up in support of principal.”
The push for same-sex marriage, though, touches a nerve among some local activists, who contend that marriage should not be a priority, and benefits few in the gay community.
One Minnesota activist who goes by “Lady Enchantress,” summarized this position. The marriage agenda, he said, alienates a lot of queers who say “okay, I’m not rich or respectable like you — the faces being presented by the HRC don’t match my life or my concerns. For most queer people, the main concerns are health care, access to housing and access to services.”
He criticized the HRC because of how much the organization “consumes, in terms of donations, and locally we’re seeing organizations that really serve the community are struggling for funds.”
Gladius open for business
The long-awaited opening of Gladius, a new LGBT bar in downtown Minneapolis has arrived. The bar opened its doors Friday night and promises a grand opening party later this month.
Gladius bills itself as “finally a gay bar in the Twin Cities with a New York Chic style atmosphere” and joins Tickles and Lush as new arrivals to LGBT nightlife in the Twin Cities, with promises of a newly revamped Brass Rail on the way as well.
Gladius has announced several drink specials in its first few weeks of business: Two-for-one on rail drinks and domestic bottles before 10 pm and Wednesday features $1 off Smirnoff Vodka.
Gladius is located at 1111 Hennepin Ave. S. and is open Monday through Thursday from 4 pm to 2 am, Friday from 3 pm to 2 am, and Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 2 am.
More information can be found at the bar’s Facebook page, and look for a review by TheColu.mn in the next few days.
Minnesota state fair-goers okay with rights for same-sex couples
The Minnesota Senate conducted their annual, unscientific poll at the Minnesota State Fair and the verdict is in: People attending the Great Minnesota Get-Together are just fine with gay and lesbian couples getting together.
The question read, “Would you support legislation that would provide same-sex couples with the same legal and economic rights and responsibilities as married couples, such as providing health care insurance coverage for one another, inheritance and pension benefits, hospital visitations, and medical decision making?”
A large majority said ‘yes,’ 61.24 percent (that’s 4,065 people). A minority still needs some education on the issue with 33.67 percent saying ‘no.’ Three hundred thirty eight people (5.09 percent) didn’t know how to answer the question.
Full results of the Minnesota Senate’s state fair survey available here: (PDF).
Minneapolis Human Rights Campaign gala protested — by queers
A dozen protesters gathered outside the Twin Cities Human Rights Campaign Gala Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday to shed light on what they say are failures by the organization to support trans folks in its agenda and that “HRC’s focus on marriage rights distracts from other issues that affect queer people” such as HIV prevention, racism and sexism.
Gala event adverts say that “All proceeds support HRC efforts to end discrimination against GLBT people and families. Help end discrimination at work, in our tax system, in our military, and in our communities – and have fun while you’re at it! Learn, dine and dance to help Speak the Truth and celebrate equality!”
The Gala dinner recognized local advocates and politicians as well as some California actors. The event dress was billed as “Festive attire-all styles welcome.” But the handful of protesters dressed in festive wedding attire were thrown from the gala within minutes of arriving.
The protest was organized by Bash Back! Twin Cities:
Bash Back! Twin Cities is devastated that we cannot afford the $185-250 per person fee to attend the Human Rights Campaign “Speak The Truth” Gala Dinner and Silent Auction and congratulate rich gay celebrities who will be receiving “visibility” awards for being rich gay celebrities. While we are disappointed that we won’t be able to contribute to “LGBT Equality” by attending the Gala and hear first hand the “Truth Speaking” of the HRC, we were ecstatic to learn that we can liberate ourselves by getting married!
The protesters donned wedding attire and stormed into the dinner, read wedding vows — vows that committed to fighting things like racism, hunger and transphobia, issues that the protesters accuse HRC of neglecting.
The wedding vows read, “We, Bash Back! Twin Cities, take one another to be insurrectionary radical queerz, to resist and to liberate ourselves from all systems of domination, for glitter and for cupcakes, for unicorns and for rainbows, in genderless bathrooms and in the streets, in love and in rage, from this dance party forward.”
Senior sailor cagey about DADT
With momentum building behind a re-thinking of the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, the nation’s highest-ranking military officer is being cagey about his opinions. In his confirmation hearing for a second term as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen gave a non-answer:
Mullen repeated his previous position that “any change in the law would require sound policy revisions and leadership.”
“Like any significant overhaul of military personnel policy, we must carefully consider its impact on military readiness,” Mullen wrote in the prepared answers. “Whatever the decision, we will follow the law and remain focused on supporting our troops in — and preparing for — combat.”
At the hearing, the Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), told reporters a hearing on repealing DADT would likely be scheduled for October. With support from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has been pushing for a repeal of the legislation, as has Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA). DADT bans the military from running “witch hunts” for LGBT people within its ranks, but requires the military to discharge LGBT servicemembers if they are outed.
Minnesota Reps. Keith Ellison, Betty McCollum, James Oberstar and Tim Walz are all cosponsors of the Military Enhancement Readiness Act which would repeal the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
(h/t the Washington Blade’s Bladewire)