Here's the finalized Steel City Stonewall 2010 Primary endorsement slate.

Here's the finalized Gertrude Stein Political Club of Pittsburgh slate.

Here's the Democracy for Pittsburgh slate.

Here's the slate from the Pennsylvania NOW PAC.

Just got word that Dyke March permit is in Eli's hands so we are all set.  Here's the route:

The speaker will be Miranda Vey of the Pittsburgh Dykes on Bikes. She's an articulate, insightful woman with a wonderful ability to inspire.  I think it will be a great event. 

Here's hoping the police show up as promised.

Lots of LGBTQ love from the City Paper.

I know the man called Potter loves a letter to the editor and he has one today from Steel City Stonewall President, Dana Elmendorf.  She believes the paper unfairly described Onorato's LGBTQ support.  Potter disagrees. Go read for yourself.

Speaking of Bloomfield, the City Paper provided coverage of a LGBTQ rally against gay bashing. They have an excellent quote on the realities many queer people face from one of our favorite dykes, Eli Kuti.

Some people just don't blend in or can't blend in," says Eli Kuti, organizer of the city's Dyke March. "You should be able to walk down the street and feel safe."

But some don't, she says, in part because they feel they can't turn to police for incidents of anti-LGBT or domestic violence because "they aren't taken seriously." Those concerns lead to victims not filing police reports, she says.

Kuti acknowledges "many cops don't have prejudices and just don't know what to do."

But still, the victim's fear of reporting crimes, she observes, sometimes outweighs the risk of it happening to someone else. 

I hope someone moves us from talking about talking with the police to making it happen.  People don't want there to be gay bashing.  Most cops agree.  It shouldn't be 2010 and we are still looking for a mechanism to make these conversations happen. 

Somewhere in between the anger and the power, there lies the ability to generate change.

It is going to take one hell of a leader.

sdf

On that critical Pennsylvania issue ... immigration reform.

State Reps. Daryl Metcalfe and Harry Readshaw think Pennsylvania should follow Arizona's lead and "protect its borders and citizens" by giving local and state police more power to arrest, detain and eventually deport foreigners who have entered the state illegally and don't have proper registration papers.

This is the link to the local version of the League of Women Voters voting guide.  http://palwv.org/voting/vg.pdf

This can be a very useful tool in the upcoming Primary Election on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. 

Check out this poll from the Philly Gay News

sdf

The City Paper's own Lauren Daley was front and center at the very first meeting of the Allegheny County Human Relations Commission.  Sadly, the 8 AM start meant I had to be at work and could not be part of this historic moment.  However, the man called Potter has the scoop over at Slagheap.

Front and center was an issue near and dear to my little heart -- providing domestic partner benefits to employees of Allegheny County.  The Chief Executive has asked the HRC for recommendations on this matter.

The commission also asked to receive a report on extending domestic partner benefits to all county employees by its June meeting. Kennedy said her department has been researching the matter and found there could be tax implications for employees.

"It raised more questions than it answered," she told the commission of her research. "There are things we need to look for more information on."

Based on that report, the commission will make a recommendation to Dan Onorato, something the county exec requested, McGough said. Commissioners seemed generally supportive of the idea.

"To me," observed commissioner Sara Davis Buss, "it's the right thing to do."

"I want to get it done right. This is our first big thing and I want to be fast but I want it to be fast, thorough and complete," said commissioner Mark Nowak.

Yes, the tax implication needs to be made very clear to employees who opt in for these benefits.  It is grossly unfair and legislation has been repeatedly introduced at the federal level to address this inequity. It would be wonderful for Allegheny County legislators and executives to join the chorus calling for this redress while at the same time addressing the issue locally.  I am all for highlighting and addressing this unfair tax burden.

I can speak from experience that the money we spend on the additional taxes (my "partner" benefits are considered taxable income, not a pre-tax benefit) is significant, but offset by the savings of the family benefits.  In some cases, the costs don't make it the right decision -- it all depends on how good the benefit package is, after all. 

Still, the benefits are a choice.  As long as the County makes the tax implications clear, they are doing the best they can to support all families in their employ. 

Congratulations to the members of the Human Relations Commission on a successful start.  Check out Potter's summary to see what the plan is to address the discrimination complaints.  As always, a thorough run down on the issues that often slip under the radar.

sdf

You've probably picked up on the fact that I am supporting Joe Hoeffel in the primary race for the PA Governor's manse.  I believe his vision and experience will translate into the leadership we need to move ahead as a Commonwealth,  My support goes far beyond his solid stance on LGBTQ issues.  I like what's he saying about environmental, economic, educational and other issues.  I urge you to click on through to read what he has to say on these issues.  What strikes me when I visit the page is his consistent connection of a range of issues to improving the economy.  For example, Joe "gets" the connection between a vibrant cultural community and economic strength. 

You see this argument playing out today as various local leaders call for us to "invest" in the Carnegie Library system.  Investment implies a return and we can measure the impact of a cultural institution like a library.

I'm not voting for Joe Hoeffel because I'm a lesbian.  I'm voting for him because his vision for Pennsylvania most closely matches mine, both my hopeful vision and my pragmatic expectations. 

Others feel differently and the beauty of the primary (as described by the man called Potter) is our freedom to make a choice.  Yes, we need to think about the General Election but the slim margin by which Specter maintains his lead over Sestak indicates that Pennsylvania is not opposed to progressive values. 

What matters, my friend, is that you make an informed decision on election day, both May and November.  Read the questionairres, the endorsements, the editorials, the candidate websites and yes, even the blogs. :-) 

I invite you to join local supporters of Joe Hoeffel at an event next Thursday at the Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink. The event is from 5-7 PM and gives you one final chance to meet with Joe in person. 

Some say the vote is in the bag for Onorato. I say that your vote for the progressive candidate will have ramifications regardless of the outcome of the election. It does matter and they will pay attention to the support Joe receives.

The important thing is that the choice is yours to make.  That's the beauty of being an American citizen.  In spite of all the ridiculous things we see in the media each day, you have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process and be part of the solution.  Don't lose site of that fact.  Your vote matters.

Sermon off.  :-)

Speaking of Potter (he is always on my mind) ... here's a great breakdown of the gubernatorial race.  Note that this is a pithy snapshot on issues, not a comprehensive GOTV document. 

Speaking from the lesbian perspective, I think Joe Hoeffel has the most attractive disembodied head of the four.