Last night, Ledcat and I picked up a Political Junkie and headed down to the Funny Bone for some good ole fashioned political humor at a fundraiser for the Allegheny County Young Democrats. Now we should be honest -- we went to see the comedians. The YDAC aren't a very impressive lot from the get go --- check out their "latest issues" webpage for a classic example of what I mean. And it was somewhat obvious after about oh ten minutes that they come across as the stuffy non-progressive quasi-Republican Democrats. You know what I mean--- white affluent people dressed in power clothes who don't laugh at abortion jokes.
But I still gave them a donation b/c maybe just maybe they don't hate homos. Whatever.
Anyway, the talent is why we went and talent is what we got. Our good friend and staunch supporter John McIntire was there and in really good form -- he was very funny last night. I think it was that he went beyond political commentary (at which he excels) and did some self-deprecating stuff that came off really well. And that man can do some wicked ass funny impressions. Granted we are completely biased on the issue but I the laughter of the other 26 people seemed genuine. (Yes 26 people turned out --- how's that for a base?)
Gene Collier of the Post-Gazette was there. First time we've seen him and we found him funny as well in a more droll, observational way. Maybe its because we aren't such Young Democrats and caught most of his cultural references? Who knows. I'd go see him again.
And, the true delight of the evening .... comedian Gab Bonesso. All we've been hearing from McIntire of late has been "Gab this, Gab that, Gab is funny" blah blah blah. So our expectations were super-high and she did not disappoint. She is this wicked smart, razor sharp woman who had us in tears about marijuana and babysitting. Yes, she is the one who told the abortion jokes which went over very well with the Correspondents but not so much the Young Republicans, er Democrats. They did go over with the older hippie retreads in the crowd come to think of it. Go to her website and catch her upcoming performances.
Overall big fun. Plus, we got to sit with City Councilman Bill Peduto. I'm just enough of a geek to think that is really cool and be nervous about what to say to him. After all he is THE progressive man. And I don't want to look like some fawning sycophant. Which I totally did, but I'm sure he's used to it.
And I discovered that some of the people there are reading my blog. Which made my night. And mitigated the fact that it cost me $14.00 damn dollars for two pepsis. No more Funnybone for us. We'll stick with the Square Cafe.
The Senate stripped the language prohibiting civil unions and passed the legislation 38-12. Now the amended amendment heads back to the House for approval.
The wingnuts are up in arms about the changes, believing that permitting civil unions is marriage by another name which discredits the entire attempt to preserve the sanctity of marriage from homosexual assault (PG).
Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, said the "weaker" language of the Senate bill "won't give Pennsylvanians an opportunity to effectively defend the institution of marriage."
He claimed that civil unions "are marriages, for all intents and purposes," more often used by same-sex couples, and said both civil unions and gay marriages should be outlawed.
So some folks voted against it b/c it was too weak, while others voted against it b/c it was discrimination.
This is a good thing, don't get me wrong. I know the odds are very much against the two chambers passing the same bill by next Friday. Which is a win for our side
But the issue still remains that some Democrats voted FOR the amendment in the first place. Which demonstrates that there are too many spineless legislators who would sell us out -- sell our families out --- sell our civil rights out --- to pander to the right wing nutjobs.
Still looking for roll call to identify said spineless cowards ... will post as soon as I find it.
Kudos to those rockin' young women who in partnership with the Women and Girls Foundation launched the Girlcott against Abercrombie & Fitch. In acknowledgement of their excellent work, they were named among the 100 Real Hot Women.
This week's 2006 REAL hotties fought Abercrombie & Fitch -- and won! Because of their REALLY hot Girlcott, A&F pulled demeaning t-shirts from their shelves. How hot is that?
So what's all the fuss about? Read on
We?re tired of the media telling young women how to be "hot"! Maxim Magazine?s annual "Hot 100" list exemplifies how young women are viewed in popular culture. The women featured in this leading men?s magazine are chosen solely for their appearance.
The REAL hot 100 shows that young women are "hot" for reasons beyond their ability to look cute in a magazine.
REALLY hot women are smart. REALLY hot women work for change. REALLY hot women aren?t afraid to speak their minds. And while some REALLY hot women might look awesome in a bikini, they know that?s not all they have to offer.
Who are the REAL hot 100? The REAL hot 100 is a list featuring young women from around the country who are breaking barriers, fighting stereotypes, and making a difference in their communities or the nation.
This project will not only combat the popular notion that all young women have to offer is their ability to appeal to men, but it will also highlight the important -- but often overlooked -- work young women are doing.
* Donate to advocacy groups (the other side coughs up the cash)
* Stay connected - via email lists, websites, etc. Stay informed.
* Support LGBTQ owned and friendly businesses
Ledcat and I talk about this all the time. Our community is horribly apathetic, especially here in Pittsburgh where we struggle against the parochial "I can't cross the river" genes from birth. She focuses on how to mobilize these homos into action to demand the respect of the powers that be. I'm a bit more on the side right now that we should be getting some respect from the party (and local LGBTQ leaders) if we want to galvanize the queers. But it is pretty much the same side of the coin.
Nothing makes me so crazy as a homo who claims s/he is not political.
Building family depends on good, loving, generous, mature, self-giving and stable adults who are able and willing to parent. God makes those in a variety of patterns.
Amen, Sister Patricia. You tell those who are glued to their pulpits in righteous indignation that they should get out in the world and actualy work with families before them jump to their hateful little conclusions.
The well-being of children and young people is threatened by a family context of violence and dissension, by parental alcohol and drug abuse, by narcissistic behavior in adults, by parental neglect or lack of interest in their activities. I've seen young people, both rich and poor, raised by loving and devoted parents, grandparents, stepparents, foster parents, gay parents, single parents and adoptive parents who thrive and grow into mature adulthood because of loving and stable homes. And I've seen youths raised by adults who, through their own limitations, handicap children psychologically and morally for life.
Another PG luminary, columnist Reg Henry weigh in with his thoughts on how fortunate Pennsylvanias are that legislators are tackling real issues like gay marriage.
But how exactly will gays threaten traditional marriage? That is a good question, but only in the sense that no one has a good answer.
In ignoring the question, we need to heed our most prominent moral leaders, i.e., our politicians. Just because they are shifty characters you wouldn't lend a dollar to unless it was attached to a string, doesn't mean they can't thunder like Old Testament prophets.
In response to the Post-Gazette's two-thirds hearted opposition to the so-called Marriage Protection Amendment, two of the amendment's sponsors took the time to whine about the PG's mischaracterization of their bill. You've heard it all before, but since the PG has been parsimonious in covering this issue of late, I'll take a stab at it.
State Senator Bob Regola (R-Hempfield) and State Senator Scott Boyd (R-Lancaster) have seen a future filled with married homos and it scares the living hell out of them:
No one can legitimately claim that Pennsylvania's Defense of Marriage Act will not be challenged in court. The testimony of gay-marriage advocates in Harrisburg confirms it is not a matter of if, but when. Prominent individuals from the ACLU and other organizations believe same-sex marriage should be legalized. Knowing there is little chance of accomplishing that goal legislatively, using the court to achieve this legislative agenda becomes an attractive tool.
They take to task stout-hearted fellows like Dan Frankel who have been pointing out that this legislation might actually hurt tens of thousands of unmarried heterosexuals, but Bob and Scott assure us that won't happen -- their crusade against homos won't have collateral damage. Doesn't that sound familiar?
And they call out those tricky legislators who took the political route to compromise the full degree of hate and fear that was embedded in the original bill.
Opponents are aware of this and have repeatedly tried to dilute the amendment in both the state House and Senate. A vote to weaken the Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment by allowing civil unions is a vote that will kill the effort to protect marriage in this legislative session.
You are either for the original amendment or you hate freedom. Something like that.
Sue beat me to the punch on this one, too. I'm not as dedicated a blogger as she is. Recetnly she wrote an article talking about how a "queer" woman made a comment to the effect that she didn't recognize/acknowledge Sue & I at Steel Queer N' At because she didn't think I/Sue would be at that type of event. Or words to that affect.
I should have questioned her about what she meant. 'Cause sister, I have the street cred to go anywhere that I want to go. Yes, I'm white. Yes, I'm middle class (barely) and yes, I have a law degree. But I have paid my dues in spades. I toiled as a young female lawyer making $7-8 dollars an hour for a man who made that in a minute. But it was the only job out there and I wanted to practice law. I've been poor. I've had to scrimp to make ends meet--to pay bills, etc. So this notion that if you're not dirt poor you don't qualify as "queer" is bullsh*t. With a capital B.
I also have the street cred because I have been an outlaw and nonconformist my whole life. From the time I can remember, I didn't like dresses, pink, frills or any of the things "normal" little girls liked. To this day, when I pass the woman's section in any store, my reaction to the clothes on display is one of utter disinterest. I have worn short hair for quite awhile along with men's/boy's clothing. Sure, I've worn women's clothing--still do. But I have never fit the image of a woman in this society. And I've been mistaken for a man or a boy countless times. I've been queer before queer was a word.
So don't stereotype me. You haven't earned the right. You haven't paid your dues. And to top it off, this particular person then made a comment about her--boyfriend. What a f**king joke. I've been a lesbian since forever. And I've paid a price for it. So don't look down your nose at me and sneer.
The Senate may vote on the anti-gay marriage amendment on Wednesday. Here's what the AFA is seeking ... notice that they've not asked for either prayer or fasting ... so much for God's will ...
ACTION NEEDED:
1.)Call your State Senator ASAP and ask him or her to support
the original language of H.B. 2381 and to reject the Earll
Amendment.Click here for contact information. If you do not
know who your State Senator is, please enter your county or
nine-digit zip code in the upper right hand corner of that page
or call Commonwealth Directory Assistance at 717.787.2121.
Please do not assume that your Senator will support the
Marriage Protection Amendment!Contact them!
2.)Feel free to forward this alert to other concerned
Pennsylvanians.If this alert is being forwarded to you by
a friend, please feel free to sign up by sending an e-mail
The State Senate has not yet voted on the PA Anti-Marriage Amendment. A vote could come any time on Wednesday or possibly even Thursday!
The delay in holding a vote indicates that constituent calls are putting pressure on Senators - so we must keep calling. If you have called - please call your senator again and explain the issue is very important to you and you want to make sure your senator knows that.
From Monday's Post-Gazette comes this rather unimpressive denouncement of the still breathing Pennsylvania legislation on gay marriage (amend the constitution, hurt the homos and the heteros, you remember).
Today is the day we are supposed to see some action in the Senate on the revised bill which would still make gay marriage unconstitutional, but not civil unions. This bill should reach the floor as early as today. If it passes, it has to return to the House for passage in its amended form. The homo-haters and hate-panderers are up in arms at the watered down language of the legislation so what will happen is anyone's guess.
The only solace is that is all has to happen by the end of next week or it goes kapoot (how do you spell kapoot by the way?).
I'm glad the PG opposes the amendment. And I'm glad they point out how this could hurt many heterosexual couples b/c frankly that's our best shot at avoiding passage. Hurting homsexual families doesn't seem to be a concern for our homegrown Democrats so we need to pull out all the possible cards.
But this editorial reads like a carefully crafted compromise rather than a thoughtful articulation:
This whole amendment is objectionable. That the civil union language was in there at the start proves the lie at the heart of its supporters' claims: This isn't about protecting the sanctity of traditional marriage (if it were, it would ban divorce, the real culprit). It is about writing a note of prejudice into the state constitution.
Objectionable? A note of prejudice? Was Tony Norman off this day -- who the heck uses phrases like "note of prejudice" over an amendment that would overtly constitutionalize second class status for an entire group of people? About the violation of our civil rights? About the fact that we've been here before and it wasn't so good that time around?
The PG wimped out on this issue. You'll note they stopped printing letters to the editor on this issue. Perhaps readers are getting bored? But isn't that the damn point ---
Nearly 125 women of all ages, ethnicities, sizes and shapes turned out Friday evening for Pittsburgh's first-ever dyke march, a grassroots effort organized by two local queer women in less than one month.
The event kicked off with a rallyesque bang at the CMU lawn with some spoken word, a few djs and a lot of lady mingling. We marched from CMU to Pitt and back along the Forbes/Fifth corridor. The pace was a little fast for those of us who aren't uber-physical, but the energy was high as the parade participants chanted, cheered and enjoyed the delicious feeling of being amongst a crowd of women laying claim to the dyke mantle.
The organizers expected/hoped for about 40 participants especially as they relied mainly on word of mouth to promote the event. They got well over 100 women, some reportedly driving in from West Virginia to attend.
The event grew out of frustration that most spaces in the local community are defined by men, either the men who attend or the men who own the actual space. This holds particularly true for PrideFest where some sense that queer women are invisible. Some women just opt not to participate in the LGBT community or travel out of state to attend dyke-friendly events. Eli and Khalia, the organizers, chose to create dyke affirming spaces and settled on a dyke march to coincide with PrideFest.
They are both quick to point out that the PrideFest Committee and the Gay & Lesbian Community Center have been supportive, providing listings of the march on their calendars and spreading the word about the event. PrideFest organizer Jeff Freedman told the City Paper that he viewed the Dyke March as a mobilization of the community, something he claims is long overdue.
The event did face an organizing problem when the Pittsburgh City Police failed to show up on time for the start of the march even though the organizers had followed all of the city policies and procedures to request the permit and arrange the event. They tried repeatedly to contact the police and were unsuccessful. Rather than see the event collapse, they turned to allies and asked them to help block traffic counting on the fact that the permit would offset potential problems.
We marched up Forbes and all the way to Fifth Avenue near the Cathedral of Learning when one squad car from Pittsburgh's Zone 4 showed up at the event. Organizers showed him the permit and he allowed the event to continue. This sargeant stayed for about 20 minutes and then left the group to finish the parade unescorted.
The event ended back at the lawn where jubilant women spent some time decompressing from the bit of a high this sort of dyke-positive event had created. I spent some time talking with both Eli and Khalia to get their perspectives on the value of creating dyke friendly spaces. I found them both to be articulate, passionate and -- perhaps most importantly -- willing to take action to build the dynamics they think will strengthen the community.
What I did not find was any sense of man-hating or male-bashing or desire to completely disengage from the male homodynamic. I did an informal survey at PrideFest about the Dyke March and found that a lot of the women who did not attend had heard these sort of rumors about the event and the organizers. Fortunately, they were willing to listen to our experience and expressed a genuine interest in participating in the future once we reassured them that no one was planning to castrate gay boys.
These women have done a good job creating a dyke-affirming event. The next challenge is to reach out beyond their circles of genderqueer women to all those dykes who didn't attend, didn't hear about it and are pretty much mainstream. Their voices should be part of the dialogue because they too are being disregarded by those in power. There are lots and lots of suburban dykes in Pittsburgh complete with minivans, car seats and years of misogeny on thier backs.
More on that later when I discuss why being labeled an assimilationist is not cool ...
Big shout out to 
From Monday's 
