Why I was listening to Gary & Beth on 92.9 Lite FM this morning, I can't tell you. But Mona was in the backseat so I was just too occupied to change the station. They were taking calls about "must have" back to school crap. I heard all about shoes, backpacks, binders, etc. Then this guy named Larry (I really think that was his name) calls in to say his son wanted skateboarding shoes and other stuff. *yawn*
Larry then says that his son likes "dissing" tee shirts. Apparently, there are shirts that mock people and they are popular. Beth groaned and said she doesn't like those. Larry defends his parenting by saying he only buys funny shirts. Such as:
"If you aren't gay, why is your girlfriend calling me?"
Nice, huh? Gary and Beth's response? They just get him off the air and move on to the next caller. No comment about how NOT FUNNY that shirt is. No statement that mocking gay teenagers (or gay preteens) is a hurtful, obnoxious, awful behavior.
What's worse is that this isn't live radio. They could have dumped that call. They could have cut him off. Or they could have responded. Nope, they decided to get the little slam in without Gary or Beth sullying their reputations directly.
I sure hope the children of both Gary and Beth know better. I hope they know what to do when Larry's kid is shoving the "gay boy" into the lockers and kicking him with his skateboard sneakers. I hope their children have friends in the Gay-Straight Alliance. I hope their friends have gay parents/siblings/relatives. I hope they experience firsthand what value diversity and tolerance can bring into their young lives.
I hope they are more brave and upstanding when it comes to defending people than their parents.
This from the company that brings you the City Paper each week. Maybe Gary and Beth should pick up a copy once in awhile.
When I was in high school and college, I loved this show. When I grew up and learned that Patty Duke was playing two roles while living with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, I loved the show even more. I think I had a secret desire to go back to the "good old days" and actually believed the 50's might be it. I had a passing flirtation with the 20s and the late 1800's, but the 1950's where it for me, man. Until I left the nest and learned what the squabbles about bussing us kids during the 1984 WM high school merger really meant -- - funny how those same phrases are coming to light now regarding the Duquesne students ... 23 years later. Sigh.
Anyway, Patty Duke is my dirty little secret. I also loved teen romance novels set in the 50s of which the WM junior high library was well stocked. To balance it out, I read a lot of boys stories, too. In fact, I would hide my brother's copy of "Boys Life" (from Boy Scouts) when it arrived and read it under the covers at night. My all-time favorite was "My Sister Mike" about the tomboy who got the guy without compromising who she was. For a long time, I thought I wanted to get the guy, too. Took me awhile to figure out I wanted to get the tomboy. LOL.
The Pittsburgh Organizing Group (POG) recently announced plans to launch a month-long fast in September at the front door of the Oakland military recruiting station.
The goal of this fast and camp-out is simple: To contribute to the movement working for the immediate withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq, and an end to military recruitment in Pittsburgh.
I have taken some time before posting this. While I do post about direct action issues on a semi-regular basis, I have not always been in POG's corner on some of their tactics nor in the corner of other direct action groups that are self-described anarchists. That being said, I am opposed to the war in Iraq and support a troop withdrawal. I am also intrigued by how well-laid out this tactic seems to be, similar to how impressed I was with the direct action at the CMU National Robotics Institute.
I've also noticed that when I do blog about direct action tactics, it generates a lot of response from POG and their supporters, which I appreciate of course. The problem seems to be finding and respecting common ground. My impression from some of the commenters is that it is all or nothing and that's just not going to build a bridge with me. At the same time, it doesn't sway me from believing that individuals *like me* can make a difference.
Fasts and long term encampments have historically been used as personal andpolitical statements of protest and have been successfully utilized by groups seeking to raise the moral and political pressure in society necessary for specific changes in policy. In September, we will be demonstrating our outrage and sorrow through our actions as we work to create the world we want to live in. We will not only do this by fasting, but by marching, mourning and reflecting.
There's a long list of events, including a rally, picket, candlelight vigil, and a festival at the very end. So you and I can get involved. I'm planning to head down and liveblog at some point, depending on my own schedule.
I should preface by saying the CTN has repeatedly ignored my requests for comment. I received this through a local queer events email list.
As we reported two weeks ago, a local woman, Jessi Seams, alleges that Celebrate the Night, a lesbian variety show in honor of National Coming Out Day, discriminated against her by refusing to allow her to audition. Jessi, a transwoman, provided email from CTN claiming she was denied because she had been an escort, an allegation Jessi denies. CTN eventually acknowledged that they refused to allow Jessi to perform because a background search on the Internet found spaces where Jessi still identified herself as male. To date, CTN has not explained why they misled Jessi about the situation and continues to state they are transfriendly.
CTN's statement as per the Queer Events List:
We, CTN, would like to thank everyone involved in this public discussion, and those who contacted us directly, for sharing open dialogue &/or showing support. CTN is growing and learning, and relies on the collaboration of volunteers and community. While we believe this situation could have been handled differently, we have taken all your feedback into consideration, and feel that CTN is going to be better and stronger as a result. CTN has been growing each year, thanks to the dedication of our completely voluntary committee, staff and the community, which we hope to serve. Every year, we learn more, and moving forward, we intend to re-evaluate our policies for next year. We acknowledge and accept that we can not, and will not please everyone. We also, as always, encourage everyone to get involved, if not with CTN, then thru another organization that aspires to help our community. Sincerely, CTN
I'm going to be kind here b/c I do recognize that CTN is an amateur organization.
But this doesn't say anything, does it? It doesn't even use the words "discrimination" "transgender" or "inclusion," much less "we made a mistake." Cause clearly they don't think they have and they have no intention of acknowledging or rectifying their discrimination. "We cannot and will not please everyone" pretty well sums it up.
Does it please you, dear readers, that a woman in transition was accused of being a sex worker, denied the opportunity to face her accusers and in the end, discovers it was a cover for the real discrimination?
Does it please you, dear readers, that an organization honoring all women and the coming out process blatantly disrespects the unique (aren't they all?) coming out of a sister in transition?
Does it please you, dear readers, that CTN will not clarify their policies on background checks nor confirm if they are universally conducted?
Does it please you, dear readers, that CTN has subtly implied through various email messages that Jessi's behavior was vaguely threatening throughout the process with no real specifics? Doesn't that nicely reinforce the stereotype and tap into lesbian fears that she's really a man?
Does it please you, dear readers, that CTN will review their policies for next year? If policies are discriminatory, isn't now the time to address them? How will they do so? Will they contact the Pittsburgh Transsexual Support Group or Persad for assistance in reviewing those policies?
Personally, I need a bit more to go on before I would drop $20.00 at this point.
There should be more breaking on this story today. Live from Lesbian Central ....
I have been stricken with that most awful of beasts .. the summer cold. I've literally been in bed for most of the past 48 hours with a giant pack of tissues, a brown paper sack (thanks Office Max newspaper insert) and an unending supply of Gatorade. Today, I decided to pull myself up the stairs for awhile so here I am. If in fact, some huge gay news had happened I would have caught it on KDKA as that is the only channel we get upstairs and i was forced through all three hours (plus, the noon broadcast) yesterday. I just couldn't write about it. Yes, I know about Karl Rove. Ding, dong and all that good stuff.
It was a nice weekend at Lesbian Central. We had ice cream (yum), stopped by The Vault for iced tea (more yum) and I scored three books at the library (just in time for sick days). I told The Vault guy about the "lesbian-friendly man vibe" designation and he was very down with it. If a tee shirt is made, I get free iced tea for life. Life, baby. Then we met a fabu guy (Hey, James) at the Body Shop at Ross Park. Plus, I had steak which I so never do. I wonder if that's what made me sick?
Sunday was awesome -- our friends, LuLu and Sas, invited us to go kayaking. We met up with them and their groovy friend Hercules at the kayak place in Perryopolis. I was very intimidated at the prospect of rolling upside down and getting stuck in the kayak, but once I assured myself that the opening was wide enough to allow for underwater escapes, I was ready to roll. To our dismay, we were trapped on the transport vehicle with a party of 22 yinzers replete with cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon, wizened sun-worshipping women and lots of authentic retro tee shirts. Thankfully, no one had on a Borat "suspender thong swimsuit" but then again, I wasn't looking too closely. My favorite part of the transport (in a school bus!) is when the driver raced the train to the crossing. Mind you we are in a school bus, pulling a big trailer with at least a dozen canoes and kayaks. Ah, welcome to Fayette County.
Kayaking was fun. Watching drunken yinzers literally dump their trash into the Youghiogheny River was not. I personally picked up three beer cans (1 unopened), a sandwich wrapper, miscellaneous paper, and two types of dipping sauce containers from Subway. Then at our rest stop, I swam halfway across the river to recover soggy hohos so the fish wouldn't die on the plastic. Sas did some impressive swimming as well. Ledcat scooped up crap. LuLu and Hercules were kept busy saving me when I flipped my kayak. Three times. Rest assured, the yinzers took the time to save the bottle of vodka they accidentally toppled into the water.
My least favorite moment was finding the smoulding fire. I was a Scout. I knew we had to put it out which took awhile. I reported it and the chick at the desk laughed in my face.
So kayaking fun. Hazelbaker's Canoe Rentals and Crap not such a classy outfit.
I'm starting to cough nonstop so back to bed for me. Don't tell Ledcat I wrote this. By the time she reads it, I'll be better.
Well, we didn't make it to the sex toy party. And what's up with the comments about marriage in relation to that? Who needs marriage to enjoy a good dildo? Hmmm ...
We ate Chinese food and grabbed some ice cream at Klavons in the Strip. I was still a little rattled by my experience of being trapped in my car in the middle of the Waterworks parking lot during Part Deux of the storms on Thursday. While we are fortunate to have no damage to our property, it was the most terrifying 20 minutes of my life and I was surprised to find that I couldn't just shake it off. Of course, Friday I had to staff a table out in the middle of Schenley Park in the rain. We packed up and ran for the cars, but I was trembling at the thunder roaring in my imagination. So needless to say, a quiet evening minus any thumping bass seemed restorative. I am somewhat bummed that Klavon's is temporarily out of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream which cures all sorts of ailments and nervous conditions. And I am happy to report that those yuppies who brought their children into the establishment were in full parental mode resulting in several charming moments and much pleasurable ice-cream consumption time.
Anyway, there's some other good stuff coming up you should know about ...
The Singles Supper Club is coming up on Wednesday August 15 at 5801 in Shadyside. It is $12.00 per person and reportedly has some women in attendance. For more information
The Renaissance City Choirs (men and women) are holding auditions at the end of the month. Check out www.rccpittsburgh.org for more details.
The Pittsburgh Lesbian and Gay Film Society is seeking submissions from folks with local connections. Check out www.plgfs.org for more information. I'm going kayaking with the plgfs president on Sunday. But, alas, I have nothing to submit.
Operation Sappho has moved to Cattivo in Lawrenceville (all the lesbians are buzzing about Cattivo) on Saturday, August 18 from 10 PM - 2 AM. Apparently, it is a juvenile delinquent theme -- Ehrrin and I tried to decipher that and its the best we could come up with!).
Here's something you should bookmark ... the Pgh Queer Events Calendar Ehrrin does a super-duper job keeping us homos informed on what's going down in Pittsburgh's Queer and Queer-Friendly scene. And she does it out of the goodness of her heart. Visit early and often. I've gotta come up with a street name for Ehrrin since she's a recurring character in this blog. Suggestions?
So that's it for me. Other icky stuff is happening across the homosphere. Fred Phelps says the bridge collapsed to punish Minnesota for being so gay tolerance (huh?). The Phillies have lost five years in a row on "Gay Night" and Repent America thinks they know why. Good grief. No links provided.
I'm off to put up flyers, hit the library and then, apparently, do housework to appease Ledcat. Tomorrow, we are going kayaking with some friends. I'm very excited. As long as there are no river snakes ...
I didn't see it. We don't have cable here at Lesbian Central, so we miss out on all sorts of things like The L Word, Queer as Folk and, well, the entire lineupon LOGO. I've never seen The Sopranos or pretty much any of its peers. (Don't cry for us -- we trade a cable payment for internet access, dozens of cool magazines and plenty of nice evenings sitting on the porch with popsicles, observing real life on the Northside.)
So, I have a choice. I have been pouring through reports from various blogs and online homosites. I could share my thoughts from that second-hand perspective. But I'm not going to do that. Instead, I'll share my thoughts on the meaning of the event and give you a few links to chew on the content.
First, I'm absolutely pleased this event took place. It is historic and a recognition that our community is a significant voting block. Our responsibility is to use that power effectively. As all politics are local, think back to the ACDC forum in May 2007 (aka "The Big Gay Chat") We learned quite a bit about the stances of our local politicians on "gay issues" and voted accordingly (i hope you voted!). Now we'll see what happens. County Council Prez Rich Fitzgerald promised a meeting with LGBTQ human services leaders, of which yours truly was included, but so far -- no meeting. Dan Onorato is calling for progress on City-County mergers, but not a single line of coverage on what this means for those of us who rely on domestic partner benefits provided to city employees (Hey, Mike Lamb!). Is our community moving on these issues? Has Steel-City Stonewall or Gertrude Stein been talking with County Council members? Who is taking the lead on the meeting with Rich Fitzgerald? And, did anyone ask Beth Pittinger what happened to putting a queer person on the CPRB?
My point is that having an opportunity to hear what candidates for public office have to say about our issues does matter. But what comes next is what matters more. I personally haven't seen any "next" yet from the ACDC event. Even the moderator, Hugh McGough, left public service for the private sector!
As for our Presidential candidates, the general consensus seems to be that they are pretty good across the board on most issues ... Don't Ask, Don't Tell; hate crimes protections, non-discrimination. So they want us to be free to be productive members of society without fear of being bashed or denied the right to die in Iraq. Great. And I only mean that to drip with a little sarcasm. It really is great how far we've come on basic issues.
Then there's the marriage issue. More importantly, the states' rights issue. Hillary et al seem comfortable leaving a civil rights decision to the individual voters within each state. It is not a credible position given our state-by-state track record on legislating discrimination, especially around marriage (hello to my friends in marriages of mixed racial heritages). And it is a political cop out.
Anyway, here are a few links for more information on what went down.
Pam's House Blend (including a nice follow up on New Mexico's Bill Richardson saying homosexuality is a choice, perplexing given his good record on LGBT issues)
And you can catch all sorts of snippets from the event at YouTube.
My call after reviewing the materials - Edwards is best on our issues and did a good job tying OUR rights into universal HUMAN rights ... like healthcare and he nailed it on homeless LGBTQ youth. I've said all along it will be Edwards with Obama or Clinton as the VP candidate. I've thought that because I know America isn't ready to elect a black man or a woman. I'm starting to think he's our best candidate. I truly believe Edwards has a better grasp of what life is like for those without privilege, especially those enmeshed in poverty. We'll see what happens ...
A gentle chastisement for my fellow bloggers here in the Burghosphere ... where is your coverage on this historic political event? I have received numerous email messages asking me for my response. Did anyone email dayvoe, the admiral, ms.monongahela or bram? How about Johnny Mac? Might Chris Potter write a column comparing the ACDC event to the LOGO/HRC event? Will Dr. Goddess take a stab at what's happening on LGBTQ issues in the African-American community - would Obama lose or gain local support if he was more openly supportive? There's a lot of chatter among openly gay African-American bloggers about these issues. What does it mean for Pittsburgh?
Girl's Night In rocks. We hosted a sex toy party for queer women at the GLCC back in 2005. It was standing room only and big kinds of fun. This seems waaaayyyy more fun. Click on the image to get more details.
We don't have plans for Friday evening so this is definitely at the top of my list.
