Tomorrow is World AIDS Day. 

Much is going on here in Pittsburgh.  Highmark has gone red.



New Voices Pittsburgh is hosting a self help series called Real Talk.

There is a lot of hubbub about the press conference.  It is the first of its kind, I think.  Actually, I don't really know much about it, but the folks who have been working on this commemoration for more than a decade are pleased that this is happening.  I am hopeful something will be announced rather than repeated. 

The PG offers up a front page explanation why I dislike this project.

This is the headline: Christian leaders vow to resist gay marriage, abortionThis is the line that gets me.  The lines, rather.

"The impulse to redefine marriage in order to recognize same-sex and multiple partner relationships is a symptom, rather than the cause, of the erosion of the marriage culture," the declaration said. "Yet it is critical that the impulse be resisted, for yielding to it would mean abandoning the possibility of restoring a sound understanding of marriage."

The churches OFTEN failed to provide good models and clear teaching, but let's twist the little anti-gay marriage dagger just to remind us where the imminent threat lies ...

This document is one series of falsely humble statement of faith after another, not to mention a wonderful duck and weave.  We aren't doing so hot with marriage, sayeth the heterosexuals, but let's continue to invest our vast resources into the effort which won't actually save any heterosexual marriages, shall we? I mean, that makes sense, right?  No need to take actual ownership of your institutional fail if you still have a scapegoat after all.  Plus, you can float along on the willingness to go to jail to defend marriage and/or your tax exempt status without actually doing something. 

Cause that's what Jesus would do. 

Same thing with abortion ... false modesty and bullshit media coverage.

"We see these travesties as flowing from the same loss of the sense of the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of human life that drives the abortion industry," it said.

Last night, Ledcat and I attended the "People in Color" film series at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty.  We caught my first performance by Dreams of Hope which was simply mindblowing. 





They really are a bright spot in the local LGBTQ community.  We bought their educational DVD which we'll hopefully be able to review soon.  The clip above was a piece they performed Tuesday night.  Three of the youth also participated in the discussion panel.  One young man, Angelito, literally brought me to tears with his nuanced discussion of the experiences of transyouth who are often misunderstood in terms of their orientation.

The Sakia Gunn Film Project is also mindblowing.  Sakia was a 15 year old lesbian who was murdered in a hate crime in 2003.  Her story received very little attention from the MSM, straight or gay. The film documents her life and the conviction of the man who murdered her. 

The film is heartbreaking.  Sakia was stabbed and died in the arms of her best friend on the way to the hospital.  In the movie (filmed in 2006 I believe), the pain of that trauma is painfully evident.  I commented afterwards to event organizer LaTasha Mayes that it was sad that Sakia's friend was still so traumatized 23 months after the murder, but somewhat uplifting that her mother seems to have found some peace after the murdered was convicted (of manslaughter, mind you, not murder). 

It really does raise more questions than it answers.  The filmmakers talk with a range of LGBT persons of color about their lifestories and Sakia's story.  The taboo about delving into racism within the LGBTQ community is painful to acknowledge, but there you have it.  The intersection of race and sexual orientation and gender identity isn't just something to view negatively.  It is a whole cultural experience that really is different than my own.  One panelist commented how she tries to engage artists to help them understand the pain they inflict with homophobic music. 

I still don't know what I think. I'm wondering how to do things differently here in Pittsburgh?  I've been to four LGBT events in eight days. All were predominantly white gay events.  This was the queerest event.  That disconnect is a huge part of the problem.  Gay white folks should not ever say "Well, there's a Black Pride" as this topic comes up. Yes, there is.  However, these is plenty of White Pride to render that event almost obsolete in terms of advocacy, outreach, human services and leadership.

Marriage equality would not have saved Sakia's life.  It might, however, change the discourse around who makes up our families and our community.  That's the dialogue we need to prevent grown men from stabbing teen girls who identify as gay.  We may not be able to work on from the marriage angle, but nothing but ourselves prevents us from tackling the other side of the conversation. 

I'm so pleased that people attended the Lambda Bash and the GLCC Open House, but until those groups (and supporters) turn out for events like this and make an organizational commitment to be present to the whole community ... I'm not sure we have an answer as to how Pittsburgh would respond to a similar situation.  Let's hope we don't find out.

Was there a single elected official who thought the story of a 15 year old murdered lesbian worthwhile of their evening? 

I can't wait for Angelito, Claire and their friends to move into leadership roles.  It is going to be amazing!

sdf

The Ravenstahls are divorcing (there's no legal status of separation in Pennsylvania).  That's unfortunate.  What's even more unfortunate from my point of view is that the Mayor wants privacy around his marriage, but doesn't extend the same standard to other people's marriage. I wish them privacy and that this is as painless of possible.  I also wish our Mayor learns a lesson about how *I* feel about my marital decisions (not to mention being on the wrong side of the Catholic Church teachings).  Will this painful experience broaden his empathy?

There's a Pittsburgh Gay Book Club!  With a blog!  I knew about Queer Events but this is new to me.  Thanks Google Alerts.

2008 saw an 11% increase in hate crimes based on sexual orientation.  Here's something interesting to consider as Pennsylvania's Senate debates a Hate Crimes Bill ...

Brian Levin, director for the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University-San Bernardino, warned that the national numbers may be misleading because some states -- like California, New Jersey and Ohio -- are good at reporting hate crimes, while others -- notably, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Hawaii and Mississippi -- are not.

California and New Jersey, with 1,381 and 744 incidents reported, respectively, led the list, and Ohio, with 345 reports, placed fifth. Pennsylvania, which placed 27th in incidents reported among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, posted just 68.

In southwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh reported eight cases of racial incidents, two cases related to religion and one involving sexual orientation. Authorities in Hopewell and Jefferson Hills and state police in Butler and Indiana counties each reported one case of racially motivated hate crimes.

"The quality of the data is so variable and, in some instances, so bad that it makes trend analysis extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible," said Mr. Levin. "Generally, states that have effective data collection also have effective training and procedures to address these crimes."

I'm curious why Pennsylvania is considered a poor reporter.  I have no problem believing that the numbers for our state are low. The hate mongerers who harass the women at the reproductive services clinics are proof positive of how far zealotry can push someone, not to mention the Manchester resident-public school teacher who referred to gay and mentally ill children as "fruits and nuts." I hope our Senators are looking at this data when they craft the final legislation.

Patricia Sheridan had breakfast with Adam Lambert who was apparently naughty at the AMAs the other night. I have to watch the video, but I'm wondering how a same sex kiss and faux fellatio stack up to the lyrics in the other performances?  That's something to explore.

Quick national round up ...

Autumn Sandeen on a potential registry for transmen and transwomen. 

Openly gay man confirmed as US Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.

Dear God. Wingnuts are trying to get "spiritual healing" covered by the federal health reform legislation while women's health care and LGBT health care are NOT included. 

Christians are throwing a temper tantrum (h/t Pam's House Blend) vis a vis the Manhattan Declaration.  Tony Perkins, Daddy Jim Dobson and Archbishop Peter Akinola.  Need I say more? The fringe is on the move, friends, so pay attention. 

Well, I must hit the pavement.

Thursday, I went down to 210 Grant Street for the official Grand Opening of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center's new digs.  The space is fabulous and the event was packed (hundreds and hundreds of people).  I ran into all sorts of folks from the hills and hollers of the region and didn't get home until nearly 10 PM.  It was a lovely evening.

The new GLCC boasts the 5th largest LGBT center library in the nation.  They also have several works that are available only in Europe, including a Warhol book.  I had no time to browse, but it is well-lit, organized and very welcoming.  So you should literally check it out.  The Center has plenty of room for meetings, events and is just lovely.  Adagio Health is providing healthcare services and the Task Force is doing testing.  You must must must make a point to stop in one evening and check it out.  The GLCC should be the heartbeat of the community and that only happens if you connect yourself to it.  BTW, they can use volunteers to staff the front desk and be open during more hours.  If you have some daytime hours free and can catch a bus downtown, what a great way to give back to the community.

Folks, we are two blocks from the City-County Building. That's so symbolic and powerful.  So much potential.  Everyone make a commitment to either visit the GLCC for a service/event/library book or support in some other way.

Last night,  Ledcat and I attended the Lambda Bash at The Priory Grand Hall.  A lovely group of friends accompanied us and we had such a nice time.  Joe Hoeffel, Gubernatorial candidate, stopped by to say hello.  State Representative Dan Frankel was there.  And Dok Harris came by as well (he outbid me on a silent auction item!) and our whole table was thrilled to see him.  I don't think any of these men would be using an illegal tax to balance the City budget but heck ... I noticed that no one from the Mayor's team came and I'm not sure anyone from the Advisory Board was there, but I could be wrong about that.  Sad.  No one from the Onorato or Wagner camps attended.  I didn't see anyone from City Council, County Council or the ACDC. No staffers from Doyle, Costa, Altmire, you name it.  You want our votes, but we need your investment.  Sad, sad, sad.  (didn't see any of these folks at the GLCC event either).

The Lambda Foundation supports so many worthwhile causes in the community.  The Bash was an innovative way to try to reach out and connect with younger queer folks. I always feel a bit overwhelmed at these events because I like to really have intense conversations with people and there are so many hello's and so many people to talk with.  I'm more of a one on one person so I get frustrated, but I also just LOVE seeing so many people support important causes.  I couldn't begin to name the people I bumped into but it was great.  The space was decorated very festively for the holidays and made me want to come home to drag out the decorations (Ledcat says not yet).

FYI,the deadline for Lambda's current cycle of grants is December 31, 2009.  If your organization needs funding for something taking place before August, please get your grant in now .... the June funding cycle won't meet your deadline.

Congrats to the GLCC and Lambda for great events to lead us into the holiday season.  Please keep both groups in mind for your holiday giving ... a donation to the library for a book loving friend?  a donation to the scholarship fund for a LGBT youth advocate friend?  So many creative ways to spread our (admittedly limited) resources to reinvest in our community!

I'm pooped from all these festivities!  Thank goodness my vacation is coming up.