Tag Archives: domestic partner registry

LGBTQ&A: Doug Shields, Ally and Advocate

When I “met” Doug Shields, it was via the telephone – I answered call from unfamiliar number and heard “Susan, this is Douglas. I understand you want to march!” I was driving home from work so I had to pull over (near the Civic Arena) and scribble notes on a crumpled receipt. His 2008 response to hate-mongerer Sally Kern (Oklahoma State Assembly) went viral. He helped to create Pittsburgh’s Domestic Partner Registry. But what really comes to mind is that Doug always seemed *happy* to be at Pridefest – and it wasn’t just a gladhanded sort of politician moment, no a genuine delight that Pridefest was happenening and he was there! And he continues to advocate while refusing to be put into a box.

Photo: PghCityPaper

Name: Douglas Shields

Affiliation: Former Member, Pittsburgh City Council, Adjunct Instructor, Duquesne University.

Tell us about the very first LGBTQ person you met and what that meant for you. That would have been in the early 1970′s. I would have been about 17 years old. I had a number of friends who attended Edinboro State College (now University) who were enrolled in the Arts program there. It was through them that I met a number of their their friends who were openly Gay men.

I never thought much of it. We were all pretty much free spirits at the time and my circle of friends were quite accepting and open to “different.” The sexuality of our new friends was not really much of an issue. I have remained friends with several of them to this day.

While I was certainly aware of the cultural bigotry and bias towards the GLBTQ community, I regarded it as part of the overall bigotry and bias displayed towards half the citizens of this country – African-Americans, women and the emerging feminist movement, Latinos and, anyone else who wasn’t a part of the, white, male dominated, Anglo-Saxon Protestant culture.

I, like many of my generation, was a part of the counter-cultural revolution of the 1960′s and early 1970′s. What it meant to me in practical terms is that I made some new friends.

I suppose in a larger sense, I was one of many who were part of an American culture of “acceptance of different.” In the context of that time I never saw it as revolutionary. It had more to do with “judging people on the content of their character” as opposed to their race, creed, gender or sexual identity.

No one in my immediate family was LGBTQ but, my parents, lower middle class working people, never subscribed to any ideology centered on chauvinism, bigotry or hate. That laid the foundation, for me, for acceptance long before I even knew what a homosexual was.

How do you stay informed on LGBTQ issues? Like everyone else, I read the papers. I also drop in on LGBTQ news formats on and off-line for more specific issue information. As a progressive politician, I was also close to LGBTQ organizations and derived a good deal of news and perspective via my interactions there as well.

What is the most important issue facing the LGBTQ community today? Full enfranchisement of Constitutional Civil Rights and to be treated equally before the law in all respects of our civil society.

If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing in Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ community, what would it be? A few decades ago I might be waving that magic wand all over the place. Today, not so much. We have witnessed the evolution of LGBT political organizations which, back in the day, was largely centered in the LGBTQ bar scene. I give a great deal of credit to the LGBTQ bar/club owners for being the incubators to the growth and strength of high profile LGBT political and public service organizations we see here today. They are highly organized, effective, professionally staffed, mission-specific advocacy organizations. Those organizations range from political to public service.

There is still a of of work to do but the organizational structure is strong, effective and continues to grow. I recall a few years ago, Pittsburgh was ranked the No. 2 Gay Friendly city in the U.S.

I think that LGBT organizations here have done outstanding work in growing their presence and having their issues being addressed in the City. Perhaps it would be better to wave the magic wand over the PA State Assembly where discriminatory practices are still, in some quarters, fashionable.

Past or present, favorite LGBTQ character in television, film or literature? Well, Ellen Degeneres is a favorite. I watch her regularly.

What is one simple thing a reader can do to support the LGBTQ community? No matter your sexual orientation, supporting LGBTQ community is supporting your larger community. That support can come in the forms; time, money, or talent.

The simplest thing to do is come out to Pride Fest. It’s fun for the whole family. Just showing up counts for much.

You can find Doug on Facebook where he continues to advocate for environmental issues (and more.)

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Luzerne County, PA Establishes Mandatory Domestic Partner Registry for Employees

This bit from Think Progress struck me as odd.

County in northeast Pennsylvania has instituted a new policy requiring the same-sex domestic partners of county employees to identify themselves, even though they will still not be permitted to collect benefits. The reason for the policy is to ensure that anti-nepotism prohibitions and restrictions are applied to domestic partners.

What? I confirmed this with Equality PA – the County has established a registry for employees to document their domestic partnerships. Luzerne County also has a non-discrimination ordinance in place which includes sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

It is important to note that this registry does not apply to heterosexual employees in domestic partnerships. It is also unclear how exactly the County tracks married employees if they don’t enroll in the health plan.

The ACLU noticed this, too.

“I am not assuming the intent is bad, but the way it is being implemented doesn’t make any sense,” said Mary Catherine Roper, an ACLU attorney from Philadelphia. “If the purpose is to prevent nepotism and conflicts of interest, then the government has an interest in this disclosure. There is a balance against the privacy interest.”

But the county should define domestic partners “in an even-handed manner” for both gay and heterosexual employees, Roper said.

I assume the intent is bad. The first thing that came to mind was mandatory registration under Hitler. It did. I could not see a single constructive benefit to this decision with the possible exception of some back door attempt to add domestic partner benefits.

Like this …

John Dawe, executive director of the gay-rights group NEPA Rainbow Alliance in Wilkes-Barre, applauded council for recognizing same-sex partners in the new code.

“We now ask that county council adopt an ordinance to allow county employees, at their own expense, to add their domestic partners to their health insurance,” Dawe said. “After all, recognizing equal treatment for all isn’t only solid policy, it’s the right thing to do.”

Hmmm. I certainly agree that domestic partner benefits – beyond health insurance – are the right thing for everyone. I just fail to see how compelling employees to out themselves to avoid nepotism is effective or reasonable? How much gay nepotism could there be in Luzerne County?

Luzerne County in pink

Sometimes being optimistic requires a bit more information. I can’t imagine registering as a same sex household with the County solely to comply with nepotism policies. Where’s the incentive to offset the potential discrimination and harassment you might experience?

And frankly – how it can even be nepotism if the County doesn’t recognize domestic partnerships? I hear this come up quite often when it comes to public assistance programs, like SNAP formerly known as food stamps. The federal government funds SNAP and they do not recognize same sex couples so why should a partner’s income be considered when it comes to a federal program? Often it is not because SNAP considers domestic partners to be roommates with individualized expenses. That’s fine with me.

I’m very skeptical that a “registry” for LGBTQ employees is a good or useful idea. However, if someone wants to persuade me that this will be a benefit to Luzerne County employees and LGBTQ residents, I’m open to the dialogue.

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Pennsylvania Approval for Marriage Equality On The Rise

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Yet two recent polls have found that support for same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania is rising near or above 50 percent. For the first time since Muhlenberg College started polling on gay marriage, most Pennsylvanians indicated in December 2011 that they believe same-sex marriage should be legal. Susquehanna Polling and Research found earlier in 2011 that Pennsylvanians support legislation banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by a 2-to-1 ratio.

State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Philadelphia, credited President Obama’s May announcement in support of gay marriage for spurring dialogue among lawmakers and voters who had once opposed it. Mr. Barack Obama described how he changed his mind on marriage as he grew to know gay friends, soldiers and staff members in committed relationships.

“When Pennsylvanians call themselves conservative, I don’t believe they mean nastiness, discrimination, hate,” Ms. Josephs said. “They mean let’s be fair, let’s take things a little slowly and think about them. And that’s what happened when the president opened the conversation in the way that he did.”

This is part of a rather sweeping piece about marriage equality, starting with the attempts by a local lesbian couple to sign up with the “domestic partner registery” offered by the City of Pittsburgh and ending with the Mayor’s support for marriage equality.

Along the way, the reporter delves into the politics of “marriage protection” amendments, the impact of equality on economic and workforce development and the national prominence of a native son (Evan Wolfson) in the marriage equality discussion.

Josephs’ spin on the “conservative” nature of Pennsylvania residents is intriguing. I agree that the President paved the way for more dialogue and I agree that social conservatives want to take things slowly, but not “let’s be fair.” I suspect it is a weird fusion of ”live and let live” libertarian values with conservative religious values that define the areas where someone should tell us how to live (namely, the Christian God and his emissaries.)

The incremental approach would explain the changing attitudes – more Pennsylvanians are getting to know LGBTQ persons, both in real life and through entertainment. The same disconnect exists in the Catholic Church – as the church itself becomes less tolerant, American Catholics move to the left.

Notice the parallel between the church and the Pennsylvania state?

As I’ve said before, passing the non-discrimination legislation should be paramount. HB 300 would give all LGBTQ persons protection in the workplace, housing and with public accomodations whereas marriage equality typically benefits lesbians and gay men and bisexual men & women in same sex relationships. HB 300 is the lynchpin to make a significant advance for our community.

Another good job from the Post-Gazette. I wish they would be a little more consistent in the fairness & accuracy of their reporting, but we’re working on that. Let me know if you pick up on the elements I’m referencing.

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