An LGBT activist’s view of entertainment and world news.
As an LGBT activist, the promotion of queer rights is #1 on my homosexual agenda. This weekly column serves as a forum for me to comment on issues and causes currently affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. My “rundown” of these topics is from the perspective of an LGBT activist; it is my goal that by keeping our community informed, we can all help contribute to the battle for equality.
McHomophobia Has a Farm
The Kentucky Farm Bureau has drawn a line in the sand and released their anti-gay policies. I don’t know how many LGBT farmers there are in Kentucky, but for some reason they felt the need to create these policies for future farmers:
The policies are as follows:
- The institution of marriage should only be recognized as the legal union of a man and a woman
- We are opposed to any state-supported agency providing benefits to domestic partners
- Alternative lifestyles should not be taught in public schools
- We are opposed to granting special privileges to anyone.
Petition to stop this homophobic madness: http://gayrights.change.org/petitions/view/demand_kentucky_farm_bureau_repeal_anti-gay_policies
I feel a small town queer rights bus tour coming on. Anyone who wants to support LGBT farmers by sending a personal message to “End Farming Discrimination” can send an email to Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau. (Email should be sent to his assistant, Jean Bennis, at jeanb@fb.org.)
Mehlman is Out & About Face
This week’s big gay news was Ken Mehlman’s announcement that he’s gay. Mehlman lead the homophobic charge against the LGBT community during the 8 years of the Bush administration (his 2004 RNC mailer appears left). I’m happy for Mehlman and the strength it takes as a public figure to announce you are outside of the Republican’s American family norm but as an activist I must ask him, are you serious? Life is stranger than fiction, but you don’t have to be gay to know that homophobia is wrong. I believe actions speak louder than words so I’m reserving my support of Mehlman on a wait and see basis. Once I see him on the frontlines standing up for marriage equality then I will give a loud, rowdy, “You go Ken!” As far as community backlash, well that should have been expected because he willingly participated in the trashing of the gay community for almost a decade – so many are still hurt by this revelation. Mehlman still donates and supports anti-gay marriage candidates today.
Women Make a Dollar Outta 77 Cents
The woman’s suffrage movement turns 90 years old and women all over the country celebrate “Women’s Equality Day,” established by Congresswoman Bella Abzug in 1971. This week the Obama administration released findings that women make up less than 1/5 of Congress and still earn 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. Women are still fighting to become equal earners, but don’t forget to pay homage to women’s suffrage warriors who paved the way for lesbian rights activists today. The League of Woman Voters, Peacemakers Incorporated, Liz Abzug (the daughter of Bella Abzug) and the mayor of Dallas, Tom Leppert, celebrated the anniversary at the Dallas Women’s Museum on August 25, 2010. So, I’m sending a very loving “thank you” to the women before me and proudly carry the torch to continue to fight for full female liberation.
Glenn Beck’s Anti-Tax Dream
Glenn Back is at it again! Mr. Beck is leading an anti-tax rally called “Restoring Honor” this weekend at the Lincoln Memorial on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech with fellow Tea Party favorite Sarah Palin. Al Sharpton at the same time is holding a “Reclaim the Dream” march, which is an annual event in memory of civil rights movement. Beck and Sharpton have both come out in support of marriage equality but Rachel Maddow recently weighed in on the dueling rallies. She stated: “It is very sad that Glenn Beck will lead a sea of posters with President Obama as Hitler or the joker in a right wing rally against the first black president using the name and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This is a very hurtful and a very ugly thing to do!”
As a Black woman fighting everyday for LGBT civil rights, I think Rachel said it all…
ATL Black Pride Organizer Remembered
There is a candle light vigil scheduled this weekend for Atlanta Black Pride organizer Durand Robinson, owner of the popular Traxx Club, who was shot and killed earlier this week. Police are still investigating the shooting as a possible hate crime but the Atlanta Black Pride organizer will be remembered as a selfless and generous member of his community. The Atlanta Black Pride celebration attracts over 30,000 people and this year will be headlined by Ciara. Mr. Robinson was a visionary and will be missed by many.
Jim Carrey’s Jailhouse Rock
I will end my Rundown column this week on a good note. Jim Carrey’s new gay love jailhouse flick finally finds a distributor and gets a release date after getting pushed off for months. Don’t make me take out my bullhorn!!! Anyway, the film called “I Love You Phillip Morris,” is about a con man (played by Carrey) who falls in love with his cellmate (played by Ewan McGregor). It is scheduled to be released December 3, 2010. That’s all folks and I hope you tune in next week.
