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.
Miami’s Catholic Sex Scandal
One of Florida’s most powerful Catholic leaders is being accused of running the Miami Archdiocese like a gay sexual mafia boss. South Florida organization Christifidelis had launched a major investigation into the activities of Archbishop Emeritus John C. Favalora. In a report from Christifidelis called “Miami Vice,” the group found that Favalora was part owner of a company that manufactured an aphrodisiac drink and took trips to Key West with “gay associates.” He also reportedly had sexual relationships with several underlings, including at least two monsignors, a rector, and a former student. The report indicated that many other priests in South Florida are gay and have live-in boyfriends. Some engaged in pedophilia.
Gay Games Lawsuit
The city of Cleveland will have to pay an estimated $475,000 to the original organizers of the upcoming Gay Games after that group was dropped for another organization last year. After it worked to lobby the Federation of Gay Games to bring the event to Cleveland in 2014, the Cleveland Synergy Corp. was relieved of its duties after concerns arose about its ability to manage the games. The Cleveland Special Events Corp. was then appointed manager in its place. Synergy sued the city, the mayor’s representative Valerie McCall, and Cleveland Special Events, resulting in the $475,000 settlement, according to WKSU.
Prop 8 Arguments
The California Supreme Court will hear arguments on September 6th as to whether proponents of Proposition 8 have the legal standing to appeal Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision striking down the ballot measure. The court will hear oral arguments on a question of whether under state law proponents of initiatives have standing to defend their initiatives when they are challenged in court. The question was certified to them by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit earlier this year. In response to the court’s scheduling order, Chad Griffin, American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) Co-Founder and Board President, had the following to say: “I am very pleased that the Supreme Court of California calendared our case for the first day of their fall session. The governor and attorney general of California – and the United States District Court – all have found Proposition 8 unconstitutional.
LGBT Center in Northfolk
For years, Hampton Roads’ lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community gathered in homes, bars and, sometimes, no place at all. With the work of Walls-Beegle’s organization and the help of two grants, the LGBT Center of Hampton Roads has become a reality. Access AIDS Care received $75,000 from the Elton John AIDS Foundation and $10,000 from Advocates for Youth to found the center, which will be housed in a renovated warehouse space attached to the organization’s building.
HRC Bus Tour
Immigration Equality Action Fund, which advocates with The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), announced this week that it will launch a nationwide “LGBT Equality” bus tour in August with stops planned for 17 cities in 11 mostly conservative states in the Midwest and South over a 12-week period. The national LGBT rights group says its aim is to draw attention to the fact that LGBT people lack legal protections in these states in employment, housing and public accommodations. A lack of legal protection for same-sex relationships, including LGBT families with children, will also be discussed through workshops, forums and other events in the locations where the bus will stop, HRC said. “We are in the midst of a cultural tipping point on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues and our job is to push the scale as far and as fast as we can toward fairness,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “The tour will serve as a powerful visibility tool and support the work of creating real and lasting change in these communities.”
That’s all folks and I hope you tune in next week!
