Same-sex marriage is not a right in EU, but couples should have 'legal recognition'

Not exactly the ruling that same-sex couples in Europe wanted, but there is a silver lining:

European nations do not have to allow same-sex marriage, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled, though gay rights groups claimed a partial victory Friday because the court acknowledged growing agreement that their relationships should be recognized in law.

Seven judges at the European court ruled unanimously that two Austrian men denied permission to wed were not covered by the guarantee of the right to marry enshrined in Europe's human rights convention.

The judges acknowledged "an emerging European consensus" that same-sex couples should have legal recognition but said individual states may still decide what form it should take because marriage had "deep-rooted social and cultural connotations which may differ largely from one society to another."

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Do we still need gay theater?

What about gay anything? The straight press reports on gay issues, so do we still need gay publications? (I think we do.) This article argues that gay theater still matters.

So yes, I will say it: we do need queer theatre. (We also need deaf theatre, black theatre or any theatre that says something important, that says "I am what I am" or "Yes we can".) It's not about converting people to being gay, rallying the troops or glorifying a way of life. It's about exploring and expressing stories to an audience – some people will see things from a new point of view, some will be relieved that someone else can see theirs, and others will leave at the interval. Personally, I wish my work was theatre-first, and that queer came further down the list (hopefully after a few superlatives). I also try to make the subject engaging to everyone, so that a straight audience can see the overriding theme of humanity, rather than it being a show for "someone else".

From my experience, Average Joe dancing at G-A-Y on a Saturday night probably won't turn to the Guardian's politics pages to keep up to date on issues. He might not read this blog, unless it's through a link posted on his Facebook page. But he might come to see an entertaining show with a couple of songs, camp comedy and a few well-placed political points. And if he does, and he listens, maybe he'll learn something of his queer history, or perhaps reassess how the situation could improve. Then I'll be happy – and maybe even proud.

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D.L. Hughley and Sherri Shepherd spread propaganda re: HIV

Sherri Shepherd, of "The World is Flat" fame, has sunk to a new low with special guest D.L. Hughley attempting to school everyone that "down low," or secretly bisexual, black men are responsible for the increase in HIV / AIDS transmission rates among African American women. The CDC says that's bull. In fact, the cause is promiscuous straight men who use drugs. But why let facts get in the way of some good old homophobia.



One of the most attractive men, gay or not, in television, Thomas Roberts, was also guest on "The View" and said some interesting things about internalized homophobia, but the shameful remarks were reserved for Hughley because of his ignorant claim that political correctness shouldn't supersede medical decisions to protect the public. No, the real crime is when fear, racism, homophobia, ignorance and propaganda supersede actual medical facts and policies, D.L. and Ms. Shepherd!

An educated doctor, Dr. Kevin Fenton, from the CDC attempts to educate the public with an article dismissing the dangerous falsehoods.

ATLANTA (NNPA) – Despite all the talk about “Down Low” Black men – who have sex with women while secretly having intercourse with other men – the major cause of the extremely high HIV/AIDS rates among African-American women is being fueled by heterosexual Black men with multiple sex partners, a top federal official says.

In an interview with the NNPA News Service, Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, said the CDC has studied why Black women make up 61 percent of all new HIV cases among women, with 80 percent contracting the disease through heterosexual contact.

“We know that a lot of the infections are actually coming from male partners who have high-risk behavior,” Fenton said in an interview in his Atlanta office. “In fact, we have looked to see what proportion of infections is coming from male partners who are bisexual and found there are actually relatively few. More are male partners who are having female partners and are injecting drugs or using drugs or have some other risks that may put those female partners at risk of acquiring HIV.”

GLAAD has a 'CALL TO ACTION' in order to get people to petition "The View" to apologize and further educate the public on the erroneous information, and from a previous post, "Sam Seder explains the BS behind the gay blood donor ban." Sam Seder says it way better than I ever could.

By the way, what the hell does "D.L." stand for any way? Ironic name in this context, isn't it? Read More...

So I met Charlene Strong

On Wednesday, I met Charlene Strong. She was in DC to attend the White House LGBT reception. I knew the story about the tragic death of her wife, Kate Fleming. And, I was aware of the terrible complications Charlene faced in the aftermath of the tragedy because she and Kate were a same-sex couple. I've seen the t.v. ad she did for the Approve R-71 campaign. I'd read Joe Mirabella's post about Charlene's visit to the White House. And, our blog has a family connection. Tim Beauchamp's cousin, Jana, is the partner of Charlene's niece, Lydia.

Charlene and Kate's mother were guests at the White House reception on Tuesday afternoon. Both were called into the anteroom to meet with the President before the event. Charlene said Kate's mom ruled the meeting and would have made us all proud.

At the event, a White House aide told her someone wanted to meet her. It was Rahm Emanuel who told Charlene he knew her story and wanted to work with her. I was a little stunned. It was one of the first signs of humanity we've seen from Emanuel. But, he was also the staffer who told Obama about Janice Langbehn's story. Maybe that's the way to pierce the armor that's been preventing real progress at the White House. Real stories. Tragic stories. Real people.

Charlene doesn't want this to be about her tragedy. But, she also realizes that her story tells the story of our lives. A lot of our close friends, family members and allies don't understand all the hurdles we face. Often, we don't realize it until we're in a crisis situation.

I have to admit: She wowed me. Her activism is so pure. It's not about access or power. And, her intensity is so real.

Currently, Charlene is a Human Rights Commissioner in Washington, named to that post by Governor Christine Gregoire. She's been meeting with the Washington Hospital Association to discuss ways to insure there's uniformity to policies for LGBT people -- and unmarried straight people. In Washington, there's a statewide registry of domestic partners. But, that's not true for straight couples. She wants consistency among the hospitals. And, she knows that to work, the policies have to be nation-wide. She spent time with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and her staff this week, too. Charlene has a goal: She wants to make sure that every single patient is treated exactly the same. The rules are different for same-sex couples and she asked, "are we going to have to be card-carrying gay people."

Charlene grew up in a military family. Her dad was in the Coast Guard so she gets the military mindset. She was reverential when speaking of "Lieutenant Choi" and his powerful activism. Charlene and Dan speak with moral authority.

Right now, she's "building bridges of empathy and understanding." If she can do that with Rahm Emanuel, we might actually make some progress.

At the end of the day, Charlene realizes we need to end DOMA. She'll be a great voice for the effort to end that onerous law.

She also told me that she doesn't want to be defined by her tragedies. She wants to be defined by her victories.

Last night, Charlene did a screening of her documentary, For My Wife, here in DC. She just learned that she's got a distribution deal for the video, which will be available on August 30, 2010. The video will include an added feature: Sam Harris singing the equality anthem "My Reclamation."

I really enjoyed talking to Charlene. We talked gay politics and activism. We talked about our dogs. We talked a lot about our dogs. We talked about her triathlons and my marathons. We talked about growing up on the ocean.

Charlene thinks personal experience is the best story to tell. She's going to tell her story, but thinks all gay people need to stand up and tell theirs. I'm glad I met Charlene, although I so wish the circumstances could have been different. I'll tell you this: She is a force majeure. Read More...

Soledad talks DADT with SLDN's Sarvis, Mike Almy and a gay soldier still serving

Great piece on DADT last night on CNN. I watched it live and was impressed with Soledad O'Brien's grasp of the issue. She talked to SLDN's Aubrey Sarvis, who reminded gay and lesbian servicemembers that the law hasn't been repealed yet, an anonymous gay soldier still serving and Mike Almy, an Air Force Major, who was discharged under DADT. Almy's quote said it all:

I'm pissed off. I really am. I want my job back. I want my career back.

DADT isn't over.
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