Category Archives: Political
Breaking News – Civil Unions for Chicago and Illinois is One Step Closer
PASSES IN ILLINOIS!
THE CIVIL RIGHTS AGENDA
& LGBT CHANGE MOVE
FORWARD WITH MARRIAGE
EQUALITY IN ILLINOIS
Springfield, Illinois – Tuesday, November 30, 2010 – Today, the Illinois House of Representatives voted to pass the Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act by a vote of 61 to 52. After passage by the Senate (hopefully this week) and being signed by Governor Quinn, the Act will take effect July 2011.
With this vote, the Illinois General Assembly has taken one more step towards equality in Illinois. “Today the Illinois House of Representatives made history,” stated Anthony Martinez, Executive Director of The Civil Rights Agenda and Co-Executive Director of LGBT Change. “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) families in Illinois have gained desperately needed protections that surround the most personal times of our lives. With this victory, The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA) and LGBT Change have verified that our strategy is effective and impacted this vote for the better.”
TCRA and LGBT Change have already shown that their grassroots approach to organizing the community and working with allies has been effective. In the last election, The Civil Rights Agenda Fund and LGBT Change, working in coordination with a number of allied groups, reached nearly 70,000 LGBT friendly voters and saw a 75% turn-out in targeted precincts across Illinois. The organizations also identified specific races where the stakes were high for LGBT civil rights, and impacted the outcome by driving voters to the polls. As civil unions came close to a vote, TCRA and LGBT Change used their grassroots strategy to mobilize hundreds of volunteers, made close to 20,000 calls to constituents in target legislative districts and had a continuous lobbying presence in Springfield.
“When our organizations became engaged in this issue, we realized that Representative Harris, the Chief Sponsor of the Bill, was diligently working in the absence of support from the community and was lacking support from community organizations in critical areas. Immediately we deployed a legislative team and began working to secure votes on both sides of the aisles,” said Lowell Jaffe, Political Director of The Civil Rights Agenda.
LGBT Change and The Civil Rights Agenda will be working together to ensure that those Legislators that voted ‘NO’ will be exposed, targeted and defeated. We will also ensure that the Legislators that stood by the LGBT Community will be thanked and protected.
The Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act will grant the same benefits, obligations and responsibilities of marriage, under state law, while protecting the rights of religious institutions to define marriage as they choose. The major benefits include hospital visitation, healthcare decision making, disposition of a deceased loved one’s remains and probate rights. Civil unions would be available to any couple, same-sex or opposite-sex, in a committed relationship who are: 18 years of age or older, not in an existing marriage or civil union, and are not related. The Act will also provide for the dissolution of civil unions in the same way as divorce. This Act will take effect July 2011.
“We are finally on the bus,” said Jacob Meister, President of The Civil Rights Agenda, “but we will keep fighting until we are no longer relegated to the back. For too long the leadership in the LGBT community has been willing to accept ‘separate but equal’ status. The Civil Rights Agenda and LGBT Change’s success with civil unions proves that if we continue to organize and build coalitions, we will reach a point of full civil rights for all people.”
Additionally, The Civil Rights Agenda and LGBT Change will now turn their efforts to marriage as a matter of full equality. “It’s time to open a new chapter and start the march toward full marriage equality,” Matty Zaradich, Co-Executive Director of LGBT Change added, “We won’t drink from a separate water fountain; we won’t accept ‘separate-but-equal’ treatment, and we won’t tolerate a government that discriminates against its own citizens.”
Civil Unions in Illinois…Will Quinn Deliver Before Christmas?
Is that all we get from politicians?
We’ll see.
As the campaign season drew to a close for Governor Pat Quinn, he publicly vowed to fight for civil unions –whether he was elected or not.
Now, Quinn is in for a full term, and some predict a vote to recognize civil unions among same-sex couples will happen soon.
“I think we’re awfully darned close,” Rep. Greg Harris told the Chicago Sun-Times . Every year, the openly gay Harris sponsors two bills in the House– one legalizing civil unions, and the other for gay marriage.
In an October interview with the Daily Herald, Quinn agreed.
“The votes are there, I believe.” Quinn told the paper. “In the Senate for sure, and definitely I think we can do it in the House.”
But the Sun-Times reported Wednesday that support among Illinois legislators could be wavering following last Tuesday’s retention vote in Iowa. Iowans voted not to retain three judges due to their ruling in Varnum v. Brien, the case that legalized same-sex marriage in the state.
“Civil unions, for all intents and purposes, are practically the same as same-sex marriage,” Robert Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, told the Sun-Times. “I don’t perceive there is a mandate in Illinois on civil unions or same-sex marriage.”
Best Gay Chicago.com
Madeleine Albright Speaks at Chicago House Luncheon December 9th
Madeleine Korbel Albright
is the first woman to become a United States Secretary of State. She was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton on December 5, 1996, and was unanimously confirmed by a U.S. Senate vote of 99-0. She was sworn in on January 23, 1997.
Albright endorsed and supported Hillary Clinton in her 2008 campaign for U.S. President. Albright has been a close friend of Clinton and serves as her top informal advisor on foreign policy matters. She is currently[clarification needed] serving as a top advisor for U.S. President Barack Obama in a working group on national security. On December 1, 2008, then-President-elect Obama nominated then-Senator Clinton for Albright’s former post of Secretary of State.
CHICAGO HOUSE PRESENTS
The 2nd Annual Speaker Series Luncheon
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Addressing HIV and Homelessness
Featuring Keynote Speaker, Madeleine K. Albright
When: Thursday, December 9, 2010
Where: Palmer House Hilton, 17 East Monroe St., Chicago, IL
Time: 11:30AM-2:00PM
Please call (773) 248-5200 x304 to inquire about corporate tables and sponsorship opportunities.
Ticket Levels : Premium: $150 Preferred: $300 VIP: $750
DuPage College Has Anti-Gay and Hate Groups on Campus
You think we live in a tolerant city in the Midwest…not so. Don’t be fooled.
Many think Gays and Lesbians DO NOT deserve rights.
The College of Dupage, based in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, (but with a large campus here in Chicago) is one of the larger community colleges in the nation with 31,000 students. A few days ago, this hideous opinion piece published in the October 29 edition of its student newspaper, The Courier. He compares homosexuality to INCEST and PEDAPHILIA!
The piece was authored by WAYNE LELA, and by the extremist group HOME , Heterosexuals Organized for a Moral Environment.
Lela, in addition to staging anti-gay protests at college campuses, and once running for U.S. president, has the backing of NARTH, the wildy discredited group whose “research” is often cited by anti-gay groups. Lela has been active in the anti-gay movement for some time.
The paper’s editor can be reached at editor@cod.edu.
TOWLEROAD actually first broke the story. And he contacted the editor.
TODAY, TOWLEROAD reports, “I received an email from the paper’s editor, Vikaas Shanker, today, which I’ll share:”
“The Courier will print an editorial in this Friday’s issue (Nov. 5) which will address the decision to print Mr. Lela’s letter in the Oct. 29 issue. Due to space issues, we will not be able to print all letters to the editor, but we will print the petition sent to us and some letters from the college community. Most other letters will go on the web in a viewable PDF format. All letters are subject to editing for grammar, style, language, length and libel as stated in our Courier policy.”
Wait and see I guess. I contacted to editor also – and he has not responded. I am sure his in box is FULL!
Pat Quinn Trailing Bill Brady in the Polls
GLEE inspired campaign! Pat Quinn has a clever idea to capture the attention of voters! Recent polls show Quinn is behind in the polls against Republican (and anti-gay) Bill Brady .
From receiving an “F” for his voting record on minority rights, to multiple attempts to restrict rights for LGBT Illinoisans, it’s clear that Senator Brady wants to “return Illinois and America to John Wayne’s America.”
Brady has sponsored or co-sponsored a disturbing number of anti-LGBT bills in Springfield – from a constitutional ban on civil unions to gutting the Illinois Human Rights Act.
PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE! VOTE PAT QUINN FOR GOVERNOR!
Is Chicago Ready for a Gay Mayor? George Pudlo Thinks So!
For the first time in 64 years, an incumbent will not be running for the office of Mayor of the City of Chicago. It’s time for the people of Chicago to dissolve the machine politics and elect a Mayor for the People.
Meet George Pudlo ! “I am a regular Chicago denizen just like you and I am running for Mayor of the City of Chicago. I am the owner of Chicago Savvy Tours and Second City Pizza Tours and I am also a concierge at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. It is my full time job to promote this city to its highest standards and reveal all the magic within. I live for this city. Chicago is my pride and joy. Ask anyone who knows me and you’ll find out that my greatest passion is Chicago.”
“You are probably wondering what’s in store for our city over the next couple of months with the decision of our current mayor to not seek reelection. I promise you that if I’m elected for mayor, I will be a Mayor for the People. I’m not here for power, I’m not here for political gain -I’m here for you and I’m here to put a halt to the machine politics of Chicago. It’s about time we elected someone to take responsibility and accountability for the actions of the city; someone to help create jobs, to lower the city deficit, and bring democracy back to Chicago. It’s time we elect one of us!”
George Pudlo for Mayor !
George on FaceBook
Vote NAKED in Chicago Illinois – Party at Mini Bar September 24th
VOTING JUST GOT EASIER!
There is NO EXCUSE not to vote now!
Equality Illinois , the state’s largest organization advocating for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (“LGBT”) people, announced the launch of its innovative get-out-the-vote efforts, capitalizing on new changes in Illinois election law. The effort, in coalition with Roosevelt University and Rock-The-Vote is called VOTE NAKED ILLINOIS.
The coalition is among the first to capitalize on the new changes in Illinois election law that allow properly registered voters to vote by mail for any reason.
“It is imperative that Illinois voters cast their ballots this November, regardless of how they vote or where; and we’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen,” – said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois Education Project. “It is so easy to vote in the privacy of one’s own home, one can even do it naked.”
In the face of record low voter turnout across Illinois, Equality Illinois has joined with Rock the Vote and Roosevelt University to get out the vote in a very unique way for the November 2nd election in a project called Vote Naked Illinois. A recent change in Illinois election law now makes it possible for voters to request no-excuse absentee ballots, allowing voters to cast a ballot from the privacy of their own home.
The change in absentee rules allows for voters to fill out an ballot request applications , mail it into their local election authority and receive an absentee ballot in the mail. Fueled by a dynamic social media campaign and supported by a strong field organization, Vote Naked Illinois plans to turn out thousands of absentee ballots. The organization is also urging supporters to plan their own Vote Naked organizing events to encourage ballot applications.
Vote Naked Illinois’ social media presence is a driving force of the campaign. Voters can log onto VoteNakedIllinois.org where they will find a video, slideshow and a sign-up form. The site features an eye-catching video featuring Illinoisans who share what they “get naked for” and explains how to vote by mail.
“Social media has changed the landscape of elections—it’s no longer a matter of if we use social media, it’s matter of how,” explains Kevin Hauswirth, Director of Advertising & Promotions at Roosevelt University who also teaches courses on social media marketing.
Absentee ballot applications can be turned in from September 23 until October 28 by mail and until November 1 in person. Vote Naked Illinois voter outreach services are available without regard to the voter’s political preference. Information or other assistance regarding registering or voting, including any services offered, shall not be withheld or refused on the basis of support for or opposition to particular candidates or a political party.
When you go to Vote Naked Illinois.org , you are routed to a FaceBook page. There, you enter your name, email and zip code, and a ballot will be processed for you.
VOTE NAKED PARTY! Friday September 24th @ Mini Bar
Ultimat Friday Vote Naked Party
Make your Friday and Ultimat one! Please join us at minibar Ultra Lounge & Cafe’ this Friday, and fill out your Vote by Mail application. Ultimat Vodka will be hosting a cocktail reception for us from 9-11PM.
This is a huge opportunity and great way to get your weekend started!
minibar Ultra Lounge & Cafe’ 3341 North Halsted Street
Best Gay Chicago.com
Openly Gay Chicago Alderman Tom Tunney Considers Running for Mayor
Mayor Daley has officially announced he will not seek relection in 2011. It is being said that Tom Tunney, Chicago’s first openly gay alderman, is considering a run for the mayor’s office.
Daley appointed Tunney to the Chicago City Council in 2002. The Chicago native was elected to his post the following year. He represents the voters of the city’s 44th Ward, which includes portions of Chicago’s largest gay neighborhood, Boystown.
Tunney is among the Chicago-area politicians being considered for the job after Mayor Richard Daley announced he won’t seek a seventh term next year.
“I’m not a candidate at this point,” Tunney told Chicago daily the Chicago Tribune. “I think we really need time to absorb the impact of the mayor’s statement, and the fact that he has been a terrific mayor.”
The 55-year-old Tunney turned a sagging Ann Sather restaurant in the city’s Lakeview neighborhood into a thriving four location chain. He purchased the original restaurant at the age of 23. He’s also a dedicated fundraiser for local and regional gay rights groups.
In 1995, Tunney was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.
Daley has had a generally good relationship with Chicago’s large gay population. In 2006 he was inducted into the city’s Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame as a “Friend of the Community.” His administration’s achievements include establishing Chicago’s Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues and Office of LGBT Health; instituting domestic-partner benefits for city employees; and adding gender identity to the municipal human rights ordinance. He has voiced personal support for marriage equality.
Gay Chicago Couple Heads to Toronto This Weekend to Get Married on a Float at Toronto Gay Pride!
Fireworks will be in the air
this July 4th weekend,
as over 1.3 million supporters gather to celebrate five years
of legalized same-sex marriages at the Toronto Gay Pride Festival.
To commemorate this milestone, six couples — including three from states in the U.S. where same-sex marriage is illegal — are being flown to Toronto to exchange their vows on a moving float as it makes its way through the Pride Parade – a first in Pride history.
Kevin Tindell & William Hall were selected from Chicago!
William tells their romantic story, “14 years and 4 months ago, I, Bill, decided to be happy being single and enjoy my life. I would concentrate on expanding my horizons and really take pleasure in what I already had. However, I promised myself that if I ever did see the man of my dreams, I would be proactive, brave and ask him out.
So, I really had a lot of fun, trying new things. For two months. Then, one night, I was in a Chicago bar, and saw Kevin. For a split second I tried to ignore him, because I knew he was it—he was the one. But I was having so much fun! I decided that I had to keep my promise and I went over and talked to him. He was a funny, handsome, caring 6’1” lug of a man with a huge heart. I couldn’t believe it. The love of my life was right in front of me.
I asked him out and we went on a date. Kevin says we were dating exclusively as of then. I like to think that I didn’t decide to date him exclusively for awhile, but that’s a lie. I haven’t dated anyone else since I met him. Two years later we moved in together and had a commitment ceremony. I was so happy that day that I don’t remember a lot of it. People come up to me to this day and talk about being at the ceremony and I don’t remember them.
Now, we have 3 sons, Carter, Christian and Camran, 4 dogs, Czar, Sarabi, Moses and Kimba, and a turtle, Sam. I love him as much as I ever did, if not more. My heart still beats faster whenever I see him. We are living out a life that I fantasized about when I was young, but never thought I could have because I was gay. Getting legally married would be another dream that I never thought I would be able to realize. We travel regularly (though not as much as we did pre-children) and would love to be married and recommit our vows in the fabulous city of Toronto during pride. Our story is simple but one deep with faith and family pride.”
Each couple was selected by the event sponsor, online relationship service ManCrunch.com , based on their story as to why they wanted to celebrate their love in front of the millions of supporters.
Congratulations guys! and best wishes for many more years of happiness! Have fun in Toronto this weekend!
James Cappleman to Take on Helen Shiller in Uptown!
“I’ve always been a grassroots activist,” says Uptown resident James Cappleman. No kidding: The social worker’s résumé is about a mile long and includes cofounding a homeless shelter, receiving the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, working with HIV service organizations and presiding over the Uptown Chicago Commission.
But his latest endeavor—running for alderman of the highly polarized 46th Ward—could lead to big changes in Uptown. That’s because Cappleman is taking on Helen Shiller, the ward’s alderman for the past 20 years. Her supporters say she’s a strong advocate for the poor, but critics say the neighborhood’s high crime rate and large homeless population mean it’s time for a change (check out What The Helen for some of their complaints). I can attest to that, we live in the hood of Uptown and frequently witness drug deals out in the open and hear random gun shots! WE DESERVE BETTER!
This past Saturday, June 19 on one of the most beautiful blocks in Uptown – Sunnyside Garden Mall at 4500 N. Malden St. – James Cappleman kicked off his second bid to win election as alderman of Chicago’s 46th Ward.
“This is a community that wants to have some say in how decisions are made,” Cappleman says. “They feel left out. There’s a lot of anger.” Although Shiller has trounced challengers in the past, Cappleman feels confident. “We’re using the two areas where Shiller has always based a lot of her support: the poor and the gay community,” he says. “And here I am an advocate for the poor, and I’m an openly gay man.”
VOTE FOR CAPPLEMAN! James for Change
Best Gay Chicago
James Cappleman to Take on Helen Shiller in Uptown!
“I’ve always been a grassroots activist,” says Uptown resident James Cappleman. No kidding: The social worker’s résumé is about a mile long and includes cofounding a homeless shelter, receiving the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, working with HIV service organizations and presiding over the Uptown Chicago Commission.
But his latest endeavor—running for alderman of the highly polarized 46th Ward—could lead to big changes in Uptown. That’s because Cappleman is taking on Helen Shiller, the ward’s alderman for the past 20 years. Her supporters say she’s a strong advocate for the poor, but critics say the neighborhood’s high crime rate and large homeless population mean it’s time for a change (check out What The Helen for some of their complaints). I can attest to that, we live in the hood of Uptown and frequently witness drug deals out in the open and hear random gun shots! WE DESERVE BETTER!
This past Saturday, June 19 on one of the most beautiful blocks in Uptown – Sunnyside Garden Mall at 4500 N. Malden St. – James Cappleman kicked off his second bid to win election as alderman of Chicago’s 46th Ward.
“This is a community that wants to have some say in how decisions are made,” Cappleman says. “They feel left out. There’s a lot of anger.” Although Shiller has trounced challengers in the past, Cappleman feels confident. “We’re using the two areas where Shiller has always based a lot of her support: the poor and the gay community,” he says. “And here I am an advocate for the poor, and I’m an openly gay man.”
VOTE FOR CAPPLEMAN! James for Change
Best Gay Chicago
Pride and Joy LGBT Hall of Fame Party Monday June 21
Chicago is the only known municipality that so honors its LGBT residents.
The Hall of Fame not only pays tribute to individuals and organizations but also documents the communities’ heritage and diversity through its annual publication and its Web site GL HALL OF FAME .
On Monday, June 21, the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame will host its annual Pride and Joy Reception from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Circuit Night Club, 3641 N. Halsted Street. Tickets are $10, available at the door.
The evening will feature a fabulous buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres. Entertainment will be provided by the supremely talented Circuit Night Club cast.
The Hall of Fame recognizes the volunteer and professional achievements of lesbians and gay men, their organizations, and their friends, as well as their contributions to the lesbian and gay community and to the City of Chicago. This is a unique tribute to dedicated individuals and organizations whose services have improved the quality of life for all of Chicago’s citizens.
Induction into the Hall of Fame symbolizes that the recipient either has made a contribution with far-reaching effects on the quality of life for Chicago’s lesbian and gay community or the city of Chicago, or has made a significant long-term contribution to the well-being of Chicago’s lesbian and gay community.
Pride and Joy LGBT Hall of Fame Party Monday June 21
Chicago is the only known municipality that so honors its LGBT residents.
The Hall of Fame not only pays tribute to individuals and organizations but also documents the communities’ heritage and diversity through its annual publication and its Web site GL HALL OF FAME .
On Monday, June 21, the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame will host its annual Pride and Joy Reception from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Circuit Night Club, 3641 N. Halsted Street. Tickets are $10, available at the door.
The evening will feature a fabulous buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres. Entertainment will be provided by the supremely talented Circuit Night Club cast.
The Hall of Fame recognizes the volunteer and professional achievements of lesbians and gay men, their organizations, and their friends, as well as their contributions to the lesbian and gay community and to the City of Chicago. This is a unique tribute to dedicated individuals and organizations whose services have improved the quality of life for all of Chicago’s citizens.
Induction into the Hall of Fame symbolizes that the recipient either has made a contribution with far-reaching effects on the quality of life for Chicago’s lesbian and gay community or the city of Chicago, or has made a significant long-term contribution to the well-being of Chicago’s lesbian and gay community.
ILLINOIS #1 HATER OF GAYs – Naperville’s Peter LaBarbera
the man behind Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, AFTAH, is the #1 HATER OF GAY PEOPLE in Illinois!
Peter LaBarbera not only opposes equal rights for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender people (LGBT), but has spent literally decades fighting against equal rights.
After years of vilifying gays as disease-prone child molesters, the website of the Naperville-based anti-gay organization Americans For Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH) recently became listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The Chicago-based Gay Liberation Network (GLN) lobbied the Law Center to list AFTAH as a hate group so that its lies against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people could be exposed to public scrutiny and condemnation. The listing appeared in the most recent issue of the Law Center’s quarterly publication, The Intelligence Report.
The criteria that the Law Center historically has used to determine whether or not an organization is a hate group is not merely that it opposes legal equality for gays or others, but whether or not they intentionally utilize discredited and slanderous propaganda to spread lies about a group of people. By repeatedly using the phoney “research” of defrocked psychologist Paul Cameron, who is roundly condemned by every major professional psychological association, AFTAH’s website apparently met the Law Center’s definition of a hate group.
“Getting LaBarbera’s website labeled a ‘hate group’ is important because it helps assist the political marginalization of a man who has dedicated his career to denying others legal equality,” said Bob Schwartz of the Gay Liberation Network. “Through demonstrating against LaBarbera and his organizations over the years, GLN and others have made LaBarbera gain the reputation of being a bigot, and thus radioactive in many ‘respectable’ circles. This most recent victory, getting the Southern Poverty Law Center stamp of disapproval for LaBarbera’s website, makes it less possible for him to garner support for future anti-gay legislation and initiatives.”
GET INVOLVED WITH GLN!Wednesday, April 7 – Monthly organizing meeting of the Gay Liberation Network. Meeting starts
promptly at 7 PM (we recommend that people arrive at 6:45 PM) at a NEW LOCATION — Berger Park Cultural Center — 6205 N. Sheridan Road (corner of Granville Street & Sheridan Road). For more information call 773.209.1187
Friday, April 9 – Gay Liberation Network live call-in show on CAN TV, 6:30-6:55 PM on Cable Channel 21 in Chicago. You can watch past shows on GLN’s new YouTube Channel. Just go to: YouTube.
Best Gay Chicago
ILLINOIS #1 HATER OF GAYs – Naperville’s Peter LaBarbera
the man behind Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, AFTAH, is the #1 HATER OF GAY PEOPLE in Illinois!
Peter LaBarbera not only opposes equal rights for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender people (LGBT), but has spent literally decades fighting against equal rights.
After years of vilifying gays as disease-prone child molesters, the website of the Naperville-based anti-gay organization Americans For Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH) recently became listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The Chicago-based Gay Liberation Network (GLN) lobbied the Law Center to list AFTAH as a hate group so that its lies against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people could be exposed to public scrutiny and condemnation. The listing appeared in the most recent issue of the Law Center’s quarterly publication, The Intelligence Report.
The criteria that the Law Center historically has used to determine whether or not an organization is a hate group is not merely that it opposes legal equality for gays or others, but whether or not they intentionally utilize discredited and slanderous propaganda to spread lies about a group of people. By repeatedly using the phoney “research” of defrocked psychologist Paul Cameron, who is roundly condemned by every major professional psychological association, AFTAH’s website apparently met the Law Center’s definition of a hate group.
“Getting LaBarbera’s website labeled a ‘hate group’ is important because it helps assist the political marginalization of a man who has dedicated his career to denying others legal equality,” said Bob Schwartz of the Gay Liberation Network. “Through demonstrating against LaBarbera and his organizations over the years, GLN and others have made LaBarbera gain the reputation of being a bigot, and thus radioactive in many ‘respectable’ circles. This most recent victory, getting the Southern Poverty Law Center stamp of disapproval for LaBarbera’s website, makes it less possible for him to garner support for future anti-gay legislation and initiatives.”
GET INVOLVED WITH GLN!Wednesday, April 7 – Monthly organizing meeting of the Gay Liberation Network. Meeting starts
promptly at 7 PM (we recommend that people arrive at 6:45 PM) at a NEW LOCATION — Berger Park Cultural Center — 6205 N. Sheridan Road (corner of Granville Street & Sheridan Road). For more information call 773.209.1187
Friday, April 9 – Gay Liberation Network live call-in show on CAN TV, 6:30-6:55 PM on Cable Channel 21 in Chicago. You can watch past shows on GLN’s new YouTube Channel. Just go to: YouTube.
Best Gay Chicago
Equality Illinois and Civil Union Lobby Day in Springfield
This FREE event is sponsored by Equality Illinois.
SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, April 22nd!
CIVIL UNION LOBBY DAY IN SPRINGFIELD
Join us at the Illinois State House as we lobby our legislators
for passage of SB 1716 – the Civil Union bill.
Free Buses will depart at 7am from:
Chicago @ The Equality Illinois office – 3318 N. Halsted Street
Oak Park @ Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church – 405 S. Euclid Avenue
(the bus will make a brief stop in Bolingbrook from 7:30-8am at
Denny’s Restaurant – 126 East North Frontage Road – Exit 267 off of I-55 South (Stevenson)
Carbondale @ Church of the Good Shepherd – 515 S. Orchard Drive
(this bus will make a brief stop in Belleville from 8:45-9:15am at
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ – 115 West B St.
Please note that the pick up/drop off point will be at the corner of 2nd & C Streets.
All buses will drop off attendees at The Hoogland Center for the Arts 420 South 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois at approximately 11am. Anyone taking alternate transportation should meet us there.
Lunch will be held from 11am-12:30pm, during which we will discuss effective talking points and lobbying your legislators.
Attendees will have a chance to meet with their legislators from 1-3:30pm at the State House.
A debrief, reception and dinner will be held from 3:30-5:30pm
All buses depart Springfield at 5:30pm
Civil Union supporters from the entire state are welcome and encouraged to join us in Springfield!
ALL ATTENDEES MUST RSVP –
including those arriving in Springfield via alternative means of transportation.
Reserve your space for Civil Union Lobby Day!
The Best of Gay Chicago
Equality Illinois and Civil Union Lobby Day in Springfield
This FREE event is sponsored by Equality Illinois.
SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, April 22nd!
CIVIL UNION LOBBY DAY IN SPRINGFIELD
Join us at the Illinois State House as we lobby our legislators
for passage of SB 1716 – the Civil Union bill.
Free Buses will depart at 7am from:
Chicago @ The Equality Illinois office – 3318 N. Halsted Street
Oak Park @ Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church – 405 S. Euclid Avenue
(the bus will make a brief stop in Bolingbrook from 7:30-8am at
Denny’s Restaurant – 126 East North Frontage Road – Exit 267 off of I-55 South (Stevenson)
Carbondale @ Church of the Good Shepherd – 515 S. Orchard Drive
(this bus will make a brief stop in Belleville from 8:45-9:15am at
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ – 115 West B St.
Please note that the pick up/drop off point will be at the corner of 2nd & C Streets.
All buses will drop off attendees at The Hoogland Center for the Arts 420 South 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois at approximately 11am. Anyone taking alternate transportation should meet us there.
Lunch will be held from 11am-12:30pm, during which we will discuss effective talking points and lobbying your legislators.
Attendees will have a chance to meet with their legislators from 1-3:30pm at the State House.
A debrief, reception and dinner will be held from 3:30-5:30pm
All buses depart Springfield at 5:30pm
Civil Union supporters from the entire state are welcome and encouraged to join us in Springfield!
ALL ATTENDEES MUST RSVP –
including those arriving in Springfield via alternative means of transportation.
Reserve your space for Civil Union Lobby Day!
The Best of Gay Chicago
ADAM BOUSKA in Chicago to Discuss NOH8 with the LGBT Community
became a LGBT activist quite by accident. He calls it “accidental activism“. Gosh, he has come a long way in the 6 years we have known him!
Derrick and I met Adam in 2003. He was living here in the suburbs of Chicago and had just graduated college where he studied Computer Science. Being a photographer myself, I was always on the lookout for fresh new young talent.
I met Adam and asked him to pose for me. During our photo shoot, he confided that Computer Science was not really his passion. And though he was dabbling with modeling, it was the art of photography and expression potential that really intrigued him.
Shortly afterwards, Adam moved to Southern California. We stayed in touch now and then through MySpace and watched as Adam’s young budding career began to blossom exponentially through social media communities and popular blogs!
It didn’t take long and his name was sprouting up everywhere on the Internet!
In November 2008, Proposition 8 in California happened. California wanted to put a stop to the idea of gay marriage. The defeat of Prop 8 provoked a groundswell of activism within the LGBTQ community and many new political and protest organizations were formed in response to the defeat. It was like Stonewall was happening again!
Adam was in Chicago this weekend speaking at LGBT CHANGE UNITE + FIGHT, EAA Midwest Conference at Columbia College. The conference ran 3 days and was a series of workshops and speakers geared towards activism in the hopes to fire up the Midwest LGBTQ communities.
Adam, his partner Jeff Parshley and some friends attended the Prop 8 rallies in Los Angeles. Afterwords, they got so emotionally stirred they knew they wanted to do something, to make some kind of statement. He and a dozen friends went to the store and bought some paints and duct tape, went back to his apartment and shot photos. Using photography as his voice, Adam placed tape over their mouths and painted the now famous NOH8 on their cheeks, and the next day posted their images to MySpace and Facebook, to demonstrate their silent protest.
Before he knew it, a dozen more friends wanted to do the same thing . Adam shot more photos and those friends also posted them online. The next month 30 of their friends wanted the same photos! It started to grow exponentially. In the 6 months that followed it exploded and nearly 500 people had been photographed and pictures were flooding the Internet.
Soon celebrities want to join in and show their support. To date, 3,000+ faces have been shot by Adam and his team for the NOH8 Campaign. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more.
Cindy McCain, wife of former Presidential candidate Senator John McCain, was even photographed by Adam, speaking out on behalf of gay marriage rights as part of a popular ongoing photo campaign. “Cindy McCain wanted to participate in the campaign to show people that party doesn’t matter – marriage equality isn’t a Republican issue any more than it is a Democratic issue. It’s about human rights, and everybody being treated equally in the eyes of the law that runs and protects this country.”
The NOH8 Campaign has received overwhelming support from around the world, appearing on various local and national news programs and publications. The images are currently being used on various social networking sites to spread the message of equality, predominantly Facebook and Twitter. Eventually the images are expected to be compiled for a large-scale media campaign. The group just shot their 3rd PSA. There has been talks of a billboard, possible calendar, coffee table books and even a documentary.
Just last month the team shot 500 people in 5 hours in New York City. Adam hopes to tour major cities soon, doing more open shoots and spreading the message across the country. “This is much bigger than just about Prop 8. And when we win this, when Prop 8 is overturned, and it will be, we’re not stopping. It’s about Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell….it’s about gay civil rights….it’s about the big picture now!” Groups as far away as Germany and Australia have even started similar campaigns.
Remember when Gay Pride and National Coming Out day was just once a year? Thanks to the power of Social Media and the interconnectedness of the Internet these days, we can make a statement about who we are and show the world our messages. “Activism needs to be a part of your DAILY LIFE and your lifestyle. Not just once a year.”
THE NOH8 store online has t-shirts, bumper stickers, tattoos and my favorite, THE BRACELET! Funds raised by the NOH8 Campaign will be used to continue promoting and raising awareness for Marriage Equality and anti-discrimination on a global level through an educational and interactive media campaign.
Adam will hopefully get back to Chicago later this year for an Open Call NOH8 shoot here. We’ll keep you posted!
Adam Bouska
Adam Bouska MySpace
Adam Bouska FaceBook
http://twitter.com/bouska
NOH8 CAMPAIGN
Michael Snell and Derrick Sorles BEST GAY CHICAGO / BEST GAY NEWS
ADAM BOUSKA in Chicago to Discuss NOH8 with the LGBT Community
became a LGBT activist quite by accident. He calls it “accidental activism“. Gosh, he has come a long way in the 6 years we have known him!
Derrick and I met Adam in 2003. He was living here in the suburbs of Chicago and had just graduated college where he studied Computer Science. Being a photographer myself, I was always on the lookout for fresh new young talent.
I met Adam and asked him to pose for me. During our photo shoot, he confided that Computer Science was not really his passion. And though he was dabbling with modeling, it was the art of photography and expression potential that really intrigued him.
Shortly afterwards, Adam moved to Southern California. We stayed in touch now and then through MySpace and watched as Adam’s young budding career began to blossom exponentially through social media communities and popular blogs!
It didn’t take long and his name was sprouting up everywhere on the Internet!
In November 2008, Proposition 8 in California happened. California wanted to put a stop to the idea of gay marriage. The defeat of Prop 8 provoked a groundswell of activism within the LGBTQ community and many new political and protest organizations were formed in response to the defeat. It was like Stonewall was happening again!
Adam was in Chicago this weekend speaking at LGBT CHANGE UNITE + FIGHT, EAA Midwest Conference at Columbia College. The conference ran 3 days and was a series of workshops and speakers geared towards activism in the hopes to fire up the Midwest LGBTQ communities.
Adam, his partner Jeff Parshley and some friends attended the Prop 8 rallies in Los Angeles. Afterwords, they got so emotionally stirred they knew they wanted to do something, to make some kind of statement. He and a dozen friends went to the store and bought some paints and duct tape, went back to his apartment and shot photos. Using photography as his voice, Adam placed tape over their mouths and painted the now famous NOH8 on their cheeks, and the next day posted their images to MySpace and Facebook, to demonstrate their silent protest.
Before he knew it, a dozen more friends wanted to do the same thing . Adam shot more photos and those friends also posted them online. The next month 30 of their friends wanted the same photos! It started to grow exponentially. In the 6 months that followed it exploded and nearly 500 people had been photographed and pictures were flooding the Internet.
Soon celebrities want to join in and show their support. To date, 3,000+ faces have been shot by Adam and his team for the NOH8 Campaign. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more.
Cindy McCain, wife of former Presidential candidate Senator John McCain, was even photographed by Adam, speaking out on behalf of gay marriage rights as part of a popular ongoing photo campaign. “Cindy McCain wanted to participate in the campaign to show people that party doesn’t matter – marriage equality isn’t a Republican issue any more than it is a Democratic issue. It’s about human rights, and everybody being treated equally in the eyes of the law that runs and protects this country.”
The NOH8 Campaign has received overwhelming support from around the world, appearing on various local and national news programs and publications. The images are currently being used on various social networking sites to spread the message of equality, predominantly Facebook and Twitter. Eventually the images are expected to be compiled for a large-scale media campaign. The group just shot their 3rd PSA. There has been talks of a billboard, possible calendar, coffee table books and even a documentary.
Just last month the team shot 500 people in 5 hours in New York City. Adam hopes to tour major cities soon, doing more open shoots and spreading the message across the country. “This is much bigger than just about Prop 8. And when we win this, when Prop 8 is overturned, and it will be, we’re not stopping. It’s about Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell….it’s about gay civil rights….it’s about the big picture now!” Groups as far away as Germany and Australia have even started similar campaigns.
Remember when Gay Pride and National Coming Out day was just once a year? Thanks to the power of Social Media and the interconnectedness of the Internet these days, we can make a statement about who we are and show the world our messages. “Activism needs to be a part of your DAILY LIFE and your lifestyle. Not just once a year.”
THE NOH8 store online has t-shirts, bumper stickers, tattoos and my favorite, THE BRACELET! Funds raised by the NOH8 Campaign will be used to continue promoting and raising awareness for Marriage Equality and anti-discrimination on a global level through an educational and interactive media campaign.
Adam will hopefully get back to Chicago later this year for an Open Call NOH8 shoot here. We’ll keep you posted!
Adam Bouska
Adam Bouska MySpace
Adam Bouska FaceBook
http://twitter.com/bouska
NOH8 CAMPAIGN
Michael Snell and Derrick Sorles BEST GAY CHICAGO / BEST GAY NEWS
Boycott of Hunters is Called For by Some Transgender and Gays in Chicago
The Elk Grove Village bar’s owners have implemented a new policy that requires patrons to show a valid photo ID that matches their gender presentation. Therefore, if a person wants to enter Hunters in drag, his or her ID must match their current appearance. But Hunters says the rule isn’t exactly new, and they are just making sure they comply with local laws in order to keep their liquor license.
According to Hunters, the new policy was put in place to keep out transgender and cross-dressing prostitutes. Hunters manager Peter Landorf told the Chicago Tribune that the decision was made reluctantly after seeing Craigslist prostitution ads that mentioned Hunters. Management decided it was best to be strict about photo IDs in order to avoid potentially losing its liquor license.
Chicago Gender Society’s Katie Thomas told CFP that the organization hasn’t taken much of a stand on the Hunters issue beyond telling people that “the law is the law.” Thomas said that she believes that Hunters is cracking down on IDs in order to maintain their liquor license and not for any other reason. In the meantime, she said, trans people can easily obtain a new ID. “Do what you’re supposed to do and get an ID,” Thomas advised.
MJ from One Voice Whispering in the Wind blog said in a recent post, “As many of you already know, this past Friday night I went to support a protest of Hunters Nightclub. A lot of people were asking me what brought on this protest. I very quickly explain to them about the discrimination of my fellow Transgender brothers and sisters.”
About 40 some people showed up this past weekend for a protest at the bar…”Well the night turned out like this: There were over forty people out on Friday night standing in the freezing cold parking lot waiting to challenge the new policy at Hunters. As we all made our way into the bar, two of us were turned away. The remaining people who were able to make it into the bar, were asked to leave the bar about an hour later. To clarify on this part a little; we were asking the manager about the policy and why they allowed some of us in and not others and next thing I know we were being asked to leave.
I can not comment on what was being said between our organizers and the management at Hunters for I was not there for the whole conversation. I just know that after we were asked to leave, most of us braved the cold temperatures outside because Patrick Volkert, a manager at Hunters, agreed to talk to us. We all waited for him to come out and talk to us. When he finally did come out, he would only talk to the group organizer. So the rest of us waited in the parking lot, talking and sharing stories until the meeting was done.
When the meeting was over we were told that our demand that Hunters repeal the policy was denied and so we decided to boycott Hunters.”
Chicago Gender Society’s Katie Thomas added that there are a lot of trans women who have gotten into Hunters without a problem because staff recognize them.
“It’s not that they don’t want trans girls here,” Thomas said.
On a Friday or Saturday night, patrons said there are typically a dozen or more men at the bar dressed as women. Most are just trying to be themselves. They go out “in costume” and live most of their daily lives as men.
But now a whole can of worms has been opened. The bar, could now have an additional problem on its hands. As of 2006, state law prohibits any establishment open to the public from discriminating against people based on gender identity.
Equality Illinois political director Rick Garcia told CFP that the organization has known about the situation at Hunters for “a while.”
Garcia said that Equality Illinois already spoke with the Illinois Department of Human Rights and hopes to talk to Hunters owner Mike Hunter shortly. The statewide GLBT organization hopes that they can sit down with Hunters management and come up with a solution that protects both transgender patrons and the bar.
“We respect his desire to keep his business safe and legal,” Garcia said. “But in protecting the business, you can’t also harm innocent people.”
Hunters declined to comment in the Chicago Tribune recently.
