The Movement: March 2007
We need you NOW!
Filed by Bil Browning | March 31, 2007 | 2:51 PM |[UPDATE FROM THE AVA WEBSITE:] This fundraising appeal has been suspended. Attorneys for the AVA have raised concerns over whether this activity would jeopardize our 501(c)(3) status since this could be considered political lobbying. We are continuing to work with...Read More
Emmis Communication joins companies opposing SJR-7
Filed by Bil Browning | March 30, 2007 | 5:46 PM |Another big announcement on the SJR-7 front! Today Emmis Communications announced their opposition to SJR-7, the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. Emmis joins Cummins Engine, Wellpoint, Dow AgroSciences, and Eli Lilly in pointing out the...Read More
Call Me a Worry-wort
Filed by Sheila S. Kennedy | March 30, 2007 | 5:31 PM |My first experience with gay rights activism in Indianapolis was in 1992. I had just become the Executive Director of the Indiana ACLU. There were wonderful, committed people working for the community, at the legislature and with the media, but...Read More
ENDA on the Agenda -- again
Filed by Marla R. Stevens | March 30, 2007 | 10:47 AM |If and when ENDA passes, it will still be legal to fire on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity between eighty-eight and ninety-two percent of the workers in the thirty-three states that do not have state legislation covering...Read More
ENDA on the Agenda -- again
Filed by Marla R. Stevens | March 30, 2007 | 10:47 AM |If and when ENDA passes, it will still be legal to fire on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity between eighty-eight and ninety-two percent of the workers in the thirty-three states that do not have state legislation covering...Read More
More an Andrew Anthos
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 30, 2007 | 8:59 AM |The medical examiner in the Andrew Anthos case declared his death to be of natural causes. From the ME report (pdf):It is my opinion that death was caused by respiratory failure secondary to quadriplegia, the consequence of spinal stenosis due...Read More
Common law marriage equality?
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 30, 2007 | 8:35 AM |From Lambda Legal: Darrin Ellis and David Arriaga were in a committed relationship for five and a half years. On August 14, 2003, Ellis and Arriaga met with their attorney to execute estate planning documents and their Declaration of Domestic...Read More
The Pro-Cancer forces at the statehouse
Filed by Jen Jorczak | March 29, 2007 | 5:35 PM |As if you needed any more proof that certain members of the Indiana General Assembly are truly anti-sex, seven of our favorite Representatives today offered no less than twelve inane amendments to Senate Bill 327. Senate Bill 327, if you...Read More
Profiles in Cowardice - Rep. Milo Smith
Filed by Jerame Davis | March 29, 2007 | 5:08 PM |Today's profile is on Rep. Milo Smith (R - Columbus). It's appropriate to point out here that Smith represents my home town and most of my family lives in his district - House District 59. Recently, Mr. Smith was quoted...Read More
130 clergy members mad as hell over SJR-7
Filed by Bil Browning | March 29, 2007 | 4:19 PM |Yesterday's e-mail brought a welcome press release from the Interfaith Coalition on Nondiscrimination (ICON) announcing a letter the organization just sent to the General Assembly. The letter, signed by 130 "Indiana clergy, leaders of faith communities, and other religious professionals,"...Read More
Interesting tidbits from the latest Star article on SJR-7
Filed by Bil Browning | March 29, 2007 | 11:18 AM |This morning's Star has an article on SJR-7 that has some points I wanted to pick up and comment on. The piece focuses on Lilly's opposition to the proposed amendment, but some of the sections stood out to me. (All...Read More
The Colts put out a statement on Dungy controversy
Filed by Bil Browning | March 28, 2007 | 1:53 PM |The Colts released a statement yesterday in response to Coach Dungy's appearance at the Indiana Family Institute's banquet and the controversy that has arisen because of it. I actually think it's a pretty darn good statement. While they defend Dungy's...Read More
Bill Richardson speaks at the HRC
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 28, 2007 | 9:42 AM |That makes two candidates to speak at the HRC, the other being Hillary. Some thoughts: "You will never have to prod me to make a stand for you to do what is right for you and your families." Except, apparently,...Read More
Purdue Grounds Used for Religious/Sexist Dogma
Filed by Carrie Wooten | March 28, 2007 | 1:40 AM |The Purdue University Students for Life have set up their annual demonstration "Cemetery of the Innocents" in which hundreds of crosses are hammered into the ground of the Purdue Memorial Mall. The Mall is a central part of campus,...Read More
Lawrence school board promotes tolerance
Filed by Bil Browning | March 28, 2007 | 12:06 AM |Sources say that the Lawrence Township school district approved adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the non-discrimination policies. The vote was unanimous. While only a few people spoke against the policy, several testified in favor. I couldn't find anything...Read More
Well, what did I expect?
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 27, 2007 | 11:33 PM |For about two weeks now I've been trying to get a reaction from FIRE to the students who were threatened with suspension at Notre Dame University for attempting to put a wreath around a gay soldier's memorial. I remember some...Read More
"Death becomes you, young lady"
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 26, 2007 | 9:23 PM |OK, here's something completely disturbing. The CW's Next Top Model, a reality show, hosted by Tyra Banks, where contestants vie to become a supermodel, just had a mini-challenge where all the contending models were photographed dead. Follow the link above...Read More
Marion and Bedford news oppose SJR-7 too
Filed by Bil Browning | March 24, 2007 | 4:14 PM |Just in case you're keeping track at home, I recently found two more newspapers that are editorializing against SJR-7. Who do you think is going to be next? I'm betting on Lafayette... From the Marion Chronicle-Tribune: Supporters of a ban...Read More
Tony Dungy and the whole shebang
Filed by Bil Browning | March 23, 2007 | 6:29 PM |So I have to admit, I've never seen this much attention paid to bilerico.com as I have over the Tony Dungy/Indiana Family Institute story. From the Associated Press to Sports Illustrated, from Pam's House Blend to Stampede Blue (a Colts...Read More
State Legislators Holding the Eyes of Women Open
Filed by Carrie Wooten | March 23, 2007 | 11:41 AM |In a 91-23 vote, South Carolina legislators have succeeded in passing a bill deemed "emotional blackmail" by those who oppose it. In the bill, women seeking abortions would be legally required to view the images of the fetus during a...Read More
Quote of the day
Filed by Ed Team | March 23, 2007 | 6:43 AM |The following is the testimony by Professor Keith Bowman of Purdue University before the House committee hearing on SJR-7. Keith is a regular bilerico reader and we're all very proud of him for his excellent testimony and his strength under...Read More
Quote of the day
Filed by Ed Team | March 22, 2007 | 8:00 AM |Here's the text of my testimony which served as an opening statement for the opposition to SJR-7 in yesterday's hearing: "Mr. Chairman and Members of the House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee: My name is Don Sherfick. I'm an attorney,...Read More
Two Long Islands, Mirah, and two panders later....
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 21, 2007 | 11:58 PM |Oh I haven't posted much today. I finished work at about 10 PM tonight, and I sat down and caught up for the past hour. I'm feeling all dramatic because I'm listening to the awesome queer music of Mirah. I'm...Read More
Dungy "embraces" homophobia
Filed by Bil Browning | March 21, 2007 | 7:10 AM |At last night's Indiana Family Institute dinner, Colts coach Tony Dungy announced his support of SJR-7 and his belief in the superiority of heterosexual marriage. Reporter Bobby King called shortly after the dinner for a quote and I provided one...Read More
The story that never dies
Filed by Jerame Davis | March 20, 2007 | 10:28 PM |Tonight was the Indiana Family Institute banquet/fundraiser and Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy was the guest of honor. (For those who've been under a rock for the past couple of months, go here here or here for background on this...Read More
Back Up Your Birth Control Day!
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 20, 2007 | 6:34 PM |I almost forgot to put in a plug for the National Back Up your Birth Control with Emergency Contraception Day of Action today. They're focusing this year on the "dual labeling" issue - teens have to get a prescription for...Read More
Larry Kramer has an op-ed in the LA Times
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 20, 2007 | 3:15 PM |Larry Kramer has an op-ed in the LA Times today called "Why do straights hate gays?" It's an interesting piece, but really not anything new. He asks the question in the title and then describes the ways in which we...Read More
Had enough yet?
Filed by Jen Jorczak | March 20, 2007 | 12:16 PM |Anybody see Chris Rock on Saturday Night Live this weekend? He's funny. I loved him as a regular SNL cast member, I usually enjoy his movies, and his sitcom is hilarious. I even laughed through his bit the other night--but...Read More
Pop Quiz
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 20, 2007 | 7:41 AM |1. Which table of contents is from Wikipedia's entry on homosexuality and which one is from the new Conservapedia's? A: B: 2. Which one is the first two sentences from the entry on homosexuality from Wikipedia, and which one is...Read More
What's Dan Savage's problem?
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 19, 2007 | 9:38 PM |I mean seriously. Last week Dan got all worked up over this Garrison Keillor column on Salon, which was a Stephen Colbert-esque satire on the religious right's 1950's nostalgia. I explained it at length and ruined the joke here. Now...Read More
Peter Pace on Immorality: Leonard Pitts takes aim
Filed by Don Sherfick | March 19, 2007 | 3:39 PM |If you haven't seen Miami Herold syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts' reply to General Pace's statement on immorality, this is a must read. He certainly can spot true immorality when he sees it....Read More
Mom, Dad, I'm a Trekkie
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 19, 2007 | 2:54 PM |365gay has a great article up about an upcoming episode of Star Trek with a gay couple. There isn't currently a Star Trek on TV; it's going to be produced and released online from a fan-run site called Star Trek:...Read More
Open Thread
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 19, 2007 | 2:39 PM |OK, I have my list of things that I oughtta be posting about that overflowed from last week to this one, and a few new things happened over the weekend (I don't blog anymore on weekends except for the Qomics)....Read More
Mystery of Bigotry
Filed by Sheila S. Kennedy | March 17, 2007 | 7:10 PM |There are some behaviors I have never been able to really understand--things I just can't get my head around, as my students might put it. Vandalism is one of them. I can "get" why someone would steal; you've got something,...Read More
Bauer: Amended SJR-7 quite possible
Filed by Bil Browning | March 16, 2007 | 3:17 PM |Yesterday's Indy Star has an article about SJR-7 that quotes Democratic Speaker of the House Pat Bauer. Bauer promised that he'd allow a vote on the amendment this year and it looks like he intends to keep that promise. (Although...Read More
Have you spoken with the House Rules members yet?
Filed by Marla R. Stevens | March 16, 2007 | 3:05 PM |SJR-7 is gonna get heard there Wednesday. Call these people: Chairman of the Committee is: Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City) Vice-Chair is: Russell Stilwell (D-Boonville) Members are: Terri Austin (D-Anderson), Earl Harris (D-East Chicago), Bob Kuzman (D-Crown Point), Dennie Oxley (D-Milltown),...Read More
Open thread
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 16, 2007 | 9:03 AM |I'm writing this just after finishing the Friday Update. My question for you all today is what GLBT story from this week do you think will have the biggest impact on us one year from today? Will Hillary's gay snafus...Read More
Brownback Backs Pace
Filed by Marla R. Stevens | March 15, 2007 | 4:56 PM |It's a Yahoo headline so it must be true...Sen. Brownback Supports Pace's Remark On Gays. My question is why anyone -- even Yahoo -- would think this was worth the bandwidth to report. Now, if Brownback said he was taking...Read More
Defending Garrison Keillor
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 15, 2007 | 1:43 PM |If you've been away from the GLBT blogosphere today and last night, then you probably missed the call-to-arms against Garrison Keillor for this Salon column. My old friend and blogger Kevin Erickson sent me the link late last night, and,...Read More
Two things about Pace's comments
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 15, 2007 | 9:40 AM |One thing: After reading all those editorials yesterday morning about Pace's anti-gay comments, I noticed a recurring phrase that I had also read in some blogs. The Washington Post said: "He's entitled to his opinions, of course." The Chicago Tribune...Read More
Open Thread: It's my first time
Filed by Jerame Davis | March 15, 2007 | 7:00 AM |I'm starting my first open thread...Here's some red meat to get it started... Over at AmericaBlog, John Aravosis takes gay Republicans to the woodshed. He says so much of what I've been saying for years. Then, Towleroad reports on Larry...Read More
This is unbelievable
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 14, 2007 | 10:45 PM |I'm breaking from my usual policy of not responding to blogs (I cite them and I expand on their points, but I don't do the answer thing, because I personally think that since anyone can get a blog, it's a...Read More
My Own 1994 answer to Peter Pace
Filed by Don Sherfick | March 14, 2007 | 3:50 PM |Advance Indiana's post featuring an extensive quote from former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson's remarks on General Pace's comments on gays and lesbians in the military is a must read. In his own post on this site Tuesday morning, Chris Douglas...Read More
Rep Carson responds to Gen Pace
Filed by Bil Browning | March 14, 2007 | 11:43 AM |I'm on my way out the door, so I don't have much time to really talk about this. Representative Julia Carson responded yesterday to Gen Pace's homophobic remarks. Sometimes it is really empowering to realize that our Congresswoman is leaps...Read More
Gen. Pace Round-Up
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 14, 2007 | 10:55 AM |Honestly, I wouldn't have thought that Pace's comments that gays are immoral would have caught so much attantion in the news cycle. I'm not all that old, but I still remember a time when even showing the gays on TV...Read More
To Jeff Gannon, XOXO
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 13, 2007 | 4:14 PM |Perhaps the reason I can't get emotionally invested in Matt Sanchez is because I'm still not over Jeff Gannon. There's only room in my heart for one socially conservative, semi-closeted, homophobic, gay-sex-worker-turned-Republican-shill. Matt Sanchez may be Jeff Gannon Redux, but...Read More
Good riddance
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 13, 2007 | 2:21 PM |Depauw's chapter of Delta Zeta, the sorority that kicked out all the women it considered not attractive enough to frat bros and not white enough, has been shut down. From the Washington Post:DePauw University's president on Monday ordered a sorority...Read More
Own a piece of history and help a good cause
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 13, 2007 | 1:56 PM |Mike Jones, whom you might remember as the escort who outed Ted Haggard, has put the massage table where it all happened on Ebay, with proceeds going to Project Angel Heart. The current bid is $1250. Bidding's open for five...Read More
Can libertarianism achieve queer equality?
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 13, 2007 | 10:47 AM |My note: I'm shifting around on this faster than a Founder on crack. Update after the jump. I ask this because there are a lot of GLBT people who seem to think so without really questioning its power to do...Read More
What should schools do?
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 13, 2007 | 8:01 AM |Let's start this Tuesday with a question for everyone: What responsibilities do schools have to help GLBT youth? Let's get creative!...Read More
10Couples
Filed by Bil Browning | March 13, 2007 | 6:36 AM |If you haven't been to the ACLU's new site, 10Couples, yet - you're missing out. It shares ten couples talking about their lives together. All of the couples have videos, but one couple stood out to me. (All of the...Read More
Pace can't keep up with the times
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 12, 2007 | 11:31 PM |Mr. Joint Chiefs himself, Gen. Peter Pace, doesn't like the gays. From the Chicago Tribune: Responding to a question about a Clinton-era policy that is coming under renewed scrutiny amid fears of future U.S. troop shortages, Pace said the Pentagon...Read More
SJR-7 goes to committee
Filed by Jerame Davis | March 12, 2007 | 8:40 PM |It appears that SJR-7 finally has a committee to call home. The website for the Indiana General Assembly was updated today to show SJR-7 was assigned to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedures chaired by Rep. Scott Pelath (D...Read More
Einstein's brain, DP benefits, tiny robots, Hershman and SJR-7...what a mix!
Filed by Don Sherfick | March 12, 2007 | 8:30 AM |Anytime I hear the term "brain drain" the one in my own cranial cavity conjures up Albert Einstein. After his demise in 1955, his superintelligent topper was preserved while the rest of him became ashes. It was the subject of...Read More
Good ol' boys raping G.I.Jane
Filed by Carrie Wooten | March 11, 2007 | 6:25 PM |It seems an even darker side of the Iraq War is just now being reported: male soldiers raping and sexually harassing their female comrades in droves. Rape in war is anything but new, with American male military fantasy leading historically...Read More
Indy Star trips over own feet: Finds Dungy story
Filed by Bil Browning | March 10, 2007 | 10:11 AM |Well, whattaya know? The Indianapolis Star has realized that there is a story in the whole Tony Dungy controversy - a month and a half after everyone else did. You can tell that they're taking it seriously though - after...Read More
Another Jeff Gannon?
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 09, 2007 | 8:23 AM |A Marine Corporal and Columbia student who was at the CPAC has been outed in the blogosphere. Turns out he used to be a porn star who was in such movies as "Touched by an Anal: Four Hours of Heavenly...Read More
HRC doesn't make the grade
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 08, 2007 | 2:14 PM |According to Charity Navigator, the Human Rights Campaign isn't using your money all that efficiently (h/t to The Daily Dish). About 56% of their budget is devoted to "program expenses", the rest to fundraising or administrative costs. The HRC got...Read More
A few things
Filed by Bil Browning | March 07, 2007 | 3:45 PM |I'm down and out with a nasty case of Indiana crud... To tide you over and still get the info out there, I'm going to give you a roundup of some times that have come out locally. Enjoy. I'll be...Read More
Read any good books?
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 07, 2007 | 8:46 AM |For today's open thread topic, let's talk books. What books on GLBT subjects have you read that you'd recommend? What GLBT book has made the biggest impression on you? Thread away....Read More
Conservatives take Ann to the woodshed
Filed by Bil Browning | March 06, 2007 | 4:39 PM |Conservative pundit Ann Coulter recently found herself in hot water for calling Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards a "faggot" at the CPAC convention. Last year, she made news when she called Muslims "ragheads." Obviously, this is not a woman interested...Read More
Who's most gay friendly?
Filed by Bil Browning | March 06, 2007 | 10:15 AM |As a follow up to yesterday's Open Thread, let's change the question a little bit... Who do you think is the most gay friendly Hoosier?...Read More
Indy PFLAG needs you!
Filed by Bil Browning | March 02, 2007 | 11:39 AM |I got this message from the Indy PFLAG folks. Please consider participating in their action - and forward the info on to as many straight allies as possible! Hello everyone, Indy PFLAG has kicked off a "100 Letters to Legislators"...Read More
Kafka couldn't write a more kafkaesque story
Filed by Alex Blaze | March 02, 2007 | 11:00 AM |From 365gay:A gay man held for two years in a dank Cameroon prison without ever having a trial has been released after he was discovered by an attorney working with the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission.There are plenty...Read More
