Bitch Session #3!
Yes, it was rainy the weekend of the recent Stonewall Street Festival and Parade. Yes, a lot of people got wet, including me. Yes, a gust of wind came through the festival lifting up one of the large exhibitor tents and causing people to scramble. But it’s also true that, yes, thousands of people had a terrific weekend that will remain in their memories for years. So, why do I bring this up? Because yes, I received a few messages from people saying that gay pride should not be held in June because of our climate. Let’s keep in mind we are the only gay community in the nation (possibly the world) that has two separate gay pride organizations holding two separate gay pride celebrations at different times of the year. After last year’s parade I decided that I could no longer handle the heat and that 2007 was going to be the last pride parade for me. It wasn’t until I was informed that the parade was going to be moved to the evening that I decided to attend. The blessing of having two organizations and celebrations is that we, unlike the rest of the world, are given a choice: celebrate pride in the spring, celebrate pride in the summer, celebrate both or celebrate neither. No one is forced to attend or not attend and for any single person to decide for the rest of the community they should be penalized a summer pride celebration because that one person is uncomfortable with the weather is rather self-centered.
Saving Marriage in Their Image!
Two of the G.O.P.’s most infamous senators caught in extra marital activities are also two of the most ardent anti-gay marriage amendment advocates. Toe-tapping Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) has cosponsored a bill along with Senator David Vitter (R-LA). The bill is S.J. Res 43, the Marriage Protection Amendment, and if ratified would add an amendment to the U.S. Constitution stating that marriage “shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman.” In July 2007 Vitter was identified as a client of "D.C. Madam" Deborah Jeane Palfrey's prostitution service in Washington, D.C. Craig, of course, was arrested and pled guilty to disorderly conduct after trying to pick up an undercover cop in a Minneapolis airport restroom. Perhaps they wouldn’t be so against gay marriage if gay guys promised to cheat on their spouses as these fine examples of perfect man/woman marriage have done.
Arnold: Let Gays Get Married!
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has come out supporting the recent California Supreme Court’s ruling permitting gay marriage in that state. On a recent installment of “Meet the Press” the Governator said, “It's like 1948, the interracial marriage, when the Supreme Court of California has, you know, decided it was unconstitutional and then later the Supreme Court of the United States followed. So I think it's good that California lead — is leading in this way. I personally believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. But at the same time I think that my, you know, belief, I don't want to force on anyone else, so I think we should stay with the decision of the Supreme Court and move forward.
I Got Mail!
We at Hotspots Magazine received this email message the other day:
I just wanted to thank you for Bob Kecskemety's wonderful article: “Stonewall, Then & Now “. It brought tears to my eyes to read about the history of our movement in this country. How fantastic to have received such a history lesson about something that so few know anything about. I applaud Hotspots for publishing such valuable information. The struggle continues and there is still a long way to go.
Francisco
Miami
To Francisco: You’re very welcome! I’m glad that you recognize the importance of our history. I’m afraid that two few of the younger generation know any gay history whatsoever, outside of the clothing styles of last season. I congratulate you for your insight and thank you for your kind remarks.
“Good Date/Bad Date!”
I’m putting together a series of stories of people’s most memorable, or forgettable, dating experience. If you have a good or bad dating experience you would like tell everyone about — or possibly warn them about — email me at Bob.K@HotspotsMagazine.com with your phone number so I can contact you directly for more details and write the story.
Michelle Speaks Out!
The future First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, spoke to two hundred donors at the DNC's Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council dinner last week at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. According to organizers the event raised $1.3 million.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Sexist!
The Houston Chronicle noted that Pentagon statistics show 46% of those expelled from the Army and 49% expelled from the Air Force under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in 2007 were women, even though only 14% of the Army and 20% of the Air Force, respectively, is female. "The military did not volunteer this data. They were compiled under a Freedom of Information Act request by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a military advocacy group. The Pentagon had no explanation for the sharp disparity, nor did it seem inclined to pursue the matter. 'At this time,' Pentagon spokesperson Elaine Lainez e-mailed the Chronicle, 'there is no plan to investigate the discharges.'"
