GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE October 22, 2004

ELECTION 2004

Think your vote doesn't count? Think again

by Tim Marshall

So you're out to at least a few of your friends and family members, enjoy the local gay nightclub scene and try to catch Queer as Folk repeats when you can. But for some reason, you've decided not to vote in the general election on November 2. Even though most of your friends plan to be at the polls, you can't figure out why everyone is making such a big deal about voting this year.

I'm not voting this year because I'm not sure who would make the better president.

The presidential race isn't the only major Election Day event this year. Among the

The only vote that doesn't count is the vote that isn't cast.

many issues on the ballot is Ohio Issue 1 (not to be confused with Cleveland Schools Issue 112 or Cleveland Metroparks Issue 120).

If passed, Issue 1 would not only ban same-sex marriage forever but would deny rights to all unmarried straight couples as well. It's an unnecessary amendment that reaches too far that has dangerous consequences for anyone who lives and works in Ohio. Only your vote can stop Issue 1 and this gross denial of rights from happening. (See www.outforjustice.org for more information.)

I already know about Issue 1, but am not going to vote because I don't plan on getting married anytime soon.

Even though you might not want to get married yourself, it's not fair to let that right be denied to others who seek it. With a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, Ohio won't be considered the gayfriendliest state in the union. Your friends and peers may move elsewhere, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people might not want to move here. Think of the effect this will have on LGBT business owners. Your favorite restaurants, clubs or retailers could

all shut down, making the state one big Gay Ghost Town.

Besides, it's important to head off all antigay legislation at the pass, because of what could come later. Today, there are efforts to deny LGBT people a specific set of rights (marriage), but who knows what could come next? It goes without saying that some leaders and organizations would be perfectly fine with a country that outlaws LGBT people. Your vote can prevent that.

I don't think it's that hard to be gay anymore. Things seem to be better for our people these days. I mean, you can see LGBT people on almost every television station, so that's got to mean something, right?

We may be more accepted by the popular media then we were ten years ago, and more and more media outlets are coming out against anti-gay legislation and are including us in their pages. All that media attention does help inform the public about our community and our issues, which can lead to more acceptance.

But you can still be fired because you are gay. You can be denied housing because you are gay, too; LGBT people are not a protected class. A transgender person is killed in a hate crime at least once a month somewhere in the United States, and a high school student who is questioning, out or simply perceived as queer is harassed an average of 25 times each day.

We may have Will and Grace and The L Word, but there are few protections for us on the law books, where equality and fair representation matter the most. Voting is one of the best ways to gain equality and to stop others who want to take away from us what few liberties we have.

So you're saying my vote actually counts? Absolutely. The only vote that doesn't count is the vote that isn't cast. When LGBT people participate on Election Day, we stop oppressive laws from taking effect and root for individuals who have allied themselves with our community. LGBT people are seen as influence leaders and that prestige commands respect from anyone seeking office or who dares to get an anti-gay measure on the ballot. That respect leads to social change where LGBT people are seen as full equals enjoying the rights and benefits extended to all Americans. All of that begins with your vote.

Convinced? Good. See you at the polls.

Tim Marshall is the communications director for the Lesbian/Gay Community Center of Greater Cleveland.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 WATCH THE ELECTION RESULTS AT THE NICKEL!

Filling the war chest

BRIAN DEWITT

Mark Fleischer of Cleveland, left, makes a donation to the campaign against Issue 1 at an October 22 event at Union Station in Cleveland. Rob Starr of Claridon Twp. holds the donation bucket as David Ream of Brecksville hands Fleischer a list of harms the gay marriage and civil union ban amendment would cause.

Log Cabin Republicans

of Cleveland

Log Cabin Cleveland supports Ohio candidates

Cleveland-At their October meeting, the Log Cabin Republicans of Cleveland made these endorsements:

No on State Issue 1-Log Cabin strongly urges it members and all Ohioans to vote no and to contribute to organizations working on behalf of this issue's defeat. This "same sex marriage amendment" not only writes discrimination into the Ohio Constitution, it will hurt Ohio's economic future. Log Cabin appreciates the support of Sen. George Voinovich, Sen. Mike DeWine, Governor Bob Taft, Attorney General Robert Petro and most of Ohio's big city mayors who oppose Issue 1.

Ohio House, 65th District-Log Cabin endorses Don Johnson. In response to the group's questionnaire, Johnson stated, "I fully support the extension of all civil liberties and rights to gay couples. Obviously, I support gay marriage and/or civil unions." Log Cabin urges members in the Youngstown area and eastern Ohio to support Don Johnson.

Ohio House, 17th District-While State Rep. Jim Trakas has not always voted for issues that support the GLBT community, he has been a voice of moderation in the Ohio House. He is a Cuyahoga County Republican who understands the region's urban issues. He has been willing to meet with and to support members of our community in the area of additional funding for the arts and HIV/AIDS programs. For these reasons Log Cabin supports the re-election of State Rep. Jim Trakas.

Cuyahoga County Recorder-Log Cabin Republicans strongly endorse Tim O'Malley. He brings a wealth of experience and a breath of fresh air to Cuyahoga County government. We were impressed by Tim O'Malley's business background and his commitment to ethical standards and public service.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, General Division--Judge Dick Ambrose has 17 years of legal experience. He has a demonstrated strong judicial record and has earned the preferred endorsement by two of the county's bar associations. Log Cabin strongly endorses Judge Dick Ambrose for Common Please Judge

Special Endorsement: Ohio House 93rd District: Nancy Hollister. Throughout her public career Nancy Hollister has shown a commitment to equal rights and non-discrimination for all Ohioans. She was one of the few Republicans to vote against the Ohio "defense of marriage act" (DOMA) legislation. She is now being attacked by her Democratic

opponent on these issues. Log Cabin urges friends and allies in the Marietta area to stand up for Nancy and assist her in re-election effort.

Log Cabin Republicans is the nation's largest organization of Republicans who support fairness, freedom, and equality for gay and lesbian Americans. Log Cabin has state and local chapters nationwide, a full-time Washington office, and a federal political action committee.

Log Cabin Republicans of Cleveland makes endorsements for Ohio candidates and issues only. Thus no endorsements were made by the local chapter for president, U.S. House or U.S. Senate.

A full list of endorsements:

President

The Log Cabin Republicans national board voted September 7 to withhold the organization's endorsement.

State Issue 1

Ohio House

17th District: Jim Trakas 65th District: Don Johnson 93rd District: Nancy Hollister

Ohio Court of Appeals, 8th District Judge: Michael J Corrigan

Cuyahoga County

Recorder: Tim O'Malley

Common Pleas Court (Gen Division): Timothy E. McMonagle

Common Pleas Court (Gen Division): Chris Boyko

Common Pleas Court (Gen Division): Dick Ambrose

Common Pleas Court (Gen Division): Nicholas Papa

Common Pleas Court (Gen Division): Peggy Foley Jones

Local Issues

Issue 112: No

An additional 11.4 mills for the Cleveland Municipal School District Issue 120: Yes

Renewal and an additional 0.3 mills for Cleveland Metroparks