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August 28, 2009

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

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newsbriefs

Police change rules after 'Stonewall 2' bar raid

Fort Worth, Texas-The Fort Worth police chief says he's revising his department's bar inspection policies in the wake of a June raid on a gay bar that left one man hospitalized with a serious head injury.

Chief Jeff Halstead gave a preliminary report on his department's investigation to City Council members on August 18. He says flawed policy led to circumstances at the newly-opened Rainbow Lounge gay bar that night that otherwise wouldn't have happened.

Halstead says the final report should be ready by next month or October. It will include whether excessive force and other allegations against some officers are justified and any recommended disciplinary actions.

The chief says the department is also trying to mend its relationship with the gay community.

The raid of the gay bar, 40 years to the day after the raid on the Stonewall Inn in New York started the modern gay rights movement, left one patron hospitalized and sparked protests in the city.

AG refuses to defend partner law

Madison, Wis.-Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says he will not defend a state law allowing same-sex couples to form domestic partnerships.

Van Hollen said in a statement on August 21 that he believes the law conflicts with the state's 2006 constitutional amendment that banned gay marriage and “substantially similar" relationships for gay couples.

An anti-gay group has asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to overturn the law.

Normally, Van Hollen would represent the state against such a challenge. But in this case, the Republican attorney general says he will not because he cannot "ignore the Constitution."

Van Hollen's decision means the state will likely have to hire an outside lawyer to defend the law.

Groups shut out of Prop. 8 suit

San Francisco-A judge has set a January 11 trial date for a federal lawsuit challenging California's same-sex marriage ban.

At a status hearing on August 19, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker also barred four advocacy groups from joining the lawsuit filed on behalf of two gay couples seeking to marry in California.

Three LGBT groups had petitioned to join on the plaintiffs' side, and an anti-gay group had asked to intervene on the side of Proposition 8 supporters. Walker denied their petitions.

Walker did allow the city of San Francisco to join the case, but only to assess Proposition 8's impact on local govern-

ment.

Plaintiff attorneys David Boies and Theodore Olson had requested that all those parties be excluded, saying it would needlessly delay the case's resolution..

Judge tosses DOMA suit on technicality

Santa Ana, Calif.-A same-sex marriage lawsuit that created a public rift between President Barack Obama and his lesbian and gay supporters was dismissed August 24 on a technicality.

U.S. District Judge David O. Carter ruled the case the first of several pending challenges to the federal Defense of Marriage Act-must be refiled in federal court.

Carter said the suit had been improperly filed in state court before it was transferred to his jurisdiction. As a result, the judge said, he would not entertain arguments on its merits, at least not yet.

The case, brought on behalf of a gay Southern California couple, argues that DOMA violates the U.S. Constitution by discriminating against gay men and lesbi-

ans.

The 1996 law bars federal recognition of gay unions, including the granting of Social Security survivor payments and other government benefits to couples.

Six states have now legalized same-sex marriage, but the federal law still bars those couples from receiving the benefits.

Gays and lesbians accused Obama of betraying them this summer, after U.S. Justice Department lawyers filed court papers in the lawsuit strenuously defending the federal law. As a candidate, Obama had pledged to work for its repeal.

Last week, when Justice lawyers filed a new round of papers seeking to dismiss the California case, Obama issued a statement saying he still wants to get rid of the federal law, but the government has an obligation to defend the laws passed by Congress.

Richard Gilbert, the lawyer handling the case for the plaintiffs, said he would accept Carter's invitation to submit it again.

Two other challenges to DOMA are in federal courts. Earlier this year, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders in Boston filed a suit challenging the act on constitutional grounds. In June, the state of Massachusetts brought a separate case arguing that the law interferes with its right to establish its own marriage laws.

A third federal case challenges a California marriage ban amendment, passed last year as Proposition 8.

Two charged in beating of gay teen

Portage, Michigan-Two teenagers accused of beating a 15-year-old boy because he is gay were charged as juveniles with aggravated assault, and one has pleaded guilty.

Although the victim's mother calls it a hate crime, officials say the closest thing under state statute-an ethnic-intimidation law requires attacks to be motivated by race, color, religion, gender or national origin but not sexual orientation.

The teen, from Portage in southwestern Michigan, told WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids that he was attacked because he is gay. He said the 15and 16-year-old males used

antigay slurs as they struck him about 20 times in the head and face.

He said he suffered some broken bones in his face and two black eyes but feels lucky to be alive.

The 16-year-old pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on August 15 and was scheduled to be sentenced September 14 in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Family Division. The younger suspect has not yet made a court appearance.

The accused attackers were not charged with a hate crime because the state's ethnicintimidation law doesn't address sexual orientation, said Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Fink.

"Their comments were totally inappropriate, but what we charge are not their comments but what they do as far as their behavior," Fink said. "We're not looking at why they did it. We're looking at what they did."

Maine marriage ads air

Portland, Maine-The first television advertisements in an anticipated referendum on Maine's same-sex marriage law begin airing on August 20 across the state.

Carisa Cunningham from Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders says the advertisements are airing in multiple markets in Maine.

Maine's full marriage law was scheduled to take effect next month, but it's been sidetracked as state election officials verify petitions submitted to force a statewide referendum.

The law will be stayed and a November election called if state election officials certify the signatures of at least 55,087 registered voters. Marriage opponents say they collected more than 100,000 signaV

tures.

Compiled from wire reports by Brian DeWitt, Anthony Glassman and Patti Harris.

charlie'scalendar

Friday, August 28

Scott and Jeff Altergott, queer musicians, benefits Dayton LGBT Center, $10, tickets available at MJ's Café, doors 7 pm, Dayton LGBT Center, 117 East Third Street, Dayton; www.daytonlgbtcenter.com, 937274-1776.

Saturday, August 29

Eternal Joy MCC Summer Picnic, 2 pm, food, games, prizes, Ireland Park, Marshall and David Roads, Kettering (Dayton); 937254-2087, www.eternaljoymcc.org. Lakefront Summer Cookout, picnic with classic summer food, part of the TaDa Dinner Series benefiting the Cleveland LGBT Center, $25, 75 guest limit, 3 pm, Lakehouse in Avon Lake (Cleveland); 216-651-5428, www.lgbtcleveland.org.

Family Picnic, third annual HRC Columbus community picnic, bring your own basket, grills available, family-friendly movie, fun and games, 5 pm, Blendon Woods Metro Park, Westerville (Columbus); www.hrc.org/ columbus.

Fiesta De Luz, annual benefit for Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center, the parent organization of AIDS service organization Proyecto Luz, 7 pm, $60 includes food, dancing and Latino music, Terrace Club, Progressive Field, 2401 Ontario St, Cleveland; www.nuevaluzurc.org/ fiesta deluz.html.

Moonlight and Martinis, annual benefit for Camp Sunrise, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, silent auction, live jazz music, 8 pm, $75, One Miranova Place, Columbus; www.sun risekids.org.

For A Full Year of Events:

Sunday, August 30

Lisa Dzuro Memorial Golf Outing, 8th annual benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society presented by Dzuro's sister Cheri and her partner Rhonda, $75, $300 for foursome, includes hole-in-one contest, prizes, competitions, continental breakfast, lunch, steak or chicken dinner and beverages, payment required by August 16, Brentwood Golf Club, 12415 Ohio 57, Grafton (southwest of Cleveland); 216-210-9619, 216-520-6869. Artsyism in 2009, benefit for Autism Speaks and the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, food and wine, art auctions, guests are asked to bring two non-perishable food items, 12 noon, 1579 Compton Rd, Clevleand Heights; www.donaldbinghamschmitt.com, 440-

449-9922.

Friday-Saturday, Sept. 4 to October 3 Hedwig and the Angry Inch, glam-rock musical about a transgendered singer and her search for love and fame, featuring returning Cleveland cast members Dan Folino as Hedwig, Alison Garrigan as Yitzak and Dennis Yurish as Skszp along with the band Vanity Crash, $20, Hi Fi Concert Club, 11729 Detroit Ave, Lakewood (Cleveland); http://Hedwig Cleveland.com.

Saturday, September 5

Feelgoode.com Anniversary Party, presented by Blowing Up Nasty Productions, doors 9 pm, dinner 10:30 pm, limited open bar, entertainment, raffles, prizes, $15/$25 couple in advance, $20 door per person, St. Helena's Hall, 1367 West 65th St, Cleveland; www. feelgoode.com, 216-254-5222.

Chronicle.com

Sunday, September 6

Suzanne Westenhoefer, lesbian comedian, Canal Street Tavern, 308 East 1st Street, Dayton; 937-461-9343, www.canalstreettavern.

com.

Tuesday, September 8

Brian Thornton to Speak, founder of Spangle website, on founding a new LGBT business in northeast Ohio, joint Cleveland/Akron meeting of Plexus LGBT chamber of commerce, 6 pm, Sarava, 13225 Shaker Square, Cleveland; www.thinkplexus.org.

For the Bible Tells Me So, screening of film about interpretations of Biblical proscriptions against homosexuality, discussion follows, presented by P-FLAG Cleveland, 7 pm, Trinity Commons, East 22nd and Euclid Ave., park in lot off Prospect Ave., Cleveland; www.pflagcleveland.org.

Friday, September 11

Pride Night at Kings Island, benefit for Cincinnati Gay and Lesbian Center, amusement park will be closed to the public, open only to those buying tickets through the center, 6 pm to midnight, free parking after 5 pm with advance tickets, $40 at center or www.cincyglbt.com; $45 at gate; 513-591-0200 or pride night@cincyglbt.com.

Friday to Sunday, September 11 13 LGBT Conference, first LGBT conference held at the Chautauqua Institution, workshops, dances, comedy and chorus performances, 1 Ames Ave., Chautauqua, NY; www.rain bowprideconnection.net.

Saturday, September 12

Seneca Alleghany Casino Trip, benefits Colors of Cleveland Pride, bus leaves Cleveland 7 am, returns 7 pm, $35, $20 bonus, $5 food voucher; 216-926-9027, www.colors ofclevelandpride.org.

Diana Chittester, energetic young singersongwriter, the Nickel, 4365 State Road, Cleveland; 216-661-1314, www.myspace.com/ TheNickelBar.

Highlights of upcoming weeks

For a detailed list of events extending months into the future, see our web site: www.gaypeopleschronicle.com

Tuesday-Sunday, September 15 to 20 Between the Worlds, men's gathering to explore alternative spirituality, geared towards men who love men aged 18 and over, presented by the Green Faerie Grove, workshop presenters include Christopher Penczak, Storm Faerywolf, Ivo Dominguez, Jr., Rev. Kirk Thomas, Alaric Terrason and Steve Kenson, entertainment by KC Wilkerson and Azar the Magician, $85-$100, at a private campground in southeast Ohio; www.betweentheworlds.org. Saturday-Sunday, September 19-20

Ohio Lesbian Festival, 20th anniversary music festival, this year expanded to two days with free camping available, craft market, workshops, expanded food concession, headliners this year include Cris Williamson, God-des and She, Alix Olson and more, $40 Saturday only in advance, $60 full weekend, $45 at the gate for Saturday, $65 whole weekend, Frontier Ranch, 8836 York Rd. at U.S. 40, 1⁄2 mile west of Kirkersville, Ohio, 15 miles east of Columbus; www.ohiolba.org.

Sunday, October 11

National Equality March, LGBT march on Washington, http://equalityacrossamerica.org.

-Compiled by Anthony Glassman