GAY PEOPLE'S

Chronicle

Ohio's Newspaper for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

TIMOTHY SMITH

A rare but welcome gathering of renowned choruses, Windsong, Cleveland's Feminist Chorus and the North Coast Men's Chorus helped concert-goers celebrate spring on Mothers' Day, May 13 at the Church of the Covenant in University Circle. The concert, "Queen for a Day" featured selections sung by each chorus as well as songs performed together including Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," and Fats Waller's Ain't Misbehavin.' The concert also highlighted music by Cris Williamson, Lucinda Williams, George Gershwin, Sally Fingerett, and Windsong's own Jan C. Snow.

Windsong is a non-audition chorus and welcomes new members, volunteers and donations. Check out their booth at this year's Cleveland Pride event or at www.windsongchorus.org.

The North Coast Men's Chorus welcomes new members and support as well and will present Brian Stokes Mitchell at the Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square following Cleveland's Pride Festival on June 23. Visit www.ncmchorus.org for more information.

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Volume 27, Issue 24 May 18, 2012

The loud clash over

same-sex marriage:

Where the personal and the political meet

By Lisa Keen

KEEN NEWS SERVICE

Washington, D.C.-It has been a dizzying week for same-sex marriage.

Consider this: The front cover of Newsweek magazine on Monday (May 14) carried a photograph of President Obama with the caption "The First Gay President." The president appeared on a nationally televised group talk show to discuss his position. Republican presidential nominee-apparent Mitt Romney reiterated his opposition to allowing gays to marry at a speech before Jerry Falwell's university. The Washington Post ran a well-sourced story reporting that, in high school, Romney had led an assault on a fellow student that many believed to be gay.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said May 10 that, because "the president's in favor of it I'm sure" a plank that supports the legal right of gays to marry will be part of the Democratic Party platform this year. Reid, a Mormon, told reporters that, while his "personal belief" is that marriage is between a man and a woman, he now believes "people should be able to marry whomever they want, and it's no business of mine if two men or two women want to get married."

Asked in a press conference to comment on the president's remarks, House Speaker John Boehner said he believes marriage is between one man and one woman, but quickly ignored re-

lated questions and said the focus needs to be on the economy and jobs. And yet the Republicandominated House passed an amendment to the Department of Justice appropriations bill the night after Obama's ABC interview to "prohibit the use of funds to be used in contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act." And the House Armed Services Committee on that same day passed an amendment to the defense thorization bill to ban "marriage or marriage-like ceremonies" between same-sex couples on American military bases.

These and other Congressional measures including a bill to repeal DOMA-will serve as individual battlegrounds over samesex marriage.

On The View May 14 (broadcast Ma May 15) Barbara Walters repeatedly pressed President Obama whether he would personally fight to repeal DOMA and secure equal rights for gays through Congress. Obama sidestepped, saying simply that "Congress is clearly on notice that I think it's a bad idea."

The president explained that his administration had come to the conclusion that DOMA was unconstitutional and that he was troubled about the inequities in Social Security and estate taxes. But what really motivated him to make his remarks May 9, said Obama, was "knowing friends and family, people that I'd gotten to Continued on page 10

Dayton, Cincinnati approve domestic partnership measures

by Anthony Glassman

Dayton On May 2, city commissioners voted unanimously to join five other Ohio cities with domestic partner registries.

While the registry, which begins on June 1, does not offer any benefits in itself, registering as domestic partners can be used as proof for employers who offer insurance benefits to partners of employees. The registry is open to

opposite-sex and same-sex couples who are not married or in a domestic partnership already.

Couples would also have to affirm that they are in a committed relationship, are 18 or older and are not related in any way that would prevent them from marrying if they were able. They must also live together.

There is a $50 fee for the regis-

try, which does not have a residency restriction.

Cleveland Heights was the first Ohio city to introduce a domestic partner registry, passed by the voters. It withstood a court challenge under the state's 2004 constitutional marriage ban amendment. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that it was legal, since it did not "approximate" the effects of

marriage. Cleveland, Toledo, Yellow Springs and Athens also instituted domestic partner registries, none of which convey legal benefits in themselves.

"This is another step in making Dayton as welcoming as possible to all people," Dayton commissioner Nan Whaley said, according to the Dayton Daily News, which noted that there were 11

Inside This Issue

North Carolina voters pass marraige ban

speakers in favor of the registry, and none opposed.

The same day, Cincinnati City Council voted 8-1 to pass domestic partner benefits for city employees. The sole dissenting vote was from councilor Charlie Winburn, who is an evangelical Christian minister. Winburn indicated he needed more legal clari Continued on page 2

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News Briefs ....... Charlie's Calendar

Resource Directory.....

Delusions with wolves

Classifieds

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