askthegaylatino

About a month ago I stood in front of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Long Beach to protest their support of Proposition 8, which denies same-sex couples the right to wed.
I taped my mouth and bound my hands, representing how my human right to freedom and my freedom of expression had been violated. Other protestors held signs and paced near the intersection of Clark Avenue and Anaheim Boulevard.
The solidarity among the protestors was impressive. Former church members, members of the transgender community, Republican and Democrats joined hands in demonstrating our discontent with the discrimination Mormons had supported with their dollars, as traffic honked in support.
But I was quite disappointed when one of the protestors approached a car leaving the church parking lot. He told the woman driver that this was a new era where the president-elect opposed the discrimination of gays and lesbian and that Democrats were going to bring equanimity to country.
Not only did the protestor steer away from the focus of the protest and isolate Log Cabin Republicans (a group I don’t endorse or am a member of), who also would like to achieve equal rights for same-sex couples, but also, he took an opportunity to educate an ignorant human being about our concerns and used it to verbally attack the woman.
There is no question in my mind that taxpaying, social contributing adults of all genders and sexual orientations have a right to marry and that it should not be left to voters or religious fanatics to decide a basic right. And, while I believe in the power of protests and boycotts as a form of education, we must be careful not to stoop to other people’s level and trample on their rights of expression.
This morning I read a letter, Human Rights Campaign leader Joe Solmonese published in the Washington Post Op-ed section to President-elect Barack Obama regarding the clergy choice he made for the invocation during the presidential inauguration.
Mr. Obama chose Rev. Rick Warren, a strong proponent of Proposition 8, to deliver the invocation. Solmonese called Obama’s choice “…a genuine blow to LGBT Americans.”
Maybe so, but doesn’t Obama have the right to choose whomever he wants to his party. I mean think about it, when an average Joe (Plumber or No Plumber) has a two friends who don’t get along and he or she shares an interest with both people, does he have chose who invites over for Christmas?
I understand that in grade school we often tell our friends they should not speak to our “enemies,” but aren’t we adults.
Instead of shunning others from working with us toward equality, we probably should use their common friendship with those who oppose us as an opportunity to create discourse through a common advocate.
Let’s stop wasting time with pettiness and start doing what is needed to change things, whether it is changing minds through conversations and mediations or fundraising to fight an injustice on legal grounds.

The 27 Europian Union countries recently signed a declaration against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
More countries are expected to sign the document that will be presented at the U.N. General Assembly next week in an effort to pass a resolution decriminalizing homosexuality worldwide.

Southern Californians are invited to a celebration of culture and fashion Monday, Dec. 15 at Arena Nightclub in Los Angeles.
Transgéneros Unidas, a Bienestar group of Latina transgenders, is hosting “TU Celebración,” a gala and fashion parade that honors the community’s achievements and seeks to unify the local transcender community.
Actor Gabriel Romero is scheduled to present the more than 70 transgender women on the red carpet modeling fashions of several Latino designers including Adán Terriquez, Tony Iñiguez, Eruvey Hernández, Adolfo Alvarado, Lupita Amparo y Cecilia Martínez.
“TU Celebración is an event of unification, of celebration, of showing who we are with dignity, feeling proud of being transgender,” said Cristina Lugo, Los Angeles Latina transcender community leader. “I hope many people attend, support the event and show their commitment to our community.”

A new generation of California activists surfaced from the ashes of apathy after Proposition 8 banned same-sex marriage in the state.
Grass-roots groups not only embraced new technologies but old-school methods such as marches and sit-ins. Similar to prior movements that used phone trees and megaphones, protesters used text messaging, Facebook and Twitter to spread the word about rallies that drew tens of thousands of people in scores of cities and towns across the nation.
So, it would seem marriage equality supporters would join forces in denting the national economy when plans for a “Day Without a Homo” protest on Dec. 10, the International Human Rights Day, came to light. Participants also were asked to “call in gay” to work, refrain from spending money or at least to patronize gay-friendly businesses for the day.
Some gay right activists praised the event. Many were firm in maintaining their commitment whether by fully or partially embracing the economic boycott.
But many questioned its value.
Some supporters believed a work stoppage or spending boycott was impractical given the poor economy. Many, aware of the 7 percent unemployment rate, feared becoming a statistic. Others, conscious of the increase cost in basic living expenses were unwilling to miss a day of work.
A few of the people who decided to skip on boycotting gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses or closing down a business to LGBT-supportive clients, said it seemed to defeat the purpose of generating cohesion and maintaining the backing of people who may not be directly impacted but whose support is needed in achieving equality.
Certain individuals also chose to forfeit a “Day Without a Homo” to maintain their anonymity at work.
The point of the boycott was to show the economic clout of same-sex marriage supporters and choosing not to participate made that point less relevant.
However, our own conscience will dictate how we choose our battles. The road toward equality takes participation and sacrifice within an individual’s means. It doesn’t matter how we choose to get there, the point is that we get there and attacking from different fronts is the best way to enter the fortress of power which is lacking in our community.

The darkness of the D.C. Jewish Community Center’s theater hid my wet cheeks. As emotional as I tend to be, this was the first time a film brought tears to my eyes.
The Victory Fund invited blogger initiative attendees to a screening of Milk, based on the life of San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk.
Perhaps the tears came from the sensual scenes between Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) and partner Scott Smith (James Franco) that reminded me that my capacity to love a partner stood beyond a casual sex encounter, and thus merited recognition.
Maybe it was the parallels with the struggles Californians face these days and the knowledge that I was part of a historic mark that propelled my silent sob that night.
In the days and weeks that preceded and followed the Nov. 4 election, I found myself having to explain the simple basis of my struggle. Despite my cynical jests about how the money spent on gay-weddings and subsequent gay-divorces might save our thread-held economy, everyone should have that basic right.
Whether a successful marriage exists in a society with a high percentage of divorces, whether gender defines a marriage or theology shuns same-sex relationships, denying a group the opportunity to stand on equal grounds with other taxpayers and social contributors is simply wrong.
For me, words on a piece of paper do not define a commitment in a relationship but it does allow the legal rights and responsibilities that all families should be afforded.
I long for the ability to claim my share of responsibilities that come with marriage, as well as my rights, noting that my relationship is as valid as my heterosexual brothers and sisters.
I’ve often discounted the notion that Latinos have a greater value for family as stereotypical. Yet, when tragedy strikes a member of our clan, the love of my familia stands united.
Ironically, even a family whose hetero-ethnic marriages can be compared to an embodiment of the United Nations often fails to see the correlation with Civil Rights.
Recently, when my aunt was diagnosed with senior dementia and Alzheimer’s, my sisters and I made a silent pact with my cousins. We wouldn’t let her become an abandoned senior and we’d try to visit her more often.
In the aftermath of Proposition 8 protestors took to the streets in several cities. The road blockage created by our demonstrations curtailed a visit or two to the home where my aunt receives care.
A week later, during our usual ritualistic cup of coffee — a tool we use for discourse —my sisters complained that the marches were an inconvenience and imposition of beliefs on the rest of the population. But just as the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s also inconvenienced many people with their marches, boycotts and other protests, there is more to these demonstrations than simple whining.
There is more to the angry protestors than just being a capricious group with issues. Fighting for marriage equality is about fighting for our families, our lives and the1100-plus rights and responsibilities that my heterosexual brothers and sisters already possess.

The Las Vegas LGBT community and its supporters are backing of California’s fight for equality by listing the individuals, businesses and organizations who have publicly Proposition 8. The list is intended to be used as a peaceful, nonviolent and purely economic boycott.
A sign-making meeting also is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, 953 E. Sahara Ave, Suite B-31 in Las Vegas.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints State Wide NV
Coalition for the Protection of Marriage Las Vegas NV
Nevada Concerned Citizens (PAC) Las Vegas NV
Citizens for a Better Nevada Las Vegas NV
Citizens for Responsible Government Las Vegas NV
Integrated Dental Implants Las Vegas NV
Century Theaters (aka Cinemark, CineArts, Tinseltown) Las Vegas NV
Clark County Credit Union Las Vegas NV
Pearson Trenching & Trucking Las Vegas NV
Albright, Stoddard, Warnick & Palmer (Attorneys at Law) Las Vegas NV
John Hambrick Printing
Calvary Chapel Las Vegas NV
RHL Financial Las Vegas NV
Eugene & Lai Wong Foundation Henderson NV
Tom’s Automotive Las Vegas NV
Signs for Success Las Vegas NV
Brady Industries Las Vegas NV
Jack D. Close, M.A., P.T. Las Vegas NV
Custom Ornamental Iron Las Vegas NV
Bryan Lamb, DMD, Chtd Henderson NV
Renaissance Homes Las Vegas NV
Pool Chlor Las Vegas NV
2205 Fifth, LLC Las Vegas NV
Equity Group Management Reno NV
Patrick Sandhill, LLC Las Vegas NV
The Paradise Group Las Vegas NV
The X-Factor Systems, LLC Henderson NV
U.S. Telephone Rentals, Inc. Las Vegas NV
Ziser & Shaw, LLC Las Vegas NV
Metal Graphics Corporation
RZ Management, Inc. Las Vegas NV
Las Vegas Franklin Graham Festival, Inc. Las Vegas NV
Pete King Construction Las Vegas NV
Hardy Painting & Drywall Las Vegas NV
Cook Aspen, LLC Mesquite NV
Las Vegas Strip Properties, LLC Las Vegas NV
New World, LLC Las Vegas NV
Desert Land, LLC Las Vegas NV
Corporation Services of Nevada, Inc. Las Vegas NV
Auero Enterprises, Inc. Las Vegas NV
MFG. Galileo Sparks NV
La Monica Properties Carson City NV
Pageantry Communities, Inc. Henderson NV
Lynette’s Piano Instruction Las Vegas NV
EG&G Las Vegas NV
Visionsource Las Vegas NV
Gallina Accounting Reno NV
Mesquite Mart, Inc. Convenience Store Mesquite NV

Individual Blacklist
Alstrom Fred Las Vegas
Bakari Damau Las Vegas
Bakari Kamau Las Vegas
Bare Kathleen Las Vegas
Bare John Las Vegas
Barey McLloyd Las Vegas
Barney Olivia Las Vegas
Barton James Las Vegas
Beekman Jeffrey Las Vegas
Bernacki Judy Henderson
Bernard Patrick Henderson
Bernard Leah Henderson
Bethel Kimberly Las Vegas
Bingham Elizabeth Mesquite
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Bowman Mary E. Henderson
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Brennan Lyle E. Henderson
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Call Marjorie Las Vegas
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Clark Juanita Las Vegas
Close, M.A. Jack D. Las Vegas
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Crawford Steve Las Vegas
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Crisman Jeff Las Vegas
Davis David Las Vegas
Dean Gregory Henderson
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Early Ruth Las Vegas
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English Margaret Las Vegas
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Foote Darren Reno
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Graff Jonathan Las Vegas
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Greene Addison Las Vegas
Griffith, D.D.S John C Las Vegas
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Gura M.J. Las Vegas
Hafen Dawn Mesquite
Hafen Derek Mesquite
Hager Stephen Henderson
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Hansen Kathy A. Sparks
Hardy Phillip Las Vegas
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Hardy Joe Boulder City
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Harmon Earl Henderson
Harmon Margaret Henderson
Harter Matthew Las Vegas
Hauch Patrick Las Vegas
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Heitzel Nancy Las Vegas
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Hill Virginia Henderson
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Hill Ralph Carson City
Hirschi Amy Las Vegas
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Hoeft Aloi Reno
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Human Bryan Las Vegas
Humes Dennis Overton
Hunsaker Kathy Las Vegas
Hutchings Mat Carson City
Hyer Mollie Las Vegas
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Isaacs John Blue Diamond
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Jones Michele Las Vegas
Joyce Robin Las Vegas
Karschnia Paul T. Las Vegas
Katich Darren Reno
Keala Jacqueline Las Vegas
Keller George F. Henderson
King William Las Vegas
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Kopf Monique Las Vegas
Kraemer Jeanetta Henderson
La Monica Larry Carson City
Larkin Inez H. Henderson
Leach Kristine Overton
Lessie David L. Henderson
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Linderman David Boulder City
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Mabey Garn Las Vegas
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Magnusson Lisa Henderson
Mainor Randall Las Vegas
Mainor Leslie Las Vegas
Markarian Dickren Reno
Marriotti Richard D. Henderson
Marriotti Elaine Las Vegas
Martinson Charles Las Vegas
McCormich Seth Henderson
McElhone John Las Vegas
McFadden Donald Carson City
McMahon Julie Las Vegas
McMurray Patrick Las Vegas
Mickelsen Russ Las Vegas
Miley Judge Stefany Las Vegas
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Miller Monte Henderson
Miller Susan Henderson
Mousseau Rebecca Las Vegas
Mueller Carroll Las Vegas
Murphy Sally Pahrump
Nash Jane Henderson
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Novak Stephen Henderson
Nunnally James Zephyr Cove
Ogles Jennifer Gardnerville
Orgill Curtis Reno
Parker Robert Las Vegas
Peppard Paul Las Vegas
Peterson Sharon Boulder City
Peterson Ladawn Las Vegas
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Peterson Mauretia Henderson
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Plumb Jesse Henderson
Rapanos John Las Vegas
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Rather Douglas Las Vegas
Rather Sharon Las Vegas
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Redfearn Dan Reno
Reimer Galen M. Fallon
Reimer Donna R. Fallon
Renfro Jan Las Vegas
Richardson Sullivan Henderson
Riesselmann Thomas Las Vegas
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Ripplinger Gregg Boulder City
Ripplinger Diane E. Boulder City
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Walker Amanda Henderson
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Wegner Alica D. Las Vegas
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Williams Megan H. Henderson
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Worthen Richard Las Vegas
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Ziser Richard Las Vegas
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Zobrist Mark Las Vegas
Zobrist Linda Las Vegas

Campaign finance records show that, as of Dec 1, opponents of Proposition 8
had a slight lead in contributions in their fight for equality.
Opponents raised about $37.6 million, while supporters of the ban on gay marriage raised about
$35.8 million, surpassing $73 million on the measure — almost twice the total spent in 24 states where similar measures were placed on a ballot.
Less than $33 million was spent on campaigns to pass or defeat gay marriage bans in the 24 states in 2004, 2005 and 2006, according to the National Organization on Money in State
Politics.

A protest rally and march against Proposition 8 is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. today Dec. 5 at the Veterans Park in Redondo Beach.
Participants seek to peacefully protest the outcome of Prop.8 starting at the intersection of Catalina Avenue and Torrance Boulevard walking toward Pacific Coast Highway and heading to the Redondo Beach City Hall.
Protestors are encouraged to bring signs, buttons and shirts promoting equality.
Details call (310) 720-3303
or e-mail southbaynoon8rally@yahoo.com

The California Supreme Court has agreed to consider that argument that Proposition 8 required a two-thirds vote of the Legislature before being placed on the ballot.
The state legislature’s gay and lesbian caucus introduced a resolution opposing Prop. 8 Tuesday, the second day of the new legislative session, seeking to put the Legislature on record as declaring the gay-marriage ban approved by voters last month was an improper revision of the state constitution. A ruling is expected by June, The Arizona Daily Star reported.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/news/269975.php

The Long Beach Police Department is requesting the participation of the LGBT community, from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 9, in a roundtable at the LBPD Community Room, 400 W. Broadway in Long Beach.
The roundtable is an effort to strengthen existing programs and building bridges between organizations and the police to develop educational campaigns that combat hate crimes and intolerance.
R.S.V.P. at 570-6139