Rally for Equality

"Don't wear loafers to a protest, son!"

What was I thinking? Maybe it's demonstration fatigue. For the labor rally on Monday, I was dressed for bear. I had on my full metal jacket of parkas, was well layered beneath that and was wearing my boots, to boot. This evening, I was traveling by bus rather than bicycle so I was less focused on the weather, which turned out to be pissy.

The call to action came from Basic Rights Oregon and was promoted on KPOJ. The rally was in response to the blocking of Oregon's new Domestic Partnership legislation by U.S. District Court Judge Michael Mosman just days before the new law was to go into effect. Mosman's injunction stays in effect at least until his court hears further argument regarding an effort to keep the Oregon Legislature passed domestic partnerships on hold, pending a vote of the People.








Some 1500-2000 demonstrators easily filled the brickwork of Terry Schrunk plaza under a steady drizzle, spilling up onto the sodded and sodden slopes comprising the rest of this city square's amphitheater. The numbers were encouraging and not surprising given the broad coalition that actively supported the event. Beyond GLBT interest groups there were members of labor unions and peace groups (including my friends from Veterans for Peace, Local 72) as well as well as supporters from the faith community.

And there were candidates... Both leading Democratic candidates to challenge Gordon Smith for his US Senate were there, Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley and the Democratic activist with a hard left hook, Steve Novick. City Councilor turned Mayoral candidate Sam Adams was there as were City Council candidates Nick Fish and John Branam whose 1000+ signatures for Voter Owned Election qualification are awaiting verification. I saw Oregon Attorney General candidate, Greg Macpherson in the crowd and former Governor Barbara Roberts on the stage.

As I tramped through the mud, cursing my tractionless choice of shoes, I couldn't help wondering... hoping really that the GLBT community will return this show of support. Not that queer folk aren't already well represented in the communities of faith, justice, peace and labor... It's one thing to show up when your own tribe is threatened, but I know for a fact that a lot of straight folk were in attendance and not because their close friend or relative is gay or because they're running for office.

Craig goes, comes...

Once out, the "never been gay" Idaho senator says he staying in and intends to continue servicing his constituents.

Sen. Craig not resigning despite judge's ruling

(CNN) -- Sen. Larry Craig on Thursday said he was not resigning from the Senate despite a Minnesota judge denying his request to withdraw his guilty plea stemming from his arrest in a sex sting at an airport men's room. [more...]

Craig once out might be back in

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Embattled and embittered Idaho Republican Senator, Larry Craig just can's seem to make up his mind.

"It's not such a foregone conclusion anymore, that the only thing he could do was resign," said Sidney Smith, Craig's spokesman in Idaho's capital.

"We're still preparing as if Senator Craig will resign September 30, but the outcome of the legal case in Minnesota and the ethics investigation will have an impact on whether we're able to stay in the fight -- and stay in the Senate."

"I am not gay. I have never been gay."
(and now the proof...)

In an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America," Michael Craig said his father was simply "a victim of circumstance" and "in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"We've known him our whole life. He has been so trustworthy to us, so honest to us, that we believe him," Michael Craig said. [read more...]

Dear Friend

purposeful prose by Jack Michael

Hi, just following up with a short note to thank you for your call. Despite the chaotic story which was my last week (i was going to say "saga" but i promised myself i wasn't going to wax anything in this email) - hey do you suppose Peter would have read gay innuendo into that last remark? [We called him pee-pee-Peter since third grade, and i think it's made him afraid to come out of the clostet] ... and on that topic, but on the side, did you hear about Jerry Lewis dropping the F-bomb today, and by F-bomb, i mean "FAG"? Anywho, i just wanted to say that at the end of the day, your support was like a hug, which i needed. Because i'm deluded, and i actually thought i had a chance with that guy. You know, he coulda done something bold. Friggin' Greek god. For once in his life gone for the boy, not the body. Friggin Adonis Phlopodopoulos. The least he coulda done was call. Or send me an email. Screw him. And do you know what's funny, and by funny, i mean infuriating. I stayed up half the night writing him a dear Yannis letter.
____________________________________

Dear Yannis,
you're a putz, that's Yiddish for malaka. You're arrogant. In the words of the younger generation, "you ain't all that." And you're a liar too. And you're not even very nice... to me or other people. So go screw yourself!

[Disclaimer: But if you think a guy like you could make it with a guy like me, then please, give me a call.]

Jack Michael
SE Portland

-----------------------------------------------
But now i can't say anything. The son of a shipping magnate dumped me. It would look like sour retsina grapes. I've been kicked in the gyros, and there's nothing more i can do.

Now look. This turned out to be a pissy missive. Nigil complemented my writing in the middle of the night. I think we were all still up. It was nice. But i'm off now. Got me scotch. Had me pipe... a bit early in the day, you say? Not for this boy. My day starts early, calling Europe, where it's already Feierabend... Miller Time... And sometimes i stay up too late... watching Office Space, in German (with Italian subtitles), except for when i was switching on the Telethon... like i'm doing right now... Watching Office Space (without the telethon) because it pleases me. And i'm just that weird. Blue Portland weird.

Peace Out... (now where are my buddhist flags?)

your friend,
call back soon!

Craig NOT Gay

This just in...

I-da-ho, who-da-ho, you-da-ho? No. He-da-ho.
Idaho Senator, Larry Craig maintains he's not gay yet. He opened today's breaking new conference with the warm welcome: "Thank you all very much for coming out today."

Update: 8/29/07. The GOP seems to have a new strategy to deal with the hypocritical closeted homophobes in their midst and men's rooms. John McCain speaking on Jay Leno last night said, "The people of Idaho will reach a pretty rapid verdict in this situation." McCain must be a friggin' genius (except when it comes to Iraq) since we woke up to this headline:

Senator losing support in home state of Idaho

Nevertheless, Larry "I have never been gay" Craig might have a better shot at the Presidency that McCain who is currently polling is single digits. Americans "are looking for someone who will tell them the truth," said Arizona's senior senator who turns 71 on Wednesday. Which is probably why statements like "The surge is working" are causing Republicans to look elsewhere for a presidential candidate. Currently leading... "None Of The Above."

Idaho: Famous Puds

Rumors revolving around Idaho's Republican Senator, Larry Craig and his boys' bathroom antics were lent some credence with his conviction in a lewd conduct case.

(CNN) — Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, was fined earlier this month for a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge stemming from his arrest in June at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, according to Minnesota criminal records.

While the criminal records did not provide details of why Craig was arrested, Roll Call newspaper reported Monday that he was apprehended by a plainclothes police officer investigating complaints of lewd behavior in an airport men's room.

Craig, 62, paid a $500 fine when the case came up for disposition Aug. 8 in Hennepin County Municipal Court in Bloomington, according to state criminal records.

Minnesota law defines disorderly conduct as brawling, disturbing a meeting or engaging in "offensive, obscene, abusive, boisterous or noisy conduct."

Evidently Craig propositioned an undercover officer from his restroom stall, first by tapping his foot before moving towards the officer's foot. Craig later maintained he "has a wide stance when going to the bathroom and that his foot may have touched [the officer's]." Upon his arrest, the Senator handed the officer a business card with his phone number on it saying, "What do you think about that?" whereupon the officer asked for a more official piece of ID.

Gay Marriage

Edwards Supports Gay Marriage

... but it's the wrong Edwards [more...]

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"it's something that I struggle with. Do I believe they should have the right to marry? I'm not there yet. [...] I think it's from my own personal culture and faith belief. [...] I struggle myself with imposing my faiths [...] it's just part of who I am." [John Edwards, Feb. '07]

Sounds like a case of 'good cop, bad cop' to me. Members of the GLBTXQ# community can support Edwards for President with a clear conscience since his wife is so preciously progressive.

I suppose we can look to Obama's wife for the same kind of backdoor support.

"I'm a Christian, and so although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman." [Barack Obama, Sep. '04]

And so sadly, i get no warm fuzzies when i ponder any of the first tier presidential candidates. Either they're being honest, in which case i really question their ability to govern a secular society, given their "struggle" to keep their church out of our bedrooms) or they've chosen their fucus [sic] group tested response, and they're sticking to it.

My ideal candidate would say something to this effect: "You know, i've got no problem with gays getting married. In fact, i think marriage strengthens families... all families. But as President, i will not push for gay marriage. As the people's representatives however progress on this issue, it would be my pleasure one day to sign equal marriage rights into law."

Home on the Range

It figures the southern Oregon Republican (whose insults against gays have created storms in the blogosphere) represents in the Oregon House the very district where i grew up.

Rep. Dennis Richardson, R-Central Point stated in a "newsletter" to his constituents.

"This past week has been like no other. On Monday the world witnessed the tragedy at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. On Tuesday Oregon witnessed the passage of Domestic Benefits for same-sex couples (HB 2007) and Civil Rights based on sexual orientation."

These are safe sentiments to hold in a land where the majority of your constituency believes it's their right to impose their religious beliefs on their neighbors.

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