Larry Craig and Entrapment

Here is a major article by Doug Ireland in the Gay City News about Sen. Craig and entrapment.

I challenge the police officer and the operation in MN because I believe, as many do, that as problematic as Craig's behavior is, he did not break that law.

Ejoy.

92% of Fortune 500 Companies Protect Gays

Everytime there is good news I want to blog about it.

The Equality Forum just released a report showing that now 92% of all Fortune 500 Companies now offer non-discrimination policies to protect GLB workers. Many of those do not fully protect transgender employees but those protections are climbing.

This is terrific news and impresses me greatly. It certainly pisses off the religious right.

The report also found that of the 37 Fortune 500 companies that do not protect GLB workers yet, 38% percecnt of them are in Texas. Big surprise. From the state that gave us George W. Bush and David Koresh.

At the rate that big companies are adding these protections, by 2010 most large companies, even beyond the Fortune 500 will be protecting our community from discrimination.

Of course, a report recently came out showing that even with non-discrimination policies in place, many GLBT people feel they face discrimination at work. So we know that our work is not done after we pass policies. We need to educate and train workers while enforcing policies once there is a violation. Laws need to be passed as an extra layer of protection for these workers.

In Michigan, two municipalities in the past month passed non-discrimination ordinances; Saugatuck Township and Saugatuck, respectively. Last year two more cities passed similar laws; Lansing and Ferndale. But we still need an amendment to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to make sure that our entire state is protected.

There are 800 municipalities in Michigan. Working for ordinances, city by city, is not the best use of our time. For more information on how you can help email Sean@tri.org.

Presidential Forum

Not much to this post, but the local GLBT newspaper ran a piece about the Triangle Foundation/SOHO viewing party for the HRC/Logo Presidential Forum.

There were about 150 people there which is very exciting. I could not be there for our own party because I was at a viewing party in Albuquerque with the Equality Federation.

Here is a recent column of mine in the same newspaper.

Duck eat Duck World.

My Trip Up North

On August 15th I headed up north to Camping.OUT the GLBT youth camp that Triangle Foundation runs. I participated in one workshop on transgender issues and then led a workshop on how to lobby your elected officials.

The youth were super charged and having a lot of fun. It was great to see youth that were at the camp last year, especially those that came from all over the country. It was also good to see some of the camp’s donors on site, like Mark LaChey (former City Commissioner in Pleasant Ridge).

Greg Varnum, Triangle's Director of Youth Initiatives is doing a fantastic job with the camp. It is so beautiful there and the youth are so empowered, that it certainly makes me jealous that there was nothing like this when I was young.

Later that same day I accepted an invitation from our board member Mary Scholl to speak at a potluck services for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Benzie County at their home in Honor. We were very well-received (pictures are included).

I love Unitarian Universalists. Their dedication to social justice is truly inspiring. For more on what Triangle Foundation does around Michigan email me at sean@tri.org

Homophobia as Strong as Shrapnel

Check out this story from the Associated Press about a MegaChurch that canceled a memorial services for a Navy veteran after they learned he was gay.

Imagine a loved one fighting and dying in the first Gulf War and then your local MegaChurch offers to host the memorial service. Then, get this, the church learns the veteran (who probably enlisthed to fight for things like religious expression) is gay and decides to express their way right out of their own vows to host the service.

After canceling, a spokesman actually said:

"We did decline to host the service -- not based on hatred, not based on discrimination, but based on principle."

WHAT?!? Hatred and discrimination ARE principles. Screwed up principles, but they are principles. This church did the unthinkable. How can anyone claiming to be a Christian not even honor a former soldier? The church claims they could not condone the "lifestyle" but I bet you everything I own that this church has not looked into the "lifestyle" of any other deceased church member. Have they never had a memorial service for someone who cheated on their taxes, or who had been divorced or ever shoplifted? You can almost guarantee that this church has ignored sinful behavior of others, only to call out the "unnacceptable" sin of homosexuality.

This is so offensive on so many levels. Is there no decency among leaders on the right? Are gays not even deserving of death with dignity? This man stood for everything conservatives love: family, country, Christianity. So what do they do the minute they find out you're queer. Give you the boot.

Please visit High Point church and give 'em a piece of your mind.

Blazin' Brazile

I just finished Donna Brazile's book "Cooking with Grease: Stirring the Pots in American Politics," and it reminded me why politics is so fascinating and frustrating at the same time.

I didn't know what to expect from the book. I knew it would have to do with the 2000 presidential campaign of Al Gore, which Brazile won, but it was more of an autobiography and a civics lesson all in one. I pretty much only read non-fiction. It is a bad habit but it is what interests me. I actually found myself on the edge of my seat, chewing my fingernails to the bone reading about election night in 2000 -- the night that changed politics for a generation.

The book was a simple, fast and interesting read. I never read books this fast, but I was enthralled. Reading the story of a young black woman who charted a course for herself and pursued it despite racism, condescension, ego, sexism and arrogance. I have encountered similar struggles as a young gay man and at times wonder where my activism will take me next. In the book, Brazile changed paths many times, choosing for herself who she would work for and on what terms. She didn't care about the exact salary or the exact location of the job. She just did it.

Sometimes I wonder if professional activists like myself have it in them to be nomads -- gypsies moving from campaign to campaign. I like to think of myself as nimble, maleable and open minded enough to take on anything, and then I remember the comfort of longevity, seniority and familiarity.

I just wanted to blog tonight after finishing her book because I was filled with a sense of rage at the way she was treated, and how poorly Democrats handled the Florida election and recount. I am mad at all the missed opportunities and countless people that have been pushed out of work they love because of bull-headedness and rigidity.

To accomplish what Donna Brazile did, as a black woman on the national level, leaves me in awe. I know no one is perfect and for every page of dazzling work I read about there were probably 2 pages of unwritten accounts of her temper. But I don't care tonight. Tonight I am inspired by what one person can do. Tonight I finished my journey with Donna and tucked her away on my shelf to visit later. I am certain we will hear more from her.

In fact, I learned today that Brazile will be the keynote speaker at the MI Policy Summit on Sept. 8th at the Lansing Center in Lansing, MI. I am so excited to meet her because she just seems like such a tortured and seasoned soul. I feel a kinship with her and would love to just pick her brain.

If you get a chance to read "Cooking with Grease" please do it. Never before has a story like this been told from a woman of color at that level in the war room. You will be glad she is a warrior for you and me. Her life goal of getting more people involved in voting, should be a task we all take on as well.

Killer of Gay Bartender in Windsor is Caught

Hot off the presses. Triangle Foundation does a great deal of work on hate crime issues. We are still working on this developing story but Triangle Foundation just posted an alert today about the capture and arrest of a potential serial killer.

The release is below and you can find it at Triangle Foundation

Windsor Murder Suspect Jesse Imeson Captured
Following Flight That Spanned Two Provinces

Jesse Norman Imeson has been captured near Renfrew Ontario. Imeson is the principal suspect in three murders, including the strangling death of Carlos Rivera in Windsor, Ontario, on July 19. Rivera was an immensely popular bartender at The Tap, a well-known gay nightclub in Windsor. Imeson is also suspected of killing an elderly rural couple, Bill and Helen Regier, near Mt. Carmel, Ontario, four days later. A Canada-wide manhunt ended Tuesday when the 22-year-old Imeson was arrested by Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) following the
break-in at a home where he was surprised by the owner. OPP closed in on the suspect in a wooded area where he surrendered. He had two rifles with him.

"People are relieved that this suspect has been apprehended," said Jeffrey Montgomery, Executive Director of Triangle Foundation. "It was an edgy time in the community while he was at large, given his wide-ranging flight and the allegations of death and mayhem he left in his wake. We all hope that some of the open questions about these crimes will now be able to be answered.

"Further, we know that the family and friends of Carlos Rivera and the
Regiers will find some satisfaction in knowing that Imeson will face the justice system and his responsibility for his alleged actions."

Barry Lynn is Coming, Barry Lynn is Coming!

I am a proud member of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. Barry Lynn, the UCC Minister and Executive Director of AU has been a hero of mine for years.

I was fortunate enough a few years ago to hear him speak at the Creating Change conference produced by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. As member of AU and NGLTF I was very excited to see AU have visible presence on GLBT issues. I think, officially, AU has no position on GLBT issues, but universally their campaign to block religious extremists from turning America into a theocracy, has landed them in our court nearly every time.

Every month I receive the newsletter for AU called Church and State and I read it cover to cover. AU is probably one of my favorite organizations and I cannot think of a patriot committed to church/state separation more dynamic than Barry Lynn.

This year Lynn will be the keynote speaker at the Triangle Foundation Annual State Dinner. The dinner is Sept. 29th and will be held in Dearborn, MI. The fact that Triangle will have someone of Barry's caliber is very exciting to me. Barry effectively is able to weave together a narrative that will unify our dinner attendees so they can see the interconnectedness of GLBT organizing and defense of the Constitutional principle of church/state separation.

Please consider coming to the Triangle dinner and find out more about Americans United, too.