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Pittsburgh Pride, or more accurately, the collection of events that all together serve as Pittsburgh Pride, have grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years. Events like Pride in the Streets, have really helped put our Pride celebration on the map. I was at an event last week, where someone from Boston was saying that he found our Pride to be one of the best Pride events anywhere.

It is time to take it up another notch, and add another event to the diverse  collection of activities, and we need your input! So, please come and participate in a planning meeting for a political rally. Details are on the Facebook event page linked here:

Facebook | LGBT Political Rally Planning Mtg.

Link to the official Pittsburgh Pride site:

http://pittsburghpride.org/

Sue Kerr of Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents, posting this link to Facebook where I saw it. I didn’t know Claudelle  at all, didn’t even know she existed, and today I’m left pondering  how much amazing beauty there is out there in the world I miss.

I’ll leave it to people who knew her well, to write more eloquently about Claudelle’s life, but I’d just like to comment on the quote I’ve posted here. I thought as I read it, what a gift Max received by coming in contact with her, and what a great compliment he shares here.  So, often within the LGBT community, all the focus revolves around our sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. but here is Claudelle, simply understood as a model human being. Understood, accepted and celebrated for the whole of her being. Pittsburgh was a better place because of Claudelle.

Max Nickel, vice president of RNC Real Estate in North Oakland, which rented Claudelle her apartment, said she was a model tenant. More important, he said, she was a model human being, one who had profoundly affected his view of homelessness.

via Obituary: Claudelle Bazemore / Friendly, flamboyant Downtown fixture dies at age 60.

The OIDE invites you to attend an event to raise awareness and take action to end violence in our communities during YWCA’s 14th annual Week Without Violence initiative at Allegheny Campus on Monday, October 19th from 5:30-7:30pm in the SSC Auditorium.

The event is a presentation and discussion regarding the History of Hate Crime Against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community in the Region. The Keynote Speaker will be Tom Wyse, Chairman of the Educators & Allies Committee for Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network GLSEN (GLSEN). There will also be a speaker panel comprised of members from the following organizations: Persad Center,  GLCC (Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh and PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).

The event is free and open to the public. We encourage faculty to inform  students of this event.

Refreshments will be served!!

A friend on Facebook had posted the linked article below from the KDKA site concerning protests during the upcoming G20. I expected to be more involved in G20-related stuff than I have been, but I did apply for press credentials, and over the past week or so, I’ve been pondering why I have been so reluctant to get more involved. Possibly I haven’t been/won’t be credentialed and thus not too close to anything. On the other hand, maybe I will.

Another Pittsburgh blogger had been commenting upon the City’s plan to block PVC pipe and it was just yesterday, that I heard a report about why that was. I know that some organizations are really getting ready , and the G20 provides an opportunity for various causes and issues to get some important air time and media spotlight. But I’ve also been wondering what the point is to protesting something like this. What is the intended impact? I’m not criticizing it, just expressing my own lack of understanding and looking for some reasonable dialogue.

The August of disruptive town halls and the previous tea parties and such have left me wondering what value comes from disruptive activism. Perhaps the goal is simply to disrupt, and in that sense, this type of action can be successful. However, if the same actions will happen again and again, a disruptive strategy will mean the need to disrupt over and over again too. Is it possible that another approach where change occurs may be a more effective strategy in the long run? If we can get people to do something differently, then we don’t have to continually try to disrupt what they are doing. Creating a space for change to occur requires dialogue, compromise, mutual respect and a willingness to find a win-win solution.

But activism at something like the G20 seems to only get portrayed in the mainstream media as disruptive (maybe it is or isn’t, I don’t know). This quote sums up the stories “scare” tactic pretty well:

He also says the American Resistance Movement is not a violent organization, but on its Website, there is an individual posing with an AK-47. As for whether he’ll be attending or not, he says it is a matter of money, but is still calling for mayhem when the G-20 begins.

When I looked at the website, I found no man with a gun of any type, so it is unclear if it was there and removed, I am too stupid to see it, or what. But what I did find as I bumped around links was the fact that there is plenty of information out there about this Jim Stachowiak, the subject of the article. and gun or no gun, he is a real specimen of crazy.

So in my naive or ignorant mind, I would have thought that protesters would be liberals demanding change from the status quo (represented by the governmental elites) perpetrated behind closed doors. but in reality, maybe protestors are from all sides ranging from the far left to the far right and probably a number that are outside of even that paradigm.

So, things like this, and the recent town halls have had me thinking quite a bit about freedom, and freedom of speech. I’m wondering if there are times that not speaking are as important as the times to speak. What about when speech is hateful or all lies- how does that change anything. If I am able to say whatever I want 500 yards from a building, but unable to get next to the building itself, have my free speech rights been taken from me?

These are probably more questions than answers, and  this may be one of the most rambling things I’ve written in a while, but it is some of the things I’m thinking about as the city prepares for the G-20.

via Masked Man Jim Stachowiak Calls For Mass Protest Of G-20 – kdka.com .

The YOGAY Underwear Guy

Last night I had the pleasure to attend a Barefoot Networking event at the Pratique Yoga studio in Lawrenceville, called YOGAY, and it was wonderful. Lawrenceville is really coming along, and I have to admit, every time I’m over there, I could kick myself for leaving 10 years ago, but that is a different blog post. Let’s talk about YOGAY!

YOGAY is a special yoga class for the LGBT community that is part of owner, Lilith Bailey-Kroll’s larger program, “Yoga Is My Life Insurance.” Beautiful in both execution and concept, the program partners with non-profit organizations to offer free or reduced classes for its members. YOGAY does not yet have a non-profit sponsor yet, but meets the 3rd Friday of every month from 6-7PM. Where is the GLCC when you need them?

But last evening wasn’t a usual class. Instead it was more of a reception/party to hang out and network with other folks within the GLBTQ community and Larenceville businesses that work with Pratique. For me, this is very effective networking and community building. Too often gay and lesbian groups think that they have to do some huge overly expansive plan and action, when really “community” is built by fostering one-on one interactions between people who might not otherwise have a chance to talk and get to know each other. Perhaps it resonates so well with me, for it uses a similar approach that I spoke about in my blog last week or so, describing how activism needs to become intimate as opposed to commercial.

There were many individual points about the event that made it memorable and worthwhile. Top of the list to be sure, was meeting Lilith and learning more about Pratique, YOGAY and her approach to yoga. But really, there were many other things that made the evening such a treat. Lilith had one of her students there for a brief demonstration, and he was cute as could be in a pair of YOGAY underwear. (See what you missed?) The spread of food and beverages was also thoughtful and special. But to top it off, Lilith had prepared a small gift bag for everyone to take. These were not only filled with cool stuff, but the bag was hand- silk screened.

To learn more check out the Pratique website.

Found this over on Jeremy Hooper’s Blog, Good As You. Come join Jeremy and a ton of others here in Pittsburgh (or any of the over 40 cities with similar events across the country).

Here are the local details:

PITTSBURGH, PA, at 1000 Penn Avenue, on the public space right in front of the Westin portico/driveway on 10th, between Liberty Ave and Penn Ave – organized by Jeremy Hooper of the blog, Good As You, and endorsed by the Netroots Nation Event – contact@goodasyou.org

• Facebook group page for Pittsburgh
• Facebook event page
• National Information

This coming Saturday, your presence is requested- actually more than your presence- your participation is needed for the National Kiss-In. Are you free? come on- all the cool kids are doing it! The link below offers a set of invaluable and fun tips to make your kiss-in experience as good as it can be!

In over 40 cities, people will lock lips to  including Pittsburgh PA. Here are the local details:

PITTSBURGH, PA, at 1000 Penn Avenue, on the public space right in front of the Westin portico/driveway on 10th, between Liberty Ave and Penn Ave – organized by Jeremy Hooper of the blog, Good As You, and endorsed by the Netroots Nation Event – contact@goodasyou.org

Facebook group page for Pittsburgh: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110382828714

Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120765671125&ref=nf

If you are not in Pittsburgh or just want more information, check this out: http://www.GreatNationwideKissIn.com

Tips on Participating in a Political Kiss-In – Feast of Fun.

Podcamp Pittsburgh asked, and so here is my reply:

What does social Media mean to you? Check out Podcamp Pittsburgh!

Representative Patrick Murphy, the first Iraq War vet elected to Congress, will be here in Pittsburgh on August 13, 2009. I am just sick that due to a work commitment, I will be in California and unable to attend, so can you help me out and go in my place? Not only would I like to meet Patrick Murphy and thank him for his work on repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, but joining him will be Lt Dan Choi, who has recently been profiled on a number of news shows.

WHAT A Summer Reception with Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-Bucks County)

WHERE Piatt Place, 301 Fifth Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh

WHEN Thursday, August 13, 6:30 p.m.

Requested Contribution:

Host $100 (raise/write) still opportunities to be on the Host Committee

Guests $25

Please make your contribution online at: www.murphy08.com/Pittsburgh

Or make your check payable to: Patrick Murphy For Congress

Find the event on Facebook:

Who is Patrick Murphy?

Congressman Murphy was born in northeast Philadelphia, the son of a Philly police officer and a legal secretary. When he went to college he decided to follow the example set by his father, uncles, grandfather, and brother by signing up for ROTC.

His military career led him to a position as a professor of Constitutional Law at West Point. He volunteered for overseas deployment at 9/11, which sent him first to Bosnia, and then later to Iraq. He served in Baghdad, Iraq as a captain in the 82nd Airborne. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

After returning from Iraq, Patrick decided to run for Congress in the hope that he would be able to change our country’s misguided foreign policy. He won in 2006 by one of the smallest margins in the country – only .6%. He is the first, and at that time the only, Iraq war veteran in Congress.

He has since made a name for himself both in the legislature and the national political scene. (One of the first bills he introduced was the Iraq De-Escalation Act of 2007 with then-Senator Barack Obama in February, 2007)

His legislative priorities are focused on fiscal discipline, economic revitalization with an emphasis on Green Energy’s role in that process (he is the deputy-whip of the New Dems, and has been a leader in the fight to equip our nation with the skills and funding needed to convert to a Green Economy) and the modernization of our military (he is the chief sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, the bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”).

Politically, he drew national attention as one of the first Congressmen to endorse Senator Obama’s presidential bid. He later served as the campaign’s Co-chair in Pennsylvania. He has now focused his efforts on winning tough challenger races around the country as the Chairman of the DCCC’s Red 2 Blue program.

Patrick also is the Congressman who is introducing legislation that would repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell!

The other day, Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents published a story about her interview/discussion with Kevin Acklin who is running for Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh. In it, several claims are made that would seem like excellent news for queer voters:

• Acklin has showed up at so many gay events,
• Acklin has gay people in his life that he loves and cherishes.
• Acklin supports marriage equality.
• He believes in domestic partner benefits.

Sue has a wonderful style of writing about someone, if she likes them, that allows you to get to know the person. Interestingly, she begins the article mentioning “the donation” that Acklin made to Rick Santorum, but then later says:

Still.  The donation. I forgot about it.

From my perspective, this is great stuff, when we can have candidates from multiple parties talking about issues important to the GLBTQ community, and it is especially great to hear a conservative talk so warmly about gay people in his life.  He went so far as to serve as a witness for his gay college room mate’s wedding in Canada. All good stuff. But has Kevin Acklin changed from the Rick Santorum donation or is this the same Kevin Acklin running now?

I was surprised by the clarity and conviction of these gay positive statements and so I messaged Kevin on Facebook with a short set of questions. Most were easy- does he really support same-sex marriage? Domestic Partnership benefits? He replied asking me to call him at his campaign office, however, I haven’t yet been able to reach him. I’m interested to hear what he has to say. When I checked out his web site, I couldn’t find anything that suggests he holds these views. In fact from the web site, he appears as if he is just your average pro-family, conservative republican.

For me, it isn’t a donation he gave to Santorum that is troubling, but rather, who is supporting him now. The publicly available May filing by the Family PAC, a far right conservative PAC, lists Acklin as a receiving a $2000 donation. The May filing- this is recent stuff, not something from way back when, like the Santorum donation. The connection however, is that Family PAC gave money to Santorum as well in 2006.

$2000 may not seem like much, but it is a far cry above, their two other disbursements:

• Acklin for Pittsburgh: $2000
• Friends of Matt Drozd: $150
• Friends of Temp Smith: $500

These leave the Family PAC with $32,858.84 cash on hand.

GLBTQ readers may remember Drozd, Allegheny County Council member who tried to talk about equality and how no one deserves to be discriminated against, and then voted against the recent Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance. A man who talks one way, and then walks another. Google Temp Smith to find another far right conservative, and then if you really want to get a feel for the type of money (at least some of the money) funding Acklin, Google Family PAC and check out their web site or sites. There are “Family PACs” in many states.

I’m most interested to hear Mr Acklin’s answer to one of my questions, although it may not really be a fair question. But the fact that it is reported so directly that he supports marriage equality, and given that it was a mayor in another city that started the ball rolling in the marriage equality battle… I wondered if he, as mayor would be like Gavin Newsom and begin to marry gay couples in defiance of the state? Newsom claims he did it because he knew in his heart it was the right thing to do. Will Acklin feel similarly?

Hopefully, I’ll have a chance to talk to Mr Acklin soon and find out.

May Filing