Check out the national LGBT leadership's townhall from last week:

http://www.signorile.com/2010/04/full-audio-path-forward-lgbt-leadership.html

On Monday, April 19, the new Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender "direct action," nonviolent civil disobedience organization--Get Equal--popped up at a Barbara Boxer fundraiser where President Obama was speaking, and disrupted his speech to demand action on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Activists David John Fleck, Dan Fotou, Laura Kanter, Zoe Nicholson and Michelle Wright paid their way into the event and then repeatedly shouted at Obama about repealing DADT as he tried to address the gathering.

According to Rex Wockner:

"We are going to do that. Hey! Hold on a second! Hold on a second! We are going to do that!" Obama responded. "All right. Guys. Guys. All right. I agree. I agree. I agree. ... What the young man was talking about was we need to -- we need to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which I agree with and which we have begun to do. But let me say this: When you've got an ally like Barbara Boxer and you've got an ally like me who are standing for the same thing, then you don't know exactly why you've got to holler, because we already hear you, all right? I mean, it would make more sense to holler that at the people who oppose it."

A few moments later, more shouting ensued.

"I'm sorry, do you want to come up here?" Obama said directly to a protester. "Can I just say once again, Barbara and I are supportive of repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, so I don't know why you're hollerin'."

Obama then stepped away from the microphone and spoke with Boxer. He returned to the mic and stated: "I just checked with Barbara, so if anybody else is thinking about starting a chant, Barbara didn't even vote for Don't Ask, Don't Tell in the first place, so you know she's going to be in favor of repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

The protesters were eventually removed from the room.

The President handled himself well, but certainly he was a bit rattled.  Many in community leadership criticized the move citing Barbara Boxer's support for LGBT issues in the past, as well as the President's inability to legislate a full repeal.

On Tuesday, April 20, LGBT people around the nation woke up to images of Lt. Dan Choi and Cpt. Jim Pietrangelo once again chained the the White House fence.  This time they were joined by four other veterans: Petty Officer Larry Whitt, Petty Officer Autumn Sandeen, Cadet Mara Boyd, and Cpl. Evelyn Thomas.

Phil Reese - April 26, 2010--The Parks Service removed the media that had gathered across the street at Lafayette Park, angering many of the reporters, and leaving media coverage of the protests spotty.  Still, Dan was able to make a statement during the ordeal.

We learned on Thursday that the GetEqual DADT six had their hearings scheduled, were released late Wednesday and paid their feeds.

Finally, Wednesday, April 21, over at Feast of Fun, I broke the story that Robin McGehee, Mark Reed, Kelsey Phipps, Natasha Dillon, Alan Bounville, Sergio Llanos and Ali Lozano interrupted the House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee demanding a mark-up on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which the committee is responsible for handling and moving to a floor vote.

McGehee handed a marker to Chair Chair Mitchell and demanded movement on the bill the LGBT community has been eagerly awaiting for thirty years.

Finally, Thursday Robin McGehee demanded HRC President Joe Solmonese step down at the Michelangelo Signorile LGBT leadership town hall.

Last month I had the opportunity to attend the Equality Across America Midwest Conference in Chicago. I met several people who are incredibly active in the LGBT community and my eyes were opened to many of the problems that we, the LGBTQA community, have created for ourselves. We all have our own angles and points we want to make, yet we can’t come together with a cohesive message

We can bitch, moan and complain about our adversaries, but the one thing they continue to have over us is their ability to consolidate their message into a consistent message that continues to polarize our adversaries against us. Why can’t we come together with a consistent message? Why can’t we stop fighting amoungst ourselves for who gets to have the final word? The keyword here is ‘compromise’ and we need to come together with a consistent message ... equal rights for everyone!

The stakes here are huge! We cannot afford to sit idly in the wings while others work tirelessly to deny the LGBTQA community the equality we so deserve!

We all need to pay attention to what is going on, and get involved in fighting those who fight so tirelessly against us! Sitting home cursing and throwing things at the TV every time we lose an important legal battle doesn’t get us anywhere, we need to stand up and speak out for our rights!!

A good example is the attention that has recently been placed on high schools who have tried so hard to prevent same sex couples from attending their proms. Yet, right here in Central Illinois, CIADE recently held a prom for LGBTQA high school youth at the Embassy Suites Hotel. The prom was a complete success with students from several area schools attending the first ever event like this. Youth from across the LGBTQA spectrum attended the prom with no fear of harassment or retribution for who they are. In Tulepo, Mississippi, organizers from the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition have organized a high school prom that will feature Lance Bass, former ‘N Sync member in attendance to show his support. Even in the most unlikely places, people are standing up for what is right!!!

The time is upon us to reconcile our petty differences and come together with a common message. We are one community, older and younger, male and female, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allies. We all seek to live our lives free of harassment and discrimination. We all need to work together to bring an end to the hate and discrimination that continues to exist everywhere around us.

There are many local organizations, new and old, that exist to support the LGBTQA community. Seek them out and help them in any way you can. Let’s help keep the ball rolling and work together to end the hate and discrimation against our community.

Until next month,

Dave Barker
Publisher, Out & About

Phil Reese April 12, 2010--To follow up on my latest Out & About Illinois Politics column "Getting Arrested For Your Rights," I wanted to share some video with you. 

First Rick Sanchez covering Lt. Choi and Capt. Pietrangelo's arrest at the White House gate:

(Check it out here, embed is broken)

At the end of the video, Rick is showing a screen capture of Dan's tweets featuring Get Equal's website where you can learn more about the issues facing LGBT Americans. 

I do think that Get Equal needs to make the website a little more dynamic and update the content daily, but I totally believe in Get Equal's mission of full Federal equality in all 50 states, and their belief in national grassroots efforts and direct action to get it done.  This is old fashioned, old school activism. 

Lt. Choi elaborated on the basics of civil disobedience after his post-arrest hearing:

(Check it out here, embed is broken)

Its not a matter of just going out and getting arrested.  Its a matter of doing so strategically--participating in acts of civil disobedience when it will truly matter, when the world is watching, when Congress is watching--when you will make a strong statement.

One Illinoisan who understands this is openly lesbian lawmaker, Chicago's Deb Mell.  I interviewed Assemblywoman Deb Mell in February and we talked a little bit about her arrest in 2004 protesting marriage inequality at the Cook County Clerk's office. 

"Actually, I got arrested for storming into the street." said Representative Mell with a laugh when I asked her about it, "It was a marriage protest--we did a sit-in a couple weeks later--I don't want you to think I got arrested for getting a marriage license; I wasn't even dating anyone at the time. Now I would definitely. Now I have a partner"

Mell understands putting it all on the line for something that you can believe in.  But you have to do it smartly.  If you just showed up to the County Clerk's office and made a ruckus with no context, you wouldn't be moving the cause forward at all.  It needs to be well thought out and strategic. 

There are some things that you can do right now, however, to make a statement.  If you haven't filled out your Census form yet, visit Queer The Census' page to find out how you can demand to be counted. 

In addition, get involved locally to learn about letter-writing campaigns, in-district lobbying, and phone banking for equality.  Want to know more?  Feel free to email me: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and ask me how you can get involved where you are.  I'll be happy to tell you!

Phil Reese 4/6/2010--This Thursday at 7pm at the Champaign-Urbana Independent Media Center, get ready to be blown away by the first major local concert event of the season.

The UnitingPride Center of Champaign County--the brand new LGBTQA Community Center initiative--is presenting Turn It Up April 8th at 7pm at 202 S. Broadway, in Urbana.


View Larger Map

Its the old Post Office, Y'all, you can't miss it!

Ticket and refreshment sales will benefit the UP Center for securing a space and generating new programs vital for our youth and underserved populations.  If you don't go, you're a meanie.

Bands will include local sensations Vanattica and Tom Miebach performing several sets throughout the night.

In between our musical acts will be sensational spoken-word artists Anna Schweig and Cara Bailey.

They'll have your funny-bone covered too.  Comedy Improv group The Abe Froman Project will be providing some chuckles throughout the night.

But be ready to have your breath taken away by the Mistress of Ceremonies.  Bringing it all together on Thursday night, is the beautiful, stunning and absolutely divine Miss Leiloni Stars of the LA Girls. You know she'll be on point!

Tickets are $5 in advance at the sale page and $10 at the door.  $8 for students, but why wouldn't you just get them in advance anyway?  I mean its only $5.  We're going to entertain you all night.  There's refreshments.  Why haven't you clicked the link yet?  What's wrong with you?

Full disclosure:  I'm one of the founding board members of the Uniting Pride Center of Champaign County, and I'm going to be sweating profusely backstage assisting our performers.  Even though I'm biased, I still think you should go because I'm on this board because I believe in this cause--especially the work with youth and with uniting the whole LGBTQA community of our county.

Please come join us, and do some good!  How often can you have an awesome time while doing some good?

(Crossposted at Out And About Magazine Phil Reese's Blog & the217.com Reese's Pieces Blog.)

PLEASE READ THIS MONTH'S POLITICS COLUMN: "THE DISASTER OF BILL BRADY."

PHIL REESE, MARCH 8, 2010: Have you heard of Senate Bill 3447?  Well, if you haven't, you should have.  **The Bill seems to have gone quiet now after being referred back to the Committee on Assignments,** but had it passed out of the Judiciary committee, you might have lost your job.  The bill, which was initially submitted by Senator Bill Brady--who hates us--would have expanded the "Religious Exemption" to the Human Rights Law that protects people from getting fired based on sexual orientation or gender identity.  The "Religious Exemption" would suddenly apply to almost every employer imaginable, rendering the employment non-discrimination law virtually useless.

**UPDATE:  I ELABORATE FURTHER ON THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SB3447 BILL IN MY LATEST BILERICO.COM BLOG, CHECK IT OUT...

The hubub that erupted when bloggers from around the state--including myself--caught wind of the bill swiftly put it to bed.  The Judicial committee chair who had planned to give the bill a hearing when he thought the lead sponsor was still Bill Brady, swiftly re-referred the bill to the Assignments Committee when he learned the sponsor had changed to John O. Jones.  The bill isn't exactly dead, but its not going anywhere for now.

In short, Bill Brady is a shady shady, sneaky, evil man.

According to Senator Michael Frerichs, from the 42nd District, Bill Brady is one of the biggest obstacles to equality and progress, and has been for years.

"I can not think of any examples in my three years in the State Senate when Senator Brady extended a hand across the aisle," Frerichs said in an emailed statement.

"This is particularly striking," continued Frerichs, "because for my first two years, due to the super-majority that the Democrats enjoyed and the limited number of seats on the left side of the chamber, I sat on the Republican side of the aisle.  I developed many working relationships with Republicans because of my proximity, but Senator Brady was never one of the Republicans to work with or socialize with Democrats."

On the subject of Brady's plan to solve the state's problems by creating term limits, again, Frerichs is skeptical.

"I find it interesting that someone who has served in Springfield for nearly 20 years would advocate for term limits.  If Senator Brady truly believed that serving more than 8 years was a problem, then he should have resigned long ago."

Frerichs continued, "As for contribution limits, Democrats passed a bill last year limiting campaign contributions for the first time ever in the state of Illinois and Senator Brady voted against it."

After this, as well as the drama around SB3447, how can we possibly trust a man like Bill Brady to lead our state.  A flip-flopper and political maneuver-er who uses people like you and I as pawns in a game for political points, is not someone that the state can afford to have, drunk with power, in our highest office.

PLEASE READ THIS MONTH'S POLITICS COLUMN: "THE DISASTER OF BILL BRADY."

Phil Reese, February 12, 20010 -- Two months ago, Assemblyman John Perez became the first openly gay person selected for state House Speaker in history, but when he gets sworn in on March 1, he will be the second openly gay person to assume that position.

Yesterday, The Rhode Island House of Representatives selected and swore in Majority Leader Gordon Fox as the 222nd Speaker of one of the oldest legislatures in the nation.  The legislature of predominately Catholic state of Rhode Island--which is only one of two New England states without marriage equality, and the only state to never have passed a marriage equality bill--is now being led by an openly gay African American.  In March, 4% of state legislatures in America will be led by out and proud gay folks.

This is real progress.

In 1989 Republican US Senator Mark Hatfield's political career was nearly ruined when he was outed by Michael Petrelis at a fundraiser as he was supporting anti-gay legislation proposed by Jesse Helms.  At that time, being openly gay was a death sentence for a political career.  Barbara Jordan, the first southern African American woman to serve in the United States House of Representatives, remained closeted for her entire life, despite her life-long partnership with Nancy Earl. 

When Wisconsin Republican Steve Gunderson was outed in 1996 on the House Floor during the debate for the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, he became the first openly gay Republican in the US legislature, however he chose not to seek reelection.  However, another Republican in that debate--Arizona's Jim Kolbe--who voted for the legislation was outed after his vote, and became a vocal LGBT rights supporter for the remainder of his tenure in the house--another ten years.  Both are outspoken LGBT rights activists today.

While John Perez is a young, recently elected lawmaker in California, Fox is a veteran of Rhode Island politics, having been elected in 1993.  He's served as the Majoirty leader since 2002, and came out publicly in 2004, with no detriment to his political career. 

Fox's elevation is so important--not because he's the first gay state House Speaker to be sworn-in--but because he is also African American. When John Perez assumes the role of Speaker in California, neither of America's two openly-gay state House Speakers will be white.  This is an interesting moment for our movement--a movement whose major political organizations tend to be headed by not just men, but white men.  Perez's and Fox's respective elevations show in a very public way, the diversity in our movement.

As we reach for equality in the larger liberty, freedom and equality struggle in America, our movement is often taken less seriously than others whenever the question of leadership comes up.  Wealthy white men make terrible cases for a need for liberation.  Although those of us in Central and Southern Illinois know what struggling means, not to mention how much harder it is to achieve your goals and live your life when you're gay; the general image is that of the whiney wealthy white guy.  Its unfortunate. 

Fox's and Perez's new role as leaders are good for their states, because both men are hard-working and well-loved.  However, in terms of securing gender identity and sexual orientation employment non-discrimination nation wide, repealing the military ban on gays and lesbians, and securing relationship recognition to end taxation and rights and privilege discrimination; the selection of these two men by their peers just plain looks good for us.  We are a diverse community.  We are men and women.  We are all races, colors and creeds.  We come from the city and the country.  We work in factories, on farms and in board-rooms.  In short, we represent America itself. 

Congratulations go to Gorgon Fox and the state of Rhode Island, as well as John Perez and California.  I look forward to seeing what this will mean for their states and for the United States of America.