I would say that Sen. Robert Ford’s support in the gay community is mixed. I’ve heard very good things and I’ve gotten very disturbing scowls when his name has come up among gay friends.
That said, nobody can argue with his recent record supporting gay causes. When I heard he had a challenger for the seat, I was personally concerned that we might be losing a strong advocate in the legislature. In a recent interview with challenger Dwayne Green (part of our continuing election coverage that will appear in May 14 issue) he addressed that concern, suggesting I wasn’t the first to ask.
One issue where Ford has been a pioneer on in the legislature has been gay rights. He’s introduced legislation to create a statewide hate crime law that would include penalties for targeting people because of their sexuality and transgendered status, among other things. He’s also pioneered civil union legislation and laws protecting gay rights in housing and employment as well as a bill that would allow hospital visitations, a frequent concern for gay partners.
Green applauds Ford for his support for gays and lesbians and says that he’ll continue those fights if elected.
“As a member of a minority group, I believe in equal rights for everybody,” he says. “This is an issue I agree with Robert strongly on. What I would want the community to know is that they wouldn’t be losing anything with me.”
The Alliance for Full Acceptance is holding a unique art auction called “Stix N’ Stonz” from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, June 20, at the Urban Outfitters on King Street.
The group is challenging up 40 artists to use popular Munny figures (blank canvas collectible dolls) to symbolize the power of abusive school-yard slang.
“This art show will not be for the faint of heart,” the release states. “Some pieces may be viewed as too provocative or offensive. Some artists may choose to embrace a word and put an empowering spin on it. The bottom line, our goal is to educate.”
The auction is also expected to promote the upcoming Reel Grits LGBT film festival.
The Alliance for Full Acceptance will be hosting a coming out seminar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (lunch provided) at the Charleston County Public Library on Calhoun Street. It’s a free event, through the help of members of the Lowcountry Gay and Lesbian Alliance.
From AFFA:
Learning to live openly and freely is a process that can be very difficult for many LGBT persons and their straight allies. Many of us waste precious time and energy hiding, if only partially, this important part of our lives. For allies, coming out and defending LGBT persons can be just as difficult. This workshop is about taking responsibility for your life, moving ahead and changing the world inside and around you.
When I first moved to Beaufort a few years ago, I wasn’t hiding anything. My resume included my inclusion in the National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association. Since we all know the way that offices talk, it may not surprise anyone that I never had to come out to anyone at my office for more than four years — everyone just seemed to know.
The thing about coming out is that it’s not something we’re done with after the first day. I’m always meeting new people and they’ll often ask “What does your wife do?” And these types of seminars aren’t just for gay people, but friends and families of gay people (think about how many times your mother gets the question “Are your kids married?” or “Is Greg seeing anyone?”).
The author talks about a conversation he had with other young gay Bostonians in 2004.
In the end, most of us agreed that we would like to be married — just not yet. We still had a lot of living, and growing up, to do. While many of our heterosexual peers undoubtedly did as well, we were immune from the pressure some of them felt to marry. No one — not our friends, not our families, not the gay community — expected us to wed.
By that time, my partner and I had been “married” for two years and were in our mid-20s. I put the word in quotation marks because, as I’m sure I don’t have to tell you, our relationship is not recognized by the State of South Carolina.
The story is an interesting read in showing the ways that we’ve come a long way (the lesbian-Uhaul joke has been passed on to the world) and in the ways we haven’t (one groom-to-be doesn’t talk to his family about his sexuality). The way our families responded (and in one case, didn’t respond) to the news of our wedding plans was one of the more emotional aspects of the whole event.
This paragraph from the NYT story sums it all up.
But most of the young married men I spent time with insisted their marriages weren’t a “reaction” to anything. They valued their connection to modern gay culture, and they weren’t interested in choosing between being a married man and a young gay man. They could be both, and they could make it work.
I found the story less about marriage as much as it was about young gay couples. The nervous excitement about the wedding day was the same for Shane and I in the backyard of our friends house in Columbia as it seemed for these couples on the courthouse steps in Boston. There were only a few words peppered in the story that sounded different: alimony, shared last names, marriage license.
That said, we’re still quite the oddity in our social circle. A few weeks back, we ran into another couple at the gay bar and excitedly chatted amongst ourselves. And gay guys we meet do look at us with shock when we tell them we’ve been together eight years. But, of course, that’s the “bar crowd.” I know there are suburban couples who make it out to the club on rare occasions, but are happy to live out of that scene.
Parties are going on all over town each year when Dining with Friends rolls around. Now in its 16th year, this mega-fund-raiser is easily one of the most recognizable events on the social calendar. Expect 80-plus parties on and around May 3 this year, with themes ranging from black tie to backyard barbecue, enough to exhaust even the most ambitious party crawler.
Didn’t think it would hurt if we threw the information out here as well:
Soulforce, the group that has targeted schools with policies that hurt LGBT students, sent us a flier about a new effort called The American Family Outing, with gay and gay-friendly families visiting six mega-churches around the nation. The closest to Charleston is New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga., on May 30 and June 1.
From the postcard:
We visit these churches because we recognize the enormous influences each has within Christianity and the larger culture, through ministries, radio and television programs, and books that reach millions. We believe these churches have the potential to be a positive force in ending the physical and spiritual violence perpetuated by some religious voices against LGBT people and their families. Some of these churches have exercised inspirational leadership on social issues such as poverty and AIDS, and we believe they can exercise comparable, courageous leadership in ending spiritual and physical violence against LGBT people.
Those looking to participate or donate can apply for the visit at www.soulforce.org.
There has been a dramatic change in norms governing sexual behavior in America. As a result, issues about sexuality and homosexuality have been a recurring theme, and often a divisive one, for every religious denomination in America, including the various branches of Judaism. This semester the rabbis will discuss what they think Jewish law has to say about sexuality, both within and outside marriage, and how it should inform our thinking about homosexuality in particular. In so doing, they will reflect on the nature and scope of Jewish law.
The event is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Stern Student Center. It’s free and open to the public.
Sunday April 6th
4-7 pm
Oyster Roast at Bowen’s Island
1870 Bowens Island Road
Charleston, SC 29412
off Folly Road, two miles before Folly Beach.
$25 Purchase Tickets online or call 883.0343. ($30 at the door).
Other events:
Thursday April 10: Beverages and BS at Down To Earth in Mt Pleasant
Friday May 2 - Dining With Friends fund raiser for LAS at the home of Charlie Smith 1625 McClain Street Charleston
Saturday May 10th: Coming Out workshop at the Charleston County Library 9am - 3 pm
Thursday May 15th: AFFA meeting at the Renaissance Charleston
The Spring Silly Hat Party to benefit Lowcountry Aids Services is tomorrow night! Found this picture somewhere on the internet, but you know that if this guy knew about the party, he’d be there.
The party starts at 8 p.m. and proceeds from the door go to Lowcountry AIDS Services. The silliest, most outrageous hat will win a trophy and bragging rights. The night will be filled with dancing and music will be provided by DJ Jesse. Twenty dollars will get you in the door with a hat or $30 without a hat. Cash or check will be accepted at the door. Representatives will also be on hand to distribute information about Lowcountry AIDS Services.
