LGBTQ News for the Weekend......The Oscar Edition
Hello friends, fans and followers,
I am sure by now you have wondered where I have been and why have I not posted.....well, life has been busy with lecturing, travel and editing film projects. I can say I am well. I celebrated my youthful 51st birthday on February 13 and then had the flu on Valentines Day. It was a bit rough for 24 hours, but I am well and recovered. My good friends Rob and Elias took me out for dinner on my birthday weekend and we had a great time. I will be seeing them again at Rob's place this Sunday for the Academy Awards.
I have been dating here and there lately. I had a shitty date a week ago Saturday where half of the evening went well,but when his friends showed up his social skills hit a all night low. He had his back to me, walking ahead and not together along with 3 bathroom breaks lasting 15-20 minutes each. I was done and without dealing with any bs or drama, I headed home with him giving me a kiss goodnight in my parking garage. Street parking is bad by me so I got him a space for a the night while we were out. I was happy when his car exited the parking garage and the automated door closed....and scene! ( I was asked for a second date the next day on line...ah no!)
And may I make a huge suggestion to those addicted to your cell phones......put the damn thing away and engage in a conversation with the people you are with. I swear texting and calling on cell phones is the new drug. I am worried, truly concerned of the social skills of our younger generation coming up. We are not taking as much anymore face to face.....think about it and be proactive. Sharing your stories and who you are!
I have been very happy with the weather this winter here in Chicago. Its been very mild and enjoyable. From what I have seen on the news, it is Europe that is getting the bad winter this year. I am looking forward to Spring coming as I know I will be heading to Northern Michigan in May to see friends, have a break and morel mushroom hunt.
I am still dealing with my left shoulder pain since my fall before Christmas. My right leg is still giving me issues as well. I know my right leg and knee are issues that will have to be addressed with surgery sometime in the future. The high cost of health care has left me in a bind as...I have none. A friend of mine recently had a three day stay at a hospital after a heart attack. He had blockage removed and a stint put it. The real heart attack came a week later when he learned he owed the hospital a whopping $102,000. I feel so bad for him and many others that are in this situation. I know some people literately dying because they don't have health care. I hope things change for all of us. We are devaluing human beings, but valuing materialistic things that don't really matter.
I am still booking lectures for this winter/spring semester and dates are filling up. All the info you need is on my website at www.gregrbaird.com. I'd love to come to your community and be part of your event or lecture program. Have a great weekend everyone, be nice to each other and go out and make a difference in your own unique way.
Here is your LGBTQ News for the Weekend.
Maryland Senate pushes same-sex marriage forward
The Maryland Senate gave final approval to a marriage equality bill last night, bringing Maryland closer to joining seven other states and the District of Columbia in allowing same-sex couples to marry. In his speech on the Senate floor, openly gay State Sen. Richard Madaleno explained the value of the legislation to him and his family, saying, "It is the marriage license that symbolizes the commitment. It makes it worthwhile. I want that marriage license in the state of Maryland." The victory for LGBT advocates could be tested by a statewide referendum on the issue this November; if voters approve the legislation, couples could begin marrying in January. Gov. Martin O'Malley, who strongly supported the bill, said he will campaign hard to retain the law if opponents are able to gather the signatures required to put the issue on the ballot.
Former GOP senator lashes out at “homophobic” Santorum
Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson, a Republican from Wyoming, said this week he believed Rick Santorum’s homophobia and concentration on social issues hurts the GOP. “To me it's startling and borders on disgust,” Simpson said in an interview. Meanwhile Santorum confirmed he is opposed to civil unions as well as marriage for same-sex couples.
Binational couples in limbo despite hold on deportations
The Obama administration, in a meeting with LGBT groups, rejected calls for a blanket hold on decisions regarding whether to grant green cards to foreign nationals in same-sex relationships with U.S. citizens. Without green cards, foreigners run afoul of federal law if they try to hold jobs. Advocates say green card decisions should be delayed while the courts determine the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, which blocks gays and lesbians in the U.S. from sponsoring their same-sex partners and spouses for naturalization.
Prop 8 case on slower route to Supreme Court
Lawyers representing opponents of marriage equality in California have exercised an option to seek a broader hearing of the federal Proposition 8 case at the appellate court level rather than appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court right away. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit earlier ruled that Proposition 8, which ended marriage rights for same-sex couples, was unconstitutional. It’s unclear whether the 9th Circuit will agree to rehear the case.
A victory in Baltimore for transgender equality
Baltimore County, Md., the site of a vicious anti-trans attack caught on video last year, has passed a wide-ranging anti-discrimination measure aimed at curbing discrimination based on gender identity. In addition to employment and housing, the new law applies to public accommodations, which has been a contentious issue in such efforts
Maine same-sex marriage law heads for ballot
AUGUSTA - Advocates of same-sex marriage turned in more than enough signatures to move ahead with a citizens initiative that would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in Maine, the Secretary of State's Office ruled Thursday. More than 85,000 voter signatures were declared valid. The advocacy groups needed at least 57,277 valid signatures for their bill to get to the Legislature.
Lawmakers now will be presented with a citizens initiative proposing the legalization of gay marriage in Maine. Currently, seven states and the District of Columbia allow gay marriages.
Lawmakers have the option of passing the bill as proposed, but they likely will send it to voters in November. Advocates of same-sex marriage, who lost in 2009 at the ballot box in a 53-47 percent vote, say enough Mainers have changed their minds that the measure will pass this time.
"The story of the 2012 campaign is not going to be gay folk coming out and supporting this, it's going to be heterosexuals like myself coming out in support of gay marriage," said Michael Gray, pastor of the Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church. "We're now realizing how important it is for us to speak up."
Brian Souchet, director of the Office for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, said he fully expected that the advocates would get enough signatures.
But, he said, they will have a harder time convincing the public that it's time to allow same-sex marriage in Maine.
"This is a group that's attempting to redefine marriage," he said. "We don't see how a majority of Maine voters are going to go for that."
The coalition that's working to pass a gay-marriage law comprises EqualityMaine, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, the Maine Women's Lobby, The Religious Coalition Against Discrimination and 15 other groups.
Betsy Smith, executive director of EqualityMaine, said she hopes that the Legislature will listen to the more than 100,000 people who signed the petition in support of a citizens initiative.
"Our hope is that they will abide by the wishes of the people, which is to vote in November," she said.
Bob Emrich, who is organizing a coalition of opponents that will include the Christian Civic League of Maine, Concerned Women for America and the National Organization for Marriage, said he's cautiously optimistic that voters haven't changed their minds on the issue since 2009.
"We're much better prepared than we were before," he said. "I don't know anyone other than EqualityMaine folks who think things have changed."
In a statement released Thursday night by the Catholic diocese, Bishop Richard Malone said, "The church will remain firm in her constant teaching that marriage is exclusively the union of one woman and one man -- a nearly universally accepted truth until very recently. ... The church advises people to read the proposed legislation very closely before they vote on it."
