Author Archives: David Taffet

5 GetEQUAL TX activists arrested in ENDA protest at Texas Capitol

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Kirven

Cd Kirven

Cd Kirven of Dallas was among five GetEQUAL members arrested at the Texas Capitol this morning, according to KEYE, the CBS affiliate in Austin.

The five held a sit-in at the offices Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville and Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury and refused to leave. The protest was in support of SB 237, statewide employment nondiscrimination legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to categories protected under the law.

According to GetEQUAL state organizer Michael Diviesti, after the bill was heard in the Economic Development Committee in April, the group threatened action if it was not moved to the Senate floor by May 1.

“This is a follow-up to that promise,” he said.

According to Diviesti, the other four arrested were Coby Ozias from Corpus Christi, Tiffani Bishop from Austin and two women from San Antonio whose names he could not confirm. He said Ozias, who is trans, would have a different name on the court docket.

They are awaiting a bail hearing.

“If all five got the maximum, we’re about $450 short,” he said.

Kirven was arrested for a similar protest in Washington D.C. when she participated in a similar demonstration in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office.

Watch video from the protest below.

Continue reading “5 GetEQUAL TX activists arrested in ENDA protest at Texas Capitol” »

—  David Taffet

BREAKING: Resource Center Dallas to take over Youth First Texas on June 1

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yftResource Center Dallas will assume all programming from Youth First Texas on June 1 as a result of an agreement reached between the two organizations, according to a release from RCD this afternoon. 

This will ensure a continuation of programming for LGBTQ youth, which was in doubt earlier this year after the previous YFT board had dwindled and remaining members either resigned or were removed.

After RCD assumes YFT programming, YFT will become a program of RCD. Programming will continue with YFT’s current staff and volunteers at its present location at 3918 Harry Hines Blvd.

“Our strategic vision is to expand programs for seniors, families and youth,” RCD CEO Cece Cox said in the release. “As Resource Center Dallas nears its 30th anniversary, we are eager to take on the new challenges of serving our community’s youth and plan to work with the youth to develop additional programs and services. We will build upon the significant foundation and broad community support established by Youth First Texas over their 13 years of service.”

Richard Gordon was one of YFT’s first board members. He returned to the board in January to become interim chair after all previous board member resigned.

“I am confident that the LGBTQ youth of North Texas will greatly benefit by the Center taking on the programming offered by Youth First,” Gordon said. “After extensive review and discussion, it was decided that this move to the Center will provide the much-needed stability and support that our LGTBQ youth deserve.”

—  David Taffet

Dallas Voice’s Chance Browning and his Hillary shoes urge Clinton to run

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Chance Browning, left, Travis Pelham and CJ Vandyke

165461_10152778184545637_2120029370_nDallas Voice/Digital Seltzer’s Chance Browning said his moment of fame at a rally in Irving for Hillary Clinton last night came because of his shoes.

Browning was one of more than 40 people who gathered across the street from the Four Seasons Hotel in Irving at about 6 p.m. last night to urge the former Secretary of State to run for president. The rally was organized by the Ready For Hillary PAC.

“We saw her motorcade, but couldn’t see her come in,” Browning said.

Clinton, in Dallas for the opening of the George Bush Library today, delivered her first paid speech since leaving the Cabinet. She spoke to the National Multi-Housing Council’s board of directors. According to the Washington Post, she spoke about international affairs, the economy and the role of rental housing in the U.S.

But what impressed us most about the Post’s article was its closing line:

“It’s never too early to start rallying support. I think she’s perfectly poised to run in 2016,” Browning said.

Oh, and the shoes. Browning said he got them online about two years ago but the link to them is gone.

photo

—  David Taffet

Cathedral to hold ‘Service of Healing and Prayer’ after Hudson’s resignation

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The Rev. Jo Hudson

The Rev. Jo Hudson

The Cathedral of Hope will hold a “Service of Healing and Prayer” tonight in the wake of the resignation of the Rev. Jo Hudson, who has served as senior pastor for the last nine years.

Hudson announced her resignation at the 11 a.m. service on Sunday. The board sent an emergency email on Sunday afternoon to the congregation because the announcement had not been made to people who attended the 9 a.m. service.

The Rev. Alejandro de la Torre, who headed the Cathedral’s Latino ministry, resigned as well. His resignation was expected. He will be leaving to take care of his elderly mother in Mexico. Rachael Sandifer, the Cathedral’s executive director, resigned earlier this month.

The service of healing will be held in the peace chapel and the announcement was sent to members Wednesday by Cathedral member Ferrell Drum and Anita Haddy, the church’s coordinator for ministry development. The announcement stated:

“The recent announcement of the resignation of Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson has stirred a deeply emotional response for members of the congregation. At a time like this, quiet reflection can help heal the raw emotions being experienced.

“A Service of Healing and Prayer is planned for Thursday, April 25, at 6 p.m. in the Interfaith Peace Chapel. You are invited to attend and encouraged to invite those you know who may benefit from this service so they can attend.”

—  David Taffet

Razzle Dazzle Dallas names beneficiaries for the Main Event

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RDD-2013_LOGOsmRazzle Dazzle Dallas named eight organizations as beneficiaries of the Main Event on June 8. They are: AIDS Arms, AIDS Interfaith Network, Cedar Springs Merchants Association Beautification Project, Legacy Counseling Center, Legal Hospice of Texas, Resource Center Dallas, The Women’s Chorus of Dallas and the Turtle Creek Chorale.

Razzle Dazzle Dallas is the city’s four-day June Pride event.

The Razzle Dazzle Main Event takes place at Main Street Garden, 1902 Main St. from 7 p.m. to midnight. A $5 admission will be charged at the gate or can be purchased online. A limited number of $100 VIP festival passes will be sold to include complimentary access to MetroBall on June 7, VIP access on June 8, beverages, parking and swag.

On May 4, a bus trip to WinStar Casino benefits Razzle Dazzle Dallas and MetroBall. Buses leave at 8:45 a.m. and return by 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 and may be purchased online.

—  David Taffet

LGBT supporters to help blockwalk for Leland Burk on Saturday

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Leland Burk

Al Daniels is hosting a “Super Walk” with the Friends of Leland Burk on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Burk is the first openly gay candidate to run for the District 13 city council seat.

Daniels is former treasurer for the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus.

Block walkers will leave doorhangers and ring doorbells to talk to residents about four main points of Burk’s campaign. Burk will:

• effectively represent the residents of District 13,
• view all budget decisions with a keen business perspective,
• be a champion for strong neighborhoods across Dallas, and
• regularly communicate with residents.

Daniels lives in the northern section of District 13, inside LBJ, near Midway Road. To participate and for the address, send the campaign an email.

—  David Taffet

Marriage equality arrives in France, inches closer in Delaware, Rhode Island

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President Francois Hollande

France became the third country this month to legalize same-sex marriage when a bill passed the National Assembly today. Meanwhile, two more states in the U.S. are moving closer to marriage equality as well.

France became the 14th country with marriage equality when a bill passed the National Assembly following weeks of violent demonstrations and attacks on gay couples by conservatives. Civil unions have been legal in France since 1999.

President Francois Hollande said he will sign the bill and marriages should begin in June. He campaigned on a marriage-equality pledge and the issue didn’t become controversial until after he came into office.

Last week, New Zealand legalized same-sex marriage. Earlier in April, Uruguay did the same.

In the U.S., a marriage equality bill passed the House Administration Committee in Delaware and now moves to the House floor. The House is scheduled to vote on the bill today.

Delaware already has civil unions and a state law, but not a constitutional amendment, prohibiting same-sex marriage. The bill would repeal the law and upgrade civil unions to equal marriages.

Gov. Jack Markell has said he would sign the bill into law, according to Equality Delaware.

Rhode Island has been debating marriage equality ever since it passed a civil union law that is unpopular with both sides.

For the first time, an entire party delegation is supporting marriage equality. All Republican members of the Rhode Island Senate will vote for the marriage equality bill, according to the Associated Press.

The latest versions of the bill include more protections for religious organizations but fewer protections for businesses that want to discriminate against same-sex couples marrying, according to the Providence Journal.

Finally, Nevada’s legislature is debating repeal of its constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage. During the debate, Sen. Kelvin Atkinson came out as the second gay member of the Senate. USA Today reports that if the bill passes this year, it must be voted on again by the legislature in 2015. Then it goes to the voters the following year.

Same-sex marriage bills have also been introduced this year in Illinois and Minnesota.

—  David Taffet

PHOTOS: Oak Cliff’s gay-friendly Earth Day draws 5,000-plus

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DFW Human Rights Campaign booth promotes equality

DFW Human Rights Campaign booth promotes equality

More than 5,000 people attended Oak Cliff’s gay-and-family-friendly Earth Day in Lake Cliff Park.

Many of the booths offered gardening tips and samples for the garden including the Rainbow Garden Club. LifeWalk was busy recruiting walkers for AIDS Arms’ fall fundraiser while Human Rights Campaign promoted equality from its booth.

About the only non-Earth Day-related merchandise — including bumper stickers, hats and T-shirts — was from Get Gay Stuff.

Oak Cliff neighborhood groups were well represented. A number of organizations did presentations on water management, composting, environmentally friendly landscaping and other earth-friendly topics, but the stars of the afternoon were the animals.

They included dogs staffing the kissing booth, dogs in costume for the best-dressed contest, goats and sheep in a petting zoo, raptors from the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center near Lake Lavon, a lemur and parrot. A porcupine was unhappy in his cage but his handler said all he wanted was to get out and play with all of the dogs in the park.

More photos below.

Continue reading “PHOTOS: Oak Cliff’s gay-friendly Earth Day draws 5,000-plus” »

—  David Taffet

PHOTOS: Six Dallas LGBT leaders tell their stories at Outrageous Oral 5

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Six LGBT community members told their stories as part of The Dallas Way’s Outrageous Oral 5 on Thursday.

Candy Marcum began the evening with the story of how Oak Lawn Community Services came into being. She partnered with counselor Howie Daire to begin a counseling service for gay people. Without the Internet, they promoted their business by talking to bartenders who made many referrals.

Marcum said she ended up with many male clients because it would have been unethical for Daire to work with anyone professionally whom he had sex with.

Darryl Baker spoke about being prevented from entering the gay clubs without four forms of identification and Nell Gaither’s piece was about her work for the transgender community today.

Steve Atkinson mostly talked about his work to pass local and state legislation. But he told about death threats he got while doing that work and said it was the first time he told the story in public. The police took those threats seriously but were not able to trace the call in an era before caller ID.

Hardy Haberman told about how he became part of the leather community and Cordell Adams wrapped all of the stories together before telling his own story of growing up in East Texas and moving “across the tracks.”

The Dallas Way taped the presentation, which will be available on its YouTube channel. The organization is working with University of North Texas to preserve Dallas LGBT history.

More photos below.

Continue reading “PHOTOS: Six Dallas LGBT leaders tell their stories at Outrageous Oral 5” »

—  David Taffet

GayBingo steps in with West and Boston disaster relief donations

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gaybingo-dallas-2013After a week filled with disasters, GayBingo announced that $1 from every ticket sold and 10 percent of all donations made will go to help people in Boston and our neighbors in West.

GayBingo takes place in the Rose Room at S4 tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. This month’s theme is Priscilla Queen of the GayBingo in honor of the show that will be coming to the Fair Park Music Hall in May.

Speaking of disaster relief, West City Councilman (and former KNON DJ) Al Vanek sent word that cash donations may be made online by credit card or a check may be sent to either of the town’s banks:

POINTWEST Bank
200 W. Oak St.
West, Texas 76691

State National Bank
100 N. Main St.
West, Texas 76691

—  David Taffet