Tag Archives: Chicago

Chicago Sun Times Endorses Civil Union Measure

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Contributed by John K. Barry, HRC Director in Chicago

Yesterday, I was thrilled to see the Chicago Sun Times discuss the very real possibility of civil unions moving forward in Illinois this year. The paper’s editorial board strongly voiced their support for the legislation, while noting that civil unions are not the equivalent of marriage.

A civil union bill for same-sex couples will likely face a vote during the state Legislature’s brief veto session that begins on Tuesday. It’s time, finally, to pass a bill that opens the door to equal treatment for our gay neighbors and friends. This page has long supported gay marriage as the best and most just option for same-sex couples in Illinois, but state legislators are not ready.

In the meantime, the civil union bill will do, offering much needed relief to same-sex couples. The civil union bill would give same-sex couples many of the same benefits available to married couples, including the right to visit a partner in the hospital, to inherit a partner’s estate and to make medical decisions for a sick partner…. A civil union law, though, would be an important start, potentially putting Illinois on the path to gay marriage.

The editorial board hit the nail on the head. Civil unions provide real benefits now and brings Illinois a step closer to marriage equality. HRC is proud to be a part of a broad coalition that is working for the passage of this bill.  The coalition is being led by State Representative Greg Harris, primary sponsor of the bill.


Human Rights Campaign | HRC Back Story

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Intercepted Bomb Was Addressed To Chicago Gay Synagogue

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One of the bombs found in two cargo planes last week was addressed to a small synagogue in Chicago that caters to the LGBT community.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

Or c We are somewhat alarmed and somewhat disturbed," said Lilli Kornblum, co-president of Or Chadash, a North Side congregation of about 100 members. Or Chadash shares space with Emanuel Congregation at a synagogue on North Sheridan Road. Emanuel's rabbi said Saturday that he had been informed that more than two synagogues were targeted.

Rabbi Michael Zedek said he was told by a person of "considerable importance and reliability in the larger and Jewish community that there were four synagogues targeted, not two."

"He wanted to be assured that our security plan was in place," Zedek said of his source. "He told me, 'I've got good news and I've got bad news. The good news is Emanuel Congregation was not part of the four. The bad news is Or Chadash is.'"

Most peculiarly, the synagogue's website had recently been visited a number of times by someone from Egypt. Said Zede: "What I was told this morning by the person who keeps our website current is that when she was checking to see how many hits we'd been getting recently, and this is before what occurred on Friday, to her surprise we had 83 hits from an address in Cairo, Egypt. It does assume a greater interest in light of what happened.''

Meanwhile, US officials announced today that a woman in Yemen has been arrested in connection with the bombs.


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Yemen Bomb Was Headed For Gay Chicago Synagogue

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One of the bombs sent from Yemen aboard passenger and cargo planes was destined for Chicago's Or Chadash, a gay synagogue that's an affiliate (and shares space with) the larger Emanuel Congregation. Despite the increased threat, Or Chadash' shabbat services went ahead as planned.

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Queerty

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Chicago Nightclub CANCELS “Kill Gays” Capleton Performance

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Once Again, Public Pressure Delivers the Goods

Please THANK “Kinetic Playground” Nightclub for Doing the Right Thing!

CHICAGO — Through a series of negotiations this week and last and with the threat of a demonstration, Gay Liberation Network (GLN) and other community activists were successful in persuading management at  Kinetic Playground nightclub, 1113 W. Lawrence Avenue, to cancel “Kill Gays” dancehall performer Capleton for a show originally scheduled for late this Saturday night, October 9th.
 
In human rights circles, Capleton's Jamaica has one of the worst reputations for anti-LGBT mob violence in the hemisphere, with Jamaican police openly tolerating it.  In 2004 the country's leading gay rights campaigner, Brian Williamson, was stabbed multiple times in an apparent anti-gay hate murder. The constant threat of violence has forced other gay rights campaigners to flee the country.
 
Capleton is one of a small group of Jamaican performers who have gained international notoriety for openly calling for the murder of lesbians and gays in the lyrics of their songs.  As recently as last December at a concert in Jamaica, Capleton called out congratulations from the stage to those who commit violence — “All who a bun battyman and sodomite, hand up!” (“All who have burned queers and sodomites, put your hands up!”).
 
We are big supporters of free speech, having had our own threatened on numerous occasions.  But only a fool would say that calls to lynch people – whoever the targets – is “free speech,” any more than is yelling “fire” in a crowded theater. Nor is Capleton's right to spew hate from the stage compromised by GLN's right to protest his presence on that stage. He has a right, within limits, to say what he pleases; he has no right to the stage he wants to say it from, it doesn't belong to him.
 
The cancellation of Capleton is a victory that all human rights supporters should savor.  The Gay Liberation Network, which initiated the campaign against Capleton in Chicago, commends Kinetic Playground management for putting human rights principles above dollars by canceling the show.
 
Please put an exclamation point on this victory by buying a drink or two this Saturday night at Kinetic Playground, 1113 W. Lawrence Avenue, so that the management and staff there know that Chicago is willing to stand behind those who follow their conscience.
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Rahm Emanuel to leave WH to run for mayor of Chicago

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Does he need help packing his bags? Talk about FAIL. John King of CNN:

Three Democratic sources close to Rahm Emanuel tell CNN that the White House chief of staff informed senior colleagues he is all but certain to run for mayor of Chicago, and will leave the White House to take the final exploratory steps.

Close associates are already building a campaign team according to sources.

An announcement by Emanuel is expected to be scheduled for Friday, sources said.

One of the sources, a prominent Democrat close to the White House chief of staff, told CNN, “We see nothing that will stop a run. But you don’t announce a campaign for mayor of Chicago in Washington, D.C. You leave and go home and finish your business there.”

Pam’s House Blend – Front Page

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Chicago Looks Fun This Sunday

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Oh, wait. That’s not a football joke, is it? Bother.

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Joe. My. God.

—  John Wright

Gay Aldmerman may run to replace Daley in Chicago

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Chicago Mayor Richard Daley announced on Tuesday that he’s not running for reelection. It’s widely speculated that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is going to run. But, according to the Advocate, one other potential candidate to replace Daley is the city’s only gay Alderman, Tom Tunney:

Daley has had a generally good relationship with Chicago’s large gay population. In 2006 he was inducted into the city’s Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame as a “Friend of the Community.” His administration’s achievements include establishing Chicago’s Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues and Office of LGBT Health; instituting domestic-partner benefits for city employees; and adding gender identity to the municipal human rights ordinance. He has voiced personal support for marriage equality.

Restaurateur Tom Tunney, the first and only openly gay Chicago city council member, is reportedly among those interested in the mayor’s office. Tunney said last spring that he would consider a run, but only if Daley retired. Other potential contenders, according to the Tribune, include President Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel; Cook County sheriff Tom Dart; outgoing county assessor James Houlihan; former Chicago inspector general David Hoffman; and several other aldermen.

How great would it be to have the gay guy beat Emanuel? That would be justice.




AMERICAblog Gay

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Gay Successor to Chicago Mayor?

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Mayor Richard Daley X390 (PRESS OFFICE) | ADVOCATE.COMChicago’s only openly gay alderman is among the possible candidates to
replace Mayor Richard M. Daley, who has decided not to seek reelection.
Advocate.com: Daily News

—  John Wright

The Chicago Gay Bar That’s Apparently Letting Kids Pick Up Trans Hookers

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La Cueva, a Latino queer bar in Chicago's Little Village on the West Side and described as "oldest Latino drag club in the country" (it opened in 1972) is no longer welcome to some in the community. Something about all that prostitution?

CONTINUED »

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Queerty

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News: Chicago, Jake Gyllenhaal, Pakistan, Booker Prize, XY

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road 20 million people affected by flooding in Pakistan. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon: "I will never forget the destruction and suffering I have witnessed today. In the past I have witnessed many natural disasters around the world, but nothing like this."

Richberg roadIs Kevin Richberg your soulmate?

roadHow does Carrot Top maintain his golden carrot tan?

roadChicago area split on same-sex marriage: "In a recent Tribune/WGN poll, 46 percent of suburban residents said they oppose legalizing same-sex marriage, while 40 percent approve and 14 percent have no opinion.

When asked their opinions on civil unions — which would provide same-sex couples with many of the same legal rights as marriage — the results switch: 54 percent of suburban residents favor legalizing same-sex civil unions, compared with 33 percent who would oppose such a law."

roadHulu plans IPO.

roadWhich nightclub will Lindsay Lohan hit first?

roadNY1 looks at Manhattan's planned gay-themed hotel complex on 42nd street: "We are going to be a hetero-friendly urban resort, which means we are going to turn Ian Schrager’s concept upside down. His hotels 20 years ago were more 80 percent straight and 20 percent gay-friendly. Here we hope to be more of a true hetero-friendly complex — a gay environment where straight friends and family are welcome to come and enjoy our fun too."

roadBrad Goreski — with clothes on this time.

roadJake Gyllenhaal sells drugs…in his new romantic comedy.

Realestate roadGay real estate agent uses Lutheran pastor's home for sexcapades: "While they were gone, they allege in a lawsuit filed last week, their real estate agent used their house and possessions for 'unauthorized sexual escapades,' staining their sheets, couch, carpet and other surfaces.

Coldwell Banker Burnet spent more than ,000 to clean the home and replace sullied furniture, sheets, towels, the couple's robes and her negligee. But the family says they were repulsed by the intrusion and can't stay there anymore."

roadAdam Lambert parties with the Philly boys.

roadMarine investigated for alleged participation in gay porn: "Sgt. Matthew W. Simmons, whose alleged screen name is 'Christian Jade,' acknowledged in an e-mail that he believed his case would be taken to court-martial."

roadMale model fix: Nils Butler.

roadPaul Krugman on the Social Security "crisis". "An aging population will eventually (over the course of the next 20 years) cause the cost of paying Social Security benefits to rise from its current 4.8 percent of G.D.P. to about 6 percent of G.D.P. To give you some perspective, that's a significantly smaller increase than the rise in defense spending since 2001, which Washington certainly didn't consider a crisis, or even a reason to rethink some of the Bush tax cuts."

Manilow_slater roadSteven Slater meets Barry Manilow.

roadGay man and lesbian lead Booker longlist sales: "Leading the pack by far is openly gay Christos Tsiolkas, whose novel The Slap has been widely praised for its eight different perspectives (including a gay teen, Richie's) on contemporary Australia. According to Nielsen BookScan figures, he sold more than 5,000 copies in the UK last week. In Australia, The Slap has remained on bestseller lists since its publication in 2008. Ranked second for sales among the longlist is Irish writer Emma Donoghue (who lives in Canada with her partner and their children) for her explosive novel Room."

roadSong lyrics as Google maps.

roadXY magazine owners to destroy user info: "A tussle over the remaining assets of defunct XY magazine has ended in an agreement to protect the identities of former customers of the gay lifestyle and dating properties. After XY declared bankruptcy recently, the business partners fought over ownership of the assets, including the identities and personal information of over one million users…An agreement between the two parties has resolved the issue without litigation. The publisher has agreed to destroy the personal information."


Towleroad News #gay

—  John Wright