NYT's Nagourney on Omission 
of Homeless L.A. Voices

Yesterday's front-page of the national print edition of the New York Times ran a story by Adam Nagourney, about the Los Angeles region's efforts to reduce homeless people living on the streets. Plenty of politicians and nonprofit executives were quoted and allowed to opine on what's best for the homeless folks. Since I'm acquainted with Adam, I sent him a note asking why not one homeless person was quoted in his piece.

Here's his reply:

If I had set out to do a in-depth profile of the homeless community in LA – an absolutely legitimate and important story – I would have no doubt quoted many homeless people, and spent a lot of time moving around with them, to get a sense of who they are now, how they became homeless, why they are here. That is very well a story I might do here at some point; but that was not this story.

This was a story about how at a time other communities have made significant progress in finding housing for homeless, LA has not: that it has by every measure the worse homeless problem in the country. The story is intended to look at why that is, how it’s happened, how come it’s so intractable here and what LA is now trying to do about it. A profile of the community itself – in particular, the number of homeless veterans – is a separate but also important topic, that in my opinion should be addressed in future stories.

I grant Adam's his points regarding the focus of his piece, and I have no issue with him giving space to homeless experts and such, but there is still a legit reason why members of the affected homeless population should have been allowed to weigh in on the LA proposals. After all, the plans will directly impact that population and their situation.

My view is that just as I would expect Adam and the Times to quote a gay person or a Democrat if the story were about gay liberation or control of the U.S. Senate, I want them to include the voices of homeless people in related articles. Let's hope the future stories he mentions soon appear.

Solmonese Wanted Obama Administration Job

Just how the hell did the American homosexual movement get to such a low point, where the collective gay groups in Washington still ain't delivering shit in 2010 and there is no viable alternative on the horizon? In case I have not made the point in my decades of kvetching against the Human Rights Campaign and Gay Inc, let me make one thing perfectly clear. We suck at affecting political change.

Except for when AIDS was cutting its wide swath, and no safe treatments were available, and our righteous fury was directed at radically forcing the federal government to meet our specific demands for drugs and trials, our national agenda has utterly failed to provide significant progress.

The plague years saw a blossoming of fierce and fabulous outsider activism and insider lobbying, and both gay and AIDS agendas were the better for it. But now, Gay Inc's chickens have come home to roost, and we are not going anywhere until we once and for all recognize the 800-pound gorilla in the room.

HRC is our biggest obstacle to not only lasting change, but also real advances beyond being able to see a partner, if he or she were in the hospital. That executive memo by Obama was nice, but akin to allowing blacks to sit at integrated lunch counters, while keeping them out of the polling station.

I cannot accept the argument of HRC is vital to the gay agenda. It is destroying the agenda, all for the executives and board members and the advances they're most interested in - their own careers.

Consider the following from Richard Grenell, a gay Republican blogger at HuffPo:

Solmonese, a seasoned Democratic Party activist who at first maneuvered for a political appointment in the Obama administration, couldn't even move Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who represents the gayest district in the country, to put DADT or gay marriage up for a standalone vote in the House.

He angled for a personal appointment. Gee, guess Joe wasn't pressing the president on the community's behalf, not when he wanted to work for the commander-in-chief. I don't imagine the HRC board, whose directors were also probably looking for gig with Barry O, had any problem with the executive director pushing his resume over to the West Wing.

The problem before us is not just that Joe must go, along with other executives, and the board too, or their shameful attempt to cloak themselves in Harvey Milk's activist grassroots legacy, or HRC's happy homo lapdog routine for the Democratic National Committee.

It is in HRC's genetic code to FAIL. Expect nothing for the gays until the organization is dissolved.

Protest HRC's Move into Milk's Old Shop
& Against Sit/Lie on Saturday

Talk about feeding two birds with one seed. Today my friend Tommi Avicolli Mecca, a longtime queer progressive affordable housing advocate, sent along a notice about an action this weekend that will address two important issues in San Francisco.

FYI, Tommi showed up at our rally two days ago in UN Plaza over the recent United Nations vote deleting gays from a resolution deploring arbitrary executions.

He informs me that the protest is sponsored by Queers Against Sit/Lie and the One Struggle, One Fight group, and he expects more orgs to soon endorse the protest.

Needless to say, I'm pleased as pansy punch that an action is being planned so soon against the corrupt, inept and wasteful Human Rights Campaign taking over the lease of Harvey's old community center/camera shop, and trying to cloak themselves in his legacy. I will be at the protest and hope to see you there too.

For more info, contact Tommi via email: tommi@avicollimecca.com

Queer-In Against Sit/Lie

Join us outside Harvey Milk’s former camera store at 575 Castro Street, on Saturday, December 18, from 12 noon-2pm.

We will declare that the sidewalks belong to everyone and to protest Human Rights Campaign’s plan to rent Harvey’s store and co-opt his legacy.

Sit/lie, which makes it illegal to sit or lie on sidewalks, will be selectively enforced against homeless queers in the Castro, homeless folks in the Haight and Day Laborers in the Mission. Harvey opposed the sit/lie law of the 1970s which was used to harass and arrest gay men in the Castro. It was  struck down in 1979.

HRC left transgender folks out of ENDA (federal gay rights bill) and generally excludes many of us from their table when decisions are made. We won’t let HRC put Harvey’s legacy up for sale, and we won’t let the police decide who can sit on a sidewalk.

Bring musical instruments; games; food to share; things to sell, give-away or barter; signs; face painting kits; fun activity to engage in; good conversation; jumping ropes, etc.

Sidewalks are for everyone!

Milk’s legacy is not for sale or rent!

Rainbow & UN Flags 

Fly Together at SF Rally

  
(Gays gather beneath the UN Plaza flagpole, after the rainbow flag had temporarily been raised, for the rally's conclusion. Credit: Bill Wilson.)

One day after the world marked International Human Rights Day, just over fifty people attended a one-hour rally in San Francisco, the city where the United Nations was chartered, to demand full protection of the human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people everywhere.

Starting at noon on Saturday, December 11, we assembled at UN Plaza, by the obelisk engraved with the UN's original and human rights charters, and taped flyers to the edifice that called for justice in the murder of Honduran gay youth and democracy activist Walter Trochez.

Mobile sound wizard Billy Bradford set up mics and just-loud-enough speakers, then placed them near the US and rainbow flags in front of the obelisk.

The rally was emceed by Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who made opening remarks, summing up the outrage many of us feel about the UN vote in November removing gay people from a resolution deploring extrajudicial and arbitrary executions. He also spoke about our local efforts at consulates over the years protesting or celebrating with our brothers and sisters around the world, and Board of Supervisors' proclamations.

(Straight ally Todd David, a staffer at Bevan's office, attended with his wife and his kids. Credit: Clinton Fein.)

South African-born gay artist Clinton Fein criticized his homeland, which is the only country whose constitution outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, for its anti-gay vote. He wants South Africa to vote in favor of the pro-gay resolution introduced on Friday by U.S. at the UN. This will allow South Africa to resume the leadership role she assumed following the abolishment of apartheid, not stain the efforts of Nelson Mandela with homophobia and discrimination.

(With her wife Molly at the mic, Davina flashes a super smile. Credit: Clinton Fein.)

International love warrior and author Davina Kotulski delivered a chilling summary of recent horrors visited upon LGBT people in Iraq, Jamaica, Uganda, Malawi, Iran, and decried the involvement of conservative American Christians in Africa. Davina said, "It would have been easy to be apathetic about atrocities beyond our borders, but we are motivated to speak out. And thanks to everyone who helps raise the global consciousness for LGBTs around the world everyday."

State Sen. Mark Leno was unable to join us, but he sent a written statement calling on the UN to undo the damage of its vote and applauding activists for bringing visibility to our anger over the resolution. Leno, speaking as a Jewish man, reminded us of the suffering Jews have endured. The statement was read by veteran global gay activist Tate Swindell.

(Mike and Mike: Together 14-years, never married, very much in love. Credit: Bill Wilson.)

I spoke about the one-year anniversary of the extrajudicial execution of Walter Trochez, and the fact that no one has been arrested in his killing. My wonderful boyfriend, Mike Merrigan, received a shout out for his behind-the-scenes support of me and the protest.

(The fabulous diva, Ms. Cauley, talks to the crowd. Credit: Clinton Fein.)

Longtime African-American transgender AIDS activist Veronika Cauley expressed solidarity and love on behalf of all of San Francisco's citizens toward LGBT folks and people with AIDS around the planet.

Our rally ended with everyone getting a copy of the lyrics to the unofficial gay anthem "Over the Rainbow," and veteran LGBT marriage equality advocate Molly McKay leading us in singing that song of hope and optimism.

Bevan then took out his large rainbow flag, a dozen or so of us grabbed the edges, and we gaily walked over to the golden flagpole with the UN blue flag flying on top. Two workers from the Department of Public Works, John and Miguel, lowered the UN flag and tied our rainbow flag underneath it, then raised both flags.

When the flags reached the top, the sun broke through the overcast clouds, and we were joined by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano. Our message in placing the flags together was to say to the UN, gays need the global body to protect our human rights, at every opportunity.

Once the flags were lowered, we spontaneously broke into one of the verses from "Over the Rainbow," before we all hugged each other, exchanged greetings of the season, and brought the rally to an close.

(The gay pride and U.S. flags, reflected in the marble over the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Credit: Bill Wilson.)

In terms of media turnout, radio stations KCBS and KPFA sent reporters, community-based photographer Bill Wilson snapped away, WBAI in New York City spoke with us afterward for a story running next week, Bay Area Reporter sent staff photographer Rick Gerharter, and the Golden Gate [X]press newspaper had reporter Chase S. Kmec cover the rally. Read Kmec's excellent piece here.

Ken Hodnett, community videographer, was present and edited a great video of the speeches and actions at UN Plaza on Saturday. Thanks, Kenny! Have a look:



Here's a shout out to everyone who pitched in to make the rally, our expressions of anger and love, the raising of the rainbow flag, the sing-a-long "Over the Rainbow," and international gay solidarity a reality yesterday: Thank you!

(Dedicated to the life and activism of Hank Wilson.)

The List:
Who Wants HRC's Solmonese to Resign?

[UPDATE: Go here to see the revised list, now at 55 names.]

I looked around the web today for a listing of all the folks who've called for Joe Solmonese to step down as executive director of the Human Rights Campaign, for various and sundry reasons, and could find no such listing. Let's get one started, small as it may be at this point, just to keep track of the names of gays and others who want Solmonese to go.

The folks on the list have their own motivations for wanting Solmonese's resignation, and some also recognize it will take much more than him leaving for HRC to genuinely evolve and improve.

My personal view is that the top slate of HRC executives and the board of directors need to also step down. Heck, why stop there, I really want the group to just disband and stop its damage to the gay community. Their building can be used to house convicted lobbyists and other white-collar criminals.

If you know of others who've called for Solmonese to leave HRC, send me the URL to where that info is posted. Or if you want to add your name to this list, lemme know, and be sure to include your city or state.

The list of who's publicly called for Solmonese to resign:

Andres Almeida: Co-founder, godlovespoetry.com
Ethan August: Gay comedian, Palo Alto
Paul Barwick: Plaintiff, 1971 gay marriage lawsuit, SF
Dustin Lance Black: Liberal writer, Los Angeles
B. Daniel Blatt: Conservative pundit, California
Paul Brown: Gay businessman, San Francisco  
J. Bulsara: Mansfield, OH 
Denise Eaker-Hoover: Community builder, Missouri
Maria F.: Verona, Italy
J. Todd Fernandez: Gay activist, New York City
Paulo Sant-Filh: New York, NY
Echo G.: Ashland, OH
Rick Garcia: Equality Illinois, Chicago
Chase Gentry: Old Hickory, TN
Clifford Gooden: Davenport, IA 
Stephen Greene: Ellerbe, NC
Jeri Hughes: Transsexual woman, DC
Marc Forrest Kaplan: Activist, North Carolina
M. Vernon Hunt: Reverend/activist/writer, Ohio
Cia Jackson: Aurora, CO
Alex Jory: Valley Village, CA
C.D. Kirven: Activist and writer, Texas
Melissa Kleckner: Writer & straight-ally, New Jersey
Susannah Kegler: San Pedro, CA
Will Kohl: Radical pundit, Ohio
Bridgette LaVictoire: Writer, LezGetReal, Vermont
Brian Martin: Tipton, IN
George Martin: Loule, Portugal
Tom Maxwell: Los Angeles, CA
Rory McCarron: Ashburn, VA
Melanie Nathan: LezGetReal blogger, California
Michael-in-Norfolk: Moderate writer, Virginia
Ingrid Peeters: Torremolinos, Spain
Justan Peterson: Activist, Utah
Michael Petrelis: Radical activist, San Francisco
Robbie at Malcontent: Liberal pundit
Charles Milne: Person w/HIV activist, Oregon & Utah
Chael Montgomery: Gay reblogger, Iowa
De Andre Nickens: Los Angeles, CA
David Phillips: 26 yrs out, 28 yrs w/HIV
Fritz Rathmann: Gay activist, Georgia
Katrina Rose: Attorney & blogger, ENDABlog 
Allen Roskoff: Political advocate, New York City
Joelle Ruby Ryan: Transgender professor and writer
Gregg Simmons: Gay advocate, New York City
Pam Spaulding: Liberal writer, North Carolina
Cristi Sturgill: Mount Vernon, KY
Andrew Sullivan: Conservative blogger, DC
Josephine Marie Thane: Transgender woman, Georgia
Carlee Trent: Springfield, OH
David Waterson
Lynn Weaver: Livingston, MT
Nicole Weber: Pasadena, MD 
Jennifer White: Community activist
Scott Wooledge: Clarknt67@Daily Kos, New York City

List in formation . . . and comments are welcomed!

SF Gay Rally Over UN Vote on 12/11;
'Over the Rainbow' Offers Hope

The gay community of San Francisco will gather in the heart of the city to demonstrate their outrage at and forcefully condemn a recent vote at the United Nations removing gays from a statement condemning extrajudicial and arbitrary executions.

South Africa, with a new and enlightened constitution, ought to be ashamed of their vote. South Africa should be leading the world when it comes to civil rights, not aligning itself with the likes of Zimbabwe, Uganda, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The rally is designed to also offer a beacon of hope to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people around the world.

WHAT: Rally For Global Gay Rights
WHEN: Saturday, December 11 at noon
WHERE: United Nations Plaza
LOCATION: Market Street near 7th Street

Speakers will include Clinton Fein, South African-born gay political artist; Veronika Cauley, African-American transgender AIDS advocate; Michael Petrelis, member of Gays Without Borders; Davina Kotulski, lesbian advocate and writer; and Molly McKay, LGBT marriage equality activist. Supervisor Bevan Dufty will be the emcee.

After the speeches, lyrics to the unofficial gay anthem "Over the Rainbow," a powerful song of hope for LGBT people everywhere, will be distributed. There will then be a rousing, proud and uplifting sing-a-long.

This important rally takes place rain or shine.

US Wants UN Resolution on Gays;
SF Rally on 12/11 at Noon

Several friends have alerted me to an excellent move by the US at the United Nations related to gays and the horrific vote last month deleting gays from a resolution against extrajudicial killings.

A reminder. There will be a rally tomorrow, December 11 starting at noon, at UN Plaza in San Francisco because of the recent vote and to express solidarity with gay people around the planet. Please join us.

Excerpted from a story by Mark Leon Goldberg at UN Dispatch:

United States Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice will announce later today that the United States will introduce an amendment in the General Assembly to prohibit the violent targeting of people based on their sexual orientation.

The move comes in response to an amendment last month at the General Assembly’s Third Committee on Extrajudicial, Summary, and Arbitrary Executions, which eliminated any mention of sexual orientation from a resolution condemning the extrajudicial killing of vulnerable people around the world. A coalition of conservative states, mostly from Africa and the Middle East, successfully blocked “sexual orientation” from being included among a list of fifteen groups that are particularly vulnerable to extrajudicial killings. Typically, “sexual orientation” would be included among other groups like religious minorities, refugees, members of indigenous communities, street children, etc. But not this time.

Today is Human Rights Day, so the symbolism of the timing of the announcement is particularly significant. [...]

There is also this media advisory from the White House:

Ambassador Rice to Make Remarks at UN High Level Panel “Ending Violence and Criminal Sanctions on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity,” Marking Human Rights Day, December 10, 2010

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice will join UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and Mr. Ivan Šimonovic, Assistant Secretary-General, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in delivering remarks at this UN High Level meeting.

Friday, 10 December, 1:00 – 2:45 p.m.
Ambassador Rice’s remarks are expected to begin at approximately 1:15pm.
ECOSOC Chamber, NLB, UN Headquarters, New York

Let's hope there is support and movement on this effort by the United States.

KTVU: HRC & Milk Shop Upsets Gays;

Tune in at 5:00 PM

David Stevenson, a reporter with KTVU, contacted me this morning about my criticism against the Human Rights Campaign leasing the Harvey Milk camera shop on Castro Street, and I urged him to get reactions from folks on the street. I also passed along contact info for Dan Nicoletta, who worked in Harvey's shop, and hope he reaches Dan.

David just called to let me know his story will air in the 5:00-6:00 PM news hour on KTVU. Let's hope the piece gets posted to their site, so folks beyond the Bay Area can watch it.

The more I've thought about HRC's move into the former Milk store, the more I've seen proof that they still just don't get it, in terms of why so many ordinary and famous gays are pissed off with them.

As I have long argued, it would kill the Democrats who happen to be gay and running HRC to hold regular town hall meetings, and in this instance, that lack of community engagement is kicking them in the butt. Crazy as it may sound, I honestly believe that if HRC had organized an open forum, say, at the Milk shop before signing off on the lease and plans to move, there wouldn't be so much anger directed at them.

However, because Joe Solmonese and his minions are terrified of actually debating their agenda and strategies in public meetings, they fell back this week on their usual divisive ways. They quietly struck a deal, either totally ignorant of or maybe unconcerned with how local gays would react, issued an announcement cloaking their elitist operations as supposedly inspired by Milk's genuine grassroots organizing. Feh.

This next part will shock many because I have something basically nice to say about Cleve Jones, longtime Milk associate. In a glaring omission, HRC's release contained no approving quote from Cleve, the main public keeper of the Harvey flame, and yes, they should have sought his ok, along with first lining up support from other Milk associates and gays outside the HRC-orbit.

Now, they have the Queen Bee royally upset and all over the news, speaking against HRC. Can't believe I'm writing this, but I'm actually looking forward to seeing Cleve slam HRC on KTVU later today.

As the controversy has enlarged and swirled this week, HRC has made no moves to dial back the heat and high volume. For a group that claims a grassroots gay leader who led with open door at his camera shop and easy-access to all in the community, HRC does a lousy job of emulating Harvey.

Typical HRC "we rule by decree, not collaboration" b.s. that gets them nowhere.

No public meetings have been announced by HRC, either at the shop, you know, as if they were really out to use the space to mobilize for anything other than selling trinkets, or at the gay community center.

Oh, what I would give to have this lease controversy be the straw that finally breaks the camel's back, forcing the gays to once and for all confront the sloth, arrogance and incompetency of HRC.

Oh. 'Milk' Writer Gets a Clue:
Solmonese Must Go

What a princess this Dustin Lance Black must be on a personal level. I can understand why an Oscar-winning gay writer and power-monger would look down her nose on those of us who have tried for decades to hold HRC to account.

She wants to be seen as the above-it-all artiste not willing to get down in the muck of putting a stop to the Human Rights Campaign money-sucking machine. Fine, there's a place for that b.s. kind of thinking. It's call the Democratic Party plantation.

Earlier this year Black had this to say, when asked by Metro Weekly if he wanted to call out specific leaders:

BLACK: No, not really, because I feel like everyone has their role and people are starting to push harder, so I think we're starting to do better. But I often think it is really dangerous for us to feed on each other. I've seen how [LGBT] people have attacked me, attacked Cleve Jones, attacked the [Prop 8] case -- and I'm not going to turn around and do the same thing to these other organizations. I want to support them. I want these other organizations to do well. I want HRC to succeed. I want Joe Solmonese to be the best leader we've got. I want Equality California to change and grow and do well. So I don't think it's wise to be attacking each other in any situation. We might get into some fights behind closed doors, but that's healthy. That's the way it should be.

Princess, take that damn statuette out of your Mormon butthole, and listen up. The fights we need to wage against HRC have to be waged out in the open, not in the closet. That elitist, save-face at all costs, Hollywood homo way of thinking is part of what drives the rancid HRC money train for Democrats.

Now, in response to HRC invading in on his Harvey territory, he tells the Bay Area Reporter he's seen the light:

The announcement, said Black, has caused him to reverse his policy of not publicly attacking HRC and to openly call for Solmonese's resignation. [...]

"We have got to figure out how to use this to create some sort of positive change. If we can't kick HRC out of Harvey's camera store then we need to change HRC so it is an organization we are proud to have in there. That is going to take a lot of change in leadership at the very top. I have never said that before, but now, it is clearer than ever," said Black. "HRC is not the gay and lesbian activist organization we need to win right now. Joe Solmonese is clearly no Harvey Milk."

And Lance, you did the movement no favors with your silence regarding Solmonese and his org. That positive change you want is ever farther from our reach because "good gays" like you remain mute and you think dealing with HRC behind closed is healthy. It's not. Welcome to the HRC Sucks Club.

Jamaican Transgender Murdered;
Hello, UN?; SF Protest on 12/11

The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays over the weekend issued a statement condemning the murder of a gay man in Kingston:

J-FLAG is saddened by the murder of a member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community whose body was found with stab wounds behind the National Solid Life and General Insurance Branch Limited on Half-Way-Tree Road in St Andrew on Friday, December 3, 2010.

The group obliquely referenced sex work, without specifically stating if the victim was a sex worker:

This unfortunate event highlights the serious safety and security challenge that confronts the LGBT community in Jamaica, as well as those who engage in sex work.

The Associated Press wrote a short story about the killing, and like the JFLAG statement said nothing about the murder victim being transgender.  

But the Go-Jamaica news and tourist web site earlier this week claimed that JFLAG claims the victim was a transgender person:

The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) is calling for a thorough investigation of a case in which the body of a reported cross dresser was found with stab wounds in St Andrew on Friday.

As we wait for more details to emerge in this death, I must point out this is the sort of killing the United Nations no longer condemns. The UN vote in November deleting gays and transgender persons from a resolution deploring extrajudicial and arbitrary killings, sent a clear message that fatal, violent assaults on gays are not worth condemning.

The day before the gay and possibly transgender person was murdered in Jamaica, a story appeared in the Bahamian Tribune, clarifying why the nation's delegate to the UN voted for deleting gays from the resolution. From the article:

The resolution is passed annually to demand that states take effective action against extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions [...] This year, the resolution was amended to replace the words "for any discriminatory reason, including sexual orientation" with the words "for discriminatory reasons on any basis." [...]

In a one-page document explaining the Bahamian position, permanent secretary Dr Patricia Rodgers acknowledged the existence of homophobic violence and discrimination, but said the concept of gender identity is not universally accepted in international human rights law.

"The prevailing view in international law is that discrimination and fundamental freedoms are based on sex (not sexual orientation), as well as race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed. The Bahamas Constitution makes the same distinction," Dr Rodgers said. "Mindful of the political sensitivities which obtain in the Bahamas with respect to this issue, we supported the amendment to broaden the scope of the paragraph, and not to make a specific reference to the term." [...]

While they worry about the biased political sensitivities that create a climate of fear and hatred against gays and transgender people, such people are being killed almost regularly in Jamaica. Further, I doubt the Bahamian representative to the UN would endorse such an anti-execution resolution if it didn't make specific reference to race, as the basis for killings.


Please come out this Saturday, December 11 starting at noon at San Francisco's United Nations Plaza for a rally against the deplorable UN vote against gays, and to show firm solidarity with our gay brothers and sisters around the planet.