H. Alexander Robinson, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, will be blogging his visit to Iowa. I really look forward to hearing what he learns there and what he sees as the prospect for the future of black LGBT Iowans, and how black Iowans in general define and prioritize the ongoing civil rights struggles. A sample of his kick-off post is below the fold. As I head off to the Hawkeye state, I am reminded of the Iowa's historic role as a bellwether for justice and equality. From the rights of women and African Americans to the recent decision by the state's Supreme Court to extend marriage rights to lesbian and gay couples, Iowa leads.I am eager to visit the people who launched the successful campaign of our nation's first African American President. Though less that 3% of Iowa's population is African American, the Black communities in Des Moines, Davenport and Waterloo continue to play an important and critical role in setting the tone for issues of justice and civil rights.
Yet on the issue of full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, too many African Americans depart from their core support of justice. Today's issues are arguably the same as those featured in Cora Unashamed, written by Langston Hughes-a gay man-and set in Iowa. Issues of abortion, young love, materialism, racism, death, and destiny intermingle in one charged novel. So much has changed since that 1930s story, and yet certain prejudices pass through all perceptions of time. When I read of the emotional isolation and open, inflammatory bigotry felt by Cora in a town where her and mother are the only African Americans, I am reminded of the despair felt by too many African American young people because they are bullied and rejected by family and church.
But this is not 1930s. There are clear signs of hope, and Iowa is at their center. While I am there I hope to listen and to learn.
A study by the Pew Research Center showed that the 2008 elections mark the first time that African Americans had the highest voter turnout rate of any racial or ethnic group among people ages 18 to 29. African Americans had their sharpest increase in voter participation in more than a decade, with 15.9 million casting ballots to make up 12.1 percent of the electorate. Black women had the highest rate s of participation among all voters at 69 percent. Consequently, if we are to sustain the recent victories for LGBT equality, it is imperative that we increase support among African Americans everywhere-and Iowa in no exception.
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That is why I am so pleased that I will have the chance to share my tour though Iowa with you. Over the next week I will take you with me as I meet with allies, opponents, the media and elected leaders in the state. My hope is to build on the tremendous work done by the LGBT community in the state, to make new friends, and to convert some opponents. In the end, we must sustain our wins in this bellwether state and throughout the nation.
Last week, Mike Signorile played some seriously deranged audio from her show featuring special guest Andrea Lafferty of the Traditional Values Coalition (ah, that link to Lou Sheldon). You will not believe the spinning on the passage of expanded hate crimes legislation in the House. It's worse and more deranged than anything they slap up on the web. Mike, in his post, "Hate Radio's Amputee Stump Fetish":
When combined with existing law, this bill could have a very chilling effect on free speech. A pastor could be charged with inciting a hate crime for the content of his sermon. An individual could be charged with one for simply resisting the actions or advances of a homosexual or lesbian.
Janet, as we affectionately call her, didn't disappoint last week. She opened the show announcing that the world had changed as we know it.You can listen here. I'm serious -- you have to listen to them go on and on about "drag queens", "people exposing themselves", pedoph ilia, bestiality, even bonus points for necrophilia. What is it about informed consent do they not understand?Then her Capitol Hill "reporter," Andrea Lafferty -- daughter of Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition -- tells Janet that if the hate crimes bill is passed it will mean amputee stump fetishists would be able to sexually assault her brother and she tried to stop them she'd be charged with a hate crime! That of course is insane: first and foremost the supposed fetishist would be charged with sexual assault, and sorry, but this person would not be covered under the hate crimes bill if attacked because it has nothing to do with sexual fetishes or protection of them. But that is what wingnuts try to conflate with homosexuality. Anyway, listen in (there was, unfortunately, a problem with their audio, so it gets garbled at some point, but you get the general idea).
Mr. Lynch likely will confront the issue first. Both houses of the New Hampshire legislature have passed same-sex-marriage legislation, although lawmakers still must reconcile differences in the House and Senate versions before sending a bill to the governor.The fact is, with public testimony by real-life gays and lesbians about how much equality means to them, the pressure to cease and desist using one's personal aversion to marriage equality as an excuse to stop it is mounting. In the case of Lynch, last week he released a statement reiterating his support for civil unions -- but didn't say he would veto a bill that made it to his desk."He's kind of in a box now because, on a number of occasions, he's said he doesn't support same-sex marriage and that he thinks marriage should be reserved for a man and a woman," said Mr. Smith. "So now, is he going to go with what he said he would do, or what the party wants him to do?"
In Maine, Gov. John Baldacci has been in the same quandry, and his position going into the debate is that he favored civil unions, but would keep his mind open to the idea that opening civil marriage to gays and lesbians should be the law of his state.
"I'm not prepared to say I support gay marriage today, but I will consider what I hear as the Legislature works to find the best way to address discrimination," Mr. Baldacci said.Blend barista Louise has been covering the progress of the legislation. You also may recall that, in a Blend exclusive, she and her husband actually received a call from the governor about marriage equality, which Louise recounted here.
I told him that I understood that all Mainers have an opinion regarding LD 1020 and while WE can all openly discuss them and many have already, HIS was the one opinion that had to be kept private and he HAS to keep quiet right now, as to let the legislative process play out without interference.His response was that I was absolutely right.
Our later joint conclusion is that if a bill does pass and is presented to the governor for signing, he will indeed sign it.
HOWEVER, he did not say that specifically. THIS was democracy at its best- our elected leader reaching out to speak at length with voters.What do you think these governors will ultimately do?
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives, which has adjourned until Tuesday, and so will make no vote until at least next week. [Bangor Daily News]
If approved, the bill will move on to Governor John Baldacci. Governor Baldacci hasn’t publicly stated whether he intends to sign or veto the bill, but has hinted that he may support it.
Best of luck to Equality Maine as they work with the House and the Governor!
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