MAY 7 . 2005 • Q-NOTES
& SO
CAROLIN
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Volume 19 • No. 26 • May 7, 2005
Bisexual, Transgender newspaper . Published every 2 weeks
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on page one
• Anti-gay cardinal becomes pope
••Domestic partner benefits considered
• 5.C. Pride set for May
articles
AIDS Institute released report
Frist attacks LGBT famibes
Organization against Pryor appointment
Pentagon does sodomy flip-flop
features
Eric Himan on life and song
Perry on Cardinal Ratzinger
Pride across the region
columns
Anything But Straight
Audiophile
Classifieds
Community Cards • 37-39
Curbside
Editor's Note: Bush
General Gayety
News Notes: Global
News Notes: NC
News Notes: SC
Opinion: Childhood
Out and About-
Out in Print Tweakers
Out in the Stars
Out on DVD
Para Todos
Q-Poll
Q-Style
Tell Trinity
The Big Saeen
advertising space deadlines
issue: 21 May
issue: 04 June
issue: 18 June
deadline: 05-11
deadline: 05-25
deadline: 06-08
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%ditor*s note
Axioms for
political
motivation
signature:
We have a pres
ident in charge of
this country who has allowed himself to
become a hand-puppet for the ultra-con
servative rightwing. The LGBT communi
ty has experienced staggering losses in
hte past two years. Both of those
thoughts are downright depressing.
I think I’m probably exposed to all
the bad news for gay people on a larger
scale than the average citizen simply
because I’m an editor for a gay publica
tion. Sometimes it can be a little over
whelming.
Especially when you talk to a gay or
lesbian individual who says they have no
interest in politics.
Although I wish we lived in a world
where rights were secure for all — the
fact of the matter is — we don’t. 1 can’t
imagine anyone in the LGBT community
is feeling particularly comfortable with
the state of affairs in this country right
now.
The vast majority of gays and lesbians
believe that sexual orientation is genetic.
Determined before birth, in other words.
Let’s accept that as an
axiom: we’re born les
bian, gay, bisexual or
heterosexual. Most of
the population falls into
that final category. ’
Those of us who
don’t, have suffered dis
crimination, violence,
hatred and even death
from members of the
hetero camp throughout
history. That, too, is an
even more indispufable
axiom.
In 21st century
America the fundies are
much more civilized
about their homopho
bia. They couch it in key
political phrases like
“traditional values,”
“protecting marriage”
and “activist judges.”
It’s still hatred — just dressed up in
a nice suit and sneaking up behind
you when you weren’t watching too
closely.
Here’s another axiom for you: if you
believe that you were born gay, lesbian
or bisexual — then you were born to be
political. You can disagree with me and
talk about your private, secure life, how
you want to enjoy only pleasant things
and that you even agree with some of
the fiscal aspects of the conservative
party.
At this point in history for our commu
nity, only a fool would stand by silently
without a fight. As sectors of our state and
federal government are systematically
stripping gays and lesbians of security and
rights, many in our commu
nity are sitting by tight-
lipped.
This came to me via email
the other day. It’s written by
David Walinski from
Louisville, Ky.. though it’s based on origi
nal words written by a German Minister
named Martin Niemdller who opposed the
Nazis during Wold War II.
I know it’s a little cliche, but it does have
an important message:
First they came after same-sex couples
who wanted to get married, but because I
didn’t want to get married, I said nothing.
Then they came after couples who want
ed to adopt children, but because I didn’t
want to raise children, I said nothing.
Then they came after gays and lesbians
who wanted to be foster parents, but because
I didn’t want to be bothered with kids, I said
nothing.
Then they reduced benefits for people
with AIDS, but because I didn’t have AIDS,
I said nothing.
Then they started passing laws making it
legal to discriminate on the basis of sexual
orientation, but since I was self-employed, I
said nothing.
Then they closed down the gay bars as a
health hazard, but since I didn’t go to bars,
I kept quiet.
Then they reinstated sodomy laws, but
when I spoke up, there was no one left to
speak up with me.
- After I read this I drove the few blocks
between office and home for lunch break. I
stepped out to the back yard and made a
beeline for the green
hammock that had
belonged to my father —
my mother had passed it
on after his death a few
years ago to my partner
and me.
The hammock is big, •
old and comfortable. I
always think of my dad
when I’m lying in it and 1
like to lose, myself in
cloud formations, the
varying degrees of blue
in the sky and all the dif
ferent kinds of birds and
trees overhead.
When all the world
gets to be too much and
the weather outside is
pleasant, it’s a place I
like to retreat to. When
I’m looking up at the
sky, 1 try to think about
all the good things in life,
and it usually motivates me to get up and
go back in for the fight.
Even if you’re iucky enough to reside in
one of the more liberal enclaves in the
Carolinas — now is not the tirne to rest
easy.
Take a look at yourself. What are vou
doing? How can you help fighi
advancing anti-gay element that is trying
so hard to take control of our society?
What can you do before it’s too late to do
anything at all?
Go find your own hammock. Look up
at the sky and count your blessings.
Then get up and be prepared to fight for
— David Moore
Editor