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A 24-year-old Flagstaff man has been charged with aggravated assault for an incident following a gay-pride festival that police called a hate crime. We've said it before and we'll no doubt say it again: crime doesn't pay. Unless you're a robber, but definitely not in this situation… |
» Pulling Out.
Openly gay former Congressman Jim Kolbe has rescinded his support for fellow Republican Tim Bee's congressional campaign. While Kolbe cited "personal reasons," others speculate that Bee's support for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage may have been the final straw. If that were true, however, why would Kolbe refuse to say so? Republican shame, perhaps? [Gay Politics] |
» Oppositional Support.
We missed this last week, but figured you'd be interested to hear that Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano does not support a referendum adding an anti-gay amendment to the state's constitution. But don't get too excited, for she still wants to restrict marital definitions: "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, [but] I don't think the constitutional amendment is necessary. The voters of Arizona will have a chance to decide this. Personally, I'm going to oppose it. We already have a statute that defines marriage. The courts have already said the statute is constitutional." [The Arizona Republic] |
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» Pushing…
We knew this was coming: "In the final hours of one of the longest state legislative sessions on record, state Senators approved a measure sending a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage to the fall ballot… Senate President Tim Bee cast the decisive, 16th vote in favor of the referendum that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman – the only referendum likely to be on the fall ballot from lawmakers, as the session draws to a close." [Arizona Republic] |
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The thirty-member chamber voted 14-11 to place a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage onto the ballot. But since the Arizona constitution requires that a majority of the members elected must approve the measure, sixteen votes are needed for passage. The civil rights loving kids over at Equality Arizona have some handy tips for those of you looking to fight the good gay fight. |
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Valley gay community leaders have launched their own voter drive ahead of this fall's high-stakes election: Out the Vote. Those are some high stakes, especially since the state's social conservatives are pushing for a ballot measure to ban gay marriage. Out that vote, homos - and out it good! |
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The openly gay Arizona teen received high school's highest social honor: prom king. Too bad many of his classmates didn't appreciate the trailblazing and made a jeer-filled show of their disappointment. While obviously the taunts hurt, Hutchinson, being a resilient young homo, refuses to let the negativity bring him down: I'm always trying to be a good role model for other people. To tell them, 'It's OK to be gay. Just because you're gay doesn't mean you have to be the lowest person, treated the worst.' Don't you love when inspirational figures get all sassy and shit? |
» Passage…
We all thought it was dead, but an Arizona ban on gay marriage found new life yesterday. The bill had been languishing in the House since April, but squeezed by yesterday after two Democratic representatives - Jack Brown and Pete Rios - lent their weight to a largely Republican bloc. The measure now moves to the Senate, which means many homo eyes will be one Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, who previously used his Senatorial powers to vote for a gay marriage ban. [Arizona Daily Star] |
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» Of The People?
An analysis of Arizonan politician's voting records reveals that many are "leaning" toward a gay marriage ban would be going against their constituents' wishes. Obviously some politicians are more consumed by their own ideologies than democratic decision making… [Box Turtle] |
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» D.O.A.?
Conservative politicos in John McCain's home state of Arizona are no doubt upset today: "It looks as though a proposed amendment to the Arizona state Constitution that would ban same-sex marriage will not make it onto the ballot this November following a testy session in the legislature… Just before the House was to vote Rep. Kyrsten Sinema added a clause to the bill that would grant unmarried couples, both same and opposite-sex, many of the rights of marriage but without the name." [365 Gay] |
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John McCain's queer gay politics get rehashed via a 2004 MTV interview, in which McCain tells John Norris that while he doesn't condone gay marriage, the government should stay out of the bedroom. He also told Norris that he doesn't anticipate another run for the White House. My, how things change! |
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Take, for example, Arizona-resident Norman Derouin, who's having some trouble with sexualized slang: Call me of the older generation, but I remember a time when to be identified as gay was to be identified as a happy, outgoing guy. "Let's Be Happy Let's Be Gay Let's Declare a Holiday" was a popular song. Hmmm, "faggot" is probably out, as is the truncated "fag". Many people may find "Poofta" objectionable and "butt-fucker" far too crude. We've always been a fan of "homo," but have a feeling people won't agree. So, what does that leave us? Not much. Sorry, Mr. Derouin, you're just going to have to come up with a new word for "happy and outgoing". How's animated? What about gregarious? Oh, we know! Frolicsome! That's very masculine. *That hurt us more than it did you. |
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A new study from the Williams Institute in Arizona concludes that queer couples make less than their straight counterparts, especially when there are children involved. "Gay men earn less than straight men," said Adam Romero, a public-policy fellow who co-authored the study. "Even when you hold constant occupation, race, geography, they earn less and that's something economists would call discrimination." Those numbers are pretty distressing, especially considering that all of the presidential candidates tout our nation's commitment to equality. |
» McCain Makes Sammon Pitch A Tent
Log Cabin Republican leader Patrick Sammon hasn't officially endorsed John McCain, but we've got a sneaking suspicion the good Senator gives the gay a political erection: "It's good news that Sen. McCain is on track to win the nomination because he believes in a big tent Republican Party. His record is not perfect, but there are definitely positive signs." Too true, Sammon. McCain's not the worst, but he did campaign against gay marriage in Arizona, supports Don't Ask, Don't Tell and hates "gay sweaters". [AlterNet] |