june08-theletter-front

JUNE 2008 www.thElEttEroNliNE.com thE lEttEr
www.theletteronline.com
LETTER
t h e r e s p e c t e d s o u r c e f o r G l B t n e w s s i n c e J u n e 1 9 9 0
Te Kentuckiana Pride Festival's annual
parade is scheduled for Friday, June 20th
starting at 8:00pm Grand Marshalls for the
celebration through downtown Louisville
will be Kynt and Vyxsin from CBS-TV’s Te
Amazing Race. Te local duo made quite
a splash and turned a lot of heads as they
competed in their everyday Goth attire. Tey
represented the Louisville and alternative
community with a style and fare expected
more from Elton John or Madonna than a
couple of Kentuckians.
Also appearing in the parade will be the
Pride Festival's foat from the Derby Festival's
Pegasus Parade. Tis year was the frst time a
foat sponsored by the gay community appeared
in the nationally televised Pegasus Parade. Te
foat’s theme is "Imagine Te Possibilities: A
World Respectful of All People". Built by
members of the Kentuckiana Pride Festival
committee, the foat received an Honorable
Mention award.
For more information on the Kentuckiana
Pride Festival see their full page ad on page
two.
See pages 3 – 7 of this issue for information
about numerous Pride Month events taking
place around the region.
Te
Not only are we GLBT folks “Gay”, this month we
are defnitely “GAY & PROUD”! For a round-up of
Pride Month events taking place throughout the
seven states served by THE LETTER, check out our
AROUND THE REGION section that begins on page
3. THE LETTER is also quite PROUD of the support of
our readers and advertisers as we celebrate our 18th
Anniversary this month!
We can all be PROUD of the advances made in
the fght for marriage equality that took place in
California and New York last month. Our national
news section (pages 8 and 12) and religion section
(page 11) have the latest updates in the battle to
legalize same-sex marriage.
We’re defnitely PROUD of our advice columns! The
GAY LOVE COACH discusses couples struggling to
rekindle sexual intimacy (page 19). Observations for
guys wondering if it really is OK to have sex on the
frst date can be found in SEX TALK (page 23).
Kentuckiana Pride Parade Welcomes
Celebrity Grand Marshalls
reality show stars Kynt and Vyxsin look forward to
meeting fans and signing autographs during their
appearance at the Kentuckiana pride festival parade on
June 20
Volume 19, issue 6 • June 2008
see the Kentuckiana Pride Festival's ad in this issue for
the dates, times, and places...
ya just gotta be to show it!
2 thE lEttEr www.thElEttEroNliNE.com JUNE 2008
JUNE 2008 www.thElEttEroNliNE.com thE lEttEr
Metro Louisville’s Gay & Lesbian Film Series
began at Baxter Avenue Theatres in Louisville
back in the late 1990’s as a suggestion made
to theatre management by THE LETTER’s Dave
VanderPol. Eventually the annual event moved
downtown to the Kentucky Theatre Project for a
few years. Then the series disappeared entirely
for the past couple of years.
This year the festival returns, complete with a
new location, Village 8 Theatres, located at 4014
Dutchmans Lane in Saint Matthews.
The Kentucky Fairness Alliance (KFA), who
sponsored the series Gala Opening that included
a screening of the Oscar winning documentary
Freeheld on May 30, is also a sponsoring partner.
THE LETTER has signed on as the exclusive media
sponsor of this year’s series.
Why a queer-focused flm series? Along with
KFA, THE LETTER affrms the power of flm as a
medium to highlight the lives of GLBT people
and their families, spark conversations,
and conquer prejudice. Such a public
event affords a great opportunity
to educate heterosexuals to
become more effective allies of
our community.
The series begins Friday, June 6,
with Shelter and Vivere scheduled
as the opening flms. A complete
list of the flms can be found on
page 9 of this issue. Dates, show times and a
brief synopsis of each flm viewable on the Village
8 Theatres website (www.village8.com).
Ticket prices for the various flms in the
series are quite affordable: $3.00 for showings
that begin before 6:00pm or $5.00 for evening
showings. Tickets can be purchased at the door
or in advance by visiting the Village 8 Theatres’
website.
THE LETTER will select 20 readers to receive
one free pass to this year’s festival. To request
your pass write: [email protected]
and be sure to type “Movie Pass” in the subject
line of your message. Winners will be selected
Wednesday, June 11.
Around The region
Te Gay Lesbian Service Organization
(GLSO), through the 2008 Lexington Pride
Committee, announces that this year’s GLBT
Pride Festival will be held in downtown
Lexington’s Cheapside Park located at 215
West Main Street, Saturday, June 28th from
11:00am to 9:00pm.
Te Downtown Festival will feature live
stage entertainment, a silent art auction, corn
hole competition, dunking booth, a basket
rafe, the Lexington Downtown Pride Idol
Karaoke contest, vendor booths, food and
drink. Admission is free and event is open to
the public.
Te Downtown Festival is the Lexington
culmination of the international June pride
month celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Transsexual
and Bisexual people. Tis year’s theme “We
Are Family” was chosen because almost
without exception, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender people were born into heterosexual
families. While fringe political interests like
to depict gays and lesbians as some sort of
imported phenomenon, the truth is that we
are the children, parents, uncles, aunts, and
cousins of people throughout our state.
In another context, the theme “We Are
Family” is appropriate because the event is the
result of the collaborative eforts of the entire
GLBT community including Lexington
Fairness, AVOL, Pride Alive, Kentucky
Stonewall Democrats, the GLSO and
countless volunteers from all walks of life.
As of this date, fnancial sponsorships
include: Lexington Insight Group, QX.net,
Kentucky Democratic Party, the Urban
League, Scott Ackerman, Tate-Hill-Jacobs:
Architects and Marsha Tifany.
Te live entertainment will feature the
Caribbean Blues, Oxford Farm Report,
Sister Sound, Abi Grise, and Another Note.
Other stage events include the Mini Pride
Idol Karaoke contest and DJ Eric Swaford.
Speakers include Kentucky State Senator
Ernesto Scorsone, Lexington Vice-Mayor
Jim Gray, and community activist Marta
Miranda.
While Louisville and other major cities
have long had Pride Festivals, this event marks
the frst such visible celebration in Lexington.
A downtown Lexington event is appropriate
this year, as our city was recently voted
number eight on the list of the best 10 cities
for gay living in America by Te Advocate
Questions should be directed to (859)
253-3233 or [email protected]. Te
festival’s website address is www.lexpride.
com.
Film SerieS returnS to KentucKiana
Downtown Lexington Site for 2008 Pride Events
thE lEttEr www.thElEttEroNliNE.com JUNE 2008
www.theletteronline.com
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Louisville, KY 40257
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With an estimated readership of over 14,000,
THE LETTER is distributed throughout the seven state
region of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois,
Michigan & Missouri
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REGULAR CONTRIBUTERS
Publication of the name, photograph or
likeness of any person, organization, or business
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as an indication of the sexual orientation of
such person, organization or business.
THE LETTER assumes no responsibility for
unsolicited materials submitted for publication.
THE LETTER reserves the right to edit or reject
any advertisement.
© 2008, The Letter News, LLC.
All rights reserved.
Andrew Collins
Bryan Gatewood
Brad Hampton
James Hensley
Bryn Marlow
Brandon Monson
Libby Post
Beth Ann Rubin
Brian Rzepczynski
Romeo SanVicente
Simon Sheppard
Ernesto Scorsone
David Williams
Misty York
LETTER
Te
JULY 2008 DEADLINES
Press releases, Regional Calendar
items and Community Groups listings
must be received no later than
Monday, June 16, 2008.
Advertising reservations must
be received no later than
Monday, June 23, 2008.
All items should be sent to:
[email protected].
Te Michigan Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday, May 7
that a voter-approved ban against same-sex marriage also prevents
governments and state universities from recognizing domestic
partnerships to provide health insurance to the partners of gay
workers.
Te 5-2 decision afects up to 20 universities, community
colleges, school districts and governments in Michigan with
policies covering at least 375 gay couples.
Community activists have stated that the ruling is devastating,
but are confdent that public-sector employers have successfully
rewritten or would revise their beneft plans so same-sex partners
can keep getting health care.
Te constitutional amendment, which became law in
November 2004, says the union between a man and woman is the
only agreement recognized as a marriage “or similar union for any
purpose.”
Te majority ruled that while marriages and domestic
partnerships aren’t identical, they are similar because they’re the
only relationships in Michigan defned in terms of gender and lack
of a close blood connection.
Twenty-seven states have passed anti-equality constitutional
bans, mostly since 2004. At least 18 of those states, including
Michigan, have broader amendments that also prohibit the
recognition of civil unions or same-sex partnerships.
“It’s a sad day in Michigan when we decide which children and
which families are valuable enough to cover,” said Tom Patrick,
50, who gets health insurance through his partner, Dennis Patrick,
a professor at Eastern Michigan University. Te couple from
Washtenaw County’s Superior Township has adopted four children
and has a foster child, one with a developmental disability. Tom
Patrick works part-time to care for the kids and said it would hurt
the family to have to pay for his benefts out of pocket.
Te American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, which
represented the couples, called the decision “fawed and
unfortunate.” It pledged to work with public employers to write
“neutral” policies ensuring employees’ partners don’t lose health
coverage, but also expressed uneasiness and warned that gays will
have to go through more hoops.
Michigan: Supreme Court Says Ban Applies
to Partner Benefts
An Ohio state legislator has been
strongly criticized by his colleagues for
sending an anti-gay e-mail to the entire
Ohio House linking a GLBT equality
bill with collapsing families and “a host
of mental and physical illnesses.”
If enacted, the bill which was
introduced this past March would
prohibit discrimination by sexual
orientation and gender identity in
public and private employment,
housing and public accommodations.
Twenty other states already have similar
laws.
Rep. Jef Wagner (Rpublican-
Sycamore), called the Equal Housing
and Employment Non-Discrimination
Act “dangerous and misguided”. Te
original version of his e-mail missive,
which later he forwarded to other
House members, was in response to
correspondence sent by an 81 year old
resident of Ohio who does not live in
Wagner’s district.
Te message sent to Wagner read,
“Te Equal Housing and Employment
Act is nothing more than granting
special privileges to a small number
of our population that Biblically are
described as an abomination.”
Wagner, who claims membership in
the United Methodist denomination,
responded in part: “You are exactly
right that this is a dangerous and
misguided bill…Te bill is not really
about people being denied rights to
basic needs, but it is about promoting
acceptance of an immoral lifestyle. As
much as some people would have us
to believe otherwise this country was
founded on Christian principles. One
of those long honored principles is the
tradition of holy matrimony. One man
and one woman joined together in a
union that goes as far back as Adam
and Eve,” Wagner stated.
In the version of his message
forwarded to legislators, Wagner added,
“Fellow Legislators, As we are probably
all getting e mails about HB 502\ SB
305 I wanted to share my response
with you. I believe that the only hope
for this great country of ours is a return
to the basic Judeo-Christian values that
we were founded upon.” He forwarded
this message to every Ohio House e-
mail address, including 99 lawmakers
and all of their stafers.
Wagner’s message was quickly posted
on a blog run by Parents, Family and
Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG),
and has since circulated widely around
the Internet.
Now in his third term, Wagner
voted for the so-called “Defense of
Marriage Act” in 2004. As a member
of the House Education Committee,
he helped keep protection for GLBT
students out of a 2006 anti-bullying
law.
Equality Ohio director Lynne
Bowman said that volunteers who
visited Wagner during the group’s May
14 lobby day reported that he handed
each of them anti-gay pamphlets
published by Focus on the Family, an
anti-gay ministry based in Colorado.
“When we live in a state where a
constituent can’t even speak with their
own elected ofcial about the reality of
the discrimination they have personally
experienced, and be respected, how
can we expect to attract new people to
Ohio?” Bowman said.
Ohio: Legislator’s Anti-Gay Rhetoric
Generates Negative Reaction
JUNE 2008 www.thElEttEroNliNE.com thE lEttEr
recession-proof Your Business:
Advertise in the letter!
[email protected]
Kentuckiana Festival Announces
Entertainment Lineup

Tis year’s slate of entertainment for
the Kentuckiana Pride Festival continues
the committee's goal of staging both
local and national acts. Local groups
include VOICES of Kentuckiana, City of
Refuge Choir, Mad Camp Cabaret, Te
Confessionals and Robbie Bartlett.
Te festival will take place Friday, June
20 and Saturday, June 21 on the Belvedere
in downtown Louisville.
National acts include returning
performers Josh Zuckerman and Eric
Himan along with Gregory Douglas and
Tracy Rice. Winners of the Mr. and Miss
KPF Pageants along with DJ Mike will
close the festival on Saturday evening.
For the full schedule of events and links
to the performer's websites, visit www.
kentuckianapridefestival.com
Cincinnati Youth Group
Offers Summer Program
New Spirit Metropolitan Community
Church and the Gay & Lesbian Community
Center of Cincinnati have a summer of
fun in store for local youth ages 13 to 20.
Te groups are partnering to enhance the
already successful Cincinnati Youth Group
(CYG) program with a bi-monthly event
series called Steppin’ Out Saturdays (SOS).
Te SOS series will run from June
through August, a period when most
youth are on summer vacation. Event
themes, inspired by feedback from CYG
participants, will provide youth with
opportunities to explore, enjoy, and learn
about aspects of GLBT culture in an age-
appropriate environment.
At the June 7 kickof, youth are invited to
“mix it up” and celebrate drag culture with
special guest Mercedes Sweet. A former
member of the Imperial Sovereign Queen
City Court of the Buckeye Empire, she’ll
bring a dose of humor with an educational
twist.
Steppin’ Out Saturdays will be held at
the church, 4033 Hamilton Avenue.
Louisville PFLAG Suspends
Meetings for Summer
Te Metro Louisville chapter of Parents
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
will take a summer break from having
general meetings. Meetings will resume on
the third Sunday of September.
Long-time group members will still
be available for support via e-mail
([email protected]) and by phone:
(502) 329-0229.
Websites for Pride Events
Around the Region
In addition to Louisville and Lexington Pride Festival website
addresses found elsewhere in this month’s AROUND THE REGION section,
the following websites offer detailed information about
Pride Month festivals taking place throughout the region.
• Chicago Pride: www.chicagopridecalendar.org.
• GLBT PrideFest for Western Kentucky: www.myspace.com/mccpaducah
• Rainbow Pride of West Virginia: www.pridewv.org.
• Indianapolis Pride: www.indyprideinc.com.
• Saint Louis PrideFest: www.pridestl.org.
• Lansing Michigan Pride: www.michiganpride.org.
• Mid-South Pride (Memphis, TN): www.midsouthpride.org.
A comprehensive list of Pride websites from around the world
can be viewed online at www.interpride.org. InterPride, the organization
hosting this website, is an international organization that exists
to increase networking and communication among Pride Organizations,
encourage diverse communities to hold and attend Pride Events and
act as a source of education.
thE lEttEr www.thElEttEroNliNE.com JUNE 2008
ERNESTO SCORSONE
Attorney at Law
Voice: (859) 254-5766
FAX: (859) 255-5508
INFORM
YOUR PARTNER
S t o p T h e S p r e a d O n l i n e . o r g
To stop the cycle of STD’s growing
in our community, sexual partners need
to be tested and if necessary treated.
KENNETH C. PLOTNIK
Attorney at Law
(502) 636-0361
Fax: (502) 634-0576
607 West Ormsby Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky 40203
511 West Short Street
Lexington, KY 40507
clamourunderbridge.typepad.com
A large crowd was on hand for the Gala Opening of the Louisville
Gay & Lesbian Film Series that took place on Friday, May 30 at
the Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center. The Gala included a
screening of the Oscar-winning documentary Freehand. (Photos
by James W. Hensley)
COMMUNITY PHOTO GALLERY
What Path Calls You?
JUNE 2008 www.thElEttEroNliNE.com thE lEttEr
items listed in our regional calendar should be of interested to the GlBt community. items
are listed for FrEE and are welcome from non-proft community organizations, support and social
groups. we also publicize events sponsored by businesses and professionals currently advertising
in thE lEttEr.
we do the best job of promoting your event when you send us your information at least four
to six weeks in advance.
Send your information to: [email protected] and type “regional calendar” in the
subject line of your message.
every monday
:00pm. monday movie mania at Gay & lesbian community center of cincinnati, 9 hamilton
Avenue. Free admission. For movie titles click on the icon for the GlBt calendar page at www.
glbtcentercincinnati.com.
every tuesday
2:pm. GlBt mental health issues Support Group at the recovery center, 20 Auburn Avenue,
cincinnati. () 2-.
every friday
9:pm - midnight. Derby city Kickers country & western Dancing at Starbase Q, 92 west main
Street, louisville. No cover before 0:00pm. $.00 cover after 0:00pm. more information: www.
starbaseq.com.
wednesdays: June 4 & 18 and July 2 & 16
:00 - 8:00pm. living out loud, women's support group for ages 2 - . meets at the Gay and
lesbian community center of cincinnati, 9 hamilton Avenue. () 9.0200
wednesdays: June 4 and July 2
:00pm. crossport crossdresser Support Group, cincinnati. () 99-80.
thursdays: June 5 & 19 and July 3 & 17
:00pm. Gay men’s Support Group meets at metropolitan community church of louisville, 2
highland Avenue.
fridays: June 6 & 20 and July 4 & 18
cincinnati Gay/Bisexual married men’s Group. For time, location and other information call ()
2-0.
saturday, June 7
2:00pm – 9:00pm. moveable Feast 2nd Annual Belmont Stakes BBQ at conoid Farm, 292 North
cleveland road.. Advance tickets $2.00 per person, $.00 per couple. tickets at the door
$.00 per person. tickets: (89) 22-28.
tuesdays: June 10 and July 8
:00pm. cincinnati Parents & Friends of lesbians and Gays (PFlAG) meeting. mount Auburn
Presbyterian church, 0 william howard taft road. information: () -0.
saturday, June 14 from 4:00 – 10:00pm.& sunday, June 15 from 1:00 – 7:00pm.
Greater cincinnati Pride Festival. hoffner Park, adjacent to the GlBt community center at 9
hamilton Avenue.
sunday, June 15
:00pm. Greater cincinnati Pride Parade, begins at Burnet woods in clifton (near University of
cincinnati) marching to hoffner Park.
sundays: June 15 and July 20
:0pm. heartland Fairness, affliated with the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, monthly meeting at
2 west Dixie Avenue in Elizabethtown. information: [email protected].
sundays: June 15 and July 20
:00pm. cincinnati women out Front's Spirituality & Alternative health Group meets at
Sidewinder café in Northside. information: www.myspace.com/womenoutfront.
wednesdays: June 18 and July 16
:0pm. indy Bi-Versity, a confdential discussion group. information: [email protected].
friday June 20:
:00pm. insight men's Group's Pride movie Night at Pride center, 89 waller Avenue Snacks &
refreshments provided, Admission is free.
friday, June 27
8:00am – :00pm. hiV testing sponsored by lexington-Fayette county health Department, using
the 20-minute oraQuick rapid hiV test. For times/locations call: (89) 288-2.
regionalcalendar
sponsored by mark england
ONE FOR ALL
1975 Douglass Boulevard
Louisville, Kentucky 40205 • (502) 451-1963
Quality Trift Items
Wednesday thru Saturday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 12:00noon – 4:00pm
Store Proceeds Beneft Glade House & House of Ruth
Volunteers Always Welcome!
Space for this ad donated by Dr. Fred Schloemer
www.SchloemerServices.com
8 thE lEttEr www.thElEttEroNliNE.com JUNE 2008
Marriage Equality Advances In
California & New York
Marriage equality supporters had reason to celebrate with New York set to recognize
same-sex marriages performed elsewhere and California preparing to begin issuing marriage
licenses to same-sex couples on June 17.
Just hours after California ofcials issued a directive authorizing that date, New York
Gov. David Paterson instructed state agencies - including those governing insurance and
health care - to immediately change policies and regulations to recognize gay marriages.
For years, marriage equality advocates have sought recognition for same-sex marriages
so couples could share family health care plans, receive tax breaks by fling jointly, enjoy
stronger adoption rights and inherit property.
Many or all of those rights appear to soon be available to New Yorkers who legally wed
same-sex partners in other states and countries, according to a statement issued last month
from the governor's counsel. Agencies have until June 30 to report back to the counsel on how,
specifcally, the directive will change existing state benefts and services for same-sex couples.
"Tis is a milestone in the fght for fairness in New York," Donna Lieberman, executive
director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. "Couples in New York
who have never known true security for their families will be ofcially entitled to treatment
by our state government that respects their rights."
Massachusetts is currently the only U.S. state that recognizes same-sex marriage, but its
residency requirements would bar New Yorkers from marrying there.
New York residents could instead travel to California, where gay and lesbian couples
will be able to wed beginning June 17 - unless that state's Supreme Court decides to stay
its own ruling same-sex gay marriage. Upon their return home, in the eyes of the state,
their unions would be no diferent from those of their heterosexual neighbors. Gay couples
could also travel outside the country to marry in Canada or one of the other nations where
same-sex marriage is legal.
Te move by Paterson's administration does not legalize same-sex marriage in the Empire
state. Te state's highest court, the Court of Appeals, has said it can only be legalized by the
Legislature, which failed to pass a proposed measure last year.
our nATion
Anti-Gay Congressman Quits Race After Sex Scandal
Rep. Vito Fossella announced last month that he will not seek re-election in the wake of it
being revealed that he had fathered a child from an extramarital afair. Fossella will continue to
represent Staten Island and part of Brooklyn though the end of the year.
According to the website Wikipedia, while championing so-called
"family values", Fossella shuns his sister - an out and proud lesbian
- and refuses to go to family events if she and her partner attend.
Fossella said in a statement on his website in mid-May that
the choice to stop campaigning for re-election was a difcult one,
based on a need to balance his "dedication to service" and "the
need to concentrate on healing the wounds" that he has caused
his wife and family.
Te 43-year-old Republican congressman acknowledged
fathering a daughter with a Virginia woman. Te two met
while she was an Air Force ofcer working with Congress. Te
congressman's sexual tryst with the woman was revealed after he
was arrested for drunken driving on May 1.
Te scandal is believed to badly damage the chances that the GOP can continue to hold
on to the on Republican seat from New York City in Congress.
Te congressman has repeated opposed legislation that would advance the interests of the
GLBT community. In Congress he voted in favor of a constitutional amendment that would
bar same-sex marriage and against the Matthew Shepard Act which would allow GLBT
persons to be added to current hate crime protection. Fossella also opposed legislation that
would bar discrimination against gays in employment. He is known to support maintaining
the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that bans gays from serving openly in the military.
Vito fossella
our nATion continues on page 12
JUNE 2008 www.thElEttEroNliNE.com thE lEttEr 9
0 thE lEttEr www.thElEttEroNliNE.com JUNE 2008
heAlTh & Wellness
NEARLY ONE-FOURTH GAY ADULTS
LACK HEALTH INSURANCE
According to a recent national survey
conducted by Harris Interactive, nearly one
in four gay and lesbian adults lack health
insurance and are nearly twice as likely as
their heterosexual counterparts to have no
health insurance coverage. When asked, 22
percent of gay and lesbian survey respondents
reported having no health insurance,
compared to only 12 percent of heterosexual
adults in the survey.
Te new nationwide survey of 2,710 U.S.
adults, (ages 18 and over), of whom 343 self
identifed as gay or lesbian (which includes
an oversample of lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender adults), was conducted
online between April 7 and 15, 2008, by
Harris Interactive, a global market research
and consulting frm, in conjunction with
Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc., a
strategic public relations and marketing
communications frm with special expertise
in the GLBT market.
“We know the problem of the uninsured
has reached crisis proportions in this country
and, unfortunately, this survey shows that
the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
(GLBT) community is today at greater risk.
What GLBT households and all Americans
deserve and need is afordable access to
quality health care that results in positive
outcomes and facilitates prevention, wellness
and chronic care coordination,” said Peter
Francel CEBS, Head of Sales-Product Group
for Aetna. “We must step up all eforts to
serve the uninsured and take the lead in
transforming our health care system for
not only our GLBT members but all those
who are not covered by health insurance
today,” he added, noting that Aetna’s GLBT
friendly workplace policies have earned
the company a 100% score on the Human
Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index
since 2002.
When asked about factors that infuence
their likelihood to consider specifc health
insurers, almost the same number of gay
and lesbian adults said that it was important
to them that the health insurance company
provide domestic partner health coverage
for companies to whom they supply health
insurance (85%) and to their own employees
(84%).
Assuming factors such as price, quality,
and convenience were not considerations,
78 percent of self-identifed gay and lesbian
respondents said they would be likely to
consider an insurance provider or plan that
was marketing to the GLBT community.
Sixty-seven percent said they would be likely
to consider a health insurer if they knew
that the agent selling the health insurance
plan also was openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or
transgender.
“Studies consistently show that gay and
lesbian consumers are far more likely to focus
their spending on companies that sensitively
and specifcally reach out to them,” said
Colleen Dermody, Vice President of Witeck-
Combs Communications. “GLBT consumers
place a high value on brands, including
health insurance companies, that earn and
grow respect within the community. GLBT
consumers are among the most motivated
to ‘vote’ with their dollars and to seek out
brands they believe to be very friendly and
supportive of the GLBT community.”
LEXINGTON HEALTH FAIR SCHEDULED
Te annual OutLoud Health Fair, focused
on issues of interest to the gay community,
is scheduled to take place on Saturday June
28 from 12:00noon – 4:00pm in the Tird
Floor Gallery at the Lexington History
Museum, 215 West Main Street.
Te event organizer promises to ofer
door prizes, free health screenings and lots
of helpful information at this free event. For
more information call (859) 288-7527 or
(877) 606-2437.
VIDEO SERIES:
HIV PREVENTION ENTER DIGITAL AGE
Josh is a young gay man living in
Manhattan who had unsafe sex – and
according to research, his story is startlingly
efective in reducing high-risk sexual behavior
among other gay men.
Josh is the fctional star of "HIV Is Still a
Big Deal," an online video series launching
on June 11, at www.hivbigdeal.org.
Reinventing HIV prevention and education
for the digital age, the series combines the
popularity, reach, and interactivity of online
video with the power of research-based adult
learning and education methods.
Realistic and riveting, the frst two
episodes – entitled "Te Morning After"
and "Te Test" –follow Josh as he deals with
issues like online hookups, unprotected sex,
heavy drinking, condom use, disclosing HIV
status, and getting tested for HIV. New
episodes will launch later this year.
Te project was developed as a response
to the alarming rise in new HIV infections
among gay men. Grounded in rigorous
statistical research, the series is a unique
collaboration between two very diferent
felds: epidemiology and learning theory.
Te website includes a comments section
where viewers can discuss the issues raised
in each episode of the series, as well as
background materials and links to additional
resources on HIV prevention, testing, and
care. Additional videos are being planned
and will be produced in light of the response
to the frst two episodes.
Te series was directed by acclaimed
documentary flmmaker Todd Ahlberg, who
has been creating innovative video content
for the Internet since 1997.
To ensure widespread viewing of the series,
each installment of "HIV Is Still a Big Deal"
is also available on YouTube, MySpace, and
other popular video websites.
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JUNE 2008 www.thElEttEroNliNE.com thE lEttEr
spiriTuAl ConneCTion
Progressive Pathways Fellowship
What Path Calls You?
Sunday Worship and Education: 5:30pm.
Tuesday Book Chat: 6:15pm.
#208 1/2 Mellwood Arts &
Entertainment Center,
1860 Mellwood Ave., Louisville, KY 40206
http://www.progressivepathways.org
City of Refuge Worship Center
Come Worship Freely Our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ
1041 Goss Avenue, Suite 101,
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 762-8986 / (502) 495-2603
Rev. Randy Meadows, Pastor
Sunday Bible Study: 9:30am
Sunday Worship: 11:00am & 7:00pm
Wednesday Worship: 7:00pm
www.cityofrefugewc.org
Overtures to the upcoming 218th General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) refect how evenly divided the 2.3
million-member denomination is on the issue of the ordination of
sexually active gays and lesbians as church ofcers.
Twenty-two overtures and concurrences submitted by presbyteries
address the provisions of the church’s Constitution governing sexual
standards for ordination: 11 support the current prohibition of the
ordination of sexually active gays and lesbians; 11 would either scrap
the ban entirely or at least loosen it.
G-6.0106b was added to the Book of Order in 1996. Commonly
called the “fdelity and chastity” clause, the provision requires of
church ofcers “fdelity within the covenant of marriage between a
man and a woman or chastity in singleness.”
Two subsequent Assemblies (1997 and 2000) proposed an
amendment to delete G-6.0106b, but both times the church’s 173
presbyteries voted not to ratify the amendment.
Eight presbyteries are petitioning this year’s Assembly to send
out to the presbyteries another proposed amendment deleting
G-6.0106b. Tree other presbyteries are proposing amendments
that would replace the “fdelity and chastity” clause with softer
language.
In 2001 the General Assembly appointed a Teological Task
Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church (PUP) to grapple
with the issue of ordination standards as well as several other
potentially divisive issues such as Christology, Biblical authority and
interpretation and power dynamics in the church.
Te PUP’s fnal report, to the 2006 Assembly, included an
“authoritative interpretation” (AI) of G-6.0108 of the Book of
Order, which afrmed the church’s standards for ordination but
revived the 18th -century practice of allowing candidates for
ordination to declare a “scruple” (conscientious objection) to any
constitutional provision. According the AI, it is the responsibility
of the ordaining body (presbyteries for ministers, congregations for
elders and deacons) to determine whether the declared scruple is
a signifcant enough departure from “scriptural and constitutional
standards for ftness for ofce” to be disqualifying.
Before adopting the PUP report, the Assembly added an additional
qualifcation to the AI, requiring ordaining bodies to determine
“Whether the examination and ordination and installation decision
comply with the Constitution of the PC(USA).”
Te added qualifcation was later upheld by the General Assembly
Permanent Judicial Commission when San Francisco Presbytery
attempted to ordain a sexually active lesbian candidate and Twin
Cities Area Presbytery attempted to restore the ordination of a gay
former minister who had set aside his ordination.
But four presbyteries are seeking to rescind the authoritative
interpretation and six presbyteries are seeking to toughen the
language to make clear that sexually active gays and lesbians cannot
be ordained as a result of a scruple.
One presbytery — Central Washington — wants the entire PUP
report scrapped.
A support group for gay Mormons urged church leaders late
last month to stay on the sidelines after the California Supreme
Court declared that same-sex marriage there is legal.
Not surprisingly Mormon leaders who teach that gay sex is a
sin have already expressed disappointment in the recent court
ruling. Several religious and conservative groups want to overturn
the California decision through a constitutional amendment.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 28, the executive
director of Afrmation said he hopes church leaders would not
“use their energies and their funds” to overturn a ruling that
afrms the worth of families or meddle in politics that attacks
the rights of same-sex couple seeming marriage. “Rather work
with us to counsel and assist individuals and families who have
been devastated by the church's teachings that have caused family
members to reject their children who are gay,” Olin Tomas
wrote. He encouraged church leaders “to fnd a new focus by
preaching and living a Gospel of love and respect toward all
peoples and all families”.
Tomas said the California ruling doesn't afect Mormon
church doctrine or the sacred ceremonies conducted in Latter-
day Saint temples, which bind couples for eternity.
“Tis is about civil marriage as an institution of the state – a
legal institution based on core societal values, such as the worth
and dignity of the family unit,” Tomas said. “Religions are not
being asked to marry anyone they don't want to marry.”
Mormons believe God only sanctions marriage between a man
and a woman and tout the traditional family as the basic unit of
society. While homosexuals are welcomed as church members,
they may hold church roles only if they remain celibate. Some
who have acted on what the church calls “same-gender attraction”
have been excommunicated.
Formed by students at church-owned Brigham Young
University in the late 1970s, Afrmation has more than 2,000
gay, lesbian and transgender members. It is not sanctioned by
the church and until recently was not even acknowledged by
leaders.
Gay Mormons Urge:
Don't Fight California Marriage Ruling
Tanks to nearly doubling the size of it’s congregation
over the past year, City of Refuge Worship Center has
moved to a larger location, efective this past month. Te
congregation’s new address is 1041 Goss Avenue, Suite 101
in Louisville.
Te church also has a new website address: www.
cityofrefugewc.org.
Service times and contact information for the church
can be found in the INCLUSIVE FAITH COMMUNITIES
listings elsewhere on this page.
Growing Congregation Moves To
Larger Facility
Presbyterians Deeply Divided Over Gay & Lesbian Ordination
2 thE lEttEr www.thElEttEroNliNE.com JUNE 2008
“Not Intolerant”? Alabama Mayor Blocks Pride Parade
Te mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, has denied a parade
permit to Central Alabama Pride because he believes it’s
inappropriate for government to endorse a “lifestyle.” He’s
also refusing to sign a proclamation supporting the event.
"My policy is don't ask because it's not my business,
and don't put me in the position to make it my business,"
Mayor Larry Langford, a religious conservative, says. "I
don't condone it, but I also am not sitting in judgment on
anyone."
Previous Birmingham mayors have granted permits
and parade participants say they’ve never encountered any
problems. “I did the frst gay pride march in 1989,” says
Simoneau, also known as Libertee Belle. “At that time, even
the police were a little worried then, but we’ve never had a
problem at all.”
Langford says he’s not intolerant. He points to his
support for increased funding for AIDS outreach programs
and a gay-supportive hiring policy in city government. Yet
he noted, “I just don’t condone the [gay] lifestyle.”
our nATion
picture of harvey milk Bust (c)
2007 by daub firmin hendrickson
sculpture Group.
Statue of Slain Gay Supervisor Unveiled
More than 28 years after he was assassinated, hundreds of people flled the Rotunda at
San Francisco City Hall on the evening of May 22 for the ofcial unveiling of a bronze bust
honoring the legacy of Harvey Milk. He was the frst openly gay man to hold a prominent
elected ofce in the United States. Te unveiling took place on what would have been
Harvey Milk’s 78th birthday.
"We’re celebrating an icon tonight. We’re celebrating a pioneer. We’re celebrating San
Francisco. We’re celebrating San Francisco values. And, we’re celebrating all that’s good and
right with this City,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977 and shot to death a
year later, along with Mayor George Moscone, by fellow supervisor Dan White.
White was convicted of manslaughter, and served a little more than three years in prison
before committing suicide.
In the years since his death, Milk has become the most recognizable martyr of the gay
rights movement.
Te efort to honor the politician began in 2001 when the San Francisco Board of
Supervisors passed a resolution supporting a memorial. Money to create the sculpture was
raised by Harvey Milk City Hall Memorial Committee. It took four years to reach the goal
and then a national competition was launched to fnd an artist.
In January 2007 a panel of community leaders and arts professionals selected three fnalists.
Maquettes of their designs were displayed for community comment in City Hall and the
panel, with overwhelming public support, chose Daub, Firmin, and Hendrickson Sculpture
Group as the winning team.
Te bronze sculpture sits atop a stone base inscribed with a quote from one of his most
famous speeches.
Last month the California Assembly passed legislation designating May 22 each year as
Harvey Milk Day. Te bill now moves to the state Senate where it is expected to encounter
little difculty.
the letter salutes Kentucky Governor steve Beshear for
signing an executive order prohibiting discrimination on the
basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. what “dirty
ernie” took away a visionary democrat has restored!
For Breaking GLBT News Around the Region,
Our Nation & the World Visit TeLetterOnline.com.
Fresh News And Community Information Added Daily, All Month Long!
JUNE 2008 www.thElEttEroNliNE.com thE lEttEr
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