Pretty Airplanes

Jes from Dayton Ohio recently contacted me to tell me about an art project she completed. She was invited by the city to cover this model F16 jet with art. Since she is a mosaic artist, this is what she came up with.

Jess said:

I covered the Jet with stained glass because glass is the most beautiful media in the world ;)
I wanted to show a larger range of color and knew that a rainbow would be perfect. The plane is meant to be beautiful more than anything else. I wanted people to want to know what she is all about. A beautiful sculpture that says I'm proud to be gay and in the military. I hope this Rainbow F16 serves as a reminder that we need to defeat the BAN on gay men and women serving our country. Equality is beautiful.

Jes's plane will be on display in a bank in Dayton, Ohio. Thanks for sharing Jes!

Have a Courageous Conversation

This holiday season, the Courage Campaign is encouraging us to talk to our family, friends and neighbors about marriage equality. Sit com stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Eric McCormack made a few PSAs to help us get the conversation started. They're kind of hokey, but worth sharing.

Come Meet Kate Kendell This Weekend

I am so excited to meet one of the leading activists for lesbian rights this weekend in Portland. Kate Kendell, head of the National Center for Lesbian Rights is coming to the Rose City to hang out with us and chat. One of the events is free--at a cool new lesbian-owned coffee shop. The other is a fund raiser for Basic Rights Oregon. Attend one or both. I'll be there Saturday. If I didn't have my neighborhood block party, I'd be there Sunday too. Some come on out and meet Kate and Dipstick!

The State of Our Unions: LGBT Legal & Policy Issues
Saturday, September 12, 2009
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The legal landscape for LGBT people is ever-changing, and this year, that has proved to be especially true! With new victories and defeats occurring at a faster pace than ever, it’s hard to keep track of where our struggle for justice stands, and how and where our relationships are protected. Join Kate Kendell and Basic Rights Oregon’s Executive DirectorJeana Frazzini for a presentation and discussion on the latest legal and policy issues affecting the LGBT community, including an update on moving forward with marriage equality in Oregon and other states and federal legislation and litigation.

Flying Cat Coffee Co.
3041 SE Division Street
Portland, Oregon

A Social for Social Justice:
Benefit Party for NCLR and Basic Rights Oregon
Sunday, September 13, 2009
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

So much has happened over this past year – we hope you can join us for a fun and intimate afternoon to catch up with NCLR and BRO and find out more about our current work and what lies ahead in the fight for our LGBT civil and human rights.

We’ll enjoy:

• Complimentary wine
• Complimentary gourmet hors d’oeuvres by award-winning Chef Cathy Whims
• A great group of folks within our community
• Fantastic door prizes, including a trip for two on a Sweet Caribbean cruise!

Nostrana Restaurant
1401 SE Morrison Street

Something to Get the Juices Flowing

Just recently watched Zeitgeist, an online film that was thought-provoking. I'm not saying I buy this or support these ideas, but this activist film really poses some interesting questions and I thought I'd throw it out here because minds are meant to be challenged...

It challenges our cultural and religious structure, politics, 911 and cha-ching--money.

If the mood strikes you, you can watch it here : Zeitgeistmovie.com

Bonnie Tinker Remembered

Portland peace and LGBT activist Bonnie Tinker died in a biking accident on Thursday. Bonnie was a life-long activist. She co-founded one of the first battered women's shelters in the country and started and ran Love Makes a Family, an agency for LGBT families, for many, many years. I would say she was a tireless worker for LGBT rights, but the truth is, she looked tired a lot of the time.

She was always there, at the county budget meetings, at the police review board meetings, at the war demonstrations, at gay pride. Her cause was to give a voice to the voiceless.

As sometimes happens with people on the same side of the struggle, we sometimes butted heads. She was a woman with strong opinions. So am I.

I learned a lot from Bonnie. She was a fierce advocate for social justice, working for the most underserved in our movements. She challenged me to examine my beliefs. Always a good thing.

I respected her. And I know she respected me. She will be greatly missed.

Help a Lesbian in Need Before March 17th

On August 18, 2006, seven young African American lesbians traveled to New York City from their homes in Newark for a regular night out.. When walking down the street, a man sexually propositioned one of the women. After refusing to take no for an answer, he assaulted them.

The women tried to defend themselves, and a fight broke out. The women were charged with Gang Assault in the 2nd degree, a Class C Felony with a mandatory minimum of 3.5 years. Patreese Johnson was additionally charged with 1st Degree Assault. Three of the women accepted plea offers. On June 14th, 2007 Venice Brown (19), Terrain Dandridge (20), Patreese Johnson (20), and Renata Hill (24) received sentences ranging from 3 1/2 to 11 years in prison.

These young butch women have been targeted by the media and the justice system.
Right now one Renata Hill's sentence is under consideration and she needs all the support she can get.  Please take a moment RIGHT NOW and write to the District Attorney and ask that Renata be released from jail. Letters should arrive before March 17th. Here is a sample letter.  Change it as you see fit. 

For more about the Jersey 4

Robert M. Morgenthau
District Attorney
New York County
1 Hogan Place
New York, NY 10013

[Date]

Re: People vs. Renata Hill

Dear Mr. Morgenthau:

I am writing concerning the case of Renata Hill, who is scheduled to appear in court on March 17, 2009 for a potential retrial. Ms. Hill's original trial was stemming from an incident in August 2006. Her conviction for Gang Assault was recently overturned on appeal. Your office is about to make a decision on offering Ms. Hill either a retrial or a plea bargain where she would serve a
year in prison.

Whatever Ms. Hill's role on that night, she shouldn't have to go back to prison. Ms. Hill has already served two years. While she was incarcerated, she was separated from her young son. She also suffered the death of her mother, whose memorial she was unable to attend. I want to encourage you to stop further prosecution in this case, and to release Ms. Hill so that she may get on with
her life. I am writing as a person who identifies with the queer and trans communities. What happened during the incident involving Ms. Hill on August 2006 was terribly
unfortunate. I believe that none of the defendants who were changed actually went out there that night with the intention of criminal activity. Life is difficult for queer and trans people, and we ask that your office recognize the
constant threat of danger we live with.

Ms. Hill has been punished enough for her role in the event – both by actual imprisonment, and in the impact that imprisonment has had upon her life. I appreciate any assistance you can provide in preventing any further injustice.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,