Jan van Lohuizen is well respected within the Republican party as a top pollster. He’s worked for many GOP candidates over the years – including George W. Bush six years ago. Recently, he surprised many in the party after suggesting that maybe the GOP should change its course on same-sex marriage in a memothat has many people talking. He’s of the opinion that since so many Americans are actually in favor of gay marriage, Republicans should reconsider the anti-gay stance they’ve been defending. He says if conservatives continue taking a hard line on the issue, they could become “irrelevant.”
In a memo being circulated among leaders in the party, van Lohuizen says that the number don’t lie and that support is growing for same-sex marriage. “The most recent public polling shows supporters of gay marriage outnumber opponents by a margin of roughly 10 percent,” he says. “While more Democrats support gay marriage than Republicans, support levels among Republicans are increasing over time. The same is true of age: younger people support same-sex marriage more often than older people, but the trends show that all age groups are rethinking their position.”
In polling among Republicans, van Lohuizen made some surprising revelations, as well. “Majorities of Republicans and Republican-leaning voters support extending basic legal protections to gays and lesbians,” he says. These issues include everything from workplace protections and protections against bullying to the repeal of DADT, the right to hospital visitations and partnership recognition. “Only 29 percent of Republicans oppose legal recognition in any form,” he explains.
Zach Wahls became a viral sensation when he stood up in front of the Iowa House of Representatives last year to deliver a passionate speech about his family, led by his two lesbian moms. Since then, he’s written a book about growing up in the household – and the love and lessons his mothers have shared with him over the years. He was even at Equality Forum earlier this month, speaking at a youth panel about LGBT families.
Recently, he released a new video that explores his family dynamic even further. “My Two Moms” is a short video and portrait of an American family that’s been produced by In the Life (he kicks off events with the television series this week in Florida where he’ll be answering questions and leading a forum about LGBT families).
See the new exhibit Collage at the Latvian Society (starting at 9 a.m.) with works by artists from around the country. The event continues through the weekend.
Watch the documentary Brother Outsider about out civil rights hero Bayard Rustin with a performance by A Voice 4 All People (6 p.m.) at the African-American Museum of Philadelphia.
Courtesy of Tony Enos
Come to the cabaret (7:30 p.m.) at the Mt. Airy Garage with performances by Michael Richard Kelly and the Tamer Tewfik Trio.
Tony Enos performs live (9 p.m.) at South Philly Bar & Grill to benefit the Beacon Light Fund.
Camp Tabu is back (9 p.m.) with a night of humor starring Chip Chantry, Latice, Aaron Hertzog, Mike Logan, T.J. Hurley and Natalie with tag-team hosts Alejandro Morales and R. Eric Thomas.
Babette Josephs (courtesy of the Office of Babette Josephs)
The reaction to President Obama’s statement about his support of same-sex marriage this week has inspired a range of sentiment, with Democrats praising him and many in the GOP condemning him. There are even quite a few liberals who are asking the administration to do more to ensure that discrimination is not legislated in state constitutions and that DOMA is, once and for all, overturned.
Here in Pennsylvania, Democrats have been mostly supportive of the president’s evolution on same-sex marriage. The co-chairmen of the LGBT Equality Caucus in the Pennsylvania legislature today praised the announcement.
“Many places that already permit same-sex marriage – New York, Maryland, D.C. and others – are geographically close to Pennsylvania,” says State Rep. Babette Josephs. “We will be losing valuable citizens to these other states because of our backward ways; the image of Pennsylvania will continue to be tarnished. The president is a religious and conservative man, as are the people of Pennsylvania. In increasing numbers, they think that same-sex marriage is only fair. I agree with Mr. Obama and the growing numbers of Pennsylvanians.”
My first reaction to President Obama saying he now supports gay marriage was: Whew, finally. He’s the first U.S. president to take that stand. It’s historic and it’s about time. Americans have grown up debating and pondering this issue. A recent Gallup poll shows more Americans support gay marriage than oppose it. Even many Republicans like former Vice President Dick Cheney think same-sex marriage should be legal. His stance is the result of his own personal connection to the issue – his daughter is gay – but I’ll take it.
This was the next natural step in the long journey towards ending discrimination based on sexual orientation. We’ve gotten rid of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy without any negative repercussions. And, the states that do currently allow gay marriage have seen only more business for wedding caterers.
Still, I have to ask: Could the President have done even more? His new stance is amazing in the symbolism department. But what does it accomplish in the real world?
“STDs are on the rise among older people,” says Terri Clark, co-chair of Philadelphia’s LGBT Elder Initiative. As a prevention services coordinator with ActionAIDS, the state’s largest AIDS service organization, Clark says, “By 2015, more than 50 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS will be over 50 years of age.”
Seniors in the LGBT community especially are at risk of contradicting other sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis C - which are on the rise, says Clark. That’s why a new website’s been created to answer important questions, increase awareness and provide older, sexually active LGBT seniors with the knowledge they need to enjoy sex-positive lives in their golden years.
SaferSex4Seniors.org was created by an independent collective of professional sexuality educators, researchers, authors, trainers, counselors and therapists and features a new section specifically about LGBT sexual health. The site not only answers frequently asked questions (FAQs), but it allows users to submit their own questions, which are answered online by these healthcare experts. Topics include everything from condom use and sexually transmitted infections (what are the symptoms and how to treat them), to how to talk to a doctor about sex and the nuances of relationships, desire and pleasure with sensitivity to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Today, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter issued a statement in support of President Obama’s comments yesterday about his supporting same-sex marriage. Nutter has long supported marriage equality. He’s among dozens of other leaders from around the country who joined Mayors for the Freedom to Marry earlier this year. In 2011, he also signed the Equal Benefits Bill, which allows same-sex partners to access the same benefits as those who are married in the City of Philadelphia.
Here’s what the mayor said today:
“I commend President Obama for his clear and unequivocal support for equality and same sex marriage. I deeply appreciate his courage, strength and perspective. And I’m hopeful that more and more Americans will agree with him that if two people love and care about each other, then they should be able to marry regardless of their gender.”
And here’s Mayor Nutter speaking on behalf of Mayors for the Freedom to Marry:
We have a preview of what should be a pretty memorable episode of the hit Fox television series Glee. It takes place in an alternate reality where several of our favorite characters trade identities. And this includes a fair share of gender-bending as Jane Lynch’s character of Sue Sylvester becomes none other than the squeaky clean Mr. Shue (played by Matthew Morrison).
“I’m handsome and nice,” says Lynch, who’s decked out in a shirt-and-tie ensemble.
The University of Pennsylvania is conducting clinical trials about HIV prevention in the next few months – and they’re looking for a few eligible participants in the Philly area. If you qualify, you’ll be compensated for your time. Just fill out the survey below to be considered. All information is confidential.
It may take some time before many of us will fully realize the significance of President Obama’s “coming out,” as it were, in favor of same-sex marriage yesterday. And while today religious leaders condemn him, and the GOP are already using it against him, he made history. And we are incredibly proud that we have a leader who is willing to do what is right, rather than what may be politically savvy. Let’s remember that this November when we head to the polls to re-elect the first president in history to say out loud and proud that he supports marriage equality in America.
“At a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me, personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married,” the president said. “When I think about those soldiers or airmen or Marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that ‘Don’t ask, Don’t tell’ is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.”
PHILLY
EVENTS
PA LEADERS ON GAY MARRIAGE
Several state legislators praise the president's statement about marriage equality this week
Babette Josephs (courtesy of the Office of Babette Josephs)
The reaction to President Obama’s statement about his support of same-sex marriage this week has inspired a range of sentiment, with Democrats praising him and many in the GOP condemning him. There are even quite a few liberals who are asking the administration to do more to ensure that discrimination is not legislated in state constitutions and that DOMA is, once and for all, overturned.
Here in Pennsylvania, Democrats have been mostly supportive of the president’s evolution on same-sex marriage. The co-chairmen of the LGBT Equality Caucus in the Pennsylvania legislature today praised the announcement.
“Many places that already permit same-sex marriage – New York, Maryland, D.C. and others – are geographically close to Pennsylvania,” says State Rep. Babette Josephs. “We will be losing valuable citizens to these other states because of our backward ways; the image of Pennsylvania will continue to be tarnished. The president is a religious and conservative man, as are the people of Pennsylvania. In increasing numbers, they think that same-sex marriage is only fair. I agree with Mr. Obama and the growing numbers of Pennsylvanians.”
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