June 17-24, 2004

political notebook

by Mary F. Patel

Political Pride
Looking at Philadelphia's gay Pride Day festival last Sunday, you might think that the city's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community doesn't support the re-election of President George W. Bush. You'd be right.

Many of those who attended the outdoor gay fest on the corner of Broad and Washington, the endpoint of the parade that began on Locust Street, were offering support to Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. Kerry campaign workers were in abundance all day, handing out Kerry stickers and collecting donations. The "Lick Bush" stickers were big among lesbians, and many gay men wore them as well.

Although Kerry is supportive of gays, he does not support gay marriage; rather, he backs the creation of civil unions for same sex couples. That said, why are so many gays supporting Kerry?

"Look at the alternative," explained Michael Goetz, a member of Liberty City Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club who was at the festival handing out literature the group. "With Kerry in office we have a better chance."

"Call it what you want," said Eric Stern, the director of LGBT outreach for the Democratic National Committee. "Gay marriage is something the right made up. John Kerry supports the rights of the community. Same-sex couples in committed, long-term relationships should have the same rights as everyone else."

Then he pointed out the support that Kerry has shown throughout his career. As a freshman senator, Kerry sponsored the Civil Rights Amendment Act in 1985. Five years later, Kerry co-sponsored the Ryan White Act, which disperses funds to help HIV patients. In 1996, Kerry voted against the Defense of Marriage Act.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which promotes LGBT rights, had a table at Pride Day. There, anti-Bush literature was in abundance. (Even though HRC can't endorse a candidate, members were accepting donations in support of HRC.) HRC had plenty of handouts calling Bush "A Divider, Not a Uniter" for his position supporting a constitutional amendment to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. The amendment alone seemed to drive the animosity toward Bush among the thousands that turned out to celebrate that steamy afternoon. The blaring music from the gay gospel singers and drag-queen floats drowned out the bullhorns of the protesters waving their "Trust Jesus" and "Homosexuality Is a Sin" banners.

Diversity Wars
It appears some competition between organizations erupted at Pride Day. At issue was which one could claim the most diversity. LGBT organizations have now been outdone by groups that claim to represent the LGBTQ community. The Q is for "questioning" or "queer," take your pick.

LGBT Activities
Liberty PA, the new statewide Democratic LGBT organization dedicated to sending Bush back to Texas, hosted a reception at Pure (formally the 2-4 Club) on St. James Street last Saturday night. The focus of the evening, which also featured a special on pink drinks, was to recruit new members and prepare for its upcoming push to get out the LGBT vote in November's general election.

Liberty City co-chairs Renee Gilinger and Michael Marsico began Liberty PA. "The objective is to network with other LGBT voters across the state to build a coalition, not just for this year, but for other elections, too," said Marsico. "Getting [U.S. Sen.] Rick Santorum out of office and re-electing Gov. Ed Rendell will be our focus" after this election is over.

Marsico was the statewide LGBT campaign director for Rendell's gubernatorial campaign.

An organized slate of eight LGBT delegates will attend the Democratic National Convention next month in Boston. Scott Safier, founder of Steel City Stonewall Democratic Club, is heading up the Platform Committee. The Democratic State Committee appointed Liberty City members Marsico, Gilinger, Abbe Fletman, transgender activist Kathleen Padilla and Paul Scoles as at-large delegates. Deborah Willig, former Philadelphia chancellor of the bar and member of Kerry's national finance committee, was elected in the Congress' 2nd District and Donna Cruciani was elected in the 15th District near Allentown.

Meanwhile, Gilinger has left her job at the Metropolitan AIDS Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA) to be the state director for the Young Voter Alliance (YVA). Her office is in Rittenhouse Square, and she is in the process of hiring staff.

PACs like YVA are the result of the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act, which limits "soft-money" donations to political parties. YVA, a liberal organization funded by unrestricted private donations to further its agenda and increase voter turnout and awareness, is part of a coalition of other groups that includes the League of Pissed-off Voters, the National Hip-Hop Political Committee, the United States Student Association, the Stonewall Student Network and the Young Democrats of America.

YVA is technically unaffiliated with any candidate and does not coordinate its activities with any campaign. However, it is unlikely that Bush will benefit from YVA.

"In fact," said Gilinger, "all efforts will be focused on getting Bush out of office."