NY: An update from Daniel and Curtis

I just got this from Daniel, who - along with his partner Curtis - will be among the couples asking the New York Court of Appeals tomorrow to honor their desire to form a family by allowing them to marry:

Dear Friends,

Curtis and I wanted to give you an update on our marriage case. Hernandez v. Robles has been consolidated with other marriage cases throughout New York State and we will have our day in the state's highest court, the New York State Court of Appeals, on Wednesday, May 31, 2006, in Albany. As our journey to seek marriage equality draws to a conclusion, I can say we are feeling several emotions, but most of all, nervous.

As many of you who live in the city are aware there have articles about one of the justices recusing himself. While there has been speculation about why he has recused himself, we have decided not to exert energy on speculation. Ultimately, what that means is that the court is pared down to 6 justices which leaves the case open to a 3-3 split decision. In the event of this occurrence, the final decision could be put off for some time. A split vote would require the court to call in another justice from the appellate division to sit in on the proceedings. This could require oral arguments to be re-heard all over again. In the best case scenario, a decision could be rendered by the end of June.

While we could go on about the political reasons for why we should be allowed to marry, it really has not been about that for us. Quite frankly we are astonished that we have placed our relationship under such a public light. We want to have the right to marry because we love each other and we want our relationship protected under the law, just like every other committed opposite sex couple. For us, the matter has been about respect and equality. It continues to frustrate us that we have to explain in depth the reasons for why we should be allowed to marry, when with the stroke of a pen an impetuous pop star can be fully and legally married and then proceed to dissolve the marriage hours later (Anyone remember Brittany?) What could be more a slap in the face to committed couples who have been together for years and struggle every day to protect their relationship? Curtis and I have been lucky that the hurdles we've had to overcome have been relatively minor, but what happens when luck runs out? And why should the protection and recognition of our relationship have to rely on luck?

As we head into court, we are trying to remain hopeful and positive under stressful conditions, but as most of you may recall, the justices at the appellate division were openly hostile to our attorney. It was difficult to watch especially knowing that we were at the center of the hostility. Knowing what we know now, we are bracing for a similar exchange at the high court.

We will continue to keep you posted and we ask that you keep not only us in your thoughts, but also the other 40+ couples in New York state who have placed their relationships on the line for equality.

Warmest wishes,
Daniel & Curtis

Stumble

While I'm away for the weekend, why don't you just Stumble?

Peru: Anti-homophobia candle light vigil planned for May 30th

May 31, 2006: Day against violence and hate crimes committed against sexual minorities

HOMOPHOBIA KILLS

Vigil

Tuesday, May 30, 2006
starting at 8pm

Starting place:
Merced Church plaza
Cdra. 5 Jr. de la Union
Cercado de Lima

Closing ceremony:
Commemorative ceremony
Paseo de los Heroes
In front of the Justice Palace

IF ALL SHINE EQUALLY AS BRIGHT, WHY DO YOU SNUFF ONE OUT?

Organized by: Proyecto Experiencia - Art Against Stigma and Discrimination (Public Health Faculty of the Cayetanc Heredia Peruvian University). Co-sponsored by: MOHL, TLGB Peruvian Network, PROMSEX, GALF, LGBT activists and artistic and theatre activists.

Design and photography: Claudia Hermosilla / Mona Herbe

As if I haven't blogged enough today: British leather pup missing in MA

Word came my way today that the Lynn Police Department in Massachussetts is seeking information about the dissapearance of Adrian Alun Dennis Exley (above).

Exley arrived from Great Britain at Logan International Airport in Boston on April 20th, 2006, headed to Lynn where he met an acquaintance, and then disappeared four days later, on April 24th, when he took a train back to Boston.

On a leather site, his profile now reads:

ADRIAN HAS BEEN MISSING. HE DID NOT RETURN FROM A TRIP TO BOSTON (USA). HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE VERY WORRIED. IF YOU KNOW WHERE THIS GUY IS PLEASE ASK HIM TO CONTACT HOME OR TEXT OR TELEPHONE ME ( HIS FRIEND IN THE UK ) ON UK MOBILE XXXXXX OR HIS SISTER ON UK MOBILE XXXXXXX. WE MISS HIM, AND DESPARATLY NEED TO KNOW HE IS SAFE AND WELL. [Editor's note: Phone numbers have been removed in light of the updates below]

Here's to Adrian being found safe from harm!

UPDATES:

• Adrian Alun Dennis Exley's body sought by police (June 26, 2006)
• So sad: Adrian Alun Dennis Exley's body unearthed in RI (June 28, 2006)

Gay rugby takes over the Big Apple

I've known for months that come Memorial Day Weekend New York would be the host city for this year's Bingham Cup (named for gay rugby player Mark Bingham, who died on 9/11 on the plane that crashed in the fields of Pennsylvania).

The event, which brings together a bunch of gay rugby clubs for a three day international tournament, also includes a women's division. Matches will be held at Randall's Island starting tomorrow and through the weekend. They are open to the public and are free.

I was looking forward to attending some of the games and maybe say hi to some of the guys I know from the San Francisco Fog and New York's own Gotham Knights (pictured above at the 2002 Heritage of Pride march). Alas, I just found out that I will be out of the city this whole weekend.

At the very least, I don't see any teams from Argentina in the tournament so I'm pretty sure that it's not as if I'll miss out on a chance to meet, say, Luisma Molinari.

You Tube: I Can't Get No Sleep

Masters at Work featuring India: I Can't Get No Sleep.

Their alter ego, Nuyorican Soul, will be introducing percussionist Luisito Quintero at the Hiro Ballroom this coming Tuesday.

As for La India, she has had tremendous success in the past but her last CD, Soy Diferente, hasn't gotten much play despite a duet with Raggaeton royalty Queen Ivy and a new sound that this reviewer called "salsaton."

And about "I Can't Get No Sleep," well, what can I say? It certainly takes me back a few years when I had just arrived in New York City and used to hang in the West Village piers. Blink and you'll miss some of the gals and guys from the legendary House of Extravaganza performing in the background.

Noticed: Pam's Blend, UN status, foreigner in Colombia, the men of Dominica

Fellow blogger Pam Spaulding gets a nice write up in last Friday's issue of the Washington Blade. Her blog, Pam's House Blend, is an interesting blend of politics, LGBT rights news, feminist commentary and musings on how skin color and hair get played through media - and society.

Last week, I was glad to find out that the United States had back-tracked on a shameful vote in January in which they joined countries such as China and Iran in blocking two international LGBT organizations, ILGA and LBL, from being considered for consultative status to the United Nation. On May 17th, ILGA Europe and Germany's LSVD were also denied consultative status but this time the United States voted in favor of the LGBT organizations. What came as a surprise in reading this Blade article was that Colombia switched from abstaining the last time around to also supporting the LGBT organizations (yay for Colombia!). They joined Chile, France, Germany, Peru and Romania who had been previously supportive. Against consultative status? African nations Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, Sudan and Zimbabwe as well as China, Iran, Pakistan and the Russian Federation (India and Turkey abstained and Cuba, which voted against the LGBT organizations in January, was absent at last week's vote). In February, Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), had sent a letter to Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe expressing his disappointment in the earlier votes. Last week Frank told the Blade that he was pleased but that additional pressure was needed to secure consultative status for these organizations in the future.

Speaking of Colombia, we've been checking out Sangroncito's World as of late. The self-described "compulsive traveler" arrived in Bogota on Monday and has been blogging about his experiences. We're not so sure what to think of his indulgence in some of the younger men he meets during his time abroad, including some beautiful Brazilian hustlers on his last trip, but it's interesting to see a foreigner discover the country I love so much through his eyes. I hope he doesn't mind me also sharing a link to his Colombia photo album on flckr.

Speaking about beautiful boys, Anthony Montgomery, who graciously linked to this site a while back, truly gives you a view of the vibrant gay social life that exists nowadays in the Dominican Republic through his blog. Recently, he has also been featuring some glorious images of Dominican men as captured by photographer Paul Culver (including Cesar, above). For more of life in DR and those men, check out Anthony's blog, Monaga. There is also a lot more on architecture in Santo Domingo, travel to the island and Dominican club life as well.

Play in the Sunshine: NYC outdoor concert highlights for summer of 2006

Summerstage has arrived, check the full schedule here (some highlights acording to yours truly):

• June 24: (not a freebie but...) Club Shelter's 15h Anniversary
  
• July 30: UK's Lady Sovereign, DJ Pete Rock and DJ Rekha
• Aug. 5: Gustavo Cerati, Calle 13 and Mexican Institute of Sound

• Aug. 13: Talvin Singh DJ set, Asha Puthli feat Dewey Redman, Guru, Solar & DJ Doo Wop, Prefuse 73, Outternational (curated - whatever that means - by DJ Spooky "That Subliminal Kid")

Not enough? Well, you can always check the shows at Brooklyn's Prospect Park Bandshell Stage, including Nortec Collective (July 15), and Los Amigos Invisibles (August 4); or the smaller Madison Square Park where the great Me'shell Ndegeocello (pictured above) will perform on June 21st. Over at the Lincoln Center you have vocal house legend Martha Wash on June 15th (also not a freebie but we must pay respect to our house foundations).

As for the Annual Clubhouse Jamboree in Prospect Park (which last year had us grooving to DJ Spinna and the amazing Barbara Tucker), word is that it will take place, so look for updates.

Take it from Ms. Barrington: Bermuda in dire need of a gay community center

Take it from Ms. Sybil Barrington: "Bermuda is in dire need of a gay and lesbian centre where homosexuals could go for counseling and education."

In yesterday's Bermuda Sun, Ms. Barrington, also known as Mark Anderson when not in drag (pictured right), talks about teens in the Caribbean island who are struggling with their identity and have nowhere to go for support, counseling or advice.

The Sun says that Mr. Anderson was in the headlines last week when some objected to his alter ego, Ms. Barrington, being named as "Queen of the Gombeys" for the annual Bermuda Heritage Day Parade.

In yesterday's The Royal Gazette, there is also a lengthy profile of Mr. Anderson, who was born and currently lives in Bermuda, but has also recently performed at Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem and other New York City clubs. He talks of perhaps bringing Harmonica Sunbeam to perform with him at an upcoming presentation scheduled for late June at City Hall and of his ultimate dream to perform with legend Patti LaBelle at the Bermuda Music Festival, where she is scheduled to appear.

Breaking News: Costa Rican court ratifies same-sex marriage ban

EFE is reporting that Costa Rica's Constitutional Court has ruled, in a 5-2 vote, that same-sex couples do not have the right to marry and that the country's Family Code does not violate their rights by establishing marriage as being that between a man and a woman.

The ruling is a defeat for gay attorney Yashin Castrillo, who asked the court to allow him to marry his partner.

UPDATE: In today's Al Dia, Pablo Guerén Catepillán and Paula Chinchilla report that, in the majority opinion, the Court determined that "there are no legal impediments for gays living together and [that] the ban instituted in the questioned norm only refers specifically to the institution of marriage."

Nevertheless, they also indicated that more could be done to recognize same-sex partnerships arguing that, in Costa Rica, there is an absence of "an appropriate norm to regulate these type of unions, specially if they bring conditions of stability and loyalty."

They also urged the country's Justice Department to establish rights and responsibilities that would better define same-sex partnerships.

Not surprisingly the current government welcomed the ruling (they had argued against recognition of same-sex marriages during the recent court hearing on the issue): Justice Minister Laura Chinchilla said that it was a balanced decision that kept the institution of marriage available only to heterosexual couples while "reiterating the rights derived from civil partnerships between couples of the same sex."

As for Mr. Castrillo, in statements made last night, he stated that the court had shown arrogance by "establishing the superiority of heterosexuals" and pledged to take case before the Inter-American Human Rights Court.

Finally, while both EFE and Al Dia report that the two judges that voted to allow marriages between same-sex couples did so while denying that gay couples should have the right to adopt, Diario Extra says that Judge Adrian Vargas Benavides voted not only in favor of the right to marry but also for the right to adopt.

The Advocate: "We Too are Immigrants"

The current print issue of The Advocate (with the polygamy cover story) has three articles on the LGBT community and immigration rights.

In "We Too are Immigrants," Todd Henneman takes a look at LGBT immigrants and LGBT participation in the recent immigration rights marches. All in all a good article - and not just because I am quoted - but unfortunately it perpetuates the falsehood that it's just a Latino/Mexican thing (Herb Sosa from Miami's Unity Coalition and Oscar De La O from Bienestar in California are also interviewed, as well as some community members caught in the legislative cross-fire).

In "Thick and Thin for Binational Couples" (no online access available to the article), Neal Broveman looks at an upcoming documentary by Sebastian Cordoba on the issue of immigration rights being denied to binational same-sex couples in the United States. It was produced by Lavi Soloway and features my great friend Emilio and his partner Tom (pictured above).

Finally, in "Fear and Loafing," Editor-in-Chief Bruce C. Steele ponders what the LGBT rights movement should learn from the immigration rights demonstrations.

UPDATES:

• A difficult choice: Love or country (August 10, 2006)
• Emilio gets final word from immigration court (December 19, 2006)
• The United States vs. Emilio (December 21, 2006)
  

AI: Nicaragua should strike down sodomy statute

On Wednesday, several people affiliated with Amnesty International staged demonstrations outside the Nicaraguan embassies in several Latin American cities calling for the repeal of Article 204 of Nicaragua's Penal Code which says:

Those who commit crimes of sodomy or induce, promote, propagate or practice any form of copulation between people of the same sex will be subject to suffer a penalty of from one to three years in prison

Over on his blog, Dani has compiled a nice group of photos taken at demos in Peru (see above), Uruguay, Chile and Mexico as well as the text of the Amnesty International call to action (Thanks to Daniel Soto for the heads-up).

Frugal Splurging

It has been six months since my Macintosh i-Book laptop died a horrible noisy death on a sunny San Diego day. As those present will attest, I threw one of my few public tantrums and swore I would never touch (or buy) a Mac computer ever again! (Truth be told, I think I was using the moment to vent over life in general as well, so - yes - it was truly a "moment").

Now, I actually do not spend that much money on too much stuff (except perhaps music) but the passage of time has healed some of the Mac-hate (truth be told, deep inside, I'm a Mac-lovah, not a Mac-hatah).

Bernard seems to be going for the recently unveiled new MacBook, and then there's also Ronn Taylor's minute-by-minute report on tonight's opening of the latest Mac store in Manhattan. But my eye is on the 15" MacBook Pro that is a bit more expensive but Oh! So! Nice! (pictured above). Then there is also the news that Central Park will go WiFi and all of a sudden there seems to be some sort of astral alignment as well.

Should anyone wanna contribute toward my upcoming birthday gift to myself, just leave a reply! (hehe). Then again, let's see how much time I hold off before splurging.

Polk Theatre closes: Last of a dying breed

I wouldn't necessarily say that I am among those that miss the old seedy, dirty, druggy, burlesque version of 42nd Street in Manhattan but this week the Village Voice has an article on the closing of a Queens institution: The Polk Theatre.

The place, which must have been a sight to behold in its Art Deco splendor back in the '30's and '40's, had since become a porn house and fallen into squalor and disrepair.

Those of us who live in the neighborhood might have wanted the place to be renovated and afforded the landmark status that its architecture deserves. Unfortunately, it appears the new owners will probably tear it down to make way for some apartment buildings (a fate that another former Jackson Heights porn house, the Earle, escaped when it became a first-run Indian movie house and was re-named The Eagle, even though it too is in dire need of renovations).

For those who have never been to New York City (or Queens for that matter), the money quote from this week's Voice article is this:

In fact, by early 2006, [the Polk] was one of only three big theaters left where people could watch porn on the big screen in the city.

For a city that is known for its sometimes ribald and racy image, particularly in movies that are set in New York but shot elsewhere ("Phone Booth," et al.), this might come as a surprise to some.

The times, they have'a'changed!

Democratic response on immigration - PUKE!

Ok, so we already knew that tonight's President George W. Bush's address to the nation on immigration issues would be puke-worthty. So maybe we should have expected the Democrats to truly offer an alternative and inclusive message? Here are excerpts from tonight's Democratic response presented by Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois:

Real immigration reform begins with enforcement at the border and in the workplace, but it does not end with enforcement.

During the last decade, we have doubled the number of Border Patrol agents and illegal immigration into the United States has also doubled.

We need a comprehensive, tough and fair approach.

People who have broken our laws should not and will not be rewarded with amnesty. But people who work hard and play by the rules should have a chance to earn their way to legal status if they pay a fine, learn English, pay back taxes and go to the back of the line.

Hm, Republicans, Democrats, where is the difference?

Yay for the FBI

I'm sure a couple of people just spit out their coffee but give some credit when credit is due. Yay for the FBI!

The Smoking Gun has a document that exposes an undercover FBI program "targeting Americans seeking overseas sex tours" focusing on companies that offer trips to the Philipines and Thailand that play up the availability of underage boys and girls

Caught in the red was 58 year-old Florida resident Gary Evans (pictured), who purportedly offered FBI agents, through a fake webiste, ways to expand business into Honduras and Costa Rica.

The sad part is that this is not necessarily ground breaking news and Lord knows that there are many others who do not get caught in these reds but, when it comes to sexual tourism, and specifically the type that involves minors, I am glad that at least someone who did this type of business in Central America might be taken out of business.

Update: Costa Rica's highest court hears challenge to same-sex marriage ban

In Costa Rica: Court to determine constitutionality of marriage for same-sex couples (April 26, 2006), I said that the Costa Rica's Constitutional Court would be holding an open hearing on May 4th to determine if attorney Yashin Castrillo had the right to challenge the constitutionality of language banning recognition of civil marriage for same-sex couples in the country's family code (which says "It is legally impossible matrimony:... 6) Between persons of the same gender").

On May 5th, Diario Extra reported that the seven members of the court sat in absolute silence for two hours while arguments were aired - pro and con - and left without asking a single question.

The paper says that both sides claimed victory after the hearing.

On the side of those arguing that the ban was unconstitutional, Castrillo argued that Costa Rica had to observe international human rights treaties and remove legislation that established limits on equality, liberty expression and emotions: "Today," he told the judges, "it is your turn to judicially recognize that every human being deserves dignity and respect."

Also according to the paper, fellow attorneys Marco Castillo and Rose Mary Madden Arias challenged religious arguments that fomenting procreation was the sole purpose for civil marriage as an institution.

On the side of those arguing that the discriminatory language should remain in the family code, Costa Rica's General Attorney Fernando Castillo argued that the Constitutional Court did not have the standing to determine the constitutionality of banning marriage for same-sex couples and that the language could only be removed by adopting a new constitution. "You cannot claim a right if it has never been given," Castillo argued, "and the Court is blocked from imposing it."

Jorge Fisher, an Evangelical preacher who also testified during the hearing, said "we cannot an institution that was born in God's heart and change it."

Reporter Oscar Rodriguez sates that it's not likely that the Court will simply reject Yashin Castrillo's arguments by throwing his "action of unconstitutionality" out of court but that it might agree with the General Attorney's office that the Court is not able to rule on the issue; or find that while the family code might violate the rights of a minority, the Legislative Assembly is in its rights to establish such violation; or, finally, rule that the Court can rule in the case and does establish that the rights of a certain minority have been violated. "From that moment on," Rodriguez writes, "the State would be obligated of accepting these type of unions."

Diaro Extra had previously reported that the Court would have a month to announce their ruling, although the paper also said that in some circumstances, the court could ask for additional time.

A detail that surprisingly gets left out of most articles I have read on this issue: In an interview shown on a Costa Rica television news station (which was available on the day of the hearing but no longer online), Mr. Castrillo spoke openly about being gay and the fact that he filed his challenge to court after he was denied a license to marry his partner.

UPDATE: Costa Rican court ratifies same-sex marriage ban (May 24, 2006)

A City Hall Meeting on Marriage

In A political experience (March 25, 2006), I shared thoughts about a meeting I attended the day before at Gracie Mansion on the issue of marriage rights for same-sex couples. The meeting, which was called by Mayor Mike Bloomberg and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, drew some criticism when it turned out that the Director of the state's most-powerful LGBT advocacy organization, Alan Van Capelle of the Empire State Pride Agenda, was asked not to attend.

This morning at a meeting called by Speaker Quinn and held in the Red Room at City Hall two things were different: The Empire State Pride Agenda was present and Mayor Bloomberg was not.

Officially, this was not a follow-up to the Bloomberg meeting but rather to a March 16th Washington, DC meeting that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton convened, which included the Democratic Senate Steering and Outreach Committee, which Alan also attended.

Compared to the Bloomberg meeting, there were also a greater number of people in the room (about fifty people) which included staff members from Senators Clinton and Schumer's office (if not Clinton and Schumer themselves) - and a staffer from Congressman Jerry Nadler's office - along with Senator Tom Duane, Assemblymembers Danny O'Donnell and Deborah Glick, Congressman Anthony Weiner, political consultants Emily Giske and Ethan Geto, representatives from some of the city's political clubs (Gary Parker, Dirk McCall, Brad Hoylman) and LGBT organizations (Richard Burns and Myriam Young from The Center, the great Matt Foreman of NGLTF, Adam Francoeur from Immigration Equality, Joe Tarver and Desma Holcom from the Empire State Pride Agenda, Phyllis Steinberg of PFLAG NYC, Ron Zacchi and Cathy Marino-Thomas of Marriage Equality New York, and Daryl Cochrane from HRC). There were also representatives from the Log Cabin republicans and the organizers of the Staten Island pride parade.

Though not necessarily extensive, there seemed to be obvious efforts to reach to some people of color organizations and leaders including George Gates from People of Color in Crisis, Joey Pressley from the New York AIDS Coalition, Tokes Osubu from Gay Men of African Descent and the National Black Justice Coalition, Charles Rice-Gonzalez from BAAD! as well as I.

Discussion mostly centered on proposed federal legislation to amend the United States Constitution to ban marriage rights for same-sex couples which Senate Majority Leader Bill "M.D." Frist is planning to bring up for yet another vote, since everything else seems to be failing to energize the Republican vote in the upcoming elections.

On the table was also the upcoming May 31st New York State Court of Appeals hearing on whether refusing to let same-sex couples obtain marriage licenses violates state constitution for which several briefs have been filed arguing for the right to marry (over at the Gotham Gazette, reporter Andy Humm has a great breakdown of what is at stake in "Same-sex Marriage Show Down").

I'm proud to say - in a historic first - some of the New York City Latino LGBT grassroots organizations recently joined one of the friend-of-the court briefs filed for the hearing which was submitted by the Empire State Pride Agenda. These include Las Buenas Amigas, the Colombian Lesbian and Gay Association (COLEGA), the Gay and Lesbian Dominican Empowerment Organization (GALDE), Latino Gay men of New York, Mano a Mano and Primer Movimiento Peruano.

Funny, the court hearing is two weeks away and yet - unless you have followed the issue - not that many people out in the street probably know about it. Let's hope that the court, which could rule as early as this summer, will come down on the right side of history.

UPDATE: "Quinn convenes amendment confab" (Gay City News, May 18, 2006)

You Tube of the day: If you go before me (Live)

One of the most beautiful songs ever: Sananda Maitreya (formerly Terence Trent Darby)'s "If You Go Before Me" (Click on hyperlink). The original is from D'Arby's 1995 excellent CD TTD's Vibrator (what the heck, while at You Tube you might as well check out "Undeniably (Live)," the original being also from the same album).

The Reverend Luis Barrios on Juan Mendez

Today, the New York Daily News (here) and El Diario La Prensa (here) have moving obituaries in honor of Juan Mendez.

Yesterday I also spent some time referring people who were close to Juan to Gay City News which also runs an article on his death in today's edition (you can read in its entirety here).

I was particularly struck by this paragraph:

Father Luis Barrios, pastor of La Iglesia San Romero de Las Americas, a non-denominational church in Washington Heights, remembered that Mendez drew him, a straight Episcopal priest, into LGBT advocacy in 1990 when a transsexual youth named Jesus was murdered on Fordham Road in the Bronx, near the parish, St. Anne’s, where he was then ministering. Barrios celebrated a mass for Jesus at the church and also joined Mendez in pressing the police to classify the murder as a hate crime. Mendez later helped Barrios get a religious column—“from the left perspective”—at El Diario, which he continues to write.