I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Literally. None. I sat down to check my email on Monday morning, and found in my inbox an email about LIFEbeat's concert featuring two musical acts who advocated anti-gay violence and murder in their lyrics. By the time I digested that, I got an email from Keith asking me and other black gay bloggers to band together and do something about it. Needless to say, Iwas in.
The next 48 hours were a whirlwind. Frank has the definitive timeline. Basically, Keith, Bernie, Frank, Jasmyne, Pam, Donald, Clay, Steven and I were quickly joined boy countless others posting about the concert and the campaign. Along the way, the gay press picked up the story, then the mainstream press followed. Even progressive bloggerdom spoke up, with Kos, John, and Matt posting about it. Long story short, LIFEbeat first cancelled the concert and appeared to blame the bloggers' campaign for their troubles, only to turn around a day later and apologize for the whole thing. Anyway, that was my week. In the midst of all that, there was lots more going on.
- Mikey sums up the end of the LIFEbeat fiasco.
- And I couldn't help noticing the amount of anti-gay violence reported this week. Like: one of Kevin Aviance's attackers blaming the attack on the phrase "calm down sweetie", or the attack on Josh Shuck, or one of the Duke Lacrosse players being found guilty as the "ringleader" in a D.C. gay bashing, or the conviction of another "ringleader" in a UK gay bashing, or the guy in the UK who committed suicide after a gay bashing left him disfigured, or the gay couple from the U.S. who got a bashing in St. Maarten complete with skull fracture.
- So those of us who protested the LIFEbeat concert were just making a big deal out of nothing, as were the 250 Danish activists who denied Buju Banton a change to perform "Boom Bye Bye" in public.
- Concerts or no concerts we never seem to get away from the marriage discussion. After the New York appeals court decision larrysphatpage offered a point-by-point analysis of the decision. Meanwhile over at TruthOut, planetpatriot calls the court's argument convoluted.
- Also coming out of the New York decision, DrJoy picks apart the majority's argument regarding children, and Sara Miles asks on Salon.Com "doesn't my daughter deserve the same legal protection as the children of opposite-sex parents?" I could ask the same.
- As long as we're in the courthouse, Connecticut judge recently ruled that gay couples haven't been harmed by the state's decision to legalize civil unions instead of gay marriage. Maybe, but I know one gay couple who hasn't been helped much by it either.
- The court's ruling aside, it looks like marriage in NY could come down to who's the next governor. Democrat Eliot Spitzer says he'd sign legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in the state, but is isn't at the top of his agenda.
- Speaking of governor's, California's Democratic candidate for the governor's office, Phil Angelides, says he'll do what Arnold wouldn't -- sign legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in California.
- Oh yeah, as long as we're talking about Democratic politicians talking about married, blogswarm brings us some choice words for Democrats from San Francisco Mayor (and dream-boat) Gavin Newsome, who brought us images like these not long ago. (And note, the world didn't end.)
- Speaking of Glamorous Gavin, Boi from Troy reports that the case between San Francisco and the fundies is on its way to appellate court.
- By the way, has anyone considered whether or not putting civil rights up for a majority vote is a good idea in the first place?
- Along those lines, RichardR has something to say about the south, American governance, and "institutionalized mob rule." Also roguewolfe points out a fine example of RichardR's point in the North Carolina GOP county chair.
- Bud Evans points out that he and his partner of 30 years are married, in Canada and Massachussets at least, no matter what anybody says.
- Given all the above, despite That Colored Fella's declaration of the end of gay marriage, I don't think we've heard the end of this issue. Nor do I think we should.
- Speaking of Massachusetts, now that gays in that state can marry the Boston Globe's gay employees will have to get hitched if they want to keep their benefits.
- Also at the state level bl968 reports that Texas Republicans want to redefine marriage to exclude transgendered individuals. Anybody see that one coming?
- While we're talking gender, check out the CNN piece on Neurobiologist and FTM transgender Ben Barres (And if you want to hear more from Barres read The Riddle of Gender. He was interviewed for the book, and I highly recommend it.)
- And as long as we're talking science, Mixing Memory has an interesting post up about dangers of discovering biological causes for homosexuality.
- Mark in Tucson Arizona brings us up to date on the petition process to get an anti-gay marriage amendment on the ballot. Meanwhile unmarried heterosexuals have filed suit claiming the ballot initiative violates the state's "single issue" law on ballot initiatives.
- NHabroad brings us a report and pictures from the rallies for marriage equality in Boston.
- The Massachusetts legislature opted to postpone a vote on the proposed anti-gay marriage amendment, even after a judge moved it forward earlier this week.
- Meanwhile Wisconsin's anti-gay marriage amendment appears to be backfiring on the right wingers by driving Democratic-leaning voters to the polls. They're in even more trouble if it drives more young people to vote.
- And finally UTBrianci asks and answers the question "Should we be rioting?" on gay marriage.
- Just in case your civil rights do go up for grabs, you might want to take notes on matthewc's tips for arguing with a homophobe.
- And as long as we're on the subject of today's bestselling version of bigotry go back to Bud Evans and read his tale of paradise lost and nothing gained.
- Along those same lines sommerville has something to say about marriage, the pope's trip to Spain, and calling things what they are.
That's all I got folks, and I had to hurry to get it all in. I'm off to a family picnic at my kid's daycare. If I forgot anything or missed anyone, charge it to my head and not my heart, and leave them in the comments.
See ya next week!