Chicago to get second out alderman

James Cappleman won a runoff election last week to represent the 46th Ward on the Chicago City Council, making him the city's second openly gay alderman among the 50 council members. 

"Never believe that you can't change politics as usual. You can, and we have," Cappleman said.

Things to do in Denver when you're gay: Benefit for Stan Garnett at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret

A veritable Denver's gay power brokers, including Andy Szekeres, Michael Brewer, and Ted Trimpa, are hosting a benefit for Colorado Attorney General hopeful Stan Garnett this Monday at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret.

According to nationally known political consultant Andy Szekeres, "Stan Garnett is the best chance to elect a pro-equality Attorney General that we have seen in years.

Libertarians want you!

The national Libertarian Party has issued a call for gay voters to quit the Democratic party and join up with them after Senate leaders were recently unable to gather 60 votes necessary to move forward on legislation that would repeal "Don't ask, don't tell."

Tea Party official booted for anti-gay remarks

Tim Ravndal, who was president of the Big Sky Tea Party Association in Montana, was removed from his position after posting remarks on Facebook that appeared to condone violence against gays and lesbians.

"We are extremely disappointed by Mr. Ravndal's commentary. The discussion in that Facebook conversation is entirely outside the position of the Big Sky Tea Party," wrote the group's chairman, Jim Walker.

Get OUT the vote in Denver: All-mail Primary Election ballots due August 10

Ballots must be received by the Denver Elections Division by 7 p.m. on Primary Day, August 10th.

If you haven't received a ballot, or if you've lost or destroyed your ballot, you can get a replacement at any of the Service Centers. You can also contact the Denver Elections Division at (720) 913-8683, by e-mail at mailballots@denvergov.org, or through their website at www.denvervotes.org.

Gay candidates win big across U.S.

Openly gay candidates for state legislature seats in California, Montana and Maine won key primary victories this week.

Other out candidates also advanced, including Victoria Kolakowski (pictured), a transgender woman running to become an Alameda County, Calif., Superior Court judge, and Jill Ravitch, a lesbian who was elected district attorney in Sonoma County, Calif.

Precinct caucuses are coming!

Denver precinct caucuses will be held this year on Tuesday, March 16 at 7 p.m.

Caucuses are the grassroots, neighborhood-level start of the political process where attendees will have the opportunity to elect precinct committee people, to raise issues and vote on your party Platform, and to vote on delegates to the Denver County Assembly.

Precinct caucuses are an incredibly important part of the political process and it is incredibly important for Denver's gay community to attend and take part and, hopefully, get themselves elected as precinct committee people or delegates.

Re-elect Jared Polis!

Join up with Colorado's out and proud Rep. Jared Polis this weekend for food, drink, and conversation.

Polis just announced a district-wide tour to kick off his bid for re-election and this tour will be a series of informal gatherings for the people of the Second Congressional District to meet their Representative, talk about the issues that matter most to them and hear how they can get involved in the campaign. All events are free and open to the public.

In Europe - and Colorado - being out in politics is in

In contrast to the U.S., where there are still only a handful of nationally prominent out lawmakers, Europe's more welcoming political climate has resulted in the emergence of several dozen openly gay lawmakers and Cabinet officers, notably in Britain, France and Germany. The positive situation for LGBT leadership is fueled by public attitudes -- more than eight in 10 French, Germans and Spaniards say gay people should be accepted, compared with 49 percent of Americans.

Here in Colorado, of course, we're proud and lucky to have such openly gay lawmakers and politicians as Senator Pat Steadman, Rep. Mark Ferrandino, and Rep. Jared Polis.

Bumpy flight for Jared Polis' partner of six years

Marlon Reis (above right), the partner of U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., was forced to jump many bureaucratic hurdles in June to be able to take part in a congressional delegation trip to Seattle that was open to designated spouses of lawmakers. At one point, the U.S. military tried to bar Reis from getting on the plane unless he paid a reimbursement fee of $1,140.40 to the Defense Department. Eventually, the matter was cleared up and Reis was able to join his partner, the other lawmakers and their spouses, without having to pay.

Jared Polis hosts gay town hall

Openly gay Colorado Representative Jared Polis held what is thought to be the first GLBT Town Hall in the country right here in Denver last Saturday night.

The purpose of the town hall meeting was to emphasis LGBT issues such as the Healthcare Reform Bill, the federal Hate Crimes Act, ENDA, and Don't Ask, Don't Tell. - via Towleroad

Remember to vote in the Nov. 3 election

The Denver Democrats send out the following reminder about the upcoming Denver election:

The November 3rd election is an all-mail-ballot election. Ballots will need $0.61 in postage, and should be mailed by Saturday, October 31st or dropped off in person at either of two Voter Service Centers by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3rd. If you did not receive your ballot, please call 720-913-8683 for assistance, or stop by one of the two Voter Service Centers in operation every day but Sunday through Election Day.

Out candidates for political office and how to become one

Out Houston Controller Annise Parker is the front-runner in a field of four mayoral wannabes, although more than two out of three voters say they are undecided about their choice for the Nov. 3 election, a poll for KHOU-TV and KUHF-FM has found. Parker is vying to become the first out elected mayor of one of the nation's 10 biggest cities.

And in California Anthony Woods (pictured), a 29-year-old out veteran of the Iraq war, was among 15 candidates on the ballot in a special election last week for the U.S. House seat formerly held by Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., who has taken a job with the State Department. Woods.

Running a successful political campaign takes a lot more than most people think. The Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute's renowned Candidate & Campaign Training is the place to start if you're thinking about running for office or helping someone who is. Find out how hundreds of openly LGBT elected officials got elected in the first place.

To learn more about the training and how you can apply for the next session right here in Denver, Colorado on September 24, go here.

Lucia Guzman announces run for Colorado Senate

Former Denver Board of Education member and out lesbian Lucia Guzman has announced she will run for the District 34 Colorado State Senate seat in 2010. The seat is currently held by Sen. Paula Sandoval, who is term limited.

“The most effective way to genuinely understand what a community wants is to seek out a conversation with as many people in the community as possible. I believe this is the duty of elected officials and an essential tool for making informed decisions. And it’s a personal and professional value of mine,” says Guzman. Guzman has put this belief into practice in all of her roles, most notably during her tenure on the Denver Board of Education where she was a vocal advocate for school reform.

Guzman is executive director of the Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations for the City and County of Denver, a position to which she was appointed by Mayor John Hickenlooper in 2003. She was elected twice to the Denver Public Schools Board of Education, serving from 1999-2007; she was elected vice president for her second term. From 1994-1999, she was executive director of the Colorado Council of Churches and also pastor of two Denver churches, Berkeley United Methodist Church and Merritt Memorial United Methodist Church. Guzman is a former small business owner, having owned Lucia’s Casa de Café in northwest Denver from 1999-2005.


Guzman is an ordained elder with the United Methodist Church, received a Master of Divinity from the Iliff School of Theology and a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University in Texas.

She has served in leadership roles for a variety of community organizations including Mile High United Way, Governor’s Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education, Metropolitan State College of Denver, National Association of Ecumenical Staffs and Colorado-Oklahoma Resource Council. She is a trustee with the Iliff School of Theology.

Recent honors include the ACLU Carl Whitehead Memorial Award, which recognized Guzman for her lifetime contributions to civil liberties; induction into the Cesar Chavez Leadership Hall of Fame, which honored her passion for justice for those who are not heard; the Anti-Defamation League Civil Rights Award, which recognized her for her efforts and achievements in furthering civil and human rights for all people; the Mary Rhodes Award from the National Order of Sisters of Loretto; and the Champions of Change Award from the Escuela Tlatelolco.







Colorado's Jared Polis makes the cover of MetroWeekly

There have been gay members of Congress before and there are those who serve now. But Jared Polis, a Colorado Democrat, has the distinction of being the first out gay man elected to a first term. There's no arguing that's not a historic feat, considering the disproportionate disadvantage the GLBT community suffers on Capitol Hill. Every inch toward proportionate representation is a milestone. But Polis is much, much more than a name for the history books. Having just turned 34 on May 12, this dynamic young congressman brings to Washington a background in business, technology and education, along with his partner of five and a half years, Marlon Reis. Read all about it in the new issue of MetroWeekly.

Hats off to Mr. Ken Buck

I posted about this editorial yesterday but didn't realize it was written by Ken Buck, conservative Republican DA who is arguing IN FAVOR of the hate crimes statute, which puts him at odds with the majority of Republicans. AND he's running for Senator, and coming forward with this opinion, which is really brave of him considering his party's stance on the issue.

GOP alienating younger generation with anti-gay marriage stance?

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Steve Schmidt, a senior strategist to Sen. John McCain's losing presidential effort, are among Republican leaders and strategists who believe the GOP risks alienating a younger generation of voters if it continues its hardline, anti-marriage stance. "The Republican Party is shrinking," Schmidt said. "One of the reasons it is shrinking is because there are large demographics in this country that view the party as intolerant or not relevant to them. Politics is about addition."

Important news from the Colorado Stonewall Dems

The following is a letter from the Matthew Duckett, communications director of the Colorado Stonewall Democrats. There's a lot of important information following the jump so be sure to check it out and do your part to support the politicians that support Colorado's GLBT community:

I'm writing you to keep you up to date on issues affecting the LGBT community here in Colorado and in the nation. There is information here on Hate crimes, HB1260 and SB88.

A battle appears to be beginning in Congress over hate crimes. Two years ago, the House and the Senate both passed this bill. If George W. Bush had not vetoed that important bill, it probably would be law today. Providing a vital piece of protective legislation against the crimes of hate upon persons within the LGBT community.

Now, here in 2009, we have a chance to finally get this bill signed into law. We encourage you to call, write and visit your US Representative and your US Senators encouraging them to stand beside us in this time of need.

More after the jump.


Things to mention:

Bias Motivated Crime Laws sends a Message

...Bias Motivated crimes are not like any other crime, they are intended to create fear and terrorize a target group. Bias motivated crime LAWS send a clear message to victims, perpetrators, and law enforcement officials that crime motivated by bigotry and hatred will not be tolerated.

Anti-LGBT Violence is Widespread

...In 2007, information on 1,195 incidents in which the perpetrators’ motivating factor was the victims’ actual or perceived sexual orientation an 18% increase in such incidents from the FBI's 2005 report.

...Additionally, 2007 had the third highest murder rate in the past 10 years that the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has been compiling the Hate Violence Report with murders more than doubling (from 10 in 2006 to 21 in 2007).

Bias Motivated Crime Laws Aid Law Enforcement

...Bias motivated crimes laws enable law enforcement to investigate low-level crimes, such a graffiti, property damage and harassment, and give an enhanced penalty. low level crimes that go unaddressed or unpunished can turn into more violent crimes.

...Bias motivated crimes laws also help law to develop training and other effective strategies for prevention and intervention.


Bias Motivated crimes laws Punish Crime, Not Speech

...A federal law can be drafted similar to Colorado's so as not to abridge freedom of speech as guaranteed in the 1st amendment. Bias motivated crime laws do not punish speech, bu rather activity that is already defined as criminal. Bias motivated speech that is not accompanied by criminal activity is not punishable.



***

Update on HB 1260

HB 1260, the Designated Beneficiaries bill. The bill has passed through the house and now moves on to the senate.

Please take a moment to thank the representatives who voted in favor of this bill. The legislators who supported the bill are listed below (if you don’t know who your representative is, go to www.votesmart.org).

Contact your representative and thank them for supporting the designated beneficiaries bill, which will:

· Provide a low-cost, convenient mechanism for Coloradans to choose the person to take care of them in medical emergencies and provide for them in the event of their death.

· Will protect people who take responsibility for their affairs by utilizing this new, accessible, convenient, and affordable tool.

The bill is scheduled to be heard before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday March 16th. We will keep you informed as things move forward.

Call or e-mail now!

Thank the representatives who voted in favor of HB 1260:

Rep. Dennis Apuan
D- Dist. 17
303-866-3069
dennis.apuan.house@state.co.us

Rep. Debbie Benefield
D- Dist. 29
303-866-2950
debbie.benefield.house@state.co.us

Rep. Terrance Carroll
D- Dist. 7
303-866-2346
terrance.carroll.house@state.co.us

Rep. Edward Casso
D- Dist. 32
303-866-2964
edward.casso.house@state.co.us

Rep. Lois Court
D- Dist. 6
303-866-2967
lois.court.house@state.co.us

Rep. Kathleen Curry
D- Dist. 61
303-866-2945
kathleen.curry.house@state.co.us

Rep. Mark Ferrandino
D- Dist. 2
303-866-2911
mark.ferrandino.house@state.co.us

Rep. Randy Fischer
D- Dist. 53
303-866-2917
randy.fischer.house@state.co.us

Rep. K. Jerry Frangas
D- Dist. 4
303-866-2954
kjerryfrangas@earthlink.net

Rep. Sara Gagliardi
D- Dist. 27
303-866-2962
sara.gagliardi.house@state.co.us

Rep. Cheri Gerou
R- Dist. 25
303-866-2582
cheri.gerou.house@state.co.us

Rep. Gwyn Green
D- Dist. 23
303-866-2951
gwyn.green.house@state.co.us

Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst
D- Dist. 10
303-866-2915
dl.hullinghorst.house@state.co.us

Rep. Joel Judd
D- Dist. 5
303-866-2925
joel.judd.house@state.co.us

Rep. John Kefalas
D- Dist. 52
303-866-4569
john.kefalas.house@state.co.us

Rep. Andy Kerr
D- Dist 26
303-866-2923
andy.kerr.house@state.co.us

Rep. Jeanne Labuda
D- Dist. 1
303-866-2966
jeanne.labuda.house@state.co.us

Rep. Claire Levy
D- Dist 13
303-866-2578
claire.levy.house@state.co.us

Rep. Don Marostica
R- Dist. 51
303-866-2947
don.marostica.house@state.co.us

Rep. Tom Massey
R- Dist. 60
303-866-2747
tom.massey.house@state.co.us

Rep. Beth McCann
D- Dist. 8
303-866-2959
beth.mccann.house@state.co.us

Rep. Buffie McFadyen
D- Dist. 47
303-866-2905
mcfadyen2002@hotmail..com

Rep. Anne McGihon
D- Dist. 3
303-866-2921
anne.mcgihon.house@state.co.us

Rep. Michael Merrifield
D- Dist. 18
303-866-2932
michael.merrifield.house@state.co.us

Rep. Karen Middleton
D- Dist. 42
303-866-3911
karen.middleton.house@state.co.us

Rep. Joe Miklosi
D- Dist. 9
303-866-2910
joe.miklosi.house@state.co.us

Rep. Sal Pace
D- Dist. 46
303-866-2968
sal.pace.house@state.co.us

Rep. Cherilyn Peniston
D- Dist. 35
303-866-2843
cherilyn.peniston.house@state.co.us

Rep. Jack Pommer
D- Dist. 11
303-866-2780
jack.pommer.house@state.co.us

Rep. Dianne Primavera
D- Dist. 31
303-866-4667
dianne.primavera.house@state.co.us

Rep. Kevin Priola
R- Dist. 30
303-866-2912
kevin.priola.house@state.co.us

Rep. Joe Rice
D- Dist. 38
303-866-2953
joe.rice.house@state..co.us

Rep. Jim Riesberg
D- Dist. 50
303-866-2929
jim.riesberg.house@state.co.us

Rep. Ellen Roberts
R- Dist. 59
303-866-2914
ellen.roberts.house@state.co.us

Rep. Su Ryden
D- Dist. 36
303-866-2942
su.ryden.house@state..co.us

Rep. Christine Scanlon
D- Dist. 56
303-866-2952
christine.scanlon.house@state.co.us

Rep. Sue Schafer
D- Dist. 24
303-866-5522
sue.schafer.house@state.co.us

Rep. Judy Solano
D- Dist. 31
303-866-2918
judy.solano.house@state.co.us

Rep. Nancy Todd
D- Dist. 41
303-866-2919
nancy.todd.house@state.co.us

Rep. Edward Vigil
D- Dist. 62
303-866-2916
edward.vigil.house@state.co.us

Rep. Paul Weissmann
D- Dist. 12
303-866-2348
paul.weissmann.house@state.co.us


***

Update on SB88 Extending Heathcare benefits to Same Sex partners of Colorado State Employees

This bill passed in the Senate and was Introduced in the House - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs. It is scheduled to be heard Tuesday, March 10.


Please take a moment to thank the Senators who voted in favor of this bill. The legislators who supported the bill are listed below (if you don’t know who your representative is, go to www.votesmart.org)..



Senator Bacon Y
Senator Hodge Y
Senator Morse Y
Senator Shaffer B. Y
Senator Boyd Y
Senator Hudak Y
Senator Newell Y
Senator Isgar Y
Senator Tapia Y
Senator Keller Y
Senator Carroll M. Y
Senator Kester Y
Senator Romer Y
Senator Veiga Y
Senator Foster Y
Senator Sandoval Y
Senator White Y
Senator Gibbs Y
Senator Williams Y
Senator Groff Y
Senator Heath Y
Senator Schwartz Y


Hear Jared Polis speak tonight at CU

Rep. Jared Polis (Dem-CO-gay) will speak tonight at CU. Get the latest on the stimulus package, Colorado's economy and educational funding. Free admission. Check it out.

Wyoming politician 'far too lazy' to be in the closet

Cathy Connelly, Wyoming first and only out member of the state legislature says she's "far too lazy" to be closeted.

And two straight Mormon politicians out there are supportive of gay civil rights.

Lots of good news from the Equality State these days.

Thanks to Michael Petrelis of The Petrelis Files for sharing.