Category: Memphis Gaydar

Last Friday, Memphis Gaydar put out a call for someone to organize a local kiss-in in conjunction with the Great Nationwide Kiss-In. At that time, no locals had stepped up to take part in the multi-city demonstration.

Since then, Jo Williams of the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center has organized a Memphis Kiss-In to be held at Poplar and Highland on Saturday, August 15th from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Gay and straight folks are encouraged to come out and participate in the synchronized smooch, which will take place at similar demonstrations all across the country.

Why make out in public? In July, a gay couple was detained by security and then cited for trespassing after they kissed on the plaza at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In June, two gay men were ejected from Chico’s Mexican Restaurant in El Paso, Texas after a security guard saw them kissing at their table. Those incidents inspired bloggers David Badash and David Mailloux to organize the national kiss-in protest.

Williams says the event is even open to single folks: “You can kiss your hand or hold a sign.” She says ideas for signs include “Kissing Is Not a Crime” and “Kiss For Peace.”

The local delegation (9th Congressional District) for the National Equality March will hold its second planning meeting tonight at the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center at 6:30 p.m.

The team will be discussing plans to travel to Washington DC on October 11th for a march to demand equal rights across the board for LGBT citizens. That includes the right to marry, a repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” and the passage of an inclusive federal non-discrimination act and hate crimes bill. They’ll also discuss local lobbying efforts to inform Tennessee legislators about the need for LGBT rights.

Last week, a few members of the local team met with Vicki Walling of Congressman John Tanner’s office. Tanner represents the 8th Congressional District, which includes Millington. According to Tommy Simmons, a local organizer with the National Equality March delegation, there’s still a huge need for LGBT awareness and education in “rural, military personnel-influenced districts like TN-08.” That lack of education makes equality a tough sell, Simmons says.

For more information on tonight’s meeting, check out the local group’s Facebook page.

On Saturday, August 15th, gay and straight folks across the country will gather in public places for a synchronized make-out session with their partners during the Great Nationwide Kiss-In. But so far, Memphis is not participating.

At least, we’re not on the official list of participating cities on the Great Nationwide Kiss-In’s Facebook page. There’s still time though, so if anyone is interested in becoming a local organizer, he or she should contact the group.

In July, a gay couple was detained by security and then cited for trespassing after they kissed on the plaza at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In June, two gay men were ejected from Chico’s Mexican Restaurant in El Paso, Texas after a security guard saw them kissing at their table.

Those incidents inspired bloggers David Badash and David Mailloux to organize the national kiss-in protest, but they’re hoping straight folks will join in as well.

“We need to make a strong statement to everyone everywhere: kissing is not a bad thing, nor has it ever been. It’s not vulgar or inappropriate. It’s a sign of affection that is as old as time itself. And it’s a beautiful thing that we share with our loved ones every single day,” reads their mission statement on Facebook.

Lots of cities are already organizing events, including Little Rock and Pigeon Forge, but Memphis has yet to join the party.

Over the past few years, the Greater Memphis GLBT Chamber of Commerce has amassed a pretty useful list of local gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses. Among them are Crye-Leike Realtors, First Tennessee Bank, and Frank Balton Sign Co. For a full list, arranged by type of business, check out their directory.

The chamber is currently seeking input for additions to the directory. If you know if a gay-friendly business that’s not on the list, send your suggestion to info@memphisglbtchamber.com.

For a very comprehensive list of national gay-friendly companies, check out the Human Rights Campaign’s 2009 Buyer’s Guide.

Times are tough, and maybe you’ve had to cancel your cable subscription. Now what will you ever do without your weekly dose of True Blood or Entourage?

On July 30th, HBO announced the hit vampire show True Blood will be renewed for a third season next summer, and the Hollywood-based comedy Entourage will see a seventh season next year.

Until you can afford to renew your subscription, catch the current seasons of both shows on the large HD television screen at Mary’s Memphis (405 N. Cleveland) during Stimulus Sundays every week.

While you’re there, take advantage of crazy awesome drink specials like 75 cent drafts and $1.25 longnecks until midnight.

In February 2008, 15-year-old Lawrence King was shot twice in the head by classmate Brandon McInerney during a class in the computer lab of E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, California. King, who was openly gay and often wore make-up and high heels to school, was often the subject of bullying at his school. McInerney has been charged with a hate crime.

Though the King murder is an extreme example, bullying of gay kids is all too common. Last summer, the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center launched Queer As Youth (Q.A.Y.), a bi-monthly support group and activities program for LGBT and supportive straight kids ages 14 to 19. Q.A.Y. meets Saturday, August 1st at the MGLCC from 7 to 9 p.m.

Each session offers a different activity or educational experience, ranging from theatre and cooking to badminton and filmmaking. For more information, check out Q.A.Y.’s page on the MGLCC website.

For over 20 years, the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center (MGLCC) has provided a hub for local LGBT folks to host meetings, get-togethers, live music events, and support groups. On Sunday, July 26th at 4 p.m., president Will Batts will deliver the MGLCC’s annual state-of-center report.

“We’ll discuss the past twelve months — what went right and what didn’t go right,” says Batts. “We’ll also discuss our plans and focus for the next twelve months and beyond.”

The meeting is open to everyone, but those who have been members for at least 90 days will be eligible to vote for new board members at the meeting.

Officer candidates include Heidi Cranford Williams (president), Len Piechowski (vice president of administration), Elokin CaPece (vice president of programs), Tom Crutcher (treasurer), and Darlene Fike (secretary).

Director candidates include Marian Bacon, Marc Brown, Kenan Gilmore, Matthew Malone, Mickey Maxwell, and Susana Rodas.

In addition, nominations from the floor will be accepted provided that the nominee meets the qualifications as stated in the MGLCC by-laws.

State Senator Paul Stanley of Germantown, one of the sponsors of an anti-gay adoption bill, was blackmailed by a man claiming the senator had taken nude photographs of his girlfriend while she served as his legislative intern in Nashville.

Joel Palmer Watts, 27, of Clarksville began calling and texting Stanley back in April, insisting the senator pay him $10,000 in exchange for the photos. Watts later told police Stanley had been in a sexual relationship with his girlfriend, Austin-Peay University student McKensie Morrison.

After receiving the calls and texts, Stanley reported the situation to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The agency directed Stanley to help with a sting operation to net Watts for extortion and theft of property. The exchange took place at El Rey Azteca Mexican restaurant in Whites Creek near Nashville, and Watts was arrested.

Stanley, a self-described evangelical Christian, has not confirmed or denied a sexual relationship with McKensie. In a statement issued through his press secretary, Stanley said: “Unfortunately, I am the victim and a witness to a crime in an ongoing investigation.”

Earlier this year, Stanley and Representative John DeBerry of Memphis co-sponsored a bill that would have banned adoption by unmarried couples.

For more on the Stanley debacle, check out Jackson Baker’s story.

With the recent Shelby County Commission victory under their belts, local gay rights advocates are ready to work with the Memphis City Council to pass a citywide non-discrimination ordinance.

The Tennessee Equality Project (TEP), the organizing force behind local LGBT workplace protection efforts, is hosting an informational meeting on Sunday, July 19th at the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center (892 S. Cooper).

TEP members will discuss the scope of the non-discrimination ordinance they’ll propose to the council. They’ll also give a rundown of how city council makes decisions, while providing tips for how to advocate on behalf of workplace protection.

On Tuesday night, about ten people gathered at the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center (MLGCC) for the first planning meeting of the Mid-South delegation for the National Equality March. Of those ten, most expressed an interest in attending the national march in Washington DC on Sunday, October 11th.

During the march, LGBT folks and straight allies will be demanding full federal LGBT equality in matters governed by civil law in all 50 states. That means the right to marry, employment protection, an end to the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, and inclusive hate crime legislation.

“We’re tired of local and state legislative bodies trying to piecemeal the effort by passing ordinances here and there,” said local organizer Tommy Simmons. “We want equal rights at the federal level across the board. Case closed.”

Previous gay right marches in 1979, 1987, and 1992 drew anywhere from 100,000 to 250,000 people, and this march is expected to meet or even exceed attendance from past years. All the previous marches boasted delegations from Memphis.

Unlike in year’s past, however, this march will not feature celebrities or fancy after-parties. The goal is strictly a grassroots effort in lobbying the federal government for LGBT rights. Simmons recommends attendees arrive in DC by Friday, October 9th since there will be a series of lobbying training meetings on the Saturday before the march.

It’s not too late to join the local delegation. Those interested should join the National Equality March’s 9th Congressional District Facebook page. There will also be another informational meeting at the MGLCC on Tuesday, August 11th at 6:30 p.m.