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Corpus Christi Pride
About 100 Lesbigays marched in Corpus Christi, TX's first pride event May 30, two hours after more than 1,200 people had participated in a "March for Jesus." The pride march reportedly drew more spectators on a day that was breezy, sunny and pleasantly warm. Although "March for Jesus" organizer Jerry Vestal insisted that, "Our march is not in retaliation to the Gay march...it's not an anti-Gay thing," he admitted that it was hearing about the pride plans that spurred him to revive the years-dormant Christian event. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Corpus Christi, Roberto Gonzalez, had previously been among those protesting the idea of a Gay and Lesbian march as "promoting" homosexuality. The coastal Bend Gay Pride Alliance chose "Unified, Diversified and Electrified" as the theme for their march, which included about a dozen floats. Invitations to appear as grand marshals were turned down by the city's mayor, police chief and state senator, but one was finally accepted by openly Lesbian transgender Houston attorney Phyllis Randall Frye. Organizers' rules for participation in the pride event included no nudity or revealing clothing, no simulated or actual sex acts, no alcohol or controlled substances and drag costumes only "in good taste."
Dallas' First Gay Teen Prom About 50 young Gays and Lesbians turned out for Dallas, TX's first Gay teen prom May 30, while some 20 protesters outside held up signs to tell the youth they were bound for hell. Even inside the Dallas Grand Hotel at the Over the Rainbow GAYla dance, sponsors and chaperones (including City Councilmember John Loza) were said to outnumber teen participants. Nonetheless, all concerned with the event enjoyed the evening and intend to do it again next year-and that probably includes the protesters as well. [NewsPlanet]
Coronation V
Coronation V, "A Night of Mythical Dreams and Legendary Futures," will be presented by the United Court of Austin Aug. 14-16 at the Austin North Hilton & Towers. This fundraiser is an annual event which raises a large block of money to be distributed among several local charities. Last year's event, "A Starlight Express," raised $6,000 which was turned back by the reigning Monarchs Emperor III, Bobby Barnett, and Empress III, Loni Thomas.
This year's Monarchs, Emperor IV, John Cummings, and Empress IV, Alix Courtnie, promise this to be another entertaining evening. Tickets are available from any UCA member or by contacting Emperor I & Absolute Emperor II, Garry Holley, at 512.442.6415 or Crown Prince Royale, Bob Hemby, at 512.257.0560 or by E-mail at capcitycpr@aol.com. Tickets are $25.
This event marks the stepping down of the current reigning Monarchs and the announcement of the new Monarchs for Reign V. The Monarchs are elected by general vote of the community at large. Voting will be held this year on Aug. 8 at the Cornerstone Gay and Lesbian Community Center.
Candidates announcing their intent to campaign will be presented at the annual Candidate Announcement show honoring the current reigning Monarchs. This show will be held July 8 at the Rainbow Cattle Company. The show will begin at 9pm.
Coronation weekend hosts a series of events beginning with the In Town Show which will be held at the Rainbow Cattle Company, 305 W. 5th St. at 8pm. The kick-off to Coronation V begins as Hospitality opens at noon, Fri., Aug. 14 in Room 141 of the North Hilton & Towers. Also Fri. is the Out Of Town Show at the hotel beginning at 7pm. Deadline for music is 6:30 and preference is given to reigning monarchs, then past monarchs and line members as time permits.
Coronation V will be held Sat., Aug. 15, in the ballroom of the Austin North Hilton & Towers. Doors open at 5pm and Coronation begins promptly at 6pm.
The V Victory Brunch and Awards Ceremony will be in the same ballroom Sun., Aug. 16. Doors open at 10:30am and brunch begins at 11am. Brunch is priced at $17. Sun. afternoon at 3pm California will host a party at Charlies at 1301 Lavaca. There will be a victory show Sun. evening at the Rainbow Cattle Company at 9pm. Deadline for room reservations is July 24.
Dobson's Army Loses Across Nation
Tuesday, June 5, was another day of reckoning for candidates across the country endorsed and supported by the political empire of far right activist James Dobson, leader of the Colorado-based Focus on the Family, and his political allies.
In California, millionaire Darrell Issa, endorsed by Dobson's PAC, resorted to Gay-bashing late in his campaign and went down to defeat against Log Cabin-endorsed Matt Fong in the GOP Senate primary. Congresswoman Marge Roukema (R-NJ), a moderate on social issues, fought off an aggressive challenge by New Jersey Assemblyman Scott Garrett (R), who won backing from social conservatives allied with Dobson.
Most stunning were the results in Alabama, where incumbent Governor Fob James (R) failed to gain a majority of the vote and was forced into a run-off against GOP challenger Roy Blount. Dobson and his allies had said the election was a test of their political strength. The AP reported that James' reelection campaign had become "a national crusade for religious conservatives, who view the outcome as a pivotal moment" for their movement. Eagle Forum Chair Phyllis Schlafly: "He's a recognized national leader and it would be a setback to our cause if he were defeated." Moral Majority founder Jerry Falwell said a James loss in the GOP primary would be "a devastating blow to our pro-family causes."
The primary results followed a series of disastrous losses previously in California, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Nebraska for Dobson's multi-million dollar campaign to dominate the 1998 Republican primaries. Most notable were the defeats of Tom Bordanaro in the special election for California's 22nd Congressional District, far right activist Perry Atkinson's crushing defeat in the GOP primary in Oregon's 2nd Congressional District, and the third-place finish of Rep. Jon Christensen in the Nebraska GOP gubernatorial primary. In each defeat, Dobson's candidates were outpolled by social moderates.
"How many elections does James Dobson and his army have to lose before the Republican Party gets it?" asked Richard Tafel, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans. "Entering into a Faustian bargain with someone who has a rule-or-ruin strategy will mean the end of a Republican majority. Defeat after defeat only drives the message home-the extreme right's social agenda does not pay politically, and it does not pay morally. The American people reject it for the right reasons."
"There is a message in this for any Republican out there who is thinking of sucking up to Dobson and his army for the rest of this election cycle-you do so at your own risk," Tafel said. "The far right has become the kiss of death."
Dobson has led a national movement this year to force the Republican Party to adopt his far right social agenda, which includes attacking Gays and Lesbians on a number of legislative and political fronts. Dobson's strategy has included pouring millions of dollars into the campaigns of far-right candidates in Republican primaries, targeting moderate Republicans for defeat. His political arm, the Campaign for Working Families PAC, is run by activist Gary Bauer, who also runs the anti-Gay Family Research Council, and has threatened to mount his own presidential campaign in 2000 if the party does not adopt their agenda. Dobson also has warned the GOP Congressional leadership he will "go nuclear" on the party if they don't advance his legislative agenda.
Dornan Wins Rematch With Sanchez
Former Orange County, Calif., Republican representative Robert Dornan earned a rematch in the state's recent primary election with Democrat Loretta Sanchez, who ousted the anti-Gay firebrand two years ago in a narrow upset. A second general election matchup of Dornan and Sanchez renews one of the most contentious and hard fought campaigns of 1996. Dornan contested the loss-by fewer than 1,000 votes-by demanding a recount and a U.S. House investigation of alleged voting fraud. A congressional investigation didn't turn up enough illegal votes to change the outcome. "She and I, Loretta Sanchez and Bob Dornan, are going right down to the wire just like we did before, but this time there is no cheating, and she knows it," Dornan said. "Bob Dornan has the ability to run a very nasty campaign," said Sanchez. "Last time, I saw it for 15 months after I won."
Lesbian Kehoe
Moves To General ElectionChristine Kehoe, the openly Lesbian candidate for Congress from San Diego, eased through the Democratic primary recently; she was unopposed in the party. She now faces incumbent Republican Brian Bilbray. If successful, Kehoe could become the first out Lesbian on Capitol Hill. Four other women are vying for that title as well. [The Advocate]
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