AI Editor Gary R. Welsh was contacted late this afternoon by the South Bend Tribune's Jamie Loo and advised that the No Special Rights folks in South Bend conducted a press conference this morning in which, among other things, the group called into question the comments Advance Indiana had made concerning the group's campaign to defeat the proposed South Bend ordinance, which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Specifically, the group took offense to AI's characterization, according to Loo, of their group as being bigoted towards gay people and spreading a message of hate. The group is also offended by my reaction to Jay Dunlap's use of the tragic death of his brother as a reason for opposing the human rights ordinance. An explanation of AI's position is in order in light of today's events.
Firstly, as a gay man who has absolutely no control over the sexual orientation with which I was born, it is always offensive whenever any person or group tries to characterize me and other people like me as a person who has chosen to lead a destructive and deviant lifestyle as the No Special Rights group has done. As a person of faith, it is particularly offensive when a person or group condemns all gay people as immoral. I am reminded that religious extremists in our country and in our state in the not so distant past have used their interpretation of their religious faith as a rationale for discriminating against African-Americans, women, Jews, Catholics and others with whom they differ. This form of religious extremism must be fought. It is hurtful and only fuels hatred against people. I can find no other way of explaining this than bigotry. That is the impact it has on me and other people like me who are singled out because of something over which we have no control.
On the issue of Tim Dunlap, I deeply regret the characterization I used in my original post on this matter, and I have revised it the way I should have expressed it from the outset. Mr. Dunlap is not here today to express in his own words how he feels. I did not know Tim Dunlap and cannot know what he would say if he were here and could express how he felt in his own words. I erred in saying that Mr. Dunlap lacked a loving and caring family who accepted him for who God made him to be. It was wrong for me to say that, and for that I offer my sincerest apology to the Dunlap family. What I should have said, and am now correcting in my original post, is how important it is for families in general to show as much love and understanding to a member of their family who is confronted with accepting their God-given sexual orientation. It is wrong for me or anyone else to question the love Mr. Dunlap's family had for their late son.
For those of us who have to confront the challenges of our sexual orientation on a daily basis, we know how emotionally draining it can become when you are judged by something over which you have no control. Depression and even suicide are all too common occurrences in the GLBT community. Hopefully, one day we can all be accepted by all people for who God made us and have this heavy burden lifted from our shoulders.
Friday, May 19, 2006
ICJI Attorney Hires Criminal Defense Attorney
A former attorney and chief ethics officer for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Silvia Miller, retained a prominent criminal defense attorney as a result of the state's Inspector General's investigation of the agency. Yesterday, Taking Down Words reported that Miller was rumored to have departed the agency for a job at Secretary of State Todd Rokita's office where she was formerly employed before joining the ICJI. TDW also reported that former executive director Heather Bolejack had given Miller a $12,000 pay raise not long after she joined the agency last year.
Prominent Indianapolis criminal defense attorney Richard Kammen told the Indiana Lawyer in its most recent edition, in an interview which obviously took place prior to her departure, that "his client ha[d] met with investigators twice and ha[d] been forthcoming in answering questions. However, he said she sought representation because of the way in which the investigation was being conducted." Kammen described the IG's investigation as being "very unusual." He told the Indiana Lawyer that "investigators in this situation have been very close-mouthed about what they're looking for, even to the people providing them with information." "It's a very unusual situation, " Kammen said.
Kammen spoke to the Indiana Lawyer before any results of the investigation had been made public. He told Indiana Lawyer at that time Miller "continues to do her job to the best of her abilities given the disruption to the office caused by the investigation." "Everyone in the office has been and wants to be completely cooperative with the investigators," Kammen said. "They've provided everything they've asked for without knowing if they're asking for the right thing."
Miller's sudden departure from the agency would not not look good under these circumstances, although it certainly doesn't imply she engaged in any criminal wrongdoing. The fact that she hired an expensive criminal defense attorney is a clear indication though that she is taking nothing for granted.
Prominent Indianapolis criminal defense attorney Richard Kammen told the Indiana Lawyer in its most recent edition, in an interview which obviously took place prior to her departure, that "his client ha[d] met with investigators twice and ha[d] been forthcoming in answering questions. However, he said she sought representation because of the way in which the investigation was being conducted." Kammen described the IG's investigation as being "very unusual." He told the Indiana Lawyer that "investigators in this situation have been very close-mouthed about what they're looking for, even to the people providing them with information." "It's a very unusual situation, " Kammen said.
Kammen spoke to the Indiana Lawyer before any results of the investigation had been made public. He told Indiana Lawyer at that time Miller "continues to do her job to the best of her abilities given the disruption to the office caused by the investigation." "Everyone in the office has been and wants to be completely cooperative with the investigators," Kammen said. "They've provided everything they've asked for without knowing if they're asking for the right thing."
Miller's sudden departure from the agency would not not look good under these circumstances, although it certainly doesn't imply she engaged in any criminal wrongdoing. The fact that she hired an expensive criminal defense attorney is a clear indication though that she is taking nothing for granted.
No Special Rights Folks Fuel The Flames of Bigotry More At S.B. Hearing
The No Special Rights folks were out in full force at the South Bend Common Council's third public hearing on its proposed human rights ordinance to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. According to the South Bend Tribune's Jamie Loo, their biggest sympathizer, the group passed out stickers which read, "Protect Our Children," the obvious implication being that all gay people are child molesters. And that was just the beginning.
The former TV news anchor Jay Dunlap was sure the adoption of the ordinance would lead to the legalization of gay marriages. Because of gay marriages in Massachusetts, Dunlap complained that Catholic Charities could no longer run their adoption branch there because the church discriminates against gay parents. "I ask you to consider carefully what some of the unintended consequences of passing this ordinance could be.”
A family counselor warned that it was all about advancing the homosexual agenda. “Whatever ground is given to the homosexual lobby, that ground will simply be the staging area for further destructive activism,” Nathan "Bud" Steadman said. “The very fabric of American society must not change from morality-based law to immoral license.”
Another man pointed out the fact that gay people were prohibited from donating blood to the Red Cross as a justification for legalized discrimination against them. “Gays and bisexuals are not allowed to participate in something as honorable and noble and lifesaving because of chosen activities, not because of some other immutable quality,” he said.
As emotional as the debate became during Indianapolis' HRO, the Christian right opposition was relatively tame compared to the hate and venom these No Special Rights folks are stirring up in South Bend. The full council plans to take a vote on the ordinance's adoption on June 26.
The former TV news anchor Jay Dunlap was sure the adoption of the ordinance would lead to the legalization of gay marriages. Because of gay marriages in Massachusetts, Dunlap complained that Catholic Charities could no longer run their adoption branch there because the church discriminates against gay parents. "I ask you to consider carefully what some of the unintended consequences of passing this ordinance could be.”
A family counselor warned that it was all about advancing the homosexual agenda. “Whatever ground is given to the homosexual lobby, that ground will simply be the staging area for further destructive activism,” Nathan "Bud" Steadman said. “The very fabric of American society must not change from morality-based law to immoral license.”
Another man pointed out the fact that gay people were prohibited from donating blood to the Red Cross as a justification for legalized discrimination against them. “Gays and bisexuals are not allowed to participate in something as honorable and noble and lifesaving because of chosen activities, not because of some other immutable quality,” he said.
As emotional as the debate became during Indianapolis' HRO, the Christian right opposition was relatively tame compared to the hate and venom these No Special Rights folks are stirring up in South Bend. The full council plans to take a vote on the ordinance's adoption on June 26.
Gays Forced To Flee Iraq To Avoid Death
The atmosphere in America's Iraq is increasingly becoming a place of religious intolerance and intimidation for gay Iraqis and others who Islamic religious fanatics view as unacceptable. Gays are being forced to flee Iraq to avoid religious militias who hunt them down and kill them. And the list of enemies is not limited to Iraq's gay population. The UK Times writes:
Iraq's most revered Islamic leader is largely blamed for the current atmosphere in Iraq. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, writes the Times, "provoked the murders by saying on his website in April last year that homosexuals should be killed in the 'worst, most severe way.'"
This bodes very badly for the future of Iraq. It is becoming more and more like its evil neighbor Iran than the free and democratically-run country the U.S. and its allies promised to bring the people of Iraq by liberating them from Saddam Hussein's evil dictatorship. And it continues to raise questions about our continued participation in the Iraqi conflict. Just what are American soldiers dying for in Iraq?
THE death threat was delivered to Karazan’s father early in the morning by a masked man wearing a police uniform.
The scribbled note was brief. Karazan had to die because he was gay. In the new Baghdad, his sexuality warranted execution by the religious militias.
The father was told that if he did not hand his son over, other family members would be killed. What scares the city’s residents is how the fanatics’ list of enemies is growing. It includes girls who refuse to cover their hair, boys who wear theirs too long, booksellers, liberal professors and prostitutes. Three shops known to sell alcohol were bombed yesterday in the Karrada shopping district.
In this atmosphere of intolerance and intimidation, the militias have made no secret of their hatred of homosexuals.
Iraq's most revered Islamic leader is largely blamed for the current atmosphere in Iraq. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, writes the Times, "provoked the murders by saying on his website in April last year that homosexuals should be killed in the 'worst, most severe way.'"
This bodes very badly for the future of Iraq. It is becoming more and more like its evil neighbor Iran than the free and democratically-run country the U.S. and its allies promised to bring the people of Iraq by liberating them from Saddam Hussein's evil dictatorship. And it continues to raise questions about our continued participation in the Iraqi conflict. Just what are American soldiers dying for in Iraq?
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Evansville Official Busted For Masturbating In Public Restroom
John Gerard, Center Township Assessor in Vanderburgh County, got caught with his pants down-for real. A plain clothes police officer caught Gerard, a Republican, masturbating in a public restroom at Claypool Court near Circle Centre Mall in downtown Indianapolis. The 51-year old Gerard was charged with public indecency and indecent exposure. Gerard is running for re-election this year. As luck would have it, the Democrats didn't bother to nominate a candidate in the May primary to run against him.
A few years back a school principal from New Albany, Denver McFadden, who was a member of the State Board of Education, was busted on similar charges in the same restroom while taking a break from a board meeting he was attending in Indianapolis.
A few years back a school principal from New Albany, Denver McFadden, who was a member of the State Board of Education, was busted on similar charges in the same restroom while taking a break from a board meeting he was attending in Indianapolis.
Catholic Outrage: Bishop D'Arcy Issues Statement Opposing S.B. Gay Rights Ordinance
Joining forces with the same bigoted people who fought to make Catholics second-class citizens in Indiana 80 years ago, Bishop John M. D'Arcy brought discredit to the diocese he represents by issuing a public statement against South Bend's proposed gay rights ordinance. D'Arcy claims the ordinance is "about validating in law the homosexual lifestyle."
" As reported by the South Bend Tribune, D'Arcy had the following to say about a proposed ordinance to add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to South Bend's human rights ordinance:
While I do not question the good intentions of those involved in this effort, my concern as a Catholic pastor is that this ordinance appears to be more about validating in law homosexual lifestyles and behaviors than it is about addressing unjust discrimination," D'Arcy wrote. D'Arcy said the main reason for his opposition is sexual orientation and gender identity go beyond "self-identity" and include behaviors, expression and appearance.
D'Arcy said that in other communities these types of changes in the law have led to wider efforts to promote homosexuality. Citizens with "principled objections" are often labeled as prejudiced or homophobic, he said."Without question, everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with dignity. Everyone should enjoy the same basic human rights," D'Arcy said.
"Along with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, I wish to deplore any type of violent action or hateful speech aimed at homosexual persons. Such activity is morally wrong. At the same time, we must be very cautious lest we validate in law lifestyles and behaviors to which many of our citizens are deeply in conscience opposed."
While Bishop D'Arcy has been generally lauded for his efforts to clean up the embarrassing priest-child abuse scandal within his own diocese that has rocked the Catholic Church nationally and here in Indiana, his statement against the human rights ordinance is a major setback in the Church's effort to restore its credibility. By joining forces with the religious voices of intolerance, Bishop D'Arcy is turning his back on the voices of moderation of other Judeo-Christian denominations in this state who once fought side-by-side with Catholics to eradicate the dominating influence of the Ku Klux Klan.
Please contact Bishop D'Arcy and let him know how disappointed you are with his statement on behalf of the Catholic Church in support of treating Indiana's GLBT citizens as second-class citizens. You can contact him by clicking here.
IE Releases Favorable Poll Numbers For Gay Rights
Indiana Equality today released the results of a poll it commissioned late last year to guage Hoosiers' attitudes about gay rights in Indiana. While the poll results showed overwhelming support for equality on a number of issues, the poll oddly failed to test attitudes on two of the most hotly debated issues: same-sex marriages and same-sex parent adoptions.
On a key question, when asked whether gay and lesbian Hoosiers should have the same civil rights protections as everyone else, 79% of the respondents answered in the affirmative. Broken down by political party, 86% of Democrats and 75% of Republicans agreed that gays and lesbians should be treated equally on civil rights.
Similar results were found on the issue of enacting a hate crimes law. Again, 77% of the respondents would support a hate crimes law. Of those who favor a hate crimes law, 85% agree that it should include crimes committed against a person because of their sexual orientation.
The poll also surveyed the respondents on issues pertaining to hospital visitation and inheritance rights for same-sex couples. The poll found overwhelming support 74% for hospital visitation rights, while support for inheritance rights were more divided, with 53% supporting and 47% opposing. Unlike other issues, however, same-sex couples can use legal instruments such as health care powers of attorney and wills to protect their rights in this area.
While these poll results are very useful, it would have been much more helpful had IE bothered to poll on two of the most critical issues. It is a given that a clear majority of Hoosiers oppose legally-recognized marriages for same-sex couples; however, many Hoosiers don't believe a constitutional amendment like SJR-7, which will be taken up by the legislature next year, is necessary. With the recent court decision allowing same-sex parent adoptions, it is also a given that legislative efforts will be made next year to ban same-sex adoptions as Sen. Jeff Drozda (R-Westfield) has already announced. Based upon the public reaction to date, it appears many Hoosiers support gay-parent adoptions. It is unfortunate that the poll didn't provide us data on that topic.
Indiana University Center for Survey Research conducted the poll using random dialing to talk to 504 adult Indiana residents from Nov. 11, 2005 through Dec. 27, 2005. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
If you would like to view the poll results, click here.
On a key question, when asked whether gay and lesbian Hoosiers should have the same civil rights protections as everyone else, 79% of the respondents answered in the affirmative. Broken down by political party, 86% of Democrats and 75% of Republicans agreed that gays and lesbians should be treated equally on civil rights.
Similar results were found on the issue of enacting a hate crimes law. Again, 77% of the respondents would support a hate crimes law. Of those who favor a hate crimes law, 85% agree that it should include crimes committed against a person because of their sexual orientation.
The poll also surveyed the respondents on issues pertaining to hospital visitation and inheritance rights for same-sex couples. The poll found overwhelming support 74% for hospital visitation rights, while support for inheritance rights were more divided, with 53% supporting and 47% opposing. Unlike other issues, however, same-sex couples can use legal instruments such as health care powers of attorney and wills to protect their rights in this area.
While these poll results are very useful, it would have been much more helpful had IE bothered to poll on two of the most critical issues. It is a given that a clear majority of Hoosiers oppose legally-recognized marriages for same-sex couples; however, many Hoosiers don't believe a constitutional amendment like SJR-7, which will be taken up by the legislature next year, is necessary. With the recent court decision allowing same-sex parent adoptions, it is also a given that legislative efforts will be made next year to ban same-sex adoptions as Sen. Jeff Drozda (R-Westfield) has already announced. Based upon the public reaction to date, it appears many Hoosiers support gay-parent adoptions. It is unfortunate that the poll didn't provide us data on that topic.
Indiana University Center for Survey Research conducted the poll using random dialing to talk to 504 adult Indiana residents from Nov. 11, 2005 through Dec. 27, 2005. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
If you would like to view the poll results, click here.
Abdul Says Bradford's Out-So Who's In?
Radio talk show host Abdul Hakim-Shabazz gets the scoop on the controversial and anti-gay bigoted city-county councilor Jim Bradford. Abdul reports this morning that Bradford has accepted a job with the Daniels' administration, and that he will be resigning his council position, as well as withdrawing his bid to become Washington Township Trustee. Republican committeemen in Bradford's district will select his replacement. So who might that be?
As far-fetched as it may seem to some, look for a prominent gay GOP committeeman in Bradford's district to seek his seat. This district is fairly diverse, although you wouldn't know that based upon Bradford's views. The person I have in mind is a very credible candidate and could help improve the Marion Co. GOP's badly damaged image in the wake of its steadfast opposition to the HRO and police merger this past year, among other things. If Marion Co. Chairman Mike Murphy is truly interested in re-building the party, he would do all he could to help this individual be selected to replace Bradford.
Bradford would not be happy with this choice at all and would probably be inclined to block this person's candidacy. But because he's going to be working for the Governor and the Governor has an express policy prohibiting discrimination against persons based on their sexual orientation, Bradford would just have to lump it. Having said that, AI is a little troubled that the Governor would ask Bradford to be a part of his administration. It really doesn't send the message of inclusion he has professed since taking office. The speculation, according to TDW, is that Bradford will take a vice-chair position at the Alcohol & Tobacco Commission. Bradford's father built a legal career helping people with their alcohol permits in Marion Co.
UPDATE: Apparently Bradford has applied for the job as vice-chairman of the Commission, but he has not been officially appointed by Gov. Daniels. It may be a little premature to celebrate his departure from the council. This seems a little odd that an announcement about his application for the job would become public. Typically you don't hear anything until the person is appointed.
As far-fetched as it may seem to some, look for a prominent gay GOP committeeman in Bradford's district to seek his seat. This district is fairly diverse, although you wouldn't know that based upon Bradford's views. The person I have in mind is a very credible candidate and could help improve the Marion Co. GOP's badly damaged image in the wake of its steadfast opposition to the HRO and police merger this past year, among other things. If Marion Co. Chairman Mike Murphy is truly interested in re-building the party, he would do all he could to help this individual be selected to replace Bradford.
Bradford would not be happy with this choice at all and would probably be inclined to block this person's candidacy. But because he's going to be working for the Governor and the Governor has an express policy prohibiting discrimination against persons based on their sexual orientation, Bradford would just have to lump it. Having said that, AI is a little troubled that the Governor would ask Bradford to be a part of his administration. It really doesn't send the message of inclusion he has professed since taking office. The speculation, according to TDW, is that Bradford will take a vice-chair position at the Alcohol & Tobacco Commission. Bradford's father built a legal career helping people with their alcohol permits in Marion Co.
UPDATE: Apparently Bradford has applied for the job as vice-chairman of the Commission, but he has not been officially appointed by Gov. Daniels. It may be a little premature to celebrate his departure from the council. This seems a little odd that an announcement about his application for the job would become public. Typically you don't hear anything until the person is appointed.
So Whose Idea Was That S.K.I.P Program?
Heathergate is the gift that just keeps on giving. The Star's Michele McNeil adds to the continuing saga surrounding the awarding of a $417,000 grant to Michael McKenna, a family friend of the ousted executive director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. It turns out that McKenna may have stolen the idea down to the name from a local charitable group which has had its own S.K.I.P. program to aid the children of incarcerated parents for years. What's even more intriguing is what McNeil dug up on how McKenna acquired it. McNeil writes today:
Now this is where it gets really interesting. Indianapolis City-County Councilor Isaac Randolph, a former coalition employee, was asked by Bolejack last fall to meet with McKenna to discuss the S.K.I.P. according to McNeil. McKenna says he intended to partner with Randolph, but Randolph withdrew from participation when Sen. Murray Clark announced his resignation and Randolph launched his unsuccessful bid to replace Clark. Randolph has a much different version of events. McNeil writes:
So it looks like Randolph handed McKenna the blueprints for the S.K.I.P. program, which may not endear him to his former Ten Points coalition employer, and then McKenna cut him out of the deal. McNeil reports that "the Ten Point Coalition will meet Thursday and would decide whether it should try to take any action against McKenna, who received $80,000 of the grant before it was canceled."
The consultant who landed a $417,000 criminal justice grant that later was canceled amid a state investigation copied a local program and pitched it as his own, organizers of a similar program say.
"That's our program," said the Rev. Charles Harrison, president of the Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition and a senior pastor at Barnes United Methodist Church.
He said investigators from the inspector general's office, which is examining the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and its top officials, interviewed Ten Point Coalition members about their ongoing Saving Kids of Incarcerated Parents program.
That's the name of the program pitched by Michael McKenna, who is a family friend of former CJI executive director Heather Bolejack's. Bolejack, who is accused of mishandling the grant and failing to disclose the potential conflict of interest, has been fired.
Now this is where it gets really interesting. Indianapolis City-County Councilor Isaac Randolph, a former coalition employee, was asked by Bolejack last fall to meet with McKenna to discuss the S.K.I.P. according to McNeil. McKenna says he intended to partner with Randolph, but Randolph withdrew from participation when Sen. Murray Clark announced his resignation and Randolph launched his unsuccessful bid to replace Clark. Randolph has a much different version of events. McNeil writes:
Randolph said he met with McKenna at the request of Bolejack, offered to work with McKenna to develop a similar program and e-mailed him details about Ten Point's SKIP program.
Randolph said he never heard from McKenna again, despite repeated calls.
He assumed McKenna dropped the idea -- until he learned from inspector general investigators that McKenna's SKIP program was to receive an original award of $417,000.
So it looks like Randolph handed McKenna the blueprints for the S.K.I.P. program, which may not endear him to his former Ten Points coalition employer, and then McKenna cut him out of the deal. McNeil reports that "the Ten Point Coalition will meet Thursday and would decide whether it should try to take any action against McKenna, who received $80,000 of the grant before it was canceled."
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