LGBTQ OCCUPY ST. LOUIS

The St Louis LGBT community stands in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and are joining those in St. louis and across the country.

October 11, 2011 - (ST. LOUIS) Students, teachers, union workers and senior citizens have joined protesters in cities nationwide, speaking out and demanding that politicians take action. From Wall Street and now to the main streets of cities across the country, people are on their feet demanding change.

It has been widely speculated that 10% of the U.S. population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Some University studies even suggest higher percentages per capita in cities like San Francisco, New York and Chicago. Regardless of the survey results, current national news headlines remind everyone that LGBT Americans still join some of the most disenfranchised minorities in the United States. LGBT Americans are treated as second class citizens when it comes to employment, housing, and healthcare discrimination.

A lesbian woman remains at a higher risk to develop Breast cancer than her heterosexual sister. Transgender women are more likely to be physically assaulted and LGBT youth are far more likely to take their lives than their straight classmates. Something must be done and it's time the LGBTQ community Occupy Wall Street and Main Street.

A 2009 report published by The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law titled “Poverty in the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community” examines for the first time poverty rates within the LGB community and finds that lesbian, gay, and bisexual same-sex couples are at least as likely—and at times more likely—to be poor than married heterosexual couples.

“State of Transgender California,” a 2009 Transgender Law Center report also found that transgender Californians are twice as likely to be below the federal poverty line than the general population. What’s more, one-in-five survey respondents reported being homeless since first identifying as transgender.

ShowMeNoHate is calling for all LGBTQ and allies to join the Occupy movement this Friday, 
October 14 at 3:30pm at Kiener Plaza for a peaceful Rally and at 4:00pm for a peaceful March.

Wear rainbow to show Queer solidarity and please bring signs that represent our struggle and message - that we too are part of the 99%.

KSDK & JOE HIPPERSON

One week ago on Monday June 20th, St. Louis NBC affiliate KSDK Channel 5 aired an "I'm Just Sayin' video" featuring KTRS 550AM wannabe shock jock radio host Joe Hipperson. The quick video piece has Mr. Hipperson defending Tracy Morgan who one-week prior suggested violence against the gay community. Hipperson started his video off saying that he didn't disagree with what Tracy Morgan said about homosexuals; rather, he disagreed that Morgan actually apologized for saying it. (You read that correctly.) Watch Hipperson for yourself:

First off, Hipperson uses the classic "call to the homophobe" by using the term, "homosexual jokes" when leading with his segment. This term is typically used in a context to signal your homophobic base. Shame on Hipperson for making this about the LGBT community and not about what is should be, "safety of kids," mainly Morgan's young son who Morgan said he'd stab. This is not about Eddie Murphy or Richard Prior. This is not about LGBT community vs. the Black comedians Mr. Hipperson; however, thanks for making it look that way. Incidentally, if KSDK or Hipperson actually did some fact checking instead of cranking the hate-machine, they would of realized that Eddie Murphy did apologize for his anti-gay routine.

The next insulting part of Hipperson's video was that he actually says he "didn't disagree what Tracy Morgan said." Let me refresh Mr. Hipperson and KSDK what Tracy Morgan actually said. Tracy Morgan during his June 3rd Nashville stand-up comedy show, insulted dozens of audiences members when Morgan suggested that stabbing his own son would be appropriate if his son came home stating he was gay. Click here for entire story.

Joe Hipperson then follows his homophobic stance by attacking the entire LGBT community, with some cockeyed theory that the LGBT community isn't really a minority. Hipperson suggests the LGBT community is actually the majority with such power that we only pretend to be a minority when it suits us.

Does this even make logical sense?

Dear Joe Hipperson, is that why LGBT citizens are treated like second-class people? Is that why the Missouri Constitution and some other 30 states don't recognize same-sex marriages? Or is that why LGBT employees can be fired because they are homosexual?

Would KSDK have aired this story if Joe said what he said about homosexuals and instead said, "the Jews?"

Joe Hipperson takes a play right out of the KKK 1950 Playbook. Just when southern blacks were speaking up and demanding their right to vote, the klan decided it was way too much. That's when the klan cleverly marketed the idea that giving black Americans the right to vote could make them super powerful one day. Never mind those hoses, dogs, bullets, nooses, and bats that the real majority held, Mr. Hipperson.

Never mind that the entire crew over at NBC's 30 Rock have all come out demanding and apologizing for Morgan's hateful remarks.

Never mind that Chris Rock and other former SNL cast members have all come out denouncing Morgan's hateful words in disguise of comedy.

Never mind that Eddie Murphy did actually apologize for his anti-gay and anti-AIDS statements.

And never mind that Tracy Morgan himself has publicly apologized for his hateful words. And Morgan is currently on a anti-gay apology tour across this country.

All of this TRUTH is apparently not enough for the homophobic hateful Joe Hipperson and apparently was not enough for KSDK to not air Hipperson's vile anti-gay rhetoric. Shame on KSDK for allowing this homophobic fool to continue his rubbish and pass it off as anything worthy for television. Who is going to make an "I'm Just Sayin' video" next, Fred Phelps?

Tonight, Monday June 27th, KSDK aired an intelligent video response by Brandon Gray who ShowMeNoHate feels addressed all the right issues against the homophobe Joe Hipperson.

Finally, the most ironic part about homophobe Joe Hipperson can be summed up in this photo:

That's right folks, Mr. Hipperson and his cool hip wife both modeled over one-year ago for the unofficial St. Louis NOH8 photo campaign. How fitting that both Joe and his wife are also unofficially haters of the LGBT community.

Please call KSDK 314-421-5055 and ask to speak to the General Manager in regards to a Joe Hipperson's vile homophobic remarks. Of course we understand that Hipperson has the right to freedom of speech and we understand that the views expressed by "I'm Just Sayin' video" segments are not the views of KSDK. Tell the GM you understand all of that; however, ask the GM if Hipperson could have said the things he said about Jews, Women, Blacks or Muslims? Does KSDK support the right to promote the killing of those minority groups?

Then call back and ask to speak to their Community Relations department. Explain that community relations start with accepting the safety for the LGBT community and not promoting people who support the stabbing of gay teens like Joe Hipperson said.

LISTEN TO SENATOR DIANE SAVINO

On this historic weekend, we should all pause to listen to the words of Senator Diane Savino of New York when she spoke about Marriage Equality in New York several years ago.

TO THE BAT PHONE

The list below are the key possible Republican swing votes. It is absolutely URGENT that you call all of the Senators below and make clear that you SUPPORT same-sex marriage in New York.

Stephen Saland (845) 463-0840
Roy McDonald (518) 274-4616
Andrew Lanza (718) 984-4073
Greg Ball (845) 279-3773
Kemp Hannon (516) 739-1700
Charles Fuschillo (516) 882-0630
Betty Little (518) 743-0968

Also, please call Senator Dean Skelos to make clear that the Senators of New York should protect same-sex couples against religious bigots. Civil marriage laws must be passed. As Senate Majority Leader he should make sure that this question goes directly to the floor for a full vote.

Dean Skelos (518) 455-3171

Please forward to all of your friends and family. The time to act is now.

CALL NEW YORK NOW!

Cuomo tries to box in GOP Senate on gay marriage
Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. — Legalizing gay marriage in New York came within two votes of those needed for passage Monday as Gov. Andrew Cuomo rallied most Democrats and coaxed one Republican vote in the Senate.

Twenty-nine of 30 Democrats in the state Senate were joined by Republican Sen. James Alesi of Monroe County to support a gay marriage bill to be introduced in the last five days of the legislative session.

That brings the estimated support to 30 votes for the measure in the 62-seat chamber, two votes shy of passage. The Democrat-led Assembly and the Democratic governor already strongly support the measure, which was defeated in 2009.

Alesi, however, said he knew of no Republican colleagues who will join him and received no guarantee the measure will pass. Republican senators said they see no change in votes for the measure expected to be discussed in closed-door session Tuesday or Wednesday.

Whether Monday's well-orchestrated announcement built momentum or was political cover for Democrats whose 2009 defeated vote hurt the national effort will be played out in the next few days in Albany.

An advocacy group organized under Cuomo decided Monday afternoon to authorize the Democrat to submit the bill to the Legislature as early as Monday night. Cuomo said that bill will be about the same as the one defeated two years ago, but specific details of the latest bill weren't immediately released.

The bill is expected to pass the Democrat-led Assembly easily, as similar measures have in past years. The bill would then have to be introduced in the Republican-led Senate and wend its way through committee, with negotiation of any changes, in time for a vote by June 20, the scheduled end of session.

"Two years ago, I voted against a marriage equality bill, and it was a very anguishing vote for me," Alesi said, adding that he has since apologized to advocates for his vote. "I believe that if you live in America and you expect equality and freedom for yourself that you should extend it to other people."

He still hasn't seen the bill, which he will support as long as it "comes out in a way that doesn't force churches to do something that the churches don't want to do," Alesi said.

Republicans who support same-sex marriage will lose the often critical endorsement of the state Conservative Party, according to chairman Michael Long.

Cuomo, long a supporter of same-sex marriage, called the issue "a matter of principal, not politics." He said he expects that Republicans will support the bill if it gets to the floor. Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos said Republicans in conference will "discuss all the dynamics."

Cuomo pressured GOP lawmakers by noting polls that showed nearly 60 percent of New Yorkers support same-sex marriage, though one poll recently showed a slight waning of support.

Two of the three Democrats who threw their support behind gay marriage said they did so because the majority of their voters now support the measure. Queens Sens. Joseph Addabbo Jr. and Shirley Huntley said they conducted polls to determine how their constituents felt about the issue.

The third Democrat, Sen. Carl Kruger of Brooklyn, said bill sponsor Sen. Thomas Duane helped explain that it was a question "between right and wrong."

"What we are about to do is to redefine what an American family is, and that's a good thing," said Kruger, who is facing charges in what federal prosecutors call a "broad-based bribery racket." The Senate Democrats stripped him of his powerful Finance Committee chairmanship as a result of the accusation. He has said he's eager to fight the charges.

"We are at the doorstep of passing marriage equality to ensure human rights are inalienable rights for all New Yorkers," said Senate Democratic leader John Sampson of Brooklyn, who delivered the three additional votes in his conference. "And while I am not a prophet, I am an eternal optimist — and am confident that we will get the rest of the way."

Democratic Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., a Bronx minister, said Monday that he remains opposed to the bill. He said it's his calling to work with Republican senators to fight it.

ACTION: The list of undeclared legislators are: Greg Ball of Putnam County, Andrew Lanza of Staten Island, Roy McDonald of Rensselaer County and Stephen Saland of the Poughkeepsie area. Please call their offices and have the heart to heart talk on why they must support marriage equality.

VICTORY FOR JUSTICE

Good news!

Last night the University City Mayor and Council decided unanimously to kill the bill. The first motion was to table the bill forever, but then Councilman Price decided to amend his motion to actually say, "kill the 9112 bill" going forward.

Thank you to all the ShowMeNoHate members who packed the basement of University City's City Hall. We had over 50 people in the room and another 25 outside.

Thank you to Regional Arts Commission, ACLU of Eastern Missouri, Chris Hartman of the Fairness Campaign, Beyond Housing, Community Arts Training Fellows, FowardSTL, NAACP, Mercantile Library at UMSL, Cameron Sanders, Loop Business District, Terry Artis and many others who supported this effort to kill Bill 9112.

Ed Reggi will be speaking on 90.7FM St. Louis Public Radio NPR today at 11am. Make sure you tune in and call in.

UNIVERSITY CITY PULLS A 'FAST ONE' ON THE PUBLIC

In a sudden turn, for yet another strange move made by the University City elected officials, Mayor Shelley Welsch and the Council members -- decide to disregard the public's opinion and ignore their own words.

On Monday May 23, University City Council met inside City Hall and (for the second time) postponed a vote on Bill 9112, also known as "no interfering with / or standing on the sidewalks" law. The public who attended were (again) disappointed at the Council's decision to reschedule their vote; however, many residents just accepting the new date of Monday June 13 at 6:30pm.

In a bizarre move, the Mayor and the Council have "secretly" and with little notice given to the public, have decided to hold a Special Session on Monday June 6 at 6:00pm.

The thin agenda lists only 3 items to be covered:

1. Bill 9112 - An ordinance amending Chapter 9.08 of University City Municipal Code, relating to offenses against public peace and decency, by enacting therein a new section to be known as "Section 9.08.042 obstructing or interfering with use of sidewalks and streets", and providing a penalty.

2. Budget Memo

3. Council Rules and Order of Procedure

The Special Session notice was posted on the bulletin board located in the basement of City Hall, which according to City's Charter, meets the minimum requirements when calling for a "Special Session." Unfortunately, even though it's completely legal for the Mayor and Council to throw together such a quick meeting; it does not seem transparent or in good faith. Again, in their own words spoken on May 23, the Council postponed the vote and all further discussion of Bill 9112 to the next scheduled City Council Meeting on Monday June 13 at 6:30pm.

ShowMeNoHate's founder Ed Reggi demands to know why the sudden change?

He believes it serves one purpose and one purpose only--to deceive the good people of University City by passing a law that has been deemed Unconstitutional by the ACLU of Eastern Missouri and Fairness Campaign in Louisville, Kentucky.

"To trick the public, by passing this extremely controversial Bill; and to pass it behind the backs of the media and the public, is very sad. Their actions are disappointing. An it continues to show that Mayor Welsh and her Council, are not honest lawmakers," said Reggi on Sunday evening shortly after he got an email about the special meeting.

Reggi is calling for accountability. He wants the public to ask the entire University City Council the following questions:

• Why can't Bill 9112 wait one more week to be heard in front of the public, as scheduled?
• Why call for the "Special Session" on June 6 at 6pm in the Emergency Operations Center and not the 5th floor of City Hall?
• Why not post information about the June 6 "Special Session" on the official University City website?
• Why are the Police Chief and City Manager refusing to fully explain why Bill 9112 is needed over the enforcement of current University City laws. Ordinances which include criminalizing: theft, panhandling, harassment, unlawful assembly, noise, disturbing the peace, and failure to comply with an officer?

Mayor

Shelley Welsch

Mayor@ucitymo.org

314- 505-8606

Ward 1 Council Members
Terry Crow

terry@cttlaw.net

crow@cttlaw.net

314-918-0045, ext 2

Stephen Kraft

kraftstephene@gmail.com

314-863-1136

Ward 2 Council Members
Michael Glickert

lmglickert@yahoo.com

314-863-1812

Lynn Ricci

ricci.ucity@gmail.com

314-725-9090

Ward 3 Council Members
Byron Price

pricebyron@hotmail.com

314-726-2953

Arthur Sharp

qforlifeasj@att.net

314-721-5954

MCC JOPLIN NEEDS HELP - UPDATED 5/25 10PM

THEY STILL NEED ITEMS.

DO NOT BELIEVE REPORTS THAT SAY OTHERWISE.

Last Sunday, Joplin, MO, a city about 60 miles west of Springfield in Southwest Missouri, was destroyed by a tornado. They are still assessing the damage, but it is already clear the damage is devastating. You can follow the updates of the assessment and see photos and videos here.

Like many other organizations, PROMO and Show Me No Hate are coordinating a statewide effort to collect donations and supplies* to help Joplin.

The LGBT community was directly affected in Joplin, including the loss of the Unity/Spirit of Christ Metropolitan Community Church (SOC-MCC of Joplin), the LGBT-affirming church in Joplin. When the tornado struck the church, the congregation was holding a Sunday evening service. Luckily, they were able to reach the basement and are safe and have received medical care, but the church building is gone, as well as many of the congregation members' homes, including the home of the pastor and his partner.

Please click here to make a donation to help the LGBT community in Joplin. 100% of the proceeds raised through this effort will go directly to the Unity/Spirit of Christ Metropolitan Church of Joplin, where LGBT individuals and allies can receive the supplies. You can drop off supplies at one of the following collection sites. Each of these collection sites has committed to collecting supplies to go directly to SOC-MCC of Joplin.


Supplies Needed - UPDATED 5/25 10PM
Toiletries

Underwear/socks

Canned cat/dog food

Cleaning supplies.

Also, wide shovels, work gloves, trash bags, dust masks, sunblock, bug spray, anything that would be helpful in clearing debris.

GLO Center 518 E Commercial Street Springfield

417-869-3978
Tue, Wed, Fri or
call to confirm someone is there

Spirit of Hope MCC 3801 Wyandotte Street Kansas City

816-931-0750
LGCCKC LGCCKC Pride Booth will
be a collection site June 4-5 Kansas City lgcckcinfo@gmail.com

Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Blvd St. Louis MO
Wednesday-Thursday – 9am-5pm
Friday – 9am-9pm
Saturday – 9am-3pm
Sunday-Monday closed
Tuesday – 9-noon (after noon we will start sorting!)

Show Me No Hate

Use the following location - Mokabe's Coffee House

8am to 12 midnight

3606 Arsenal St
St Louis, MO 63116-4801
(314) 865-2009

For more drop off info or for a pick up call

ShowMeNoHate hotline 314-282-LGBT

I VOTE, "HELL NO!"

Representative John Kriesel is one of the few Republican legislators to oppose a Minnesota constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. He explains how he came to that position even though it does not jive with most other Republicans.

Governor Mark Dayton holds a press conference to announce a symbolic veto of the recently passed anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment. Dayton acknowledges his veto will not prevent the amendment from going on the 2012 general election ballot, but since it was sent to him in the form of a bill he has the option of signing or vetoing it. He is joined by Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner-Salon, Senator Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) and Representative Karen Clark (DFL-Minneapolis) who are leading the charge to defeat the amendment on the ballot.

WE GAVE THEM HOPE

Today, I marched for Harvey Milk.

As I looked at our crowd of walkers, I saw nothing but different faces, ages, sizes, shapes, clothing, accents, gender, sexual orientation, race, religions and economic class. Today, Sunday May 22 2011, St. Louis celebrated Harvey Milk's birthday by marching from The Grove district all the way east to St. Louis City Hall. Nearly 5 miles in total did we march for Harvey. What was more impressive was the amount of people who gathered early at the beginning of our march, the new location for the LGBT Center of St. Louis. They all came to support a place they want to call "HOPE" not just home.

I knew it the moment I met the crowd of folks standing outside of the center, that Harvey was smiling down on us. Harvey would have not changed one thing today. It was the perfect spot to start a march, in our city and in honor of this leader's legacy. Often, Harvey Milk opened us his own personal Castro district camera shop doors to host random meetings. Many times the rallies or Pride parades that took happened at night, were organized during the afternoon in Milk's very own home. This is the future of our very own LGBT Center. What will our center's sofa's and space bring to our city next? Harvey new darn well about community organizing and it starts with an invitation and then making a relationship. Today, Harvey shook everyone's hand who peeked through the doors of 4337 Manchester Avenue. I truly felt his spirit in that space.

The weather was just perfect and I would not change one thing about today.

As we walked down Manchester Avenue, we looked at the sidewalks of LGBTQ friendly businesses smile back at us. They waved from bars, shops and clubs that have called the Grove home for years. And then we found ourselves under the Time Square-esque "Grove" neon sign and I knew we were leaving our comfort zone. I thought, "will the group think I am nuts?"

But onward Queer soldiers we marched.

"When I say Harvey you say Milk... Harvey (MILK) - Harvey (MILK) - Harvey (MILK)..." echoed the crossover from Manchester Avenue to Chouteau Avenue.

That's when I noticed something very different this year than last year's march. There were nearly no cars passing us who cursed us being there. Gone were the, "Go home faggots," or "Shut up and get a job," jabs. For the most part, we shared the road with kind, considerate and supportive drivers who seemed to enjoy waiting for our march to make its way. I clearly watch parents slide down their automatic car windows so children in the back seat can watch us. I waved to about 40 kids who waved right back at us. Graduation ready families looked out of their rental cars and looked at our 20 foot rainbow flag -- paused -- and then pressed on their car horns in full support of our march for Harvey.

Mid-way of our walking route, around Jefferson and Chouteau, I became "hopeful." I immediately thought of Harvey's words about giving people "hope." Then I thought I should give them extra hope because we have made it 2 miles. I felt this is especially important if you are going to ask 100 people to march on a Sunday afternoon, you know, give them hope to keep moving. It was nice to give them inspiring words on my megaphone; however, it was even more powerful to watch the crowd give each other inspiring words on the megaphone. This march I made a conscience effort to hand over the megaphone to people who was inspired by Harvey. Walkers helped each other to keep walking; to keep the love; to preach equality and justice.

Our route took us directly through a kaleidoscope of city streets; over old and new concrete bridges; around the edges of quiet forgotten industrial businesses; and right into the neighborhoods plagued by years and years of blight. There's something about crossing that half-way point and seeing the Arch in the distance that gave me pause. I felt like I saw Harvey sitting on top of our silver Arch, looking directly at us. I really saw Harvey's face and he looked happy, smiling, laughing and alive.

Harvey Milk didn't look bad for 81 - really.

Harvey was happy to see all the walkers chanting his words. And I believe what made him most happy was that we remembered him without any big fanfares. It's like I saw him peek. No parade floats. No shirtless men tossing rainbow beads. We didn't walk on Main Street; rather, we honored Harvey in the places where he would walk -- where the forgotten live, work and play. This is why we march for Harvey along the silent Chouteau Avenue and not Market Street, or Lindell, or even Big Bend. Milk was about walking in the trenches, giving people who needed hope the most. Sending the message of, "love thy neighbor," where neighbors need loving. And again how fitting today to take our first marching step at the home of the new LGBT Center, 4337 Manchester Avenue.

Thanks St. Louis for remembering Harvey; we made him proud.

Shalom,

Ed Reggi

ShowMeNoHate

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARVEY MILK!

Happy Birthday Harvey Milk!

See you at today's Harvey Milk celebration on Sunday May 22, 2011.

Remember 11:00am meet at Novak’s for brunch (optional); gather at 12:00pm at the new LGBT Center 4337 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110.

We walk east along Chouteau until we reach City Hall; Rally at 1:15pm off the steps of City Hall in complete shade.

REPEAL DOMA NOW

Hi, I’m Tom Udall.

I've long believed that for issues relating to marriage, decisions need to happen at the state-level. And if the states have that responsibility, then the federal government ought to respect it.

If a state allows same-sex marriage, then the federal government must also recognize those marriages as valid. To do otherwise would be unconstitutional.

FULL TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Tom Udall Announces He Will Co-Sponsor Repeal of Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) [Democracy For New Mexico]

**SEE ALSO: Join Sen. Feinstein, Rep. Nadler and Courage Campaign to repeal DOMA! [CC]

HARVEY MILK MARCH - SUNDAY MAY 22

Harvey Milk March - St. Louis

Sunday, May 22

11:00am - Optional to enjoy brunch while staying warm (and dry if raining) meet at Novak’s Bar and Grill, 4121 Manchester Avenue, St . Louis, MO 63110

Start of March

12:00pm - At Noon, marchers should gather in front of the new location of the LGBT Center of St. Louis, 4337 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110

12:15pm - March along the streets of Chouteau Avenue to the steps of City Hall. Following similar steps of several historical marches related to Harvey Milk – including the White Night riots March from the Castro to San Francisco City Hall.

You do not have to march. However, we are encouraging as many LGBT and straight allies to March for Harvey Milk on Sunday.

The march is 3 miles. We start at new location for the LGBT Center of St. Louis in the Grove and we walk east following Chouteau Avenue and turn south at 14th street. We end the march at Tucker and Clark - at St. Louis City Hall.

End of March

End up at City Hall downtown around 1pm-1:15pm

Rally for Harvey Milk

1:15pm - If you are not marching, meet-up at St. Louis City Hall, Tucker and Market Streets. Parking is available along Market, Clark and at Union Station.

1:30pm - Rally on the steps of St. Louis City Hall. Featured speaker include Out Gay St. Louis City Alderman Shane Cohn.

The rally will be brief and include speakers for equality. Please support our city'sHarvey Milk Day Rally by inviting your friends, family and neighbors to join you. We're celebrating our victories, no matter how small or big.

The rally ends around 2pm.

UNIVERSITY CITY POSTPONES BILL 9112

In a sudden turn of events this evening, the University City Council and Mayor decided to postpone the passing of Bill 9112, also known as the "Obstructing the sidewalks" law that opponents suggest will target black youth standing, walking, and strolling on the Loop during busy peak hours.

We must remain vigilant until the Bill is killed, defeated or tabled forever.

ShowMeNoHate wants to thank the following organizations and people:

ACLU - New Jersey

ACLU - Eastern Missouri

Fairness Campaign - Louisville, Kentucky

Beyond Housing - St. Louis, Missouri

Normandy School District

Denise Lieberman

Sara Jean Ferrill

Samati Niyomchai

William Schwulst

And many other citizens who made calls, wrote letters and spoke at City Hall tonight against new Bill 9112. We need you to return on Monday May 23, 6:30pm when the Council will again attempt to vote on the new ordinance. Stay tuned here for details.

Please share with your folks on social media. We understand there are problems in the Loop during peak weeknight and weekend hours; however, these problems needs to have smart solutions.

Let's make the City Council and Mayor come up with clever, smart, highly creative and race-neutral solutions.

UNIVERSITY CITY POISED TO PASS DISCRIMINATORY LAW THAT TARGETS BLACK YOUTH

On Saturday April 9, a St. Louis City police officer suffered minor injuries trying to make an arrest near the Metrolink station on Delmar Boulevard. The suspect, a 21-year old adult male, was taken into custody. Charges were taken under advisement and the man was released. Local media has portrayed this violent incident as a result of black youth taking over the Loop, yet the suspect who injured the officer was an adult male. Days after the incident, University City Council members under pressure from Delmar business owners, drafted a new ordinance to limit standing on city sidewalks.

Yes! You read that correctly.

University City Bill 9112, better known as the "Obstructing or interfering with use of the sidewalks and streets," will make it unlawful for anyone to "block" public sidewalks located anywhere in University City, Missouri. Those arrested and charged with the crime of "blocking the sidewalk," can be fined up to $1,000 per offense. The Police Department has gone on record with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that, "no warnings will be issued."

Supporters of the ordinance, especially businesspeople in the Delmar Loop business district, say the ordinance will curb loitering and youth gatherings. However, since the ordinance provides absolutely no enforcement guidelines, opponents are sure it will be unfairly used against black pedestrians specifically targeting black youth. Furthermore, University City already has a list of ordinances that protect the businesses from loitering, larceny, noise, assault and aggravation of their customers. The fact remains, police already had enough power to arrest, ticket and charge the suspects who injured St. Louis City police officer on April 9 but they didn't. Bill 9112 was crafted to signal Loop business owners that University City Council is listening; unfortunately, it does nothing to solve the problems which include needing additional police and better understanding of public management in an urban city.

I need you to contact the University City Council and the Mayor today. Politely tell them to kill the discriminatory ordinance bill #9112, which will make standing on the sidewalks in University City a crime. Understand they might express how this law is only targeted at those teens who "block" the sidewalks and cause trouble; however, remain vigilant and educate them that University City Police already have laws to address real crimes in the Loop:

9.04.010 Assault of a law enforcement officer.
9.04.020 False reports.
9.04.030 Resisting or interfering with arrest (or detention).
9.04.050 Failure to comply with (an officer).
9.04.060 Interference with city officers and employees.
9.04.070 Interference with duties of firefighter.
9.04.090 Refusal to identify as a witness.
9.04.100 Concealing an offense.
9.08.010 Affrays (fighting in public).
9.08.015 Elder abuse in the third degree.
9.08.020 Assault in the third degree.
9.08.040 Disturbing the peace.
9.08.045 Panhandling.
9.08.050 Unlawful assembly.
9.08.060 Rioting.
9.08.080 Drinking in public places prohibited.
9.08.090 Public drunkenness.
9.08.100 Urinating or defecating in public.
9.08.120 Possession or control of a controlled substance.
9.08.180 Sexual misconduct.
9.08.210 Harassment.
9.08.240 Noise.

Mayor - Shelley Welsch..... Mayor@ucitymo.org or 314-505-8606

Ward 1 Council Members
Terry Crow..... terry@cttlaw.net or crow@cttlaw.net or 314-918-0045, ext 2
Stephen Kraft..... kraftstephene@gmail.com or 314-863-1136

Ward 2 Council Members
L. Michael Glickert..... lmglickert@yahoo.com or 314-863-1812
Lynn Ricci..... ricci.ucity@gmail.com or 314-725-9090

Ward 3 Council Members
Byron Price..... pricebyron@hotmail.com or 314-726-2953
Arthur Sharp..... qforlifeasj@att.net or 314-721-5954

If you are available to speak against the law, come to University City City Hall, 6801 Delmar Blvd. 5th Floor, Monday May 9th, 6:30pm and submit your name to speak before the vote of Bill 9112. Citizens who show up are allowed to speak for 3 minutes. It's critical you explain how you understand there's a problem; however, we must remind our elected officials that the solution is not criminalizing the public with $1000 fines.

Lastly, University City prides itself as a progressive city. So I need progressives to express their disgust of these kinds of anti-sitting, anti-standing and anti-laying down laws. They do nothing but allow the police to ticket, harass and silence citizens who wish to use public sidewalks as a forum for democracy!

P.S. Feel free to use the following template and email to every Council member. Copy and paste the following emails:

Mayor@ucitymo.org, terry@cttlaw.net, crow@cttlaw.net, kraftstephene@gmail.com, lmglickert@yahoo.com, ricci.ucity@gmail.com, pricebyron@hotmail.com, qforlifeasj@att.net

###

Dear Mayor and University City Council:

It has come to my attention that University City is prepared to pass a law that will limit my and others ability to walk, stroll or stand freely on the sidewalks in University City; including the shop-filled sidewalks in the business Loop district.

Do not pass this law.

Recognizing there are recent safety concerns in the Loop, I understand this law is an attempt to curb the overcrowding of sidewalks. However, my personal concerns are that Bill 9112 will be used to unfairly criminalize and discriminate against black youth walking, shopping and yes, standing on the sidewalks in the Loop.

I ask you vote no on Bill 9112 and direct city police to enforce the current University City laws that target theft, violence, noise, panhandling and harassment directed at Loop customers. See ordinances 9.08.040, 9.04.050, 9.08.045, 9.08.050, 9.08.060, and 9.08.210. Standing, meeting my friends and sharing conversations on the sidewalks of the Loop, is what made the Loop what it is today. Sadly, if this law does pass, you must remove the entire St. Louis Walk of Fame, since it encourages people to "stand still" and "block" the sidewalks while tourists read those stars--a clear violation of ordinance 9112.

Ticketing black youth (or any citizen) for standing in University City will solve nothing. It will only add more racial tension between St. Louis County and St. Louis City. Lastly, as a frequent customer in the Loop, if this discriminatory law does pass, I might find myself standing in a different city spending my money.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

###

LET OUR PEOPLE MARRY!

Today, California’s largest newspaper, the Los Angeles Times, published an editorial which argued that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, starting immediately.

Last week, pro-marriage equality attorneys filed a brief with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, urging it to lift the stay of the district court decision that ruled Prop. 8 unconstitutional, which would enable marriages to resume. Today’s Los Angeles Times editorial underscores the growing consensus that same-sex couples should not have to wait to get married while the California Prop. 8 case works its way through the very complicated Federal legal system.

“Enough already,” the Los Angeles Times editorial board declared. “…Every day that the case drags on, couples who would like to marry are being deprived of their civil rights. That's not our wording; the federal trial judge decided that issue, at least for now. The denial of constitutional rights, even temporarily, is a deplorable situation that must meet high legal standards to be allowed to continue. In our view, those conditions have not been met.”

Please read the full editorial on the Los Angeles Times website, and to share it with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter.

100 MARRIAGES STRONG

Our 8th Marriage Equality bus leaves during Valentine's week and we have another 15 same-sex couples heading toward Iowa. When we return to St. Louis, we will have reached our 100th wedding in Iowa in less than 19 months.

Wow, now that's something to Celebrate!

What our couples pay:

• $50 contribution toward their bus seats
• $35 Iowa State Marriage License
• food expenses

What your contribution pays:

Other expenses are donated by our friends in Iowa or from our community in St. Louis. For example, every Marriage Equality Bus has a professional wedding photographer who generously donates their services. We've also had wedding cakes, flowers and clergy members donate their typical wedding fees. It's estimated over $5,000 of in-kind services are donated for each bus.

HEARTLAND TRANSPORT AT B'NAI EL

Join Scott Emanuel and Ed Reggi this Friday January 14, 2011 as they screen, and discuss, their award winning documentary short at B'nai El Congregation located in Frontenac, Missouri. Services will start around 7:30pm, with a musical tribute to Debbie Friedman. The movie and discussion are scheduled for sometime after 8pm.

Heartland Transport is winning the hearts of audiences all over the United States. This short documentary tells the story of 17 same-sex couples who obtain their marriage licenses in Iowa.

On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme court unanimously upheld the ruling holding that there was no governmental interest in denying citizens marriage licenses based on their sexual orientation.

Immediately following, Ed Reggi and Scott Emanuel chartered a bus taking seventeen same sex couples from St. Louis, Missouri to Iowa City, Iowa to be legally married.

SHOW-ME LOVE

(This photo courtesy of Colleen Carlton.)

Check out the January 2011 St. Louis Magazine article (on page 86) titled "Show-Me Love." The article is a wonderful piece about our big marriage bus written by Byron Kerman.

Thank you Byron and thank you to the nearly 100 couples who have made the trip to Iowa to legally wed.

If you are interested in joining our next bus, Monday February 14th, 2011 please contact us at showmenohate@gmail.com or if you would like to make a small (or large) donation to our bus, please visit http://www.showmenohate.com/donate

DADT: THE END OF DISCRIMINATION

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
December 18, 2010

Statement by the President on the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010
Today, the Senate has taken an historic step toward ending a policy that undermines our national security while violating the very ideals that our brave men and women in uniform risk their lives to defend. By ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” no longer will our nation be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans forced to leave the military, despite years of exemplary performance, because they happen to be gay. And no longer will many thousands more be asked to live a lie in order to serve the country they love.

As Commander-in-Chief, I am also absolutely convinced that making this change will only underscore the professionalism of our troops as the best led and best trained fighting force the world has ever known. And I join the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the overwhelming majority of service members asked by the Pentagon, in knowing that we can responsibly transition to a new policy while ensuring our military strength and readiness.

I want to thank Majority Leader Reid, Senators Lieberman and Collins and the countless others who have worked so hard to get this done. It is time to close this chapter in our history. It is time to recognize that sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed. It is time to allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country openly. I urge the Senate to send this bill to my desk so that I can sign it into law.

###