Polish mayor Pawel Adamowicz has died after being fatally stabbed at a charity event.
The LGBTI ally was stabbed in the heart and abdomen by an ex-convict who rushed onto the stage with a knife yesterday (13 January).
Blood donors flooded to hospitals in a bid to help save Adamowicz.
But Poland’s health minister Lukasz Szumowski has confirmed the mayor died, saying, ‘we couldn’t win.’
The attack happened in moments at the 27th annual fundraiser organized by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity.
Footage showed the Gdansk mayor on stage with a sparkler in hand, saying it had been a ‘wonderful day’.
The attacker then came towards him. Suddenly, the mayor collapsed and he grabbed his body.
After the knife attack, the assailant shouted from the stage he had been wrongly imprisoned by the previous national government led by Civil Platform.
The mayor formerly belonged to the party.
‘I was jailed but innocent,’ he said. ‘Civil Platform tortured me. That’s why Adamowicz just died.’
Police spokesperson Mariusz Ciarka said the attacker appeared to have mental problems. He also said the assailant appeared to have accessed the area with a media badge.
The man was arrested and under investigation.
Surgeon Dr Tomasz Stefaniak said Adamowicz suffered a ‘serious wound to the heart, a wound to the diaphragm and to the internal organs.’
Adamowicz served five terms as part of the Civil Platform party, and then was re-elected to a sixth term as an independent candidate.
He marched in last year’s Pride parade in Gdansk.
He said he dreamed of a time when ‘equality and fraternity can become a part of Poles’ daily lives’.
Adamowicz added he hopes of the day when ‘an asylum-seeker, an immigrant, a Roma person, an African American person and a Polish person will be able to sit together around a table in one, common house.’
LGBT+ Texas lawmakers Celia Israel, Jessica González, Erin Zwiener, Mary González and Julie Johnson (Equality Texas)
Five out Democrats in Texas have formed the first LGBT+ caucus in the state’s legislature.
The five lawmakers came together to launch the first official LGBT+ caucus, which will fight for equal rights in the traditionally-conservative, Republican-controlled state.
The LGBT+ caucus will be chaired by state representative Mary González, who was only the second out lawmaker in Texas history when she was elected in 2012.
She will be joined by all of the state’s other out lawmakers—Celia Israel, who was elected in 2014, as well as Jessica González, Julie Johnson and Erin Zwiener, all elected in 2018.
The group has an uphill battle on the state legislature, where the Republican Party has held a majority since 2003.
Speaking to the Dallas Morning News, LGBT+ caucus chair Mary González said the group would have a “intentional and strategic agenda” to bring about progress in the state.
Noting the increased representation for LGB women in the chamber, she added: “If you would have told me that we would have five LGBTQ members in the Texas Legislature, I would have never believed you. And all women, and all in the House.
“I say this all the damn time. If you’re not at the table, then you’re on the menu.”
The newly-elected Erin Zwiener, who is bisexual, added: “It’s important that those of us who are members of the LGBTQ community stand together to make sure that all Texans are treated fairly.
“I’m glad Mary and Celia have some more company.”
In another unlikely sign of progress, the Texas Capitol flew a flag in “solidarity” with transgender Texans, after a request from the mother of a 10-year-old trans boy.
Democratic Rep. Donna Howard honoured the request, flying the Texas state flag for the occasion.
She told the Dallas Morning News: “My policy is to assist these requests so long as they are not discriminatory.
“I was honoured to help Amber do so in recognition of the inclusion of trans Texans and the fact that our representative government truly represents all Texans.”
The Texas Republican Party continues to be dominated by anti-LGBT views.
Manny’s Cafe, a civic engagement space in San Francisco’s Mission District, has been facing an onslaught of protest.
Manny Yekutiel, the space’s owner, is the gay son of an Afghan refugee. He opened the doorsto the community space in November 2016. Since then, it’s been a hub for cultural and intellectual discourse. It has been a host to speakers from many social justice causes, including Black Lives Matter. Visitors are also welcome to peruse the space’s bookstore for titles from authors like Ta-Nehisi Coates and Howard Zinn. The food at the space is prepared daily by Farming Hope, a non-profit employing the homeless.
The protest
Still, this hasn’t stopped a San Francisco-based advocacy group The Lucy Parsons Project from demonizing the space. The group meets every Wednesday since December to protest Manny’s. The reasoning? Manny Yekutiel is a ‘Zionist gentrifier.’
The group’s signs include slogans like ‘Zionists out of the Mission,’ ‘Free Palestine,’ ‘Manny’s = homelessness,’ and more.
The Lucy Parsons Project describes themselves as a ‘radical black queer direct action group fighting anti-blackness in the Bay Area.’
This group has called on the public to ‘boycott Manny’s and its “woke-washing” of the Mission.’
In a letter to the media, the group said, ‘the proprietor of Manny’s, Emmanuel Yekutiel, has unequivocally espoused racist, Zionist, pro-Israel ideals that we will not tolerate or accept in our community. We will not tolerate gentrifiers and Zionists attempts at invading and destroying our community through “woke-washing!”’
In Manny’s own words
‘I worked on both the Obama and Clinton campaigns and, after 2016, was struck by the thirst for civic engagement. Here was a citizenry, with their hands raised, looking for a starting place for action and unsure of how to begin — that’s what 2016 inspired. Seeing this problem, I gathered a community to build a physical civic events space called Manny’s at the corner of 16th and Valencia streets in San Francisco,’ Yekutiel wrote in a recent op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle.
‘We’ve had elected officials and advocates in the space, artists and poets and change-makers coming in to teach and to learn. The space is fulfilling a real need.’
‘Amid this remarkable coming-together of people from all walks of life, there also have been fringe activists who’ve gained an outsized voice demonizing Manny’s online. The far-right has attacked the business and me when they’ve disapproved of a guest speaker. The alt-left has pushed vitriolic lies and hatred on social media. Claims such as the space is a Zionist takeover of the Mission has emboldened people to walk in off the street and demand to know if the owner is Jewish.’
‘The building has been vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti [and] is the target of weekly protests. The business has been ideologically extorted: tell us if you’re a Zionist so we can try to drive you out of business. Given the mission of Manny’s, we have invited these individuals into the space for dialogue, but their goal is to shut down discourse, not engage in it.’
Manny’s story
‘I’m a religious Jew and proud of it. My father escaped persecution in Afghanistan and journeyed, partly on foot, to Israel to reunite with family who had previously escaped oppression and found safety there. My little sister was almost blown up by a suicide bomber at a bus stop in Jerusalem,’ Yekutiel explains.
‘As a liberal American Jew, I have complicated feelings about Israel. I do not support everything that its government does (nor everything our American government does). Israel and the United States have provided my family with safety when other countries haven’t. But that doesn’t mean I support the ending of innocent life. My hope for the Israeli and Palestinian people is to soon live in peace with mutual recognition in sovereign and safe borders. This complex issue is a perfect example of the need for high-quality discourse.’
‘What bonds ideological absolutists on the left and the right is precisely what inspired the building of this new space — the opportunity to reverse corrosive incivility and to have vibrant discussion about complicated subjects,’ he says. ‘The ugliness of online discourse has made people hungry for the constructive in-person dialogue we are fostering at Manny’s.’
Anything else?
Manny Yekutiel is not the only liberal LGBTI Jew who has faced backlash due to assumed support of Israel. In 2017, Jewish lesbians were asked to leave the Chicago Dyke March because they had a Star of David on their Pride flag. The organizers deemed them ‘Zionist’ and thus unwelcome. Wendy Sue Biegeleisen, one of the founders of Dyke March, called the action anti-Semitic.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi hugs ‘Don’t Ask’ repeal activist Mike Almy at the Congressional Certification of repeal on Dec. 21, 2010. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Last week, Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) became the first person in 64 years to return to the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives. She’s the only woman to hold the office and the first person to repeat in the office since Sam Rayburn, who served a record 17 years as speaker over three different periods. She’s now second in line to the president and is the highest-ranking elected woman in U.S. history.
Pelosi’s credibility with LGBT voters is ironclad. In November, 102 LGBT leaders announced they “enthusiastically endorsed” her to return to the speakership. “There is no better ally to the LGBT community on Capitol Hill than Leader Pelosi, period,” the group said in a statement.
Here are some highlights — some wonky and serious, some lighter. In no particular order:
• Pelosi has long stood in favor of same-sex marriage. In 1996, Pelosi voted against the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law that prior to being ruled unconstitutional, defined marriage as one man and one woman. In 2004 and 2006, Pelosi voted against a proposed Federal Marriage Amendment that would have amended the Constitution to define marriage federally as one man, one woman. And in 2008, Pelosi voiced opposition to Proposition 8, a successful ballot initiative that defined California marriage similarly. Pelosi told the Washington Post in 2012 that her Roman Catholic faith — despite official church teaching — compels her “to be against discrimination of any kind in our country.”
• Pelosi supported the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and helped it move through the House. It finally passed in 2009.
• Pelosi supported the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal in 2010. “Isn’t this a joyful day,” she said at the time. “(This measure will) change the law, improve the policy, make life better for many Americans and make our country stronger.” She then led a group sing of “God Bless America.”
• Pelosi is a champion of the Equality Act, comprehensive LGBT rights legislation that would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sexual orientation and gender identity. She has said last October advancing it will be a top priority with Democrats in control of the House. “It isn’t in our ‘For The People’ agenda because it doesn’t get that specific, but there’s one more because it’s personal for me that I really want to do, and it’s called the Equality Act,” Pelosi said. “The Equality Act expands ending discrimination against LGBTQ people and women and adding that to the Civil Rights Act.”
Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as House Minority Leader signaled the Equality Act will be a “top priority” if elected Speaker. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
• In May, 2014 at the White House, Pelosi helped unveil an official U.S. forever postage stamp commemorating slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk, who was killed in 1978 and was the first openly gay public official in California. Pelosi is, as was Milk, a long-time San Francisco resident.
• In February, 2015, Pelosi met with Cuban LGBT activist Juana Mora Cedeno of Proyecto Manos along with other human rights advocates during a trip with several House colleagues. They discussed education, health care and lack of access to antiretroviral medication for Cubans living with HIV.
• Pelosi has appeared at many LGBT events over the years including a November, 2018 appearance at the NGLCC National Dinner, the 2007 HRC National Dinner, many appearances at San Francisco Pride (one year the car she was in broke down and she had to walk the rest of the parade route) and more.
Nancy Pelosi speaks at the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce National Dinner in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
• On June 9,1987, Pelosi chose to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in her first speech on the House floor and said she had come to Congress to fight AIDS. “Now we must take leadership, of course, in the crisis of AIDS. And I look forward to working with you on that,” Pelosi said. Those remarks stood in contrast to President Reagan’s inaction and failure to speak out on the disease.
• Contestants on “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” season three were shocked when Pelosi made a brief appearance in the “werk” room of the hit reality competition show in March, 2018. Ru introduced her as a “strong woman who knows how to get things done” and a “champion for LGBT rights.” Presumably because of time, Pelosi, unlike most “Drag Race” guest celebrities, did not appear at the judge’s table. But she teased the appearance on social media saying she had “a fabulous time.” “I’m honored to be here,” Pelosi, wearing a white pantsuit, said. “You’re an inspiration, I hope you know. Because you really know your power. It’s about taking pride and that’s what you do. Take pride in yourselves.”
• When the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was being developed, Pelosi took part in the some of the earliest meetings, sowing her own patch for a flower girl in her wedding who died of AIDS. Pelosi also secured permits from the National Park Service under the George H.W. Bush administration so the AIDS quilt could be shown on the National Mall. In April, 2012, Pelosi spoke at a Castro District ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, started by San Francisco volunteers in 1987. “We will keep fighting until there is a cure,” she said.
• In August 2016, Pelosi met with survivors of Orlando’s Pulse nightclub shooting and families of some of the 49 who died. She left flowers at a memorial outside the club and signed a wall.
Nancy Pelosi signs the makeshift memorial at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., on Aug. 11, 2016. (Photo courtesy of Pelosi’s office)
• In July 2012, Pelosi danced to ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man” and “It’s Raining Men” at the reception for former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank’s marriage to Jim Ready. Pelosi’s partner was Terry Bean, a co-best man of the groom. Video of the dance went viral.
Nancy Pelosi wears a pin for the ‘March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights’ in 1987. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle)
Over-the-counter contraceptives, such as condoms, are now free to Washington State residents with health insurance.
Following six years of Republican obstruction, the Reproductive Parity Act was finally passedlast year. Starting on 1 January 2019, Washingtonians with state-regulated health insurance (including Medicaid) can pick up over-the-counter contraceptives at their in-network pharmacies for no cost.
According to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner of Washington State, these contraceptives include ‘condoms, spermicides, emergency contraceptives, and sponges.’
Additionally, this new policy also covers sterilizations and vasectomies, as well as free abortions to those whose health plans cover maternity services.
Kevin Fret, a 24-year-old gay trap artist, has been shot and killed in Puerto Rico.
The musician was shot several times at around 5:30am local time on Thursday (January 11) while on his motorbike in the Santurce neighbourhood of San Juan, according to El Nuevo Dia.
Fret, who was hailed by many as the first openly gay Latin trap artist, died after being taken to the Medical Centre of Rio Piedras.
“Kevin was an artistic soul, a big-hearted dreamer”
— Eduardo Rodriguez, manager of Kevin Fret
Police on the American island have told CBS News that Fret’s murder is the 22nd reported homicide in the first 10 days of 2019.
Fret’s manager, Eduardo Rodriguez, told Billboard: “Kevin was an artistic soul, a big-hearted dreamer. His passion was music, and [he] still had a lot to do.
“This violence must stop,” he continued. “There are no words that describe the feeling we have and the pain that causes us to know that a person with so many dreams has to go.
Kevin Fret was hailed as the first openly gay Latin trap artist (kevin fret/facebook)
“We must all unite in these difficult times, and ask for much peace for our beloved Puerto Rico.”
The “Soy Asi” singer had previously spoken out about wanting to open the door for queer musicians to make it as trap artists.
Fans pay tribute to Kevin Fret
The tributes have poured in for Fret after his tragic death, with fans writing comments like: “At a loss for words 💔 RIP Kevin Fret” and “My heart hurts 💔 I’m so sorry this happened to you. RIP #KevinFret.”
One person paid their respects by writing: “RIP to the incredibly talented Kevin Fret, the first openly gay Latin Trapero from Puerto Rico.
“His unapologetic presence meant so much for the LGBTQ+ community and the future of Latin Trap… Thank you for always speaking and living your truth Kevin. Te amo para siempre (I love you forever) ♥️.”
Kevin Fret was just 24 when he died (kevin fret/facebook)
Others explained more of what made Fret so special, with one fan tweeting: “Kevin Fret was known not only for his music style but also an image that was breaking gender norms in #PuertoRico and stigma about being gay, gender nonconforming, and expressing gender identity freely—in a country where gay people still get mocked, bullied and killed.”
His uncompromising approach to expressing his sexuality was praised, for instance by a fan who wrote that he was “a true inspiration to many.
“Some people need the confidence you had. You didn’t deserve what happened to you. Puerto Rico and many other people will miss you.
“Being openly gay where you were from had to be tough. We are glad of what u did 4 PR💟.”
This is for youth ages 14-24 to create a safe and fun space to get to know LGBTQ youth in their area and support each other. This is great for young people looking to get involved & find a loving community. Santa Rosa hosts their youth group on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month, while Sonoma Valley hosts their youth group on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month. Drop-Ins welcome.
#2 Youth Leadership Team Launch
This is for youth ages 14-24 to be on a 6 month intensive team to create an advocacy project they decide that creates a more welcoming community. This is great for young people who want to be on a team, learn leadership skills, & want to take leadership roles. Without giving too much away, YLT is a beautiful and transformative experience where youth do a lot of self-digging and self-discoveries in community. Community is the essence of all of this. Youth interested can fill out the interest form and attend the info session, also listed here: inyurl.com/YLTinterest. Groups meet weekly & attendance is required.
#3 LGBTQ Best Practice Training on Jan 22nd
After much interest, we are hosting another free LGBTQ Best Practice Training in English! In order to better serve more of Sonoma County, attendees will not only learn about what affects the LGBTQ community, but also what affects the marginalized communities within the LGBTQ community: trans people, Latinx people, low income people, etc. Jan 22 in Santa Rosa. Details here. RSVP required: tinyurl.com/ycvanqbg.
#4 Promotores de Amor Training in Jan 31st
The Promotores de Amor is geared for Spanish-speaking individuals that want to support families with youth who are LGBTQ. The goal is to promote love and acceptance in an accessible & impactful way to create healthier families. Jan 31st in Santa Rosa. RSVP encouraged but not required: tinyurl.com/y8lbdlpu.
Students at Oxford University are calling for the firing of a law professor after he compared gay sex to bestiality.
More than 400 people have also signed a petition calling for John Finnis to be removed from teaching.
The 78-year-old is emeritus professor of law and legal philosophy at University College.
Finnis has said in 1994 homosexuality is ‘never a valid, humanly acceptable choice and form of life’.
He wrote in his collected essays, published in 2011, that it is ‘destructive of human character and relationships’.
He also added: ‘[Gay sex] treats human sexual capacities in a way which is deeply hostile to the self-understanding of those members who are willing to commit themselves to real marriage.’
Finnis, who converted to Catholicism in 1962, has previously advised the Vatican.
He has also called homosexuality ‘evil’, ‘destructive’ and similar to the abuse of children.
Finnis has also encouraged ‘gay cure’ therapy said approving of LGBTI rights is similar to approving terrorism.
Students signed a petition calling on Finnis to be removed from teaching compulsory lectures.
‘It puts a hugely prejudiced man in a position of responsibility and authority,’ they say.
‘It makes people who are affected by his discrimination question whether they should even attend these seminars…
‘University is a place to focus on education, not to be forced to campaign against or to be taught by professors who have promoted hatred towards students that they teach.’
Finnis told the Oxford Student: ‘I stand by all these writings. There is not a ‘phobic’ sentence in them.
‘The 1994 essay promotes a classical and strictly philosophical moral critique of all non-marital sex acts and has been republished many times.’
Alex Benn, one of the authors of the petition, said Finnis had ‘built a career on demonisation’.
Benn also told the Oxford Student: ‘Campaigns like this one often receive simplistic responses calling for tolerance or academic freedom. But law, employment and education already draw boundaries about what won’t be tolerated.
‘The humanity of disadvantaged people, including LGBTQ+ people, isn’t a debate …
‘I started this campaign not only to address the specific issue of Finnis’ role at Oxford, but to get Oxford to make up its mind – either it’s in support of equality or it’s not.”
A university spokesperson said: ‘Oxford University and the faculty of law promote an inclusive culture, which respects the rights and dignity of all staff and students.
‘We are clear we do not tolerate any form of harassment of individuals on any grounds, including sexual orientation.
‘Equally, the university’s harassment policy also protects academic freedom of speech and is clear that vigorous academic debate does not amount to harassment when conducted respectfully and without violating the dignity of others.
‘All of the university’s teaching activity, including that in the faculty of law, is conducted according to these principles.’
The Colorado courthouse that hosted the US’ first ever same-sex wedding has been recognized for its role in LGBTI history.
The federal government recognized the Colorado Boulder County Courthouse and added it to the National Register of Historic Places. The only other LGBTI venues included on the register include the Stonewall Inn in New York and the Dr. Franklin E. Kameny Residence in Washington, D.C.
In 1975, the courthouse gave a marriage licence to a gay couple who came in asking to get married. As news of that spread, more same-sex couples approached the courthouse to get a licence.
Clela Rorex was the Boulder county clerk at the time and issued a total of six marriage licences to same-sex couples. But the then state Attorney-General ordered her to stop giving them out. He told Rorex the licences were not valid, according to a report on NBC.
Rorex has sought the opinion of Boulder County district attorney in 1975 before granting the first licence. The DA at the time said Colorado’s laws did not explicitly bar giving marriage licences to same-sex couples.
On Friday (4 January) the courthouse unveiled a plaque to commemorate its addition to the National Register of Historic Places.
Speaking at the plaque unveiling ceremony, Rorex, 75, explained why she issued the marriage licences.
‘As a woman, I’m asking for my equal rights,’ Rorex said.
‘How can I deny someone else? It just felt like the right thing to do. I’ve never changed my mind. All these years, I never wished I hadn’t made that decision.’
Rorex also wanted the plaque to have meaning for today’s LGBTI people.
‘I want this plaque to symbolize … a notice that people who are in the LGBT community are safe here in Boulder County,’ she said.
On Tuesday (8 January), a federal grand jury in Texas returned an indictment against two men accused of using Grindr to assault and rob gay male victims. They charged the men with conspiracy to commit hate crimes.
The jury delivered a 15-count indictment against Daniel Jenkins, 19, and Michael Atkinson, 24.
According to the Texas state attorney’s office, Jenkins and Atkinson used the popular dating app to ‘lure’ men to an apartment complex. They allegedly targeted at least nine men between the ages of 19 and 57.
U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas also revealed that at least ‘five victims were physicaly assaulted, one was sexually assaulted with an object, and one was smeared with feces’.
Other reports state Jenkins and Atkinson allegedly wielded guns and threatened their victims with them.
The pair face numerous other charges beyond the conspiracy one. Other charges could include kidnapping and carjacking, with a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.
Last May, four men in Texas pled guilty to similar crimes. They all received between 10 and 20 years in federal prison.
These men posed as gay men on Grindr and then made plans to meet their victims in person. Once they met the gay men from the app, they assaulted them, tied them up, and robbed them.
At the time, attorney Joseph D. Brown for the Eastern District of Texas said the case ‘highlights the danger of the internet’ and specifically online apps.
