But a local representative from Bash Back Memphis told the Flyer that his group had nothing to do with the action. Their perceived involvement was likely implied from a blog post praising the vandalism on Bash Back News, the group's national website.

• Bash Back

Bash Back, a group of self-proclaimed "radical transfolk, queers and allies," is critical of the mainstream LGBT movement, which it sees as trying to assimilate with heterosexual culture. Though it does not appear that the group is actually claiming responsibility for vandalism on its website, a Bash Back blogger had this to say praising the vandalism of the billboard featuring a gay Marine:

"First, sending gays to be military fodder is NOT pro-gay or conclusive whatsoever to gay liberation. State militarism only reinforces the dominant structures, and the racism/heterosexism they perpetuate, as well as reducing the number of gay people in the world (both those in Amerikkka and the countries Amerikkka is colonizing/conquering)."

The billboard was one of five National Coming Out Day advertisements paid for by private donations to the MGLCC. It featured gay local former Marine Tim Smith in uniform and read, "I'm gay and I protected your freedom." The billboard was ripped down about a week after it went up in mid-September.

The Bash Back post goes on to criticize MGLCC as "racist, anti-queer, and anti-trans" and it criticizes the center for spending $3,500 for a billboard that Bash Back claims promotes militarism in a poor African American neighborhood.

MGLCC director Will Batts says he's open to discussing the group's concerns if they are willing to sit down and talk. Says Batts: "We have an open door policy here for anybody that has issues with how we conduct business."

• Jorge Steven Lopez

The accused killer 26-year-old Martinez Matos told a Puerto Rican newspaper that he saw Lopez wearing a blue dress and boots. Thinking Lopez was female, Matos allegedly let Lopez into his car. Upon learning that Lopez was biologically male, the suspect alleges that he “had a flashback to when he was raped in prison” and proceeded to attack Lopez.

Lopez is the most recent victim of trans-phobic violence. His death and untold numbers of others will be remembered at annual Transgender Day of Remembrance celebrations across the country this weekend.

In Memphis, a ceremony will be held on Friday, Nov. 20th at Neshoba Unitarian Universalist Church at 7350 Raleigh Lagrange Rd. at 6 p.m.

During the time of filming, liberal minister Greg's job leads his family on the road from their home in Los Angeles to America's conservative heartland. Middle America turns out to be a sometimes-hostile environment for the preacher's new family.

See what happens as the film screens at The Pilgrim Center at First Congregational Church on Friday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.

For more information on the film, check out the Preacher's Sons website.

Whether you're concerned about being shut out of your sick partner's hospital room by his homophobic family or you're just interested in learning about living wills, you'll likely find an answer at tonight's Advanced Healthcare Planning Workshop at the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center.

"Your Wishes, Your Choices" addresses healthcare planning concerns for LGBT folks, but straight people may benefit as well. The workshop will be held tonight (Tuesday, Nov. 17th) at 7 p.m. at 892 S. Cooper. For more information, call 901-326-8861.

• Ross Burton

Burton was arrested after plainclothes Memphis police officers spotted him and another man attempting to set fire to the rope that holds the rainbow flag in front of the MGLCC.

Burton and the other suspect struggled with the police and even tried to disarm an officer. The police received minor cuts and bruises in the fight, and the suspects fled the scene. Burton was located about an hour later and charged with aggravated assault and vandalism over $500. The other man got away, but a police spokesperson says they now have another person in custody for questioning. No charges have been filed against that person at this time.

Though there is no known connection at press time, an MGLCC billboard depicting gay local former Marine Tim Smith was destroyed in September. The billboard, located at Poplar and High, read, "I'm gay and I protected your freedom."

• Thomas Simmons
• Partially burned flag pole rope

Plainclothes officers observed Burton and another man — who fled the scene and remains at large — attempting to set fire to the rope that runs up the flag pole in front of the MGLCC. When police officers approached the men, an altercation ensued, and one suspect attempted to disarm an officer. Additional police were dispatched and some reportedly received lacerations and abrasions from the struggle. The suspects fled, but Burton was located and arrested.

• Ross Burton

Burton is being charged with aggravated assault and vandalism under $500.

This event marks the second act of vandalism against the MGLCC in two months. In September, an MGLCC National Coming Out Day billboard at Poplar and High was destroyed. No word on whether the two crimes were related.

Said MGLCC director Will Batts: "Public incidents such as this shed light on the larger issue of intolerance and hatred that our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens face every day. Once again, attempts to silence or frighten our community will not succeed, but will make us more determined to fight for equality. We appreciate the support of the community in this struggle."

• Ryan White

Any group able to provide services in outpatient medical care, AIDS drug assistance, oral health, substance abuse treatment, home-delivered meals, or psychological support services should attend the Ryan White Part A pre-application workshop at United Way of the Mid-South (6775 Lenox Center Court, Suite 200) on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m.

The program was named for the now-deceased Ryan White, a teenager who contracted the disease through a blood transfusion in 1984. White was kicked out of his high school after administrators learned he had AIDS.

Equality Project
by Bianca Phillips

Just one day after President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard Act, expanding the federal hate crimes law to include sexual orientation and gender identity, local lawmakers and University of Memphis law students discussed efforts to enhance the hate crimes law in Tennessee.

In a panel discussion at the U of M's Cecil B. Humphreys Law School last Thursday, state representative Jeanne Richardson and state senator Beverly Marrero discussed a bill they're co-sponsoring that would add "gender identity and expression" to existing state law. Attorney Murray Wells, Tennessee Equality Project board member Darlene Fike, and hate crime victim Jack Robinson also were on the panel.

• Jeanne Richardson

Though "sexual orientation" was added to the state hate crimes law in 2001, Richardson introduced a bill last February to enhance the law with protections for transgender people.

"One of my colleagues actually said to me, 'I don't like [expletive] queers,'" Richardson told the panel. "I've been a lifelong Midtowner and downtowner and I haven't heard those kinds of comments about gay people in years. But they're alive and well."

If the bill makes it out of the House, Marrero will have to convince her colleagues in the Senate to pass it as well.

"When I was teaching my kids right from wrong years ago, I never would have imagined that we'd still be dealing with this issue in 2009," Marrero said.

Even though the federal law encompasses transgender people, Wells said a state law would offer stronger protections.

"At the state level, we're far more equipped to deal with assaults. That's the sort of thing the Shelby County district attorney's office does, not the feds," Wells said.

Locally, Wells represented Duanna Johnson, a transgender woman who was beaten by former Memphis police officer Bridges McRae in the Shelby County Jail. McRae hit Johnson on the head with handcuffs after she refused to answer to "he/she" and "faggot."

McRae cannot be charged with a hate crime under state law yet, but he will face a judge on a federal civil rights violation on December 14th.

Richardson encouraged those who support adding transgender protections to state law to contact their representatives.

"Don't make it easy for people to do the wrong thing," Richardson said. "The more people who contact them about this issue, the more likely it is to pass."

But the council won't hear the matter tomorrow. Mayor AC Wharton has opted to postpone non-discrimination legislation until his administration completes a review of the ordinance's impact. It should be noted that Wharton supported a Shelby County non-discrimination ordinance during his time as county mayor.

During the Oct. 31st meetup at Caritas Village at 11 a.m., advocates have three tasks — 1) call Maine, 2) write Congressman Steve Cohen, and 3) write the Memphis City Council.

On November 3rd, the citizens of Maine will vote on whether or not to maintain their inclusive law that allows marriage equality. A "no" vote would maintain Maine's allowance of same-sex marriages. Local Equality Across America folks will be calling voters in Maine to urge them to vote "no" on this measure.

They'll also be writing Congressman Steve Cohen to urge him to join 101 of his fellow congressmen by co-sponsoring HR 3567, which would repeal the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

And finally, the activists will be writing letters to the Memphis City Council, urging them to support a non-discrimination ordinance protecting LGBT city employees.

For more information, check out the Equality Across America - Mid-South Congressional Districts Action Team's Facebook page.

Currently, sexual orientation and gender identity are absent from Tennessee hate crimes laws. That means February 2008 transgender beating victim Duanna Johnson (who was shot later that year in an unrelated incident) wouldn't have had much recourse if she'd attempted to pursue her abuser — former Memphis Police officer Bridges McRae — with a hate crimes violation. McRae beat Johnson with handcuffs after she refused to answer to "he/she" and "fag."

On Thursday, October 29th, OutLaw and the Stonewall Tigers are hosting a panel discussion on the current status of hate crimes legislation in Tennessee. The panel will feature Representative Jeanne Richardson, Senator Beverly Marrero, Johnson's former attorney Murray Wells, hate crime survivor Jack Robinson, and Tennessee Equality Project board member Darlene Fike. The panel will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in rooms 250 and 252 in the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis.

• Backstreet Memphis

While the club was closed under a nuisance order from the district attorney's office, it underwent a bit of a makeover. They're also boasting new DJs and entertainers.

The newsletter also mentioned that Backstreet is hiring for all positions. Those interested should contact employment@tricemanagement.com.

The city's largest gay dance club was raided and temporarily closed in early September as a public nuisance, the result of a months-long undercover police operation. Trice was arrested and charged with aggravated gambling promotion, storage of liquor for sale, possession of gambling device, and unlawful sale of alcohol.

Check back next week for more Memphis Gaydar updates. This blog will remain on vacation through next Tuesday, Oct. 27th (while Bianca is on vacation).

• Pete Stark

According to Stark: "This legislation would simply prohibit any entity that receives federal child welfare funds from denying or delaying adoption or foster care placements based solely on the prospective parent’s marital status or sexual orientation. States and child welfare agencies that fail to end discriminatory practices would face financial penalties. This is the same approach that put an end to race discrimination in adoption and foster care placements."

Former Tennessee state senator Paul Stanley and Representative John DeBerry (both from Shelby County) proposed state legislation earlier this year that would ban adoption by any couple co-habitating in a sexual relationship outside of marriage. There hasn't been much action on that bill since last February.

The Tennessee Equality Project is urging LGBT advocates to be ready to fight the state adoption bill again when the legislature re-convenes.

For more information, check out this post on Grand Divisions: News and Comment from TN Politics.

• Simmons (left) displays Tennessee's Equality March banner with Hunter Johnston.

Flyer: What was your overall impression of the march?

Simmons: Immediate success of a march can be gauged, in part, by the shear number of people who attended the march. I thought the turnout (most estimates between 150,000 and 200,000) was very impressive considering the few weeks we had to plan the event. Between 100 and 125 from Tennessee marched together under a Tennessee banner and a giant State of Tennessee flag.

What was the highlight of the event for you?

For me, the highlight was witnessing the large number of students at the march. For example, over 20 students marched together from the University of Tennessee and around 15 from Rhodes College. The future of the LGBT movement is in good hands.

Do you feel like President Barack Obama really got the message the march was intended to send?

Based on comments and actions (or lack thereof) prior to and immediately after the march, I am concerned that, not only President Obama, but members of Congress (both gay and straight ally), do not realize the magnitude of many LGBT voter’s frustrations and anger.

Since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we have lost ground in our fight for equality. Most of the ground lost was during the Clinton administration when both the Defense of Marriage Act and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell were passed. The message the president and members of Congress need to get is this: We will no longer accept compromises and fractions of equality.

What’s next for the local delegation?

Equality Across America, the group that planned the National Equality March, is a grassroots network of organizers in all 435 Congressional Districts. The local delegation will coalesce into the new Equality Across America — Mid-South Congressional Districts Action Team. We will take actions, build coalitions, change hearts and minds, and demand equality from our local federal leadership (US House and Senate).

For more information on the local chapter of Equality Across America, check out their Facebook page.

So clean out those closets and drop items off between noon and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday or from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Large items, such as furniture, will be accepted, but you might want to call the center at 278-6422 to arrange plans for getting the stuff to the center on the day of the sale. Space at MGLCC is limited for storing large items.

All the proceeds from the sale will benefit MGLCC programs. Donation receipts (for tax purposes) will be available.

The center is also seeking volunteers to help manage the sale. Contact them at volunteer@mglcc.org is you're interested.

• From On the Edge of Happiness

The story, which originally aired online in four parts back in March, centers on conniving bride-to-be Sarah Perkins. Perkins stole her cousin's fiancé, who happens to be the richest bachelor in town. She's also sleeping with her college flame, hiding the fact that she's pregnant, and blackmailing her gay minister brother. To top it off, Sarah is shot in the first episode by a mystery assailant.

Jones describes the series as "one-third Dallas, one-third Dynasty, and one-third Gays of Our Lives." Though On the Edge is his first webisode series, Jones has produced two films — screwball comedy Eli Parker Is Getting Married? and campy B-horror flick Fraternity Massacre at Hell Island.

To read the full Flyer interview with Mark Jones, go here.

At least 35 people from Memphis are making the trip to Washington, D.C. for the National Equality March on Sunday, October 11th (also National Coming Out Day). Thousands of gay rights advocates from across the country will march to demand full federal LGBT equality in matters governed by civil law in all 50 states. That includes marriage rights, an end to the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, inclusive hate crimes laws and employment non-discrimination, and immigration laws that take into account same-sex partners of U.S. residents.

See the story in this week's Memphis Flyer Fly-By section for more.

To hear the whole interview, go to The Takeaway's website and click "listen."

"Raise our voice!" yelled the crowd of about 250 gay rights advocates. They gathered in response to last week's destruction of a pro-gay billboard on Poplar Avenue at High Street. The billboard, one of five National Coming Out Day billboards paid for by donations to MGLCC, featured local gay former Marine Tim Smith and the words "I'm gay and I protected your freedom." The billboard was replaced last week.

Despite Sunday's heavy rain, nearly every chair inside the worship hall was filled. The rally was originally planned to be held outside the church.

"The act of tearing down [Smith]'s billboard was an act of hate," speaker Jennifer Warren told the crowd. Warren appeared on another Coming Out Day billboard featuring straight supporters of the gay community.

Smith was greeted with a standing ovation upon approaching the podium after Warren's speech. The son of conservative parents in a small Mississippi town, Smith joined the Marines in 2001. He said it was the Marine code of "honor, courage, and commitment" that helped him find his voice and become honest with himself and others about his sexuality.

• Tim Smith addresses the anti-hate rally

Smith came out to his friends and his church. When a military chaplain found out, Smith told the man he believed God loved him despite his sexuality.

"The chaplain had nothing else left to do but follow the rules," Smith said. He was discharged from the military under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

Regarding the destruction of the billboard bearing his image, Smith says the vandals actually galvinized his commitment.

"They will not rob me of my honor by making me run and hide," Smith said. "If anything, they've galvinized my commitment to this community."

After the rally, county commissioner Steve Mulroy agreed: "My message to the billboard vandals is thank you for galvinizing the community and symbolizing what we're up against in Memphis."

On Sunday at 1 p.m., MGLCC members and gay rights advocates will gather in front of First Congregational Church to rally against hate in response to the destruction MGLCC's Coming Out Day billboard. One of five different pro-gay billboards across the city, the Poplar Avenue sign features gay former Marine Tim Smith with the words "I'm gay and I protected your freedom."

The rally will be followed by the final planning meeting for the local delegation going to the National Equality March in Washington DC on October 11th. That meeting will take place at 3 p.m. at MGLCC (892 S. Cooper).

Breedlove will perform "Confessions of a Poser: The Mystery of the Purple Dick, How Queers and Transmen Can Exploit Lesbian Legacies, and How to Be Both a Buddhist and a Man at the Same Time."

Howard will perform "Thank You For Being Urgent: A Textured Tale of a Queer Punk Spilling Into the Crappy and Exalted Glitter of Hollywood's Desire and Shame, True Tales of Fierce Outsiders, American Dream Loopholes, Burlesque Dancers with Dementia, and Tranny Jazzmen."

Backstreet drag performer Demonica will MC the event, which will also feature a cello performance by Tamar Moten, a belly dance by Chris Reeder, a drag king show by Will Ryder, sexy hula-hooping by Miss Provino, and burlesque routine by Memphis Belle Miss Lola Vee.

For more, check out the Mighty Real Tour Facebook page.

• Senses is going gay!

Memories are fuzzy, but a few things stand out. One time, when the club hosted an amateur strip night, I recognized a guy from my high school baring it all. I also have fond memories of the pool, located where Senses' patio is now. And I was once stranded outside the club after closing time when one of my best buds took off for a one-night stand with a hot lawyer. I waited and waited on the club's front steps after everyone else had cleared out. Eventually, an off-the-clock drag queen exited the club and warned me that the area wasn't safe after dark. Thankfully my friend returned within the hour, and I made it back to Arkansas in one piece.

Senses, which has primarily been a straight club for years, is bringing the old gay club back with Retro Amnesia Nights on Thursdays and Saturdays. With Backstreet temporarily closed, the club saw a massive turnout last weekend. And though the pool won't be making a comeback, a few things have changed for the better — clean bathrooms and mod, funky decor beat Amnesia's crusty old interior any day.

Thursdays are Beer Bust Nights from 10 p.m. to midnight with a $5 cover. Saturdays feature plenty of dancing and a drag revue for a $10 cover ($15 for those under 21). For more, check out Senses' website.

• Nothing remains of the MGLCC's original message

The billboard, situated close to the ground, was likely an easy target for vandals. The MGLCC has asked the Memphis Police Department to open an investigation into the vandalism.

"We choose not to be stopped by fear. Instead, our community unites in solidarity and with the belief that we too deserve equality," said MGLCC director Will Batts in a statement released on Saturday. "Although we are saddened by yesterday’s hateful expression of intolerance, we are proud of the local Memphian that chose to be the face on the billboard."

That Memphian — Tim Smith — was ejected from the Marines under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy 20 days before he was set to deploy to Iraq.

The community center is planning a rally for this coming weekend to protest the billboard's destruction. Check Memphis Gaydar later in the week for details.

Four other Coming Out Day billboards, located across the city, remain intact. For more on the MGLCC's billboard campaign, read the Memphis Flyer story.

With the passage of that amendment, LGBT people who may have gotten married in Tennessee were denied 1,138 benefits that come along with legal matrimony. Among those were benefits linked to Social Security, immigration, taxes, medical care, military and veteran benefits, and employee benefits.

Levitt's study, which looked at 13 LGBT people living in Memphis, found that participants viewed the amendment as stamp of approval for discrimination, leading to fears of being harassed or hurt by others who didn't favor equality for gays and lesbians. Some felt their sense of security was threatened.

Levitt also found that some participants felt guilty that they weren't doing enough to fight against the amendment. Others felt that fighting wouldn't amount to change. Some fought so hard against the amendment that they experienced activist burnout. Some even expressed that fighting against the amendment gave them a sense of personal empowerment and helped to build leadership skills.

Horne's study, which looked at 1,152 people living in nine states with anti-marriage amendments on the ballot in 2006, found that gay people in those areas experienced greater levels of stress and depression.

Horne's study also found that straight family members of LGBT people living in states with anti-marriage amendments were just as stressed, even though they weren't directly targeted. The family members expressed worry for their loved ones' safety and felt frustration from trying to convince other straight family and friends to vote against the amendments.

AutoZone scored a 25 out of 100 points due to the company not having a gender identity policy or domestic partner benefits.

International Paper (IP) scored 65 out of 100 because it lacks a gender identity policy.

FedEx holds a score of 70 this year, an improvement from last year's 55. That's due to the company adding gender identity to its nondiscrimination policy earlier this year. The company still lacks domestic partner benefits, except where required by law in California and at FedEx Kinko's locations.

Finally, local law firm Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz LLC scored a 70 due to the firm's lack of a gender identity policy.

To see the full 2010 Corporate Equality Index, go here.