Newly appointed municipal judge Andres Pereira (r), with Judge Berta Mejia. "We also extend this apology to all of our regular gay and lesbian customers who may have been hurt by this misunderstanding.”

THIS ISSUE > NEWS & COMMENT > NEW BRIEFS

• Nightclub Renews Support of GLBT Community Following ‘Guerrilla’ incident
• 10,000 Brave Cold to Raise Funds for AIDS Walk Houston
• Montrose Counseling Center: Temporary Housing Assistance Available
• Rock-Throwing Attack in Galveston Results in Hate Crime Charges
• Equality Texas' Lobby Day Sets Attendance Record 
• Reps. Coleman, Farrar File Legislation Protecting GLBT Equality
• Legislation To Repeal Gay Military Ban Introduced in U.S. House of Representatives
• Number of Openly Gay Candidates for Houston City Council Increases to Four
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NIGHTCLUB RENEWS SUPPORT OF GLBT COMMUNITY

Gathering under the name of the “Guerrilla Gay Bar,” individuals from Houston's GLBT community decided to party the evening of March 13 at a midtown bar not generally known for its GLBT clientele.

“Once a month, we will venture away from our normal hangouts and take over one of the local ‘straight' bars,” GGB's Facebook online entry states, describing the group's intention. “They will receive no warning. Think flash mob! We simply show up in large numbers and drink in even larger quantities.”

Union Bar and Lounge, with its slogan, “a feel good place” and an occupancy limit of 117, located at 2708 Bagby Street in midtown Houston, was GGB's targeted destination.

According to Kris Banks, who attended the event, 60 to 70 people arrived at Union Bar as members of the GGB party, but only 50 were allowed entry by door staff. Exacerbating the problem, rain began to fall, soaking the remaining GGB'ers. A statement bearing the headline, “Midtown Bar Refuses Gay People; Gays made to wait in rain as others admitted” released within hours by Banks and Houston attorney/activist Jerry Simoneaux began spreading electronically, prompting nationwide online coverage.

According to the statement, rain-soaked GGBers “were told to wait in line and not allowed inside, even as straight-appearing people were waved through. . . .

“As the line grew and patrons waited in the rain, employees at the door told those who were waiting that they were maintaining a ‘ratio.' Later, the bar employees simply indicated they had the right to refuse anyone,” Banks' and Simoneaux's statement continued.

(Though Banks is identified in the statement as president of the Houston GLBT Caucus, he stressed that the GGB event was not a sanctioned action of the caucus.)

Union Bar manager William Richichi says the action and ensuing statement resulted in hundreds of responses to Union Bar's website as well as a Facebook page condemning Union Bar for the perceived discrimination. But he says many of those same people who have since come to his bar to view a videotape that recorded how the evening unfolded have changed their mind about their condemnation.

On March 16, representatives from Union Bar and GGB supporters met in the caucus office. The meeting resulted in the following joint statement:

“Due to a miscommunication between management of Union Bar and Lounge and the door staff, we acknowledge that actions by the door staff caused an unintended perception of discriminatory actions towards the gay and lesbian community,” said Union Bar owners.

“We wholeheartedly did not want or intend for this to happen. We also acknowledge that this unintended action caused hurt and bad feeling within the gay and lesbian community towards Union Bar and its staff. We also extend this apology to all of our regular gay and lesbian customers who may have been hurt by this misunderstanding.”

Union Bar's apology was accepted. “We accept Union Bar's explanation that miscommunication was at the heart of the problem. We understand that there was no discriminatory intent,” the joint statement continued, “but circumstances led to a strong perception that we were excluded because of our sexual orientation.”

The statement concluded with Union Bar representatives pledging the club will continue to work with the GLBT community by holding a fundraiser in the near future for a GLBT-specific community organization.

“The thing is, this has gotten a lot of attention but really where we need anti-discrimination is more in housing and employment,” Banks said. “That's where I think the focus should be. We were happy to work out a resolution with Union Bar, but there are more pressing matters.”

Richichi agrees. “What's hard for us is that some individuals want to make this a political thing to support the HB 2215 bill,” he said.

Introduced last month to the Texas State Legislature by Rep. Jessica Farrar (D-Houston), HB 2215 seeks to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in housing, public accommodations, or real estate transactions.

“We've always supported that,” Richichi said. “Even before this ever happened, we've supported that. No one should be turned away at the door because of what their orientation is. Never.”

The resolution between the factions eventually resulted in a groundswell of support for Union Bar.

“We've gotten a lot of positive emails,” Richichi said, noting that the Facebook page originally condemning the club now has a rainbow flag as part of Union Bar's logo.

Joel Atkins of Houston, who set up GGB's Facebook event page and made the original reservation for 50 with Union Bar, says GGB has “no real leader.” Atkins declined to comment further, except to say that another GGB event would be announced.

Banks said as many as four other bars have contacted Atkins to host an upcoming GGB event.

10,000 Brave cold to raise funds for aids walk houston

On March 15, as many as 10,000 Houstonians wore jackets and carried umbrellas at Sam Houston Park Downtown to raise awareness and money to support local HIV/AIDS service organizations. Despite chilly temperatures and a late-morning rain, the 20th Annual AIDS Walk, presented by AIDS Foundation Houston in partnership with Chevron, raised more than $750,000.

“We were thrilled to see so many Houstonians come and show their support for the 20th year of AIDS Walk,” said Kelly McCann, chief executive officer of AFH. “For 20 years the citywide collaboration, community support and corporate generosity have all worked together to make this the largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser of its kind in Texas.”

The funds help AFH and 14 local HIV/AIDS service organizations provide housing, testing, food, medical care, prevention education, counseling, pediatric programs, and job training to thousands of community members.

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10,000 BRAVE COLD TO RAISE FUNS FOR AIDS WALK HOUSTON

On March 15, as many as 10,000 Houstonians wore jackets and carried umbrellas at Sam Houston Park Downtown to raise awareness and money to support local HIV/AIDS service organizations. Despite chilly temperatures and a late-morning rain, the 20th Annual AIDS Walk, presented by AIDS Foundation Houston in partnership with Chevron, raised more than $750,000.

“We were thrilled to see so many Houstonians come and show their support for the 20th year of AIDS Walk,” said Kelly McCann, chief executive officer of AFH. “For 20 years the citywide collaboration, community support and corporate generosity have all worked together to make this the largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser of its kind in Texas.”

The funds help AFH and 14 local HIV/AIDS service organizations provide housing, testing, food, medical care, prevention education, counseling, pediatric programs, and job training to thousands of community members.

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MONTROSE COUNSELING CENTER: TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

Montrose Counseling Center executive director, Dr. Ann Robison, said MCC's GLBT housing assistance program may be able to temporarily help individuals struggling to make ends meet during these difficult economic times.

This program is independent of MCC's same-sex domestic violence shelter and transitional housing program, Robison said, and is for GLBT individuals who are living within their means but who find themselves in immediate crisis and need help with their rent, mortgage, utilities, and/or psychiatric medication.

“We have funding to help out 45 people, but so far we've only had 14 come through,” Dr. Robison said in March.

Income and residency requirements apply. Please contact case manager Mandy Loyd, LBSW, at 713/529-0037, ext. 340.

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ROCK-THROWING ATTACK IN GALVESTON RESULTS IN HATE CRIME CHARGES

Three men have been arrested and charged with assault and hate crimes following their March arrest for throwing rocks at patrons in a Galveston gay bar, injuring two people, authorities said.

According to the Houston Chronicle, three men went to Robert's Lafitte, at 2501 Avenue Q, the evening of March 1. Witnesses said one of the men held the door open while the other two men hurled two rocks at patrons in the bar, striking two of them in the head, said Galveston Police Department Lt. D.J. Alvarez.

One of the men arrested told police they targeted the establishment because it was a gay bar, Alvarez said.

Two men were injured in the attack. Marc Bosaw, 57, was taken to a hospital where he received 12 staples for a cut to his head. Another was treated on the scene, Alvarez said, adding that both people are expected to recover fully.

Bonds for Lawrence Henry Lewis III, 20, Lawrneil Henry Lewis, 18, and Alejandro Sam Gray, 17, all of Galveston, were set at $120,000 each on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with the enhancement of a hate crime, said Lt. Alvarez.

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EQUALITY TEXAS' LOBBY DAY SETS ATTENDANCE RECORD  

On March 2, 2009, more than 400 Texans who support the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression met with legislators and their staffs about issues of equality and the effect of public policy on daily lives.  

The gathering marked the largest Lobby Day in Equality Texas history, organizers said. An additional 800 e-mails of support were generated via Equality Texas' Virtual Lobby Day from constituents who were unable to travel to the state capitol, said Paul Scott, Equality Texas executive director.  

“We gathered at the Capitol because we value the independent spirit of all to make their way in the world, to be given every chance to take advantage of the opportunities afforded us without discrimination,” Scott said. “We gathered in unprecedented numbers in response to a call that has gone out across Texas and the country—a call that more and more Texans are answering—the call for each and every one of us to be treated with dignity and respect.”

Equality Texas is currently supporting legislation concerning GLBT equality in insurance, health care, employment, adoption, education, and other matters.

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REPS. COLEMAN, FARRAR FILE LEGISLATION PROTECTING GLBT EQUALITY

Texas State Representatives Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) and Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) filed critical legislation in March supporting equality for all Texans regardless of gender expression or sexual orientation.

Rep. Coleman's HB 2966 relates to an offense committed against a person because of bias or prejudice on the basis of gender identity or expression as part of the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act.

Rep. Coleman's HB 3746, a comprehensive anti-bullying and harassment bill, is inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

Additionally, Rep. Coleman filed HB 3026, which seeks to delete discriminatory language in Section 163.002 of the Health and Safety Code, as well as in Section 21.06 of the Penal Code, also known as Texas' Sodomy Laws which were declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in Lawrence vs. Texas .  

Rep. Farrar filed HB 2215, legislation that would prohibit discrimination in public accommodations and is inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

Rep. Farrar also filed HB 2923, an Education Nondiscrimination Bill, which would prohibit discrimination in public education on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity and expression of students or parents.

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LEGISLATION TO REPEAL GAY MILITARY BAN INTRODUCED IN U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

On March 2, Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) announced a bill that seeks to repeal the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” law that bans gays and lesbians from serving openly.

The Military Enhancement Readiness Act (MREA) repeals the current ban on military service by openly lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans, commonly referred to as “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.” It would replace the current law with new provisions prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in the Armed Forces. Last year, the MREA had 149 bipartisan cosponsors.

“This law has failed our country and our military for 15 years,” said Rep. Tauscher. “It harms military readiness and discriminates against patriotic young men and women who want to serve their country. It's time for Congress to right this wrong.”

“Rep. Tauscher's bill will significantly improve our military readiness by allowing highly qualified linguists, medics, and intelligence analysts to serve openly in the armed forces,” said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

SLDN is currently working with key allies to introduce parallel legislation in the U.S. Senate.

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NUMBER OF OPENLY GAY CANDIDATES FOR HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL INCREASES TO FOUR

An openly gay man and former president of Log Cabin Republicans Houston, Alex Wathen, has announced his candidacy for Houston City Council District A. A small-business owner and attorney who has been recognized by the State Bar of Texas for his pro-bono work, Wathen has been inducted into the State Bar of Texas Pro Bono College.

Lane Lewis, who is also openly gay, is also running for Houston City Council, District A. Lewis is the former chair of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, a Democratic chair, an election judge in Oak Forest, and professor of government and political science at San Jacinto College.

Wathen and Lewis join two other openly gay men currently running for Houston City Council. Maverick Welsh is running for Houston City Council, District H, and Noel Freeman is a candidate for Houston City Council At-Large, Position 4.

A special election for District H is May 9; election day for remaining city of Houston offices is November 3.