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silverfoxesclub-digest In this issue:
-Canadian Party Wrestles With Its Leader's Record on Gay Issues
Subject: Canadian Party Wrestles With Its Leader's Record on Gay Issues (fwd)
From today's NY Times
Edward
Canadian Party Wrestles With Its Leader's Record on Gay Issues
By JAMES BROOKE
WINNIPEG - To Glen Murray, the openly gay mayor of this western prairie
city, Stockwell Day is a homophobic, "dangerous man" whose ambition to
become Canada's prime minister threatens "this country with some of the
most extremist policies ever."
To Stephane Prud'homme, a gay activist in Montreal who is a parliamentary
candidate for Mr. Day's Canadian Alliance, the new conservative party
offers an "Agenda of Respect" - the Alliance slogan - welded to a program
of cutting taxes and government intrusion.
As Canada, one of the most liberal nations on gay issues, prepares to
elect a new government on Nov. 27, debate is swirling around the views on
homosexuality held by Mr. Day, the leading opposition candidate.
A 50-year-old former evangelical lay preacher, Mr. Day made his name in
the 1990's cutting taxes and championing the religious right in the
western province of Alberta.
Now, with the Alliance sniffing a chance of winning national power, Mr.
Day is working to reposition his party in the mainstream. For a
conservative party in Canada, that means finding libertarian gay
candidates like Mr. Prud'homme, excising mention of gay and abortion
issues from the party platform, and pushing a detailed fiscal policy of
tax cuts and a vague social policy.
On the campaign trail, Mr. Day never brings up gay issues. He is often
quizzed by reporters about his opposition to legalization of gay
marriage, and he replies that his opposition is shared by the Liberals.
Under laws that went into effect last summer, after one year common-law
unions of any gender combination have almost all the rights of
heterosexual marriages. Mr. Day, who takes Sundays off to be with his
family and attend church services, routinely says he would not impose his
personal beliefs on the nation, leaving controversies about abortion, the
death penalty and gay marriages to be decided by referendums.
However, many Canadians, gay and heterosexual, are unmoved by Mr. Day's
newly moderate image, recalling that as a provincial minister he
advocated excluding gays and lesbians from protection under Alberta's
human rights code.
"Ironically, but logically, it is the Liberals who will seek to make this
an ideological election by painting the Alliance as extremist and talking
about `Canadian values,' " said Tom Flanagan, a Calgary political science
professor and adviser to the Alliance.
On Oct. 24, the second day of Canada's 36-day election campaign, 50
students at Brock University, on the Ontario side of Niagara Falls,
greeted Mr. Day by chanting: "Sexist, racist, anti-gay; don't vote for
Stockwell Day."
When Mr. Prud'homme announced his candidacy last month at Le Drugstore,
an East Montreal gay bar, he was interrupted by jeers, in French and
English, of "token" and "fascist." Political analysts predicted that he
had little chance of winning, as he was running against a powerful
incumbent, Gilles Duceppe, the parliamentary leader of the Bloc
Quibicois, the separatist party.
In Winnipeg, Mr. Murray, the only openly gay mayor of a major Canadian
city, said in an interview that Mr. Day's steps toward the moderate
middle were part of a political strategy intended to mask a deeply held
"social conservative agenda." After the mayor made his "dangerous man"
charge at a news conference here recently, Mr. Day hewed to his "Agenda
of Respect" policy, responding that he would like to have dinner with Mr.
Murray to discuss their differences.
Subject: Fw: Sweet Ben, please share
Dear Bob,
Ben
Subject: Sweet Ben, please share
Ben, I'm back from Columbus. Could you put me back on the silverfoxesclub
list?
Ben, I want you and the readers of your list to know what a blessing your
list has been. Do you remember I had advertised that I was going to
Columbus, and asked to meet with list members. Two people contacted me.
One was in Cleveland, which was too far, and one lived near Cincinnati.
The fellow near Cincinnati was named John, and just by one conversation
over the phone, I liked him, and felt comfortable with him. He agreed to
drive down and meet me. He did and we spent the weekend together. He was
just wonderful: extremely kind, and very comfortable with my blindness and
giving me the help I needed. I introduced him to my blind friend
(straight) named Dan, and they both got on wonderfully. John drove us
around, helped us run errands, and we had a wonderful time. We ate out in
a Chinese restaurant and John tried to show Dan how to hold chop sticks,
but Dan decided a fork and spoon would be easier.
There are not too many advantages to being blind, but I have certainly met
some truly wonderful people, and I know John and I and Dan will be
friends. Had it not been for your list, I would not have met John, and he
was the high point in my stay in Columbus.
Before he left, he showed me how to work the remote control, from the TV,
and I was really touched by his patience, as I was having trouble
remembering which buttons did which, and pointing the thing so it would
work!
I wanted to share this because I want guys to not be afraid to reach out,
not only to me, but to others on the list. After all, we are all gay, and
we have a lot to offer each other!
Hugs,
From: Robert Feinstein
Subject: Re: Fw: Sweet Ben, please share
Ben, Harley was right with me! And I wouldn't leave him at home for the
world! He and John got along famously! Harley was quite excited when
John came, and wagged and wagged and sniffed and snorted, and John petted
him a lot, and Harley did calm down after a while. My friend Dan also has
a guide dog, and John drove both of us and the dogs in his car. The dogs
accompanied us to the mall, and to the restaurant. I was quite amused at
John's skill in navigating two blind guys (and neither of us are thin)
plus two wagging dogs in some pretty narrow places! It's probably harder
than parallel parking!
Hugs,
Subject: Interesting Joycelyn Elders interview
Headline:
by Jon Garbo
Text:
Dr. Elders returned to teaching at
the University of Arkansas Medical
Center, then retired in 98. Since
the, ahem, sticky situation with the
government, is she any less
outspoken? Fortunately, no. "Ive
been on the speaking circuit, doing
some writing, so Ive been very
busy," Dr. Elders told
GayHealth.com. But she did take
some time to speak with us about sex
education, Dr. Laura, George W.
Bush, and -- yes -- the merits of
masturbation.
The US presidential elections are
upon us, and the race is in a dead
heat. As someone whos worked in a
presidential administration, what
would a Gore administration mean
for LGBT health and wellness?
I think that Vice President Gore is
an open-minded person who would
listen to the scientific facts, listen to
reason and do the right thing.
What about a Bush administration?
I am very concerned about what a
Bush administration would mean
because I think that he is so involved
in doing what the right wing tells him
to do, rather than truly thinking and
making decisions on his own. I think
his parents raised him right, but I
think Bush has sold out to the right
wing, and is so dependent on them
electing him -- if he gets in -- hell do
what they tell him to. What weve
got to have right now is a seasoned --
and I think Gore is seasoned --
statesmen with a vision, and we need
a politician with a conscience. And of
course, we need a leader who has a
brain.
Your outspoken view that
masturbation is the safest form of
sex led to your termination as
Surgeon General. Do you still hold
the same view?
Yes! We need to stop lying about
masturbation and accept the fact
that 80-plus percent of women and
90 percent of men masturbate, and
the rest lie. Its a normal part of
human sexuality. Hair is not going to
grow on your hands, youre not going
to go blind or go crazy. Its far
better to masturbate than it is to go
out and have sex with somebody you
dont love. Masturbation is far
superior, and certainly far safer,
'cause [otherwise] you might end up
with some terrible disease. If I was
the Surgeon General and was asked
that same question again this
morning, Id answer it the same way.
What issues do you see for women
who have sex with women?
I think that its important women
protect their health, and its
important they find a provider who
they can trust, and who can give
them accurate, good information.
What factors contribute to the high
rates of depression among LGBT
youth?
Probably the strongest factor is the
attitudes we, as a society, have
toward LGBT youth. Theyre usually
verbally abused, they may be
physically abused. Their teachers
often do not respect them as much. If
they go to their ministers, often their
ministers will say, "All right, thats
just the devils, well cast out the
devils, and this will go away." Its
very hard for [LGBT youth] to get
the kind of true acceptance and
consultation that they need.
How does homophobia in schools
affect the development of an LGBT
adolescent?
I think it markedly contributes to
anxiety, depression, drug use, and
the failure to be able to bond closely
[with peers]. I think schools have not
done enough to get rid of this
problem. Were supposed to love and
accept everybody -- I think we have
to make sure our young people
understand that. We create the hate
crimes children arent born hating
people. Its we, as a society, who
have taught them to behave in this
manner.
The LGBT youth suicide rate stands
at three to four times the rate of
non-LGBT youth. What would you
say to an LGBT youth considering
taking his or her own life?
[I would first try] to convince them
their life is important. I would tell
them that no matter what is
bothering them, the only way we can
do something about it is for them to
be alive. God loves every one of us,
and he wants you to be just the way
you are. And he certainly does not
want you to take your life -- youve
got too much to give.
As Surgeon General, you said the
Boy Scouts discriminate against its
gay members. Were you surprised
when the Supreme Court ruled
against an openly-gay Scout leader?
Im not surprised about anything that
happens anymore. I might be
disappointed, but that doesnt mean
Im surprised. I think the Boy Scouts
do a lot of very good things. Its
probably the people at the top [who]
create some of the problems that are
being experienced at the bottom, and
I dont think we should take that at
all as a slam dunk against the Boy
Scouts.
According to 98 government data,
about 100,000 to 200,000 youths age
13 to 24 are infected with HIV. How
did we get to this point?
We have not educated our youth
about the importance of not engaging
in risky sexual behaviors. We
havent even taught our youth about
the importance of using latex
condoms, if they choose to engage in
sex. To not provide comprehensive
health education programs in our
schools, from kindergarten to twelfth
grade, says that we do not want
healthy people. If everyone was
failing totally in math, wouldnt you
feel the need to teach it?
Some say that as soon as you
educate adolescents about anything
but abstinence, youre basically
saying, "Go have sex."
Only a person whos very ignorant
about sexuality will think like that.
Nobody needs to teach anybody how
to have sex. I think we [need to
teach adolescents] how to be
responsible, how to protect
themselves.
Should sex education include a
gay-positive message?
Absolutely. We need to give young
people a healthy outlook and a
healthy respect for their sexuality,
whatever it is.
Its my understanding that it really is
not a choice. I didnt choose that I
was going to be a girl. My brain was
imprinted early, and however it was
imprinted, well, this is what God
intended for me to be. I feel that we
should respect each and every
person for who they are.
Should minors be allowed to get
tested for HIV without parental
consent?
Yes. If minors are concerned enough
about it to go in and get the test, that
means they feel [theyve been
exposed to] some risk. I would much
rather them go in and get the test,
and find out and know [their
serostatus], than for them to be
afraid to get the test and not receive
counseling and educational treatment
when they need to.
In light of a rise in unsafe sex among
gay and bisexual men, some feel that
the safer-sex message is no longer
being heard.
It was working wonderfully, then
came HAART. All of a sudden,
people [mistakenly] said, "Oh, you
can cure it now." We dont know
how long HAART is going to work,
we hope forever. But were seeing
some resistance, and were all
fearful. HAART is very excellent
therapy, but we also know this virus
has an uncanny ability to change.
And when it changes, it might return
in a way that [doesnt respond to]
HAART therapy.
Some men who used to adhere to the
safer-sex message are now having
anal sex without condoms
This is why fear-based tactics will
never work. If you dont educate
people, and get them to change their
attitudes, then as soon as they get
over their fear, they fall back to
their same old ways.
So how do we reach them now?
We have to keep talking, keep
getting them involved, and try to
make them understand how
important it is to protect not only
their lives, but the lives of their
partners. You reinforce this over and
over, and make it a part of our
acceptance, our life and our
attitudes. [The prevention message]
has got to be everywhere -- in
church, at school, at work, on our
billboards.
Rates of HIV are rising in the
Hispanic and African-American
communities. Why?
Its education, education, education.
We have to remember that HIV is a
sexually transmitted disease, yet we
have not educated our young people
about their sexuality, and we have
done less for the black community.
We refuse to teach our young people
in school about how to protect
themselves. And we dont do it in our
black churches. Our ministers are
trying to do more now, and open
their eyes and realize that we dont
have to let all of our people die for
lack of knowledge.
What role has activism played in HIV
and AIDS issues?
The reason we have the kind of
funding we have for AIDS -- and
moved as rapidly as we did [with
treatments] -- was directly related to
the gay and lesbian community and
ACT-UP. We all got mad at
ACT-UP, but you know, government
does not respond unless theyre
made to.
Whats your take on HIV reporting
and partner notification?
Its a matter of whats best for
public health. I think until we get rid
of some of our laws [that allow
discrimination] in regard to hiring
and insurance -- and some of the
other attitudes about HIV in our
community -- Im very concerned
about having laws that require
notification.
Some transgenders have trouble
getting quality health care. How
would you instruct physicians to
better meet transgenders' health
needs?
What were trying to do in medical
schools, through the AMA (American
Medical Association) and through
literature, is to inform and educate
our physicians. We know that our
physician society is just as biased as
our society as a whole. In our
medical schools, weve not taught
about transgenders -- weve just not
talked about it. Consequently,
physicians dont know how to treat
them. Now were realizing that our
medical schools did not produce the
kind of doctors our community
needed, and we have a responsibility
to do that. We are now trying to shift
our curriculum to train the kind of
doctors that our country needs.
And where are we along that road?
[Laughs] Were just getting started,
but were working hard.
As a physician with a Masters in
biochemistry, how would you respond
to Dr. Laura Schlessinger, who said,
"If youre gay or lesbian, its a
biological error."
I would say that Dr. Schlessinger has
no data to say that it is a biological
error. This is the way God meant it
to be. I dont think we have any data
to call anybody an error.
Christianity is an important part of
many peoples lives, including gay
people.
Including my own.
Its teachings incorporate tolerance,
forgiveness and non-judgment. But
right wing groups like the Christian
Coalition condemn homosexuality in
the name of God. Is religion a
blessing or a curse for LGBT
people?
I think religion is very important to
all of us. We need a power higher
than ourselves. I can have all the
religion in the world, but if I still
dont do right by people, and do right
in my heart, and if I use the Bible to
condemn other people, then Im not
doing the right thing. I feel theyre
using their religion to condemn, and
thats certainly not being Christian.
Looking ahead, whats the biggest
challenge to LGBT health and
wellness?
I think the greatest challenge is to
get some real, solid research about
LGBT health overall, so well know
what to do, where to go -- and to
[make it] available and accessible.
Weve got to make sure we can get
an agency in Federal government
thats responsible for getting this
data, so that we can use it to educate
people.
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