Midtown Bar Refuses Gay People

The following message was e-mailed to me. I think it shows why the GLBT community cannot take its rights for granted. We all have an inalienable right to be who we are.

Contacts: Kris Banks, President of Houston GLBT Political Caucus, 281-797-1507; Jerry Simoneaux, GLBT civil rights attorney, 713-577-9587

MIDTOWN BAR REFUSES GAY PEOPLE

Gays made to wait in rain as others admitted



Nearly 100 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people were refused entry to Union Bar and Lounge in Midtown Friday while others were welcomed.

Patrons started lining up at about 9:40 p.m. and 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 that they were maintaining a “ratio.” Later, the bar employees simply indicated they had the right to refuse anyone.

“I was shocked to be a victim of that kind of discrimination in a city like Houston in 2009,” said Neal Falgoust, a Houston law student. “I have never experienced anything like that before in my life.”

A patron who arrived at the bar early reported that the bar was nearly empty at about 9:40 p.m., when gay people started arriving and were stopped at the door.

Gay people continued to line up to the street and around the corner as people who appeared to be straight went to the front and were ushered in. Kris Banks, who stood at the front of the line, said the bar employees were asking the women who were entering with men if the men were accompanying them. If the men were with the women, they were allowed in.

“I arrived and heard that they were not allowing gay men in, so when I got to the door with three women I asked if we would be allowed in, and the door employee said ‘I was told to keep you out,’ ” said Lindsey Dionne. “This was supposed to be a social event, but now it’s political.”

That this kind of discrimination is still legal in Houston makes it more outrageous. A coalition of GLBT rights groups, including the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats, the Harris County Impact Houston and Amicus at South Texas College of Law said Saturday that the incident is proof of the necessity of legal protections for sexual orientation and gender identity for public accommodations.

“Houston is the only major city in Texas without a law that prevents this kind of discrimination,” said Jerry Simoneaux, GLBT civil rights lawyer. “This incident is exactly the reason Houston should implement such an ordinance.”

The event was organized as Houston’s first “Guerilla Gay Bar,” a tongue-in-cheek event that has been popular in other cities in which GLBT individuals come to traditionally straight bars to interact with other communities. Though Guerilla Gay Bars are usually a surprise event in other cities, Houston organizers informed the bar owner in advance out of courtesy and were told they would be welcomed.

New Caucus President

As of Jan 8th, the new president of the Caucus is Kristopher Banks, who is succeeding Jennifer Pool: pictured here.

Kris was nominated via acclimation.

Some elected officials that were present were; Sue Lovell, Yolanda Jones, and Judge Shawna Reagin.

Also, in addition to filling the vacancy of the presidency:

Rose Wall was elected to Board Position 1 (unopposed)
Nick Hellyar to Position 2,
Kevin Hoffman to position 7,
and Travis Shy to position 5. (unopposed)

There will be a retreat January 24th, 9-3pm at the Cullen Bldg. Entrance 13A;

Harvey Milk

I saw the movie with my partner at the River Oaks Landmark Cinema at a public group-viewing organized by the Houston Young Stonewall Democrats. Sue Lovell, Houston City Council Member, was there, as promised in the invitation e-mailed by Kris Banks.

I would like to think Harvey Milk was there, also. Even if it would only be the spirit of Harvey; or the idea.

I had champaign with my partner in the cafe upstairs before watching the movie. We wore leather. The grand theatre is an historic landmark, and looks it. We went downstairs and watched history unfold, literally. The movie takes place in a setting that preserves some of the grandeur of history, the city of San Francisco.

San Francisco is a beautiful city for many reasons, not least of which is the tradition of tolerance and respect for people who are different; specifically the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, and Trans community. As "Milk" documents, a tradition doesn't just spring forth. It is built.

At least, that's what I observed in the movie.

Harvey was not exactly a young idealist when he first decided to run for office. But there was an ideal, just then same. He had to run several times and kept losing until that final election.

Although it wasn't documented in the movie, I am sure his campaigning skills improved along the way. You can't persist without learning a few lessons. Something comes with practice.

Harvey hired a campaign manager who recognized the value of endorsements. There was a redistricting. The voices of the Haight and Castro district voters where heard.

Harvey Milk catapulted himself to power with a lot of help from a lot of friends. There was a shared vision brought to actuality after a lot of effort and setbacks. There was the difference he made.

Relationships were strained to the point of breaking, before and after the elections. There was finality; the kind brought about by death, and the kind brought about by distance. Murder, suicide, assassinations; these can be components of the underbelly of the quest for power, especially when combined with profound human failings. But as our nation's founders knew all too well, the consequences of powerlessness are always tragic.

"Milk" is a film to see for anyone who strives to change society, even just a little. It is an especially good movie for people who passively wait for society to improve on its own, like waiting for dinner to arrange itself. I want to see that, finally.

Perhaps it will inspire an end to that pesky passivity. If you think your vote doesn't matter, see this movie.

"Milk" may, indeed, make progress towards converting those who do not believe in democracy. But, it does so much for those who already do I hardly think it matters. Traditions endure.

Today we can watch a movie like "Milk" and take for granted that the level of police brutality that took place in the 70s will not recur. Whether it is in San Francisco or Houston, our happy state of affairs did not just happen. To take a line from another great movie: "Great performances don't just happen." Indeed, you know it. It all takes planning. "Everything fell into place." as Harvey says at one point in "Milk." Do things just arrange themselves, reader?

Not to mention all the hard work. There is a reason Houston isn't a swamp anymore. Or, it won't necessarily be one forever. It all depends on your perspective, or, the idea of it; if I can be an idealist.

Harvey Milk