Metro Weekly - 07-02-15 - SCOTUS and Ari Shapiro

8/20/2019 Metro Weekly - 07-02-15 - SCOTUS and Ari Shapiro

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EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFRandy Shulman

ART DIRECTORTodd Franson

NEWS & BUSINESS EDITORJohn Riley

ASSISTANT EDITORRhuaridh Marr

CONTRIBUTING EDITORDoug Rule

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERSWard Morrison, Julian Vankim

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORScott G. Brooks

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSSean Bugg, Christian Gerard, Connor J. Hogan,

Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield

WEBMASTERDavid Uy

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTJulian Vankim

SALES & MARKETING

PUBLISHERRandy Shulman

BRAND STRATEGY & MARKETINGChristopher Cunetto

Cunetto Creative

NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE

Rivendell Media Co.212-242-6863

DISTRIBUTION MANAGERDennis Havrilla

PATRON SAINTJohn Arthur

COVER ILLUSTRATIONScott G. Brooks

METRO WEEKLY1425 K St. NW, Suite 350Washington, DC 20005

202-638-6830

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All material appearing in Metro Weekly is protected by federal copyright law and may not be

reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Metro Weekly assumes noresponsibility for unsolicited materials submitted for publication. All such submissions are subject

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JULY 2, 2015Volume 22 / Issue 9

NEWS 6

CONVERSION FRAUD by John Riley

8 CHRISTIE’S CHOICE

by John Riley

OPINION 9 A WIN FOR HISTORY

by Sean Bugg

12 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FEATURES

18 SUPREME EQUALITY

by

Rhuaridh Marr illustration by Scott G. Brooks

26 ARI SHAPIRO

by Doug Rule

OUT ON THE TOWN 30 GUIDE TO LOCAL ARTS

Compiled by Doug Rule

FILM 36 TERMINATOR GENISYS

by Chris Heller

STAGE

39

THE

PRODUCERS

by Doug Rule

GAMES 41 BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT:

GOTHAM IS MINE

by Rhuaridh Marr

NIGHTLIFE 45 JR.’S MONDAY NIGHT SHOWTUNES

photography by Ward Morrison

54 LAST WORD


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Conversion Fraud A New Jersey jury’s finding in the JONAH trial could set a precedent forcombating sexual orientation change efforts

New Jersey Seal

IN A LANDMARK TRIAL, A NEW JERSEY JURY RULED

that a “conversion therapy” program purporting to beable to change clients from gay to straight violated the

state’s consumer fraud law.

A seven-member jury in the case of Michael Ferguson, etal., v. JONAH deliberated last Thursday for three hours before

ruling unanimously on almost all counts. They found that JewsOffering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH), its founder,

Arthur Goldberg, and counselor Alan Downing violated NewJersey’s consumer fraud law by claiming they could cure clients

of being gay. The jury ordered JONAH to pay $72,400 in dam-ages plus attorney fees.

The outcome of the trial was overshadowed by the precedent

it could set for how best to combat sexual orientation changeefforts. For example, other plaintiffs in other states could now

sue practitioners of conversion therapy by claiming their prac-tice is fraudulent and does not deliver on their promised results.

The logic then follows that if practitioners are more likely to besued and potentially found guilty under consumer fraud stat-

M Y I M A G E S – M I C H A

utes, a number will stop engaging in conversion therapy, thus

constituting a de facto ban on the practice.

“This verdict is a monumental moment in the movement toensure the rights and acceptance of LGBT people in America,”

said David Dinelli, deputy legal director of the Southern PovertyLaw Center, which brought the suit on behalf of the plaintiffs.

“Conversion therapy and homophobia are based on the samecentral lie — that gay people are broken and need to be fixed.

Conversion therapists, including the defendants in this case, sellfake cures that don’t work but can seriously harm the unsus-

pecting people who fall into this trap.”

During trial, the jury was introduced to several of the practic-es that went on in JONAH’s conversion therapy sessions, some

of which bordered on the bizarre. According to the SPLC’s ini-tial complaint, these included beating an effigy of one’s mother

with a tennis racket; being subjected to taunts of “faggots” and“homos” in mock locker room and gym class scenarios; being

made to cuddle with or intimately hold other people of the same

sex, including counselors, for hours; going to the gym or bath

L G B TNews Now online at MetroWeekly.comIs Equality Maryland shuttering its doors?Same-Sex Marriage Proposal at Rainbow White House

by John Riley


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LGBTNews

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houses to be nude around father figures; and removing clothing

to get naked during both individual and group therapy sessions.The SPLC’s case was bolstered by a previous ruling by New

Jersey Superior Court Judge Peter Bariso, Jr.. Bariso had ear-lier excluded several key defense witnesses, many of whom are

prominent proponents and practitioners of conversion therapy,

including several who are “ex-gay” themselves.Bariso also ruled that the central idea behind conversion

therapy — that homosexuality is a mental disorder and can becured — is a discredited notion. Bariso left it up to the jury to

determine whether they believed JONAH represented homo-sexuality as a disorder that could be cured, or simply as “disor-

dered,” according to their religious beliefs.

“This is not a freedom of religion case,” SPLC attorney SamWolfe said, stressing that JONAH did portray homoseuality as a

disorder that could be cured. “It is unlawful to defraud vulner-able individuals and lure them with false promises of orienta-

tion change. The lie that individuals can change their sexualorientation if only they work hard enough and pay for enough

‘therapy’ has harmed individuals, families, and religious com-munities for far too long.”

Lawyers for JONAH, meanwhile, insisted their clients did

nothing wrong, and represented homosexuality as a spiritualdisorder, caused by childhood trauma, which can be overcome

through years of counseling. But because they claim they didnot refer to homosexuality as a disease, their assertions, based

on the group’s religious or spiritual beliefs, should have beenprotected by the First Amendment.

Chuck LiMandri, the president of the Freedom of Conscience

Defense Fund and JONAH’s lead counsel, told the news websiteNJ.com that the decision was a “blow to religious liberty,” and

that he would appeal.The significance of a guilty verdict was not lost on the

defense. LiMandri told jurors in his closing arguments thatthe plaintiffs only sued because the SPLC had convinced them.

And Christopher Doyle, of the Maryland-based InternationalHealing Foundation — himself excluded from testifying in the

trial — asserted in an op-ed in the Christian Post that the SPLC

went out of its way to mischaracterize conversion therapy andwas motivated by making an example of JONAH.

“While the Judge and the SPLC have told the jury that thistrial is only about getting a refund, the truth is that this trial

is intended to shut down JONAH and all similar ministries,”Doyle wrote.

The tactic of combating conversion therapy by approaching

it as consumer fraud has begun to gain traction among somelawmakers. U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) has introduced a bill

that would allow the Federal Trade Commission to classify for-profit conversion therapy — and its promises to change sexual

orientation or gender identity — as “fraud.” That would enablethe FTC to pursue further action against practitioners.

Currently, four jurisdictions — California, New Jersey,Washington, D.C. and Oregon — prohibit the practice of conver-

sion therapy on minors, but not for adults. A bill in Illinois passed

and was sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner (R), who has yet to make adecision about whether to allow the bill to become law. Another

proposed ban, in New York, passed the Democratic-controlledState Assembly but was killed after leadership in the Republican-

controlled Senate refused to bring the bill up for a vote.Closer to home, Equality Virginia, which has been pushing to

ban conversion therapy on minors through the commonwealth’s

General Assembly, praised the decision and offered indications

that they would use the New Jersey to help boost their efforts.

“This verdict put us one step closer to ending the harmfuland ineffective practice of conversion therapy and supports

what we already know: being gay is not a disease that somebodycan be cured of,” said James Parrish, Equality Virginia’s execu-

tive director. “Instead of trying to ‘fix’ our gay and transgenderyouth, we must protect them from harmful and fraudulent prac-

tices and accept them for everything they are.” l

JULY 2, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM

by John Riley

NEW JERSEY GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R) IS

about to be put on the spot as he enters the 2016 race

for the Republican nomination to the presidency.Christie, who announced his candidacy in

Livingston, N.J. on Tuesday, has tried to portray himself as a

competent executive and fiscal conservative while eschewing

controversial social issues. But he must now decide whether tosign or veto a measure amending the state’s procedures for issu-

ing new birth certificates, which overwhelmingly passed bothchambers of the New Jersey Legislature last Thursday.

The bill eliminates the surgical requirement for people whoseek to change their gender marker on their birth certificates.

Under current law, an individual must provide proof that he or

she has undergone gender transition surgery. This is often dif-ficult for low-income transgender residents, who may not have

the necessary funds or insurance coverage for transition-relatedexpenses. Additionally, in some cases, surgery may not be neces-

sary to treat someone’s gender dysphoria.Under the new changes, the state registrar can issue a new,

clean birth certificate upon receipt of a note from an individual’shealth care provider indicating that the individual has under-

gone treatment appropriate for a gender transition. If a person

opts to change their name on the birth certificate — which is notrequired — they must also obtain a court order and submit that

to the registrar.New Jersey already provides clean copies of birth certificates

to those who ask for them, which are not marked as amended.The bill approved by the legislature places the birth certificate

of the individual who undergoes a gender transition under seal.

That seal cannot be broken except in the case of a court order, orupon the request of the individual to whom it pertains.

The changes to New Jersey’s law bring the Garden Statein line with federal standards currently used by the U.S. State

Department and the Social Security Administration, which haveeliminated the surgical requirement for updating passports and

Social Security records.Even though significant numbers of Republicans in both leg-

islative chambers backed New Jersey’s measure, Christie still

remains the bill’s biggest obstacle. The governor vetoed a similarbill in 2014, citing concerns over “significant legal uncertainties”

and worries that changing New Jersey’s current guidelines forissuing new certificates might “create opportunities for fraud,

Christie’s Choice Republican presidential contender must decide whether

to veto bipartisan-backed birth certificate reform bill


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deception, and abuse.”

Arli Christian, policy counsel for the National Center forTransgender Equality (NCTE), says that this new bill is largely

similar to the one Christie vetoed.“Last year, the governor issued a statement vetoing the bill

that essentially claimed that due to fraud concerns, deception

concerns, this change was not thought out enough and shouldbe revisited,” Christian says. “The statement was not super-

detailed and not grounded in any factual concerns. Changingthe gender marker on a birth certificate does not help further

someone who is trying to be fraudulent with their identity. Itdoes not allow someone to hide from their credit history. It

does not allow someone to avoid their criminal history. So the

concerns were not based in reality. It’s likely that the veto wasmore a political move than a thought through administrative

objection to the change.”The fate of an unrelated pro-LGBT bill does not appear to

bode well for the birth certificate measure’s chances of beingsigned into law. On Monday evening, Christie vetoed a measure

that would have authorized gestational carrier agreementsunder New Jersey law. In gestational surrogacy, the carrier is

implanted with a fertilized egg containing DNA from one or

both of the intended parents, but the carrier has no biologicalrelation to the child she brings to term. Gestational surrogacy

has increased in popularity among members of the LGBT com-munity because it allows couples to establish parental rights

while also maintaining genetic ties to their child. AndreaBowen, executive director of Garden State Equality, called

Christie’s veto a “terrible outcome for families across New

Jersey who need gestational surrogacy agreements to strength-en their families.”

Political observers have long wondered how Christie, asocial moderate, will be able to appeal to evangelical voters who

make up a significant portion of the Republicans who vote inpresidential primary elections. Due to those political concerns,

Christie may not want to be seen as being too friendly to LGBTrights. As a result, LGBT activists fear that, barring some pro-

files in courage from New Jersey lawmakers, the birth certifi-

cate reform bill — like the gestational surrogacy measure — mayalso find itself back in the graveyard of vetoed legislation. l

foe, would have predicted. In fact, it’s worth remembering justhow ludicrous the idea of legal gay marriage once seemed, both

as a goal and an institution. Marriage proponents were treatedas comic relief; many gays and lesbians asked, “Why on earth

would we want to get married?”And yet here we are, in a world lit up in rainbow colors. It’s

a nice place to be.

We got here through the hard work of so many people, whohave been highlighted and profiled and interviewed in these

pages and others over the past decade. But just as importantas the individuals who guided this campaign has been our own

grassroots — the thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender people who said, “This is why we want to get married.

This is why we want to be full and equal members of our society.”

Marriage equality wasn’t a trickle-down victory. Our rela-tionships provided the foundation for the movement. Every

commitment ceremony, every domestic partnership, every earlymarriage demonstrated to family, friends and neighbors that our

lives are much the same as theirs, that we are equal in our desirefor love and stability. I’ve seen the change in my own family —

what once was unthinkable became familiar and accepted, evenin the rural American heartland that anti-gay politicians assume

to be their bedrock. It wasn’t pundits on television or amicusbriefs that changed their minds, it was the simple experience ofactual gay people being open about their lives.

That’s why, for me, marriage is part of the continuum ofactivism of the ’80s and ’90s, when the AIDS epidemic began

forcing America to deal with homosexuality as something morethan parades in San Francisco and New York. In the face of gov-

ernment indifference, bureaucratic hostility, and sheer hatred,

LGBT people became the advocates that no one in power wouldbe. I don’t share the apocalyptic worldview or bottomless anger

of Larry Kramer, but we all owe him a debt for using that angerto help save our community. And, frankly, we owe a debt to all

the people who were willing to storm the FDA, chain them-

selves in government buildings and heckle the president of thefree world. While too many were lost to AIDS, there are otherswho are still with us — I’d consider this a good time to celebrate

“Hug an ACT UP Alumnus Day.”

Just as ACT UP and Queer Nation built on the history ofMattachine and Stonewall, the movement for marriage built on

what preceded it. AIDS showed the country what happened topeople considered less than human: patients left to die alone

by fearful hospitals, surviving partners stripped of their homesby bigoted family. These issues intersected with marriage, the

same way that marriage would intersect with immigration

rights, visitation rights, and women’s equality.So marriage is part of a continuum that did not end last

Friday at the Supreme Court. As has been noted, there are

states where you can get married and then get fired for it,because there are no workplace protections for LGBT employ-ees. Homophobic families in most states can still subject their

children to crackpot gay “conversion” therapies. Transgendermen and women still face astounding discrimination, in courts,

hospitals and hometowns.

We should all celebrate enthusiastically now that we’veachieved a fundamental milestone of the movement. I would

even encourage some extended basking in those rainbow lights.But don’t forget we have a ways to go in making the world an

even nicer place to be.

Sean Bugg is the former editor and co-publisher of Metro Weekly. l

METROWEEKLY.COM JULY 2, 2015

A Win for History Achieving marriage equality built on the past andshould be a springboard for the future

WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICS AND GOVER-

nance, I’m generally overstocked on cynicismand lacking in sentimentality, but I still found

myself shedding a few tears of joy when I sawthe Supreme Court had ruled in favor of marriage equality.

Despite the fact that the march towards equality can feel

painfully slow, we know just how quickly the marriage victorycame — far faster than almost anyone, gay or straight, friend or

OPINION Sean Bugg


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The DC Center hosts a meeting of its

TRANS SUPPORT GROUP. 7-9 p.m.2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For moreinformation, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL

HEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). 202-291-4707, andromeda-transculturalhealth.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practicesession at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr.SW. 6:30-8 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

GAY DISTRICT holds facilitateddiscussion for GBTQ men, 18-35, firstand third Fridays. 8:30 p.m. The DCCenter, 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105.202-682-2245, gaydistrict.org.

GAY MARRIED MEN’SASSOCIATION (GAMMA) is a con-

fidential support group for men whoare gay, bisexual, questioning andwho are married or involved witha woman, that meets regularly inDupont Circle at 7:30 PM and alsoNorthern Virginia and Maryland. Formore information: GAMMAinDC.org.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. Appointmentneeded. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700.202-638-0750.

PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-affirming social group for ages 11-24.4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia Road NW.Contact Tamara, 202-319-0422, layc-dc.org.

SMYAL’S REC NIGHT providesa social atmosphere for GLBT andquestioning youth, featuring danceparties, vogue nights, movies andgames. More info, [email protected].

US HELPING US hosts a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m.,3636 Georgia Ave. NW. The group isindependent of UHU. 202-446-1100.

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIPINSTITUTE for young LBTQ women,13-21, interested in leadership devel-opment. 5-6:30 p.m. SMYAL Youth

Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3163,[email protected].

FRIDAY, JULY 3

ADVENTURING outdoors grouphikes 6.5 moderate miles with 1000feet of elevation gain to second high-est point in Shenandoah NationalPark. Bring plenty of beverages,lunch, bug spray, sunscreen, andabout $20 for fees, plus money forrefreshments. No dogs allowed.Carpool at 9 a.m. from Kiss & Ridelot at East Falls Church Metro. Jeff,

301-775-9660.

ADVENTURING also hosts an alter-native outing: a one-way 49-mile bike trip from the Pentagon area toBaltimore, returning by MARC train.Bring water, snack, $2 trip fee, $7train fare and money for a meal inBaltimore before trip back to D.C.Ride begins at 8 a.m. from southernend of Columbia Island Marinaparking lot, 1.5 miles from PentagonMetro. Jerry, 703-920-6871. adven-turing.org.

LGB PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP foradults in Montgomery County offers

a safe space to explore coming outand issues of identity. 10-11:30 a.m.16220 S. Frederick Rd., Suite 512,Gaithersburg, Md. For more informa-tion, visit thedccenter.org.

TEAM DC hosts a second NIGHTOUT AT THE NATIONALS EXTRA! event at the Nats’ game against theSan Francisco Giants to help kick offthe Chesapeake and Potomac SoftballLeague’s MAGIC Tournament.Tickets $18. Game starts at 7 p.m.1500 S. Capitol St. SE. For more infor-mation and to purchase tickets, visitteamdc.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 2

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-

ment). Call 202-291-4707, or visitandromedatransculturalhealth.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)practice session at Takoma AquaticCenter, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:30-9p.m. swimdcac.org.

DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay and lesbian square-dancing group featuresmainstream through advanced squaredancing at the National City ChristianChurch, 5 Thomas Circle NW, 7-9:30p.m. Casual dress. 301-257-0517,dclambdasquares.org.

The DULLES TRIANGLES Northern

Virginia social group meets for happyhour at Sheraton in Reston, 11810Sunrise Valley Drive, second-floor bar, 7-9 p.m. All welcome. dullestri-angles.com.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg,

414 East Diamond Ave., and inTakoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6 p.m.For appointments other hours, callGaithersburg, 301-300-9978, or

Takoma Park, 301-422-2398.


SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. 202-567-3155or [email protected].

Metro Weekly’s Community Calendar highlights important events in the D.C.-area

LGBT community, from alternative social events to volunteer opportunities.

Event information should be sent by email to [email protected].

Deadline for inclusion is noon of the Friday before Thursday’s publication.

Questions about the calendar may be directed to the

Metro Weekly office at 202-638-6830 or

the calendar email address.

LGBTCommunityCalendarSMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-6p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. Youth Center,410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, [email protected].

SATURDAY, JULY 4

ADVENTURING outdoors grouphikes 5 easy miles at Great Falls, Md.Bring beverages, lunch, bug spray,sunscreen, and a few bucks for fees.Meet to form carpools at 9 a.m. fromtop of escalators at east entrance ofTenleytown Metro Station, Wisconsin Avenue & Albemarle Street, NW,or gather at 9:45 at Great FallsTavern Visitor Center at the end ofMacArthur Boulevard. Damon, 202-213-4592. adventuring.org.

BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay volun-teer organization, volunteers today forFood and Friends, Balloon Wranglingat the Independence Day Parade and

Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation atFalls Church PetSmart. To participate, visit burgundycrescent.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

4th of July Weekend! Enjoy.

SUNDAY, JULY 5

WEEKLY EVENTS

LGBT-inclusive ALL SOULSMEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH celebrates Low Mass at 8:30 a.m., High

Mass at 11 a.m. 2300 Cathedral Ave.NW. 202-232-4244, allsoulsdc.org.

BETHEL CHURCH-DC progressiveand radically inclusive church holdsservices at 11:30 a.m. 2217 Minnesota Ave. SE. 202-248-1895, betheldc.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practicesession at Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr.,SW. 9:30-11 a.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

DIGNITYUSA offers Roman CatholicMass for the LGBT community. 6p.m., St. Margaret’s Church, 1820Connecticut Ave. NW. All welcome.Sign interpreted. For more info, visitdignitynova.org.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITEDCHURCH OF CHRIST welcomes allto 10:30 a.m. service, 945 G St. NW.firstuccdc.org or 202-628-4317.

FRIENDS MEETING OFWASHINGTON meets for worship,10:30 a.m., 2111 Florida Ave. NW,Quaker House Living Room (next toMeeting House on Decatur Place),2nd floor. Special welcome to lesbiansand gays. Handicapped accessiblefrom Phelps Place gate. Hearing assis-tance. quakersdc.org.


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HOPE UNITED CHURCH OFCHRIST welcomes GLBT commu-nity for worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130Old Telegraph Road, Alexandria.hopeucc.org.

INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUALDEVELOPMENT, God-centered newage church & learning center. SundayServices and Workshops event. 5419Sherier Place NW. isd-dc.org.

Join LINCOLN CONGREGATIONALTEMPLE – UNITED CHURCH OFCHRIST for an inclusive, loving andprogressive faith community everySunday. 11 a.m. 1701 11th Street NW,near R in Shaw/Logan neighborhood.lincolntemple.org.

LUTHERAN CHURCH OFREFORMATION invites all to Sundayworship at 8:30 or 11 a.m. Childcare isavailable at both services. WelcomingLGBT people for 25 years. 212 EastCapitol St. NE. reformationdc.org.

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITYCHURCH OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA services at 11 a.m., led by Rev. OnettaBrooks. Children’s Sunday School, 11a.m. 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax.703-691-0930, mccnova.com.

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITYCHURCH OF WASHINGTON, D.C. services at 9 a.m. (ASL interpreted)and 11 a.m. Children’s Sunday Schoolat 11 a.m. 474 Ridge St. NW. 202-638-7373, mccdc.com.

NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIANCHURCH, inclusive church with

GLBT fellowship, offers gospel wor-ship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional wor-ship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas Circle NW.202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.org.

NEW HSV-2 SOCIAL ANDSUPPORT GROUP for gay men livingin the DC metro area. This group will be meeting once a month. For infor-mation on location and time, email [email protected].

RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH,a Christ-centered, interracial, wel-coming-and-affirming church, offersservice at 10 a.m. 680 I St. SW. 202-554-4330, riversidedc.org.

ST. STEPHEN AND THEINCARNATION, an “interracial,multi-ethnic Christian Community”offers services in English, 8 a.m. and10:30 a.m., and in Spanish at 5:15 p.m.1525 Newton St. NW. 202-232-0900,saintstephensdc.org.

UNITARIAN CHURCH OFARLINGTON, an LGBTQ welcoming-and-affirming congregation, offersservices at 10 a.m. Virginia RainbowUU Ministry. 4444 Arlington Blvd.uucava.org.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTCHURCH OF SILVER SPRING invites LGBTQ families and individu-als of all creeds and cultures to jointhe church. Services 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.10309 New Hampshire Ave. uucss.org.

UNIVERSALIST NATIONALMEMORIAL CHURCH, a welcom-ing and inclusive church. GLBTInterweave social/service group

meets monthly. Services at 11 a.m.,Romanesque sanctuary. 1810 16th St.NW. 202-387-3411, universalist.org.

MONDAY, JULY 6

The DC Center hosts a VOLUNTEERNIGHT. Volunteers will be asked tohelp clean around the office, sortthrough book donations, sort throughinventory of safe-sex kits, and othertasks. Pizza provided. 6:30-8:30 p.m.2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For moreinformation, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 927 OhioDr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

DC SCANDALS RUGBY holdspractice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. GarrisonElementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscan-

dals.wordpress.com.

GETEQUAL meets 6:30-8 p.m. atQuaker House, 2111 Florida Ave. [email protected].

HIV Testing at WHITMAN-WALKER

HEALTH. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment call 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY(K.I.) Services, 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free “rapid” HIVtesting and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

703-823-4401.

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. No appoint-ment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14thSt. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.

NOVASALUD offers free HIV testing.5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite 200, Arlington. Appointments: 703-789-

4467.

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. Youth Center,410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155 or [email protected].

THE DC CENTER hosts Coffee Drop-In for the Senior LGBT Community.10 a.m.-noon. 2000 14th St. NW. 202-682-2245, thedccenter.org.


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IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg,414 East Diamond Ave., and inTakoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6 p.m.For appointments other hours, callGaithersburg at 301-300-9978 or

Takoma Park at 301-422-2398.

KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY

(K.I.) SERVICES, at 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free “rapid” HIVtesting and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.703-823-4401.


OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS—LGBT focused meeting everyTuesday, 7 p.m. St. George’sEpiscopal Church, 915 Oakland Ave., Arlington, just steps from VirginiaSquare Metro. For more info. callDick, 703-521-1999. Handicapped

accessible. Newcomers [email protected].

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. Youth Center,410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, [email protected].

SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ YOUTH ages 13-21 meets at SMYAL,410 7th St. SE, 5-6:30 p.m. CathyChu, 202-567-3163, [email protected].

US HELPING US hosts a supportgroup for black gay men 40 and older.7-9 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.

Whitman-Walker Health’s GAYMEN’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS/STD CLINIC opens at 6 p.m., 170114th St. NW. Patients are seen onwalk-in basis. No-cost screening forHIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chla-mydia. Hepatitis and herpes testingavailable for fee. whitman-walker.org.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8

RAINBOW RESPONSE, a coalitionof individuals and agencies workingtogether to combat LGBTQ intimatepartner violence, meets at The DCCenter. 6-8 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW,Suite 105. For more information, visitrainbowresponse.org.

THE LAMBDA BRIDGE CLUBmeets for Duplicate Bridge. 7:30 p.m.Dignity Center, 721 8th St. SE, acrossfrom the Marine Barracks. No reser- vation needed. Call 703-407-6540 if you need a partner.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)practice session at Takoma AquaticCenter, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:30-9p.m. swimdcac.org.

DC FRONT RUNNERS running/ walking/social club serving greaterD.C.’s LGBT community and allieshosts an evening run/walk. dcfront-runners.org.

THE GAY MEN’S HEALTHCOLLABORATIVE offers free HIVtesting and STI screening and treat-ment every Tuesday. 5-6:30 p.m.Rainbow Tuesday LGBT Clinic, Alexandria Health Department, 4480King St. 703-746-4986 or text 571-214-9617. [email protected].

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-

walker.org.

THE HIV WORKING GROUP of THEDC CENTER hosts “Packing Party,”where volunteers assemble safe-sexkits of condoms and lube. 7 p.m.,Green Lantern, 1335 Green CourtNW. thedccenter.org.

US HELPING US hosts a black gaymen’s evening affinity group. 3636Georgia Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.

WASHINGTON WETSKINS WaterPolo Team practices 7-9 p.m. Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van Buren St.NW. Newcomers with at least basicswimming ability always welcome.Tom, 703-299-0504, secretary@

wetskins.org, wetskins.org.

Whitman-Walker Health HIV/AIDS SUPPORT GROUP for newlydiagnosed individuals, meets 7 p.m.Registration required. 202-939-7671,[email protected].

TUESDAY, JULY 7

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-

ment). 202-291-4707, andromeda-transculturalhealth.org.

ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly din-ner in Dupont/Logan Circle area,6:30 p.m. [email protected], afwash-ington.net.

16

LGBTCommunityCalendar

JULY 2, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM

WEEKLY EVENTS

AD LIB, a group for freestyle con- versation, meets about 6:30-6 p.m.,Steam, 17th and R NW. All welcome.For more information, call FaustoFernandez, 703-732-5174.

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5

p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). 202-291-4707, andromeda-transculturalhealth.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 927 OhioDr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visitswimdcac.org.

DC SCANDALS RUGBY holdspractice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. GarrisonElementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscan-dals.wordpress.com.

HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH offers Wednesday worship 7:15 a.m.and 12:05 p.m. All welcome. 118 N.

Washington St., Alexandria. 703-549-1450, historicchristchurch.org.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visitwhitman-walker.org.

IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg, 414East Diamond Ave. Walk-ins 2-7 p.m.For appointments other hours, call

Gaithersburg at 301-300-9978.

JOB CLUB, a weekly support pro-gram for job entrants and seekers,meets at The DC Center. 2000 14th St.NW, Suite 105. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Moreinfo, www.centercareers.org.

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. No appoint-ment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14thSt. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.

NOVASALUD offers free HIV testing.11 a.m.-2 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite200, Arlington. Appointments:703-789-4467.

PRIME TIMERS OF DC, socialclub for mature gay men, hostsweekly happy hour/dinner. 6:30 p.m.,Windows Bar above Dupont ItalianKitchen, 1637 17th St. NW. Carl,703-573-8316.l


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Supreme Equality On June 26, the Supreme Court afrmed the right to marry for millions of gay Americans,

ushering in a new age of LGBT rightsBY R HUARIDH MARR

ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT G. BROOKS


19/56


IT’S FUCKING AWESOME!”

Eighteen-year-old Austin Schmidt’s words may

not have been as eloquent as many espoused over thecourse of that day, but as the Virginia native stood on

Pennsylvania Avenue, staring at a White House aglow

with the colors of the rainbow, “fucking awesome”seemed an entirely appropriate way of summarizing an incred-

ible end to an historic day.For millions of Americans, the sight of 1600 Pennsylvania

Avenue blazing with the colors of LGBT Pride was a bold confir-mation that their love was finally, inexorably considered equal to

their heterosexual counterparts. Love was love, no quantifiers,adjectives or addendums required.

On Friday, June 26, gay Americans in thirteen states woke,

uncertain of what the future would hold. After a momentous,passionate, definitive ruling by the Supreme

Court of the United States, they could climbinto bed knowing that marriage equality was

real, it was constitutional, and it was theirs.It was a staggering change for a country that,

just twelve years ago, still had laws criminalizing

sex between gay and lesbian couples. Lawrence

v. Texas, decided June 26, 2003, finally madesodomy laws illegal. In 2004, Massachusettsbecame the first state to legalize same-sex mar-

riage — but far from starting a tidal wave ofacceptance, it transpired to be a minor ripple in

a seething pool of hatred. Opponents, cementedin their bigotry, ushered in marriage-equality

bans throughout most of the country.

Gradually, however, grassroots campaigns, LGBT rights orga-nizations, a proliferation of LGBT people on television and in film,

and the simple fact that most people were guaranteed to know agay person led to a shift in public opinion. By 2012, six states, plus

the District of Columbia, had legalized same-sex marriage. Part

of the Defense of Marriage Act, which restricted marriage defini-tions to heterosexual couples, had been repealed. Proposition 8

had been defeated in court and was headed to the Supreme Court justices for a final decision. Then, in May of that year, President

Obama became the first sitting president to publicly declare sup-port for marriage equality. It was a watershed moment.

Two years later, marriage bans were falling like dominoes, asfederal courts ruled in favor of equality. In October of 2014, the

Supreme Court rejected the appeals of five states that had foundtheir bans ruled unconstitutional — at that point, as many states

had marriage equality as had measures preventing it. When, this

January, the Supreme Court declared that it would hear caseschallenging same-sex marriage bans in four states, thirty-six

plus D.C. already had marriage equality. What happened nextwas beyond belief for those who had lived through decades of

marginalization, indifference during the AIDS crisis, and yearsof legislation aimed at reducing their relationships to second-

class status.

Last Friday, in an opinion written by Justice AnthonyKennedy, the right to same-sex marriage — or, as it will now

forever be know, marriage — was affirmed in a majority rulingon Obergefell v. Hodges. Citing the same Fourteenth Amendment

that had brought down sodomy laws over a decade ago, Kennedy,Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and

Elena Kagan declared marriage equality constitutional.A conservative justice appointed during the Regan era,

Kennedy has long been considered the court’s swing vote on

the issue. In an impassioned opinion, he rebuffed several major

arguments used by marriage equality opponents, particularlythat marriage is traditionally a heterosexual union and should

remain as such.

“To [equality opponents], it would demean a timeless institu-tion if the concept and lawful status of marriage were extended

to two persons of the same sex,” he wrote. “Marriage, in theirview, is by its nature a gender-differentiated union of man and

woman.... The petitioners acknowledge this history but contendthat these cases cannot end there. Were their intent to demean

the revered idea and reality of marriage, the petitioners’ claims

would be of a different order. But that is neither their purposenor their submission.

“Far from seeking to devalue marriage,” he continued, “thepetitioners seek it for themselves because of their respect — and

need — for its privileges and responsibilities. And their immu-

table nature dictates that same-sex marriage is their only realpath to this profound commitment.”

Kennedy drew comparisons between same-sex marriage and Loving v. Virginia, which invalidated laws against interracial

marriage. “The right to personal choice regarding marriage is

inherent in the concept of individual autonomy,” he wrote. “Thisabiding connection between marriage and liberty is why Loving

invalidated interracial marriage bans under the Due ProcessClause.”

It’s his last paragraph that has generated the most support,emotion and column inches. Kennedy argued that same-sex

couples want to marry in order to “become something greater

than once they were.” He contended that “[it] would misunder-stand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of

marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeplythat they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves.

“Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness,excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions,” he con-

tinued. “They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. TheConstitution grants them that right.”

CELEBRATORY SPIRIT

FOR JIM OBERGEFELL, Kennedy’s words were bit-tersweet. As plaintiff in the Supreme Court case, it was

a decision he had waited two years for, when he firstfiled suit against Ohio and its same-sex marriage ban

in July, 2013. Obergefell’s husband, John Arthur, whom he had

married that year in Maryland, was terminally ill with amyo-trophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS. Both men wanted

Ohio’s Registrar to recognize Obergefell as Arthur’s spouse onhis death certificate — something prevented, because their mar-

After a momentous, passionate, definitive

ruling by the Supreme Court of the United

States, LGBT COUPLES COULD CLIMB INTO

BED KNOWING THAT MARRIAGE EQUALITYWAS REAL, IT WAS CONSTITUTIONAL,AND IT WAS THEIRS .

“


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riage wasn’t recognized within Ohio’s borders. In October ofthat year, Arthur died — in a cruel legal move, the state’s attor-

neys tried to dismiss the case, claiming it was no longer relevant.District Judge Timothy S. Black refused, eventually finding in

favor of Obergefell’s case and ruling that Ohio must recognize

out-of-state same-sex marriages.Unfortunately, the case was overturned by the Sixth Circuit

Court of Appeals. Determined to validate his marriage to Arthur,Obergefell, along with same-sex couples in Ohio, Tennessee,

Michigan and Kentucky, petitioned the Supreme Court to finally

determine the validity of same-sex marriage. After two years,

Jim Obergefell heard the words that his late husband hadn’t

been able to — their marriage was legal, valid, and equal.“My late husband John and I were together for almost 21

years before he passed away,” Obergefell said on the steps ofthe Supreme Court after the decision was handed down. “I’m

here today...because my home state fought the recognition of mymarriage to John. No American should have to suffer that indig-

nity. That’s why John and I, and the 30 plaintiffs in this lawsuit,decided to fight.

“Today’s ruling from the Supreme Court affirms what mil-lions across this country already know to be true in our hearts,”he continued. “Our love is equal. That the four words etched

onto the front of the Supreme Court, ‘equal justice under law,’applied to us, too.”

At the end of a statement that drew rapturous applause andcheers from an audience that has elevated him to become the

face of the marriage equality fight, Jim Obergefell offered one

last thought before he left to absorb the immensity of his victory.“It’s my hope that the term ‘gay marriage’ will become a thing of

the past,” he said. “And our nation will be better off because of it.”Reaction to the landmark ruling was felt across the nation.

On the steps of the Supreme Court, LGBT activists and allies hadamassed, part of a daily ritual as they waited in anticipation of a

positive decision. When it finally became aware that a decisionwas ready, as interns raced from the doors of the Court carrying

copies, the tension was palpable. Standing in front of cameras,

frantically flicking through a hastily assembled ruling — normal-ly bound, they were instead A4 sheets stapled together, indica-

tive of the lateness of the decision — journalists raced to breakthe news to viewers and readers around the country.

It wasn’t necessary. As they scanned the prepared docu-ments, looking for the key facts of the decision, the crowd had

already reached the conclusion: they’d won. An almighty roar

broke out along First Street, signalling the start of a day of wide-spread celebration across America.

Forty-six years after New York City police raided the

Stonewall Inn — which sparked the notorious riots as LGBT peo-ple objected to their lives being oppressed, leading to the birth

of the modern LGBT rights movement — queer New Yorkersflocked to the historic (and officially designated) landmark to

toast the momentous occasion. Who cared that it wasn’t even

midday, it was five o’clock somewhere and there was marriageequality right now. Hundreds crammed into the bar, desperate

to show their love, their support, their excitement for a decisionthat patrons forty years ago would never have hoped to expect.

“People are going to party in the streets,” Stacy Lentz, one of

Stonewall’s owners, told The Guardian. “It’s an incredible day forus and for LGBT people around the world. America

finally has marriage equality!”Nothing could detract from the celebrations, not

even the dissents of the four judges who opposed theCourt’s ruling. When Justice Antonin Scalia’s objec-

tions were read out on CNN, Stonewall’s revellerstoasted him — it was too joyous an occasion to care

that he considered the ruling a “judicial Putsch.”In Gayborhoods around the country, LGBT

Americans spilled onto streets to dance, hug, kiss

and laugh with one another. Impromptu partiestook place in Greenwich Village, San Francisco’s

Castro neighborhood, West Hollywood, and ofcourse in D.C. Bars overflowed with revellers,

homes were opened up for friends and families tovisit and celebrate, workplaces shut down as gay

owners chose to forego a day of profits for a day of marking the

affirmation of their equality.At San Francisco City Hall, Mayor Ed Lee, triumphantly

declared “At long last, marriage equality in the U.S.!” to a crowdas ebullient as that still revelling at the Supreme Court. “We

started that movement right here when Gavin Newsom daredto marry loving same-sex couples right under this dome [in

2004, though marriages were halted and later invalidated byCalifornia’s Supreme Court].... We are proud of our city leading

the nation and even the world on this issue.”Social media exploded with photos, videos and messagesof surprise and delight, but it was Snapchat that best captured

America’s reactions. Its ephemeral nature, used to documentmusic festivals, sporting events, and daily life in cities around

the world — as well as a variety of more mundane individualevents — finally proved its worth as a special Marriage Equality

story became available for contributions. Snippets flowed in,

available to watch around the world, as America’s gays criedand cheered and basked in their moment. From a mother and

daughter in tears, as the former realizes she can one day attendthe latter’s wedding, to a couple celebrating the validity of their

union across the nation, to those on streets waving rainbow flagsand screaming in joy, it was a beautiful snapshot of emotion from

all walks of gay life — and was delivered to those living in coun-tries where gay rights are still a daily struggle, a digital hug and

confirmation that it really does get better.

OH, HAPPY DAY

FOR THOUSANDS OF couples, the Supreme Court’s

decision also offered a wonderful opportunity. In thosethirteen states where marriage equality had hung on

the outcome of the ruling, doors at county clerk offices

were thrown open, welcoming couples to finally collect some-thing many had waited years for: a marriage license.

Thousands waited, breath bated, as governors gradually

As news trickled down to states,

counties, cities and towns,

judges and court officials cleared

their schedules. ACROSS THECOUNTRY, COUPLES POURED INTO GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, EAGER

TO FINALLY SAY “I DO.”


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issued statements over the course of the day, confirming that

their states would comply with the Court’s ruling.

“The fractured laws across the country concerning same-sexmarriage had created an unsustainable and unbalanced legal

environment.... That situation was unfair, no matter which sideof the debate you may support,” Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear

said. “Effective today, Kentucky will recognize as valid all same-sex marriages performed in other states and in Kentucky.”

Nebraska’s governor was less diplomatic in his speech, delib-

erately noting the imbalance between the court’s rulings, and

the overwhelming majority who voted for the state’s constitu-tional amendment against same-sex marriage in 2000. He statedthat “70 percent of Nebraskans approved our amendment,” but

acknowledged that “the highest court in the land has ruled statescannot place limits on marriage between same-sex couples. We

will follow the law and respect the ruling outlined by the court.”In Missouri, Governor Jay Nixon — a Democrat — couldn’t

hide his joy at the Supreme Court’s ruling. Calling it “a major vic-

tory for equality and an important step toward a fairer and more just society for all Americans,” Nixon — who faces a Republican-

controlled General Assembly that was unlikely to legislate favor-ably on marriage equality — was eager to implement the changes

in his state. “No one should be discriminated against because of

who they are or who they love,” he said. “In the coming days, Iwill be taking all necessary and appropriate actions to ensure

this decision is implemented throughout the state of Missouri.”As news trickled down to states, counties, cities and towns,

judges and court officials cleared their schedules. Once theyreceived confirmation from superiors that they were free to do

so, licenses were issued and marriage ceremonies started. Acrossthe country, couples poured into government buildings, eager to

finally say “I do.”Perhaps the day’s most endearing ceremony took place in

Dallas County, Texas. The first wedding of

the day, the happy couple had waited a longtime for their special day. A really long time.

Jack Evans, 85, and George Harris, 82, havebeen together for more than fifty years, since

meeting in Dallas in 1961. “George and Imet at a party and we were the last ones to

leave together. We haven’t slept apart since,”

Evans told the BBC.Speaking with Kera News, Harris was

overcome with the outpouring of supportthey received. “I’m excited to see so many

people down here. Love is everywhere, andthat’s a great thing,” he said. “We’d never

thought we’d see the day. We’re very excitedand we’ve waited a long time for it.” Both men

joked to onlookers that their marriage license was the “best $90

we ever spent.”Neither man could quite believe that marriage equality had

finally arrived. “Not in my lifetime,” is when Evans thought itwould happen, according to the BBC. “Ten years ago, this is

something that we couldn’t even imagine. We thought it wouldnever get to Texas.”

In Fulton County, Georgia, a mass wedding ceremony was

held at the county courthouse, with couples invited to marry,complete with a cake, photographer and countless supportive

onlookers. According to Creative Loafing , Jerry Hill jokinglytexted his partner, Boyd Beckwith, that they should go down and

get married now that it was legal. “Sure. Let’s go at lunchtime,”was the response. They joined dozens of other couples who lined

up to get their licenses and exchange vows.

For Emma Foulkes and Petrina Bloodworth, history was

made twice that day. Not only could they now get married,they ultimately became the first couple in Fulton County do so.

Rather than wait any longer, the couple of ten years agreed tocollect their license and share their vows as soon as possible.

“We were going to run someplace else and get married,” Foulkessaid, when it seemed as though marriage equality would never

reach Georgia. “But our son was in college and we wanted him

to be home to see this. And we wanted to see the country move

in the right direction.” Their wait paid off, with son Raimiusable to witness the ceremony. “It feels really, really good to seetheir love and commitment to each other validated,” he told the

Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

MATRIMONIAL DISCORD

IT WASN’T SUCH a joyous day for everyone, howev-

er. When Bobbi Gray and Celeste Swain arrived at theHarrison County, Mississippi clerk’s office, they were

quickly reminded that while the Supreme Court’s rulingwas universal, that didn’t mean it was immediate.

“The Supreme Court’s decision is not immediately effective

in Mississippi,” said Attorney General Jim Hood in a statement.“It will become effective in Mississippi and circuit clerks will

be required to issue same-sex marriage licenses when the 5thCircuit lifts the stay of Judge Reeves’ order. This could come

quickly or may take several days.”“We’re pretty deflated,” Swain told The Clarion-Ledger. “I’m

looking at Mississippi wanting to wave the ‘Hi, we’re in lastplace’ flag again. Alabama is issuing licenses, Tennessee ... I’m

sort of speechless.”By Monday, Hood had reversed his position. He stated in an

email to clerks that he “[seemed] to have been misinterpreted

as prohibiting Circuit Clerks from issuing marriage licenses tosame-sex couples. The statement was merely meant to explain

that an order of the Fifth Circuit would be necessary to lift thestay.” Hood said that if clerks had issued, or began to issue mar-

riage licenses, they would not be prosecuted by the AG’s office.However, Governor Phil Bryant opposes the Fifth Circuit lifting

their stay, and is currently considering filing a motion to prevent

it from doing so, according to his spokesperson.What’s more, he’s not alone. As conservative governors

watched their states embrace marriage equality, their frustra-tion was vented in statements declaring opposition to a legally

binding ruling. Texas’ Greg Abbott decried the ruling as “anunelected nine-member legislature… [imposing] on the entire

“I’m here today...because MY HOMESTATE FOUGHT THE RECOGNITION OF MYMARRIAGE TO JOHN. NO AMERICAN SHOULDHAVE TO SUFFER THAT INDIGNITY. That’swhy John and I, and the 30 plaintiffs

in this lawsuit, decided to fight.” — Jim Obergefell


22/56


county their personal views.” He intimated that he wouldinstruct state agencies “to prioritize the protection of Texans’

religious liberties.”On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the

Supreme Court lawless, and demanded that the state’s agen-

cies “respect and preserve Texans’ religious liberties,” echoingAbbott’s earlier statement.

“The government must never pressure a person to abandonor violate his or her sincerely held religious beliefs regarding

a topic such as marriage,” Paxton wrote in a memo to stateemployees.

“This newly minted federal constitutional right to same-sex

marriage can and should peaceably coexist with longstandingconstitutional and statutory rights, including the rights to free

exercise of religion and freedom of speech,” Paxton continued.Of course, Paxton and Abbott failed miserably to prevent

anything. Despite their objections, Texas’ clerks have been mar-rying same-sex couples since Friday’s Supreme Court ruling.

However, any clerks that have personally objected to issuinglicenses will be defended against fines by Paxton’s office free-

of-charge. It’s a last-ditch attempt from a man whose personal

views are now clouding his decision-making: he will help defendemployees who deliberately flout the law for personal reasons.

Meanwhile, in Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal was forcedinto a climbdown after thumping his chest and declaring his

opposition to the ruling.“The Supreme Court decision today conveniently and not

surprisingly follows public opinion polls, and tramples on states’

rights that were once protected by the 10th Amendment of theConstitution,” said Jindal, a renowned opponent of marriage

equality and LGBT rights, on Friday. “Marriage between a manand a woman was established by God, and no earthly court can

alter that.... The government should not force those who havesincerely held religious beliefs about marriage to participate in

these ceremonies.... I will never stop fighting for religious libertyand I hope our leaders in D.C. join me.”

On Monday, Louisiana began issuing marriage licenses tosame-sex couples.

A defeated Jindal told NBC News on Sunday, “We don’t have

a choice. Our agencies will comply with the court order.” Thestate’s attorney general, Buddy Caldwell, had previously stated

that he “found nothing in today’s decision that makes the Court’sorder effective immediately.” Officials in New Orleans disagreed

and, after reviewing the ruling, issued a marriage license to

Michael Robinson and Earl Benjamin, who have been togetherfor 14 years. They are believed to be the state’s first same-sex

marriage, TIME Magazine reports.

VOICE OF DISSENT

GIVEN THAT EVERY state in America is now issu-ing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, it begs

the question of what is left for marriage equality

opponents? If the Supreme Court ended the loudestargument they have, is there any room for further opposition?

Of course there is — Fox News needs those ratings, after all.Let’s start with the four dissenting opinions of the Supreme

Court justices. Not since Bush v. Gore in 2000 have four judgeseach written their own opinion — a sign of how divided the court

was over the issue.

In his opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts complained that,by securing marriage equality through the Supreme Court,

advocates had somehow lost their opportunity to gain it through

other methods. “It is worth acknowledging what they have lost,

and lost forever,” he wrote, “the opportunity to win the trueacceptance that comes from persuading their fellow citizens of

the justice of their cause.”

Of course, in states such as Texas and Louisiana, how longwould said acceptance have taken to win? How long would

African American citizens have had to wait before they couldconvince everyone in the South that their marriage to a white

person was valid and true, had Loving v. Virginia not validatedinterracial marriage?

“Supporters of same-sex marriage have achieved consider-able success persuading their fellow citizens — through thedemocratic process — to adopt their view,” Roberts continued.

“That ends today. Five lawyers have closed the debate and enact-ed their own vision of marriage as a matter of constitutional law.

Stealing this issue from the people will for many cast a cloudover same-sex marriage, making a dramatic social change that

much more difficult to accept.”Replace every mention of same-sex marriage with interracial

marriage, and try not to oppose Roberts’ words.

Of course, it was Justice Antonin Scalia who has endured themost criticism for his withering derision of the majority opinion.

“The substance of today’s decree is not of immense personal

importance to me,” he wrote. “It is of overwhelming importance,however, who it is that rules me. Today’s decree says that myRuler, and the Ruler of 320 million Americans coast-to-coast, is a

majority of the nine lawyers on the Supreme Court.” Something,

it should be noted, he has no issue with when he is part of themajority decision.

Scalia slammed the majority opinion as ”lacking even a thinveneer of law,” and blasted “the mummeries and straining-to-

be-memorable passages,” as well as amusingly calling parts“pure applesauce” and “jiggery pokery.” He added that “The five

Justices who compose today’s majority are entirely comfortableconcluding that every State violated the Constitution for all of

the 135 years between the Fourteenth Amendment’s ratification

and Massachusetts’ permitting of same-sex marriages in 2003.”He concluded that the decision was so damaging to the court’s

reputation that it reduced the value of its rulings to “the mysticalaphorisms of the fortune cookie.”

But while Scalia was spouting gibberish, Justice Samuel Alitowas producing some worryingly ill-advised quotes in his dissent.

While he wrote that same-sex marriage “lacks deep roots,” he

also dredged up another argument used to defend marriage: thatit’s for procreation.

“For millennia, marriage was inextricably linked to the onething that only an opposite-sex couple can do: procreate,” Alito

wrote. “If this traditional understanding of the purpose of mar-riage does not ring true to all ears today, that is probably because

the tie between marriage and procreation has frayed. Today, forinstance, more than 40% of all children in this country are born

to unmarried women.”

It is now apparently unwed mothers’ faults that we havesame-sex marriage. But that’s not all, as Alito also included

a passage which again would sound terrible to most rationalAmericans if we swap same-sex marriage with racism.

“I assume that those who cling to old beliefs will be able towhisper their thoughts in the recesses of their homes,” he wrote,

“but if they repeat those views in public, they will risk being

labeled as bigots and treated as such by governments, employers,and schools.”

Yes, Justice Alito, they should be labelled as bigots. Just as aperson who whispers racist sentiments in their home, or repeats


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them in a public place, is a racist. Or who slanders women at

home or in public is sexist.While the dissents of the four justices were mostly ignored

on the day in favor of Kennedy’s majority opinion, as the LGBT

community celebrated, right-wing America was seething. Fox News, according to Salon, floundered for a few hours after the

decision was announced before lining up a host of conserva-tive pundits and contributors to discuss the various failings of

the ruling.“What [the Supreme Court] did was not rule on marriage

equality. What they did was redefine marriage,” Mike Huckabee,Republican candidate for President told Megyn Kelly. “Andthere is a fundamental difference. Their decision was a political

decision, it was not a legal one.”Earlier that day, Huckabee called the court’s “flawed,

failed decision...an out-of-control act of unconstitutional judicial tyranny.” He was joined by the rest of the Republican

field for President, who refused to let go of their oppositionto marriage equality.

“Today, 5 unelected judges redefined the foundational unit

of society. Now it is the people’s turn to speak,” wrote RickSantorum, while Ted Cruz called it

“judicial activism at its worst.”

“Guided by my faith, I believe intraditional marriage. I believe theSupreme Court should have allowed

the states to make this decision,” Jeb

Bush said. However, he also called fora level of tolerance between opposing

parties, adding, “I also believe that weshould love our neighbor and respect

others, including those making life-time commitments. In a country as

diverse as ours, good people who haveopposing views should be able to live

side by side.”

“While I disagree with this decision, we live in a republicand must abide by the law,” said Marco Rubio, the youngest

contender for the Republican nomination. He similarly calledfor tolerance on the issue from both sides, while emphasizing

his support for religious freedom. “Not every American has toagree on every issue, but all of us do have to share our country....

In the years ahead, it is my hope that each side will respect the

dignity of the other.”While many Republicans seethed, it was anti-gay groups that

chose the strongest rhetoric, with references to 9/11 a disturb-ingly popular theme.

Tim Wildmon, of the American Family Association, statedthat he wasn’t surprised, but was “extremely disappointed by

the Supreme Court’s decision.” He said that he feared for thecountry, “because this is a spiritual 9/11, I believe. We have said

to God Almighty, we don’t care what you say about marriage and

your definition of what’s natural and normal.”American Family Radio’s Bryan Fischer declared that, “[f]

rom a moral standpoint, 6/26 is the new 9/11. He called thefive majority justices “moral jihadists,” and claimed that they

“became rainbow jihadists and they blasted the twin pillars oftruth and righteousness into rubble.”

The National Center for Policy Analysis’ Allen West hypoth-

esized that the marriage ruling could lead to a new Civil War.“The Supreme Court is essentially saying individuals have civil

rights based on their sexual behavior,” he wrote, calling it “thestraw that breaks the camel’s back.”

Matt Barber, writing on BarbWire.com, called it a “homo-fas-

cist decision,” and that “the Supreme Court of the United Stateshas just declared that reality and biology no longer exist, and we

can now declare marriage to be whatever we want it to be.”

NEXT STEPS

NONE OF THOSE negative reactions mattered to those

gathered on the steps of the Supreme Court. GayAmerica wasn’t going to let the bitter delusions of

the religious right, who were protected by the FirstAmendment from any incursion into their places of worship bythe ruling, from spoiling their enjoyment of marriage equality

being realized.Instead, among the HRC banners, pride flags, t-shirts, news

crews, signs, dancing, and joyous, embracing couples, individualstories filtered through, as everyone in the crowd contemplated

the impact of the ruling on their daily lives.For Stacey Simmons, a Connecticut native, it was vindication

that her efforts hadn’t been for naught. She had camped out in

front of the Court in a sleeping bag to ensure she would get a seat

inside the courtroom for the reading.“I decided yesterday morning,” she said. “I had been follow-

ing SCOTUSBlog on Thursday, and obviously, we didn’t have thedecision. And I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I decided to come

down. I left at about 2 o’clock from Connecticut. I hit horren-dous rain, lightning, and got here about 10 o’clock. I’ve worked

really hard and been a part of this movement, and wanted to be

a part of history.”When she learned that the justices had ruled in favor of same-

sex marriage, Simmons had a hard time holding back her emo-tions. “I was crying. I had to cover my mouth. I had tears rolling

down my face. It was so emotional, just so validating.” In moreways than one, it would transpire: Simmons had been estranged

from her parents after they couldn’t handle her coming out, butmarriage equality offered a chance to reconnect.

“When I came out of the Supreme Court, the minute I walked

outside, my phone was ringing,” she recalls. “It was my mom.And I picked up the phone and talked to her, and I was weeping.

And the fact that she was calling me, to congratulate me, 25 yearslater, it still means a lot.”

Jayme Worrell drove from Virginia with her teenage sonand young daughter to celebrate the decision. For Worrell, as

a mom, the ruling was validation for the future of her son, a

transgender male.“We have a dog in this fight. We have a stake in this,” she

said. “My kid is the same as anyone else’s child. He’s a good kid....[This is] a time for people to educate themselves. To learn, to go

Any clerks that have personally objectedto issuing licenses will be defended against

fines by Paxton’s office free-of-charge. IT’S A LAST-DITCH ATTEMPT FROM AMAN WHOSE PERSONAL VIEWS ARE NOWCLOUDING HIS DECISION-MAKING.


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beyond their prejudices and not be afraid of each other.”Of the ruling itself, Worrell was mindful of the building she

stood next to. “This is historic. The words on that building say it,‘Equal Justice Under Law.’ That’s what America was established

on.... That’s all that we’re asking for, equality. We’re not asking

for special treatment, we’re just asking for the same treatmentthat everyone else has.”

The momentous nature of the decision wasn’t lost on theyounger members of the crowd, either.

“I’ve known I was gay since I was 5 years old,” said AnthonyOrso, a 21-year-old student from Missouri. “I came out when I

was 16, which is still quite young, especially for a suburban kid

in a very Republican area.”For Orso, knowing he can now freely marry when the time is

right is something he doesn’t take for granted. “As a gay man, tohave the option to be who I am is very nice. I don’t have to have

a nation tell me what I can and can’t do because of something Ican’t change.”

He also touched upon an issue raised by many that day:what’s left for the gay rights movement? Where does it go after

marriage equality?“I feel like a lot of nonprofits and organizations are going

to have to reposition themselves, whether that’s employment

nondiscrimination, basic things like transgender rights,” Orsocontinued. “The gay community is definitely going to have to

reposition itself on those issues.”Indeed, that’s exactly what they did. While most politicians

in favor of the ruling chose simple congratulations, nonprofits

and LGBT advocacy groups chose to emphasize that the fightwasn’t yet over — and not just to continue their revenue stream.

Instead, it was to reiterate the fact that “[people] are still beingfired from their jobs because of who they are...[and] are still

fighting to receive medical care for the same reason. And LGBTpeople everywhere are still at risk of being the victims of violent

hate crimes by those with hate in their hearts,” as the SouthernPoverty Law Center’s Richard Cohen stated.

“Today’s ruling makes perfectly clear that there is no legal or

moral justification for standing in the path of marriage equality,”said HRC president Chad Griffin. “But what’s clear today is that

our work isn’t done until every discriminatory law in this nationis wiped away. The time has come in this country for compre-

hensive federal LGBT non-discrimination protections.”“This transformative triumph is a momentous victory for

freedom, equality, inclusion, and above all, love. For the first

time in our nation’s history, ALL loving and committed coupleswill have the freedom to say, ‘I do.’,” affirmed Freedom To

Marry’s President Evan Wolfson. “And while more remains to

be done on many fronts, we can celebrate knowing that fairnessand love (and much hard work) have won the day.”

“A VICTORY FOR AMERICA”

P

RESS RELEASES AND personal statements fell to theside, however, when the man who has helped advance

LGBT rights more than any other person occupyinghis office took to a podium in the White House Rose

Garden. President Obama, not attempting to hide his elation atthe SCOTUS decision — one which will become a hallmark of his

presidency — spoke for nine impassioned minutes, deeming the

ruling “a victory for America.”“Progress on this journey often comes in small increments,

sometimes two steps forward, one step back, propelled by thepersistent effort of dedicated citizens,” he said. “And then some-

times, there are days like this when thatslow, steady effort is rewarded with

justice that arrives like a thunderbolt.“This morning, the Supreme Court

recognized that the Constitution

guarantees marriage equality,” Obamacontinued. “In doing so, they’ve reaf-

firmed that all Americans are enti-tled to the equal protection of the

law. That all people should be treatedequally, regardless of who they are or

who they love.”

The president had one more sur-prise in store for LGBT Americans. As

the sun set over the East Coast and thesky dimmed, the lights of the White

House flickered on — not, however, in their trademark white,but in a bold, bright rainbow splash. Dressed in pride, the White

House became a defining symbol of a day that sealed its placein America’s history. As thousands gathered on Pennsylvania

Avenue to celebrate with one another, propose to one another,or simply be around their community, America undoubtedly feltlike it had changed for the better.

For Richard Molnar, who had traveled from his home inTwinbrook, Maryland, it was the end of a long, thrilling, life-

affirming day.“My husband woke me up because I work nights, and he

woke me up at 10 o’clock and said, ‘Richard, it’s Christmas morn-

ing, you gotta see the TV set.’ I came to the living room — myheart dropped out,” he said. Glancing over his shoulder at the

White House, tears overcame him. “To see this behind me, I’mblown away. This is an amazing moment in time. Just amazing.”

He recalled those he worked alongside during the AIDScrisis, “all our friends that we have lost, all these years,” and he

struggled to compare it to the outpouring of love on display, call-ing it “mind-boggling.” But what about the future?

“It has opened a whole new chapter in this country. A whole

new chapter. I think it’s going to change it for the better. Thegeneration that we lost to the AIDS epidemic, the new millen-

nium’s children are filling that void,” he said. “It’s a very big voidand they’re filling it slowly. They’re turning their mothers and

their fathers and their grandmothers and their grandfathers andmaking them think differently.

“I reach out to all those queer folk, LGBT, everybody. This is

the moment. And it’s changing this country forever.” l

Additional reporting by John Riley and Randy Shulman

“The generation that we lost to the AIDS

epidemic, the new millennium’s children are

filling that void,” “THEY’RE TURNING THEIRMOTHERS AND THEIR FATHERS AND THEIR

GRANDMOTHERS AND MAKINGTHEM THINK DIFFERENTLY.”

— Richard Molnar


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26/56


“Wait. Right now?” It’s not every day you get to break news to a journalist. But

a few minutes into a phone interview last Friday Ari Shapiro

was informed that the Supreme Court had just issued its ruling

on marriage equality. A quick check of the website of Shapiro’semployer confirmed it. “Supreme Court Declares Same-Sex

Marriage Legal in All 50 States,” National Public Radio reportedat 10:05 a.m.

“Wow,” Shapiro says. “Wow, wow, wow! This is amazing!”

Shapiro got his start as an intern for NPR’s venerable NinaTotenberg, but since the beginning of last year he has been

reporting for NPR from London, covering a wide range of top-

ics — news, culture, business trends from around the U.K. and

Europe, “really whatever is happening that is interesting to meor that might be interesting to NPR listeners.”

The downside is it requires a long-distance relationship. His

husband, Mike Gottlieb, remains in D.C., a lawyer for the WhiteHouse. “We see each other about once a month,” Shapiro says.

“Because I travel so much, if he were in London, I would still seehim rarely. And this way we set aside time to see each other. It’s

obviously not ideal, but it’s also not forever.” In addition to his work for NPR, Shapiro has become known

in recent years for his side work performing and recording withthe quirky cocktail band Pink Martini, whom he’ll perform with

next Friday, July 10, at Wolf Trap. Though he grew up singing inchoirs and in musicals, his work with Pink Martini is not some-thing he ever imagined would happen. Then again, few, Shapiro

included, ever imagined the Supreme Court would make same-sex marriages legal in all 50 states.

“Listen, if the Supreme Court bumps me, I will understand,”Shapiro says, when told he might not in fact be on the cover of

this week’s Metro Weekly, adding, with a laugh, “that’s a totally

legitimate reason not to be on the cover.”

METRO WEEKLY: Before you became an International Correspondentreporting from London, you covered the White House and the

Justice Department for NPR. Didn’t you also cover the SupremeCourt?

ARI SHAPIRO: I got my start in journalism as an intern for NinaTotenberg, who covered the Supreme Court. And on very busy

Supreme Court days when they needed all-hands-on-deck, I

would be called in to help with court coverage. But that wasnever my beat per se. I covered the U.S. Department of Justice

during the George W. Bush Administration and the start of theObama Administration. So it was a lot of counter-terrorism stuff,

surveillance, interrogation, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.And then I covered the White House and the 2012 presidential

campaign.MW: Do you wish you had been in D.C. to assist with the coverageof this year’s Supreme Court rulings, the marriage equality case in

particular?

SHAPIRO: Do I wish I were there to help cover it? I tend not tohave journalistic F.O.M.O. — Fear of Missing Out. In the course

of my journalism career, there are so many terrific, engaging

stories that wouldn’t capture the world’s attention but for thefact that I chose to tell those stories. As long as I am engaged and

stimulated by the stories I’m covering, what’s the point of wish-ing you were covering something else?MW: I just heard F.O.M.O. used for the first time from an InsideAmy Schumer skit. I guess that term has actually been around

a while?

SHAPIRO: I’ve known F.O.M.O. for a while, for sure — certainly

before I came to London. But I’m embarrassed to say that I know

Amy Schumer is a huge comedy icon in the states right now, butnow that I no longer live in the states, I

could not quote one Amy Schumer line toyou. I sound like a complete out-of-touch

cultural fossil, but I have not watched asingle Amy Schumer sketch. I’m out of the

loop when it comes to a few really impor-

tant key American cultural touchstones.MW: But you’re in London, where a lot of

shows, music and other culture ideas andtrends are born before they make it over here.

SHAPIRO: Yes. So I’m ahead of the curve incertain ways, and way behind the curve in other ways.

MW: You were ahead of the curve by getting married 11 years agoin California.

SHAPIRO: We got married in 2004, when same-sex marriage was

an extraordinarily new thing. It was when San Francisco MayorGavin Newsom started doing same-sex marriages. Mike, my

husband, grew up in San Francisco, so this was his hometown.My goal was not to make a political statement. Unfortunately I

had no choice but to get married in a way that happens to makea political statement.

In the 10 years since, I’ve done stories about same-sex mar-

riage. Evaluated on their merits, they are thoughtful and fair and

comprehensive and in some ways richer, coming from a personwho knows the subject personally. I don’t think my stories soundlike the biased tirade of a partisan. But as a journalist I tend to try

to avoid making political statements.We had another ceremony in 2005, because the wedding in

California was such short notice — three days’ notice — it wasliterally my parents and his parents in City Hall. Plus my brother

flew in from Seattle. So the following summer we had a wedding

with all our friends and family. His family rabbi and my familyrabbi co-officiated. My family rabbi came from the Conservative

movement of Judaism, which at the time did not endorse same-sex marriage. But this was important to him — it was the first

same-sex marriage that either rabbi had performed. They werevery clear that they were doing this not as a favor to us, but

because it was something that we had every right to expect from

our community.MW: What do you think the next steps are for LGBT rights in general?

SHAPIRO: To be honest, I’m a little bit reluctant to answer thatquestion, not having taken a step back to think about and read

the ruling. I don’t want to right now to, off the top of my head,say something that in a week’s time will seem off-base or obvi-

ous. Even an hour from now, having actually had a chance tothink about it, I will possibly have more insight than I will have

at this moment.MW: Do you have a legal background, or is that something youlearned on the job?

SHAPIRO: I majored in English in college. I have no legal training

The Singing ReporterNPR’s Ari Shapiro has found the perfect side-career as a singer

with the stylish lounge group, Pink Martini

INTERVIEW BY DOUG R ULE


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“I had the impression that being gay meant you had to t a very narrowcliche or stereotype. It was a factor of, ‘WELL, I GUESS MY LIFE

WILL HAVE TO BE LESS THAN I HADHOPED IT COULD BE.’”


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whatsoever. That’s one of the things I love about journalism. You get to learn about something new every day. I spent four

years learning about legal issues when I covered the Justice

beat. And I learned a lot about politics when I covered the WhiteHouse and the presidential campaign. And this beat that I’m

in now allows me to learn about different cultures and places.The key trait that makes journalism a perfect career for me is

curiosity. Having this job where I’m not just using informationthat I acquired when I was in school, but rather acquiring new

information everyday, fits my personality well.MW: Were you raised to be curious?

SHAPIRO: I think so. My parents were both college professors.

My parents would always say, the more you learn, the moreinteresting the world is. As a kid, they would take me and my

brothers hiking. I was interested in bird watching. And my older

brother was interested in geology. And my father collected wild

mushrooms. And my mother knew wildflowers. And so, as wewould go hiking, being able to recognize a bird call, or identify a

wildflower, or describe the geology in the cliff base. It made theworld a more interesting place, as my parents said. I still find

that to be true today.MW: Was coming out easy, or was it painful, or somewhere in

between?

SHAPIRO: I think it is very rarely easy. Relative to many people

I know, I would not describe it as painful, but I would des

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