Oh Canada
My partner and I traveled to Montreal for Pride this year to celebrate for the fifth time in Canada. It was clear that Canada is not the United States, in fact as much as I hate to say it, it seems that Canada is a better version of our great country. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marched at the front of the parade waving to the hundreds of thousands that lined the streets. He was followed by U.S. activist Stuart Milk who was a grand marshall.
Can you imagine a president of the United States doing the same? Not because a president like Obama would not want to do it, but he could not because his safety would be at substantial risk. But there was Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marching and waving, seemingly with no worries, celebrating the LGBT community of Montreal and Canada. What a difference a border makes.
E Pluribus Unum
The original unofficial motto for America was “out of many, one.” It was printed on the Great Seal of the United States. As hate spreads through the United States, the motto is as hypocritical as it was originally. Slaves were not “out of many, one.” Today, as anti-Semitic incidents in Boston, New York, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Washington, D.C., happen across our great nation, hate spreads.
Hate spreads when President Trump denies transgender individuals service in our military. Hate spreads when President Trump begins to deport Dreamers who came forward because President Obama promised them protection. Hate spreads when President Trump pardons former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was found guilty of racial profiling and detaining people without formal charges. President Trump has taken dog whistle politics to the megaphone. What will you do to stop it?
Log Cabin Republicans
I have offered for months for any LGBT Republican to write a defense of their president Donald Trump. I have gotten excuses from “I’m working on it” to “I have more important things to do.” Gina Roberts, you are the transgender leader of the San Diego Log Cabin Republicans, what does your organization have to say about the transgender service ban? How about the other LGBT rights that have been rolled back or at risk? Log Cabin National President Gregory Angelo said in the New York Times last April that President Trump “has made pro LGBT policy a matter of record.” Gina, do you agree? Your community wants to hear from you and LGBT Weekly will provide you with a forum to express your views. Carl DeMaio are you out there? Jacquie Atkinson? Now is the time to step forward and explain your support of the Republican Party. Please don’t say that President Trump doesn’t represent Republicans. You elected him.
Farewell Tour
As Dr. Delores Jacobs, CEO of The Center, takes her farewell tour, everyone in San Diego should thank her for her over 16 years of service to the San Diego LGBT community. A lot has changed in sixteen years; marriage equality, Prop. 8 no marriage equality, then marriage quality; the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; no matter what was happening in the last 16 years, Dr. Delores Jacobs was out there on the front lines representing your interests, regardless of whether you knew about it or not. When you see Delores, thank her. She absolutely deserves our appreciation.
The Mayor’s Race
The mayoral race in San Diego is not until 2020 but there is already a lot of speculation. Will Toni Atkins faceoff against Todd Gloria and Lorena Gonzalez? Will Congressman Scott Peters want to come home from D.C. and finish his career at City Hall? Will Mark Kersey look to jump from City Council to mayor? Will Carl DeMaio give it one more shot? In the end, the LGBT vote could be the deciding factor. We cannot let our community make a bad decision, every vote counts. All candidates must support us loud and clear!
STAMPP CORBIN
PUBLISHER
San Diego LGBT Weekly
