Shocking numbers to ponder on World AIDS Day
Which tactics and messages are most effective—and who gets to decide?
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Monday, November 06, 2006
Traditionally, the midterm elections don’t garner the excitement and headlines of elections that include a presidential race. This year, however, Nov. 7 approaches with more drama and sex than the final act of a Spanish Telenovela.
Since the 2004 elections, and especially after the New York state high court ruled against same-sex marriage equality in July of this year, common knowledge has been that this election cycle was an important stepping stone for the LGBT community. This November offered a chance to chip away at Republican control of state and national legislature. Small gains this year would help us carve out more control after 2008.
Then Republican Sen. Mark Foley stepped down amidst allegations of inappropriate e-mails with male teenage pages. The late-September scandal sent the GOP in a tailspin and suddenly put the election in play.
That was only the beginning. More recently, State Comptroller Alan Hevesi, a Democrat who supported LGBT causes, became mired in a controversy over using state drivers to transport his wife. His re-election is suddenly questioned—an unfortunate turn because his opponent Christopher Callaghan does not back LGBT equality.
The gubernatorial race, thankfully, is not expected to be close. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who said he supports same-sex marriage equality, is favored to win. So here’s a surprising thought: Why not vote for Green Party candidates Malachy McCourt and Alison Duncan? According to New York State law, a political party must get at least 50,000 votes in the race for governor in order to secure a ballot line for the next four years in other races. This makes it financially feasible for their party to run for local offices—such as in New Paltz, where Green Party Mayor Jason West began performing same-sex marriages in February 2004.
Another October surprise was the New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that extended rights to same-sex couples. The legislature has 180 days to decide what to call the unions. In races that are close, Republicans have used the ruling—and the threat of "activist judges"—to ignite their family values base. We’ll see Nov. 7 how effective that strategy is this time around.
One final surprise: In this issue, The New York Blade introduces a weekly "Special Entertainment Section." It will appear in the center of the paper and include a variety of rotating copy, along with special advertisements. Look for horoscopes, entertainment columns and comics such as "Kyle’s Bed & Breakfast" and "Mr. Gisby’s Totally Gay Pet Shop."
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