It is really time for some campaigning as we are "less than one menstrual cycle away" from the election of a lifetime

EMERGENCY UPDATE: LOCATION HAS BEEN CHANGED The new location for the rally is now Convention halls A & B of The Grand Wayne Convention Center 120 W. Jefferson Blvd. (@ Harrison Street) in Downtown Fort Wayne.

Apparently no one wanted their parade to get rained on?

If you have not heard local Democrats and the HRC FW Chapter wants everyone to take a half day off work on Wednesday, the 15th of October to attend a Change We Need Rally featuring Mrs. Barack (Michelle) Hussein Obama, Jr. Doors Open: 12:00 p.m. Program Begins: 1:00 p.m

The event is being held @ Lincoln Financial Pavilion Headwaters Park 333 South Clinton Street in Downtown Fort Wayne is free and open to the public, will be held rain or shine and tickets are not required; however an RSVP is strongly encouraged. For security reasons, do not bring bags and please limit personal items, there are NO signs or banners permitted.

As a special bonus (YEAH!) if you text "meet" to 62262, you could be selected to meet Michelle before the Fort Wayne event. Text now for this special opportunity.

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Please pardon my sarcasm, then watch the video from Jib Jab below,
then vote for Bob Barr and Wayne Allyn Root on the 4th of November please.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

This Weekend, Local GLBT Groups Are Hosting Democratic Federal & Statewide Campaign Events & Libertarians On Equality Issues & GLBT Persons (UPDATED)

God-des and She performs 8:30p.m. this Saturday Upstairs @ Columbia Street West

Hip Hop, R&B, Soul Artists Goddes and She (MySpace) from Brooklyn, New York (pic @ right with Jay Brannan), are the special guest headliners for a two day Democrat Making Change Happen campaign event by Fort Wayne PRIDE Committee, HRC Fort Wayne Chapter, and cross sponsored by Reality Magazine. Joining Goddes and She will be The Campaign For Change, and openly gay State Representative Greg Harris of Illinois, along with many other politicians or their staff to answer your questions.

Here is the official video for their hit song LICK IT, aka DO THAT PUSSY RIGHT:



Here are the complete details for Making Change Happen
Location: Columbia Street West Banquet Hall
135 West Columbia St. Ft. Wayne IN 46802
There will be a cash bar. Doors Open 7p; Performance 8:30p Enter off of Harrison Street.
Tickets: Ages 15 and up $15 non-HRC members, $10 HRC members, $5 students w/valid ID.
RSVP please to Linda Bentz via email or phone. All proceeds go directly to HRC.
The fun continues 2p Sunday @ Allen Co. Democrat Party HQ @ 1920 Bluffton Rd, w/dessert.

We all know that life isn’t the way it should be for people who are GLBT. We also know that real change is possible - that it can be better. So now what?

We begin by electing fair-minded, equality candidates to office - from Barack Obama, Jill Long-Thompson, and Michael Montagano, right through to locals Kevin Knuth and Maria Parra - all of whom have reached out to us, fight for us, and who genuinely care about us as human beings. These people have consistently put their beliefs in action, and now it’s time for us to do the same.

~Linda Bentz, HRC FW Lead, (Reality Magazine, volume 2, issue 9, page 3)

Please Notice: in the article/press release excerpt above she listed only Democrats which is not a complete list of candidates for equality up for election this November, just the ones HRC FW & FW PRIDE want to support. That, in my honest opinion, is a violation of their Non Profit status with the State of Indiana.

How Libertarians Handle Equality Issues & Assure The Rights Of GLBT Persons

The problem with the above scenario, which repeats almost every election cycle in some regard, comes into play because, while Libertarians are pro equality, we operate under a different paradigm based on the individual's merit versus a collective privilege. Even though we strive to reach the same goals, it seems like die hard Republicans or Democrats can't handle the philosophical differences/challenges of just treating all persons as individuals, with the self evident truth that they were created equally and entitled to a free life with full liberty and the ability to pursue their own happiness with whomever or however many persons they choose to share it with in common bonds. The Libertarian Party Platform specifically reads in regards to marriage equality,

"government does not have the authority to
define, license or restrict personal relationships."

This self evident truth, of all persons being created equal, was declared by our Founding Fathers in The Declaration of Independence, which is also encased in the very beginning of the United States Code under Organic Laws of the United States, and just needs to be properly interpreted by The Supreme Court, and applied into law by The United States Congress, and enforced by the Executor of the Constitution and Commander In Chief.

The problem wont be solved by new laws but by first cleaning up and throwing out the unconstitutional laws that already exist. Then we can worry about adding new laws to the books. If we don't clean up the books soon, we might find ourselves having to write a new constitution though. That is a process that no one wants to go through and I don't think we have the courage to do so either.

Wouldn't it be better to preserve this nation rather than watch it die slowly and outside of our control?

Take a moment and think about it before you decide which candidate is just the lesser of two evils. Take a moment a think about what a third party candidate can bring to the legislative table and the marketplace of ideas. Diversity for one is for all equality!

RESOURCES: To visit LP of Allen Co. website or blog; or the LP of Indiana website; or the LP National website. To find out more info about OUTright the GLBT Caucus's website or blog. Here is the most current list of all LP Candidates up for election for voters to choose locally.

Take A Moment If You Dont Mind?

Take more than a moment and pray for our nation, our fellow citizens, and our leaders, in this time of crisis and chaos. As we have passed the Sabbath of Mabon and the Solemn Triumph of the Cross, and approach the Festival Rosh HaShanah, may we give thanks for the bounty we have been bestowed previously; and have enough humility to ask for mercy. Don't forget to also ask for wisdom, that we make the right decisions. On the 4th of November, make sure your decisions will secure the blessings of liberty for our posterity forever and ever. AMEN!

Reminder: The deadline to register to vote is the 6th of October.

Local Queer Community Calendar Update

*This post has been updated*
The next two weeks or so are going to be very busy for the local GLBTIQAS Community as we prepare for our annual family reunion, aka PRIDE FEST, at the end of this month. I want to take a moment and wish Bil Browning and Jerame Davis, along with all the other Indiana and Inter/National writers and editors, that have made The BILERICO Project the successful avenue of information and queer thought that it is, Happy One Year Anniversary!!

In just a few hours (10 p.m.) contestants will be gathering at After Dark Night Club on Harrison Street, five blocks south of the Grand Wayne Center, to begin finding out who will be the IDOL of Fort Wayne PRIDE Fest 2008. But that is not all.... There are still two other events for PRIDE this week and the Human Rights Campaign's Fort Wayne Chapter has two events going on in the next two weeks as well. Here is a breakdown of the local GLBT Calendar as far as we know or have information for the rest of the month.

• Wed. 9th PRIDE IDOL @ ADNC 10p.m.
  
• no door cover charge
  
• Thurs. 10th Obama for President PRIDE
• Question and Answer Session 7:00p.m.
• @ Allen Co. Public Library Pontiac Branch @ 2215 South Hanna St. (north of Creighton)
  
• Sat. 12th FLOW Poetry and Art Slam Benefit @ UTSCC 7p.m. sugg. donation $5
  
• Sat. 12th Mr. PRIDE Pageant @ ADNC 10p.m. door cover $4or 5 (manager not sure)
  
• Mon. 14th PRIDE IDOL for MINORS @ The PINT & SLICE @ 7p.m. sharp
• Mon. 14th PFLAG FW Chapter Monthly Meeting @ Plymouth (West Berry) 7p.m.
• Tues. 15th HRCFW Volunteer Mobilization Meeting (open post in a new tab)
• @ Allen Co Public Library Main Trunk Business & Technology Room 6:30p.m.
• Wed 16th FW PRIDE VOLUNTEER MEETING 6p.m.
  
• Allen County Public Library Main Branch Meeting Room C
  
• Sat. 19th FW Area Bears Breakfast @ Golden Corral on Maysville Road 9:30a.m.
• Fri. 25th PRIDE Fest @ Head Waters Park East 7p.m.-12mdnght admit $3
• Sat. 26th PRIDE Fest @ Head Waters Park East 12noon-12mdnght admit $5
• Sun. 27th Open Door Chapel PRIDE Picnic @ Rockhill Park Pavilion 12 noon
• Rockhill Park is located on Catalpa between West Jefferson and Taylor east of Freeman
  
• Hot Dogs provided please bring covered dish and beverages (no alcohol) to share
  

EDITOR'S NOTES: YOU CAN READ OTHER POSTS ON F6 ABOUT FW PRIDE 2008 HERE, HERE & HERE AND THE HRCFW VOLUNTEER MEETING. YOU MAY ALSO WISH TO PERUSE F6's LINKS PAGE FOR INFO ON GAY FORT WAYNE OR IN GENERAL GAY & LESBIAN RESOURCES ALSO.

Local Chapter of HRC holds Mobilization Meeting for Volunteers next month @ Main Library

EDITOR'S CORRECTION BELOW - MY APOLOGIES TO LINDA
A Message from the HRC FW Chapter Coordinator, Linda Bentz:

Birthdays are a time of reflection and celebration.

We held our first meeting on May 27, 2007. It's been a wild ride so far, and we're just getting warmed up! We have met the most amazing souls on the planet through our work, and have been deeply blessed by all the people who have written letters, volunteered at events, or have simply said, "Thank you for fighting for us!" It is both humbling and inspiring!

Word is spreading, and together, we are making it safer to live, love, and work, right here in northeast Indiana.

Organizations* with which we've collaborated to date: • Bars and Nightclubs 3, • Community Orgs. 10, • Political Campaigns 5, • Advocavy Alliances 7, • Serve on Boards 3, • Churches 4, • Publication 3 (*numerical list **modified by Fr. Fozy from the original text)

We have come so far, but as long as the Human Rights Campaign Fort Wayne is still receiving phone calls and emails from people who have been fired, beaten up, or otherwise discriminated against simply because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or an ally, we are not done yet. To that end, we are holding a Volunteer Mobilization Meeting on Tuesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the downtown branch of the Allen County Public Library in the Business and Technology Room. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Linda Bentz at LindaHRCvolunteer@yahoo.com, @ MySpace, or at 260-615-4154.

Thank you dearly for all you do to achieve our common goal of equality for ALL!

Linda Bentz, Lead
Human Rights Campaign Fort Wayne

Local Queer Community Spotlight and Commentary for Wednesday. Sorry I am running behind.

HRC Local Chapter hosted benefit for UTSCC two Saturdays ago.

F6 would like to finally report that one thousand dollars was raised at the fund raising event sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign's Local Chapter at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Old Mill Road for the Up The Stairs Community Center. The benefit "An Evening of Love" brought together the talents of The Chorus of Fort Wayne, Reuben Albaugh, Jessica Butler - Miss IPFW 2008, Breona Conrad, Blane Pressler, Brett Tubbs, and James Velez. Their performances were enjoyed thoroughly by the just less then sixty guests. The fund raiser was held for assisting "the daily operational costs of keeping the doors of the UTSCC open (simple things like heat, light, and water)".

COMMENTARY:

One thousand dollars does not even begin to cover one months of expenses for operations as previously budgeted at 1,250 per month @ the UTSCC. So more than likely what will happen to the one thousand dollars is it will get appropriated to fund something else to raise even more money which will go to fund something else to attempt to raise even yet more money and it becomes a vicious cycle that is no different then a mutilevel marketing scheme. In the end I don't have an issue with them doing this I do have an issue with them saying that it goes to general operating expenses as a blanket statement without directly specifying how and where and why. Just be prepared for them to do a fund raiser per month at this rate if not two in the chaos of attempting basic liquidity. The other reason I have issue with all of these "Drag for a Dollar" fund raisers is the fact that the UTSCC Board still does not have accountability to the people they serve.

Not forgetting to mention the previously extended debt and unaccounted resources mentioned in Dan Stockman's article last year have yet to be accounted for. According to his story, one dollar of every twenty dollars, with the highest annual total at seventeen thousand dollars, for a total of twenty five percent of fifty-seven thousand dollars budgeted per year on average, still remained unaccounted for. To date the Board of the UTSCC has still refused to audit their books publicly and also refused a free audit when offered by a concerned unbiased third party.

As a matter of journalistic integrity and complete reporting, the assumption that the case on the scandal is closed is false. F6's network of collaborators also made an inquiry to the State of Indiana and was told that the Attorney General's Office is still investigating the UTSCC and they will release their decision when they are done over to the local media first. So be prepared for another stinky windstorm *when the GLBT Community responds as this pile of shit hits the fan, yet again.

(*Edited for clarification of intention.
Thanks, Linda!)

EREN IPFW changes leadership and previous officers start drama.

In other news that is slowly filtering out of IPFW, as certain queens lick their wounds in disgrace, it appears after a long hard fought battle of wills the Student Government finally stepped in and issued a reelection of officers to the Equal Rights Education Network. This proved successful in overturning the previously ill appropriately appointed leadership and the rags of what was left of a Constitution for the organization.

COMMENTARY: KUDOS TO THE RESISTANCE!

I had been involved in these discussions at the end of last semester. Everything we arranged and the waring factions had agreed upon then, was stonewalled in the beginning of this year. I give kudos to the students who stood up to those trying to hold onto power illegitimately and to the Student Government for finally taking a stand and facilitating, by force, new elections.

I also have to give major kudos to EREN's faculty adviser, Chris Douse, the Asst. Director of Diversity & Multicultural Services. He provided stabilization to the group over the last several years as it has transitioned from the monstrosity attempted by some and left by others into the shamble shack EREN had become.

The process of recovery from bad peer leadership can finally begin again. To the new leaders and remaining members: it is going to take time to restore and rebuild, please be patient. The fact that the "previous owners" of the group are disgruntled and trying to make themselves look sparkly clean in the midst of being removed from their filthy nests, should give you courage.

Gay Libertarian is elected President of the IPFW Student Body!!!

As I previously summarized over on the LPAC blog: As some are aware Kody Tinnel, a member of the Libertarian Party of Allen County and a Political Sciences and Public Affairs Sophomore at IPFW, has run for and achieved with a landslide victory the Presidency of the Student Body of Indiana University and Purdue University of Fort Wayne.

COMMENTARY:

Kody Tinnel is a intelligent young man that I have absolute respect and admiration for. His commitment to going green and environ-friendly living, restoring a responsible Greek and Social culture on campus, along with giving people a taste of Libertarian principles in action, are going to be the keys to his success as President in the next year.

The morals of all these stories:

By the power of one to vote for their leadership being restored and used successfully, gives even greater assurance in the abilities of the average citizen to slowly grasp the concepts and responsibilities of their civil duties.

EDITOR: Certain portions of this post have been redacted by personal request.