Representatives of the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel on Tuesday met with a lesbian couple who were asked to leave a hotel restaurant Sunday after they were seen hugging and kissing. Their ouster quickly sparked a firestorm on social media sites. "We had the opportunity to meet with the couple late (Tuesday) to listen to their story and better understand their view and how they felt," wrote hotel General Manager Leo Percopo in a prepared statement released Tuesday evening. "We had a collaborative conversation, and both parties are taking this incident seriously. Together, we have identified opportunities in which both parties can unite and work together to foster diversity awareness," he said. The Arizona Republic reports the meeting took place after nearly two days of comments from outraged social-media users were posted on the Facebook page of the District American Kitchen & Wine Bar. The District is inside the Sheraton, at Third and Van Buren streets. Kenyata White and Aeimee Diaz, both 38, chose to celebrate their anniversary at the restaurant Sunday because they had met there, White said. "My partner and I were reminiscing ... in one of the tall booths," White said. "I had my arm around her neck, and she had her hand around my waist. I gave her a hug for about a minute, pulled myself away to give her a quick kiss, and then we continued talking." A manager then approached the couple, saying the "behaviour was inappropriate and we needed to leave the establishment" because they were making other patrons uncomfortable, White said. The couple were later invited to come back the next day for free drinks, she said. Sheraton spokeswoman Katie Brashear declined to confirm or comment on the details of the exchange, citing privacy concerns. The hotel did not immediately respond to follow-up questions about Tuesday's meeting with the couple. The hotel had posted a statement on its Facebook page Monday afternoon trying to calm the controversy. "At District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, we embrace diversity and are proud supporters of the LGBT community. We are taking this incident very seriously," the statement said. "Our restaurant is open for all to enjoy, and we sincerely regret that this incident took place." Comments were still being left on the restaurant's page Tuesday evening. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton commented on the story on his own official Facebook page about 5:00 pm. "Phoenix is a gay-friendly city and we welcome the LGBT community, not only because it is good business but also because it's the right thing to do." The hotel opened in fall 2008, and the city paid for its construction with $350 million in revenue bonds. Bondholders are paid back with hotel revenues, so no tax dollars are spent on the deal. A non-profit corporation that includes city officials oversees the hotel, but it is managed under a contract with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which includes the Sheraton brand. White said she hadn't expected such a strong response when she posted a short message about the incident on her personal Facebook page Sunday. "I was really upset at the time, and I was just expecting my friends to comment back and tell me not to worry about it," she said. "The level, this magnitude, it's a little overwhelming to me." State gay civil-rights organization Equality Arizona had attempted to act as a go-between for the women and Sheraton management during much of the day Monday, according to Equality Executive Director Nick Ray. "From my perspective, it's not about us dictating what the solution should be," Ray said. "It's about bringing the two parties together to help them have a better understanding of what happened and how it happened, so this type of incident doesn't occur again." White agreed, adding that "bashing" the restaurant, the hotel or its employees had never been her intention. "My goal through this whole thing is really education and awareness," she said. "I think there are probably a lot of people who encounter situations like this and don't know how to handle them."
In Jackson, Mississippi Thursday, protesters outside the state capitol chanted “Black, white, gay, straight, love does not discriminate.” Their words of protest were just as colourful as their flags and their signs helped pushed their message. "Liberty and justice for all. That's all inclusive," shouted one protester. They're members and supporters of the LGBT community from across Mississippi bringing that message to the state capitol, pushing not just for gay rights, but human rights. "It's our job to love other people," said Bob Gilchrist, 18, who organized the event, mainly through social media. WLBT reports Gilchrist says being made fun of growing up gay only energizes his passion for change, in a place not known for progressive legislation. "We're not going to settle as second class citizens and we're going to keep on protesting until the day that we become equal citizens," said Gilchrist. Gilchrist says that day may be a long way off in Mississippi but those who share his stance say they're hopeful. "We just want what everyone else has. We want to be treated as equal citizens," said GetEQUAL activist Zach Magee. Magee says with movements like same sex marriage happening across the nation, it's time more conservative states like Mississippi embrace social change, which Magee says is a modern day civil rights battle. "I'm saddened that I do live in a state that is so conservative and that hasn't even come close to addressing the issue but it gives me great hope seeing it happen throughout the country," said Magee. The protest started out as a march from Jackson's Fondren neighbourhood to the state capitol but the march was shut down right as it was about to start by the Jackson Police Department, citing safety concerns and permit issues. Organizers claim they filed for a permit, meeting the proper requirements, only to have it denied when they started marching. It didn't however, stop them from being heard. "There's a whole anti-gay culture in Mississippi and I want to battle that head on," said Gilchrist. Advocates say there's often misconceptions about the gay community and only by showing up in numbers and addressing them can change be ushered in. "We're not a stigma, we're not freaks that live underground, we're ordinary people that happen to be gay and homosexuality is very real and you can't pray it away," said Gilchrist.
Few names inspire as much loathing among Colorado Republicans as Tim Gill, the gay entrepreneur who used his considerable wealth to help elect Democrats to office. But Gill has hired yet another Republican — this one with a national profile — to oversee his gay-advocacy group, the Gill Action Fund. According to The Denver Post, Kirk Fordham, who starts work for Gill in April, is a registered Republican whose first political job was working for then-United States Representative Jim Imhofe, a conservative Oklahoman. Fordham spent most of his political career on Capitol Hill, where he said he was part of a "gay Republican SWAT team" that worked with moderate Republicans to push back on anti-gay legislative efforts. When former U.S. Representative Joel Hefley of Colorado Springs sought to overturn a Clinton administration directive to protect federal employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation, the team helped defeat the bid. The Gill Action Fund attempts to advance the equality of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender individuals by working through the political process. Fordham, 44, is gay. "I think the Tim Gill philosophy is if you engage with Republicans and have a conversation about what issues are important to gay and lesbian families, you can actually change minds and shift votes," Fordham said. "I think that is certainly what he is trying to do in the Colorado legislature with civil unions." Gill started the Action Fund in 2005, one year after teaming up with three other wealthy Colorado Democrats to do what had been considered impossible: win control of the state legislature. Since then, the group has been instrumental in helping finance candidates nationwide, both Republican and Democrat, who support gay issues. Gill was a behind-the-scenes player when the New York legislature last year voted to allow gay marriage. "There's no reason why Tim Gill should have to invest money to take out Republicans if the leaders would move along as quickly as their rank-and-file," Fordham said. "There's a misperception out there that you have to somehow pander to a small and shrinking anti-gay faction of the party to win Republican primaries. It's fairly apparent that over the long term, that's a losing strategy for Republicans." Michael Carr of the gay organization Log Cabin Republicans expressed the same sentiment last month when he testified at the Colorado statehouse in favour of the current civil-unions bill. He told a state Senate committee he fears young Republicans with gay friends and family members will hold a "grudge" against the party if it continues its "hateful, bigoted" behaviour. The bill is expected to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate but face a much tougher time in the House, which Republicans won back by one seat in 2010. Supporters say if they could get it to the full floor, it stands a chance. A similar measure last year died in a GOP-controlled House committee. "Most Republicans you talk to these days behind closed doors will say they just wish this issue would resolve itself," Fordham said. "Public opinion is shifting at breakneck speed as most people come to the realization that it makes sense to allow their gay neighbours and family and friends to enjoy the same rights as every other American." Attorney Mario Nicolais, a Jefferson County Republican who supports civil unions, said he hears those kinds of comments quite a bit. He is one of the founders of Coloradans for Freedom, a group of Republicans who back civil unions. "If you are talking about limited government and equal rights, you are talking about conservative principles," Nicolais said. Gill said Fordham "has a great mix of political experience and personal character," adding, “He is a seasoned political operative, successfully works with both Republicans and Democrats, and is deeply committed to winning full equality for all LGBT families — including his own." While in Washington, Fordham also served as chief of staff to the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and in 2004, he was finance director of then-Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez's winning Senate campaign. It was in Washington that Fordham met Rick Palacio, a congressional staffer who now is chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party. "I can say with confidence that Kirk is one of the most decent, honourable people one could work with and a sharp political operative to boot," Palacio said. "Kirk knows what Coloradans have always known — that lasting progress comes as a result of a collaborative process and a desire for a common good. Tim Gill is fortunate to have him as part of his team." Fordham said he has an unusual connection to Colorado. "My parents were avid listeners of James Dobson's Focus on the Family radio show," he said. "For three years after I came out to them, they sent me books and tapes encouraging me to try to change my sexual orientation." These days, Fordham said, his parents adore his partner of 23 years, Mike Cevarr, and the children they recently adopted, 13-month-old Lukas and 7-month-old Levi. Fordham currently serves as chief executive of the Everglades Foundation, a Florida-based group that advocates for the restoration and preservation of the Everglades. At the Action Fund, he will succeed Patrick Guerriero.
Zap2it exclusively reveals that Trevor Donovan has signed on to come back to 90210 for a return appearance this year, which could lead to appearances in Season 5 if the series is renewed for the fall season. "I said I would come back for an episode if they agreed to make it black and white, and silent," Donovan jokes, a sly reference to Academy Award Best Picture The Artist. He is happy to revisit Teddy for fans of the character, whose powerful journey out of the closet drew positive attention from audiences and critics alike over Seasons 3 and 4. The CW has asked that his storyline and return date be kept under wraps, so all that is certain is that when Teddy reunites with an old West Beverly classmate, he will face a life-changing decision. Trevor’s character was last seen in November when he moved to Washington with boyfriend Shane.
The condom-dropping, sizzling sexy Zac Efron spotted leaving an awkward appearance on The Today Show.
0 comments:
Post a Comment