A Letter From The President

 Bob Dorr, PFLAG Omaha

 Posted on May 19, 2005

Hope for Minorities

Yes, yes, yes--minorities continue to have basic human rights even if a majority has voted to take away those rights.

Seventy percent of Nebraska’s voters approved a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships in 2000. In throwing out that vote recently, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Bataillon of Omaha cited this language from another court decision: “One’s right to life, liberty and property and other fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections.”

The public vote on Initiative 416 has made it futile for gay and lesbian couples to seek benefits through the political process. Here’s one example: After the state’s voters approved 416, a Nebraska legislator introduced a bill giving funeral rights to the surviving partner in a same-sex relationship. But State Attorney General Jon Bruning advised that such a measure, if passed, would not be constitutional because of 416. The effort to pass funeral rights was dropped.

In his weekly email report to constituents, State Sen. Lowen Kruse of Omaha said that 416’s ban on domestic partnerships “would invalidate the contract a father and son draw up on how they are going to manage their farm. Or prohibit a mother and daughter from a shared agreement on their Living Wills and how they want to be cared for in illness. Or block a gay couple with joint home ownership from going to court to protect their property.”

What happens now? For one thing, the state will appeal the decision. For another, our opponents will use the decision to stir up more sentiment against, to use their words, “activist judges.” They also will use it in pressing for an amendment to the U.S. constitution that would prohibit same-sex marriage—bypassing federal judges.

PFLAG strenuously opposes proposals for a Federal Marriage Amendment defining marriage as exclusively between a man and woman. It is helping our side of the argument that more and more same-sex couples are coming out of the closet. When they do that, they typically are seen as what they truly are: nice folks who lead normal lives and who, in many cases, are raising children.

Bataillon’s decision doesn’t open the door to same-sex marriage, which has never been allowed in Nebraska.

What can you do? Seize opportunities to talk to your friends, co-workers and neighbors about your hopes and dreams as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans, and as family members of GLBT people.

Come to our June 9 meeting to hear a speaker discuss research findings regarding reparative therapy—the notion that individuals can be changed from gay to straight through therapy. Vernon Williams, a member of the Cornhusker PFLAG chapter in Lincoln, will speak.

As always, we will drink coffee, have treats and socialize at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will start with support time at 7 p.m. The program will begin at 8 p.m. Our meetings are in Mead Hall at the west end of First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St.

In 1985, a candlelight walk on 16th Street in downtown Omaha honored those who had died from AIDS. That walk became the first Nebraska Pride celebration. This year’s four-day event, marking the twentieth anniversary, will start with a riverboat trip on Thursday night, June 9.

The Big Day is Saturday, June 11. The Pride parade will step off from 10th and Pacific Streets at 11 a.m. Join the PFLAG contingent as we walk behind our banner. Bring helium-filled balloons to hand out to youngsters along the route.

The parade will have the same route as last year, moving north on 10th Street and then west on Jackson Street to about 16th Street. It is an easy walk, and you will enjoy being with your fellow PFLAG members. Look for PFLAG’s gray banner in the large lot northeast of 10th and Pacific Streets starting about 9:30 a.m. or 10 a.m.

This year’s parade grand marshal will be attorney Susan Koenig, an Omaha PFLAG member.

After the parade, Omaha PFLAG will staff a table with literature to hand out in the Pride Festival area on 15th Street south of Jackson Street. We know from experience that some people will want to talk to us about PFLAG or about situations affecting their lives, and we stand ready to engage in such talks.

While you’re visiting the exhibits and display tables, check out Kidz Korner, where the Ohana Group will provide fun, creative and educational activities for children. This makes Pride a more family-friendly event. Omaha PFLAG donated $225 to help this year’s Kidz Korner.

For details of the 20th anniversary Nebraska Pride, go to: www.rainbowcelebrations.org

Bob Dorr, Omaha PFLAG president