Planned Parenthood Defender of Reproductive Rights

Listen up as Emmy award winning host Donna Rossi talks about the “V” word. That’s right we’re sitting down with Grassroots organizer Hillary Pinney of Planned Parenthood as she walks us through her experience with planning the 2009 V-day at ASU and the fight for reproductive rights of women everywhere. Don’t miss out on hearing about the partnership between Equality Arizona and Planned Parenthood as well as a whole lot of Vagina.

Stream live from 12:00pm to 12:45pm at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/equalityarizona or download the podcast at http://equalityarizonaradio.podbean.com/2009/03/19/planned-parenthood-defender-of-reproductive-rights/

Coffee and Community

As a lesbian business owner, having been able to experience the warm and positive feelings of our LGBTQ community, I was drawn to create a space in which we could be ourselves, where we would always feel safe and welcome. I, along with two other business partners sought out to create that environment at the Fair Trade Café & Gallery. In return members of our community have shown their support for the café and have continued doing so even through a recession and light rail construction. I have no doubt we are still here and continuing to grow because of the strong support of the LGBTQ community.

Coming out at the age of twenty-five, I didn’t have to go through my family disowning me, at least the ones I care to claim, through it all I had the support of amazing gay and lesbian friends who overall made me feel welcomed and valued within the LGBTQ community. Shortly after coming out, I met my fantastic and caring partner who I am completely committed to and in love with and who always supports me in all of my endeavors, no matter how crazy they are. My life took an unexpected turn a month after finishing my Masters in Social Work, I mortgaged my house and bought a coffee shop that was in serious financial trouble.

I don’t think that being a gay business owner makes my life any more exciting
than that of a straight business owner, but one thing I do know is that it gives
a sense of purpose will beyond selling coffee.

The Fair Trade Café supports local and global organizations who provide services for those in need, create sustainability, protect the environment and more. If you would like to learn more about Fair Trade please visit www.azfairtrade.com/cafe. The café has allowed me to make a much bigger impact than I would ever have been able to as a single individual.
Our relationship with the LGBTQ community is very symbiotic, we support each other and hopefully will keep continuing to do so. I have not yet encountered any difficulties brought on by my being gay and I know because of that I am incredibly lucky. I know that even just a few years ago, this could have easily made us a target. But today, thanks to the work of Equality Arizona, we hold our place within the community with pride.

Speaking of pride….

The Fair Trade Café will be partnering with Equality Arizona to raise some funds at Pride this year. We will be selling our coffee, tea and other goodies Saturday and Sunday. So if you are going to be there, please stop by and visit us! Let’s continue to support each other. Together we can only grow stronger.

Thank you for everything you have done to support us. It allows us, in turn, to continue to support our community,

Michele White

A Personal Look at "For the Bible Tells Me So"

Sunday I will spend part of the afternoon watching the film “For the Bible Tells Me So” at the Liberal Catholic Church in Casa Grande and being a panelist for a discussion after the film. A growing rural area halfway between Tucson and Phoenix, Casa Grande is in search for an identity that is not about being a suburb of either Tucson or Phoenix.

I needed to preview the film and give myself plenty of time this week to process its content and prepare to the best panelist I could be on Sunday. So in goes the DVD which starts with a tearful Anita Bryant wiping a fruit pie from her face and praying for the homosexual that hurled it at her from across the room.

For 95 minutes I was taken on an unexpected journey. I didn’t expect to feel physically sick, I bawled like a baby, I let out several of those guttural activist grunts, I was educated, I cheered, I was challenged in my own prejudices about religion and I was angry.

Having been raised Catholic I am all too familiar with the abuse religious institutions heap on its congregants to maintain order, to make money and to ensure there is always an “other”. (You’ll have to see the film to understand “other”.)

The film finally ended and the song “True Colors” begins to a backdrop of photo stills and film credits. I leaned forward in my chair, exhausted, tears still streaming down my cheeks. From across the room Aspen, my dog, jumps down from the couch comes over to my chair and puts his head in my lap. He looked up at me as if to say, “I’m giving you a hug.”

I don’t know what I will say sitting on that panel next Sunday. I can’t predict that I wouldn’t repeat tonight’s emotional journey, including the various outbursts that surprised even me. I can only hope (some would say pray) that I find the same gentle kindness Aspen brought with me next Sunday when undoubtedly there will be folks in the room with their own anger, prejudices and joy to process.

I’ll let you know how it goes,

Barbara McCullough-Jones

Executive Director of Equality Arizona

Click here for a list of "For the Bible Tells Me So" viewings.