Judge upholds state's ban on gay marriage

Madison - A Dane County judge upheld Wisconsin's constitutional ban on gay marriage and substantially similar legal relationships on Friday, saying the amendment was properly presented to voters in a November 2006 statewide referendum.

Not too many judges like this one so salute this Dane County judge.

Below is an article about Twin Falls, ID permitting a queer float in the parade. But if you read closer, you’ll find that the homosexual groups tried to pull a fast one but got caught. So when they got caught and restrictions put on them by some observant officials, the queer groups are now going to SUE.

Out of the closet, in the parade
Western Days accepts gay group float under assumed name, other restrictions
By Jared S. Hopkins
Staff writer
A gay pride group will be allowed to have a float in the Western Days parade.

The members, however, might have to hide who they are.

The Southern Idaho Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Community Center was allowed entry to Saturday’s parade - provided the group uses the name “Southern Idaho Community Center” and promises not to use rainbows or other colors associated with gay pride.

The decision is a change from 2007, when the Western Days Committee denied the group and its rainbow-decorated float admission to its annual parade, saying they wanted an event that reflects the conservative, religious and family values of Twin Falls. It was the first application denied in the parade’s 26-year history.

In addition to requiring the gay pride group to participate under another name, members say, the Western Days committee stipulated that the float cannot show the group’s “colors”; reference the organization or its issues or be used to pass out fliers for AIDS awareness.

“I do live in the United States, but I’m being treated like an alien,” said Brandy Jones, 64, president of the group. “Why lie about who we are?”

Two organizers for the Western Days, including board chairwoman Lisa Cuellar, said no such provisions were handed out. They simply received, and accepted an application from the SICC - not the SIGLBTCC.

But both Cuellar and MaryAnn Taylor, the parade chairwoman, confirm that they did tell the group they know as the SICC that rainbows are prohibited, as are any promotions or references to homosexuality, including T-shirts or fliers.

“No rainbows, no gay pride, not anything like that,” Cuellar said Wednesday. She said the group’s float must match the description submitted with the application. Neither she nor Taylor were able to provide the float description.

Cuellar said the parade application apparently did not reference SIGLBTCC.

“They entered the name Southern Idaho Community Center, so that’s how they have to be in the parade,” she said. “They just have not been up front with us ... Maybe it’s the lack of communication of both ends.”

The three-day Western Days, expected to draw 30,000 to 50,000 people, is one of the year’s largest public events in the Magic Valley. Its $27,000 budget comes entirely from donations, said Cuellar.

Jones, who moved to Twin Falls from California in 1968, said the group plans to adorn its float with pumpkin decorations, shape it like the state of Idaho and blend in with the theme of Western regalia.

“We’re not happy about it,” she said. “The churches and Wells Fargo are going to show their colors. Ours are simply a rainbow and she (Taylor) said, ‘nothing to do with rainbows.’”

After discussing the issue Wednesday in a meeting at 360 Main: Bistro and Lounge, about a dozen group members agreed to participate in the parade as the SICC. However, they said they may also stage an unspecified protest during Western Days. A popular suggestion was to include a large question mark to the float in hopes those attending the parade will inquire and learn about the group.

Last year, the group protested the denial during the parade with a demonstration near the Turf Club on Falls Avenue West.

Members said they are tired of being unfairly stereotyped. They note that they participate in numerous community events, including Paint by Magic and AIDS awareness functions.

When the gay group’s float was rejected last year - more than 130 other organizations were accepted - it renewed a debate over moral acceptance and forced discussion about the role of city government in allowing and supporting the otherwise privately run parade and other festivities on city property.

In the days following last year’s parade, council members said they didn’t think a rainbow float would have been a big deal. On Tuesday, Councilman David Johnson - who last year called the rainbow float “fairly benign” - said approving it this year might avoid controversy.

Harry DeHaan, a Twin Falls attorney offering legal advice to the group, said it’s not a private event because the parade has thousands of people walking through the center of town - and organizers of such an event can’t censor freedom of speech.

Group members said they contacted the American Civil Liberties Union and other human rights groups, and have not ruled out legal action.

Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 208-735-3204 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com.

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