Human Interest, Law Enforcement, LGBT, Religion

GEORGE W. BUSH, BARACK OBAMA ISSUE JOINT EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING LGBT DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE

July 21, 2014 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Washington, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles) – George W. Bush may no longer be president of the United States, but he still wields the power to issue executive orders, albeit under the signature of another president.

President Obama on Monday signed an executive order expanding protections for federal workers and contractors from discrimination based on sexual orientation.

“In too many states and in too many workplaces, simply being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender can still be a fireable offense,” Obama said. “So I firmly believe that it’s time to address this injustice for every American.”

Bush, who is vacationing at the Bush family ranch in Texas, was asked by reporters for his reaction to the new executive order. “I am happy to do my share in the executive order,” Bush said, “and I commend President Obama for his willingness to collaborate with me in issuing the order.”

Obama’s executive order maintains a provision from a 2002 executive order signed by Bush that exempts religious organizations that discriminate based on religious beliefs. Leaders of both the religious right and the LGBTcommunity have praised the new executive order, saying that never in the history of the United States have they seen two presidents belonging to opposing political parties working together to issue an executive order on a highly controversial issue such as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.

Meanwhile, advocates for comprehensive immigration reform have expressed the hope that Bush and Obama will also work closely together to issue an executive order to grant amnesty to millions of undocumented immigrants currently in the country.

Many will recall that in 2002, Bush issued Executive Order 13269 on the expedited naturalization of aliens and noncitizen nationals serving in and active-duty military status during the war on terror. “Perhaps this time, Bush can co-sign an Executive Order with Obama to finally solve our broken immigration system,” the advocates said.

Business, Human Interest, LGBT, Local News

GAY BARS SLOWLY DISAPPEARING IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

July 21, 2014 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

hayward

Hayward, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – In this city just 26 miles east of San Francisco, there were eight gay bars in the 1980’s. Now, Hayward’s last gay club standing, the Turf Club, has converted into an outdoor live music venue and neighborhood gathering space.

“We’ve gotten rid of the labels. It’s no longer a gay bar; it’s a community bar with live music,” owner Larry Gray said last week. He added, “There’s no longer a need for gay bars, which were safe places to meet, get information and raise money for political causes.”

Renegades, one of three remaining San Jose gay bars

Twenty seven miles south of Hayward, another city — San Jose — is experiencing a similar phenomenon. San Jose didn’t have as many gay bars to begin with, but two of its gay clubs shut their doors permanently in the last couple of years — Brix Nightclub and Tinker’s Damn. Only three San Jose gay bars remain open: Splash, Renegades and Mac’s.

Last week, The Adobo Chronicles reported that a new government study shows that the U.S. gay population is shrinking. Could it be that gay bars are also becoming a diminishing breed?

“As more gay men and women get married, they tend to stay away from public gay places like bars,” said Paul White, a volunteer with Equality California. California is among the 19 states where same-sex marriage is now legal.

Arts, Human Interest, International, The Media

AFTERMATH OF ‘YELLOW FACE’ PRODUCTION OF ‘THE MIKADO’ : BLUE MEN PROTEST

July 21, 2014 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Seattle, Washington (The Adobo Chronicles) – Political correctness has invaded the arts and is threatening to stifle the freedom of expression.

In Seattle, a 130-year-old play is under attack for including racial caricatures and failing to include any Asian American actors in its latest iteration by The Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society . The theater group chose “The Mikado” — a comic opera written in 1885 — for the tenth time in its 60-year history. Critics say having an all-white cast with faces painted yellow is not kosher.

The Seattle controversy is reminiscent of Asian Americans protesting the initial Broadway production of the musical Miss Saigon, in which Caucasian actor Jonathan Pryce played the role of the Engineer.

Inspired by the Seattle yellow face controversy, an obscure community of blue men and women living in the outskirts of Alaska has issued a statement criticizing the popular Blue Man Group.

Blue Man Group is an organization founded in 1987 by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. The organization produces theatrical shows and concerts featuring experimental music (with an emphasis on percussion), comedy and multimedia; recorded music and scores for film and television; numerous television appearances, and a children’s museum exhibit (“Making Waves”). All of the organization’s theatrical performances star a trio of humanoid characters called Blue Men, played by actor-musicians who wear bald caps and uniform blue makeup.

The Alaska blue men community members seldom leave their commune for fear of discrimination because of their unusual skin color. In fact, they have diplomatically refused to grant an in-person interview request by The Adobo Chronicles. “We have never shown ourselves to anyone outside of our community,” they said. “But the growing popularity of the Blue Man Group could significantly threaten our peaceful existence and encourage impostors. That’s why we’ve chosen to finally speak out.”