A small town in Ohio is losing its homophobic mayor. 78 year old Mary McAngus submitted her resignation after complaints about calling
Officer Kyle Calendine ‘Queer’. She also reportedly said “I don’t like a Queer
working for the village [of Pomeroy].” The village Police Chief Mark Proffitt
told her that such remarks could open them to a lawsuit.
I don’t know how to feel about this report. On the one hand,
a discriminatory leader was removed from power. On the other hand, the removal
probably had more to do with money and its potential loss rather than action on
behalf of civil rights. There is no apology hinted at for Office Calendine. We’ll just have to hope the village he
serves doesn’t turn on him for ‘losing their mayor.’
On a much happier note, another step down the long path to
civil rights has been taken. ThePentagon has announced it will extend certain rights to same-sex couples andtheir families serving in the military. According to the Huff, “. The benefits include commissary privileges, access to family support
initiatives and joint duty assignments.” Defense Secretary Leon
Panetta is responsible for this.
God bless him.
Said Panetta “It is a matter of
fundamental equity that we provide similar benefits to all of those men and
women in uniform who serve their country.”
YES! YES! YES
This is not the end of the road by any means. Homosexual
couples in the military still can’t get burial
rights at national cemeteries, on-base housing or certain travel expenses for
spouses, due to DOMA and its definition of what makes a spouse. This is part of
a bigger struggle. But there’s no shame in the joy of small victories. Every
step takes us a little closer to the future.
It is coming. And we will be
there to see it.
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