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While we've been busy watching just a few of the many fine films screened at Reeling this year, a mighty lot of gay-centric news has come across our desk. Consider this little round-up a crash course in the past two weeks in the world of LGBT Chicago, headlined by a gay couple that now faces perhaps the most far-reaching denial of equal rights in our modern world: A lifetime ban from Wal-Mart.
- Former attorneys Joe Paolucci and Thomas Hitchcock were apparently enjoying a blissful day of shopping at the Niles, Mich. Wal-Mart with their adopted twin 11-year-old, special needs, Romanian sons when they were accused of shoplifting Bic lighters. The allegations turned out to be false, homophobia may or may not have ensued and the police were called. The ruckus resulted in a lifetime ban, but it doesn't end there: A law firm representing the retail chain has reportedly sought a settlement from the couple for $158.40, 10 times the retail price of the items they still claim Paolucci stole.
- U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (perhaps better known as Mr. Quiggles) is among thirteen individuals and organizations inducted this week into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, which holds the distinction of being the only known city-sponsored hall of fame honoring members and allies of the LGBT community. Other honorees include Frank M. Robinson, speech writer for legendary activist Harvey Milk, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Honorees were inducted at a ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Center Thursday attended by Mayor Daley.
- The Chicago-based American Medical Association (AMA) has added its name to a growing number of organizations calling for the repeal of the U.S. military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy which, if you've been living on another planet, requires soldiers to not disclose their same-sex lovin'. According to the AMA, this policy "encourages dishonesty" and puts soldiers at risk as they cannot communicate openly with medical professionals. The group also spoke against gay marriage bans for encouraging health care disparities for same-sex couples.
- Finally, this year's Transgender Day of Remembrance, honoring the lives of victims of anti-transgender prejudice and discrimination, will be recognized with a candlelight vigil beginning at dusk Saturday. The vigil, held at New Spirit Church, 542 S. Scoville Ave. in Oak Park, will feature Vanessa Edwards Foster, president of the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition, among a number of other keynote speakers.
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For the record, I completely agree with this couple's outrage and hope that Wal-mart eventually has to pay out a large sum of money. But still, I have to wonder what self-respecting gay couple would be all that troubled by staying away from Wal-mart?
i know you're just making a funny, but I suspect it would be hard for any gay (or straight) person in Nile, IN to avoid the Wal-Mart. Niles is just east of Nowhere.
You are correct in that I was making a weak attempt at humor ... though Niles is only 10 or 15 miles from Muncie, which has plenty of options to Wal-Mart.
gays suffer from recession too, you know :)
Being gay doesn't mean you automatically have taste, principles or good politics.
I have banned myself for life from Wal-Mart. For my 2010 New Year resolution, I will be giving up lima beans and prune juice.
FYI...presumably since this story was covered by the South Bend Tribune, it is Niles, Michigan...not Indiana...
Good call. Thanks for the geography lesson! (I'll blame it on it being a Friday.)
We need a modern new All American Slogan to define us as a people to go with our new post race country. I suggested "America keeping a terry towel veneer on our cannibalistic savagery for the last twenty years"
Maybe the kids did steal the pens.
I KNOW THIS FAMILY!
And I'm surprised they are allowed into ANY store. These parents are obnoxious and their kids are undisciplined brats. If you see this family coming, RUN, or at least contact a good lawyer – you’ll need it! I am neither prejudice or “hate gays”, (as Mr. Paolucci likes to claim). Nor do I love or work at Walmart. But I do hate parents who have horrendous parenting skills and blame everyone else for their own unwillingness to be good parents. And that is why I think people should know the truth and PUBLISHED FACTS about Mr. Paolucci and Mr. Hitchcock.
Two years ago when Paolucci - Hitchcock's sons got kicked out of their first private school, City Day. Paolucci - Hitchcock screamed "harassment", even though City Day had other same sex parents with no complaints. Instead of trying to grow from the experience the couple called reporters, screamed and threatened lawsuits against the school, the Head Mistress and kid's teacher. Next the boys got thrown out of St. Clement School, (in less than a month) and the couple again went ballistic, claiming that their son’s behavior was justified because they’re adopted. And just this past spring, Child Services of Illinois was called by a teacher at the boy's latest public school. Paolucci - Hitchcock again claimed "harassment", “gay hating” and “adoption” as an excuse. Later, threatening the teacher who cared about the welfare of their children. Blaming everyone but themselves for their complete lack of skills is norm for these truly bad parents.
If you want to see the real kind of parents Mr. Paolucci and Mr. Hitchcock are, click on the South Bend Tribune article. In the interview, Paolucci and Hitchcock give out very personal and bizarre information about their kids in order to make positive points about themselves.
These are either the most stupid parents on the earth or the most conniving, rotten parents ever. Either way, these kids are doomed with parents like this.