NEWS BRIEFS

After months of inspections and mounting tension, the United States proceeds inexorably toward a military action in Iraq. In the administration's view, the basis behind an attack would be that Saddam Hussein's government has weapons of mass destruction and intends to use them. In early February, secretary of state Colin Powell testified before the UN Security Council on what he called previously classified evidence indicating that Hussein was circumventing arms inspectors. The intelligence that Powell provided consisted of hints, overheard conversations, and implications as well as information that had been known when inspectors left Iraq in 1991.

Complicating the war picture is North Korea, which, according to CIA director George Tenet, not only has one or two nuclear weapons, but also the ability to deliver them to at least the west coast of the United States with a three-stage rocket. The administration downplayed the significance of Tenet's testimony. According to one source: "This old news is why it's important to proceed with deployment of missile defense and also why the president is focused on multilateral diplomatic talks to deal with North Korea."

We asked an array of individuals in the community for their thoughts about the prospect for a U.S. attack on Iraq. -Michael Stuart

"I do not believe that this war has anything to do with oil, land, or the people of any one country. We have become so caught up in our lives and our religion and the driving force to be 'right' that we have forgotten that we are talking about souls on both sides of the ocean. I feel that our president is a good man. He showed that with the space shuttle loss a couple of weeks ago. But on the other hand, he has got to be right, damn the rest."

Mitch Rainey

President, American Veterans for Equal Rights

"Compassion dictates that we accomplish what we should have in 1991: Free the Iraqi people from the nightmare that is Saddam Hussein if required unilaterally, just as Clinton did in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Haiti."

Shari Goldsberry

President, Log Cabin Republicans-Houston

"Do I think the U.S. should police the world? Possibly. Do I think we are going about it the wrong way? Probably. Is this potential war about gaining power and oil? Absolutely. As a gay man, I think we should put down our Starbucks mocha latte, turn down the newest Diva remix du jour, and stop focusing on what the world is doing to us and embrace the bigger cause, cherish the simple things: love, friendship, life-not war, death, and destruction."

Brick Bishop

Artist and massage therapist

"When does fear of what may or may not happen (of the unknown) justify the decision to go to war? An invasion driven by oil? Is this our war (President G.W. Bush) and/or our father's war (Pres. G. Bush Sr.)?"

Marcario Garcia

Montrose Softball League

"I've lived through World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and Afghanistan and dislike wars. It especially offends me that our nation apparently will be making a preemptive attack. Even though I'm a Christian, I have limits on 'turning the other cheek'; but no one has convinced me that Iraq has slapped us, even though I believe that Saddam is an evil person."

Rev. Ralph Lasher

Metropolitan Community Church of the Resurrection

"I think W [President Bush] and his saber rattlers suck. And it is all about oil."

Brandon Wolf

Founder, Houston Activist Network (Han-Net)

"As I ponder the talk of the 'dirty bomb,' I think of all the other things that I have to think about: Do I go buy peanut butter and water as they suggest? Do I worry about what might happen? Then I continue to go on with life as I always do-and realize that I have enough to keep me going just fine."

Jerry Jaggers

Karen Derr & Associates

"A community of unique individuals cannot express one opinion about such a multidimensional topic. However, we can stand united in our complete and unwavering support for the brave men and women in our Armed Forces."

Mark Boline

Coldwell Banker United Realtors

BELL TO SPEAK AT HRC DINNER

The Houston chapter of the Human Rights Campaign will present Rep. Chris Bell with the first John Walzel Political Equality Award on Saturday, March 15.

Judy Shepard, the mother of hate-crime victim Matthew Shepard, will present the award to Bell for his contributions to the HRC. Bell will make the keynote speech at the sixth annual black-tie event at the Houston Intercontinental Hotel.

Bell, who will attend the event with his wife Alison, is a freshman in the U.S. House of Representatives and a former Houston city councilman.

The Houston chapter has renamed its political equality award to honor Walzel, the prominent local jeweler and community supporter who died in 2002.

Queer as Folk actor Robert Gant will be the featured speaker. Frank Billingsley, KPRC weatherman, will emcee. Tickets: 713/522-1115 or www.hrchouston.org. -Josef Molnar

TOWN HALL MEETING VIEWS SODOMY CASE

A week before Lambda Legal presents arguments in the Texas sodomy law case before the Supreme Court, the advocacy group will hold a town hall meeting on the issue in Houston.

Lee Taft from the Dallas office of Lambda Legal will host the event on March 20, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Houston GLBT Community Center. Mitchell Katine, attorney for case petitioners John Lawrence and Tyron Garner, will co-host the meeting, which is free and open to the public.

The Stonewall Law Association of Greater Houston and the State Bar of Texas section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identifications Issues are co-sponsors.

For more coverage of Lawrence and Garner v. Texas click here.

ACTIVISTS BIKE INTO HOUSTON

On April 3 and 4, lesbian rights activists Carrie Stone and Elisia Ross will stop in Houston on their cross-country bicycle tour to promote equal rights for GLBT relationships. The GAYducks: Get All Your Ducks in a Row ride began in St. Augustine, Florida, on February 25. On April 4, the Houston GLBT Community Center will host a welcome reception for Stone and Ross. More info: www.GAYducks.org.

ROYALTY GATHERS AT RICH'S

An array of past Miss Gay Houston and Mr. Gay Houston titleholders will gather at Rich's Houston on March 21 to honor drag performer Dyan Michaels, who died on January 26. These winners will include Ricci Alan and Kara Dion, crowned in 2002. Artist John Palmer, Mr. Gay Houston 1999, will create a painting memorializing Michaels, which will be auctioned to benefit Montrose Clinic. In an unusual combined pageant, Mr. and Miss Gay Houston 2003 will be chosen.

RODEO FOLK RIDE NORTH

Several Houstonians will travel to Fort Worth to participate in the March 28-30 Cowtown Rodeo presented by the Texas Gay Rodeo Association. They include Melanie Ashcraft, Randy Christian, Danny Gonzalez, Bryan Hopkins, Craig Stanfield, and Kevin Tobin. Rodeo info: www.tgra.org.

SPORTS NOTES

Soccer. Two professional soccer teams, the Atlanta Beat and the San Diego Spirit, will play on March 26, 7 p.m., at Rice Stadium. Houstonian Amy Sauer plays for the Spirit. The Houston Women's Soccer Association will host this WUSA league pre-season game. Info: www.hwsa.org.

Basketball. The other professional women's basketball team, the Houston Stealth of the three-year-old NWBL, has reached the halfway point of its season. The Stealth, 1-4 at press time, plays home games at Rice University's Autry Court. Info: www.nwbl.com/stealth.

Softball. The Montrose Softball League kicks off the 2003 season on March 23. This year the league plays at the new PJ's Park in Spring. Info: www.montrosesoftballleague.com.

Athletics. Houston Roughnecks president Steve Brady and team captain Randy Jones serve on the community steering committee of the first National Gay & Lesbian Athletics Conference set for March 28-30 in Boston. Info: www.gayconference.org.

If you have any comments about this article, please email them to letters@outsmartmagazine.com.