DISQUS

devlzadvocate · 5 months ago

What gay men were eating at Chico's Tacos? And then felt the need to make out there? The ambiance was so overwheming they just had to lock lips over the Diet Pepsi and Chico Chips?

I figure they were passing through town and had no idea what Chico's Tacos is.

BTW, where I go, "that faggot stuff" goes.

I was standing in line @ a local restaurant this evening and didn't realize I was staring at a very attractive man. The woman waiting in line next to me asked, "He is really cute, isn't he?. I smiled and said, "He sure is, just don't tell my husband I was looking!".

We both laughed.

And that's how it should be.

It seems Chico's is also begging for a gay Kiss-in

offspring · 5 months ago

i wish every place was the same as what you experienced god i do wish it that would be amazing.

dmf · 5 months ago

"contend that a business such as a restaurant can refuse service to anybody, any time...."

man i'd love to see them try that on a black patron...

bobc562 · 5 months ago

Yeah, I guess Jesse and Al are still counselling the Jackson family and just can't make it down there right away.

yucca · 5 months ago

Correct. They can refuse. But not for reasons of discrimination on the basis of the protected classes.

As a result, intelligent businesses don't do a lot of that kind of refusing. Because it can blow up in their faces.

Also. Businesses generally like to have customers. These guys were there to purchase a meal. I always wonder when a business doesn't want my patronage, that maybe they don't care to survive in a competitive economy.

heyitsfeej · 5 months ago

"It is possible that the restaurant is actually quite pro-gay but simply waiting for Congress to act."

Snap. This, John, is why you're my hero.

bobc562 · 5 months ago

Check out the followup stories. El Paso city counsel members grilled the police chief, and the police chief issued a statement stating that the cops were, in essence, idiots (to paraphrase, one of them wasn't very experienced), especially when the cops said they could be cited by the Texas sodomy law... which had been struck down by the SCOTUS in the Lawrence case. And El Paso has an ordinance banning businesses from discriminating due to, among other things, sexual orientation. It was kinda a case of dumb and dumber.

cowboyneok · 5 months ago

and their punishment was?

bobc562 · 5 months ago

Uhmmmmm... yeah, well, that's the thing... nothing at least publicly released so far, although apparently there's been a call by the council (there's one gay member) for an internal affairs investigation (oh, and better diversity training for the cops), so really, as we all know, NOTHING is going to happen. sigh.

yucca · 5 months ago

>> better diversity training.

Or. Just training in what the law is, and isn't. OK?

DavidinPS · 5 months ago

How about this for diversity training? "You're fired!"

KarenMrsLloydRichards · 5 months ago

El Paso - Juarez: hell on earth.

adrian_bklyn · 5 months ago

HELL-PASO. (I was born there.)

Chico's is so nasty yet soooo good, by the way. Wish there were one in NYC.

cowboyneok · 5 months ago

Considering every time I go to the airport, I'm subjected to straight couples having sex with their clothes on and rolling on the floor all over each other, I think its time for some "Kiss Ins"

Vince in Cedar Rapids · 5 months ago

Totally agree. We need to start being seen and heard. Enough is enough. We can't count on congress. We can't count on the president. It is time we start making things happen for ourselves.

cowboyneok · 5 months ago

Yep.

bobc562 · 5 months ago

Hey, when my husband (we were one of those couples that got in before Prop H8) drops me off at the airport, there's a big ole' smooch in the white zone at LAX, which we all know, is for the immediate loading and unloading of passengers only.

Jophus · 5 months ago

You don't already? I've be praised on two separate occasions at O'Hare for loving on my ex. I certainly hope people aren't hiding in fear.

paulo · 5 months ago

"Guards"? In a restaurant? What the hell kinda place is Chico running there?

Butch1 · 5 months ago

Remember, we're talking about Texas.

jurassicpork · 5 months ago

"If I owned Hell and Texas, I'd rent out Texas and live in Hell." - Gen. Sheridan.

Butch1 · 5 months ago

;-)

serns · 5 months ago

Maybe it was in a mall, and they called mall security.

vickif · 5 months ago

Since when do restaurants have guards?

jurassicpork · 5 months ago

I was about to ask the same thing. I wasn't aware that tacos and picante sauce brought out the rowdiness in people. Then again, I recall going to a Taco bell and a mosh pit broke out near the drink fountain. Three good people died that day. (sniff)

dmf · 5 months ago

count me among the confuzzled.

adrian_bklyn · 5 months ago

yeah, security guards after hours. EVERYBODY goes to Chico's in El Paso.

Butch1 · 5 months ago

What more can one say about Texas? Two instances in about a week's time.

lileasy · 5 months ago

Better yet, the governor of Texas wants to appoint a fundie woman who doesn't believe in public education as the state's director of education, per Keith O's "Worst Persons" segment. You gotta' love it.

Butch1 · 5 months ago

It makes one wonder if there is something in the DNA of many of the citizens of Texas that causes this recessive gene to rear its ugly head. This seems more than coinscidence. Olbermann was right, they need to give this fool of a governor a parcel of land, let him secede and take her along with him. I also loved his under-the-breath comment at the end of his comments: "Nice die job." ;-)

MarlinB · 5 months ago

It is not DNA. It is a culture here. I have lived in Texas my whole life. I will be the first to admit that they are a bit backwards. But it is the Christian hegemony here. It will be a long process of education for the public.

I am in no way defending the actions in El Paso, or Fort Worth. I deplore them both and have been working here in the Metroplex, along with others protesting and advocating change and investigations into the events at Rainbow Lounge.

It is imperative that we work here in this state to bring about change. The kind of evil that we are talking about with these people needs to be destroyed. There are young people in schools that suffer every day because of this kind of crap. I was one of those kids. As a teacher, I work diligently to educate my fellow teachers about their heterosexist, homophobic, religious bigoted attitudes. Please don't paint Texas with such a wide brush. There are tons of us here who are fighting to bring about change. I understand why people leave. It even crosses my mind at times, but then I remember the numerous times when I hear a child called faggot and I have to stay to correct one more student.

Butch1 · 5 months ago

I actually, agree with what you have said. I think you missed my "snarkiness". I know there is no connection with these actions and DNA though, I am starting to see that the acorn doesn't fall too far from the tree. This behavior is learned from the family and from the person's peers. Religion has been the culprit for many people to believe it is perfectly alright for them to harrass, and beat up gays and lesbians because their church seems to condone their behavior, with one side of their face saying, " no, we hate the sin and love the sinner," and the other side "wink-wink." The church in general prefers to keep the flock ignorant by "hook or crook." Why it is so prevalent in Texas is up for discussion.

MarlinB · 5 months ago

I understand. I think I am just getting tired of what seems to be a wide painting of Texans as a bunch of backward idiots. We have those, no argument, but I have found those in the liberal and conservative camps.

What I am frustrated with is that people are here on the ground trying to fight and every time I turn around on these boards there seems to be more and more about stupid Texans or people who have left the state because of stupid Texans.

I agree that religious has a large part in this problem. I spend twenty years as a minister of a conservative Christian group. I tried to educate and move them forward. I now realize probably an impossible task. That was my stupidity. But I continue the fight every day here on the ground.

We need change here -- I agree -- but calling all Texans backwards doesn't help. What does is people continuing to help us to pressure the people in power to change the direction of our state. It helps to have young gay people see that they have acceptance somewhere. It helps them to see that people are fighting for them when they are probably living in the loneliest place in the world -- an un-accepting family, hateful church, and bullying school.

It doesn't help when they read about people calling their state stupid, ignorant and backwards. It only causes them to run away to other places when they get the opportunity. Our governor pretty much told the gay community that if we didn't like it here we should leave already. I say, let's not let him win this one. Lets bring it to the front porch of every politician, church, and bigot so that the day will soon arrive where I can kiss my boyfriend (like I will ever have one, but one can dream) in downtown Fort Worth, or El Paso, or Muleshoe, TX (And yes there is a town named Mulehoe, I grew up there being called queer.).

Butch1 · 5 months ago

I understand your point, Marlin, and I'm sure it becomes tedious to listen to the criticism but you must understand that these problems seem to be augmented in Texas or there wouldn't be so many stories about people leaving or having these violations of our civil rights so blatently abused. We can not pretend they don't happen. Why do you suppose this governor is so popular and continues to be voted back into office? Unfortunately, there aren't just a few bad apples or these fools wouldn't continue to get elected. I know a teacher in Texas and his students have essentually told him that his class really isn't that important and that they have the backing of their parents. When he has a parent-teacher meeting the parents confirm that if their child doesn't want to do the homework or what ever is required of them, they don't have to. Try failing that student and you are in front of the principal or board of education (there's an oxymoron if I ever saw one ) if you didn't get the principal's drift the first time. Is it any wonder there is a problem in your state?

I know there are many good, intelligent people trying to educate but there seems to be many more who are proud of their ignorance. I give you credit for staying and trying to change things but that is going to have to be a cultural change and it unfortunately, isn't going to happen in my life time.

MarlinB · 5 months ago

Well I agree that if that teacher suffered like that, he/she should call their professional organization. I had to call mine this year on an issue and my principal was immediately wanting to "fix" the situation.

It is true that there is many problems in Texas -- once again no argument here -- but we have to try and change them.

I would love it if millions of more liberal people would move into the state. Who knows what we could change. On selling the state -- we have no income tax, and low un-employment LOL.

Texas has some good things going for it, and we just have to work on the bad. Just know were are not all a bunch of idiots and there are some very good people that simply need education.

I know when I came out to my mother, I had to begin a process of educating her on so many things. She is only one. I am doing it at work with my straight teachers, and administrators. I do it with people I run into on the street. One person at a time. Come join us and be a crusader LOL.

Butch1 · 5 months ago

"Come join us and be a crusader LOL."
====================
Oh, I'm a bit "long in the tooth" to be trying that stuff. ;-) You do have a point regarding a bunch moving into the state. Geez, do we have that many liberals anymore?! ;)
Who knows, it may work.

Sadtacolover · 5 months ago

Dang! I'm from El Paso and Chico's is one of the places (there are a few of them - its a chain) where I always go when I'm home. I'm sad, but maybe not surprised by this.

Many El Pasoans and expat El Pasoans look on Chico's Tacos just as fondly. It's one of the few places that you can go to after a late party, so its been a part of many people's high school years. That's why it has guards, mainly, because of the many teenagers there during late hours.

fraught · 5 months ago

I love it when you say "Dang."

Chris From Maine · 5 months ago

I'm embarassed that I live in the same country as people like that.

And those same people are probably gonna overturn the gay marriage law here in Maine.

/cry.

I-O-R- U · 5 months ago

I trump your EL PASO with a Mormon Gay arrest story in Salt Lake City Utah

Read it and throw up.

I-O-R- U · 5 months ago

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12811907

Here is the link........

kugelschreiber · 5 months ago

"It is possible that the restaurant is actually quite pro-gay but simply waiting for Congress to act."

Silly.

Steve_in_CNJ · 5 months ago

silly? I would have said touche'

kugelschreiber · 5 months ago

Yes. Because a bigoted taco stand in Texas mirrors Administration policies so well.

Sadtacolover · 5 months ago

Before El Paso is lumped in with the Republican majority in Texas, its worth pointing out that El Paso has been pretty solidly in the Democratic column for decades.

SD_Dave · 5 months ago

As we have seen with the current administration, Dem does not automatically = ally.

Judas Peckerwood · 5 months ago

Yeah, talk about damning with faint praise...

KingCranky · 5 months ago

Chico's tacos is a "restaurant" like McDonald's is, the food ain't that great, although the beef stew burritos can be quite tasty.

This issue is really burning up the phone lines on our local call-in shows, and while there's the usual display of idiocy and willful ignorance, there's also quite a few people ripping on the homophobia of the stupid callers.

El Paso is a very apathetic city, which, ironically, translates into a place where gaybashing, especially if it involves violence, doesn't happen that often.

This kind of negative media attention is exactly what Chico's tacos doesn't need, so the quicker the place apologizes to customers who were NOT out of line, the quicker it, and the city, can move forward.

Our city-in the bluest county in Texas-has a nondiscrimination ordinance which includes sexual orientation, so there's where any legal action may result.

As evidenced by other corporate/PR fiascoes, the longer the imbroglio continues, the worse it gets for the offending individual/business, so if our city council-a majority of which call themselves "progressive"-and mayor are smart, they'll be pressuring Chico's tacos to publicly apologize ASAP.

offspring · 5 months ago

So what? Does a business have a right to refuse service? If posted yes, and we all have one or two or more of those friends that love to do the "shock value" crap, in oklahoma we have the cracker barrel they came right out and said they dont like the gays, so what? Don't give them any damn money. I mean we have lesbian bars in oklahoma that kick out men frequently just because someone doesn't like them being there, they don't have to do anything, so we are not saints either, the guards didn't hit them, noone was beaten, and we so don't know both sides before we play victim we should know if that group was going all out to be assholes. Look at this sight it is a great sight but if someone state an idea that we don't like we call them names, like racist, asshole and so on, we are no different than any other human beings if someone isn't acting like they are suppose to in a setting then we want them out, away, gone.

adrian_bklyn · 5 months ago

Well actually, the business is prohibited from discrimination as per a 2003 El Paso resolution which outrightly bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation .

Furthermore, when the police responded to the gay patrons' calls, the officers threaten to arrest them for "homosexual conduct" citing an outdated state law banning homosexual conduct which WAS OVERTURNED BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IN 2003! (Lawrence v. Texas)

Silly ignoramuses!

offspring · 5 months ago

what is with the name calling, your not any different than the same people that are against you, you judge you put down, you insult, you had great points, and i was learning from your comment, but then you had to end it with that. how do you expect others to give a damn about you or your thoughts and feelings if you insult them without knowing them also.

Judas Peckerwood · 5 months ago

Um, I think adrian's "Silly ignoramusus" remark was referring the idiot cops and not you. But given your willingness to assume that the bigoted actions of the Chico's staff and the cops was an appropriate response to some imagined "shock value" behavior on the part of the victims, I do think that it should have been aimed at you. In fact, let me go a step further and say that I think that you are a silly, self-loathing ignoramus.

offspring · 5 months ago

no just defeated, and in an area of the country that is probally very different than people who don't understand why I said what I said. But if that is what you think of me then I can't do anything about it so not going to. Hope you the best.

Judas Peckerwood · 5 months ago

Jesus, that's just sad. I don't want you bowing and scraping to me any more than I want you to give in to the bigots. Defend your dignity with everything you've got -- it's the only way to live.

offspring · 5 months ago

I have defended, and with everything I had, it wasn't just biggots that defeated me, although here they are seriously in control, the gay community here and from I am reading and seeing not only on here but other places, is the same as the biggots in many ways, and in some worse, they segragate, everything is judged, movement, cloths, body, age, race, hell at least with the redneck your nothing to them and where you stand, with other gay people i have never seen people be meaner to each other more than a gay person or group of gays can be, with the exception of violence. The tearing apart the person on an emotionally level, self esteem, body image, and will is easily done. It to me, to me, just to me isnt self loathing, it is tired, and fought and just plan tired, but I also attempt to see both sides of an issue and not just be blinded like the media is or the groups that I say are against me do. Sometimes I see things that may be different than the normal gay way or straight way, sometimes I need to learn more and very willing to change my mind or thoughts on things, as for the only way to live there is living and surviving you may think it weak, or weak willed to want to just survive, that is your right to think that I can only pray you have it better than I do and many like me here. I do suspect you will see me as self loathing but to me nothing has made me defeated as much as the way i see gay people treat each other, nothing like i said besides violence, compares to the brutal wit, and games, and destruction of a persons will that the gay world can do. I do wish you the best, and If your out there fighting for yourself and others i just wish you the best, but before you tell someone they are this or that, please take just a moment and think about what made them that way, could you possibally see yourself turn the same way in similar situations? Maybe not, maybe some, maybe yes. Like I said if you up for the fight for the rights and rights of others i can only wish you the best, and a pray for safe passage in this life.

KISSman · 5 months ago

It's amazing how certain types of bigotry is not only still tolerated, but pridefully flaunted in parts of our country.

heyitsfeej · 5 months ago

Yeah, especially in certain southern, Texas-y parts...

John · 5 months ago

Under the supposedly benevolent auspices of "states' rights," America is rapidly becoming an apartheid regime. Despite the fact that it enjoys considerable public support, the notion that Congress should just sit back and let each state decide what civil rights people are afforded is a dangerous one. In effect, it means those who can afford to live where they want have access to civil rights. Whereas those who can't afford to move do not. It enshrines the concept of "separate and unequal" in a very literal sense. You cross an imaginary line on the map and lose all your rights, even though you've never actually left the country.

We've already seen how this idea has created an insane patchwork of contradictory law with regards to gay rights. I fear we might see it with women's rights as well. Imagine what would happen to women in the South if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (and they're one conservative justice away from doing so). You could concievably be charged with murder in Texas for doing something that's completely legal in Massachusetts. It would create a legal nightmare. And the unity of the nation will suffer.

Don · 5 months ago

Maybe they should get together with the families of the 60 Black children who were kicked out of the Swim Club in NE Philly this week (we wouldn't want to change the 'complexion' of the pool, would we?). Get the same lawyers, and sue their asses.

faeriedust · 5 months ago

I believe the Swim Club is being sued, I have seen the news on this atrocity, one little boy was crying. In Philly there are alot of minorities, blacks and Hispanics. I live about an hour away from Philly and I believe the civil liberties groups are getting involved. Discrimination has been against the law for how long? What I get is that they have been going to this club for years, and the owner said it was over crowed, do you believe this BS?

nickiuk · 5 months ago

It is a shame that the US is such a backward country or is that just the deep south.

faeriedust · 5 months ago

We are the most prudish country in the free world. Damn you have so many do gooders out there, the religious fanatics, GOD will punish you if you are gay. Bull Puckie, I have a gay friend and he is a hellava lot nicer than some straight friends I have.

Remember one thing, No Religion runs this Country, but the President and Congress. If we had a religion running, I move to Canada. I do know it would be the Queen of England. I on the other hand is a Pagan and my beliefs are mine and I do not push my thoughts or beliefs on anyone.

nickiuk · 5 months ago

Ok, it might be a bad idea then to move to the US (I'm Trans) and i think i am a nice person.

Mind you i don't even plan on visiting your country until the entry rules bush brought in are removed, i'm sorry you want to know what information, that is private.

faeriedust · 5 months ago

I would not ask you about the information, but I could ask where you are from? Me I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. I think Trannies are beautiful people also. You are a human first, that is what I am talking about. What you are is no fault of anyone, so to speak... God. Since that is what I hear. I always had said, The United States is a great Country, but the Government keeps screwing it up!

Best of Luck, nuckiuk

nickiuk · 5 months ago

Me i'm from the UK. born in scotland lived most of my life in england

faeriedust · 5 months ago

I have English blood in me, Prince is my maiden name. I have always had very strong ties to the British Isle from the time I was a little girl, I am also Irish from my mother's side.

I would love to come to England one day, and then to Ireland. Mostly to find some relatives that are still there, since my dad received a geneology chart from someone, I keep asking for it, but my dad is alot like me, I would put something away, then I forget where I put it.

Cheerio

vickif · 5 months ago

My maiden name is Downing. You can't get more English than that. I even have a street named after my family. I too would like to visit England some day but can't afford to.

faeriedust · 5 months ago

10 Downing Street, the home of the Prime Minister.LOL... Well the President lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Named after my home State.

It is expensive to visit, one day before I kick the bucket I hope to visit England and Ireland, since on my mother's side the name Lewis, which is Celtic.

I am also Cherokee and German. I am a Heinz 57 variety, well a mutt.

vickif · 5 months ago

Lewis was my late husband's first name. I'm also part German. My late husband was Sioux and Hungarian. My children are English, German, Sioux and Hungarian. I consider us all mutts but American mutts. But I still would love to visit England.

yucca · 5 months ago

Oh, and btw, I imagine that Texans DO like a lot of "that faggot stuff" like hairstylists, florists, interior decorators, fashion designers, graphic artists, landscape designers, and all kinds of other stereotypically high-% gay male occupations, as long as these guys work to support their heterosexual, fundamentalist christian fantasy society--weddings, in particular. There's no problem with gay men lending their talents. To the status quo. As long as they act sort of closeted. THIS is the oppression.

I've known a lot of gay librarians too, btw. But I guess they don't need those people in Texas. Because they're not interested in learning anything.

Bostonian_Queer_in_Dallas · 5 months ago

And you'd be quite amazed at how well rentboys do here in Dallas. Far larger clientele base than in Boston or Chicago. We've known a few guys who actually moved down here to ply their trade as there were far more closeted men for clients than in the Northeast. Busiest week of the last ten years in Dallas for male whores? The Southern Baptist Convention.

Jophus · 5 months ago

It's really interesting when you look into google searches and see where the most fucked up sexual inquiries originate. For example nearly exclusively red states enter stuff like gay sex with sheep.

I think there was even a study done about internet porn pay sites and the gay porn sites which found the same thing. I think Utah and Texas were the worst.

BTW, I'm 100% serious.

Jophus · 5 months ago

Here is the specific article I was referring to:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16680-por...

cowboyneok · 5 months ago

Speaking of "inappropriate" behavior between two men at dinner!

David Brooks claims to have been groped by Republican Senator at dinner:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/10/752217/...

Indigo · 5 months ago

One more reason not to visit Texas.

faeriedust · 5 months ago

One more reason that the Gays won't vote for a Republican. In my opinion it is not against the law anywhere, if a man and woman kiss any where, will they be thrown out? I doubt it in the least. How many times do you see in a restaurant, where a man is waiting for someone and they give the woman a peck on the cheek. Nothing is meant by that, whether they are married, seeing each other or just friends. It is not a crime to kiss a person. In my opinion Gays and Lesbian's have the right to live on this earth and not to be ridiculed, or harrassed. That is discrimination and THAT is a crime.

Bostonian_Queer_in_Dallas · 5 months ago

Remind me the next time I have to visit El Paso, and a taco restaurant, when I hear someone speaking Spanish, I shall say, rather loudly, "I don't go for all that wetback shit."

Jophus · 5 months ago

That would be the log cabin approach, I'm sure.

Name · 5 months ago

"Texas: it's a whole other country"

Remember that slogan? Kinda wish it were true sometimes....

MarlinB · 5 months ago

Another gay bar was "raided" this last evening. The Dallas Eagle opened its door for a grand opening this last evening and was shut down by the TABC by midnight. They had built a new facility across a parking lot, not across a street. It seems, from early reports, that the TABC got them because the address on their license was incorrect.

I hope to be seeing more on this story ,but here is what I have seen so far.

http://www.dallasvoice.com/instant-tea/

Later,

Marlin

mozett · 5 months ago

Please dont group in all of El Paso with this, we are a very open community and I as well as many other El Pasoans find what Chico's did to be horrible. Will never eat there again and all of my friends and family have agreed not to as well. there is a strong GLBT community in El Paso that gains alot of support from the community as a whole. Chico's will lose alot of business after this occurance, but probably wont shut down. I hope that people around the country dont think ill of El Pasoans I want everyone to feel welcome in my hometown!

Jimmy · 5 months ago

Sad fact is, is these men were a protected minority they might have a caase, but something tells me Texas doesn't protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation. As such, the restaurant is within their right to refuse service to any person they want within the laws on the books. Does that make it right? No, but if there's any hope of making a change these guys will have a long fuight ahead of them.

MarlinB · 5 months ago

Within the state possibly, but the city of El Paso has an ordinance in place that does protect them, so this will be a direct act of discrimination. The bad part is that four of the men, are not really talking because they fear for their jobs, which won't be protected because Texas or the United States either has legal protection.

Name · 5 months ago

I won't say this is representative of El Paso. It represents ignorant people who live coast to coast in the US. One more reason I am glad my partner and I, now married, have moved to Canada! MUCH more progressive and forward thinking up here!