Page 8 - the NOISE October 2013

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NEwSbriefs
Gumptionfest Goes off Without a hitch ... or a noise
By cindy cole | cindycole@live.com
With the recent hubbub about Sedona’s
noise ordinance, including quickly retracted threats to cite musicians and performers for criminal disorderly conduct, the fate of Gumptionfest was uncertain for a while. But sometimes the most disturbing prob- lems can lead to the most creative solutions.
Efforts to reduce sound disturbances of ar- eas surrounding the Old Marketplace, host- ing Gumptionfest for the second time, were re-implemented this year. But what of the time following the “quiet hours” for Sedona, which begin at 10PM? Once the amplified music stops, does the whole festival have to come to an end? Not this year.
Gumptionfest tried something new this year; a “silent disco” which began at 10PM. In- stead of stopping all amplified music or shut- ting the festival down, the festival organizers found a creative way to keep things going into the night. The silent disco employs the use of wireless headphones that each par- ticipant receives upon arrival. Dancers can boogie the night away to the sound of mu- sic heard only in their heads. No complaints from neighbors. No need to roll up sidewalks.
For some, the silent disco may have been familiar. Eliphante in Cornville has used the technology before. To others, especially upon arriving on the scene of bodies writh- ing and twisting in the seemingly quiet night, it may have appeared quite strange.
But most festival goers reported they had a great time at Gumptionfest and the silent disco was “a lot of fun.” And, let’s face it: in Sedona, a bunch of people dancing around to music only they can hear is not such an unusual sight anyway.
The citizen committee formed by Sedona Community Development Director Kevin Snyder to discuss the sound ordinance issue should be presenting its findings to the pub- lic in the coming weeks. They have had sev- eral meetings during which possible chang- es to the ordinance have been discussed as well as the idea of implementing a “Good Neighbor” agreement.
Since meeting in July with more than 80 people at the Sedona Public Library, Mr. Snyder said noise complaints have actually decreased. “I can’t say it’s directly related for sure,” he said, “but it seems since that meet- ing things have been, forgive the pun, quieter.”
sedona considers civil unions
By cindy cole | cindycole@live.com
Sedona City Council looks like it will be the fourth Arizona city to pass an ordinance recognizing civil unions. The final vote is set to take place on September 24 but, by the looks of the meeting held on September 11, passage of an ordinance is likely. City staff was directed to move forward with drafting the ordinance for a vote and the consensus of council members was one of support.
Tucson, Bisbee, and Jerome have already passed civil union ordinances. Five couples
in Bisbee have applied, 36 in Tucson, and none yet in Jerome. Flagstaff enacted an an- ti-discrimination ordinance earlier this year that includes sexual orientation and gender identity for the first time.
While civil unions are widely viewed as a way for gay couples to enjoy the same rights as married heterosexual couples, civil unions can also be applied to those who don’t want to marry but wish to have the benefits, like spousal health insurance, hospital visitation rights, and transfer of property.
According to City Attorney Mike Goima- rac, Sedona’s ordinance would define civil unions as “the recognition of the relation- ship of any two persons regardless of their gender or sexual orientation to manage their personal affairs through the formation of contractual agreements.”
State Attorney General Tom Horne has ob- jected to adoption and community property references in other municipal ordinances, maintaining city ordinances can only apply to issues within a city’s jurisdiction — hos- pital visitation and city-sponsored insurance, for example. Mr. Goimarac noted the City of Sedona’s health insurance plan already recognizes domestic partners, regardless of sexual orientation.
In the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual (LGBT ) community, some view civil unions as a poor substitute for having a legal right to marry, citing that though it is progress on the road to social acceptance of LGBT rela- tionships, it is still devaluing.
The decision to move forward on a civil unions ordinance in Sedona followed several emotionally moving statements made by res-
idents who are themselves gay or who have family and friends who are. Even members of the council shared personal stories of their own experience with discrimination against family members with same sex partners.
Mayor Rob Adams has two relatives who are gay. “It’s extraordinary to me that it’s taken this long,” he said. “I’ve watched the pain and suffering and all the challenges she [his foster sister] went through during her young life and adulthood.” Speaking of his step-brother who recently lost his significant other to cancer he said, “He loved his partner as much as anybody can love their partner. Love is equal – there is no difference.”
Councilor Dan McIlroy expressed con- cerns that the issue needed to be further dis- cussed in the community at large before the council could make a decision. “I don’t think this group represents our community. I’d like to have the community accept and buy into this and if they will, I will support it but until that happens we should wait and find out what the larger community thinks about it.”
Mayor Adams said, “We are all equal. We are all one community and it doesn’t need to be otherwise. I’m a big proponent of find- ing out what the will of the community is on major issues. I am very clear in my heart that the will of the community is with us.”
Councilor Jessica Williamson remarked, “If there’s one thing the will of the people doesn’t have any sway over in my mind it’s civil liberties and civil rights. If it did we would still have slavery in the South. I think that when it comes to civil rights you don’t
ask everybody what they think.”
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8 • october 2013 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us