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THE GAZETTE
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 p
Protesters decry band’s lyrics at The Fillmore Silver Spring n
Group says Molotov song contains anti-gay lyrics BY
KATE S. ALEXANDER STAFF WRITER
TRAVIS BALLIE
Zenen Jaimes Perez (left), program fellow of the Latino GLBT History Project, and David Perez (no relation), president of the Latino GLBT History Project, hold signs Monday outside The Fillmore Silver Spring, where controversial Mexican rock group Molotov was performing.
Protesters gathered outside The Fillmore Silver Spring on Monday with a message for Mexican rock group Molotov and its fans: words matter. Passing out cards, holding signs and circulating a petition, a group of about eight people from Equality Maryland, Casa Ruby and the Latino GLBT History Project formed an informational picket to educate concertgoers on the harm they say is caused by the lyrics of Molotov. The band’s booking at the county-owned venue met with strong opposition over its 1997 song “Puto” that many claim has anti-gay lyrics. In July, County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) asked tenant Live Nation to cancel Monday’s performance, saying the song verged on “hate speech.” Molotov performed as planned. As concertgoers filed into the venue, Stephanie Steele, general manager of The Fillmore Silver Spring, said the concert was going to be very well attended. Monday was Molotov’s first performance at The Fillmore Silver Spring and also the first protest staged outside the venue, Steele said. While the controversy stems from band’s lyrics, not everyone agrees that the words are a slur against the lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual community. Hugo Sanchez, a native of Mexico who came to the concert from Philadelphia, said the song’s title means “rat” — as in someone who rats out another — and that as he interprets it, does not attack gays. The song uses slang that has many different meanings, he said, also noting that it was written 16 years ago when it likely held different meaning. In a July statement emailed by band contact Julio Arellano,
Molotov expressed respect and gratitude for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. In the statement, the band said the song was never meant to disrespect the gay community. “We as a band and as individuals express our respect and support to the gay community. We celebrate the freedom of expression, the freedom of choice and the freedom to love whoever you want. As long as we stay playing together, the message from our music will always be positive and committed to our fans,” the statement read. Ruby Corado, founder and executive director of Casa Ruby, was among those protesting Monday. Corado said the word is derogatory no matter how it is used. “It’s a hateful word,” she said. “It is never used positively.” Despite those who say that the song is being misinterpreted, even outside the venue, the word was being used. One man called out the word as he passed Travis Ballie, a protester from Silver Spring. “I’m used to it,” said Ballie, a member of the Montgomery County Young Democrats. Ballie might have a thick skin, but he said he worries about the person who is afraid to come out or faces violence because of words like those in Molotov’s song. “That type of language has an impact on people,” Ballie said. “I feel less safe in Silver Spring with this band playing.” Corado said she also heard the word directed at her as she greeted concertgoers and offered them a handout Monday. And it is the same word the hate crime victims she works with hear, she said. Casa Ruby is a multicultural center and safe space serving the Latino LGBT communities of any race, color or economic background in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, according to its website. kalexander@gazette.net
Teachers union picks new political director Hueter brings both teaching, political experience to the job n
BY
LINDSAY A. POWERS STAFF WRITER
1907014
With local elections around the corner, Montgomery County’s teachers union has a new leader spearheading its political efforts who only a few months ago was teaching high school students. Barbara Hueter of Silver Spring recently took on the role of the Montgomery County Education Association’s political director after about eight years in Montgomery County Public Schools as a Spanish teacher at Gaithersburg High School and Sherwood High School in Olney, and then a social studies teacher at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. “I’m the political director for MCEA, but I’m a teacher,” Hueter said. “I know firsthand how that system works, and then I know how the political process works.” For the past two school years, Hueter was a co-chair of the union’s Political Action and Legislative Support Committee, a committee that determines which political candidates the union will support. She is taking the reins from Jon Gerson, who did similar political work for the union in his former role as the director of community outreach. “Jon did tremendous work building our political organization, and I want to build on that,” Hueter said. Gerson, who is still at the union and working with teachers, said he thinks Hueter will do “a fine job.” “Barbara’s many years as an educator will ensure she understands those whom she’s advocating for,” he said. About a week into her new position, Hueter said she wants to help ensure teachers’ and
other educators’ voices are heard in both Rockville and Annapolis. She also pointed to support she received during her teaching career — including sick leave and a consulting teacher who helped her when she was relatively new in the school system — that were the result of the union’s work, she said. “I want to be part of maintaining and improving those,” she said. “That’s what really drew me into being interested in the union.” Hueter said she is working on several goals, including “a sharp focus” on increasing teacher involvement in the political process in activities such as passing out apple ballots and taking part in phone banks. Other responsibilities for Hueter will include managing and supporting the political action committee and providing campaign support for candidates. Before she became a teacher, Hueter said she worked as an aide to the state speaker of the house in Ohio and then as a lobbyist for a trade association and a business. Tom Israel, the union’s executive director, said Hueter’s appointment marks one part of the union’s reorganization as it moves to a different staff model where there are more “differentiated responsibilities.” “We used to have a staff where everybody was a jack of all trades,” Israel said. Israel called the political director position “pretty demanding,” noting that “politics in this county can be a contact sport.” “She brings not only political experience, but teaching experience as well,” he said of Hueter. Hueter said she recognizes the job is a big one, but is excited to step in. “You just get in there and you do the work and you just do it as widely as possible,” she said. lpowers@gazette.net