I just got a fundraising call from the DNC. I told them that unfortunately, their morally reprehensible silence on the DOMA brief, the non-action on the repeal of DADT, etc. made it impossible for me to support them in any way. The caller got rather belligerent and said "well if you feel that way you should stop giving to the DSCC and the DCCC because they are the legislative bodies" - I assured him I would do that as well and he said "you obviously don't understand how we operate - the DNC is Obama's political arm" and I said "yes, I'm actually quite aware of that. And I believe the President is acting morally reprehensible as well, and he has gone back on promises he made to his supporters like me who supported him from day one. The caller said "I understand that the gay community is upset, but...." at which point I cut him off to say "I am not gay, but I am a progressive Democrat - you know, the people who elected Obama and I'm quite upset..." at which point he hung up on me. Not completely satisfying, but overall I was glad I got the opportunity to reject the DNC today!
AdamBlast
· 6 months ago
Will there be another big party or celebration when the number of gay service-folks fired by Obama reaches 300? Now *there's* an accomplishment.
Keith & Dustin
· 6 months ago
I hope you will post the names of those who attended along with what they donated. I will make it a point to contact any LGBT organization that attended to express my dissatisfaction with their betrayal towards the gay community. I also want them to know that I will never give money to them in the future. If others will raise their voices maybe we can start seeing some change rather than the same old BS. When their money starts drying up will they finally get it.
coolcatdaddy
· 6 months ago
It really all goes back to Rick Warren - that bad choice by Obama early on really set the tone.
The administration seems to want to have it both ways. Telling us to be patient for our rights, we're working on it and sending a message to the larger society that continuing the rhetoric of gay bashing is still an okay thing to do.
I didn't expect Obama to magically turn around Gay rights overnight, but I did expect, when I voted for him and the Democrats, a different tone that would begin some healing with the Gay community.
I went by my local public library and changed my registration to Independent/Non-Affiliated last week, after being a Democrat for almost twenty years.
Until the bullshit from Obama and the Dems is replaced by something different than what I heard from eight years of Bush and eight years of Clinton, I'm donating money to local Gay and Lesbian educational organizations and AIDS groups that are non-partisan.
The money would probably do more good there than throwing it away on the politicians that take my money and give me insults in return.
Busboy
· 6 months ago
Obama seems to deal rather harshly with his enemies. And, for the gay community to declare him "persona non grata" doesn't make any political sense. If Rick Warren and Reverend Wright didn't tip you off? Then what? Are you guys brain dead??
NotTimothyGeithner
· 6 months ago
So whats he going to do? McCain still won 54 million votes despite everything. Obama won on new voters excitement and solidarity amongst the center-left. Dismissing a huge bloc of donors in a vain attempt to win "values voters" aka idiots, is a stupid plan that won't work. If the Republicans were slightly less inept he would be in the high 40s for approval right now.
leliorisen
· 6 months ago
Nobody is saying to turn our backs when he enters the room.
Here is the strategy: 1) Express displeasure that he has not apologized for the insult to our community over BOTH SCOTUS briefs (he needs to at least show some sensitivity on the matter). And gripe loudly that he has not even initiated any sort of action on DADT, allowing lives to continuously be ruined through the ongoing discharges. 2) Follow that up with a single message...cutting off of funds to the Democrats until we see signs that there is some movement on glbt concerns. Words don't cut it anymore. We want to see something concrete. 3) Plan a protest march. I give credit for the one that SLDN is planning. There is another planned in October. Ideally, it could be made into a rallying point.
Unfortunately, to accomplish any of this we would have to be united, with leaders who could help spread the message. The glbt community is, sadly, bereft of leaders.
I hope that changes, because if we do not apply some pressure, we will be totally ignored.
As for Obama resenting such a move, the president needs to be careful to remember that Progressive groups are very sympathetic to our cause. He has done many things to alienate the entire Progressive base. the president would be getting backlash from beyond the glbt community if he chooses to completely diss us.
We are part of a much larger coalition.
Even Mr. Emanuel surely gets that point.
And that is why I am beginning to think that Obama might actually do something in the near term, after all.
Keith & Dustin
· 6 months ago
My partner and I are going to the one in October. We live in California but were not going to miss it. We really really hope it's a huge turn out and a huge wake up call to all of our representatives--especially Obama.
leliorisen
· 6 months ago
Glad to hear your attending. I am planning on it as well.
Butch1
· 6 months ago
It doesn't surprise me in the least that VP Biden is not aware. This administration is playing its cards close to the chest and Biden is "out of the loop". I would bet that none of the A-listers mentioned it to him as well. They aren't there to upset the apple cart with the real issues. When will we let these "self-appointed leaders" know they do not represent the will of the majority of gays and lesbians? They represent A-listers and job opportunities for themselves. Their motto: "Steady as she goes and don't upset anyone at the White House"
Please pass me another flute of champagne and who catered this event? Marvelous!!
SCOTTinDC
· 6 months ago
I think we were effective, despite our small number. For one thing, Biden is at least "not unaware of the controversy," so I suppose that is a victory of sorts. Also, the story in the Advocate led with the protest, which at least sent a message to the larger gay community that at least some of us are ready to stand up.
From the Advocate: Attendees of the 10th annual LGBT Leadership Council fund-raiser for the Democratic National Committee Thursday in Washington were greeted by protesters carrying signs that read “Gay Uncle Toms” and “265 Discharged Since January 20, 2009.
Hey - everyone who reads that story is going to have the phrase Gay Uncle Toms in their mind. Success! Size is not ALWAYS the most important thing.
Moncusa
· 6 months ago
Whatever the effect.....you did good, ScottinDc.
leliorisen
· 6 months ago
Good work Scott. Thank you!
cowboyneok
· 6 months ago
Thanks for being there and representing many of our voices who couldn't be there!
Let me be the first to say that the boycott of this event was something of a success. Thanks, John and thanks to all who objected to the idea of supporting the DNC that has turned it's back upon the LGBT community. One quarter of what they predicted? Amazing activism and congrats.
cowboyneok
· 6 months ago
Remember, whenever you feel the urge to give to the DNC just give to gay serviceman Anthony Woods:
I have been giving that advice on a thread on HuffPo. My "schtick" is war crimes and restoration of civil liberties, which includes yours. My money goes to the ACLU and Amnesty International from now on to fight this administration in the courts, and I hope all of you will put your money where your hearts are too. I'm not going to make another comment on this thread so want to say congratulations. You were very effective.
cowboyneok
· 6 months ago
I renewed my membership with ACLU, as well! Rock on! ;)
Busboy
· 6 months ago
John, I think you have an "alice in wonderland" approach to some of these problems. The first is about "universal health care". Rest assured, the USA is not going to pay for your 800 to $1000 per month allergy meds. Medicare won't even pay for my wife's thyroid ($30/mo.) meds. The second is that you apparently don't understand that there are about 6 sexes. Putting gay guys in the same shower with straights is like putting straights into the lady's shower. And TB? What shower do they go into? Best to keep it simple "a la" the way Obama's handling the situation.
EML
· 6 months ago
Busboy, so basically what you are saying is that men, gay or straight, have absolutely no control. That the sight of a naked body next to them will make the so excited that they will have to rape the person next to them? Geesh. Look hun, I served 5 years in the US Army and sometimes we females had to get into close quarters with a male counterparts. While I was never completely nude around them, I had to grab them to lift them in excercises and on confidence courses and they did the same to me. I shared a large tent with males with a cloth partician between the male and the female sides for a week. The men I served with never lost their ability to sexually control themselves. Either you have poor control of yourself or you are grasping at straws to excuse the lack of action on DADT. By the way, as a female Vet, I'm also pissed off at Obama for not working on lifting the women in combat ban, especially since women have been in combat for at least the last 8 years now and earning awards including the Silver Star for combat service and heroism.
Busboy
· 6 months ago
Sorry, I'm "homophobically Lame"; so I have no adequate response. Nothing to see here; let's move on...
EML
· 6 months ago
Oh come on Busboy... What you have nothing to say about straight men and their inability to not rape women? I mean after all, if THEY had to share a shower with a naked woman, they couldn't control themselves... right?!?!?
leliorisen
· 6 months ago
I would say the first 4 words of your comment is dead-on. You did not need to tell us. It was obvious from your posts.
As for 'moving on,' sorry, in this forum, hit-and-run isn't an option.
If you stir something up, accept the consequences.
JeepTreats
· 6 months ago
Gay people take showers and change clothes in front of straight people everyday; unbeknownst to straight people.
Busboy
· 6 months ago
And, in what situation would that make you edgy? You have 12 choices.
cowboyneok
· 6 months ago
Okay, what do you mean by twelve choices, Busboy? Are you trying to get banned, or just being plain stupid?
leliorisen
· 6 months ago
Something tells me that it is most likely the latter.
nicho
· 6 months ago
I'm not sure it's either or. Pusboy just likes to hear himself talk. He's one of the guys who used to sit at the end of the bar flapping his gums while everyone else had a god time. Now, he doesn't even have to buy a beer.
KarenMrsLloydRichards
· 6 months ago
Oh, Lordy, after several months doing vegetable prep work in the basement, Busboy is back in the house, knocking over water glasses, letting dirty plates pile up, and generally being his maladroit self. With the labor market being what it is, when is the manager going to terminate him?
JeepTreats
· 6 months ago
What are you talking about Busboy? I was responding to someone who was defending Obama's ridiculous stance on DADT. What the heck are you talking about edgy and 12 choices? Never mind...I don't want to know.
cowboyneok
· 6 months ago
You always seem to outdo yourself, "Busboy." Are you being a dick on purpose? You wear ignorance as a badge of honor, right? That is it isn't it? There are so many things wrong with this one particular comment I have to believe your caretakers make you wear a helmet when you go outside. Its obvious when presented with the kind of thinking in your comments you grace us with you are certainly a danger to yourself and others. Keep that strap fastened real snug on that helmet!
Butch1
· 6 months ago
BusBoy:
"John, I think you have an "alice in wonderland" approach to some of these problems." ===================================== When you are dealing with a "Mad Hatter" in the White House, you plan accordingly.
By the way your shower analogy was homophobically lame.
Steve_in_CNJ
· 6 months ago
you're so sex obsessed, it suggests you're not getting any. and you don't seem to be able to listen. gays are ALREADY in the shower with you. got that? ALREADY. do i have to be the one to break it to you?, they don't find you attractive. even if you were gay, they wouldn't find you attractive. please factor that into your next pile of spew.
leliorisen
· 6 months ago
Busboy, isn't it interesting that gay and straight servicepeople shower together with no incident in every other NATO nation, save for Turkey?.
Are you suggesting that Americans are lower life forms and are incapable of such restraint, or are you merely indicating that you would not be able to control your own self from being aroused?
Keith & Dustin
· 6 months ago
You are more right than you know. They will never admit to it, but the one's who are railing against showering with gays are the one's who would get aroused knowing they are showering with someone who is sexually attracted to guys. If you are straight why would you care? I have straight friends and they look at it as a compliment if another guy thinks they're cute or sexy. Some of my gay friends have hit on some of my straight friends but they don't freak out, because they are comfortable with their sexuality. Most of the times they just lead them on because they enjoy the attention, but they would never do anything sexually with them.
cowboyneok
· 6 months ago
We have to keep up the pressure, and not stop until we get ALL OUR RIGHTS that we DESERVE as tax paying citizens!
Chris
· 6 months ago
It's one thing to stay mad over the actual filing of the brief, it's quite another to state that they compared the gay community to incest.
Chris Geidner, seems to have a much better head on his shoulders on these types of analyses. I'm curious, can you refute his logic without calling him a liar?
i think that's the 11th or 12th posting of law dork stuff on here. he's obsessed. no, it's not lies. it's irrelevant nitpicking. that might excite lawyers and judges but it doesn't excite ordinary people. he doesn't persuade ordinary people.
here's the deal on the incest thing. the bush mormon who wrote this crap had to go all the way to italy to find a case of legal incest. supposedly if there is legal incest somewhere in the world, it makes sense to prohibit gay couples from crossing state borders. that juxtaposition speaks for itself. it's nauseating, especially coming from the obama justice department.
law dork seems a lot less excited by the argument that DOMA is "netural" because a lesbian can get equal rights by marrying a man, or that it's in the public's best interest because it saves heterosexuals money. those would be too embarrassing to bring up. so he just obsesses about the uncle-niece issue and drives away any sensible person he might want to persuade.
the DOMA brief is a sick insult against gays and lesbians.
Indigo
· 6 months ago
Backwards talk! ". . . not unaware . . . " An honest man speaks directly and says, "I'm aware!" Biden's playing games.
Busboy
· 6 months ago
Indigo called it! Biden's response was lawyer talk. Don't agree with Indigo on much; but he smelled "the smell" on that comment...
postdamnit
· 6 months ago
Who were the attendees to this shameful event?
leliorisen
· 6 months ago
Thank you for following up.
Alex M
· 6 months ago
Biden doesn't get it because he is part of the problem. Taking minorities for a ride is what Democrats do best. They take your money, make some promises, then they ignore you because you can't vote Republican.
Solution: Zero $ to Democrats, because that's the only thing they will get.
sonofloud
· 6 months ago
SHOW ME THE MONEY !!!
razingfools
· 6 months ago
Sorry, this is gonna be long! I, like most every LGBT person as horrified and outraged by the wording of the brief from DOJ. I myself had immediately stopped all donations to any and all Dems. But, just a thought here, and I don't mean to step on any already "sore toes", but I just found a link from Pam's House Blend site pointing to a site containing an interview with Barney Frank and Michaelango Signorile (satellite radio host). One of the things Barney Frank kept repeating was that he and several congressional leaders are indeed concerned about our issues and have met back in January/February to discuss a course of action and what the felt their best chances of passing various laws or repealing laws to help our community. These congressional leaders are now concerned over the reaction of the LGBT community and how it could hurt our chances of gaining support for the various issues with this group of congress. Frank speaks of trust. He mentioned that they KNOW that the President is fully supportive of repealing DODT and DOMA both.
I think we maybe cutting off our nose to despite our face, by witholding $$ from Dems and continuing to protest. It is and we have every right to protest, I think with all the blogs that we have all expressed our outrage and the protest at the DNC fund raiser were excellent and let all Dems know what is at stake here; both our rights and also their careers. I believe that we may be making a mistake by withholding our support for the DNC, DCCC, and DSCC. Frank mentioned they have the votes in the House to pass major bills, but they are concerned with the Senate not having the votes. If we fail to back the DNC and we loose seats held by Dems, we will definitely not have a "snow balls chance in hell" of obtaining our rights. I think we also need to lighten up on President Obama. He really has no authority, but to uphold the law concerning DADT and DOMA. Yes, he could could stop the dismissal of our Soldiers being released because of DADT, but if you think about it; this is very sound reasoning. When it comes time to argue DADT, the number of Soldiers released because of DADT will, although negative, would help chances of repealing DADT. Repugs are going to kick and stomp through the whole process. If we would continue our support, be it $$ or votes, and let our Senators and Representatives know that we support them, but also what we expect from them, I believe we would stand a better chance of gaining our rights. Many recall that Black America had to take a stand for their rights. The thing that worked in their case was they didn't give up. The kept up the fight. Rosa Parks not moving to the back of the bus was important, but the real change took place in the houses of Congress with the Civil Rights Act. The Dems need us and they already know this including President Obama, but truthfully, we need them just as well. Call me crazy or naive, but I'm going to start giving to DNC, etc., but will continue to lobby, write, e-mail and meet at rallies, just to keep our issues within sight of the Dem. party. I think we need to give them a little more time and continue to trust and support, but also keep an eye on how they act and then we can react accordingly.
All Comments
The administration seems to want to have it both ways. Telling us to be patient for our rights, we're working on it and sending a message to the larger society that continuing the rhetoric of gay bashing is still an okay thing to do.
I didn't expect Obama to magically turn around Gay rights overnight, but I did expect, when I voted for him and the Democrats, a different tone that would begin some healing with the Gay community.
I went by my local public library and changed my registration to Independent/Non-Affiliated last week, after being a Democrat for almost twenty years.
Until the bullshit from Obama and the Dems is replaced by something different than what I heard from eight years of Bush and eight years of Clinton, I'm donating money to local Gay and Lesbian educational organizations and AIDS groups that are non-partisan.
The money would probably do more good there than throwing it away on the politicians that take my money and give me insults in return.
Here is the strategy:
1) Express displeasure that he has not apologized for the insult to our community over BOTH SCOTUS briefs (he needs to at least show some sensitivity on the matter). And gripe loudly that he has not even initiated any sort of action on DADT, allowing lives to continuously be ruined through the ongoing discharges.
2) Follow that up with a single message...cutting off of funds to the Democrats until we see signs that there is some movement on glbt concerns. Words don't cut it anymore. We want to see something concrete.
3) Plan a protest march. I give credit for the one that SLDN is planning. There is another planned in October. Ideally, it could be made into a rallying point.
Unfortunately, to accomplish any of this we would have to be united, with leaders who could help spread the message. The glbt community is, sadly, bereft of leaders.
I hope that changes, because if we do not apply some pressure, we will be totally ignored.
As for Obama resenting such a move, the president needs to be careful to remember that Progressive groups are very sympathetic to our cause. He has done many things to alienate the entire Progressive base. the president would be getting backlash from beyond the glbt community if he chooses to completely diss us.
We are part of a much larger coalition.
Even Mr. Emanuel surely gets that point.
And that is why I am beginning to think that Obama might actually do something in the near term, after all.
Please pass me another flute of champagne and who catered this event? Marvelous!!
From the Advocate: Attendees of the 10th annual LGBT Leadership Council fund-raiser for the Democratic National Committee Thursday in Washington were greeted by protesters carrying signs that read “Gay Uncle Toms” and “265 Discharged Since January 20, 2009.
Hey - everyone who reads that story is going to have the phrase Gay Uncle Toms in their mind. Success! Size is not ALWAYS the most important thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8fVBIFuDCA
I loved the "shame on you" part
http://www.actblue.com/page/woodsforcongress
The second is that you apparently don't understand that there are about 6 sexes. Putting gay guys in the same shower with straights is like putting straights into the lady's shower. And TB? What shower do they go into? Best to keep it simple "a la" the way Obama's handling the situation.
As for 'moving on,' sorry, in this forum, hit-and-run isn't an option.
If you stir something up, accept the consequences.
"John, I think you have an "alice in wonderland" approach to some of these problems."
=====================================
When you are dealing with a "Mad Hatter" in the White House, you plan accordingly.
By the way your shower analogy was homophobically lame.
Are you suggesting that Americans are lower life forms and are incapable of such restraint, or are you merely indicating that you would not be able to control your own self from being aroused?
Chris Geidner, seems to have a much better head on his shoulders on these types of analyses. I'm curious, can you refute his logic without calling him a liar?
http://lawdork.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/not-a-v...
here's the deal on the incest thing. the bush mormon who wrote this crap had to go all the way to italy to find a case of legal incest. supposedly if there is legal incest somewhere in the world, it makes sense to prohibit gay couples from crossing state borders. that juxtaposition speaks for itself. it's nauseating, especially coming from the obama justice department.
law dork seems a lot less excited by the argument that DOMA is "netural" because a lesbian can get equal rights by marrying a man, or that it's in the public's best interest because it saves heterosexuals money. those would be too embarrassing to bring up. so he just obsesses about the uncle-niece issue and drives away any sensible person he might want to persuade.
the DOMA brief is a sick insult against gays and lesbians.
Solution: Zero $ to Democrats, because that's the only thing they will get.
I think we maybe cutting off our nose to despite our face, by witholding $$ from Dems and continuing to protest. It is and we have every right to protest, I think with all the blogs that we have all expressed our outrage and the protest at the DNC fund raiser were excellent and let all Dems know what is at stake here; both our rights and also their careers. I believe that we may be making a mistake by withholding our support for the DNC, DCCC, and DSCC. Frank mentioned they have the votes in the House to pass major bills, but they are concerned with the Senate not having the votes. If we fail to back the DNC and we loose seats held by Dems, we will definitely not have a "snow balls chance in hell" of obtaining our rights. I think we also need to lighten up on President Obama. He really has no authority, but to uphold the law concerning DADT and DOMA. Yes, he could could stop the dismissal of our Soldiers being released because of DADT, but if you think about it; this is very sound reasoning. When it comes time to argue DADT, the number of Soldiers released because of DADT will, although negative, would help chances of repealing DADT. Repugs are going to kick and stomp through the whole process. If we would continue our support, be it $$ or votes, and let our Senators and Representatives know that we support them, but also what we expect from them, I believe we would stand a better chance of gaining our rights. Many recall that Black America had to take a stand for their rights. The thing that worked in their case was they didn't give up. The kept up the fight. Rosa Parks not moving to the back of the bus was important, but the real change took place in the houses of Congress with the Civil Rights Act. The Dems need us and they already know this including President Obama, but truthfully, we need them just as well. Call me crazy or naive, but I'm going to start giving to DNC, etc., but will continue to lobby, write, e-mail and meet at rallies, just to keep our issues within sight of the Dem. party. I think we need to give them a little more time and continue to trust and support, but also keep an eye on how they act and then we can react accordingly.