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*But I could see something insubstantial happening this year, such as a form of ENDA that says we can't be discriminated against, but allows discrimination whenever a person's religious beliefs tell him gay Americans don't deserve any rights. If that happens, look for the Obama people to say, "Hey, you got a marching band and this, so shut up and go away, you ingrates."
And, I think exemptions for religious jobs is okay if it is a certain type of position, etc. Whether we like it or not, homosexuality is a moral issue for most people (they either think it is or they think it isn't immoral).
I would MUCH MUCH rather have an ENDA than a DOMA repeal!!!!!!!!!
You're drafted.
This is the first comprehensive study into the demographic breakdown of those that voted yes on Proposition 8 in California. The study was conducted and written by Patrick J. Egan, Ph.D., assistant professor of politics and public policy at New York University, and Kenneth Sherrill, Ph.D., professor of political science at Hunter College, CUNY.
This study completely debunks the 70/30% exit poll that indicated Blacks had voted yes on 8 at a much higher percentage than other groups. This study puts it at 58% and gives a very in-depth analysis of that figure. I highly recommend everyone read this study and its conclusions.
http://www.equalitygiving.org/California-Propos...
How you doing?
one thing I missed out on last year... due to finances, we never made it to the InnDulge at ALL last year! :-(
I'm fine. Kind of feels like we're in a big state of limbo right now. Economic, governmental, legal.... It just feels weird.
Maybe England, then migrate to the south of Spain...
funny, I feel like I'm in limbo... but I still dream :-)
I encourage everyone to go read his statement on DOMA. In it he states why he wrote it and why it should be repealed. He actually says flat out that the legislation was written specifically to deny gay people rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
“The Hawaii court was clearly leaning toward legalizing same-sex marriages. So the first part of DOMA was crafted to prevent the U.S. Constitution's "full faith and credit" clause -- which normally would require State B to recognize any lawful marriage performed in State A -- from being used to extend one state's recognition of same-sex marriage to other states whose citizens chose not to recognize such a union.” -- Bob Barr, LA Times, Jan. 5, 2009
His position now is that it was wrong to do that on a FEDERAL level and that the states should decide if they want to deny gay people, and only gay people, rights guaranteed by the Constitution to all American citizens.
“In 2006, when then-Sen. Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment, he said, "Decisions about marriage should be left to the states." He was right then; and as I have come to realize, he is right now in concluding that DOMA has to go. If one truly believes in federalism and the primacy of state government over the federal, DOMA is simply incompatible with those notions.” – Bob Barr, same article
He says this after saying that gay couples have been rights that they deserve because of the legislation he wrote but then goes on to say that states should be allowed to deny those same rights that gays deserve. WTF?
He was a dick then and he's still a dick now.
GLBT equality is going to require brass knuckle tactics. Younger GLBT folks need to smell the coffee -- take it seriously and use everything you've got in this battle NOW or spend the rest of your life as less than in this country.
I've been a Feingold fan too, but was NOT pleased with his heart-felt praise of freaking McCain in the election.
You gain a few right-wing nut cases and you lose WAY MORE liberals.
And Democrats wonder why they lose elections. Geeze!
This is what happens when presidency occurs, Obama. You have lots of friends to make nice to. Better get started.
I think the drums of equal rights should be heard ALL the time. Now, and going on, and on, and on...an onslaught of activity. If you want the same rights as everyone else, say it loudly and clearly--all the time.
If anyone in Congress, even Dems, believe equal rights for everyone is some kind of "special rights" for some, they don't need to be representing anyone. That's a rightwing position, and I'm tired of those assholes saying it, and don't care how "progressive" anyone is on any other subject. People inject religion into politics and govt all the time--even though there is clear law, writtten into the first amendment regarding separation of church and state. Both blacks and women had to wait for many years to get the same rights as white men because it was just assumed the Constitution was for white men only, and this country should be ashamed of that. But this is the 21st century, not the 19th or even the 20th.
Frankly, there is nothing outright in the Constitution that says gays can't marry, any more than there is anything in the Constitution that says hetero people can.
When we bought our house, the county and the state considered us married, the mortgage company considered us single, HUD considered us single, the insurance company didn't know what to do. So, some of our paperwork has us buying the house as a married couple. Some of it has us as single people buying the house jointly. The insurance company likes to see all documents be consistent, but they aren't. Now, we're doing some energy efficiency improvements that involve state rebates and federal tax credits. On the state papers we will be married, but the federal paperwork will be a problem because the state paperwork will be different.
And, filing tax returns is another nightmare because we have to prepare three federal returns -- two individual returns (because the feds consider us single) and then a phony federal joint return to use as the basis for our state return because the state requires us to file as a married couple.
not to mention, inheritance, taxes etc...
when your government doesn't recognize your relationship, no other government will either.
What about delaing with ENDA? That legislation is just sitting there already written from a few years back. All you would need to do is add the gender identity back into it and get it passed. What;s the problem? Can't these guys walk and chew gum at the same time? Does their laser focus require them to only do one thing at a time?
What about hate crimes legislation? How hard could it be to MODIFY the EXISTING hate crimes laws to add sexual orientation and gender identity to it? Again, walk and chew gum??
Watch for all the commenters coming on now to complain that you are posting about another "gay" issue.
Don't they understand this is a blog from a gay perspective? Do these same commenters go to other "non-gay" blogs and leave comments there complaining about the lack of discussion of gay issues? I doubt it.
The rest of the time they are campaigning?
WOW! Actually, it does not surprise me.
That is why we have to be PRESSURING our representative now and every day.
I think Milk was effective because he was a real flesh and bones person, with backbone and balls, character and kindness. The leaders of our community need to somehow channel Mr. Milk, rather than Mr. Milquetoast (sp?) and show that we are to be taken seriously or there will be serious consequences.
I am not speaking of violence. I think in these difficult economic times hitting the opposition in the pocketbook will achieve the desired effect. By this I mean:
1) Real substantive well-targeted boycotts.
2) Communicating to the Dems that our dollars have strings attached.
3) Communicating to Dems that our votes have strings attached as well and we will sit out an election if we have to.
The soft approach has failed us. Time to show strength and demand our full equality now.
I'm ready to say "to hell with it" and start smashing windows and overturning cars instead of waiting on Obama and the Dems in Congress to do much of anything for LGBTs.
"to advance the civil rights of gays and lesbians before someone convinces the Congress and Obama that our rights must be shelved for the greater good."
John, NOBODY has to "convince" BO to put battles for GLBT rights on the shelf. This man has a big problem with us, not the least of which that (for whatever reason) he is personally emotionally terrified about being "suspected" in any way related to gay issues. Thank goodness what we've got going for us is his intellect, and PERHAPS some moral grounding that contradicts his personal averseness.
(His political commitment? I think he has intentionally crafted TONS of cover for that and the blatant honoring of Bigot Warren was intended to send us that loud message.)
Call me crazy, but I believe the only thing that will lead to movement toward equality for us under BO is our fomenting a campaign to shame this man to a level of high discomfort. Beyond normal political calculus, our case is largely about his personal ego and self-concept.
We may as well get started right now.
PS: Long thought of as a terrible enemy, Bob Barr has impressed me in a number of ways recently. It's great to have him as an ally and he could be a terrific "shame comparison" for our dear new President.
I also know that he asked Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration.
I don't understand why this means it is OVER, however. We need to keep pressing, pressing, pressing.
Do you think that Obama bears responsibility for Props 2 and 8 passing?
this is NOT snark, it is a serious question.......
The two parts of the diary can be found at the following links:
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diar...
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diar...
I challenge anyone to read this commentary and then tell the gay community to “wait” and “be patient”.
The economy affects us ALL: gay, straight, black, white, rich, poor.
I fail to see how the economy is not a big gay issue and top priority.
DOMA is important, yes, but I don't think that anyone is attempting to shaft us by focusing on economy, health care, etc first. Those are gay issues too.
I'll add: 'Now.'
More. Now.
And like Nike says: 'Just do it.'
If the LGBT Community comes to the conclusion that they are no better off with the Dems than the Repubs, we will throw you under the bus and only work for and donate to candidates who work for us.
In 2012 you Dems are going to need us as the Obama charm is wearing off, and not just in the eyes of the LGBT Community.
Obama is not working for us. I am NO Rethuglican but
1) Bush just signed a gay rights bill:
http://minnesotaindependent.com/21528/bush-sign...
2) Arnold stated gave a moving speech stating that Prop 8 is wrong and that the LGBT Community should not give up the fight: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008...
3) Bob Barr is now against DOMA.
Meanwhile Obama:
1) Campaigned with gay hating McClurkin and hate spewing gospel singing Mary Mary.
2) Picked gay hating Warren.
3) Has no LGBT people represented in any substatively significant position in his admin.
4) Is going to delay DADT or just find another good excuse to fuck us over again.
5) Stated days before the election:
: "I believe marriage is a union between a man and a woman,now, for me as a Christian, it is also a sacred union. God is in the mix."
5) Pretty much hates us.
Hey Dems, if you don't want our time, money and votes, we can take our BALLS and leave your party.
I really believe that Obama has a deep fear and loathing of LGBT people one that leads him to hurting us time and time again.
I'm going out to see the movie "Doubt" with a friend for the second time, so I won't be able to see your reply immediately, but I would like your opinion if you don't mind. Do you think Hillary would have been any better? My guess is yes, though I know a lot of folks disagree.
Thanks.
1) She didn't campaign with hatespewing antigaybigots.
2) She would not have picked Warren and while she does pander to the right, I have not seen her embrace the most toxic voices of anti-gay hatred as Obama has.
3) I think it is quite possible that she would have given us better representation within her administration. This is only based the fact that I do not believe that she is filled with deep seated hatred of LGBT people. Obama clearly is.
4) I know that I am going to catch hell for this, but I think that had she been the candidate, she would not have made antigay statements days before the election as Obama did, and perhaps Prop 8 would have been defeated. I do think that Obama knew what he was doing when he made those statements and then let them be used in the robocalls by the Yes on 8 people.
I really cannot imagine ANY other nominee that the Dems had lined up who would be any worse for the LGBT Community than Obama is proving to be. A friend once told me "If the honeymoon is bad, the marriage will be hell!" Our honeymoon with Obama has just started and we have already been screwed in the most unkind manner several times now.
It seems like the LGBT Community and Obama are in an abusive relationship. One in which Obama takes our money, lies to us, cheats, ignores our concerns and is an all around asshole. (But what do I really think?!?! :)
I think the Dems blame the LGBT Community for Kerry losing the last election. In Ohio a large percentage of African American voters voted for Bush because Kerry did not take a strong stand against marriage equality. It was a clear factor in a close election. By picking a homophobic African American candidate, this factor would evaporate. LGBT people really wanted to believe in Obama. We projected our hopes onto him while ignoring all the signs that he is a gay hating bigot.
Homophobia in the African American Community has been a factor in more than one election. In Florida 75 percent of AA voters voted for the anti-gay measure there. This issue is the elephant in the room and ignoring it is not going to make it go away. I know I am going to be called a racist, but I do not think it is about race. It is more about religion in my opinion.
I haven't seen Doubt, but I plan to .
No question BO was far better than the alternative (even Hillary in my opinion) but we need to face that our community gets near zero from this point without hard and smart fighting for it. This man has a STRONG homophobic streak that we must expose.
Someone else is saying what I've been screaming at the top of my lungs for three days now.
Warren? No big deal!
Kaine? HUUUUUUUUGE big deal!
Wake up people!
Do see "Doubt".
..."individual decisions by married persons, concerning the intimacies of their physical relationship, even when not intended to produce offspring, are a form of “liberty” protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Moreover, this protection extends to intimate choices by unmarried as well as married persons.” 478 U.S., at 216 (footnotes and citations omitted)." Supreme Court Justice Stevens, Lawrence v. Texas, 02-102, June 2003.
~ Sigh.
The President-elect is the grandson of Kansans, with Muslim father from Kenya. He grew up in Indonesia and Hawaii, which, although it talks a good game about equal treatment, one shouldn't expect much from the heavily militarized environs outside of Waikiki. He worked in south Chicago, which is as homophobic as anyplace. He apparently knows absolutely no gay people, otherwise he would not have committed the Rick Warren blunder and have expected to be able to look them in the eye. So how does one come to 2009 and not know intelligent gay professionals? You'd have to shun them all your life to do that. He appoints a cabinet of Clinton hacks, including the excrable Tom "Asshole" Daschle, Daschole for short, of the aids funding gap and "don't ask-don't tell" fame. As Senate leader he had the power to go in a different direction and he didn't. And Mormon Harry Reid will be no help, who some how miraculously never can find the votes for progressive legislation, just can't find 'em, I tell ya, despite virtually unlimited power to punish and reward. And Harry is in a toughn election batttle which means there will be virtually no progressive legislation untilafter the election is decided. He should step down. Connect the dots; string the beads. This is Clinton Redux. Fags are expendable to these people, just like candy wrappers, to be discarded once they have served their fundraising/electoral purpose. If we don't do it now it will never get done.