Ruling Tomorrow, 10AM on CA Marriage

Thursday in San Francisco, the ruling on a historic case...

"This case includes the following issue: Does California’s statutory ban on marriage
between two persons of the same sex violate the California Constitution by denying equal
protection of the laws on the basis of sexual orientation or sex, by infringing on the
fundamental right to marry, or by denying the right to privacy and freedom of expression?
Opinion(s) in the above case(s) will be filed on:
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:00 a.m."

Back To Reality

Clinton Key in LGBT Massachusetts Win

Super Tuesday is here and LGBT voters across the country are asking, Why won't Clinton or Obama just say they support our rights, clearly, without hesitation, without disclaimers? Why all the wordsmithing?

With a media that will spend days parsing on the color of your pantsuit or the timbre of your laugh - to delicately and cautiously wordsmith is a political reality.

There is, however, a distinct difference in the two candidates and their efforts for the LGBT community. I’m going to vote for with the one who has delivered and who I believe will continue to deliver.

In June 2007, Massachusetts was faced with an anti-gay, anti-marriage equality measure at the Constitutional Convention that would have ripped the state apart. Not only the state, but also it would have set the tone for all marriage equality fights across the country.

Senator Clinton’s campaign manager, Terry McAuliffe, made quiet calls to state legislators to vote down the initiative, according an anonymous source in a key role in the efforts to secure marriage equality in Massachusetts.

Senator Obama? Nothing. Not a word. Not a call. Not one.

In fact, Senator Obama invited to his stage Donny McClurkin, a rabid homophobic gospel singer . He has garnered the support of yet another anti-gay pastor Reverend Kirby Caldwell.

Imagine what would happen to Clinton had she stood on stage, clapping and singing, with a white evangelical who believed Jews should burn in hell.

I was asked today what is the single most important issue for me. I can't say one with out the others. How do you choose between the war, a women's right to choose, healthcare because it is about individuals and it is about American businesses competing on a global stage and public education and someone giving a damn about it, funding it, and staying on top of it.

And I want marriage equality, repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act. I want to be recognized as a full citizen with the same rights as every heterosexual.

Clinton, in my opinion, has already started the work. She’s already working behind the scenes to make important votes happen.

Senator Clinton and Senator Obama have come out against gay marriage. Both have said they would not support federal recognition of gay marriages.

Both have written to the LGBT community asking for their support.

Wordsmithing is a political reality. Actions, in my opinion, speak louder than words. Last June when we were struggling to keep marriage equality in the state of Massachusetts? Clinton’s campaign manager Terry McAuliffe made phone calls.

I’m voting for the one who helped deliver a key victory in LGBT history.

I’m voting for Senator Clinton.

Blood, Guts and No Al Gore

We’re killing ourselves.

The LGBT leadership in this country is being thrown to the wolves, throwing each other to the wolves… And then complain to the national media that we are not getting enough recognition of our issues in the presidential campaign. The AP ran a story today, “Some Gays Frustrated with 2008 Presidential Campaign.” In the story, several leaders in the community said they were “ disappointed that the three leading contenders rarely mention gay-rights topics unless responding to a question.”

I have to say, I find that a little stunning to read, considering the LOGO Presidential forum last August, not only did the candidates participate in an LGBT forum, it was the first time in commercial television history it happened.

I know it happened in 2004 on CSPAN but I’m not sure many people outside the beltway actually watch CSPAN.

And each were asked about not only gay marriage, gay equality issues- they were asked about transgender issues, too.

I appreciate Susan Ryan-Vollmar, the former editor of Bay Windows, frustration. "They've merely settled on what the Democrats have staked out as a safe, consensus position, just far enough ahead of where the party was in 2004 to give a sense of progress but not so far as to threaten Middle America," Ryan-Vollmar wrote. "That's not leadership, it's poll-tested and party-approved pandering, pure and simple."

But unlike Ryan-Vollmer, I have to wonder how much of it is from our own lack of leadership.

We’ve been busy accusing, backstabbing, and ruining the reputations of our leaders. “A gay man’s lawsuit against the Democratic National Committee has revealed allegations of bitter, behind-the-scenes disputes that appear to pit black DNC officials against gays.”

Great. Like two underrepresented minorities need to be going at it?

And the Human Rights Campaign- like them or not, they are the largest LGBT group on Capitol Hill- has been continually hammered for it’s stance on ENDA.

I hated their stance. I’ve written about it. I complained loudly.

While I’m personally going to continue to push for an inclusive ENDA and HRC’s leadership around it. I am also aware it’s not the only issue HRC is involved with. It’s time to stop the infighting and win an election.

And have strong voices. I will say this for Mr. Solomonese- it was not an easy chorus to disagree with. Hate him or love him, you have to respect the fortitude.

The worst part of the current accusations flying back and forth around the DNC, and the leadership and the gay staff is the lack of cohesion at a time when we are desperate to win an election. Not to mention if you are on Capitol Hill, whom do you look to for leadership from the gay community?

You wait until the dust clears and see who’s standing.

I guess that would be Al Gore. Straight guy comes out for gay marriage equality. No one attacks him, celebration ensues.

I don’t know all the facts about the suit against the DNC. That is for a court of law to decide. In the meantime… I want to win the White House.

If we want to hear our issues be brought to the table? We better stop killing each other.

As the AP article noted, “Few constituencies are as eager for the Republican Party to falter this political season as gay-rights activists.”

I’m not asking for us all to get along all the time, but how about for the next 9 months? We need to remain focused. We have a mission.

The White House.

And From the Man Who Was Elected President...

But do to a Supreme Court single vote ruling, was denied an actual ballot count...

Ever wonder how dfferent our country would be if he had served the term he was elected to serve?