Dan Savage: "President Obama is a fierce advocate of gay rights the same way I'm a ladies' man. He isn't, and I'm not."

This is a few days old but definitely worth posting.



Savage refers to an email from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) sent out to all supporters directly before elections, urging them to get involved in a number of issues, but failed to mention any of the LGBT ballot initiatives attempting to take away rights.

Even more infuriating, they sent an email to some Mainers asking them to go to New Jersey to help the Democratic Gov. John Corzine win re-election. He did not. And the DNC did not ask them to vote No on Question 1 nor volunteer for the NO campaign.

America Blog has been covering the issue extensively, even having it out with the DNC Treasurer Andy Tobias. It's an interesting development during a time when the LGBT population is growing more and more disillusioned with President Obama.

Since it's appearing that the DNC did in fact urge its supporters to act but left the gays out in the cold and that President Obama is continuing to avoid specifically naming our issues to avoid the fray, the passage of Question 1 in Maine is only going to deepen this divide.

Election Aftermath: News Reports, Interviews, Opinions, Rants - Quite a Stir.

I'm a bit behind. Sorry folks. Lots to cover. Here's a roundup of the election aftermath.

Tony Perkins of the staunchly anti-LGBT Family Research Council and Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry appear on AC360 to discuss the defeat in Maine.



Dan Savage counters Yes on 1's claim that they don't hate gays on MSNBC.

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New Yorkers held a rally in Union Square on Wednesday night protesting Question 1's success in Maine. Currently, New York's Senate is supposed to vote on the state's marriage equality bill, but whether or not they will vote is still up in the air.



This MSNBC report is causing quite a stir due to the fact that the reporter used the anti-LGBT jargon "traditional marriage." However, the report itself does a good job of showing the consequences of Maine's Question 1. It includes an interview with a lesbian couple.



Contessa Brewer continues her reporting by interviewing Bishop Harry Jackson, the face of the opposition to same-sex marriage in Washington D.C. She asks the pertinent question, "People seem so energized to go out and fight same-sex marriage. why aren't they spending all that energy fighting divorce?" What a lame, hypocritical response.

She also brings up the half million the Catholic Church spent in Maine. Want to see who contributed? Go here.



Lisa Leff and David Crary write "Gay leaders blame TV ads, Obama for loss in Maine" for the AP:

Stunned and angry, national gay rights leaders Wednesday blamed scare-mongering ads - and President Barack Obama's lack of engagement - for a bitter election setback in Maine that could alter the dynamics for both sides in the gay-marriage debate.

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"President Obama missed an opportunity to state his position against these discriminatory attacks with the clarity and moral imperative that would have helped in this close fight," said Evan Wolfson of the national advocacy group Freedom to Marry. "The anti-gay forces are throwing millions of dollars into various unsubtle ads aimed at scaring people, so subtle statements from the White House are not enough."

The White House, asked about the criticism, had no immediate comment.

Go Evan.

My two cents: Obama hasn't been there much to back us up when we need him. Why should we be there for him when he extends his hand to us . . . palm up for cash?


Washington Post, "Gay groups say loss won't alter strategy":

For the gay rights movement, the defeat is another setback to its long-held strategy of building the case for marriage equality state by state. Historically, the tactics have been to target places where conditions seem favorable, and Maine, characterized by its governor as a libertarian state, seemed to fit that criterion.

Still, advocates say the strategy remains effective. They point to Tuesday's balloting in Kalamazoo, Mich., where voters approved an anti-discrimination ordinance that provides gays protections in employment, housing and public accommodations. Another victory appeared to be likely in Washington state, where incomplete returns indicate that a majority of voters have approved the legislature's expansion of domestic partnership rights.

Advocates say there was a partial victory even in Maine, where the vote was closer than it had been in previous campaigns.

"We're hopeful that it's a signal that there is increasing support for gay couples to marry," said Dan Hawes, field director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Nationally, we're going to continue education efforts to move the needle of public opinion, especially in California."

What do you think? Do you feel that we should keep going down this same road, engaging in a degrading referendum process that allows citizens to vote on each other's civil rights?

Wayne Besen at Truth Wins Out doesn't think so:

It is time we wake up and acknowledge that the GLBT fight for equality is the world’s first “Civil Likes” movement. Each year, a popularity contest is held somewhere on the map and if the locals find us likeable our families are protected. If the natives have a negative view of gay people, we remain second-class citizens.

Given this reality we have to make a major choice.

We can declare the current process a disgusting and humiliating insult to our humanity and opt out of all future referendums. The movement would make the case to the nation why such votes are anathema to American values and in the process educate people about our families and quest for equality. A powerful campaign of continued and sustainable civil disobedience would have to supplement this strategy.

Or, we can continue to participate in degrading referendums. But, if we do so, we have to stop pretending that the majority of the American people understand the U.S. Constitution, much less the notion of equality. Those who vote against GLBT rights simply do not like gay people and their antipathy, often masked by religious bigotry, overrides the idea of equal protection. What our public relations experts will have to figure out ways to make us more likeable [sic] and overcome such objections.

Wayne isn't alone. David Mixner is fed up with the current strategy.

How can we have any dignity, honor or pride in ourselves if we validate this continued process of ballot box terrorism? How can we stand tall next to each other if we explain away another's cowardliness? How can we allow people to dehumanize our relationships and our very integrity if we give people passes to sit out the battle for our very freedom? No longer are political timelines a reason for delay, no longer are incremental approaches acceptable and no longer can the political process expect us to be patient and wait our turn. Our turn came long ago and there will be no more waiting.

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New tactics must be embraced and honored. Civil disobedience must now be on the table and it is time for a long discussion about how it is to take place in the community. Perhaps we have to fill the jails, block military bases, sit in Congressional offices, block marriage bureaus, etc in order for them to know that business as usual has stopped. Careful and thoughtful consideration must be given now to this option.

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No longer can I stand before you in speeches and rallies urging you to stay the course. The course needs changing and we need to toughen up in the process. Yes, we must continue fighting but this time, instead of responding to their strategy, we must forge our own. Make no mistake about it. The days of acquiesce are over. There is no option except one at this stage and that is full equality now.

Freedom,Liberty,Justice are not mere words. They represent a way of life that is being denied to LGBT Americans every day of our lives.

Enough. No More, Enough

On a related note, read NY Times piece, "Gay Rights Rebuke May Change Approach."

I for one am hopeful about the federal challenge to Proposition 8. For the first time ever in a marriage case, there will be full-on public trial, including witness testimony and cross-examination of those behind these discriminatory initiatives to discover their true motives. (Presiding Judge Walker ordered the Yes on Prop 8 campaign to hand over internal communications in an effort to uncover motivation.)

If the Olson/Boies team can prove that these referendums, particularly Prop 8, are done purely out of animus towards the LGBT population, then the state of California will have no bearing interest and render Prop 8 unconstitutional. This would have a direct, nationwide effect.

(Read David Boies editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer, "Yes: It is a fundamental right under the U.S. Constitution.")

It is expected that this case will go all the way to the Supreme Court. But the data discovered in the upcoming January trial will be examined. History in the making.

White House Aide Dismisses National Equality March, Tells Bloggers to 'Take Off Pajamas'

UPDATE: According to Plumline, the White House has "disavowed" that it has disdain for gay critics and bloggers.

The White House is strongly denying a report making the rounds that it views gay critics and bloggers as part of an “Internet left fringe,” with a senior adviser asserting to me that this sentiment “does not reflect White House thinking at all.”
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Asked for comment, White House senior communications adviser Dan Pfeiffer emailed:

“That sentiment does not reflect White House thinking at all, we’ve held easily a dozen calls with the progressive online community because we believe the online communities can often keep the focus on how policy will affect the American people rather than just the political back-and-forth.”

Like I said earlier, a White House aide hiding behind anonymity doesn't convince me one way or another about the overall position of the White House on LGBT rights, only the cowardice of this particular aide.

However, it does raise concern about the unofficial disdain toward the LGBT population and the lack of priority we may have in the Administration and staff. Also, we all know the White House probably knows damn well who made this statement, but don't expect any identity revelation to be forthcoming anytime soon.

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Hmm. As Jane Hamsher at FDL has pointed out, after what the New York Times has said was “the largest demonstration for gay rights here in nearly a decade”, and after Obama's HRC speech rededicating himself to our equality, the truth behind what some in the White House feel comes out.

Being one of those bloggers, I must defend myself. I don't wear pajamas. So that goes to show what little that anonymous White House aide knows!

But in all seriousness, I but defer back to Jane:

That is just classic. After pandering to LGBT leaders last night the truth comes out. Dear gays: grow up and let us get about the serious business of governance. Signed, some dude who’s too afraid to give his real name.

And old anonymous is, of course, full of shit. Obama’s poll numbers took a 10 point hit with Democrats after Kathleen Sebelius said the White House was willing to ditch the public option. She had to dial it back instantly, and ever since that time they’ve been scrambling to find a way to give the public option the heave-ho in a way that didn’t backlash on the President.

I in no way take what this aide has said as an indication of what the president thinks. And obviously, this aide has to hide in anonymity to say what he or she really feels because if they were found out, they would probably get bitch slapped by the Administration.

But I can't help admit it's discouraging to hear such pithy words, especially from supposed allies.

If this is any indicator about how the Administration staff sees today's historical and moving demonstration of hundreds of thousands of LGBT citizens and allies expressing the pain of discrimination and hate, then it goes to show that we have a lot of more work to do and that gathering as we did today is nowhere near enough. Because guess what, according to this White House adviser, all of those marchers and all of you who want to see more action from the president are a part of a "fringe" who need to grow up.

Good thing Equality Across America, who put together the march, intends to do just that. To get involved in your local congressional district, text your email and your zip code to 37686 for information.

VIDEO: MSNBC Interviews the Advocate's White House Correspondent Kerry Eleveld on the State of Marriage Equality

Kerry Eleveld, the White House correspondent for the Advocate, had a great interview on MSNBC, discussing Monday's DOJ brief that states the department believes DOMA to be discriminatory and calls for a repeal, Obama's statement supporting this belief, Maine's upcoming marriage equality showdown at the ballot, and the debate in California on when to bring marriage equality back to the Golden State: 2010 or 2012.

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VIDEO: Keith Olbermann Says Obama Is "Goddamn Wrong" on Don't Ask Don't Tell

VIDEO: President Obama's Full Speech at White House's Stonewall Commemoration

Full transcript of speech.

Unite the Fight post on reception.

Towleroad has an amazing round up of reactions from different media outlets and organizations.

Obama Commemorates Stonewall with White House Reception, Reaffirms Commitment to LGBT in Speech

Today, President Obama addressed a crowd of LGBT leaders at the White House's 30-minute reception commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall, and in a speech he reaffirmed that by the end of his tenure, they would "feel good about the Obama administration."

Obama, in his speech, said that he was still committed to overturning the Don't Ask Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act as well as supporting other gay rights bills including a transgender inclusive ENDA that was introduced by Rep. Barney Frank last week.

In reference to the DOJ's infamous DOMA brief, Obama said, "Now, I want to add we have a duty to uphold existing law, but I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides. And fulfilling this duty in upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law. I've made that clear."

In response to criticism of foot dragging by his administration, Obama stated, "And I know that many in this room don't believe that progress has come fast enough, and I understand that. It's not for me to tell you to be patient any more than it was for others to counsel patience for African-Americans who were petitioning for civil rights a half century ago," he said.

The President's full speech is available in transcript at the White House website.

MSNBC interviewed openly gay U.S. Rep. Jared Polis shortly after the reception. The interview below contains clips from Obama's speech.



For a critical take on today's speech, read Joe Sudbay at America Blog.

See a list of attendees.
Image by Kerry Eleveld of The Advocate.

Limbaugh Tells LGBT in Regards to Obama and DOMA Brief, "Bend Over and Grab Your Ankles."

Rush Limbaugh had a few choice words for the LGBT population when it came to how they figured into Obama's priorities.



How sweet. He included himself in his metaphorical rape of the country.

What a disgusting pig.

Keith Olbermann responding by calling him, "The Worst Person in the World"

Video: MSNBC's David Schuster Reacts to Miss CA Keeping Crown, "Can I Vomit Right Now?"

You gotta love the guy!

Shuster eviscerates NOM’s Brown

Crosspost with MikeTidmus.com:

In the info accompanying this video, News Politics News says:

MSNBC’s David Shuster & Brian Brown, Executive Director of the anti-gay-marriage National Organization For Marriage — hashed it out this afternoon, and unfortunately for Brown, Shuster pointed out that NOM has basically been in the business of bowdlerizing other people’s statements - 05/01/09

“Bowdlerizing.” That would be lying. Right? And, “hashed it out” would be something like: David Shuster ripped Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage a new one.

It’s clear that NOM’s idea of a debate is shouting people down or selectively editing manuscripts to fit their anti-GLBT agenda.

Love it when Shuster nails NOM’s fundamental hypocrisy:

Here’s the larger issue though. Most Americans can’t understand why you selectively go after certain parts of the Bible and not others. And that’s your prerogative if you want to go after certain parts it. But again, there’s no threat – the only way the gay or lesbian couple could be a threat to my marriage or yours is if you really fear that maybe somehow they’ll get involved in your marriage. I don’t fear that. Do you worry that maybe, I don’t know – somehow you’re attracted to the gay couple down the street and that will somehow effect your marriage?

For a spot-on refutation of Brown’s religious liberties consequences, see Rob Tisinai’s brilliant Gay Marriage = Religious Freedom.

MSNBC's Countdown Responds to Giuliani's Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage

Unite the Fight reported yesterday on former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani's opposition to same-sex marriage and how ridiculous it is that this man, who's been married three times and brought scandal to the headlines through his affairs, believes he has the right to judge on who can and cannot get married.

Well, I'm not alone on that thinking. MSNBC's Countdown chimed in as well: