Gay Paper: Obama Refuses To Talk With Gay Media

UPDATE: The publisher behind the anti-Obama editorial donated $1000 to Hillary Clinton's campaign, Queerty reports:

Philadelphia Gay News publisher Mark Segal's no doubt pleased with this week's edition.

His paper made a splash yesterday when it published both an extensive interview with Hillary Clinton and a big, blank middle finger to Barack Obama, who PGN accuses of avoiding the pink press. But an Obama interview isn't the only thing missing from the paper.

Segal - who did the Clinton interviewed and also penned an exhaustive editorial bashing Obama's - failed to disclose that he donated $1,000 to the Clinton campaign back in March of 2007.

* * *

The Philadelphia Gay News is hammering Barack Obama for what they say is his consistent refusal to speak to gay media outlets.

In its latest issue, the paper features a front-page interview with Hillary Clinton and a large blank space under a photo of Barack Obama, with a banner headline reading, "Clinton Talks, Obama Balks."

The paper's accompanying editorial states:

At this point in the Democratic presidential campaign, we're able to view the candidates by their actions. And we have found that Sen. Barack Obama would rather talk at the LGBT community than with them...

The fact is that Obama has spoken with the gay press only twice, and one of those interviews...was in 2004, before he became a U.S. senator. The other limited interview occurred after controversy erupted when his campaign added an anti-gay minister to his tour of the South. It has now been 1,522 days since Obama has been accessible to our community.

You can read the full interview with Clinton here, and CBS News' coverage here. Queerty has more.

UPDATE: Queerty points out that the editor and publisher is a Hillary supporter, having donated $1000 to her campaign.

Comments

[ajax2]

A note to the gay community. There is a war going on. The economy is in a free fall. The dollar has collapsed. Inflation in food, energy, and medical care is at all time highs. The right wing is promoting imperialism abroad and fascism at home. The constitution is under attack. These events are here. They are not going away. Get used to them.

[Joshuaack]

Note from the gay community. We know. We also think that all of the above is more important than, say, don't ask don't tell, because guess what: we live in the same society you do. And a small local newspaper whose editor in chief happens to be very much pro-clinton doesn't represent anything but his own point of view. And yes, believe it or not, many among the gay community, whatever that is, support Obama. If anything, I think it's the huff-po looking for big news where there isn't any. Guess there's nothing like a Clinton vs Obama bitchery to call in the posters - and the ad men.

[jayburd]

Yeah but this is the congregation preaching to the choir here. It's when we find "stories" like this one on the CNN front page that we have to worry.

[genderoutlaw]

Yes, and the queer community isn't going away either. We are a part of this war too, whether we are fighting in it ourselves or fighting against it. We are affected by the lousy economy too. We struggle to provide for ourselves the way you do. The right wing subjugates us daily. Our freedoms that should be provided by the Constitution are under attack, too. The queer community experiences not only the same crap the rest of the country goes through, but the added bonus of being treated like second class citizens and ignored by the people who claim to serve all Americans. So while I agree that one community's (Philly or the queer community) paper is not necessarily representative of what's going on as a whole, the queer community does have a right to seek a voice that is so often silenced or skewed in society. It's a real problem. Get used to us.

[genderoutlaw]

Let me rephrase the last bit. We have - or ought to have - the right to look for a voice because ours *now* are so silenced and skewed. The way I phrased that was awkward and ambiguous.

[jayburd]

Hopefully, articles like this will bode well for an Obama general election campaign. The Republican triangular attack strategy (of Fear, Smear, and Queers as accurately portrayed by Al Franken) won't work nearly as well against Barack Obama as it did against John Kerry in 2004. The more Obama distances himself from the divisive issues championed by the gay community, the better for him in the long run politically.

One thing the gay community is very good at is screwing up political campaigns for democrats. I don't say that as a judgement against gays and lesbians but as an inconvenient truth. The same truth holds for abortion rights activists. The good Senator has enough divisiveness to overcome without those two camps making his life miserable. When the Republican Attack Machine starts gearing up for the fall campaign they gay rights and abortion rights communities should try out a new strategy to help further their goals -- toning it down.

[TakLoufer]

Oh please, straight men who call themselves "liberal" have screwed up just as many Democratic political campaigns in the past thirty years. Just look at the wimps you've given us: Mondale, Kerry, even Al Gore. Not one heroic figure in the lot, although Gore has redeemed himself since 2000 with his social work. Scratch a liberal heterosexual male and find a sexist, homophobic pig of the Mike Stivic variety, the kind of guy who goes way out of his way not to offend a black man but tells fag jokes to his buddies and dumps his wife for some adoring chick half his age. Oh yeah I know, that also describes most Republican men as well.

[jayburd]

I see it's time to bust out the stereotypes. Fine, I can play that game.

Scratch a liberal homosexual male and find a selfish, whiny misanthrope of the Village Voice reading variety, the kind of guy who goes way out of his way not to offend a black man but tells fag jokes to his girl buddies and dumps his lover for some tongue studded dude half his age. Oh yeah I know, that also describes most Republican men as well -- guys like Larry Craig and Mark Foley.

Seriously though, the louder the gay community gets this summer and fall about marriage rights the more it will play right into the hands of the Republican Attack Machine, just as the most divisive cultural issues always do. If it's not gay marriage this year it will be some other hot and topical "gay" issue designed to titillate the media and foment another culture war to distract us from real issues -- like the kind of wars people die in, including gay soldiers who, when not asked won't tell anyone that they're gay. Some of them end up taking their secret to the grave.

[Egghead]

Bluntly, neither of them have the positions or track record on gay civil rights that I would like to see. On the other hand, ONE gay and lesbian paper in ONE city is not the same as "gay media." Like any other paper with a relatively small circulation, this one exaggerates its importance and easily feels snubbed.

[genderoutlaw]

I agree with you on both points, Egghead.

[ann1]

I don't think Sen Obama has a problem with gays. I don't think he has a problem with anyone. What gets me is the gay community and their bullying tactics. They come on forceful and demanding. They can sometimes come across as "down right" mean. How dare you disagree with them. Beleive it or not, the strong arm approach doesn't work. If you want rights that's fine, but the aggressiveness is a bit irritating. Shouting gets you nowhere. Maybe the gay community should try operating on the same level of love, respect and forgiveness they're expecting from the country.

[sparkandy]

Maybe the gay community should try operating on the same level of love, respect and forgiveness they're expecting from the country.

That worked really for African Americans for hundreds of years, didn't it? If the LGBT community doesn't remind people of how badly they are discriminated against, who will? All they want is the same freedom to live their lives the way they see fit without condemnation and prejudice. But sometimes to make an omelet, you have to break some eggs.

[Shantee]

Oh please, now that gays have gone mainstream and middle class they've gotten so boring and bigoted, and affected by the same dumbing down as most of America.

[JackNasty]

An obscure gay newspaper published by a Clinton supporter claims that Obama won't talk to him and ann1 accuses the entire gay community with bullying tactics?

Someone clearly needs to get better a grip on reality.

[almondleaf]

here in Philadelphia, it is not an obscure paper. It is important in the gay community. We read, and will make up our minds.

[joeyp404]

Oh, di you mean just like Reverend Wright?

[almondleaf]

substitute "obama supporter" for "gay community" and you just might have a legitimate point.

[northcan]

Of course Hillary supports you...and you her! Daa. Don't you think your the one discriminitory? You are. Believe me, there are many other priority's and issue's all American's are concerned about and the global community. Please look at your comments and judge yourself first. Hillary has already promised more for Americans for the next 2000 years, than government can give. Do you only hear what you like to hear? Or do you care about all peoples in America? She is scraping for vote's, and she is a player. You will never hear from her again, after the Convention, believe me.

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

Mediocre punctuation, at best....!

[kishaaann]

B.S. article. This is what people do to make up false controversies and distract us from the real issues of Iraq, a bad economy and lack of adequate healthcare

Here are some interviews, ads and blog post of Barack Obama with the LGBT media.

Obama had ads in both TX and OH gay papers
www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52408.asp
http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003785226

Obama explains to Advocate why he is the best candidate for LGBT Americans
www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid50021.asp

Senator Barack Obama, a 2008 presidential candidate, recently granted an exclusive interview with PULSE, a magazine produced by Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD), a New York-based social service and advocacy agency.
http://adhc.wordpress.com/2007/10/24/obama-in-exclusive-interview-with-black-gay-magazine/

Barack Obama's Campaign Names His Gay/Lesbian Supporters
http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline/2007/04/barack_obama_ca.html

Obama LGBT
http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome

Open Letter from Barack Obama to the LGBT Community
http://www.bilerico.com/2008/02/open_letter_from_barack_obama_to_the_lgb.php

[bish66]

Obama had his people tell SF Mayor Newsom that having a picture with the mayor would not be a good idea, thanks for the two fundraisers the mayor held for Obama, but, no, thanks no pictures, no handshake.

Obama is a hypocrit who would sell his own granny if that would bring him some votes.

[poppyseed]

Hmm, you and talves have suspiciously similar writing styles, content, and share a failure to use spell check..

Truth is, Gavin Newsome is a self-important, self-promoting politician. He got a handshake, just not a picture of a handshake. boo hoo. And we know, for the glossy Newsome, only a picture matters. Your guy got a lot of photo ops, but there is no gay marriage in SF. Out here in Mass, we actually have gay marriage, and Deval Patrick, our Governor and gay rights advocate, is an Obama supporter.

Let's be sure Gavin Newsome, before you toss his name around, really wants to be on record as calling Obama a homophobe, and condemning him as a candidate. Remember, there is a tomorrow, and Newsome is, if not anything else, an political opportunist.

[flatman7]

You guys are talking about winning the BATTLE and losing the WAR. The demographics of Pennsylvania doesnt give BO much room for error if he is to have a chance of closing the gap. This is about Politics and not principle. Say he gives the paper an interview. Then Faux NEws , Rush Limbaugh, etc... will parse every word and smear BO everyway they can.
Dont you think BO will be able to better help you from the white house than from the Campaign trail. He cant afford any mishaps of his words being twisted in a gay newspaper.
Remember he is in Pennsylvania trying to win over people who dont really know him. These
are a majority of catholic voters. If he can win Pennsylvania then the primary should be over. Be patient and stay focused on the prize the (white house). There will be plenty of time
for an interviews for the LGBT community.

[Newmoney]

I'm a fan of Irishfly i like objective arguments.
1st visit the site below
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:World_population_density_map.PNG
We are not over populated. There are more orange, lime green and blue on that map

2ndly I love lesbians and manaj so i don't hold that against ladies, But do u realize that gay men distort their physical features. Do u want me to talk about the abuse of our excretion organs. Even though I have indulged in anal sex with Women n I'm willing to try with some more, i still know it's not write because It's just not right.

3rdly If there were no reproduction, where would they find the orphans and sick Babies to adopt?

Pls lets keep this discussion objective. No abuses

[democraticjack]

There is NOTHING objective about your posts. You are overstating your own prejudices and you have stuck your foot so far in your mouth, it is about to come out your "excretion" organ. Dude, you are just making a fool of yourself due to your lack of education on the subject.

[Newmoney]

DJ, If your Parent were gay would u be alive?

[Irishfly]

Threat to human existence? Are you for real? The planet is overburdened and overpopulated as it is. First, if, as you say, it is true that gays do not reproduce we should be thankful that they aren't wasting our precious resources. Second, just because someone does not take pleasure in hetero sex does NOT mean that they an or will not reproduce. Third, gay men and women adopt special needs, mixed race, and sick children at a much greater rate than do straights.
If anything, gays are improving our quality of life, NOT driving us to the point of extinction.

[Sylmason]

Gay bashing is not cool at all. I am a retired educator, and I've had the opportunity to work with many gay chidren. It wasn't pretty and the abuse of gays started very early in their lives. So, people stop with the gay abuse. OK?

Now, I'm also an Obama supporter, and i've noticed how gays have flocked to her campaign possibly because they believe the rumors that she is a lesbian. She could be, who knows, and who actually cares.

My point is>>>>>>>>­>>..this crucial race to the WH should not be viewed as a gay movement. Hillary is not and will not make a great president for our children and grandchildren, especially when she and her husband represent gread, sleazy politics, and lies.

The clinton's aren't respected anywhere. Trust me!! No where!! Their quest for the top job in the nataion is predicated on gread and power. Our country is in a pathetic state and we do not have time for gay movements. Sory guys, i love you, but this is not the tie, and Hillary is not your president.

Hillarty's religious cult actually states this clearly. You can find all about it in a widely under-read article in the September 2007 issue of Mother Jones, in which Kathryn Joyce and Jeff Sharlet reported that “through all of her years in Washington, Clinton has been an active participant in conservative Bible study and prayer circles.

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/hillarys-prayer.html

[Newmoney]

I'm not gay bashing. I have very close gay friends and we discuss this every time we hang out. Are u saying this is not an issue? Are you saying we should not discuss issues such as sexuality, race and gender discrimination.
I have never discriminated against gay but we have to discuss this issues.
What I object to is non-objective discussions where people are calling each other idiots instead of making points.
We are supposed to learn from people's post on this site.

[godwillen]

I I wish to take exception to Sylmason calling the Methodist Church a cult. That Senator Clinton's faith is inclusive enough to pray with, yes, even Republicans, suggests to me an attractive ability to find consensus.

Furthermore, who is a someone who is not Gay, to tell a Gay person, now is not the time for you to have equal rights? I find that "back of the business" offensive.

Finally, to many of us, Bill Clinton's administration - and Bill and Hillary - represent peace, prosperity and progress.

I fear Sylmason, like so many Huff Post Obama supporters, feels compelled to make Hillary Clinton the source of all evil, that Senator Obama may then be the source of all good.

[Newmoney]

1. The planet is not over-populated. check the website below
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:World_population_density_map.PNG

2. Do u realize that we damage our excretory organs when we indulge in some of these things? How about calling it abuse of our excretion organs.

3. If everybody was like them, would they find kids or sick babies to adopt? NO.

Pls understand that I have close friends who are lesbians and I enjoy their company a lot. We argue these points every time we hang out.

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

Generally, homosexuals are MORE sentient and productive in terms of quality of life issues, but, more to the point, why are so many "Americans" unwilling to confront the reality of OVERPOPULATION, esp. in the Third World? It's as though they can't contemplate that the Third World's penchant for egregious, reproduction rates CONFOUND and overwash any and all econ. progress..­.. Only the British, the Irish, and some Europeans are willing to even allude to the problems concurrent with birth rates like those of most of Africa and S. America...­..

The stupidity of so many "political­ly-correct­" Americans is apparent in their passive WILLINGNESS to import the problems of the Third World to N. America through a DE FACTO policy of "open borders."!

[Newmoney]

Obama has said he does not support gay marriage but he objects to discrimination against people based on their sexuality. Personally I hate the Gay thing because of their threat to human existence. I seriously think that people who are gay are mentally challenged but just like the mentally challenged man in rags roaming the streets, they should not be discriminated or harmed.

Mponti, VictorandTim why are u guys cursing me out? I'm just telling you the threat we face as a result of Gay associations.
From Statistics, If 50% of the world population was Gay, we would be looking at Human extinction in 3 generations because of 50% decline in human reproduction.
We cry about certain species of Animals being endangered how about this rising trend in Gay relationship and marriage.

Please focus on telling me that the statistics is wrong and make a point on how Gay associations are beneficial to human existence.
Again let us always take responsibility and deal with issues. This is the same attitude Bush has shown towards Global warming.

[PragmaticCynic]

Nobody is as paranoid of gay people as you unless they're desperately trying to hide from their own homosexual feelings. Congrats for outing yourself. Clearly, ignorance through inbreeding is still a problem in certain parts of the United States.

[YellerDawg]

Perhaps, newmoney was attempting satire. So much for that biting gay wit of the stereotype.

[Newmoney]

Can u be objective without sounding irritated. I just gave u a point. Why not try to tell me it's not credible like Irishfly did up there?

[missionimpossible]

This is a non issue. Huff-po, can we close this blog topic?

[BethinIllinois]

Interesting how it's a non-issue when it's critical of Obama. Obama fans seem to have NO trouble bashing on Hillary and supporting items critical to her!

Little different when the shoe's on the other foot, isn't it?

[MikeMD68]

Very nicely said, Beth. I'm a gay guy - and on LGBT issues, I dont trust him as far as I can throw him.

[wisechild]

Huh? What chain are you following?

Stop with the finger point already...­it's getting tiresome.

Hillary delivers enough reasons to question her veracity, her ability and now I believe her state of mind.

And on gay rights, her motives are questionable and that is why discussion is a good thing instead of having generate into Obama bashing and for the most part, gay bashing on this post.

[Living4Dday]

Hey!
Obama is the only one who belongs to a church that SUPPORTS gays. Look it up! other than UCC, who recognizes gay clergy?

[YellerDawg]

You are correct, and that denomination is to be commended for that. Obama is trying to walk a very fine line here, however. There is no denying it.

[Sylmason]

Hillary belongs to a republican cult calld the family. Look this up.

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/hillarys-prayer.html

[democraticjack]

Yeah well, don't look over your shoulder. You just might see where Obama has attended those very same prayer breakfasts.

[sparkandy]

Isn't John McCain a member of a Church that has gay priests and a gay bishop? How much more supportive could THAT be?

[kdjoins]

Who is Obama? What do we really know about him? Is he the man who invites his Reverend of 20 years to his campaign kickoff, then calls him the night before to tell him he's now uninvited? Does he talk about the gays but not talk to them? Who is this Obama?

[Sylmason]

Who the hell are you? Do you know Hillary? Did you know bush when you voted for him two terms? You people are stupid.

Know this:
a.) Obama is supported by Americans, not lobbyists therefore he has to attend to our needs.
b.) Obama is not a muslim. Hillary's campaign spent tireless hours trying to convence people
otherwide.
c.) Hillary is a liar. Do you need further proof?
d.) Hillary is a member of a republican cult. Here's your proof: http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/hillarys-prayer.html

This is your history 101 class. You Hillary peopple do not read, research, study or anything related to self-educa­ting>>>>>>­>>>>..you only parrot her. Now that's pathetic.

[democraticjack]

That's odd. Every class I have ever attended actually presented facts not biased opinions. You seem angry as well. Here is what you can do. Take a cigarette lighter, go into a darkened room, hold up the lighter and chant "yeswecan". That seems to calm people with your affliction.

[wisechild]

I think you're an idiot with this post. If you want to know who Obama is try reading and listening.

You could learn something. This is an old issue you are bringing up and clearly you have no other point to make.

[Living4Dday]

WOW!
I never thought of coal miners as gay. You mean all this talk about Pennsylvania being the home of the "blue collar working guy " really mean they are YMCA democrats? Just how big is this constituency?
I have heard Obama speak up for gays but if this paper wishes to back Hillary, Good luck with McCain!

[dvdpt]

Gays call 1-800- CRY BABY !
Where were your votes when Obama needed them at the start of the primary !
You are concern about is yourself and not whats good for the country !
I know you think that I am a Gay hater except you are wrong !

[CAPTAIND]

No you are a fantical Obama supporter and I consider fanticism our worst problem. Senator Obam owes the gay community nothing-but if he wishes their vote then he needs to address that community like any other. The fact that the gay community did not support him in the primaries. You unfortunately sound like kids on the school yard crying about who was friends with whom first.

[mickeyrat]

I see. So your principle is that if you didn't vote for Obama, he need not represent you.

Interesting take on democracy there.

[AjicNYC]

40 million dollars and access to a jet. Obama has not ime to go to memphis , no time to speak with a gay newspaper , why? because he doesnt need their votes right now nor does he want to be seen with them right now. He needs the middle class whit vote. He will spend his time feeding a goat and bowling and anything else he can think of to embrace his WHITENESS. So sorry guys some things are more important at the moment. I hear he is going to dress up like a cowboy and try to lasso some um people.