Gay DNC Fundraiser Filled With Frustration: "No One Is Happy Now"

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is taking heat from some gays and lesbians for not fulfilling campaign pledges. He's also taking their cash.

Gay rights activists have complained that Obama has not followed through on his promises to repeal a law banning their open service in the military, to do away with a federal marriage law or to champion their causes from the White House. During his first five months, he's taken incremental steps that have little real effect and left some people feeling betrayed.

But he still felt comfortable sending Vice President Joe Biden to a Democratic National Committee fundraiser Thursday evening with gay and lesbian donors.

"I hope you don't doubt the president's commitment," Biden said during a 20-minute address at the gathering. Assuring donors and other guests that Obama would keep the nation focused on "the unfinished business of true equality for all our people," the vice president said, "I don't blame you for your impatience."

Some gay donors had called for a boycott after Obama's Justice Department, in a court filing, compared gay marriages to incest.

"I don't think it's an appropriate time to be raising money. No one is happy now," said Richard Socarides, who advised President Bill Clinton on gay issues and did not plan to attend the event. "On gay rights, the country is already in the age of Obama, but he's governing from the Clinton era."

Obama issued a presidential memorandum that expands some federal benefits to same-sex partners, but not health benefits or pension guarantees. He has allowed State Department employees to include their same-sex partners in certain embassy programs already available to opposite-sex spouses.

But that remains far short of his campaign rhetoric.

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"At its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans," Obama said a 2007 statement on gay issues. "It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect."

Since then, he publicly has committed himself to repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they don't disclose their sexual orientation or act on it. On Jan. 9, Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs answered "yes" when asked whether the administration would end the policy. But as president, Obama hasn't taken any concrete steps urging Congress to rescind the Clinton-era policy that even some former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have described as flawed.

Obama pledged during the campaign to work for repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognize partnerships and determine benefits.

In a letter sent to gay-rights groups in February 2008, the president said: "I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) _ a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate."

But lawyers in his administration defended the law in a court brief. White House aides said they were only doing their jobs to back a law that is on the books.

At the time, even Democrats in his party criticized the move.

"I was profoundly disappointed by this action, particularly coming from this administration," said Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., the first openly gay nonincumbent to win election to Congress.

Even so, Baldwin and other high-profile gay and lesbians and their allies still planned to attend Biden's fundraiser. The minimum donation was $1,000 and some tickets went as high as $30,400. The event was expected to draw 160 people and raise almost $1 million.

Human Rights Campaign grass-roots chief Marty Rouse, Gay and Lesbians Advocates and Defenders projects director Mary Bonauto and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund President Chuck Wolfe all withdrew. Several other high-profile activists also did not intend to participate, hoping to pressure Obama to make good on his promises now.

The White House plans an East Room reception on Monday for gay and lesbian advocates to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Greenwich Village demonstrations at the Stonewall Tavern in New York City. The demonstrations are viewed as the start of the modern gay rights movement.

"Unless the president on Monday articulates a strong action plan, and is willing to do it with cameras rolling, it is going to go from bad to worse," said Socarides, the Clinton adviser.

Comments

[superstition]

Relevant update: DNC proclaims it raised 1 million at fundraiser. Oh really?

The DNC insider:

"[T]he blogs are closer to the truth [on how the Dems plan to handle gay issues] than the party wants us to know. They used the blogs to their advantage during the election, and now they're trying to figure out how to control what's become a nuisance for them. The current method for the fundraiser is by not telling the truth."

Aravosis: "The Democratic party finds you and your civil rights a nuisance."

"DNC may have lied about $1m take from fundraiser; DNC insider says blogs are right on party's intentions towards gays"
http://www.americablog.com/2009/07/dnc-may-have-lied-about-1m-take-from.html
"So, DNC, did that fundraiser really bring in a million bucks?"
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/11824/so-dnc-did-that-fundraiser-really-bring-in-a-million-bucks
"DNC Insider Tells Different Story On Gay Dollars"
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/11825/dnc-insider-tells-different-story-on-gay-dollars

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Whatever our disagreements, I hope we can agree on this. We need to pressure Congress to pass legislation.

There is an excellent blog at http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/6/19/124142/765 which lists most of the ongoing legislation in Congress and suggests a course of action. Here is a quick blurb.

"There's nothing worse than the feeling that we have no say in the political process, but here are four opportunities to get vocal in a concrete, direct way:

1. the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligation Act

2. the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

3. the Matthew Shepard Act

4. the Military Readiness Enhancement Act

And the best part is, you really can help. All four of these bills are before Congress (or about to be introduced), and your representatives are waiting to hear from you."

The blog also explains each proposed bill as well as several others.

Let's get our groove on and lobby Congress.

[JackNasty]

Thank you.

[Cunningham]

Anyone in favor of Congress repealing DOMA, please, sign this:

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/repeal_doma/?r_by=4715-213009-wfJzLbx&rc=paste .

[superstition]

These are the facts. Everything else is herring.

1. Gays are gay, are equal, and equal is equal.

Homosexuality is a sexual orientation that isn't a disorder. This is a scientific fact that shows that gays are equal to heteros. We've known this since 1956 and it's been a matter of consensus since 1973. It means everything about gays -- their relationships, their parenting, their job performance -- everything, is equal, not inferior, to heterosexuals'.

2. The 1st Amendment is a firewall against theocracy.

It prevents unscientific/religious attitudes from becoming law. Its existence means marriage is a secular legal institution. We can see that from the fact that atheists can get married in courthouses. It makes civil union unconstitutional so long as heterosexual marriage exists legally.

3. The 14th Amendment provides the same rights for gays as it does for heterosexuals.

It prohibits the idea of hierarchical citizenship wherein the rights people are afforded is not a universal matter but an arbitrary one. The 14th Amendment gives gays the same rights, including the right to get married, as those conferred to heterosexuals. No state can rescind those rights, and neither can any politician or judge.

4. In summation:

We have the same rights already. Our marriages exist and must be fully recognized. Our citizenship is full and must be recognized. This is not an option. This is a constitutional requirement. It's the responsibility of everyone in each branch of government to uphold the Constitution.

[Belthazar]

I agreed with your first three points. As to the fourth, "A right not recognized or enforced is no right at all." For the record, I believe DODT & DOMA should have been repealed yesterday. Nevertheless, right or wrong, there is a political component to the argument. I believe someone addressed this point. If you attempt to pass legislation without the votes (unlikely to get out of committee) and it fails, it will be that much more difficult to pass later. That is the political component – good or bad! That doesn’t mean that the pressure should be let up on Congress (Senate will be the challenge) to make sure they get the votes and put a bill on the President’s desk.

Additionally, I have never suggested that the President shouldn't be held accountable and reminded of his statements. Withholding donations or boycotts is also a tactic used by many groups to try to effect change. Again, that’s not the issue. However, as soon as statements are made that you (universal you) are a fraud, homophobic, and don’t care about the LGBT community, it will cause people in support of the cause to go silent.

Not an original statement, but I think Black/White, Gay/Straight, and Male/Female each have a stack in the right(s) of the other.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Excellent. We need to stay and stand together. Too many are willing to discard important allies within the government and outside of the government. That is insanity.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Whether rights WILL be recognized is not a pronouncement one can make. All you can do is make the arguments in court (gay marriage protected by the Constitution), or have Congress pass legislation. Declaring something Constitutional does not make it so.

Right now, DOMA is federal law. If it is accepted by the Court in any case, it is likely to be held as being Constitutional because of the very low standard the court applies for sexual orientation . . . rational basis.

We do not need to declare anything Constitutional for it to be law. We need law. We need Congress to act.

[bannorhill]

So cite one case to support your claims that DOMA violates the constitution. Smelt v Orange County and other cases have ruled it does NOT.

Otherwise your whole arguement is an unfounded red herring.

[mollymac]

But this isn't about McCain and whats-her-name. They lost and we voted in Obama, et al. There is a reason we did it! We trusted that he would backup his words during the campaign. We believed him and now we are holding him to his campaign promises. A broken promise is betrayal. No more, no less.

[MaryanneAZ]

The community is looking to President Obama to do the work of Congress. In a USA today article, a Bill ending DADT was discussed. Democratic Rep. Marty Meehan of Massachusetts reintroduced his Military Readiness Enhancement Act. The bill would repeal the policy President Clinton approved in 1993 as a compromise between ending a ban and gays serving openly. That would leave gays free to serve without limits. Since the policy began, nearly 11,000 troops, the equivalent of an Army division, have been discharged. The measure had 122 co-sponsors last year but died in the Republican-controlled Congress. Now that Democrats are in charge, Meehan had plans to hold hearings as early as April. He says the bill has more than 100 original co-sponsors and seven freshmen. This is where the community needs to devote its efforts and support. President Obama will sign the Bill when it reaches his desk. Funding Dem candidates will also go a long way to ensuring the new Bill is passed.

[MaryanneAZ]

Rep. Ellen Tauscher is now sponsoring this Bill and it is still in committee. Hopefully, it will make it out of committee. This is a really good bill to Google, H.R. 1283, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009. This could become a reality with the right support and encouragement ($?).

[hapiday]

I'm a fan of S#M1G33K.

Love your logical analysis of the issues.

[razingfools]

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

[LintLass]

It seems many in the blogosphere are trying to parlay the very real fact that we're outraged into 'We're actually bent on/must begin opposing the Democratic Party now and forevermore.'

That's not what that is.

Of course we have to stand up for ourselves, we don't have to be black or white about it, in either sense of the terms.

[LintLass]

It is, of course, about time that pols stopped seeing LBGT people as some squalling one-issue group, and start actually *valuing* our contributions and energy, and enthusiasm, and showing it.

Yeah, blunting our enthusiasm for Obama is something that costs all Dems. It doesn't have to be a permanent condition, though.

[Niasia]

I really think Obama may be torn on this. As a straight black woman I am apppalled by the ignorance in the black community regarding homosexuality. The very thing that justifies their hate towards gays justifies their hate towards womens choice. The advance of this country is greatly hindered by religious ideology. This spans across the "races". I think Obama is able to separate his faith from his policies. Unfortunately more than half of this country's residents are incapable of doing so. If he goes too far then he is ruining the moral fiber too little and he violates human rights. Yet we are in the year 2009

[M1]

Excellent insight. Yet, it is the difference between Leadership and playing safe politics. Obama has the verbal skills to teach Americans about separating their faith from civil policy and, hence, the ability to lead our Country out of the dark ages cast by religious ideologies. The question remains will he be a great President or just an almost great President.

[LintLass]

I'm not following about the 'ruining the moral fiber too little.' Was that a misphrase?

[SD Indy]

I think the point is that for those who cannot separate their politics from their religious views, "if he goes too far," they will view it as "ruining the moral fiber" not that the poster believes this.

[mollymac]

Wonderfully said. Thank you.

[TrnsNtnl]

Obama is dropping the ball on this one big time. People are getting very dissillusioned.

[LintLass]

'People' could of course do a bit more blocking than trying to sack him, of course. :)

[MaryanneAZ]

It is entirely too soon to be disillusioned or to despair. We are still in the early days of this Administration. It is time to work harder than ever and fund more than ever bigger Dem numbers in the House and Senate. There are pending Bills, including one ending DADT (Rep. Meehan's Military Readiness Enhancement Act) that the community should follow and support. Withholding funding is counterproductive in my opinion.

[lib2dbone]

African-Americans had to march, fight, go to jail, be abused and be killed to get the right to vote in this country. It took a long time and if you have noticed redistricting, polling tricks and irregularities that are still happening, you would surmise that the bigots and conservatives are still resisting equality for all citizens.
I am in favor of full rights for everyone, no exceptions, but to blame the president for this bigotry? We need to put extraordinary pressure and attention to the bigots in congress and the media.
There needs to be a constant roar and the gay community should seek allies from all organizations to walk with them in this undertaking.
It's a noble and righteous cause, but the bigots don't ever want to change. Unite with others and shame the bigots into crawling back under their rocks.
It worked in civil rights. Even though it's well known that Rush, Hannity, and Bill-O are racists, they are afraid to air their true feelings for fear of backlash. It's not fashionable to make slurs against blacks anymore.
Diligent work will make gay-bashing a career breaker also.

[LintLass]

Why is our *equality* supposed to be some kind of *liability* for a guy who got us all psyched over social justice issues and idealism?

Is that Obama, or ...Maybe something else?

[We-Are-The-Ones]

It is not a liability, but allies need to be kept and not so easily discarded.

The Obama you want may exist. He has only been in office 5 months.

[rinpochet]

Power in numbers. I think the LGBT organizations should seek the active support of other organizations. More people equals more power and pressure.

[maxfax]

"taking heat from some gays and lesbians for not fulfilling campaign pledges. He's also taking their cash."

Breaking news Philip, I'm not gay, and I'm just as angry as them for Obama's failure to fulfill those campaign promises, while continuing to take my money. We're with them!

[rinpochet]

I am with you . Not gay but very angry about this. Words are cheap. Action takes courage and apparently Obama does not have the political courage to put his words into action.

[maxfax]

We didn't vote for a face change in the WH we voted for real change, change in policies to meet the needs of people, not corporations. We don't want a Clinton White House.

[The Ghost]

It took a GAY President to free the slaves, it's time for Obama to repay the favor.

Threatening to withhold support and campaign funds unless one's agenda is addressed is how politics works.

[Veeve]

It also took 2/3rds of the population against slavery and quite specifically, 'the economic and political benefits' of accounting for the additional population to the southern states by way of the 3/5ths compomise. Flash backwards 50 years and you'd find that only a handful of southern states had enacted Jim Crow laws and more than 2/3rds of the country were opposed to such policies; yet it still took decades and thousands sacrificed to enact the Civil Rights Act.

Scoff at polical capital if you want or don't understand how the 'great game' is played but the last thing we want is for Obama to jump headlong into the battle until we are assured of winning. Everytime a leader engages in a public political battle and loses, his/her ability to influence others going forward is accordingly diminished. The president is focused on the most critical issues facing the country, the economy, healthcare, energy and foreign policy/wars and while it is maddening, I can't fault him for it. When enough of us apply enough pressure to our legislators that someone writes a bill calling for a repeal of DaDt and DOMA, the president will be compelled to engage in the political battle from his bully pulpit. Machiavelli teaches that a leader should be ahead of the population, but not too far ahead.

[LintLass]

The population is ahead of policy on at least same-sex unions and gays serving openly in the military.

[rinpochet]

"last thing we want is for Obama to jump headlong into the battle" That's what we hired him for!!

With a stroke of the pen he could stop the implementation of DADT until congress can hold hearings. I mean, actually putting some action behind his words. He talks but then does nothing. As an Obama supporter (soon to become "former" supporter if he keeps this up), I expect him to follow through on his pledges. He is becoming more like Bush every day. Have to admit a smarter version though.

[MaryanneAZ]

The Bill is already in the works and the community and its supporters should be making themselves familiar with the Bill and those representatives who are supporting it. (I'm sorry, but the name of the sponsor slips my mind at the moment. She was on Rachel Maddow's show and talked extensively about the Bill and the support behind it.)

[CaliforniaLove]

But Lincoln wasn't gay!

BTW, when is the last time you've seen a gay slave? LMAO

http://www.flynnfiles.com/archives/culture2005/lincoln_wasnt_gay_but_the_people_saying_he_was_are.html

[MSNichols]

And there you are again. Out looking for gay stories to comment on.

[s3m1g33k]

Obama's black relatives were not slaves and he doesn't owe you anything on that front, neither do blacks in general since you have done nothing but project your white racist attitudes at us rather than attempt any real outreach. Here's a thought try comparing your struggle for acceptance to the Holocaust often and publicly and see how the Jews react to that. Why does the white gay movement (because that's really what it is) constantly frame their struggle in terms of gay versus black when presumably gays can be of any race? I've got news for you most blacks are more concerned about our own problems like be murdered by police, unemployment, education, redlining, etc. to focus on your issues. Obama was elected in spite of being black not because of it and it doesn't help black people one wit since white people will never allow our so-called "black president to directly address any black issues without losing your collective minds.

[mollymac]

Wrong is wrong. It isn't black, Jewish, gay etc. etc. It is simply bias, bigotry and hate. You can't be against one and not be against all. If you are, then you are part of the problem and not the solution.

[BlackGirl in NOLA]

Fanned

[The Ghost]

Pure Projection.

[JackNasty]

“Here's a thought try comparing your struggle for acceptance to the Holocaust often and publicly and see how the Jews react to that.” -- s3m1g33k

The fact is, Jewish survivors of the Holocaust don’t have any problem acknowledging their common history with gay survivors of the Holocaust. It’s a matter of historical fact.

From 1933 to 1945, Nazi Germany arrested tens of thousands of gay men and sentenced them to the work camps where they were worked to death. When the US and other allied forces freed survivors in the camps, they kept the gay survivors in prison. Unlike other survivors, gay men were denied the restitution from the German government gave to Jewish survivors and others until the mid 1990s.

The story of gay men as victims of the Holocaust and the perpetuation of abuse by the US and other Allied forces after the war is well documented. The US Holocaust Museum is a repository for some of that documentation, which is on display there along with evidence of Jewish, Romani, labor union members and other victims of the Nazi crimes against humanity. There are now public monuments to the gay victims of the Holocaust in Berlin and Amsterdam.

http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/focus/homosexuals/

[MRb1000]

You can't always get what you want!

[JMBrodie]

But if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need.

[M1]

Very cute!

[AngryCitizen]

So? We should stop trying then? I don't think so!

[rinpochet]

Then maybe Obama shouldn't get what he wants. Hold the donations until he does right by those who supported him. And I mean both straight and gay.

[MaryanneAZ]

This is a counterproductive plan. The community should actually do the opposite in my opinion. The community and its supporters should be funding to the best level possible all Dem candidates to give the President the votes he is going to need to get DOMA and DADT repealed and new law written. The worst thing we can do is weaken the majority and dream that more Republicans will support the cause. I don't think so.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Abie asks: "Let me ask you something and I would like it if you would think about it and answer it honestly. This is not adversarial.....if BO were not black, would you be this patient?" . . . "I mean not this year."

I am NOT patient, but I am not impatient. I am holding. Would I be "holding" if the Prez were not Black? Yes. I am not "holding" because the Prez is Black, I am "holding because he is NEW.

At the end of the year, he will be less new. In 6 months, I expect ENDA to have passed and been signed. I expect immigration reform. I expect the hate crime bill to be signed. I'd LIKE DADT to have been repealed and DOMA repealed.

And you? If the Prez were not Black would you be impatient after 5 months? No attack. Just a question.

[Jtt]

Honestly 2 weeks id give em then Id wonder.

But actually I didnt get hardcore complaining till he defended DADT and DOMA, er sorry His justice department did.

[Jtt]

And since I was so impatient for a change, to be completely honest a little bit of why I voted for him was because he was black. I thought he would understand a bit better on this and racial issues. My bad I guess eh?

Could that be driving flustration ? perhaps, being as we are honest - but I think it actully made me wait to complain. His election meant so much to some people. I saw that. I cried with them election night.

Thats also why too i get more than a little insulted when you label me and my community rac*$t with little or no consideration.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

We need to remove any and all reason for the DOJ to defend these abominations. Repeal DADT and DOMA so they are no longer law.

Congress needs to get their groove on.

[AbbieXHoffman]

I tried to respond more thoroughly but it is held up. Thanks for your thoughful response.

For me....if BO were not black I would hold him just as accountable.

History has shown us that a pres gets the most done in his first year. There are mid-terms and then his re-election campaign starts. If nothing is significant is done this year I don't think it's going to get done at all this term.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

I think you are right and Harry Reid has suggested this, stating that he think DADT can be repealed within this Congress, but this Congress ends in December 2010. So, realistically, we need to push Congress to get off their lazy beehinds to repeal DADT and DOMA this calendar year BEFORE people start focusing on mid-term elections.

I say the sooner the better. July would work for me. August at the latest.

I hope Senator Gillabrand (NY) is sincere when she says she is willing to support repeal of DADT.

[Disuberence]

If BO wasn't black, half of the "black" people here wouldn't care half as much about any of this.

Like Wanda Sykes said... "It's amazing, the first black president – I know you're biracial – but the first black president!" she said. "That's unless you screw up. Then it's going to be, 'What's up with the half-white guy, huh?'"

He is though, so we have to work twice as had to convince them and his apologists with a heavy case of a hero worship.

[JackNasty]

Gay Americans' fight for equal protection under the law is not something that just popped up six months ago. Gay citizens have been fighting for equality since at least 1924 with the Society for Human Rights and 1950 with the Mattachine Society. That continued on in 1969 with the Stonewall Riots.

For decades Democratic politicians have routinely, actively courted gay voters during elections only to turn around and knife us in the back once they get into office, using similar accusations of impatience to cover their betrayal. Jimmy Carter promised to end the ban on gays in the military. Reagan codified the ban with an executive order. Clinton promised to end the ban then caved into conservatives with Don't Ask. Gay men and women protested every broken promise. We have fought seemingly endless battles in the legislature and in the courts. Should Obama be immune from criticism of his apparent indifference and broken promises because he has dark skin his father was an economist from Kenya? Of course it’s not.

So no, holding Obama to his campaign promises to end the ban ad repeal DOMA is not racism and it is not impatience. Those accusations don't wash. This condescending, malicious mischaracterization that is racist to criticize Obama’s inaction is ludicrous. It is just more of the same tired anti-gay nonsense piled onto the heap that has been accumulating for decades.

Justice delayed remains justice denied.

[rinpochet]

I completely agree. I am not gay but I heard loud and clear Obama stating that he would get rid of DODT and DOMA. He could have put DODT on hold with the stroke of a pen and he refused to do so. I supported him, sent him money and voted for him but I am getting a bit tired of his lack of political courage.

[JackNasty]

Gay Americans' fight for equal protection under the law is not something that just popped up six months ago. Gay citizens have been fighting for equality since at least 1924 with the Society for Human Rights and 1950 with the Mattachine Society. That continued on in 1969 with the Stonewall Riots.

For decades Democratic politicians have routinely, actively courted gay voters during elections only to turn around and knife us in the back once they get into office, using similar accusations of impatience to cover their betrayal. Jimmy Carter promised to end the ban on gays in the military. Reagan codified the ban with an executive order. Clinton promised to end the ban then caved into conservatives with Don't Ask. Gay men and women protested every broken promise. We have fought seemingly endless battles in state legislatures and in the courts. Should Obama be immune from criticism of his apparent indifference and broken promises because he has dark skin his father was an economist from Kenya? Of course it"s not. That would be rac-ist.

So no, holding Obama to his campaign promises to end the ban and repeal DOMA is not rac-ism and it is not impatience. Those accusations don't wash. This malicious motion that is rac-ist to criticize Obama’s inaction is ludicrous. It is just more of the same tired anti-gay nonsense piled onto the heap that has been accumulating for decades.

Justice delayed remains justice denied.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Some posters say some Blacks should calm down from the attacks on Blacks after Prop. 8. Some other posters say LGBT should calm down from the perceived attacks the Obama administration made on LGBT in the DOJ briefs.

Lots of hurt going around. A whole lot of blame as well.

Can't we all TRY to understand the other side? Can't we try to lay down the burden of the hurt we feel we justifiably feel so that we can focus on what needs to be done. We need to focus on getting pro-LGBT policies passed. We need to lobby Congress as aggressively as we lobby President Obama. After all, who really cares who leads on LGBT issues if the end result is LGBT rights?

We need to demand our rights while being respectful of intended and unintended messages sent by angry rhetoric. Are we the GOP? Surely we can do better than constant anger and exclusion. Can't we? Can't we?

[Jtt]

If Obama can lay off defending DADT and DOMA. Sure.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

You then ask too much. You ask that the DOJ not do what it is required by law to do . . . uphold federal law. You ask the Obama administration to do what the Bush and other adminsitrations did . . . bend the law to the will of the President.

Further, on a strategic level, it is critical to keep DADT and DOMA away from the Supreme Court. Given how easy it is for sexual orientation legislation to be found Constitutional, both DOMA and DADT will be found to be rationally related to achieve a governmental purpose . . . constitutional.

[JackNasty]

The only victims of Ballot Measure 8 were the gay couples in California and their families.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

I wasn't speaking of victims, Jack. I was speaking of people hurt by rhetoric.

Actually, Jack, the victims were the gay couples who wanted to marry and did not before Prop. 8 was passed.

There were many, many other victims in the aftermath. If you did not read or hear any of the r@ce baiting, you really need to do some research. If you want, I can even post some, but if you just want to be angry, I do not want to waste my time. Try searching Blacks and Prop. 8. The discussions and r@cial blame will ASTOUND you.

You seem very angry. Here is a hug [[jack]]

[SD Indy]

I understand the anger that many Blacks have because of the Prop 8 fallout. At the same time it is just as disingenuous and intellectually dishonest to say that the only reason that President Obama is being pressured so hard because he is Black. I'm sure that for some individuals race is a factor for many of us it is not.

It is also intellectually dishonest to say that the LGBT community didn't protest President Clinton in the 90's. Many of these people didn't hear about the protests because in 1993 we didn't have access to information as is readily available today. The ONLY 24 hour news channel was CNN, they didn't get their name of Clinton News Network for nothing, they fawned all over Clinton and didn't present a completely biased view in his favor and didn't air any of our protests.