AMERICABlog Founder Blamed For Gay Anger At Obama By DNC Treasurer

AMERICAblog Gay :

DNC Treasurer Andy Tobias joined in the comments section last night of John's latest post about the DNC's, and White House's, growing gay problem. And he wasn't very happy.

The post is about a leaked email from Tobias to DNC funders, in which Tobias admits that the DNC intentionally included Mainers in a mass email blitz to help NJ Governor Jon Corzine's re-election, rather than asking Mainers to help defeat ballot measure 1 which successfully repealed marriage equality for gay couples in that state. Previously, DNC officials had claimed that the emails were sent to Mainers as a "glitch."

Read the whole story: AMERICAblog Gay

Comments

[n4m]

Labeling entire communities as being "homophobic" or as being anything else, is obviously, and patently, untrue.
It is also no way to go about changing anyone's mind.
You do nothing to change the minds of those individuals within the group who actually hold the beliefs, with which you disagree and you hurt and insult with your stereotype all those who don't think as you say they "all" do, as well.
Anyone who's had to face dehumanization, prejudice, discrimination, brutality, violence, and murder, will surely know and understand what it's like to be on the receiving end of such treatment.. They will know and understand just how hurtful it feels, and unfair it is, to be treated as though you are something other than what you truly are, a human being, as equal.as any other human being, and entitled to be treated as such.

[Mark Kraft]

The point of fact is that DNC Treasurer Andy Tobias is right about John Aravosis' posts lately. The guy has gone into Limbaugh-land, and now uses lies and gross distortions on a pretty routine basis.

A few examples:

He took a statement by Gen. Jones saying that he knew President Obama was planning on dealing with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", but that The President "has a lot on his plate", and created a headline saying "Obama won't lift gay ban until Iraq and Afghan wars finished - and even then, if there are more wars... "

The fact is, the Obama administration has been very clear from within weeks of being elected -- before even taking office -- that they viewed DADT as requiring legislation to change, and as something that might not happen until 2010. They've made several statements to this effect, and have included prominent LGBT orgs into their strategy sessions on these issues .. a first.

He also claimed -- falsely -- that when Human Rights Campaign's leader said that some progress has been made by the Obama administration, that more is coming, and that it's a bit unfair to judge the President's record because "It's not January 19, 2017" and that more is in the pipeline, that's the same as saying that the HRC is willing to wait until the end of the Obama administration for additional action on things like DADT or DOMA.

[MadridFrank]

and exactly which party is experiening a civil war?

[dct1999]

The republicans. We democrats don't march in lockstep, we are a contentious bunch.

[miamorphos]

"I am not a member of any organized political party," said our great goodwill ambassador long ago, "I am a Democrat!"

[hallowellboy]

Homophobia is alive and well in America, especially in the the White Catholic and Mormon communities and the Black and Latino communities as a whole. Until the haters are clearly identified, our strategy for equal rights is not effective enough to win equality nationally. Since the Pope and Mormon elders are corporate leaders responsible for maintaining their "product", it is unlikely they will ever come around to equality as a basic premise in their religious views. Our only hope is to enlighten the Black and Latino communities about their historically flawed and discriminatory perceptions of Gay people. It's only a matter of time that the next generation of Americans will demand equlaity for all people. Until then we need to be out and about in our communities. Nothing's going to stop us now.

[dct1999]

Right. Because the rest of white america is not homophobic at all. No siree.

[Tanyars5]

Yes Black homophobia traveled straight to Maine and killed that vote.

[wijg]

We really need to stop with the white/black/latino thing. We lost because of religion, and all the money and lies they pumped into denying us our civil rights.

[Tanyars5]

Well if your advocates would stop with the negative propaganda against Blacks it would stop.

[Belthazar]

"Our only hope is to enlighten the Black and Latino communities about their historically flawed and discriminatory perceptions of Gay people."

Really! Could anything written be more patronizing? We patiently await your further assistance in our 'historically flawed and discriminatory" perceptions and practices.

Let's review: if you are White, not Catholic nor Mormon, which is a very large percentage, then you are NOT Homophobic. Yet, if you are BLACK/LATINO [communities], you ARE Homophobic as a WHOLE. What convenient distinctions!

Consequently, what does that say to the large percentage in the minority communities that have consistently support and voted with the LGBT community (waning support perhaps)? Further, since the vast majority of the votes in Maine were cast by Whites then would you now say, the White Community as A WHOLE is Homophobic?

[cassandra63200]

The People are just not intrested. We have spoken.

[M1]

You forgot about the other 47/48 percent who are interested. BTW, it is unconstitutional that you all are voting on Gay Civil Rights in the first place so bug off.

[cassandra63200]

For the second time............., The PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN.

[superstition]

Since certain posters are always trying to use race as a red herring...

There are plenty of black, Asian, and latino gays...

There is no policy that says DADT only applies to white gay troops.

There is no policy that says DOMA only applies to white gay American citizens who want to get married and have their marriage recognized by other states and the federal government.

This administration's aggressive support of DOMA and DADT, its decision to give precedence to McClurkin and Warren, its refusal to lift Bush's sperm donation ban, its unconstitutional arguments that gay American citizens are second-class -- that the Constitution doesn't apply to them, and the like affect racial minorities just as much as they affect "white" gays.

[SpankedMeGood]

what a pack of horsepooop.

[xscd]

What exactly are you whining about? (Your "what a pack of horsepoop") What exactly do you regard as horsepoop, and why?

[dct1999]

You mean all gays aren't white men? Really? Seriously? Shocking.

[OnReflection]

As gay people of color I concur, the homophobia that Obama has rightly pointed out in certain communities is unbelievable!!

[dct1999]

Which community is NOT homophobic?

[nancy50]

Obama on black homophobia...

If we are honest with ourselves, we'll acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to King's vision of a beloved community," Obama told 2,000 worshippers Sunday at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King once preached.

"We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them."

If Obama says it does it make it true?

[dct1999]

What part of there is homophobia in the black community, just as there is in the wider society are you having difficulty with? Can't you comprehend what you read?

[nancy50]

Not my problem - it's Tanaya's.

[OnReflection]

**nancy50**

Excellent post, no truer words can be best expressed by Obama!!

tough love, but truth is often hard to swallow! : )

[dct1999]

White folks never take responsibility for the rcists in their midst. The attempt to minimize the b.i.g.o.t.e.d response to the passage of prop 8 will not work.

How about some of you defensive white people start preaching to your rcist relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers before you try to tell black people how to behave.

[Tanyars5]

They thought they were going to get away with blaming Obama for Maine. Many white people don't go for that line of bull crap. It doesn't make sense.
I am glad the DNC decided to fight the lies.
You have always said that that guy was spewing hate.

[dct1999]

T, I really think that Obama's problems with certain segments of the gay community were self-created. The Donnie McClurkin/Rick Warren choices were poor decisions. Some feel betrayed and I can respect that. The president has to do better.

But far too many of the complaints come from folks who think the president has to dance to their tune, and do things the way they want and in the timeframe they want. Those people are unreasonable, and some of them are just b.i.g.o.t.s.

[nancy50]

Did you even read the article above? It has nothing to do with racism. It has to do with the administration that we helped to vote in to office, not lifting a finger to insure equal rights. And then lying about it.

You just go into your knee jerk reaction to cry racism, to cover up the years of bigotry your churches have instilled in you.

[dct1999]

I'm responding to the denial filled posts.

I'm pretty sure you've never set foot in a black church. You're arguing from a position of ignorance, like the vast majority of white folks who willfully believe every negative stereotype of black people that they've been fed over the years.

[mindnumbed]

I will work on that with the "white folks"...if you work on the "black folks" and call them on their homophobia.

[dct1999]

You start by calling out whites on their homophobia.

[OnReflection]

With few exceptions most supporters of Obama have let him off Scott free, although most if not all of the campaign promises have not been kept, which no one can dispute.

Only the LGBT community has kept Obama's feet to the fire, not letting him forget the duplicitous and out right reversal on LGBT civil rights issues, as they should!

This overt attempt to silence and intimidate the LGBT activist and the community in general will have repercussions!!

[Tanyars5]

I'm scared.

[BlackGirl in NOLA]

LMAO. Girl you made me spit my orange juice all over the palce

[aLittle2theLeft]

Your irrelevant and don't matter any one here!!

Why do you waist so much energy on hate?

[dct1999]

hahahahahahaaaa

Get 'em T!

[nancy50]

For all those who are trying to engage Tanya in a meaningful debate, give up, it's not worth the time. I went back and read through her very large history of comments and it was quite enlightening how unenlightened she is. She actually wrote that gay rights is not a civil rights issue but a biblical issue. Once people start pulling out snippets of the bible as the defense for their bigotry, all meaningful debate is worthless. She probably doesn't believe in evolution either.

[Tanyars5]

u lie I have never said anything like that. I never have made ONE statement demonizing gay people or their lifestyles. Nice try but u lie.
You don't have to believe me. Others write on all your threads my same thoughts. I am somewhat vocal on the threads so it is easy to dismiss what I say.
However, since u decided to educate yourself on my comments u see most of what I have said have come true.

ANY how read this article...­..........­.

http://www.racewire.org/archives/2009/11/who_gets_blamed_for_maine.html

[nancy50]

I don't lie - and that's the beauty of the internet - your many, many comments are all there for the world to see.

[mgloraine]

The DNC had better check its arithmetic. There is a substantial percentage of party voters & donors who are not L, G, B, or T, but have friends & family who are. LGBT issues affect us personally because of the impact to people who matter to us. "Gay" issues have a bigger footprint than merely the sum of known LGBT voters.

DADT, DOMA, California Prop 8, & the Maine debacle appear along with the bankster bailouts & bonuses, health care public option, the wars, continuation of Cheney-Bush GWOT policies, looking forward rather than back at the international war crimes and domestic felonies of the Cheney-Bush Gang, etc., on the ever-lengthening list of urgent items the Obama administration and Congress have refused to take action on. Inquiries into the reasons for failures to act are typically met with scornful, condescending dismissal. "We don't have time for your little problems today; maybe tomorrow. Don't call us, we'll call you (when we need some money)!"

Sorry folks. I guess we're just inconsequential in the Grand Scheme of Things, as envisioned by the DNC & the O admin. Small potatoes. Disposable....

[seattleblue]

I definitely have a crush on John:)

[Musiker]

Mr. Tobias, if you can seriously claim that the DNC, democrat politicians, and this current president are working non-stop and with purpose to advance the cause of unquestioned equality for all Americans with the dismal track record it has, especially recently, on issues of importance to the LGBT community, then you labor under extreme delusion, and demonstrate an alarmingly high level of contempt for the savvy and education of our community in general.

Or, you be trippin'!

[PhilipB]

Thank you! and Fanned!
I have a family with an adult daughter and two grandchildren.
I am not going to "shut up" anymore about the fact that we are proud Americans living without rights. It is wrong.
I deeply resent anyone saying that my inequality is ok, or as some have wildly suggested that it is racist. Those who do so are a group of posters who I believe get a kick out of trashing me and my family, and have never once said anything compassionate or supportive to the fact that we live without rights.
I think it is absurb that my familie's rights should be up for popular vote, and I am outraged that this should occur.
I abhor comments that my speaking out to the real discrimination and in-equality my family suffers under is "whining", or "Petulant" or other words which seek to dismiss my familie's digmity and stature as Americans living unfder legal discrimination.
So, Do not even think you can hate me. or passive agressively put me down or my children! I will NEVER stand for that. EVER AS LONG AS I LIVE!

[ez duz it]

I am glad that DNC Treasurer Andy Tobias is concerned with the “GAY” thing. He really needs to be angry with many more of us than he imagined, though.

Democrats representing us in the House, Senate and White House have taken our volunteer hours, money and votes for granted way too long.

In my home state of Missouri, Dem. Senator Claire McCaskill will be seeking reelection in 2012. She objected to conceal-and-carry gun federal legislation by invoking the doctrine of “States Rights.’” She claimed “it is a foot in the door to allow the laws in Vermont on gay marriage [to be enforced here in Missouri].” Clearly Senator McCaskill does not support the LGBT citizens in her state. Instead she invoked fear of gay people and prejudice against us to support her legislation.

President Obama defended DOMA before the Supreme Court. Doing so, he formally perpetuated the ideology that same-sex couples are not entitled to join in marriage relationships as do their heterosexual citizens.

Unless Democratic leaders support OUR causes, we will vote with our dollars by not funding their campaigns of empty promises. We will also vote with our feet. If they are concerned that we may intentionally cause a split vote, THEY need to get busy and support us. If they do not, they must be willing to face the logical consequences of their political calculus. Democratic leaders, exhort us to be patient… the time of waiting for many of us is over!

[PhilipB]

Thank you!
Well said and fanned!

[ez duz it]

Thanks for the encouraging word, PhilipB!

The more support we lend each other, the sooner we will reach our goal of equality...

(Fanned)

[complice]

Tanya: Actually, no, I don't know which comment you're referring to specifically, but if it's half as bad as you're implying--i.e., blaming the A.A. community for losses at the ballot box, etc.--than you can bet I'm going to confront those lies head on. I support Obama, and will continue to do so. Do I agree with the way he's handled every single policy decision he's made since he took office? Absolutely not, but then again, he's the one sitting in the Oval office, and I'm not.

But you NEED TO STOP with these persistent attempt to portray the criticism of a few embittered gay people, like Dan Savage--who despite his considerable knowledge in the field of relationships, etc. can go WAY overboard when he's in front of a camera--as representative of the "gay community" as a whole. Pitting the LGBT community against the A. American community benefits no one but those like Bill O'reilly.

[BlackGirl in NOLA]

That's just it Complice. many people feel like the demands and attacks on the President have been way over the top and you all are alienating people. We know that y'all are tired. Black people understand these things. But when we the President being attacked in this manner, our antennas are raised. We have history on our side.

In order for your rights, and I do believe that they are rights, to be granted. The president and other lawmakers are going to have to be uber strategic in their approach, because, like it or not, many people are not on board with gay rights. Including a large number of Democrats. It sucks but it's reality. Fighting the man this early is not the answer. Quit thinking that he's supposed to expose his hand to the world. It ain't gonna happen.

[miamorphos]

I absolutely agree. The rhetoric against Obama is horrifyingly insulting. I can't believe that people aren't aware of the demeaning, dehumanizing tone of their attacks on him. Many of the posts at AmericaBLOG use the same rhetoric as the Tea Party Patriot people.

[antaeus]

Come on, we're all for shrewd strategy, but if you were entirely candid, you would acknowledge that the Obama team has also made some blunders--ones that brought little or no benefit but which grated against a core--yes, core--constituency. I suggest that the president would have garnered a large majority of black evangelical voters even if he had given a cold shoulder to Donnie McClurkin. That was just stupid, as was the Rick Warren affair (did Warren bring the health care votes rolling in?) Of course, these are tired headlines from yesterday, or are they? They form part of the narrative of the president's interaction with the gay community, and they give rise to the uneasy suspicion that what's past is prologue. The Harvey Milk honor was terrific, but given the inaction on substantive issues, it also reminded me of when Pearl Bailey used to make her notable visits to Richard Nixon . . . you know, that fierce advocate of civil rights.

[PhilipB]

You have come on these posts about gay issues and time and time again have never ONCE expressed any real compassion for me and my family.
You have joined with other gay bashers to spread dis-information hate and lies about me and my family.
You have tried to say that my family was racist, in wanting equal rights.
You have never once said how you support me, but I have heard all kinds of broad assumptions of me.
Obama will be fine.
My family IS NOT FINE! This discrimination of my family is ugly and hateful, and I resent and abhor your comments.

[BlackGirl in NOLA]

Please excuse the typos.

[Tanyars5]

It is obvious gay people can get on cable TV whenever they want. Why is no one in the gay community trying to stop the PBO hating. Someone was on Rachel Maddow's show the other night bashing Obama about Maine. Rachel Maddow shook her head like a lemming. She agrees. The man on Keith O show was allowed to spout hate. The man is a known hater of AA's These are not comments on a blog people. These are your representaives on national TV acting like teabaggers.
STOP PRETENDING u don't see the hate.

[Tanyars5]

Complice after the vote in Maine gay people were able to blame Obama at will. Rachel Maddow had some man on her show just bashing Obama. The other known gay hater of AA's was allowed to do the same on Keith O show. It is disgusting. This type of propaganda is not bloggers discussing issues on a computeer. This is on national TV

[M1]

Why would complain about anyone person hating AA's. You claim to be one and spew all over the gay blogs like a soulless blood sucking leach. If gays were not the loving people they are and generally very kind you would turn them against AA's and to what end?