Conventions Reveal New Positions on Gay Rights

During the Democratic National Convention, I couldn't believe my (gay) ears. Big name speakers including both of the Clintons and Sen. Barack Obama publicly and openly called for gay and lesbian rights. This, from a party that all but shunned the gay community in the 2000 and 2004 election cycles.

Even the Republicans, who led the charge against gay rights in previous election years, are taking a new stance -- by ignoring gay rights altogether. Five big name speakers took the podium so far at the Republican National Convention this week, including Pres. Bush, and not a single one of them mentioned the words "gay" or "lesbian" or the hot button phrase "same-sex marriage." It bears taking a moment to remember Bush's words at the 2004 RNC: "[b]ecause the union of a man and a woman deserves an honored place in our society, I support the protection of marriage against activist judges." My ears hurt that year. Yet, this year I'm just confused. Aren't those "activist judges" busy at work in states like California, which recently struck down a ban on same-sex marriage? Perhaps last week's cries for equality caused some sort of hearing loss.

I was hearing very well last week, when new cries for equality began with Hillary Clinton on an exciting Tuesday night. Hillary mentioned gay rights in the same breath as a cause near and dear to her heart, women's rights:

To fight for an America defined by deep and meaningful equality - from civil rights to labor rights, from women's rights to gay rights. . . .

After hearing these words I could not help but think that the metaphorical ceiling of women's oppression may not be the only ceiling with 18 million cracks in it.

This was followed by Bill Clinton, the same president who signed the highly controversial "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy into law. In praise of Obama on Wednesday night, Clinton had this to say:

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The values of freedom and equal opportunity, which have given him his historic chance, will drive him as president to give all Americans -- regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability -- their chance to build a decent life and to show our humanity, as well as our strengths, to the world.

Wow. Clinton even used the term "sexual orientation" as opposed to "sexual preference." The latter is a sticking point with me and many in the community. After both speeches it started to strike me that we might really be getting somewhere.

These Democratic Party speakers are getting it right and embracing a reality that is becoming increasingly accepted by the American public, including some Republicans. In what may be a hint as to why Republicans are suddenly so quiet on the gay rights front, a recent poll indicates that 49% of the delegates to the Republican convention favor same-sex marriages or civil unions. America seems less unhappy with "activist judges" as well. A poll conducted last week by the Public Policy Institute indicates that 54% of Californians oppose Proposition 8, an amendment to eliminate same-sex marriage rights in California, while only 40% favor it. The same poll in 2000 found that 55% of Californians opposed gay marriage.

Presidential candidate Barack Obama was yet another Democrat that got it right. Obama provided what was perhaps the most poignant recognition of the LGBT community's struggle, and, one that brought tears to my eyes. In a historic moment, Obama extolled the need to extend equality to his gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, even while recognizing the ideological rifts that remain around the issue:

I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in a hospital and to live lives free of discrimination.

That reality is that the LGBT community is and deserves to be equal to all other Americans. The Democratic Party is finally catching up. Without explicitly mentioning gay rights, vice presidential candidate Joe Biden captured the essence of our movement:

My mother's creed is the American creed: No one is better than you. Everyone is your equal, and everyone is equal to you.

I don't know whether our community should continue to hold its breath or instead breathe a collective sigh of relief. Yet, I'm sure going to enjoy the beginnings of a feeling I have yearned for all of my life, equality. And, for once, the same old Republican anti-gay campaign songs aren't stuck in my head and ringing in my ears.

Comments

[thilbrands]

When you"re on the "right side history", change has an inevitable way of breaking through political stalemates. The DNC proved to be a showcase of inspirational words that echoed a wonderful new vibe of hope; for the LGBT community, America, and the world over. Until the new administration takes office, let"s just trust that Obama & Biden will hold true to their words and prove that we really were on the right side after all.

[Ryan Kerian - Huffpost Blogger]

I agree that there is a long way to go. As a friend reminded me earlier today, it is going to take more than legislated morality (or in this case, vague talk of legislated morality) to bring about true equality. That being said, it is great to see at least one of the major political parties move away from the vitriol of yesteryear. The rest is up to us.

[Kip Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for capturing the moment! It's been bittersweet to hear them talking about our community from that stage. I'm one of the folks who's still holding my breath - I won't breathe a sigh of relief until the old homeless queers with AIDS in the Tenderloin have healthcare and homes, queer runaway youth have access to a safe shelter, and sex education programs in schools respectfully teach LGBT youth about safe sex. But even tho we've still got lots of problems to address, it also brought tears to my eyes when Barack Obama spoke about us during his speech on Thursday night.