For many, the Democratic base includes African Americans, Latinos, gays and lesbians, young voters, union members and women. These voters combine for about 70 percent of the electorate, so obviously they are not all the base.

Before we question whether Democrats and Obama are doing enough for the rights of gays and lesbians, we must first ask if gays and lesbians are doing enough for the rights of gays and lesbians.

First, I acknowledge boycotts are a legitimate form of civil disobedience that do work in some cases. But will a gay and lesbian boycott on Target have a similar effect? Not likely.

Today we learn that Constance McMillen -- a lesbian banned from the senior class prom -- was directed to a country club on prom night while the rest of her school partied it up.

We can all learn a lot from Constance McMillan and how she has handled herself -- when we see something that doesn't seem right, it probably isn't. And it is the responsibility of every one of us to take some kind of action on behalf of fairness.

These new regulations will have a tangible impact on the thousands of lesbian and gay service members who are currently serving in silence, under threat of being investigated and discharged.

Clearly I have no idea about Kagan's personal life. I hope that she has a happy one. But I care far more about her views on executive power and whether corporations deserve all the rights of a person.

58% of Americans favor allowing "gay men and lesbians" to serve openly in the military, but only 42% favor allowing "homosexuals" to serve openly. Apparently, some 15% of Americans don't know that "gay men and lesbians" are "homosexuals."

October 11 will be an historic day -- the day that divides the past from the future. Going forward there will be, "Before the March" and "After the March."