Jun 25 2009

Tonight in Washington, DC great focus will be on the Democratic National Committee LGBT fundraiser, featuring an appearance by Vice President Joe Biden. Some are very concerned who will be attending, others will be picketing outside (and they have every right to do so!) and the press will be doing their best to put their spin on it. Lets be very clear, the fundraiser tonight will have a lot of folks, make the DNC some money and be declared a huge success. It may or may not be true but quite honestly, it is irrelevant.

Over a week ago, I made the decision to stop pouring money into the Democratic Party except for those clearly on record for marriage equality, repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the full (not partial) repeal of DOMA. That very personal decision was based on my own conscience and my deep belief that the time for promises has come to an end and it is a time for real progress and action. Many others also made a personal decision based especially on the recent unspeakable Justice Department brief supporting DOMA. Clearly, we have to demand and seize our civil rights and stop asking politically for them to be given to us.

White-house-picture Others feel differently and as Sean Straub would say, "We are a community of free will". I like that saying so much might have a needlepoint done of it. Frankly, except for some funny gossip and posturing that will come out of it, I could care less who attends the event. They will all have in their minds legitimate reasons to attend. Hell, who knows, tonight Congressman Barney Frank might do readings from the Department of Justice brief of the parts he found so wonderful! What I do care about is full marriage equality, DOMA and DADT. These are the issues we should be focusing on and not who has been naughty or nice in attending the dinner. There really is no room in our community for creating 'black lists' for attendance at this event or the Gay Pride Party on Monday.

That's right, the White House is now having a Gay Pride Party on Monday. God, we are suddenly very visible in this administration and I wonder why? Not having received an invite, I don't really have to worry about making a decision. But over the years, I have experienced the heady power and pull of meeting a President and going to the White House. I sincerely hope that many people who've never had the opportunity do accept the invitation and have some of the joy I have had in the past. It is quite special moment and place.

Now here is where we get to the nitty and gritty.

Have a wonderful time but if you confuse people smiling at you, giving you more words without timelines, presidential trappings and just being nice to you as policy, then you really have no business being invited or attending. The days are over when a good meal, sitting next to someone powerful or just a good old plain moving speech should be considered policy. What we need now with this particularly strong Democratic Congress and charismatic President is the full repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and "DOMA" this year. Do you really think they are going to do it in 2010, an election year? We will all hear them whine that we can't afford to lose the 'blue dog conservative Democrats". Now is the time.

So if you come out of these events starry eyed and reassured, wake up, take a cold shower and get down to work. I love listening to President Obama speak. There is no better orator alive today. However, I now will love him more with concrete actions on behalf of our freedom. Please don't tell me tomorrow morning how sincere he is unless he makes quite clear when and where. "Near future", "I have a full plate right now" and "We will make it happen" are not policy. Don't be confused.

Bring me back the good gossip concerning who made a fool of themselves, what was served, and whether the good china was used. But don't you dare try to sell us a dinner and a party as policy. Keep your respect. That can't be reclaimed with your umbrellas at the door.