Cynthia Nixon's Personal Appeal to "Fight Back"!

Actress Cynthia Nixon has issued a strong appeal to the LGBT community to 'fight back' and help defeat State Senator Hiram Monserrate in New York. You might remember that the sleazy Senator beat and slashed his girlfriend and was expelled from the State Senate. In addition, he was one of the Democrats who betrayed the LGBT community and voted against marriage equality. Listen to Nixon's powerful plea and send in a donation to "Fight Back" today by clicking here. If not you helping, then who

VIRGINIA UPDATE: Students Mobilize Across State

In just little less than a week, over 5,000 Virginia students have signed petitions protesting Attorney General's Cuccinelli's letter demanding that Virginia's colleges and universities repeal all protections for the LGBT community. Numerous Facebook pages have appeared for different schools within Virginia. Such institutions as Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University and William and Mary have gathered well over 1,000 signatures. Interestingly, the University of Virginia only has 46 signatures. Say what?

LGBT And Old? Get Ready To Be Discriminated Against

Well, the long-awaited and inevitable 'greying' of America's Baby Boomers has finally come to pass. Over the next years, the post-World War II generation will flood onto the Social Security rolls. Having spent their lives paying into Social Security, many look forward to finally collecting the rewards of the system. Except for those of us who are gay or lesbian. We can expect some really massive discrimination from this system since we aren't allowed to get married. Just take a look at this powerful video to understand the full impact.

"Virginia Is For Haters"

 Since 1969, Virginia's tourism slogan has been "Virginia is for Lovers." With the recent hostile and bigoted actions by its governor and attorney general, the bumpers stickers have to be changed to "Virginia is for Haters." Rarely have we ever seen such a systematic effort to re-establish discrimination against the LGBT community as official policy since the Republicans took over Virginia in the last election.

If the new generation of activists created by Proposition 8 ever needed a target, this is it.

First, the great new white hope of the Virginia Republican party, Governor Bob McDonnell, immediately repealed all protections for LGBT workers in the state government. Basically, with this repeal, he has made clear it is entirely appropriate to fire LGBT people from their state jobs. Not to be out done by the governor's campaign of hate, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has sent a letter to all state colleges and universities ordering them to rescind their non-discrimination protections for LGBT employees and students on the state's campuses. Don't be surprised if we see an effort in the state legislature to create a "Solomon" type amendment cutting off funds to any state educational institution that continues protecting the civil rights of the LGBT community.

Now for you young activists out there and yes, us old ones, if we allow this to happen without massive protests then surely we deserve the treatment of second class citizens. How in the world can we allow discrimination in our higher education institutions to once again become a way of life? People took jobs and moved families to teach at these institutions in order to live a free and open life only to see those protections stripped away. This a huge step backward for any state but for one that is just outside our nation's capital is just plain unacceptable.

What to do?

1. -Our legal teams must immediately work with such institutions as the University of Virginia and other to take legal action against the Attorney General's actions.
2. -Alumni from any Virginia higher public education institution should mobilize and take action.
3. -Massive protests must take place at any university that rolls back those protections.
4. -Our best organizers from around the country must descend on Virginia and create the 'civil rights' movement that they have so energetically been proposing. They should even consider a 'one day strike' by students on Virginia campuses to protest the rules. 
5. -A massive march on Richmond with our national organizations giving us their best and brightest to make this one a huge success. We should bring tens of thousands to Richmond to protest.
6. -Our brothers and sisters in the Log Cabin Republicans should organize a statement from other Republicans condemning these actions.
7. -Religious leaders across the state should sign a "State of Conscience" saying despite any personal views not protecting the civil rights of LGBT citizens is morally wrong. 
8. -A National Statement of Conscience by our leading Nobel Prize winners, educators and professors should be created and signed by thousands urging people to avoid accepting offers to teach in Virginia. 
9. -A National Statement of Conscience by Student Leaders from around the country should be signed urging students not to apply to Virginia schools until the policy is changed.
10. -The East Coast major cities such as Boston, Washington, DC, Baltimore and New York must mobilize resources, money and volunteers to help in such a "Virginia Campaign."
11. -Demand that Congress pass ENDA immediately to offer those who teach in Virginia protections and dignity that any citizen of this nation should have.

The governor and attorney general think they can revoke our rights without paying a price. They hope to step on our backs and take away our freedom for their personal political careers. If we allow them to proceed without disruption, paying no price for such actions and continuing with business as usual, then we can expect others to follow in their footsteps and we should get ready to find enjoyment in being second class citizens.

Proposition 8 generation - you wanted to know what you can do? Well, now it is staring you right in the face in the home state of Thomas Jefferson!

Major Step Forward on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

 

Thirteen United States senators on Wednesday officially introduced "The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010" This act would do three major steps:

1. Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
2. Ban discrimination for openly LGBT soldiers
3. Promote the ability of gay American students to serve in ROTC.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said:

"'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is an unjust and discriminatory measure that hampers our national security and violates the civil rights of some of the bravest, most heroic Americans. This policy is wrong for our national security and inconsistent with the moral foundation upon which our country was founded. When we repeal this policy - and we will repeal this policy - we will strengthen America - both militarily and morally."

Without a doubt, this is a major step in repealing DADT this year. Everyone should be focused on a tough campaign to get their United States senators to co-sponsor this legislation. Should be real simple: "No on this legislation then no money." This matter has a high urgency factor to it - we must pass the legislation before the November Congressional elections. You can either contact the Human Rights Campaign or Servicemembers Legal Defense Network to find out how to effectively lobby your senators.

Senator Mark Udall of Colorado was passionate about the need for more qualified soldiers:

"'You don't have to be straight to shoot straight.' Those were the words of Barry Goldwater, a combat veteran and unflinching advocate for national defense. And you certainly don't have to be straight to recognize who the enemy is. This is an issue of military effectiveness. I have soldiers and airmen in my home state of Colorado who are being asked to serve five tours of duty or more. We need all the qualified service members we have to fight - we shouldn't be dismissing them just because they're gay."

Our first thirteen sponsors on this legislation are:

Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Carl Levin (D-MI), Mark Udall (D-CO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Roland Burris (D-IL), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Arlen Specter (D-PA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Al Franken (D-MN)

Write them a note of thanks.

The Time for Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is Now!

 Clearly President Obama is not going to issue a 'stop loss' order and take the lead in ending the horrific discrimination against LGBT citizens in the United States Armed Forces. Given that we are currently fighting two wars and stop loss orders have already been given to people who have committed felonies, we apparently are not a priority for the President in this sense. While it's disappointing that the President will not 'take the bull by the horns' and have the courage to issue a 'stop loss ' order, now is not the time to pause.

We must repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" this Spring or we run the risk of not just a year but possibly a significant long-term delay. Quite honestly, I don't give a damn how they repeal this policy. There are a number of choices such as getting Senator Joe Lieberman to submit his bill in the United States Senate with Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-Pa) acting as point person in the House. Or we can attach an amendment to the Defense Authorization Legislation and move it through Congress.

There are a number of options but all of them require the Democratic leadership to commit to the repeal of this apartheid-type law now. If we allow the military leaders to dictate a year study we could be facing a Republican controlled Congress after this year's elections. No matter what the study says at the end, do you really believe that DADT will be repealed by a Republican controlled Congress? The military leaders know that this issue will go away if they can just out wait the elections.

There is nothing to study. What do they need to 'prepare the troops' for? Are they going to conduct classes with them on how to spot a homosexual in a shower? Let me tell you how the troops will overwhelmingly respond if this is repealed: A gay or lesbian soldier might come out to his/her unit and the unit will look back at them doing combat and say, "Hey man, glad for you but could care less. What I care about is do you have my back in combat?" That is what they care about..........getting home safely.

Thank God For Ewan McGregor!

Yes, I know there are many reasons to thank god for Ewan McGregor but this is just one more. While doing an interview on Good Morning America, George Stephanopoulos questioned McGregor about his kiss with Jim Carrey. While you could here snickers in the background, McGregor did not fall into the joking mode that so many others stars have who appeared as gay characters in film. Instead he gave the moment a sense of dignity and made those who were seeking cheap sensationalism look like dirty school boys. Bravo Ewan! (Thanks to Towleroad.com for bringing this clip to our attention).

Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell": As Simple As One-Two-Three

1. Our National Organizations and the LGBT community and its allies should demand that President Obama immediately issue a 'stop-loss' order. "The No Excuses" campaign means no excuses from our national organizations as well and they must take a tough and uncompromising line with the President on this 'stop-loss' order. This action can be done tomorrow by the President.

2. LGBT organizations and activists should target Congressional leadership and demand an amendment to the "Defense Authorization Bill" and repeal DADT this year.

3. If they fail to respond to lobbying and pleas from our community we should stage sit-ins at Congressional Leadership offices until there is a vote. Under no circumstances should we wait for another year for a worse Congress for a vote.

San Francisco Chronicle: Obama's Changing Positions on Marriage Equality

One of the best articles I have seen regarding the history of President Obama's position on marriage equality has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle. Journalist Bog Egelko in "Obama Elusive About-Face On Same-Sex Marriage", takes us way back to the President's days in the Illinois legislature when he supported same sex marriage. He traces the evolution of Obama's positions and examines his proclamations that his beliefs are 'faith based.". This is a must read article.

Egelko writes:

"President Obama says he opposes same-sex marriage for religious reasons. Fourteen years ago, however, while a churchgoing Christian and a state legislative candidate, he endorsed the right of gays and lesbians to marry.

Sponsors of Proposition 8, California's ban on same-sex marriage, cited Obama's current position in their 2008 campaign and have quoted him in their defense of the measure during a federal court trial in San Francisco. Gay rights groups, noting that Obama actually opposed Prop. 8, have urged him to take a stance on the lawsuit, without success.

What has received much less attention is Obama's unexplained reversal of the position he once held backing same-sex marriage - the position still held by the church he attended for most of his adult life.

Obama was running for the Illinois state Senate in Chicago in February 1996 when he answered a questionnaire from a gay-oriented newspaper, Outlines, on gay rights issues. One of his answers was, "I favor legalizing same-sex marriage, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages._

The journalist tells of when Obama was running for United States Senate the Chicago Windy CityTimes reported on a change from marriage quality to civil unions:

"The Windy City Times, which later acquired Outlines, said it interviewed Obama in 2004, when he was a state legislator running for the U.S. Senate. In a January 2009 article recapping the interview, the newspaper quoted him as saying he no longer supported same-sex marriage "primarily just as a strategic issue," and not because he had changed his philosophy.

The article continues showing that actually President Obama's faith the United Church of Christ has taken a position in favor of marriage equality which makes it harder for Obama to proclaim it is a position based on his religion. "

In addition, the article reviews Obama's position on the Proposition 8 campaign and his failure to intervene in the current case before Judge Vaughn. Egelko writes:

"During the 2008 campaign over Prop. 8, the measure's backers quoted Obama's reference to male-female marriage as a "sacred union" in campaign flyers and used his voice in phone messages. They targeted the African American community, which strongly backed the measure.

At the federal court trial of a lawsuit challenging Prop. 8, lawyers for the measure's sponsors have cited Obama's opposition to same-sex marriage as evidence that people who favor a traditional view of marriage are not necessarily prejudiced against gays and lesbians.

Legally, the distinction is crucial - if Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who is hearing the case without a jury, decides that discrimination was the main motivation behind Prop. 8, he could overturn the measure without having to decide whether gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry.

Equality California, the state's largest gay rights group, submitted almost 100,000 signatures on petitions urging the Obama administration to file arguments against Prop. 8 in the court case. The administration did not respond by Walker's Feb. 3 deadline.

The White House did not reply to questions about how Obama's religious interpretation of marriage might have changed over the years.

Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, dismissed the president's shifting stance as "pure politics."

"When he was running for office in Chicago and wanted strong support from the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community, he made it clear he supported full equality," Kors said. "Since he has continued to seek higher office, he has changed his position for the worse.

"It's especially appalling that he is citing his religious beliefs as grounds for his public government position on the civil marriage issue because he knows better," Kors said. "

These are just partial excerpts from a really intelligent piece on President Obama's evolution on marriage equality. Be sure to read this entire article by clicking here.

Huffington Post: Nathaniel Frank On HRC,Democrats and DADT

 Nathaniel Frank is one of the leading experts on the hideous policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." As the author of "Unfriendly Fire" he has in depth knowledge of the history and ramifications of the Clinton policy from 1993. This week writing "Life Support for Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Are Democrats the Problem" for The Huffington Post he clearly and concisely expresses the urgency of not waiting to repeal this policy. Frank urges us to move immediately in bringing this policy for a vote before Congress now.

In the article Frank makes four very important points:

• The Human Rights Campaign has been accused of championing repeal publicly, while privately assuring the White House that it can continue to go slow. If HRC wants to disabuse the community of that suspicion, it will need to ensure that its prized access to Washington power is used to have a real impact, rather than to enjoy that access for its own sake. One reasonable option would be to publicly tell the President that it will not endorse him for re-election if he does not secure repeal in his first term, a promise that Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said he thought the President would keep.
• Putting repeal into the must-pass Defense Authorization bill would turn the tables on the “no-to-everything” Republicans: the amendment would require a supermajority not to pass, but to remove, meaning that in order to keep the ban in place, the GOP would have to block the entire Pentagon spending bill, publicly undercutting the military.
• Obama has also said he’d like Congress to take the lead. Sound familiar? In an interview in 2009, Obama finally acknowledged that this very same tactic with healthcare was a mistake: “I, out of an effort to give Congress the ability to do their thing and not step on their toes, probably left too much ambiguity out there, which allowed the opponents of reform to come in and to fill up the airwaves with a lot of nonsense.” Why on earth would the President take the same failed tack with reforming the gay ban? Sure enough the airwaves are beginning to fill with balderdash about openly gay service leading to a draft and government endorsement of tattoos. Why not put real teeth into his promise by telling the Pentagon to put repeal in the Authorization bill?
• Professed proponents of repeal keep muttering that we will get repeal this year, without saying how. “There is a clear path to repeal,” said an HRC spokesman this week, “and that’s the one we’re on.” Many of us would like to know what that path is if it does not include demanding the President put it in the base bill.