Election 2012: Odds and Ends

 

 

-Richard Nixon was gay according to a new book coming out. The book claims he had a long term relationship with his pal Charles "BeBe" Rebozo. Please dear God, No! This is not news that the LGBT community needs at this moment. If Nixon is gay then that means the community so far is stuck with Richard Nixon and James Buchanan! Not exactly an A-List of Presidents you want as role models for LGBT youth, is it?

-With all the latest poll coming out of Iowa, Romney is finally getting some traction and drawing crowds. However he still can't get out the mid-20% range in the polls after six years of campaigning. The religious right must be pulling their hair out that they haven't been able to unite behind a credible candidate who could leave Romney in the dust. By failing to unite, Romney could gain some important momentum in Iowa.

-The strange election year just got stranger with one of the strangest and most strident anti-LGBT candidate in the Republican primary (and that is saying a lot) gaining serious polling numbers. Former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum is surging in Iowa. Romney will clean his clock in the big states like New York, California and Florida.

-Honestly can't critique Newt shedding tears in memories of his mother. All of us who have lost our mother can understand that such a loss has no politics.

-Speaking of Newt, we have all heard the stories about his first two wives and his cheating heart. New York Daily News in article by Helen Kennedy about his past wives did some digging and here are four key paragraphs from her story:

In one of her only public comments on the divorce, Battley told the Washington Post in 1985 that “it came as a complete surprise.”

She described being in the hospital after her third cancer surgery when he came to visit. “He wanted to discuss the terms of the divorce while I was recovering from the surgery,” she said. “To say I gave up a lot for the marriage is the understatement of the year.”

CNN interviewed Newt Gingrich’s former pal and early congressional campaign treasurer Leonard Carter, who said their friendship ended over the ambitious pol’s callous treatment of his wife.

“Gingrich) said, ‘You know and I know that she’s not young enough or pretty enough to be the wife of a President,’” Carter told CNN.

-In the very weird ads of 2012 competition, we might have a winner with Newt's Christmas greeting ad in New Hampshire. What the hell is going on? Take a look.

-Times do change and with them so do elections. In a Public Policy Poll, only two thirds of Virginians now view themselves as Southerners. This state was key to the Confederacy in the Civil War and was totally segregated up to the 1960's. Now it is likely to vote for President Obama again in 2012. There still must be a group of old timers sitting around in Richmond going "Damn Yankees!".

-The media is fixated on President Obama's approval rating as if they were the Bible. Maybe they ought to look at the latest Public Policy Polling numbers about Speaker of the House John Boehner. His approval rating is 27%!

-Politico is reporting that Michelle Bachmann thinks she can be Mitt Romney's Vice President. As a result she is not saying anything negative about the former Massachusetts' moderate. A Romney/ Bachmann ticket surely will make you feel nostalgic for McCain/Palin.

-Miami Herald has written a fascinating piece about the upcoming Republican primary in Florida at the end of January. This could be a really interesting development if Romney still has a battle on his hands.

More Florida Republicans — about 370,000 — already have requested absentee ballots for the Jan. 31 primary than the number of Republicans who voted in the 2008 Iowa and New Hampshire contests combined.

The ever-growing volume of votes cast before Election Day in Florida is one of the factors that make the state a very different challenge from the earliest elections in Iowa Jan. 3, New Hampshire Jan. 10 and South Carolina Jan. 21. Candidates not only have to grapple with the sheer size and diversity of Florida, but they must prepare for a contest where half the votes or more are in well before Election Day.

“Under the old model in Florida, a campaign would work toward a 72-hour program going into Election Day,’’ said Republican strategist Brett Doster, who is leading Mitt Romney’s Florida effort.

Now, ballots come in right after the start of the new year, followed by a lull, then more absentees, then early voting, then Election Day.

-On a more moving and lighter note, some creative folks have taken excerpts from Secretary Clinton's Geneva speech on LGBT rights and created a wonderful brief video. Enjoy.

David Mixner's Review of 2011 and the LGBT Community

 

 

This week begins a series of looking back at 2011 and giving my thoughts on the year in a number of different ways. Today we begin with the LGBT community and what a year it has been for us. The list could go on and on so please feel free to add your recollections of the year in the comment section! Here goes:

The Year's Biggest Victory: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" officially becomes history.

The Best Speech on LGBT Issues: Secretary Hillary Clinton's Geneva Speech

Best Presidential Order: President Obama's Presidential Memorandum interlocking American Foreign Policy with LGBT human rights.

Best Victory In The States: New York becomes a marriage equality state.

Best Change of Heart: The Justice Department calling for an end to DOMA.

Most Effective Organization: The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund for an astounding success rate in electing openly LGBT candidates.

Emerging Powerful LGBT Leader: Mayor Annise Parker of Houston

News in 2011 that makes us look forward to 2012: Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin announces she is attempting to become the first openly LGBT person in history elected to United States Senate.

Most Surprising Political News: Congressman Barney Frank announces he is leaving Congress.

Most Effective Straight Allies: Two New Yorkers with Governor Andrew Cuomo directing the successful marriage equality campaign and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for staying on top of the effort to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Another Historical Appointment:  Jeremy Bernard appointed as the first man and first LGBT person as White House Social Secretary.  They are still talking in Washington,D.C about his famous Rose Garden Dinner.

Best LGBT YouTube Moment: The Australian marriage equality spot plus the wonderful videos of long term couples getting married in New York!

Requiring the Most Patience: The slow pace of the case to repeal Proposition 8. The California Supreme Court, most likely deliberately, took its time getting a simple opinion back to the Federal Court. Thank God for the Foundation for Equal Rights in keeping everyone's eye on the prize. Thanks again and again Chad Griffin.

The Most Outrageous Villains: The entire field of Republican Presidential candidates who take outrageous positions against LGBT rights while all Americans want are jobs, not hate.

Most Disturbing Trend of the Year: The epidemic of hateful and dangerous legislation sweeping Africa against the LGBT community. Death is now on the table as an option for handling LGBT citizens.

People Who Never Disappoint: Alan Cumming, Judith Light, Rory O'Malley, Gavin Creel, Neil Patrick Harris, Elton John , Ellen DeGeneres, Bruce Cohen, Dustin Lance Black, Cheyenne Jackson and so many others.

Most Fun Unforgettable Moment: Neil Patrick Harris hosting the Tony Awards!

Most Persecuted LGBT American Citizen: Bradley Manning who has been in isolation and without a trial for seventeen months.

Most Unexpected Supporters: The massive amount of Wall Street, Republican and major donor support from conservatives that was organized by Ken Mehlman and Mayor Michael Bloomburg and was a major factor in the passage of marriage equality in New York.

Wow Moment: An openly gay man became the Prime Minister of Belgium for the first time in European history.

The Most Heart Warming Moments: Seeing American LGBT soldiers come out of the closet and marching in Gay Pride Parades, going to events with partners and for the first time being honest with those they serve with in the military. It went flawlessly without a major incident, as the Democrats insisted it would and the Republicans insisted it would not.

The Wait A Minute Moment of the Year: The United States Marines were the most vocal opponents of repeal of DADT and the best implementers of the repeal once it happened.

The Best "About Time" Moment: Witnessing our Transgender brothers and sisters being taken seriously as an issue, the first appointment in Federal Government and becoming more and more visible. It has been inspiring and long overdue.

Five Things To Look Forward To In 2012:

1. Winning the Proposition 8 Case.

2. Senator Tammy Baldwin

3. An active major league gay male jock coming out of the closet.

4. Winning in Maine, Minnesota, Maryland and North Carolina on marriage equality.

5. The Republicans and their hate based approach are defeated at the polls in November

International LGBT Activists Praise Secretary Clinton's Speech

 

 

International Activists with Secretary Clinton in Geneva

At the historic speech in Geneva on International LGBT rights were fourteen LGBT activists from around the world. They were flown to Geneva by the Council for Global Equality. The very fortunate activists got to hear in person the historic speech. Here are the reactions from those activists - all who much go home and fight extremely tough battles. If anyone doubts the impact of the speech, these words should help answer the skeptics.

Arvind Narrain from the Lawyers Collective in India: "The Secretary made a passionate case for LGBT rights as gay rights while being very culturally sensitive. The generosity of mentioning the gains in South Africa, Brazil, India, and Nepal conveyed a wider sense of ownership of these issues."

Sass Rogando Sasot from Society of Transsexual Women of the Philiipines: "The sincerity and courage of Secretary Clinton is an invitation for us to make the dignity of our common humanity the center and goal of our politics. Her speech is another step towards a world that's more inclusive, fair, and compassionate."

Polina Savchenko from the Russian LGBT Network: "Secretary Clinton's point about 'honest discussion' is particularly important for Russia because we suffer from extreme ignorance. Discussion is shut down in our country. Her message about decriminalization was also very important in our country right now."

Santiago Eder from Colombia Diversa: "It was extremely important that the Secretary of State of the United States of America introduced the concept that 'gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights.' It was a very symbolic and historic moment for the gay liberation movement."

Pauline Kimani of the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya: "I really appreciated the speech. I loved the introspective parts and believe that the consultative process with these activists on the ground that was started today will continue for a lifetime!"

Adrian Jjuuko, Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law, Uganda: "It was a very powerful speech - which very relevant in the context of Uganda. Coming from the stature of HC, it amplifies our voices for equality much much further. I'm sure its impact will be felt for years to come.

Rev. MacDonald Sembereka of the Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with HIV/AIDS: "First and foremost, thank you Hillary Clinton and the U.S. government for starting a global discussion like never was done before. To me this has been a speech that touched all aspects of a discussion that we need to have globally. She covered all the pros and cons - and now the global discussion begins. I hope that the rest of the world takes it up."

Anastasia Danilova of Gender DOC-Moldova: "It was very important speech for Moldova because we have no political will or support in our country for the human rights of LGBT people. That is why it is so important to have the high level of Hillary Clinton's support for LGBT rights and freedoms. Personally, it was very empowering for her to talk about the importance of us - the LGBT activists."

Alice N'kom of ADEFHO, Cameroon: "I am so honored and privileged to be a part of this historical message. As a defender of women's human rights, it felt like it did after the Beijing conference on women -- the Secretary had the same impact on LGBT human rights today as she did with women's rights in Beijing. This makes our struggle a success. We will win, as we won in Beijing. And I hope my country and I will be a part of this side of history."

Sanja Juras of Kontra, Croatia: "It was certainly a very important speech and crucial that such a high official sent the message that LGBT rights are human rights. This makes a difference for people all over the world. For us in Croatia, the mention of freedom of assembly was very important, since these rights are violated, as during gay pride demonstrations this year."

Zoryan Kis of Fulcrum, Ukraine: "It was very exciting to really witness the history that Secretary Clinton said we are on the right side of. For the Ukrainian LGBT community the message that 'we are not alone' was so important to hear. The other message about the evolution of opinions and how Clinton's own understanding has developed was really helpful to our work. We cannot persuade people through accusations, but we have to work to help our society understand and accept LGBT rights."

J-FLAG Representative, Jamaica: "I was so honored to be a part of this moment in history. The central thing that stuck out for me is that progress begins with honest conversation. That is key for us at home in Jamaica to begin more rational, honest conversations about the rights of our people, including LGBT."

Vladimir Simenko of the Lithuanian Gay League: "Personally, as a human rights watchdog for two decades, I sometimes feel frustrated. But when I heard Hillary Clinton say that we have friends and partners abroad, I really felt that we are not alone. I truly feel motivated and inspired. We will use this message for our struggle - and hope that our government does too."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Historic Speech On International LGBT Rights

 

 

December 6, 2012 will be remembered as one of the great historic days for LGBT citizens around the world. That is the day that the President of the United States proclaimed in great detail that American foreign policy and the rights of LGBT citizens around the world are intricately linked. Tomorrow morning I will write about the President's actions.

However, soon after the President's proclamation Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke in Geneva, Switzerland in an International Human Rights Day speech. Her entire speech to that august body was devoted to international LGBT rights. In a remarkably powerful, moving and historic speech she left no stone unturned. Here are some excerpts and you can read the entire transcript by clicking here. You must read it all.

Now, there is still, as you all know, much more to be done to secure that commitment, that reality, and progress for all people. Today, I want to talk about the work we have left to do to protect one group of people whose human rights are still denied in too many parts of the world today. In many ways, they are an invisible minority. They are arrested, beaten, terrorized, even executed. Many are treated with contempt and violence by their fellow citizens while authorities empowered to protect them look the other way or, too often, even join in the abuse. They are denied opportunities to work and learn, driven from their homes and countries, and forced to suppress or deny who they are to protect themselves from harm.

I am talking about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, human beings born free and given bestowed equality and dignity, who have a right to claim that, which is now one of the remaining human rights challenges of our time. I speak about this subject knowing that my own country's record on human rights for gay people is far from perfect. Until 2003, it was still a crime in parts of our country. Many LGBT Americans have endured violence and harassment in their own lives, and for some, including many young people, bullying and exclusion are daily experiences. So we, like all nations, have more work to do to protect human rights at home.

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This recognition did not occur all at once. It evolved over time. And as it did, we understood that we were honoring rights that people always had, rather than creating new or special rights for them. Like being a woman, like being a racial, religious, tribal, or ethnic minority, being LGBT does not make you less human. And that is why gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.

It is violation of human rights when people are beaten or killed because of their sexual orientation, or because they do not conform to cultural norms about how men and women should look or behave. It is a violation of human rights when governments declare it illegal to be gay, or allow those who harm gay people to go unpunished. It is a violation of human rights when lesbian or transgendered women are subjected to so-called corrective rape, or forcibly subjected to hormone treatments, or when people are murdered after public calls for violence toward gays, or when they are forced to flee their nations and seek asylum in other lands to save their lives. And it is a violation of human rights when life-saving care is withheld from people because they are gay, or equal access to justice is denied to people because they are gay, or public spaces are out of bounds to people because they are gay. No matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we are, we are all equally entitled to our human rights and dignity.

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The third, and perhaps most challenging, issue arises when people cite religious or cultural values as a reason to violate or not to protect the human rights of LGBT citizens. This is not unlike the justification offered for violent practices towards women like honor killings, widow burning, or female genital mutilation. Some people still defend those practices as part of a cultural tradition. But violence toward women isn't cultural; it's criminal. Likewise with slavery, what was once justified as sanctioned by God is now properly reviled as an unconscionable violation of human rights.

In each of these cases, we came to learn that no practice or tradition trumps the human rights that belong to all of us. And this holds true for inflicting violence on LGBT people, criminalizing their status or behavior, expelling them from their families and communities, or tacitly or explicitly accepting their killing.

Of course, it bears noting that rarely are cultural and religious traditions and teachings actually in conflict with the protection of human rights. Indeed, our religion and our culture are sources of compassion and inspiration toward our fellow human beings. It was not only those who’ve justified slavery who leaned on religion, it was also those who sought to abolish it. And let us keep in mind that our commitments to protect the freedom of religion and to defend the dignity of LGBT people emanate from a common source. For many of us, religious belief and practice is a vital source of meaning and identity, and fundamental to who we are as people. And likewise, for most of us, the bonds of love and family that we forge are also vital sources of meaning and identity. And caring for others is an expression of what it means to be fully human. It is because the human experience is universal that human rights are universal and cut across all religions and culture.

Read the entire speech

Updated: Here is the video