Our Day Has Come: "From Selma To Seneca to Stonewall...."

 

 

 

"Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law - for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well."

- President Barack Obama

Never will the LGBT community, or for that matter the nation, have another Inauguration Day like the one that happened this day. With the ease of the wind against the flat prairies, the President of the United States for the first time ever in an Inauguration Address included LGBT Americans in the fabric of the nation. He lifted us up from a contentious issue to a civil rights struggle that must be won in order for the Declaration of Independence to have meaning. He embraced our right to love and marry.

Those who have doubts about his commitment to our epic struggle, clearly don't want to hear his powerful and inclusive words that were heard in every home around the world.  Most importantly, the words were heard by the United States Supreme Court Justices sitting right behind the President!

Out Poet Richard Blanco became America's poet today with his masterpiece of a poem. In one moment Blanco has risen to join the other great American poets like Angelo, Frost, Whitman, Morrison and Hughes. What imaginary, what beauty in his words and what an extraordinary portrait of all America.

Never have I felt such pride in one of our own giving the nation the gift of his art.

However, we would be narrow in our own thinking just to claim this day as our own. Today was America's day with everyone included and no person left behind. From the struggles of young immigrants wanting an education, to women desiring equal pay for equal work, to the poor desiring income to feed the children and to those who simply aspire to be a new greatness...this was their day too.

Savor this moment. While there will be future moments of greatness for LGBT Americans, there will never be another day quite like this one.

Thank you Mr. President!

VIDEO: CNN's Candy Crowley Picks Top Ten Political Moments Of The Year

A Huge Victory For LGBT Americans At The State Level On Election Night

 

 

One only has to look toward Colorado to realize that election night was also a historic night for the LGBT community at the local and state level. Last year the Colorado legislature voted down civil unions. This year three members of the legislature who opposed civil unions lost their jobs. Now both houses of the legislature are in Democratic hands.

Even more importantly, the new Speaker of the Colorado House will be openly gay lawmaker Mark Ferrandino (above)! In Oregon, an open lesbian, Tina Kotek (below), is expected to be elected Speaker of the House in that state. Both California and Rhode Island currently have gay Speakers of the House.

Also in the Colorado Senator, another openly gay man, Pat Steadman, is in the running to be President of the State Senator. If he wins, Colorado will be the first State in history to have both Chambers led by openly LGBT Americans!

Colorado was not the exception on election night.

In New Hampshire, we are so proud of Stacie Laughton who by her win in New Hampshire became the first Transgender person ever elected to any state legislature.

Before the election there was 17 states that had no open members of the their legislatures. Now there are only 10 states left to elect an open LGBT member. The Victory Fund deserves enormous credit for helping train, finance and crete awareness about these candidates. 

Where in the past electing just one of our own was considered historic, places like Colorado now has seven members, California has six members, Georgia has three and many seven states elected their first open LGBT members ever.

What a night.

Impressions.....by David Mixner

 

 

-The Duchess of York (Fergie) was eating at The Glass House Tavern and then went to see "Chaplin".

-LPAC has sent another $100,000 to Congressman Tammy Baldwin in her effort to be the first open LGBT person ever to serve in the United States Senate. LPAC has already disbursed over $600,000 in just a few short months.

-Speaking of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, she is coming to New York City for her last fundraiser on Tuesday, October 23rd at the home of Barry Skovgaard and Marc Wolinsky at 7PM. Senator Chuck Schumer will be there to lend his support. You can contact Sam Bart at sbart@chuckschmer.com and find out all the details.

-Tammy's opposition Tommy Thompson had a real problem with his son. He said at a rally that it was time to send Obama back to Kenya. This follows on the heels of South Carolina Governor proclaiming that Obama was throwing a lot of spears. Nah, there is no blatant racism in this campaign.

-Mike Vilensky of the Wall Street Journal did a really good article on openly gay Cuomo aide Erik Bottcher (below). The Governor should be very proud of Erik. I know the LGBT community is very proud of him.

-A bitter legal dispute between friends of Frank Kameny and his estate have resulted in the legend's ashes being held in 'storage' at Congressional Cemetery according to the Washington Blade.

Don't forget that Majorie's Fund, the organization that fights diabetes around the world, is holding its fundraiser this Thursday night(October 18). They have an amazing silent auction that you can see online by clicking here. It includes tickets and backstage passes to a Springsteen concert, signed guitars by Paul Simon and Sting and a signed tennis racket by John McEnroe.

-Towleroad.com is reporting that money for marriage equality is pouring into Maryland to pass the ballot measure. Over $500,000 has arrived in the last couple of weeks including $250,000 from Republican Paul Singer. More is needed so make your contribution here.

-The hurricane season for the United States is close to an end. However, in October,1954, Hurricane Hazel whipped up the East Coast into Canada. To this day it is still the highest wind gusts from a hurricane in Washington, DC, New York City and New Jersey. It was a Cat 4 when it hit South Carolina.

-The Victory Fund picked twelve LGBT 'races to watch' this election day for "Gay Voices" on The Huffington Post.

Democrat Elizabeth Warren raised an astounding $12.1 million in just the last quarter for her race for the U.S. Senate. Republican Senator Scott Brown raised $7.5 million in an attempt to keep his seat.

This past month tied the record for the hottest September for our planet. The combined sea and land temperature of the globe was 61.3F. It tied the record for September, 2005.

Cardinal Tim Dolan of New York (below) is having second thoughts about inviting President Obama to the Al Smith Dinner. Rigid Catholics are demanding that the Cardinal take on President Obama over birth control and choice.

-In more religious news, The New Civil Rights Movement reports that Billy Graham has endorsed Mitt Romney. However, not before he takes off his web page the information that Mormonism is a cult. Don't you love it!

-Continuing in the vain of intelligent life forms, The Tea Party leader of Mississippi, Janis Lane (a woman), says it was a mistake to give women the right to vote.

-The Freedom to Marry "engagement parties" held this past weekend to raise funds for the LGBT marriage equality ballot measures brought in over a half a million dollars.

Julian Bond cuts a new ad for Yes on Question Six in Maryland. Click here to see it.

President Reagan's Budget Director David Stockman says that Romney is far from a job creator or has the experience to be President. He is quoted in Newsweek as saying:

"Except Mitt Romney was not a businessman; he was a master financial speculator who bought, sold, flipped, and stripped businesses. He did not build enterprises the old-fashioned way—out of inspiration, perspiration, and a long slog in the free market fostering a new product, service, or process of production. Instead, he spent his 15 years raising debt in prodigious amounts on Wall Street so that Bain could purchase the pots and pans and castoffs of corporate America, leverage them to the hilt, gussy them up as reborn “roll-ups,” and then deliver them back to Wall Street for resale—the faster the better."

Impressions.....by David Mixner

 

 

-Sean Patrick Maloney running for Congress in New York's District 18 is holding a major fundraiser with President Bill Clinton on October 17 (Wednesday) at 4:30PM. The event will be hosted by Diana Taylor at the home of Mayor Bloomberg. For more details, contact the campaign at dolev@theazariagroup.com. Hope to see you there. Maloney has raised $1.6 million for this critical race. We can add another LGBT voice in Congress and an effective one at that!

-In Wisconsin, the Republican candidate, Tommy Thompson, running against Congresswomen Tammy Baldwin of United States Senate, made way too much money off lobbying in Washington, D.C. The Republican candidate can't remember how many houses he owns. He insisted it was three but later had staff call and say it was four. Do any of you have any trouble remembering how many homes you own?

-Equality California just can't seem to get its act together. Karen Ocamb's LGBTPOV has a detailed story on the continued squabbling within the organization.

-The Transgender Legal Defense Fund (TLDF) has a real victory on behalf of Ida Hammer (photograph below). They won insurance coverage for her sexual reassignment surgery. Bravo to TLDF and to Ida. You make us all proud.

-The Glass House Tavern was the host of the opening night party for "Grace" and in attendance was Paul Rudd and Michael Shannon. Also seen at the eatery and bar was actor Bobby Cannavale.

-So hard to believe we have now been in Afghanistan for 11 years. Thank God, President Obama is bringing home our troops.

-As we prepare for an onslaught of Abe Lincoln movies, an Irish historian has discovered that ole Honest Abe in 1847 sent a $10 ($500 adjusted for inflation) to help with relief during The Great Irish Famine.

-FactsStop has a wonderful picture of a "Piano House" in An Hui Province, China. Wonder if they are in 'harmony' inside!

-Want to find out ten wealthy people who have given a generous portion of their net worth to this year's SuperPACS?  BusinessInsider.com has a list.

-ProPublica.org has a great article "What We Still Don't Know About Mitt Romney's Taxes". Turns out there is quite a bit we don't know and should know.

-The Wichita Eagle has reviewed Romney's records and proclaims that it is very likely Romney avoided taxes with his off-shore accounts.

-On October 1, London went totally 'pink' for the night to support efforts to fight Breast Cancer. The MailOnline has great pictures of all the landmarks that were cover in pink. Here is Buckingham Palace:

-The Wall Street Journal has an article about a new economic model that predicts unemployment. They predicted a rate of 8.1% but the actual figure came in at 7.8%. According to this model, unemployment will be at 7.2% by next July.

-The Victory Fund this year has endorsed a record 175 LGBT candidates for public office. I remember when one ran for office and we thought it was a miracle.

-National ABC Good Morning America's weatherman, Sam Champion, has announced his engagement to Rubem Robierb (see photograph below). The Good Morning America crew celebrated the engagement all through the telecast on Monday morning! Wishing both the very best!

-Speaking of "Good Morning America" celebrating, they have more than one reason to do so. TVNewser is reporting that last year the "Today Show" was leading the morning rating race by over 420,000 viewers. This year "Good Morning America" has a lead of over 808,000 viewers. Is it too late to look at Matt's contract again?

-Did you know this is the tenth anniversary of the "African Titanic"? On September 26, 2002 a Senegalese government run ferry capsized off the coast of Gambia. Over 2,000 people were killed in the accident. This is thought to be the second worst shipping disaster ever.

-An interesting story on the merger of United Airlines and Continental. Check it out.

-CODEBREAKER the story of LGBT hero Alan Turing will premiere on October 25 in New York City. The premiere will be a benefit for New York's LGBT Community Center. The event will be AMC Theater at 234 West 42nd Street and you can order tickets here.

-The Cleveland Plain Dealer endorsed Democratic United States Senator Sherrod Brown for re-election However it is what they said about opponent that I loved.

"Electing his Republican opponent, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, would reward one of the nastiest campaigns ever waged in this state," reads the editorial, published on the Plain Dealer's website. "It would reward a candidate who hasn't moved beyond partisan slogans and careful sound bites. It would reward ambition untethered to substance."

-Was sorry to hear about the passing of former California Lt. Governor Mervyn Dymally (photograph). He was a strong supporter of LGBT rights in the 1970's and was instrumental in passing the repeal of California's Sodomy Law. He will be missed.

-dot429.com is hosting "Straight Talk" this weekend in New York City. The three day conference will be at the Tribeca Grand Hotel (2 Ave of the Americas). They have attracted such speakers as Zach Wahls, Hudson Taylor, Brian Sims, Neil Giuliano, Sarah Schmidt and your truly. Check it out.

-GayFest NYC Inc. will be hosting a fundraiser for the Harvey Milk School. Actress Lily Tomlin is the Chair of the event that will be held on Monday, October 22. You can get further information and buy tickets here.

-Washington's Republican Representative Maureen Walsh has filmed an ad for marriage equality. The Evergreen State votes on the issue in November. Here is the ad.

Impressions.....by David Mixner

 

 

-Lots of news coming out of the Democratic National Committee about the Democratic Convention. The most important and extremely historical news is that the Democratic Party will officially include full marriage equality in its National Platform. This is an amazing victory and another indication how far we have come.

-Also the DNC announced that former President Bill Clinton will nominate President Obama for a second term - what a powerful moment. By the way, the latest Gallup Poll has Clinton with his highest approval rating since 1993! A full 66% of Americans approve of the former President.

-Just before President Clinton nominates President Obama, Democratic Senatorial candidate Elizabeth Warren will speak to the Convention. Can't wait to watch it and cheer loudly.

-Who is Larisa Latynina? She was the Soviet gymnast who won a total of 18 medals in the Olympics between 1956 and 1964 for the most wins ever. If Michael Phelps wins two more medals of any type before the Olympics is over, he will replace her in the record books forty-eight years later!

-Speaking of the Olympics, did you know that the Olympic Torch was put out for about 80 hours (actually still lighted in a little lantern) while they moved the cauldron to another location in the Olympic Stadium? It is still on the floor and not visible from anywhere in the Olympic Park. They then quietly brought the torch back to life.

-Ed Kennedy of "Morning MeMe" on AfterElton.com brought to my attention the wonderful article by Conor Gaughan about the Chick-Fil-A battle. Here is the part that I just love but you must read his entire article on "Huffington Post"

When gays get so angry about a chicken sandwich, it is because Chick-fil-A has given around $5 million to fight to discriminate against us. When we praise brave Eagle Scouts who give up their badges in protest of the Boy Scouts of America's prejudice, it's not about scoring political points; it's because there are kids in dens who are being taught to believe that they are less than equal. When we rant about the pastor who preaches that gays should be thrown into a concentration camp, we scream out of fear. And our fears are justified -- in the last seven days, a lesbian in Nebraska was carved with a knife, a gay man in Oklahoma was firebombed, and a girl in Kentucky was kicked and beaten -- her jaw broken and her teeth knocked out -- while her assailants allegedly hurled anti-gay slurs at her.

-The Glass House Tavern had another busy week!  Cybril Shepherd, Judy Kaye, Molly Price, Nigel and Cristen Barker, Director Gary Ross (the Hunger Games) and Disney Chairman Alan Horn were all seen having fun and making deals!  

-More than 65,000 people packed Cowboy Stadium in Dallas to listen to Glenn Beck do his rap. Sigh.

-Econimists are saying that if the poverty rate increase just 0.1% from its current 15.1% it will be the highest poverty rate since 1965.

-Playbill.com reports that a musical on President Kennedy will come to Broadway in November, 2013. "Kennedy will open on the 50th anniversary of his death in Dallas.

-Speaking of Broadway, you can't get more excited about actors Henry Winkler and Cheyenne Jackson opening on the Great White Way this November. They will star in "The Performers". The show opens November 14th at the Longacre Theater. What a treat!

-Hollywood is opening its pocketbooks for our President. Besides the one million dollar donation by Morgan Freeman, you can find Bette Midler and her husband contributing $110,000 so far. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have donated $71,000 to the effort. You can find the entire list here. Oh, by the way, Scott Baio, has given $12,5000 to Romney. Does that mean if Romney wins we will have to listen to Scott Baio sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?

-You can go to this site and find any panel on the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

-Queen Elizabeth II met with four British Prime Ministers over lunch at Number 10 Downing Street. Joining her was current Prime Minister Cameron and former Prime Ministers Major, Blair and Brown.

-That very articulate young man Zach Wahls has endorsed our President. It is will worth the listen!

-dlisted.com has a tape of an interview with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene which is one of the most awkward interviews I have ever seen. You must watch it.

-There is nothing more important than electing our own. The Victory Fund has just endorsed sixteen more candidates including candidates for mayor, judges and school boards.

-An incredible essay on Bruce Springsteen at 62 years in the New Yorker. One of my favorite singers with a full profile in the prestigious magazine.

-How ironic that the day after Mayor Bloomberg endorsed Republican Scott Brown against Elizabeth Warren because Brown was 'good' on gun control the Republican Brown came out against a national assault rifle ban.

-The new Lesbian Super PAC - LPAC - raised $200,000 in its first day!

-Couple of the year! Who wouldn't be excited about David Beckham and Prince William together at one of the Olympic events. Thanks to socialite.com but can we have more pictures, please?

-Speaking of Princes, evidently Prince Andrew is furious with Prince Charles for being kept off the Royal Balcony at Buckingham Palace. The MailOnline says that Prince Charles just wants the next in line folks standing with the Queen.

-Towleroad.com has run a story about the possibility that bone marrow transplants could possibly eliminate HIV/AIDS. This is an important breakthrough and deserves to be moved on rapidly by the scientific community.

-You have to be one cold S.O.B. not to adore this next video of a Baby Walrus separated from its mother.