The Democratic Party prides itself on its inclusion. Their past electoral missions, however, suggest otherwise.
In the months leading up to the 2006 election, the Democratic National Committee’s Faith In Action initiative, led by the DNC’s troublesome Chief of Staff, Leah Daughtry, funded and endorsed an anti-gay agenda.
From the New York Times:
F.I.A. has also financed the faith outreach of state parties, sometimes in striking ways. In Alabama, the pro-life party chairman was given F.I.A. money to publish a “Faith and Values Voters Guide” in local newspapers just before Election Day in 2006. The 12-page insert provided the religious narratives of statewide Democratic candidates – “I was richly blessed in my life with parents who raised me in a Christian home. . . .” – and concluded with a Democratic “covenant for the future.” The covenant pledged to “require public schools to offer Bible literacy as part of their curriculum” and made at least two vows that run counter to positions of the national party: to “pass a constitutional amendment confirming that all life is a gift from God and should be protected; and that life begins at conception” and to “defeat any efforts to redefine marriage or provide the benefits of marriage to a same-sex union.”
When pressed about the matter, Daughtry, a Pentecostal minister, claims no knowledge, and “leaned heavily,” as journalist Daniel Bergner says, on the party’s inclusive philosophy: “The wonderful thing about the Democratic Party is that we have room for all kinds of opinions.”
This certainly isn’t the first time the DNC and Daughtry’s respective queer opinions have come under scrutiny. There’s the ongoing discrimination lawsuit filed by Donald Hitchcock, the former gay and lesbian outreach officer who claims Daughtry, Chairman Howard Dean and other DNC officials fired him as retaliation for his boyfriend’s public criticism. Then there were allegations that Daughtry and fellow Democratic bigwig Donna Brazile attempted to block gay inclusion in the party’s affirmative action policy, a move that resulted in the contentious gay delegate goals.
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ggreen
Bitch looks like Esther Rolle minus the class of course. What is that Frederick’s of Tijuana outfit she is wearing?
John In Manhattan
CORRECTION: Then there were allegations that Daughtry and fellow Democratic bigwig AND CLOSETED LESBIAN Donna Brazile attempted to block gay inclusion in the party’s affirmative action policy, a move that resulted in the contentious gay delegate goals.
CitizenGeek
Donna Brazile and that pentecostal bitch should be kicked out of the DNC.
CHURCHILL-Y
LEAH Daughtry and Donna BRAZILE along with the whole BLACK estblishment of the DNC working against Gay people, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!?
I’m perplex, astonish, dumbfounded, capture suddenly by surprise, flabbergasted, astounded, confounded, taken aback, bewildered, staggered,
stupefied, thunderstruck AND SPEECHLESS!
Former DNCer
The part you may not have heard is how Daughtry tried to defame the NAACP by claiming they opposed extending party affirmative action requirements to LGBTs. Brian Bond “could not recall” any discussion of the NAACP at his deposition for the Hitchcock case, isn’t that cute!? WHY HASN’T DAUGHTRY BEEN FIRED BY DEAN?????
Former DNCer
PART TWO.
Daughtry and Brazile didn’t just ATTEMPT to block Gay people,
they SUCCEEDED. They restricted affirmative action to “groups whose voting rights had been denied.” Never mind the fact that affirmative action has always related to education and employment.
We have been royally shit upon by the DNC — Let’s see what Obama does with all of this.
Crazy in Alabama
I’m sure that I’m repeating the sentiments of a number of commenters. But is this Churchill-y person is really narrow-minded about black people. Yes, his comment in this case refers to the black establishment in the DNC, but I’ve noticed that every time a black person is involved in the story, I sense a “black people hate gay people” vibe. I must say, that is unfair for a number of reasons, but I’ll just highlight this one. I love black people, and I am a gay man. I also love gay people, and I am a black man. And I promise, there is no self-loathing here. Quite the opposite. I’ve been accused of loving myself a bit too much.
Anyways, this whole black establishment crap is quite hypocritical. How can we expect the Leah Daughtry’s of the world to ever accept gays if we aren’t willing to return the favor? Should we kiss her ass. Fuck No! Should we NOT write her off as another hateful black and then try to prove her wrong. Absolutely.
I know it sounds like I’m making this all about me, but when I read comments like his/hers (?), I feel like I have to choose a side because there’s so much talk that seems to be driving the two groups apart.
So which side is better Churchill-y? It seems to me that both pretty much suck, if you allow these responses to serve as any indicator. I’ve always had the expectation for both groups should know better considering what they have in common. A history of hate, violence and misunderstanding leveled against them.
CHURCHILL-Y
“So which side is better Churchill-y?”
There’s the LEAH daughtry side of undermining us everytime she can and what’s the other side you’re writing about Alabama?
What have Gay people ever done to the likes of LEAH Daughtry and Donna BRAZILE to garner so much opposition to their equality from them.
I’ve written it many times and I’ll write it again if anything Gay people have been one the most ardent supporters outside the African American community when it comes to fight against ANYTHING that even smells of discrimination based on race. Why is it that we haven’t been shown the same courtesy and support we have given them?
It’s obvious that standing by their side whenever they needed non-black faces with them has gotten and will continue to get us GLBT nothing but disdain and hatred espoused from their black churches. And to expect any different is quite simply the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Former DNCer
I agree with you, Crazy, we absolutely should be working together. That’s why it was such a shock to me to discover that there was so much opposition from the African-American members of the DNC rules committee to extending affirmative action to LGBTs.
One explanation I have heard was that it might reduce the number of A-A national delegates. Another is that we are perceived as largely white and wealthy, which some of us are, myself included, and as such we are not considered worthy or needing equal protections.
Unfortunately, this is not new. If you remember, the Black Congressional Caucus strongly objected to adding us to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 alongside race, sex, ethnic origin, age, etc. That’s why we have “ENDA” instead.
Another sign of the disconnect between the two communities: the Marriage Equality people did some extensive polling recently and discovered that the strongest opposition to same-sex marriage is from the African-American community, especially the churches.
I hope Obama can clean this up. His MLK speech in Ebenezer Baptist sure sounded like he intends to . . .
Crazy in Alabama
The other side? That would be the one that goes something like this…
“Gay people have been one the most ardent supporters outside the African American community when it comes to fight against ANYTHING that even smells of discrimination based on race. Why is it that we haven’t been shown the same courtesy and support we have given them?”
I think that argument can be made on both sides, and I think it is quite petty and dangerous to make one group’s oppression more valid than another.
Much respect goes to the young gay students participating in marches in my home state in the 60’s (that’s just one example and my personal fav). But what about support from black ministers encouraging not only tolerance but acceptance of the political and social challenges facing the gay community? Now, I expect that is not enough support for you, is it? I see it as a step in the right direction.
On second thought, I’ll be being a Pollyanna and say the harsh truth. That which divides us is not race or sexuality. It’s what DNCer is alluding to…CLASS divides us. Unless someone gets off their soapbox, black folks will always be seen as a bunch of Bible-thumping bigots and gay folks will always be a bunch deviants who aren’t really fighting for their CIVIL rights.
Wow. If didn’t believe in gun control, I’d blow out my fucking brains at this point.
greybat
Don’t do that, crazy. You are loved.
I’ll lay an even finer point than the one you laid out. It isn’t even class that divides us, because rich people haven’t any “class” these days. It’s money.
All the way up and down the food chain, people are terrifed of losing their money, and it causes us to behave like animals.
And since everything is commodified,including non-material things like ideas and human relations, people worry the value of what they have will somehow be devalued if too many people have them. Like civil rights.
Daughtry hasn’t a very good sense of her church’s history, since a friend of mine told me that back in the eighties, the penecostal church was actually quite excepting of Gays, and believed they should have civil rights, same as everyone.
This seems to have devolved into civil rights as being some sort of “perk”, rather than a natural aspect of mankind’s dignity, and comes from that same starving, threadbare mentality that seeks to gather up whatever threadbare tatters the corporate overseers see fit to toss them.
Charley
Pentacostals and gays don’t mix, black or white. Remember John Ashcroft, a Pentacostal gettin annointed with Crisco? Got your gloves greased up ? The DNC is nuts choosing Leah Daughtry to lead the Convention. They are thinking about donations to them because of Obama, but why pick a Pentacostal pastor ? So screwed up and naive. Religious leaders should not be included as democratic leaders. They believe in a king, Jesus, not a democracy but a theocracy.
greybat
Politics and religion don’t mix either. The goal of one automatically cancels out the goal of the other.
I do vaguely remember john ashcroft. I ate the only Alice B. Toklas brownie of my life the night he retired. Wicked old man.
Rob S.
With this in mind, as well as DADT and DOMA, one wonders why we’re “supposed” to vote for Democrats. None that I’m aware, other than Kucinich, support gay marriage. What’s more, it’s been my experience that gays hate Republicans more than Republicans hate gays.
So what’s the point in voting for Democrats by default?
Mr C
This is the deal,
Miss Churchill-Y when you can admit that BIASNESS against Gays comes from all ends. Then maybe we can take your stupid ass somewhat seriously.
Does your Family accepts you, or did you go out on a limb?
Because your rabid mouth seems like your still out on one.
STUPID ASS QUEEN
All internet mouth and RABID to say the least!
Bill Perdue
Nationally the Democrats, in particular the Obama campaign and religious bigots and sellouts at the DNC like Dean and Daughtry are taking extraordinary steps to distance themselves from the ‘fringes’ of society. As usual, we’re the ‘fringe’ and again, as usual, we’re being sent to Siberia for the duration of the election period. If their history is any guide, we’ll be there for quite a while after the election too.
Following on the heels of the Democrats butchery of our legislative agenda – ENDA and Hate Crimes murdered, DOMA and DADT retained after two years of congressional control – Obama is moving into the bigot’s camp in a big way with his initiative to expand the taxpayer financed bribes cult leaders get in exchange for votes – the so-called ‘faith-based’ laws.
Reliance on Democrats is a failed, self-defeating tactic. McCain is a jackass in a people suit with the Rev. Pat Robertson attached at the hip. Obama is Bill Clinton in drag with the Rev. Donnie McKlurkin attached at his hip.
Bill Perdue
Queerty, why do you say that the “DNC’s Faith RESEMBLES Anti-Gay Right Wing”? It does more than just resemble an anti-gay group, it IS an antigay group.
From the Devil’s Dictionary –
CHRISTIAN, n. One who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor. One who follows the teachings of Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin.
CLERGYMAN, n. A man who undertakes the management of our spiritual affairs as a method of better his temporal ones.
FAITH: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel.
IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient…