Even after Washington D.C.’s City Council approved a measure to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages, and even after pro-gay Mayor Adrian Fenty voiced his support, we still had to deal with the lies of Councilman Marion Barry’s anti-gay rhetoric. Prone to soundbite antics, Barry said, “We may have a civil war. The black community is just adamant against this.” And then he turned to some friends in Congress, who regulate D.C.’s laws, to keep gay marriage out of D.C. And now? He’s found support.
Some 33 members of Congress (including two Democrats) have backed the D.C. Defense of Marriage Act, introduced yesterday, which would revoke the City Council’s measure and permanently ban any recognition of same-sex marriage in our nation’s capital. Co-sponsored by Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan and Okalhoma Rep. Dan Boren (a Democrat), the bill is not part of Congress’ 30-day window to review all D.C. laws; it is a new, separate bill. It reads: “That in the District of Columbia, for all legal purposes, ‘marriage’ means the union of one man and one woman.”
“The family is truly the foundational institution of our nation, and marriage is its cornerstone,” says Jordan. “I look forward to working with the D.C. community, a majority of who — like a majority of Americans — support traditional marriage. This is a fight we cannot shy away from, and it is a fight we have to win.”
And there was religious support. “Twelve people just decided this issue,” said Bishop Harry Jackson of Lanham’s Hope Christian Church, a staunch anti-gay advocate. The voice of the people of D.C. will be fairly and justly heard.”
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But for all the publicity, it’s unlikely the bill will pass. It will have to make its way through the Democratic-controlled House, the Democratic-controlled Senate, and then to the White House, where even Barack Obama should be reluctant to sign it, given that he wants states (and independent cities?) to work out their marital issues. Or at least that’s what he once told us.
Andrew
Ahh… the “get government out of your life” GOP (and its various and plentiful Democratic enablers) hard at work keeping D.C. safe from us those pesky married homos. Meanwhile, Jordan and Boren probably blew each other in the basement men’s room before speaking for the bill on the house floor. I’m not a mean person, but here’s hoping they both have immediate onset and permanent erectile dysfunction…..
Chris
“the people of DC’s voice will be heard” says Bishop Henry Jackson, who lives and works in Maryland.
jason
Blacks are the world’s biggest hypocrites. According to them, prejudice is only bad if it’s directed against them. If it’s directed against anybody else, it’s OK.
Message to the black community: we’ve given you plenty of support in the past. Don’t count on it lasting.
Aaron Akins
I grew up in Ohio, and attended a number of Jim and his brother Jeff’s wrestling camps (they were both part of the elite few guys who were 4-time state high school wrestling champions). They attended my parents church with their parents for quite some time. I am not surprised in the slightest by his actions / words. This hateful person is exactly what the fundamentalist whackjobs we grew up with groomed us to be. Jeebus only knows how I escaped.
dgz
@jason:
Jason, STFU. seriously. we know you’re a plant, and you’re just here to divide.
—–
anyway, if Barry wants to see a civil war, try banning in DC… every 3rd person is gay.
jason
DGZ,
I am not a plant at all. I call a spade a spade, and without fear or favor.
The black community needs to understand that prejudice is wrong. If it doesn’t want to go down that path, it’s its choice. But don’t expect us gays to sit idly by and not criticize them. We reserve the right to criticize anybody regardless of color, creed, background etc etc.
Keep in mind this stark fact: the homophobia that exists in the black community is making life a misery for many black gay men. Is this what you want? Do you like seeing black gay men suffering within their community because of the bigoted comments of black leaders?
Andrew
@jason:
Hey Jason. I think I understand your frustration and there’s no problem that you have an opinion or feel strongly about it; The problem is that when you express it, you make blanket statements about blacks and use derisive terms like “spade”. Blanket statements about black people are equally offensive as blanket statements about gay people or blanket statements about Jews or Poles or Chinese. And there’s no justification for using the word “spade”, here or anywhere really. If you aren’t a racist, then don’t talk/write like one — You’re not helping us when you do so. If you are a racist… then go away.
jason
I am not making blanket comments about blacks. I am simply referring to the cultural imperative within the black community, an imperative which is clearly homophobic.
If black community leaders weren’t making such blanket statements about gay people, I would be less heated up about this. But their comments are clearly prejudicial towards both white and black gays.
Why are you wasting your glucose levels attacking me? Why don’t you go and tell your black brothers that prejudice in any shape or form is wrong, especially these stinky rap artists who preach violence and hatred towards gay people.
Zack
@Jason –
You are making blanket comments about blacks –
I’m all for calling a spade a spade, but when you’re calling a whole deck a spade, it proves your ignorance. And by doing this, you’re doing exactly what you think the “black community” is doing to you.
Next time you want to generalize, think about what you’re saying.
atdleft
@jason: NOMbie troll! Please exit that door. Thanks.
@dgz: Yep, Barry’s gone totally whackjob. Someone needs to take away his crackpipe. The good people of DC, people of ALL RACES, deserve better.
DanM
33 congressmen is less than 10% of the total men and women in the House, I’m not worried. Don’t be surprised at Democrats supporting this. There are pro-gay and anti-gay politicians and that has nothing to do with political party (though you find a LOT more pro-gay politicians among the Democrats).
InExile
If Barack Obama would speak out against laws like this, they might not pass. Will the President EVER help us out a little???
Dabq
@jason: Just who is this “we?” certainly not the majority of posters on this site who seem to hate blacks as much as some blacks hate the glbt community. Most gays don’t even “support” black gays who are getting it from all sides, so, no way would this “we” have ever supported straight blacks.
Just because someone has been discriminated against and hated does not mean they are going to have empathy for others.
And, the professed anger should be towards the real power makers in this country, and, get a clue, it isn’t that sweaty, chump calling himself a preacher.
Tom Boone
Just a second. EXACTLY WHO ARE THESE 30 MEMBERS? I WANT NAMES. Everyone: this is a rally call to mobilize and to make sure that all 30 of these people are DEFEATED the very next time they are up for election. Don’t believe we can do it? Think again. After all, I remember when a “black man could never be President of the U.S.A.” We need to be like a band of small mosquitoes. The more noise we make in the proverbial public ear, the more we chastise and humility these 30 bigots, the greater the impact we will have. Let’s find the jujitsu point here and turn this around. Can you imagine? Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender voters and FRIENDS constitute a large enough swing minority to defeat these 30 bigots. I do believe it is very possible. Let’s start by getting names. And then collectively mobilize to do everything we humanly can as a team and a group to make sure that each of these people goes DOWN in the next public vote. DEMOCRACY. Pure, plain, and simple. IT IS TIME. In fact, it is WAY PAST TIME. IT IS SO OVERDUE THAT WE OUGHT TO BE CHARGING BACK INTEREST AND PENALTIES LIKE THE IRS. SHEESH. SICK EM.
Andrew
@Tom Boone: Here’s a list:
Rep Alexander, Rodney (LA – 5)
Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. (MD – 6)
Rep Boozman, John (AR – 3)
Rep Boren, Dan (OK – 2)
Rep Broun, Paul C. (GA – 10)
Rep Cantor, Eric (VA – 7)
Rep Chaffetz, Jason (UT – 3)
Rep Cole, Tom (OK – 4)
Rep Conaway, K. Michael (TX – 11)
Rep Fallin, Mary (OK – 5)
Rep Fleming, John (LA – 4)
Rep Forbes, J. Randy (VA – 4)
Rep Franks, Trent (AZ – 2)
Rep Garrett, Scott (NJ – 5)
Rep Gohmert, Louie (TX – 1)
Rep Herger, Wally (CA – 2)
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. (NC – 3)
Rep King, Steve (IA – 5)
Rep Kline, John (MN – 2)
Rep Lamborn, Doug (CO – 5)
Rep Latta, Robert E. (OH – 5)
Rep Luetkemeyer, Blaine (MO – 9)
Rep Marchant, Kenny (TX – 24)
Rep McHenry, Patrick T. (NC – 10)
Rep McIntyre, Mike (NC – 7)
Rep Neugebauer, Randy (TX – 19)
Rep Pence, Mike (IN – 6)
Rep Price, Tom (GA – 6)
Rep Rogers, Harold (KY – 5)
Rep Scalise, Steve (LA – 1)
Rep Smith, Lamar (TX – 21)
Rep Tiahrt, Todd (KS – 4)
Rep Wilson, Joe (SC – 2)
dgz
@jason:
yes, you are making blanket statements.
and you’re ill-informed. 6 BLACK council members voted FOR the measure, which was supported by the BLACK mayor. ONE black councilman, Barry, voted against it.
i’m not saying that homophobia doesn’t exist in any given black community — and yes, there’s more than one! but it also exists everywhere else, and it has no relationship whatsoever to “blackness.”
and if you were *really* concerned about the plight of gay, black men, you wouldn’t compound their problems by subjecting them to racism as well as homophobia.
AND BTW: this article is about a BILL sponsored in CONGRESS by mainly WHITE representatives.
p.s. all, it won’t pass, don’t fret. DADT repeals have enjoyed as many as 149 co-sponsors, and never even made it out of committee. a 30-sponsor bill is effectively doomed.
Dabq
@Andrew: Thanks for this, time for me to get emails and phone calls into each and everyone on that list.
Dabq
@dgz: Wow, great post, but, everything you wrote will never be accepted by this site or the majority of its readers, all blacks, gay, straight or trisexual are to blame for everything that ails the glbt community, when in the end, its still the white majority that makes the rules. Had more whites,who are the majority of voters in California voted against Prop 8, it would have failed. but, that’s one tidbit that’s lost in these threads. And, truth of the matter, few if any of the posters here have any concern with the plight of black gays or the fact tha tthere are straight blacks who are for gay rights.
BradK
@Andrew: It reads like a road map thorough the Bible (and The Book Of Moron) Belt!
Andrew
@BradK:
lol And somehow I just know the Belt don’t match the shoes!
Dennis
And just for the record, the breakdown of this homophobic bill’s sponsorship is about 90% Rethuglican, 10% Democrat…anyone suprised? Any of the queerty wingnuts still want to be “woo’d” by the republicans…this is their version of wooing you, just remember it.
Apparently Megan McCain is not running the party just yet…
Jason
You know what? It’s time someone gets Coretta Scott King talking about gay rights. She has supported us forever and still I hear noone quoting her or having input from her or her children (who I assume follow her opinion). I believe Martin Luther King said something like…none of us can be free until all of us are free”. We gays ARE part of the all of us and someone needs to make it clear to the bigoted black leaders what he meant. I don’t know any bigoted black people but its obvious there are some out there….is that a surprise look at all the white bigots we deal with on a daily basis…read the list of the 30!!!
Aaron Akins
@Jason: Corretta’s dead, Jason… but she already did what you’re asking. One of my favorite quotes regarding the struggle for LGBT human rights is this one:
“Homophobia is like racism and antisemitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood. This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group.” – Corretta Scott King
Andrew
@Aaron Akins:
Hey Aaron… Thank you for posting that King quote.
dgz
@Jason: you don’t know any bigoted black people? huh. so, your earlier comments passing judgement on all black people were based on what, exactly?
ok, i’m going to let you off the hook. hopefully this thread has been somewhat informative.
Chitown Kev
The ignorance and racism on this thread is astounding. NOT!
BrianZ
@Chitown Kev: But it’s super fun to watch the bigots on both sides go at it time and time again.
Brian Miller
@Dabq:
Gosh, now who is making sweeping, stupid statements without basis?
Uhhh… that would be you!
Chitown Kev
@BrianZ:
Sometimes it is. Sometimes the claims made (such as Jason’s) are soooo outlandish and sooooo over the top (nothing he said had anything to do with the article) that I do find it funny more often than I’m willing to admit.
threshold
Rep Forbes, J. Randy (VA – 4) is probably the most vulnerable co-sponsor.
Paul
@Aaron Akins: In addition, Bernice King, the Daughter of Coretta Scott & Martin Luther is a openly hostile anti gay homobigit christianist & speculated to be a closet lesbian.
Totally the opposite of her mother.
Tom
I wanted to point out that on Saturday, May 16th, Ward 8 Democrats voted 21 to 11 to support the legalization of same-sex marriage in the District. That’s Marion Barry’s ward.
He might try representing his constituents some time, instead of a tiny coalition of preachers and pastors from other states.
Also, wards 2, 4, and 6 support same-sex marriage. Ward 5 is currently the only vote against same-sex marriage. No doubt, the other will chime in soon.
jason
The white bigots are just as repulsive as the black bigots. My point is that we should expect better from the black ones. The black community has historically faced some horrific prejudices yet it seems too ready to be prejudicial towards gays. There’s a disconnect between what the black community has historically experienced and its attitude towards others who are facing prejudice, such as the gay community.
Someone needs to remind the black Congressmen that Abraham Lincoln was a rumored bisexual who is known to have slept with a man on a regular basis.
Joanaroo
I, for the life of me cannot fathom how people who say they are Christian can be such haters. How can you say you are such a “God-like” person-yet be “anti-gay,” and also be in some instances racist, xenophobic and as in the GOP-the oft called by it’s members “God’s Own Party”, lie, cheat, steal (elections) and start a worthless war? Call me naive, but also curious to know.
BrianZ
@jason: No, we shouldn’t expect anything from anyone. We have to work to progress our causes. Sometimes that requires direct confrontation, others a more subtle form of manipulation. Let those who insist on being the martyr and victim be just that. They will spend their energy for no reward other than vindicating their own sense of being wronged. You will never sway their opinions, nor they yours. It just creates a cycle of negativity when what we need is positive progression.
We need to keep the conversation about moving the rights of the LGBT community forward, not get stuck on those who want to keep the conversation centered about them.
michael
@jason: When one is trying to educate, enlighten, or change the point of view of an individual or group of people one will probably be much more successful if they treat that group or individual how they chose to be treated.
Being nasty, using terms like “spade” which is a classic derogatory term that has been used to describe black folk for ages will probably more likely to push them away, reinforce their negative opinions (for those that may have them) even make those whose opinions of us are not negative go sour. I hate being called a fagot, a butt muncher, a cocksucker etc. when those terms are thrown at me I usually don’t hear anything else that person has to say, it just shuts me down. I just automatically assume anyone who uses derogatory terms like that to be ignorant and incapable of intelligent rational thought so why listen. My advice to you is if you want to keep alienating those who you feel have beliefs about gay folk that are off the mark then proceed as you were. But you cannot fight hate with hate, you can only do it with love. I don’t remember Martin Luther King Jr., a personal hero of mine, referring to white folks as “crackers, or honky or whatever negative racial term used toward whites at the time. He envisioned us all holding hands, black, white, male, female. So I challenge you to study him and that movement. Isn’t it ironic, that in the heavens, our greatest source of inspiration, our greatest source of wisdom and experience, our greatest source of love would be a black man. I am sure he and Harvey Milk are looking down from up there and standing hand and hand sending us their love and courage. Try to remember this next time you choose to challenge black folk, or any folk on their beliefs, no matter how much they may anger you.
Chitown Kev
@jason:
what? black? Congressmen?
You are even more ignorant than I originally thought.
ducdebrabant
Mr. Limbaugh, meet Mr. Barry. Mr. Barry, may I introduce Mr. Limbaugh? Mr. Limbaugh is a prescription drug addict, Mr. Barry. Mr. Limbaugh, Mr. Barry is a crack cocaine addict. You two should have a lot to talk about — you both look down of gay men and lesbians. I’ll leave you two t mingle.
JonJon
Christian wrestling camps? The mind reels! Did they have guest Catholic priests showing you really special “holds”?