In 1995, one year after the Clinton administration enacted Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to address and reenforce the ban on openly gay military servicemen and women, then-representative Bernie Sanders of Vermont delivered the following smack-down to then-representative Randall “Duke” Cunningham of California.
It’s worth a re-watch.
Related: 32 Years Before Marriage Equality, Bernie Sanders Fought For Gay Rights
Sanders takes passionate objection to Cunningham’s language — “homos in the military” — and puts himself squarely in the corner of a then-unpopular minority (i.e. us).
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“You have insulted thousands of men and women who have put their lives on the line,” Sanders argues.
Watch below:
Christopher Leiva
Putting it down sharply! Bernie is the man!
Brandon Etheridge
I love him.
Xzamilio
And this is one of many reasons why Bernie Sanders has my vote come 2016. Not interested in a political debate, but whatevs… the man has been the most consistent out of any of the individuals running for office. Hillary Clinton has flip-flopped on issues more than the footwear of the same name.
Thomas Stewart
Right on Bernie!!!!
Eddie Poole-Boccio
He has my vote! Even if it is a write-in!
Adam Rash
Liking how this guy thinks more and more! ð??ð?»
Robert Hillyer
And that is EXACTLY why we need him, and 30 or 40 more LIKE him, right there in congress making the laws, not in the Oval Office where the partisan bickering and corporate representation would create as much, if not more gridlock than we saw under Obama. They only THOUGHT Obama was a socialist!
Beth Lee Segal
What a decent human being. Used to be that this was how we were supposed to act-decently.
avesraggiana
Randy Duke Cunningham was thrown in jail, for corruption and bribery. What a dick.
garethgrey
*Bernie delivers & drops mic
RESPECT!
billjones
I love Pat Schroeder: “Parliamentary inquiry – do we have to call a gentleman a gentleman if he’s not one?”
Ann Mason
@Xzamilio: I agree completely. When historians look at the 20th Century LGBT movement, they should recognize when “straight allies” took risks to do the right thing. Not everyone who is currently called a straight ally has that in his or her background.
Bernie Sanders did the right thing, and given the political climate at that time he took a risk. He also spoke articulately. Aren’t these the traits we want in a leader?
Phillip
I think it is worth pointing out that the “Dukester” is in prison for bribery and corruption and Bernie is running for president.
Ann Mason
I wish this site’s comment section had a “Like” button. I’d wear out my computer mouse on some of the reader responses.
Vinh Lê
â??You have insulted thousands of men and women who have put their lives on the lineâ? wow (y)
AtticusBennett
and to think, this was years after Canada allowed it’s gay citizens to serve openly in the military. which was enacted by our then progressive conservative party.
Chris Sledge
Curty
He certainly is more authentic than any one on either party running. Not sure if I agree on all of his policies but I respect what he did here. I don’t trust Clinton… and her husband set back our rights, glbt for almost two decades. I have no respect for Bill. Now he says he’s sorry and changed his views. FUCK that. Should have done the right things then and stop with the political games. Bye clint.
Clark35
That’s very good that he did this back then but he’s not going to win a nomination or presidency. Clinton is not for LGBT rights at all.
John Parra
VOTE BERNIE!!!ð??
MrEguy
Bernie has actually been an outspoken gay rights supporter since the 1970s! That video of him demonstrates how passionate he can be, and how strongly he supports LGBT people. One of the many reasons why I am supporting him for president. I’ve never donated money to campaign before, or been as excited by a candidate like Bernie Sanders.
Curty
@Clark35: I am not the biggest Hilary fan but to say she isn’t for gay rights is a lie. She is a flip flopper. Like many politicians. But to say she isn’t for LGBT rights is not true. Then again if she is elected will she make lgbt rights a priority like Obama? I doubt it. Can she be trusted? I don’t think so. Can we trust her more than any republican in office? You damn right. So if Clinton is on the ballot against any repubs running the lgbt vote will have to go to her.
Curtispsf
Bernie Sanders for President. Hillary Clinton for Vice President. Donald Trump for town dog catcher.
califazen
Worth remembering that Cunningham went to jail after pleading guilty to taking more than two million bucks in bribes and a little tax fraud, too. A really nice guy, he was. What a prick with ears. I am feeling the Bern!
downtownla
Bernie is the man. I know it’s going to be hard to defeat the Clinton machinery and the apathy of the American public to actually investigate beyond the headlines, but I really hope he’ll be able to do it. Our country will be so much better.
badtungsten
Let’s stop with the Clinton bashing, please. Yes, Bill Clinton signed DOMA and implemented Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. However, for those of you not alive in the mid 1990s, you need to keep in mind the political climate of that era. The Republicans had just taken over the Congress in 1994 with the likes of Newt Gingrich and his “Contract With America” cronies. These people rode the gay bashing train all the way into office, and had Clinton not compromised with them the result would have been far worse than DADT and DOMA. The GOP had the votes in the House and Senate to override any veto Clinton might issue on legislation affecting the gay community. The very real possibility of a marriage amendment making its way into the Constitution existed, and Clinton stopped that by agreeing to sign DOMA. DADT created problems, sure, but it allowed for gay people to exist AT ALL in the military. Prior to DADT, you were asked at enrollment if you were a homosexual. Answering yes instantly disqualified you from service. Period. After DADT, that question was not asked. DADT did allow a path for service, albeit not the most ideal one.
I’m not pretending that Bill Clinton is a martyr for gay causes. Of course he isn’t. But it’s also not fair to judge his actions in 1995 against what our culture views as socially acceptable in 2015. He was the first presidential candidate to ever acknowledge that gay people exist during his acceptance speech at the 1992 Democratic Convention. If you’re not familiar with it, go watch it on YouTube. He was rightly pointing out how the GOP paints our community as outsiders and “others” to win votes.
BlueDude
Bernie, or Hillary, or both, for me! The Rethuglican circus crowd is the biggest bunch of di©k-tards I’ve ever seen! How in hell did any of them ever get elected to public office??? That says a lot about the electorate.
MikeSauce
He is exactly the type of politician who is desperately needed right now.
downtownla
@badtungsten: Oh, please. A real leader would have stood up and said this was wrong and unacceptable. A politician sticks his or her finger in the air to test the how the wind blows and chooses the most convenient option for themselves. And it’s not just LGBT rights, but also economic issues like NAFTA and Glass Steagall and civil rights issues like Sister Souljah and three strikes laws and welfare reform, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. The Clintons sold out minority and progressive communities all the time to advance their agenda. Their third way neutered the left for 30 years and it’s time they exited the stage.
martinbakman
@avesraggiana: He drove a Rolls Royce on us!!
martinbakman
@badtungsten: Yet he was no Bernie Sanders. (the crowd roars!!)
DarkZephyr
I will be voting for this man.
jjunke
great to see that asshole Cunningham serve 7 years in prison for corruption and then moved to Arkansas when he got out….he’s right at home there.
Scott Rose
Cunningham resigned from the House on November 28, 2005, after pleading guilty to accepting at least $2.4 million in bribes and under-reporting his taxable income for 2004. He pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion. He was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison and was ordered to pay $1.8 million in restitution.