Guess it didn’t matter that so many of you protested last night’s gay DNC fundraiser — the party still managed to rake in $1 million, up from last year’s count by some 250 large. And the event was full of lip service, most notable from our vice president. “I don’t blame you for your impatience,” said Joe Biden during his 20-minute speech to 180 guests that was part “look who I am!” and part “sorry we’ve been ignoring you.” He added: “I hope you don’t doubt the president’s commitment.” And with 50-ish protesters outside calling elected officials “gay Uncle Toms,” Biden made this promise to GLBTs: Our issues won’t be “delayed, put off or not end up on [Obama’s] plate” because of all the other crap he’s dealing with. Which would be so reassuring, if only the White House showed evidence it were true.
But just in case you thought Biden wasn’t hearing everyone outside (and on blogs like this one), he noted, “More importantly, I want thank you for being a critical – critical – voice for keeping the nation focused on the unfinished business of true equality for all of our people; and I know, and this administration knows, that we have so much more to do.”
So, uh, thanks for keeping the White House in check?
Alexa
I don’t think Biden should be blamed for Obama’s failures. While he is far from progressive on many issues, he has a good track record on human rights and civil rights, and I suspect that if he were calling the shots we would be further along than we are now. Saying that, it also means we can’t necessarily trust what he says, even though he may believe it himself.
ChristopherM
Thank you rich social-climber queers for undermining the rest of us. Perhaps you think you can purchase your equality.
Cam
And soon enough Bidens words will be forgotten by him and the administration just like the Campaign promises were. Those gays who went to the event gave them their 30 pieces of silver. I hope they are happy.
galefan2004
While I wouldn’t pay $1000 just to see Joe Biden speak, I think we are kidding ourselves when we go on this DNC strike rhetoric. The truth is that if the DNC isn’t in power we get to face even more fun things like anti-gay marriage amendments and the removal of even more rights. Obama might not be doing anything for us, but at least he isn’t doing anything against us.
Wayne
It should be pointed out that the DNC had to put the screws to their relaibe (in the tank) fatcat donors to cough up nearly a million to save face for the DNC. Less that 200 people even showed up! Only 180 people attended. At a $1,000 to $30,000 per plate, that means only a very FEW stepped up to save face for the DNC. And the fact that they had to put the screws to their donars proves how frightened they were of the protest movement. Don’t Be Fooled So Easily.
galefan2004
@Wayne: The issue is that the DNC isn’t really raising money for Obama right now. Obama does just fine raising his own money. The DNC is currently raising money for the 2010 congressional election. That will be the election that decides if the Dems can keep their senate/house majority or lose it. If you think that there will be any progress made at all on gay rights if the Dems lose the majority then you are sadly mistaken. I really hope this is not a case of cutting off our nose to smite our face.
JoeB
@galefan2004: the Dems have the largest majorities in both houses that they’ve had in decades, with a Democratic president, and they are STILL doing nothing. I’m not seeing the difference right now if there are more Republicans in office.
Captain Freedom (HRC doesn't speak for me)
Barack Obama is Change….
– Change for the insurance companies who now back Democrats over Republicans.
– Change in how high your taxes will go up
– Change from a $9T deficit to a $13T and counting
– Change from Guantanamo to Bagram
– Change for the Wall Street executives and lenders
– Change for the big auto union bosses and corporate giants but not their workers
And most importantly…. change from one homophobic President to the next
RichardR
One change that isn’t happening is that politicians always pay attention to money and voters who donate it.
I’m writing letters (not emails, letters) to Pelosi and Reid, in whose names Demo fundraisers recently have sent donation requests to me, making it clear that I’m not contributing another dollar or casting another vote until there is solid progress, not tokenism, on all our issues. President Obama hasn’t asked me for money recently, but he’s getting a similar letter.
The “boycott” was successful. Pelosi, Baldwin, Franks, and Polis are strategizing because of it. Keep it up. Write letters.
Cam
@galefan2004: You said “While I wouldn’t pay $1000 just to see Joe Biden speak, I think we are kidding ourselves when we go on this DNC strike rhetoric. ”
_______________________________________
Remember, just talking about boycotting a fundraiser has gotten us our first signs of movement on gay issues from congress and this administration. Being quiet did nothing.
Robert, NYC
“More importantly, I want thank you for being a critical – critical – voice for keeping the nation focused on the unfinished business of true equality for all of our people; and I know, and this administration knows, that we have so much more to do.”
TRUE EQUALITY? Since when? Civil unions are true equality, really Mr. Biden? Yeah, right, only if you’re gay. What a load of hypocrisy that is. If I’d been at that fund raiser, I would have asked him to clarify true equality and why if he believes it, are straights prohibited to form a civil union instead of marriage, if they so choose? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Neither Biden nor Obama of all people have any concept of what true equality really means. They should be ashamed of themselves. I bet if Biden’s son were gay, he’d think differently, just like Cheney, though I never cared for the man or his politics, I respect him for having the courage to defend his daughter’s right to marry.
Konrad
“Thank you rich social-climber queers for undermining the rest of us.”
You’re welcome. You have a little game going on and some of us are not playing it. And now you are bitter.
Jack Scribe
Washington is not only the “Hollywood for ugly people” but an inbred suck-up community that’s very provencial in an odd way. Kissing ass is part of life. Gay money is more effective contributed directly to local political campaigns.
Matt
Konrad, please explain why you are not playing the “little game” so that your comment has purpose.
TANK
Shameful. Facts like this make me proud of the fact that I’m the most homophobic out gay person I’m aware of.
Konrad
@Matt: I’m not pretending I am a victim because other people trying to do something positive for the country. You don’t want to contribute or vote for Democrats, fine, don’t. Just leave aside the infantile temper tantrum because someone else is a Democrat. Your little butt is undermined only by yourself, not by someone else being an active Democrat.
Matt
@Konrad: Then why did you comment at all?
Matt
@Konrad: Your first comment had no point, your second actually explained a position without assuming people could read your mind. Not sure where you saw a “temper tantrum” or “little butt” (whatever you mean by that), unless you are just saying that I = gays in general. To me, all I have read in your comments are potshots at others. Doesn’t warm me to your opinions in the least.
glennmcgahee
For the commenter that mentioned snail mail instead od email. Now that the mail to your Congressman/woman is screened and radiated, it takes up to 9 weeks for that mail to reach its intended recipient. Email has become the standard if you have an issue that needs to be addressed immediately or in a more timely manner. Just for your information.
dlpca
FYI: The Gay blogs are infiltrated, like everywhere else, by troublemakers who often have no other agenda or goal but to disrupt, agitate, annoy and upset. Many times there statements have no logic and make little sense. Who they are and what their purpose for occupying our communications is somewhat apparent, if you think about it: sabotage.
The battle is serious; so serious that “they” hope to sabotage our communications with each other. They are trying to make every aspect of our existence unacceptable, illegal, if not immoral. Now that we have a somewhat sympathetic administration, who “kinda” acknowledges our search for equal rights, well just say, the heat is on. Those opposed to us are doing all they can, great and small, to make life difficult for us. This is the nature of war. Make no mistake about it, we are in war for equality.
So when you read this or any Gay blog, know that we are not the only ones. “They” are aware of our thoughts, writings and dialogues. However, their presence on our blogs is interesting. Consider perhaps they are threatened by our collective voice. And consider their lack of success to quiet us, since we are now communicating more than ever (especially via gay blogs). Keeping us apart, disconnected to prevent a network of Gay solidarity is their true goal. But coming together is our strength. They know this. And we have to believe it and spread this among ourselves.
My advice to my Gay brothers and sisters is to keep discussing, keep talking, keep fighting the good fight. Ours is a victory of eventuality because our goal is freedom to Love, Marry and Live. Our destiny is at hand. Stay the course with conviction and fervor. Do not let the trouble making “hater” comments throw you off center. Let your voice of dissent be heard, many times over. This is the land of the free and we are the brave.
Equality is ours!
galefan2004
@JoeB: Really, because I am. I’ve yet to see an anti-gay rights movement come up at any time since they got their majority. Under Bush, while the Repugs controlled the senate, all we got to hear about is the latest attack on gay rights. Make no doubt about it, Bush met at the White House with the religious right not the gays.
galefan2004
@Captain Freedom (HRC doesn’t speak for me):
Change from a $9T deficit to a $13T and counting
And exactly who made that $9T deficit? Oh yeah, Bush in 8 years. When Bush inherited the presidency from Clinton there was a surplus. Don’t try blaming Barac for the deficit it just makes you look stupid.
Change for the big auto union bosses and corporate giants but not their workers
Yes, because firing the CEOs (corporate giants) and forcing them to take insane pay cuts if they did stay on was certainly change. As far as the union bosses being to powerful, the union elects the bosses they are not appointed, and the majority of stuff done within a union requires a vote.
galefan2004
@Cam: Spurious correlation. The truth is that this could have been in the works for quite sometime for pride month. It has been rumored to be in the works for quite some time for pride month. We assume its because we held them to it that made them work this month, but we have NO direct proof of that. It could be pure coincidence.
galefan2004
@Robert, NYC: Chenney did not back gay marriage until after he retired from politics. His office is directly responsible for two bills trying to add an anti-gay marriage amendment to the constitution. Actions speak louder than words. His hateful bitch daughter and him did all they could to torpedo John Kerry in the 2004 election when it came to Kerry standing up for gay rights.
Don’t even start looking at Chenney as some sort of a hero for the cause now. The only reason he is “accepting” of gay marriage now is that it gets him more air time, and the man is currently obsessed with being on camera. If Obama said he was against elephants being dyed pink and getting wings, Chenney would start claiming that elephants should be dyed pink and get wings and that in his vice-presidency he laid the ground work for that to happen.
Robert, NYC
@galefan2004:
Gale, in now way am I defending Cheney, I know exactly what he’s about. Even so, for a key republican of his stature, he didn’t have to say it knowing that the majority in his party of hate don’t go along with it. Sure, he has nothing to lose, but he’s put the Obama administration in an embarrassing situation. Not one key republican has come out in favor of full equality rights, Cheney at least also puts them to shame.
Robert, NYC
@dlpca:
You make some excellent points. These shills come here as you say to agitate and sew division. Its quite evident they know they’re losing the cultural war, especially among the next generation of voters. This is nothing more than an act of desperation. Their modus operandi to dehumanize us in every way they can is firing back on them. If it didn’t bother them, they wouldn’t be here. They are to be pitied more than anything, sad, pathetic religious psychopaths.