Katie O’Malley can get it.
The ferocious first lady of Maryland has stood steadfastly behind her governor-husband’s push to legalize same-sex unions, and even spoke out about it yesterday in Baltimore at Creating Change, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s 24th annual Conference on LGBT Equality.
On the lawmakers who blocked a marriage equality bill last year, O’Malley said, “There were some cowards that prevented it from passing.”
The Washington Post says these remarks weren’t even prepared. Going off-script: so fierce.
How about we take this to the next level?
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(And look how she’s flirting with one of the conference’s cute staffers in the photo at right! Total fag hag, obvi.)
NAACP president Benjamin Jealous also can get it: Giving the conference’s keynote address, he talked about his transgender brother and pledged to help make sure the gender identity anti-discrimination bill is passed.
“I made a choice: if you pick a fight with my brother—whether it is because you say we ain’t like you or he ain’t like us—you have picked a fight with me.”
Werk, papi!
Photo via Maryland GovPics
Tom J
No doubt, we can use all the support we can get…good for her!
Michael
Who cares about the First Lady of Maryland? It’s black legislators will prevent any attempts.
Tell me… who’s the cute guy in the picture?
iDavid
@Michael
You’re a fickle dumb ass pip.
Corvidae
I like this, we need more allies and if someone is brave enough to call it like it is we should support them.
Michael
@iDavid: Perhaps you don’t remember last year’s fiasco in Maryland when the bill was well on its way to passage (with even GOP support), but eight black legislators succeeded in blocking it. One Delegate Tiffany Alston, in fact, was actually a co-sponsor and then voted against it!
Delegate Emmett Burns, Jr. (D-Baltimore County) notorious said, “I cannot hide my color. I don’t want to. I’m proud to be who I am. But those who are of a different sexual orientation could.” Burns also said, “Those who want to ride on our coattails are historically incorrect; gay people had not endured the struggles of blacks, had not had crosses burned on their lawns or been thrown in a police wagon.”
Marie Cohn
She’s no doubt got Mr. Sam Arora in mind, too.
Marie Cohn
Baltimore Sun reports she apologized, as of noon Friday. Of course.
iDavid
Here is her apology. It’s actually awesome as I sense a “sorry but it’s true” backdrop to it. And she got some choice words in. Never under estimate any cutie named Kate. They always seem to know just when to crack the whip. Katherine Hepburn soared at it.
http://governorsjournal.com/2012/01/katie-omalley-apologizes/
@Michael
I take our allies and this culture war very seriously. You came off arrogant dismissive unsupportive and trite regarding O’Malley’s obvious impassioned position to free gay people from social slavery. She deserves better, particularly with regard to the fact
she launched the perfect hit at all who refuse to own all of humanity in Maryland AND the rest of the US.
Michael
@iDavid:
And I take reality seriously. Look! She already apologized!
Cam
She’s actually more forcefull than her husband. Her hubby took more of a back seat and wouldn’t advocate. He was finally forced into a position when gay groups in MD. demanded he state a position. He then didn’t advocate for it, but said he would sign it if it got to his desk, IF it had protections for religions etc…
So he’s ok, but at least isn’t an impediment and is getting better, but his wife kinda rocks.
iDavid
@Michael
Like duh, that’s called political etiquette in this country. She spoke for millions of people w that refreshing new to the media and accurate portrayal of discrimination. Does not the message delivered mean squat to you? Or are you too enraptured by the “cute” guy to give a rats ass.
Joetx
@Michael: There are plenty of black leaders & politicians who support our quest for equal rights.
Your comment tells me you’re a white ‘mo with racial prejudice issues.
Cam
@Joetx: said…
“@Michael: There are plenty of black leaders & politicians who support our quest for equal rights.
Your comment tells me you’re a white ‘mo with racial prejudice issues.”
_____________________
Actually you’re coming off a bit racist. So he couldn’t be Asian? Latino? or born in Africa, as there are tensions between African Americans and African Immigrants. But no, you just jumped to attack one race without knowing the specifics.
—-
And as for Michael, Hey Michael, DC has Marriage and yet is a majority black city where Marriage was pushed by a black mayor and a black city council president.
iDavid
Micheal racist? No way. He’s callin out black sexists, big difference. kudos for that. Maaaaybe misogyny.
tj
@ Michael
Black legislative organizations have been the most consistent supporters of gay rights stop trying to create a schism where there isnt one. It is however true that poor districts with out regard to race have very low support for equality and thus their legislators need to vote with them to keep their jobs. But to make it purely a race issue is off base as you have 100 percent support in the Congressional black caucus for instance and if you read the article the President of the NAACP is giving a keynote address. But some just like to castigate based on race I guess…
Michael
Tj, I made no generalization. In fact, I was very specific in whom I blame — 8 particular black legislators in the Maryland House of Delegates.
P.S. To me, voting against basic civil rights in order “to keep their jobs” is the very height of arrogance.
Joetx
@Cam: I’m confident that if Michael were a gay person of color, he would’ve known that gay people of color are largely excluded from the “gay community” (e.g., the preponderance of no Asians, blacks, etc. in online personal ads), yet have to hear ALL TOO MANY white gays blame blacks & other minorities for the passage of anti-gay measures when: a) blacks make up a minority so even if they all voted against gay civil rights – which they don’t – they alone cannot be the deciding factor; & b) Maine is OVERWHELMINGLY white, yet passed their anti-gay measure by a greater margin than Prop 8 passed.
Being gay doesn’t cancel out your white privilege.
Isaac C
@Joetx: Round of applause for yet another victimization race card played. And it of course wouldn’t be complete without some mention of dating preferences, and the mysterious world of “white privilege” which apparently every single gay white person benefits from.
Ben J
Does anyone have the video of her speech?