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DISAPPOINTMENT — We suggested some things Obama could say at tonight’s HRC dinner. Did he follow our advice?
Meh. Sort of.
The president’s big promise? After joking about opening for Lady Gaga and lauding over Joe Solmonese and thanking the gays who voted for him? That he’ll end Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. “That’s my commitment to you,” he told some 3,000 attendees. Well!
It’s not like Obama didn’t understand where we’re coming from. Gays “don’t believe progress has not come fast enough progress on gay-rights issues.” (Yes, that’s a double negative in there.) But: “Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach.”
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.
Doubt? Why ever would we doubt you, Mr. President?
Just like HRC said, he’s confident that by the time he’s out of office, he’ll get some things done. When’s he finished up running the country, he’s confident “we [will have] put a stop against discrimination whether in the office or in the battlefield.”
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But let’s be clear: He didn’t provide a timeline. And HRC’s Joe Solmonese, who personally invited Obama to speak, was his biggest defender: “We should not confuse the work and the progress of the past 10 months with the delays, excuses and sometimes hateful rhetoric of the past 10 years.” Obama did call on Congress to repeal DOMA; he didn’t elaborate on anything he’d actually do to motivate them. Just like he’s been doing.
There were plenty of platitudes to go around. Perhaps seconds, if you were still hungry. “Despite the real gains that we’ve made, there are still laws to change and there are still hearts to open,” he said. “This story, this fight continues now. And I’m here with a simple message: I’m here with you in that fight.”
The crowd applauded. Eye rolls, though, are not audible.
WATCH:
John
I watched the speech – they clapped every line. It was embarrassing. How can he take us seriously – the DNC are pussies – they need a whole lot of dubious Conservative blood in their midst.
wondermann
Shut up! And stop hatin
Jerry
This post could not be more cynical.
lucas Mariani
“Obama’s Predictably Disapointing Commitment To Do Nothing More Than Before”
seriously? that’s what you got after the speech?
i’m sorry but could you please start being a little more discerning about Obama and his approach to local diplomacy?
grow up already, and report accurately.
this site is starting to get that blind criticism feel that fox news has
QL Dallas
Recycled speech. Same “hope” crap. Joe Solmonese is very weasely. Very weasely.
wondermann
“The crowd applauded. Eye rolls, though, are not audible.”
glad you were there, oh, you wasn’t.
Who writing this mess, the twins from Sweet Valley High?
Orpheus_lost
Two questions for all of you claiming that Obama just hit the sweet spot on the GLBT pinata:
1). What did he promise us that he hasn’t promised before?
2). When – exactly – did he promise to do it?
You can rant that this is Congress’s job, and it is, but the president has a responsibility to push Congress. Instead, he has actively discouraged pro-GLBT legislation from being proposed.
Why on Earth should we think a few words at a cocktail party will change things?
lloyd baltazar
LOL at the double negative.
This article is very very sarcastic.
Jim
Obama Failed. He should have ended DADT right then and there with a stop loss order. Instead we get more vague platitudes. Some fierce advocate. SNL nailed it. What has he done so far? Jack Squat.
Roy Pyatt
when obama gets off his ass and gets something done for the glbt community i’ll stop bitchin’ about how he’s done nothing.
fuck his platitudes. fuck his empty promises. do something goddamn it or don’t run again so we can get a real “fierce advocate” in the white house!
Ian
All I saw was an empty windsock filled with the hot air of the same pretty speeches he always churns out for our votes and $$$. Where were SPECIFICS on moving legislation, dates, times, etc.?? There WEREN’T any. And frankly I am a person who has a long and proven track record of being VERY good at reading body language, and all I could “read” on him was his desire to not have to be there, but shlepping out the “hope & desire for change” speech to keep the gay community voting block, and to try to placate LGBT’s tonight so we don’t embarrass the White House by calling out on it’s poor follow through of priority and promises during tomorrow’s march in Washington.
YellowRanger
If a professor assigns an essay, but then just tells his class that it’ll be due some time in the future, without assigning a specific due date. Some time in the next 4 or 8 years, yeah it’s totally going to be due…Nobody in that class is going to jump right on it and get to work on that essay. They’ll procrastinate and kick it down the road for as long as possible.
Goals without deadlines are useless.
Missy
Its posts like this that keep Queerty that site I LOVE TO HATE
Topanga Canyon
@ Wonderemann:
Yes of course “you” would defend your bro.
PopSnap
Actually, the speech did make me feel slightly better. At least he acknowledged his inaction and apologized for it, and the Matthew Shepard bill does look like it’ll pass.
We just need to keep pressing him, because he *is* responding. And people, stop being so damn pessimistic. We’re gay- be HAPPY. 😉
lucas Mariani
i used to think this site was meant to be journalistic, but over time i’ve come to see it’s simply a boiling pot of unfounded criticism, and senseless bitching. it won’t kill you if you stop acting like a vulnerable, helpless victim for one second.
Chuy
You lie!
lloyd baltazar
If you’re black, get ready to defend Obama.
This speech was a total fail. no details means no result. I heard nothing new. Same old bullshit. Same old empty promises. I could’ve watched any of his old campaign speeches and not know the difference.
please give me back my wasted 20 minutes from watching this worthless video.
George-o
@Wonderman–
“The crowd applauded. Eye rolls, though, are not audible.”
glad you were there, oh, you wasn’t.
Who writing this mess, the twins from Sweet Valley High
—Who is writing for you? A high school dropout? That’s two–count them again, TWO– major grammatical errors for the concern troll who always has the time to comment on Queerty despite his hatred for the site.
Orpheus_lost
@lloyd baltazar
Someone should give you back your wasted life. If you’ve gone this far through it without shedding yourself of your ignorant racism, then at this point there’s little more use for you than as dog food.
The Gay Numbers
Failed to mention the Maine or Washington situation. Failed to provide a time table or list of things that he would be doing to forward his gay rights related agenda. Either of the two- time table or list of action items- would have be useful for letting us know this is more than lip service.
observer1000
Why it’s a success:
1. Live at prime time on CNN
2. Day after he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
3. Was affirmative and not apologetic on gay equality
4. Spoke to America
…
Susan Russell
The speech that won’t have gone far enough for some was infinitely more than I could ever have asked for or imagined from a sitting United States President.
Speaking to the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner.
Promising to sign the Hate Crimes Bill coming to his desk.
And to end Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
And to overturn DOMA.
And to support a fully inclusive ENDA.
And no, we didn’t get full support for marriage equality out of him. Odds are we won’t. And we’re going to get it anyway. Marriage Equality.
So here it is. On the record. I’m hopeful. I’m encouraged. I believe change is not only going to happen, I see it happening. And tonight that is something to celebrate. (That and the Dodgers sweeping the NLWest.)
George Regas — the rector emeritus at All Saints Church, Pasadena — famously called us to set audacious goals and celebrate incremental victories.
We have audacious goals we have not yet reached. And tonight was an incremental victory. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
The Gay Numbers
So, the fact he does not call us perverts is a success? Such a low standard. You know- I am going to out myself here. I went into counseling when I came out in my 20s because I carried around all this baggage about being gay. Through that time, I was able to get over it. I am not going to allow those of you with low opinions of yourself to inflict me with your issues with your sexual orientation. My standards are not going to become “well, he accepts me as a fag.” He’s got to a lot more than that given his role as President of the U.S. to get my approval. I list two above- either a time table or a list of concrete actions that he will be taking soon to push the agenda forward. Ther rest is fodder for gay folks with low self worth issues so you are willing to be happy with someone telling you that you are okay. I do not need his approval. I need his action to change the laws.
The Gay Numbers
Tonight was speech. But because some of you have such low standards, you see this as incredible. That says a lot about how sad your view of yourselves are. That a speech is all you need to feel better. Very sad.
SteamPunk
@observer1000:
Here’s even more reason why it may have been successful: Check out the major, front page headlines on CNN.com, Hulu.com, The Christian Science Monitor, BBC News Online and even FoxNews.com. The very first thing you see in the largest fonts and photos is about Obama’s speech for gay rights.
It’s not as good as making direct change, but bringing nearly ALL of the major news outlets’ attention to this cause is extremely important. I think Obama can and should do better – he MUST do better – but it’s shocking that so many LGBT doesn’t seem to be able to see a shred of positive in this speech.
schlukitz
Another blogger on another thread took note of the fact, as did I, that Mr. Obama appeared to be the only black person in the entire HRC ballroom.
I would be most interested in hearing the reason for that?
SteamPunk
Even more good news! I was just text messaged by my boss and asked to feature the entire speech on the front page of our company’s site. Considering I don’ work for “gay media” and none of my bosses are gay, I think this also highlights the attention this speech has brought the LGBT cause. I’m not at work and my boss rarely sends me a message asking me to feature something unless there is very high demand. Again, a speech is not as good as direct action, but it’s pretty good nonetheless.
The Gay Numbers
This is really pathetic.If I see one more post like Steampunk, I will scream. Essentially you are saying “he mentioned us, and we should be grateful” and that’s quite sad. You are like little kids who never get attention so you are happy that the parent realizes you are there. Really, really sad behavior on your part.
schlukitz
Speaking to the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner.
Imagine that!
Next thing you know, we’ll have gays cleaning the executive wash room in the White House.
SteamPunk
@The Gay Numbers:
Not at all. Reading my original message, you’ll see that I emphasized that Obama must do better on gay rights issues. My point is, looking across every single major news outlet’s website right now – all of which mentions that the LGBT thinks Obama has been a disappointment, mind you – and I see increased visibility for the LGBT cause and think that is a positive thing.
It’s unfortunate that you can’t see the silver lining of a gay news story being featured as the lead story on nearly every single major news outlet’s front page. I can and I’m very happy about that.
The Gay Numbers
If this were the first time he gave such a speech, there would be some silverlining. In context of this speech simply being a repeat of what he has said and d one before you are searching for something that’s not there.
B
The Gay Numbers wrote, “This is really pathetic.If I see one more post like Steampunk, I will scream. Essentially you are saying ‘he mentioned us, and we should be grateful’ and that’s quite sad.”
Actually, he restated a commitment to do something although he did not say exactly when (which depends in part on Congress, where Republicans pushing a homophobic agenda still have enough influence to slow things down).
What you are missing is who really gets convinced that DADT is on the way out – the U.S. military leadership. That speech puts them on notice that they better start making plans for the inevitable change. When the president says publicly, “We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who’ve stepped forward to serve America … especially at a time we’re fighting two wars,” don’t think the generals aren’t going to pay attention: he’s putting them on notice that he is not pleased with competent, motivated people being thrown out for gratuitous reasons, especially while there’s a war going on.
The Gay Numbers
When ever someone tries to talk down to me to tell me that I am missing something when it comes to a politician that they want to love, I laugh. I am not missing anything. I do not expect miracles over night. I expect time tables for actions. I expect lists of actions that he will concretely take, for example, with the military. Your comment incorrectly assumes that I have not been following the administration. The problem is that I have. I know from prior experience they have done nothing on this issue. When you got a useless person like Harry Reid, of all people, sending a letter to the White House requesting leadership on this issue, that says all I need to know. But it is by no means the only example. take your claim over the military- they have said that the White House has not discuss this issue with them at all as recently as a week or so ago. The problem with your claims is that politicians who are trying to get things done do not act this way. They do not ignore the work that is required to build up to passing a repeal of DADT. They don’t ignore the military leadership etc. It is precisely because I have seen no work done and indeed have heard them say the opposite that I am cynical about this President. He is good at talking about what he hopes will happen. He is not good at taking the steps to do it. The gap is between the speeches about hope, and the actions to ensure that hope becomes reality. That’s where the divide is between you and I.
patient progressive
Oh, the negativity of some of the comments! Glad I’m not sick with that emotion! Susan #23- spot on. Proud-eye on the prize! The progressives will get us there! I can FEEL it! We are so close in the context of history!!!!
The Gay Numbers
I am not interested in fake optimism based on diminished expectations. The negativity I see here is where people lower themselves to settle for anything. I have a straight friend like this. Going after whatever man who looks in her direction. You may see this as “optimism,” but to President Obama he just sees you as a cheap date. My optimism is a bit more pricey than that.
wondermann
Topanga Canyon get a life
George-o whatever
Old Timer
Failed to mention the Maine or Washington situation.
Speaking of Maine and Washington State, why are thousands of demonstrators converging on Washington, D.C. with nothing in particular in mind, instead of going to Maine and Washington State and doing real work that could have tangible benefits right here and now?
Old Timer
Part of this is generational. I am old enough to remember when it was a very big deal when a city council candidate favorably mentioned gay people. To have the president of the United States say what Obama said at the HRC dinner, in the way that he said it, was stunning to me.
The man has been in office for less than nine months. He deserves our support, including time to make these things happen. Rome wasn’t built in a day, children.
The Gay Numbers
As someone in my late 30s, I can relate to the idea that this is shocking. As someone who wants rights, I can not rely on those misplaced emotions to respond to what needs to be done by this President. If we rely on what we feel growing out of what we have known, the next generation will not experience anything better than we did. I will bring up race because it is now applicable. If my mother’s generation settled for what had been before them on race, I would still be living as they did under Jim Crow. The morally right thing is to not settle for less than first class citizenship. Rather than thanking him for doing the right thing, we need to make it clear that this is not an option. He must do the right thing.
GBM
@ No. 18 · lloyd baltazar
No my friend alot Blacks don’t even troll this site anymore. So save that Bullshit. Actually I hope the gays pick a republican and even better yet find a way to re-invigorate Mother Hillary Clinton after all those candidates will be white So since you all are so ANGRY about Barry not doing anything in 10 months.
Let a white candidate win and bring back the illustrious honor of the WHITE House. They will have a press conference and then they tell the gays
WE DON’T SUPPORT ANYTHING LGTBQ..
SO GET OVER FAGS…
Will you still be as angry?
Because you wasn’t with Bill and you DAMN SURE ENOUGH won’t do it with Hillary.
HEY AT LEAST YOU CAN’T GET MAD A MINORITY WON’T BE DOING IT AND YOU CAN’T GET MADDER AND COMPARE BLACKS TO GAYS!
So girls stop fooling yourselves with agenda plague anger.
ONLY WE CAN BRING ABOUT CHANGE FOR US AND PRESSURE THE CONGRESSMEN AND WOMEN TO CHANGE THESE LAWS. For if they do I’m sure Pres Obama will sign it into law.
And that won’t bring alot of happiness because to alot of you girls here:
HE WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING TO SATISFY YOU!
rudy
No. 39 · Old Timer
Well, we agree on this one.
Just getting Hate Crimes to this point has taken 7 months of hearings, debate, arm twisting and finally Pelosi and Reid attaching it to the Defense bill.
ENDA is in committee in the house, and Gillebrand says Carl Levin’s Defense Committee will take up DADT repeal this fall. Obama’s speech tonight should give that impetus. That is a lot of attention for one congressional year.
Below, Barney Frank’s testimony before the ENDA committee:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAPR5hskEYM
Kris
Let me put my shield up for all of the knives that will be aimed at me. I’ve been on this site for about a month. I have been bitching too about Obama. I believe that “America IS RACIST!” I’ve seen some of the moaners are here putting race in their opinions. Topanga Canyon (14), and Lloyd Baltazar (8), are observantly racist. Don’t claim that you are not either, as soon as something happens that you don’t like, you point your fingers at the African Americans. I keep having to pinch myself, because after reading most of the comments on this site, from different articles, I’ve been sounding off about Obama’s promises too. Usually on the negative side. I’d honestly like to hear how if you were president, how would you be in office??? I bet not one of you can say, “been there, done that”, until you walk in another person’s shoes, you will never see their point. I’m going to stop coming here for news, just like I left 365gay. All I ever seem to see are loud mouths talking, but no one is walking. I know I’m going to hear someone say “that’s all Obama has done for us”, put up or shut up.
Brian
Clean up the chimney Cinderella, we have a ball to attend.
The Democratic Party IS the government now. So why are we applauding the FUCKING GOVERNMENT?
The fact that the HRC attendees gay the Commander in Chief a standing ovation is mind-numbing. He can’t issue an executive order to stop dumping gay vets on their ass? He can’t tell get a simply REPEAL to the floor of Congress?
HE CAN MUSTER TO VOTES GIVE BILLIONS TO THE BANKS IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF HIS PRESIDENCY, BUT HE CAN’T FIND ANY POWER AS THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF TO STOP DUMPING OUR VETS?
We have been his some of his best supporters, and this is what we get?
InExile
The people applauding and screaming “I love you” are the HRC Washington elite, not mainstream gays.
The speech was just a replay of the past speeches although he did seem to turn up the volume a bit.
Probably just more stalling.
Qjersey
To hear a sitting president make that speech is amazing, but like others, he didn’t go far enough.
Fuck the timeline, what he should have said was:
YOU NEED TO PRESSURE YOUR CONGRESSMEN, GO HOME AND KEEP UP THE PRESSURE ON THE STATE LEVEL! O’bam can’t sign something congress doesn’t send him.
And, FUCK the DC crowd. The only time they gave loud applause for HIV/AIDS is when O’bam mentioned lifting the travel ban. Every other time he mentioned HIV/AIDS the applause was meh.
scott ny'er
I agree with old time and some others.
I was in a nursing home, the tv blaring in the sitting/dining room and I never thought I’d see the President of the US speaking about supporting gay issues. At length. (I also thought I would never see a black president too!)
I mean that’s pretty big. Great exposure.
Sure a timeline would be great. But give it a little time. Patience grasshoppers.
Mark
President Obama has a growing credibility problem on numerous fronts. His version of CHANGE is familiar and duplicitous. He was for equality and gay marriage while in office in Illinois. He is now opposed on religious grounds. I want a politician who has the courage and leadership to embrace our Constitution, do the right thing and keep religion out of it! His flip-flopping on many global issues is an alarming trend. Talk is cheap. My family is tired of waiting for equal treatment by our Government while politicians like Obama wait for the bigots to pass in meaningful numbers so he can tell us what “fierce advocate” of civil rights and equality. What hypocrisy! Actions matter. How has he lobbied the American people or Congress on GLBT issues?
Steve
There really is only one demand, “Equal Protection”. Everything else is just a step along the path, or perhaps a distraction.
Obama still does not seem to understand this. He is a professor of constitutional law. How can he not understand the 14th amendment? How can he not understand the basic concept of equal protection? I think it is willful.
A promise made in a speech to work toward making a small step toward one of those goals, is not even a step along the path. Hence, it is just a distraction.
I expect we will get supreme court decisions long before we get any actual leadership or effort from this president. We will eventually have equal rights, but it won’t be Obama’s credit.
Brian
Yea, be patient gays! Think in terms of presidential terms, not months. After all, the democratic party has completely BEEN elected to run the entire leglislative process for a measly year.
In the meantime, let’s more celebratory dinner parties! YEA! And donate generously to the HRC, so they can party on. Standing ovations are very tiring, up and down and up and down. HRC participants need a refreshing drink after all that applause and lauding of the leader of the government.
And Obama and the congress need lots of praise and refreshments too. It is very difficult being the commander in chief and permitting gays to be dumped before the COMMANDER’S eyes. It so painful and trying for a COMMANDER to watch, when he is so wonderful.
Remember, gay rights is now a Disney movie! Be our guest! Be our guest! Put your magic to the test!.
Brian
Gay activism is now all in the Quadricepts: applaud, stand up sit down …… applause, stand up sit down. Eat delicious refreshment. Repeat. WOW. I am going to write my check to the HRC right now.
PEter
I know more than a few people who were at the dinner who are not the Washington elite or elite anything but they left feeling energized and ready to take on the challenge. Queerty why not work WITH rather than AGAINST
Brian Miller
It would have been a bold and courageous speech… in 1993. Too bad it’s almost 2010. The Prez was equal parts patronizing, noncommittal and dismissive. MASSIVE fail.
Brian
Yea, Queerty, don’t work AGAINST the U.S. Government, work WITH the U.S. Government! Throw them lavish parties, and give them multiple standing ovations. Heap on special praise for the leader of the government, who refuses to revoke laws that oppress you and your fellows.
Pay special effort to helping the self-esteem of Obama. We love you! Take action, but first, please have an H’Orderve, compliments of HRC donors. And how was your limo ride. When you go home, HRC has put chocolates on your bed. Enjoy!
schlukitz
Standing ovations are very tiring, up and down and up and down.
Brian, I couldn’t help but wonder, after your comment, if a physical examination was a requirement in order to be an attendee at the HRC Annual Dinner.
I’m sure that the last thing they would have wanted to have to deal with, is a few of old farts keeling over from coronaries. LOL
Alex
Joe Solmonese is a WEASEL. HRC is useless.
Sam
Three things I took away from the whole Obama/HRC thing:
1. Obama gave a prime time, televised speech specifically on his support for LGBT rights, in which he affirmatively told the country they needed to open their minds. No other sitting president has ever done this. No matter what the nattering nabobs of negativity have to say, that IS progress.
2. If Obama, the Democrats and HRC AREN’T going to give us a timeline for these accomplishments, then we need to come up with one ourselves. Personally, if they haven’t passed ENDA and Hate Crimes into law and at least had hearings on DADT repeal by Election Day 2010, I’ll be voting for somebody, anybody, else.
3. Anyone who still gives money to HRC and thinks that they are in any way advancing LGBT equality is delusional.
schlukitz
Brian No. 54:
Your post reminded me of SWhall I Tell You What I Think of You from Anna and the King of Siam.
Your majesty,
Shall It tell you what I think of you?
You’re spoiled!
You’re a conscientious worker
But your spoiled.
Giving credit where it’s due
There is much I like in you
But it’s also very true
That your spoiled!
Everybody’s always bowing
To the King
Everybody has to grovel
To the King.
By your Buddha you are blessed
By your ladies you’re caressed,
But the one who loves you best is the King.
All that bowing and kow-towing
To remind you of your royalty,
I find a most disgusting exhibition.
I wouldn’t ask a Siamese cat
To demonstrate his loyalty
By taking this ridiculous position
How would you like it if you were a man
Playing the part of a toad.
Crawling around on your elbows and knees.
Eating the dust of the road!…
Toads! Toads! All of your people are toads!
Yes, Your Majesty; No, Your Majesty.
Tell us how low to go, Your Majesty;
Make some more decrees, Your Majesty,
Don’t let us up off out knees, Your Majesty.
Give us a kick, if you please Your Majesty
Give us a kick, if you would, Your Majesty-
Oh, That was good, Your Majesty!
Brian
Great Post #58 schlukitz.
I agree, the groveling to Commander Fucktard is disgusting. He works for us, remember?
I am also reminded of the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes:
from Wikipedia:
“An emperor of a prosperous city who cares more about clothes than military pursuits or entertainment hires two swindlers who promise him the finest suit of clothes from the most beautiful cloth. This cloth, they tell him, is invisible to anyone who was either stupid or unfit for his position. The Emperor cannot see the (non-existent) cloth, but pretends that he can for fear of appearing stupid; his ministers do the same. When the swindlers report that the suit is finished, they dress him in mime. The Emperor then goes on a procession through the capital showing off his new “clothes”. During the course of the procession, a small child cries out, “the emperor has no clothes!” The crowd realizes the child is telling the truth. The Emperor, however, holds his head high and continues the procession.”
Kurt_Miller
As Commander-in-Chief, President Obama can issue an executive order to United States Armed Forces to stop investigating, enforcing, and prosecuting DADT victims.
But, this is what you get when you elect a pandering bobble-head with zero experience to be president.
Chuck
I thought it was Obama’s best speech ever. If we get hate crime protection this week and ENDA before Christmas, what’s not to like? I think we must consider that everything is taking a long time now in D.C. – we are not being singled out.
My take home message is, redouble our support of Obama, and redirect full support to people like Allen Grayson who are willing to take a public stand against Republican b@stards. Also, we need to keep our momentum going and ORGANIZE. Gays bring nothing but benefits to places we congregate. Take a look at conservative bastions and make an effort to boycott places like Cincinnati which is the headquarters of Boehner, McConnell, Mean Jean Schmidt, and worst of the worst Mike Pence – who last week said beating up gay people was protected as freedom of speech.
SteamPunk
Hi Susan Russell (No. 23), that’s a cool quote. I’ve been wanting to go to that church but Pasadena is a bit far for me 🙂
Forrest
Is it just me or do the HRC logos looming all over Obama look downright Orwellian? Very creepy from my vantage point.
The failure to mention our raging current battles in WA state and Maine was very dissapointing.
If the political calculus was fear that mentioning it would galvinize our opposition, I think that would have been offset by a strong statement of support by the President not to take away rights from fellow Americans.
Another missed opportunity.
Among many others.
Mark
I guess the gays who never had a civics class have to be reminded that Obama is part of what’s called the Executive Branch. He doesn’t MAKE law. He suggests/asks/demands it and the LEGISLATIVE branch makes the law – or they don’t – which the President signs – if the legislative branch complies.
There. Is that clear yet?
The Gay Numbers
Reading all the comments, it really does sadly come down to there being some people here who hate themselves on some level so they are happy with anything they are given. It is sad and really pathetic. Post after post of “wow he noticed me. OH THANK GOD HE NOTICED! THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE HE NOTICED ME!” It is just so sad. Feel free to keep convincing yourself this is about ‘reality.” This is not about reality. This is about your emotions. You feel good because the President of the U.S., for once, did not ignore you.
The Gay Numbers
By the way, the only other group of posters are shills for the President. how do I know? they are using arguments one can find throwout the internet whenever President Obama is criticized for anything. The same exact talking points about how President Obama has no power, for example, to affect Congress. The same talking point about “civics lessons.” I hope you people are paid to go on various sites to say the same catch phrases over and over.
Ian
RE: The Gay Numbers
I’ve read all your comments and I understand your frustration. We’ve all had a tough go in this society and it’s inequality towards LGBT Americans. But seriously a little advice, to keep crying out ‘conspiracy theory’ about other posters repeatedly just makes me want to say, “Get down off that crucifix dear, as somebody needs the wood.” We are working together as best as such a diverse group can, it’s not always perfect, but it’s what we got.
Old Timer
The fact that the HRC attendees gay the Commander in Chief a standing ovation is mind-numbing. He can’t issue an executive order to stop dumping gay vets on their ass? He can’t tell get a simply REPEAL to the floor of Congress?
The question, Brian, is whether you want symbolism or whether you want real change that lasts. No doubt about it, Obama could sign a stop-loss order, and (maybe*) get DADT and DOMA to the floors of the House and Senate quickly.
(*maybe, because Congress has a funny way of wanting to do things on its own schedule.)
But if he does those things now, chances are that Congress will not repeal the laws. If he signs a stop-loss order without paving the way for the change within the military, then the commanders who will testify in Congress in the hearings will probably call the issue a distraction from the more important business of running two wars, and DADT will not be repealed.
But you will have your symbolism, and won’t that just be grand.
Reading all the comments, it really does sadly come down to there being some people here who hate themselves on some level so they are happy with anything they are given. It is sad and really pathetic. Post after post of “wow he noticed me. OH THANK GOD HE NOTICED! THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE HE NOTICED ME!” It is just so sad. Feel free to keep convincing yourself this is about ‘reality.” This is not about reality. This is about your emotions. You feel good because the President of the U.S., for once, did not ignore you.
Child, don’t tell me that I hate myself because I’m willing to give President Obama more than nine months on our agenda, and don’t tell me I hate myself because I respond favorably to a speech by the same president that sweepingly embraced not just our goals and ideals, but us as people.
What you’re hearing from me isn’t self hatred, kid. It’s maturity, and perspective. See, some of us are from places and have seen things that you apparently can’t imagine. When you’ve had your head kicked in for being gay, a hate crimes law isn’t something to ignore, and neither is a president who says, in effect, “You are one of us.”
I want DOMA and DADT repealed just as badly as you do. Maybe more so, because I am willing to forego empty symbolism and cheap potshots and keep my fuckin’ eyes on the goddamned prize. You might give it a try too.
Jim
Wow Mark – thanks for the civics lesson. You make a good, if condecending, point. However as the commander in chief he CAN issue a stop loss order and halt the effect of DADT right now – today. Has he? As head of the executive brandch he can order his Justice Department to no longer defend DOMA. Has he? No Obama’s Justice Department – that Fierce Advocate we all should pin all of our hopes on – equated us to pedophiles and incest.
With friends like him who nees the republicans?
The Gay Numbers
Ian
A piece advice back to you: Calling it a conspiracy theory to point out that bloggers online maybe talking to each other on various blogs is just a way for you to demonize me. All one has to do is shout conspiracy, and the assumption is that the debate is over. That’s not going to happen.
My point, which I made clearly, so I must assume you are just trying to demonize me is that there are quite a few Obama supporters who congregate and coordinate amongst themselves online. Many groups do this. Gay groups, Christians and Obama supporters. For example, during Prop 8, several Christian groups actively discussed going onto progressive blogs to push forward their agenda when the issue came up.
Indeed, Obama has an organization dedicated to his online supporter. It does not take a vast conspiracy for some of them to come together informally to have the same talking points in the same places that they congregate online, and then repeat those talking points. What gives it away is the exact same wording over and over again. Google the phrase “civic lesson” “President Obama” and legislation. See how many times that phrase is used repeatedly in connection with someone scolding PResident Obama dissenters. It takes no vast conspiracy to realize this behavior comes from Obama supporters congregating online and forming talking points from talking to each other. Unless you are saying you don’t think people of like mind talk to each other? in which case I would ask why are you here since this is a site of people who are gay talking to each other.
PopSnap
Oh, we will certainly get the Hate Crimes bill and ENDA by the 2010 midterms. The only thing that worries me is if we see a repeat of 1993 and Congress is retaken by the Republicans. Could they have enough steam to repeal both the Matthew Shepard & ENDA bills? What does it take to repeal a bill? Don’t you need a 3/4 majority? I’m not quite in the know on issues such as these.
But, then again, its still a big “if”. The right-wingers in this country are mostly relegated to the South, and make up about 30% of the nation. Enough to make a shitload of insane noise, but not quite enough to retake the government single-handedly.
Ian
TGN:
Wow, just wow. Now I am one in on the conspiracy as I am now “not gay” eh? Even after my comment #11. Someone seriously needs to stop with the all-day ‘X-Files’ marathons, or even better get away from their computer, get outside, and get an appointment to get some therapy.
The Gay Numbers
Oh, and Ian, the “civic lessons” is problematic because they often use the phrase in such a way that seeks to limit what are the traditional powers of the presidency. Most of it comes down to pretending President Obama has no influence at all over Congress or he’s just a victim of the system. Way, way, way too many people making this exact same obviously flawed ‘civics’ argument again and again for it to be chance that they are not picking it up somewhere.
The Gay Numbers
Ian
Actually Ian, you only serve to prove a point about your attempts to demonize. What I said was that you are basically someone who is a clear Obama supporter trying to demonize me for pointing out that you and other Obama supporter congregate online.
Are you again, seriously arguing that you do not discuss these issues with other Obama supporters? That does not require a vast conspiracy, but we are now in the lying portion of the conversation where you can not even admit that you talk to other Obama supporters.
The crazy part is you think you really are going to demonize me. It is not going to happen. I am being incredibly clear here. Your attempts to lie about what I am writing is going to challenged each time you write your lies. The point again is that you and other Obama supporters in talking to each other have talking points- this being one of them- that you repeat on other sites.
Again, the false “civics lesson” being just one that I have seen repeated again and again.
Old Timer
Most of it comes down to pretending President Obama has no influence at all over Congress or he’s just a victim of the system. Way, way, way too many people making this exact same obviously flawed ‘civics’ argument again and again for it to be chance that they are not picking it up somewhere.
I haven’t “picked up” any arguments from anywhere. I worked on Capitol Hill for five years. I have a good idea how the system works. The old phrase: “The president proposes, Congress disposes.” You seem to think that Obama can snap his fingers and get these laws repealed.
I’m telling you — not suggesting, but telling you — that you don’t know a single thing about how it actually works. Instead of rejecting civics lessons, you should be studying civics. If you don’t know how the system works, ask someone who does. Obama cannot singlehandedly repeal DOMA or DADT, and presidents don’t get everything they want.
Don’t believe it? Ask Bush about his privatized Social Security, or ask Clinton about his health care plan or his wish to lift the ban on gays in the military. There are all kinds of things that even the most popular presidents don’t get.
The Gay Numbers
I want to make this shorter:
What Ian is calling a conspiracy is that I am saying that Obama supporters congregegate and talk to each and read each others postings online. That’s the “vast conspiracy” that requires X-file like interactions rather than just like minded people, like say on a gay blog, congregating and talking to each other.
The Gay Numbers
Old Timer. You should have quit at posting about feeling good over having a President recognize you. Now, of course, you admit you are something more than that. You can lecture as much as you want, and hope in a Fox/Rove like way that you will win this debate through repeating talking points and lying, but it is all you are doing is repeating talking points and lying. You have an easier job than me because lying is easy, but you are lying. I am not going to get into a debate over your lying about your version of “civics.” I will simply point out what you are doing and hope others will check up on your false version of “civics.”
Old Timer
Frankly, if there’s any groupthink going on, it’s coming from the Drama Club contingent that hosted this useless, counterproductive march.
Old Timer
@Gay Numbers, speaking of numbers, your group got 20,000 stragglers to Washington, D.C., which is completely insignicant. Funny thing, though, is that if half of them had gone to Maine and the other half to Washington State to work on the marriage and civil unions ballot questions, they could have really made a difference.
But see, “making a difference” isn’t what the Drama Club is about. What you’re about is re-staging the high school “Flashdance” production, in a new form, forever. It’s all about how you feel, about the buzz. It’s not about knowing anything, or doing anything. It’s about feeding your nerve endings and nothing more.
Your response to me, which wasn’t to engage me on the substance but to denigrate the idea of knowing the “civics” side, and to accuse me of lying — without even bothering to back up your accusations — is indicative of the Drama Club’s approach. It’s all about your feelings. Which, along with $2, will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
The Gay Numbers
You just keep telling on yourself Old Timer. I do not have a group. I am not involved in the march. I am not operating off of talking points like yourself. And, I am not going to be manipulated by your attempts at distraction. Everything you write due to the way that you write it only confirms my theory about who you are and the several other trolls posting here. Too many talking points. Down to the last post.
The Gay Numbers
Oh, and for those who are curious- the estimated crowd for the National March which I just checked due to Old Timers talking point is — 250,000.
As I said, Old Timer, you keep telling on yourself. If you had not made an effort to low ball the number to such a degree, I would have been curious enough to actually check the number. It is interesting you low balled it so much. It tells me you are what I think you are- a troll with talking points.
Old Timer
the estimated crowd for the National March which I just checked due to Old Timers talking point is — 250,000.
Bullshit. You are forgetting that your little shindig was covered on CSPAN. Your “250,000 people” barely made it past the reflecting pool in back of the Capitol. Your attempts at inflating the numbers are pathetic.
Andrew
ABC News said 25,000. We should wait for an aerial photo. Organizers are famous for exaggerating crowd estimates. The West Lawn at the Capitol hold about 50,000 people. Maybe some of the people who attended can tell us if the area was full.
PopSnap
Since my post was covered up by two people quabbling over the internet, I’ll repost my questions here.
Oh, we will certainly get the Hate Crimes bill and ENDA by the 2010 midterms. The only thing that worries me is if we see a repeat of 1993 and Congress is retaken by the Republicans. Could they have enough steam to repeal both the Matthew Shepard & ENDA bills? What does it take to repeal a bill? Don’t you need a 3/4 majority? I’m not quite in the know on issues such as these.
But, then again, its still a big “if”. The right-wingers in this country are mostly relegated to the South, and make up about 30% of the nation. Enough to make a shitload of insane noise, but not quite enough to retake the government single-handedly.
Old Timer
Andrew, it was on CSPAN. This was a small crowd. The only way it could have been the 250,000 claimed by “The Gay Numbers” is if the counter was whacked out on some really strong drugs. Hmm.
Tartuffe
I’ll believe in his promises when he actually delivers on them. That’s just the reality of politics..
The Gay Numbers
I saw your question Pop. No one is obligated to answer you. First, structurally it does not take 3/4 to repeal. it is same process for repealing a bill as passing one.
The problem with your question is that it is fear based guess work. What do you want me or anyone else to say? Yes, the sky could fall chicken little?
So, yes, things could go bad, but for what you describe to happen it will not matter on gay rights issues since that would mean that the Democrats lost for a lot of other reasons.
No one in 2010 will be voting on DADT repeal as their choice issue. Indeed, given the 80 percent support for repeal it will not be a factor for even most Republicans.
There are “small” things like the economy that will determine that, and that will come down to the same pussy footing and granny riding 20 miles per hour in a 75 mile hour lane that President Obama has been playing since Jan 2009.
Things like the lack of a large enough stimulus to get job growth happening, an inadequate health care bill and a failure to address the lack of credit (which is harming the growth of business) will have far more impact on the midterms than anything we are discussing here. The problem is that it is not just on gay rights where Pres Obama and the Democrats are falling short. It is a whole variety of things.
That being said, it does not mean gay rights are not critically important. It just means it will not determine what will happen next year. The only way we are important in that regard is that PRes Obama’s behavior here is like a canary in the coalmine about how he handles all issues- with a level of caution that verges on dangerous. We may face 10 percent unemployment next year because we have a PResident who was more concerned with convincing conservatives to like him than he was about making sure he was enacting the right policy. In fairness to him, this is because he is surrounded by Clintonites. But at the end of the day, the buck stops with him regarding his administration. And, as for Congress, remember most of these people are children of Reagan. They came into politics while conservatives were at the top so they are used to cowering to the right.
If it makes you feel any better, there is very little chance of the GOP taking over next year. The numbers simply are not ther ein either the house of Senate. What is more likely to happen is that the Dems may lose 10 to 20 House Seats and 2 or 3 Senate seats when the tally is complete.
The Gay Numbers
Actually Old Timer- I got the numbers from Joe my God. So the numbers could be wrong. the difference between you and i is that I am not trying to spin or convince anyone that I am right on every point. Or in your case, lying to win arguments by calling people you don’t like names. The reality is that I did not think the march was a good idea. That was my personal views. I did not feel the need to put the marchers down, however, for doing something that I did not want to do. Only HRC peo like you and Frank shit on other people as a way of retaining your own warped sense o fpower.
The Gay Numbers
By the way POp- it is more likely also that if we do lose Democrats, they will be conservative Democrats since those districts are more vulnerable. We may end up with a more l iberal congress after next year with a small loss than we have right now,b ut that will depend on if we lose any seat, and how those loses are spun.
Old Timer
I just checked Joe.My.God’s site (which I like in general), and it called the 250,000 number unsubstantiated and sourced from Twitter, which means unsourced. All you have to do is watch the coverage on CSPAN, and it’s obvious that this was a very small gathering relative to the exaggerated promotion.
This has nothing to do with putting the marchers down, per se, as much as it looks like it. This is about telling the truth. You never get anywhere without telling the truth. Barney Frank was right. This was a waste of time. Those people should have been in Maine and Washington State, where they were needed and where they could have made a real difference.
Brian Miller
Please drop the nonsensical “lectures on civics,” please.
When campaign contributors like massive brokerages and major corporations wanted $1 trillion in bailouts, the federal government got them passed — despite 70% opposition from the citizens — within 48 hours.
Yet the constitutional rights of LGBT Americans have been consistently violated. And you’re trying to argue that the same guys who got $1 trillion for their contributor buddies in a matter of hours are constrained by “how fast” the LGBT movement, which has been active for over 40 years in the USA, wants to see their constitutional rights respected? That a political party with a supermajority in both houses of the legislature and the presidency “just can’t get it done?”
Nonsense.
Do you know why the failed companies got their $1 trillion? Because they picked up the phone and called their reps and said “hey, it will be hard for you to win the next election without our support and campaign contributions.”
Guess what — the same is true with us. If LGBT voters stay away from the polls, stay home on election day, and keep their checkbooks closed, Democratic Party power ends instantly. If we convince our families and friends to join in the boycott, the Democratic Party collapses to rump party status.
Enough bullshit and negotiation. We’ve been playing the DNC’s nonsense game for TWO DECADES and have nothing but DOMA and DADT to show for it.
We should inform TPTB in the Democratic Party that if both laws are not immediately repealed in an omnibus bill passed by the Democratic majority and signed by the Prez, that they should begin packing up their offices to move back home (or for the lucky ones, to the minority party offices in DC).
Enough is enough.
Forrest
Judging from the pans that C-Span did of the crowd it did look rather small to me.
And I tend to think more is accomplished lobbying on the local level than marching. Still I have to say that the speeches did inspire and energize me to do more beyond what I am already involved in.
If viewing the event gave me renewed vigor I can only hope that those who attended in person feel the same and working together nationwide, we can all take it up a level.
Old Timer
Please drop the nonsensical “lectures on civics,” please.
Civics is how you actually get anything done. If the “Equality” march had proven me wrong about it and gotten half a million people to Washington, it’d be one thing. What actually happened was the predictable time-wasting empty symbolic tantrum signifying nothing.
If you actually wanted to do anything, that small crowd would have split itself in two. Half would’ve gone to Maine, and the other half to WA State. They could have made a real difference. But you don’t really want to do anything for anyone. You just want to feel good for an afternoon, thinking that you mattered, which you did not.
If LGBT voters stay away from the polls, stay home on election day, and keep their checkbooks closed, Democratic Party power ends instantly.
To be replaced by what, the Taliban? Oh, I forgot. You don’t care about civics.
We should inform TPTB in the Democratic Party …
All 20,000 of you? Good luck with that. Oops, another civics lesson!
schlukitz
@ No. 88 The Gay Numbers:
Only HRC peo like you and Frank shit on other people as a way of retaining your own warped sense of power.
BRAVO!
If you hadn’t said it, I would have have.
Old Timer is a misanthrope!
Lloyd Baltazar
You can call me racist all you want.
But unless Barackie here ends DADT, gives equal rights to homos JUST AS HE PROMISED, I will not change my tune against his bullshit “change & hope” speeches. PURE BULLSHIT.
I don’t give a cumhole what color his skin is. Neither should you.
So please DONT BE MAD AT ME because the guy cannot get the job done.
It’s called LACK OF WORD OF HONOR. Come back bitching when he actually fulfills his promises to end DADT, give Equal rights and protections to Gay Americans and restore marriage equality for all people.
The Gay Numbers
No Old Timer is just a guy with his talking points. Like I said earlier, these people congregate online, and then go off to spread their b.s. elsewhere. If you want o understand them, think of them as like early Bush supporters. Remember how they thought? They were simply not based in reality. We have Old Time here discussing civics, but then ignoring the basics of politics is pressure and power. That’s what politics is all about. They also work off the same kind of Bush supporter eque frames- if one disagrees with President Obama then they must have been for the march. In actuality, I was against the march because I thought it was poorly planned and the timing was off. It should have been something done in the spring rather than as it was done. But, see, I am one of those people because it allows folks like Old Timer to not debate how dear leader can be in error. The reality is that it is not about this march. It is not about the numbers in the march. This article was about a leader who has made promises but is not making any concrete proposals for how he will accomplish the goals. It would be like going to a bank by saying I want money to start a business, but not offering anything for how to make money off the business other than repeating over an dover again “I want to start a business.” I suppose if someone is desperate for banking customers to take out a loan that may sound wonderful, but to those less desperate, it seems a little bit short on details. Remember, that’s the debate here- that President Obama is not offering any new details. But, for people like Old Timer, it is about his talking points and attempts to derail the conversation.
Old Timer
We have Old Time here discussing civics, but then ignoring the basics of politics is pressure and power. That’s what politics is all about.
Yeah, and the power is in numbers. Which the Equality march didn’t have in the context of Washington, D.C., but which it did have if the same people had actually wanted to really DO anything. You know, by going to ME or WA to work on the ballot questions.
But that’s not where you’re at. Your deal is the drama. Have the illusion of effectiveness. Wow, we made speeches in front of the Capitol! Didn’t matter that no one was inside, and that if they had been inside they wouldn’t have cared anyway. You were at the Capitol!
Chuck
When you guys are hired to write Obama’s speeches, then you can complain if he doesn’t say what you wrote; until then, shut the hell up already!
The Gay Numbers
Old Timer
The article is about President Obama, not the march. You keep discussing the march to change the subject through hijacking. You are not the first Obamabot to do this. I doubt you will be the last. Like the talking points over “civics lessons,” hijacking comments sections that criticize President Obama is also a common tactic.
The Gay Numbers
Chuck- simple answer: No I am not going to shut up, and no, I am not going to let your cult of personality talk over me.
Brian
Many gay activists are still the ugly girls at the dance standing in the corner, waiting to get a glance from their favorite football player. It is like they are all that character on “Welcome to the Dollhouse,” waiting, waiting and waiting some more.
They are victims of flattery. Straight guys do this thing when they go to a club. It called the wingman. One guy goes up to the pretty girl, while his friend goes to the ugly girl, and pretends to be interested in her while his friend gets all the action. The ugly girl no one wants to dance with gets all the flattery and attention, while the real business of the friends happens with the pretty girl. TIME FOR GAYS TO DUMP OBAMA AND LEAVE THE CLUB.
The Obama supporters buy every one of his tired lines, “See, I don’t make the laws, I only sign the bills.” Or here is a good one, “I promise I will call.” Then he goes back to his friend, “Yea, I promised to call, but I didn’t say when!”
Brian
Gay people have had their self-esteem drop so low, that they have lost all connections with their balls.
This commander in chief permits gay vets to be THROWN OUT of the military on his watch in a time of war. It is wrong on so many levers, it should make every self-respecting gay person want to puke — really.
But no. He gets standing ovation and cheers, up and down, up and down they go. This is the discriminatory goverment they are cheering. Stop being a law clerk or a civics professor, and start acting like a man.
Daniel
Obama said “Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach.”
He is a student of constitutional law. He knows all the founders said the American people would destroy the country by turning constitutions into despotism – benefiting only some Americans at the expense of others. Obama knows they were correct about their prediction. The evidence is 30 states with constitutional amendments that write gay people out of democracy. The evidence is national laws that write gay people out of equal protection under law; without equal protection, democracy is dead in the USA just like the founders said it would be. Obama cannot alter the ending of a country where most voters willfully voted to end the basic concept of equal protection under law. No president has that power. The stark reality is that in 30 states and the ones with laws that block equal protection gay people owe as much allegiance as jews owed germans during WWII. You cannot maintain a nation when the majority of citizens cannot even explain the basic elements of a democracy like equal protection under law. A handful of states still have democracies – the rest are as despotic as places like Iran.
Old Timer
TIME FOR GAYS TO DUMP OBAMA AND LEAVE THE CLUB.
And go where, pray tell?
The Gay Numbers
Thanks for confirming Old Timer once again that you are nothing but some troll with a new screen name. And, by the way, at 7 percent of the electoral vote by 2015- the question Democrats such as yourself should be asking is not where the gays will go, but what it means if they do not vote for Democrats. Right now, we have nothing to lose but promises from the Democrats. On the other hand, Democrats have elections to lose at the national level from refusing to act on their promises. It is a simple matter of stats. If we are 7 percent of the electoral votes, then in close elections you need us. BUt ignorant little self hating queens like yourself don’t realize that yet. Or may byou do, and you are just in it for your self.
Old Timer
Gays are 7% of vote? Is that like the Equality march with 250,000 people? Oh please.
schlukitz
Numbers, why are you letting this cock-knocker bait you like this?
Ignore the schmuck. You are giving him the very thing he wants.
Attention.
The Gay Numbers
Thanks for bringing me to my senses Schlukitz. I agree. I will ignore him.
dane
oh shut up queerty and get over yourselves. lets all try to be a tad more cynical.
You don’t even report news.
Old Timer
Well of course. Talk only to yourselves. It’s what you’ve been doing all along, isn’t it?
schlukitz
Glad to be of service, Numbers. 😀
There is a wonderful old expression that I love.
“Keep your head while all those around you are losing theirs.”
I get this hilarious image in my head of a bunch of idiot trolls running around in circles while their heads roll on the lawn like cabbages.
This site quote, more often than not, looks precisely like that. 😀
The Gay Numbers
Yeah-Schlukitz, I skimmed through some of the posts. As I said, you are completely right. Time for me to bow out of the discussion with this person.
blackjack44
@lucas Mariani i couldnt agree more. come on Queerty, when has a president ever even pledged to do this much for gays let alone speak out or not try to take away rights? sounds like you guys need to hire a few new writers to make this blog a little more “fair and balanced”
The Gay Numbers
Yes, fair and balance is agreeing with cynical views that we should accept President’s lying to us as no big deal. And people wonder how we got Bush.
Herbert Wassinger
OBAMA stuck with his decision to have RICK WARREN deliver the invocation at his inauguration AFTER it was explained what that meant to gay Americans.
And you are SURPRISED that he is not too fierce for us???
Joey Delfino
Really, all this applause for him throughout the speech? Congratulations, HRC, you just bought another load of bullshit from our country’s most eloquent fertilizer salesman.
The gay community needs to realize that our rights have become a political card for both parties, republicans earn votes for saying they oppose them, and democrats earn votes for saying they support then, however neither have done anything either way. The real strides in both directions have been made by matters put to localized votes within the states by the citizens of the states.
If we expect progress from Washington, we need to have a not so peaceful protest. Get loud, and make them think that if progress does not come NOW, there will be riots all across America.