What, you thought America would vote a whole new class of Republicans into D.C.’s chambers of favor-paying and the Human Rights Campaign wouldn’t notice? (Okay, trick question, because that’s a real possibility!) Watching the 112th Congress take the oath of office last week, Joe Solmonese’s magical elves tallied up the voting records and positions of your elected representatives for at least the next two years and confirmed what we all knew to be true: we’re fucked.
No wonder HRC has already thrown in the towel for 2011-12: In the House, there are 225 representative in the “anti-LGBT” category, which is 53 more than the 172 labeled as such in the 111th House, relays Newsweek. And the “pro-LGBTers” are down 29, from 196 to 167. (There are 43 reps with a “mixed” LGBT record, which has to do with Democrats being a bunch of pansies in their support for equality.)
Over in the Senate, some 20 senators scored a “mixed” record, which means the Democrats’ slim 53–47 doesn’t actually translate to a pro-queer roster. In fact, it’s dead even, says HRC, with a 40–40 split for easily identifiable pro- and anti-LGBT lawmakers.
Then again, we all know that when it comes to HRC and doing math, it’s a crapshoot.
Fitz
I’ll try to play the game and pretend that I can see a difference between the people who hate me for being gay and the people who say that they don’t, but whose actions are lacking.
PopSnap
No offense, but… why does this matter at this point? We repealed DADT and passed hate crime legislation. There’s a gay marriage case working its way up through the courts and it is almost 95% guaranteed to win.
Yeah, there’s ENDA but it’s the year 2011. I honestly cant think of a single person off the top of my head who would openly say “Yeah, I would fire somebody for being gay”.
tjr101
I guess congratulations are in order for the gays that voted Republican last November. Now you’re certain to get your “strong national defense” and “fiscal conservatism.” Mission Accomplished!
Red Meat
@tjr101: As if those numbers were big enough to change anything. The Tea Party won because of large fearful (and stupid) heterosexual votes.
Markie-Mark
@tjr101: It’s really stupid of you to blame this on gay people. We just don’t have the numbers to override straight people’s votes. The truth is that if Obama were doing a better job this never would have happened.
tjr101
@Markie-Mark: Of course, everything is Obama’s fault!
CHIP1218
@PopSnap:
There are 29 states where you can be fired and/or not hired just for being gay and you have no legal stand to fight it. It’s only when the corporation’s policy includes sexual orientation non-discrimination, or a local city/county policy enforces non-discrimination, where you don’t have to worry.
Black Pegasus
Queerty spent months demagoguing The Democrats and the President, and now you bitches wanna act surprised???
For Realz?