Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Something to keep our spirits up as we await on New York

There have been so many rumors floating about today as to what is going on about the New York marriage equality vote, and all of them positive.

I won't speculate on them. I just want to leave you with these two videos to lift your spirits:






We've come a long way, brothers and sisters.


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NOMbies gloating before vote even happens and other Wednesday midday news briefs

Six GLAAD board members step down over AT&T flap, but not former AT&T employee Coronado - I'm not usually for one about who is or isn't a part of "Gay,Inc." but what's happening here is a damn shame and is a reason why it's so hard for us to gain equality.

NOM hubris gone wild: Org's Thomas Peters claims NY marriage win - Christian people don't get cocky. But NOM certainly is by declaring that they won in New York BEFORE the vote has even been taken. BTW the column has now been taken down.

Time To Put Things In Perspective: Elections Have Consequences - We need to remember these days come 2012.

Kevin Jennings Is Right: Sean Hannity Failed - Give it up Hannity. You lost this one. Deal with it.

Barber: Right Wing Watch Are Creepy Cyberstalkers!- This from a guy who visited my blog over 60 times in one day.


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Dear President Obama - open your mouth about gay equality!

 The vote on marriage equality in New York is today. I pray that it turns out successfully for our community.

 In light of President Obama's incredibly slow process to fully embrace lgbtq equality, I've caught some criticism from some of my lgbtq compadres, including a very manic person calling me an Uncle Tom for my considered praise of Obama (ponder that one at your own peril). But still I am steadfast in my support of Obama.

However . . .

The brotha is gonna really need to step up and comment on lgbtq equality. Whether the marriage equality bill in New York passes today (and it really needs to) or not, Obama is going to have address the situation, particularly because he will be speaking at a lgbt fundraising dinner in New York on Thursday.

Equality Matters's Kerry Eleveld said it best:

He can’t avoid the subject altogether. Can you imagine the headlines? Obama Rains on Gay Parade. POTUS O-bombs In New York. Obama’s Not-So-Fierce Fundraiser. Ok, true enough, all those apply even if he mentions marriage equality at the dinner but doesn’t come out in favor of it.

So let’s assume he does talk about marriage, civil unions, relationship recognition – call it what you will. Here’s the thing, it will be devilishly difficult even for our pitch-perfect president to effuse enough lofty rhetoric to obscure the elephant in the room.

The last time Obama addressed a massive LGBT fundraiser was at a Human Rights Campaign Gala in October of 2009. That speech, most certainly, was the starting point for the president’s speech writers as they eyed his Thursday predicament.

“It is no secret that issues of great concern to gays and lesbians are ones that raise a great deal of emotion in this country,” Obama told the audience in ‘09. “But these issues also go to the heart of who we are as a people. Are we a nation that can transcend old attitudes and worn divides? Can we embrace our differences and look to the hopes and dreams that we share? Will we uphold the ideals on which this nation was founded: that all of us are equal, that all of us deserve the same opportunity to live our lives freely and pursue our chance at happiness? I believe we can; I believe we will."
Hmmm… where can he go from here on Thursday? Seriously. It’s hard to imagine. I believe we can, I believe we will… but sorry, I just need a little more time.

Look, everyone knows this is a political calculation. President Obama was for marriage equality as a state senator in 1996 before he was against it as an aspiring presidential candidate in 2004 (the evolution of his positions are traced here). But as he heads into the 2012 election cycle, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for him to have it both ways on same-sex marriage – to carry the magic mantle of hope and change, to appeal to the better angels of our nature, while literally falling behind the trend lines on supporting something as fundamentally American as the expression of our liberty.

In plain English- PRESIDENT OBAMA, OPEN YOUR #&!@^ MOUTH!

Editor's Note - The subject of President Obama and lgbtq equality seems to bring out the wolves so I am telling folks now (and this is a first) feel free to criticize or praise Obama, but any comments simply posted for the purpose of being nasty  at him AND especially me will not be tolerated.


As a matter of fact, allow me to say in advance to those who will call me names - @!&^%!



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