And here's the list of the guests invited to the WH Stonewall reception

is this the list...

of people invited, or those who were invited and decided to attend?

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 19:29:24 PM CDT

I was wondering that

I thought that Lt. Feherbach was invited, did he decline. The elected officials are staying away, it seems, and no Anthony Woods?

No Keith Boykin?

No Pam Spaulding? (lol)

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 19:33:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Turn on MSNBC now...

Fehrenbach is on, and he's saying Obama promised to "resolve" DADT. However, he did NOT guarantee it would be done before he's supposed to go on trial for discharge. Grrr...

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 20:08:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Fehrenbach

was NOT allowed to wear his uniform, even though he is still on active duty.  A gratuitous insult to all of us, IMHO.

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by: TomTallis @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 04:17:18 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

At least some of them were allowed to bring a guest....

....Lt. Col. Fehrenbach was supposed to be SLDN's head Aubrey Sarvis's plus one.

Andy Towle was invited by someone else on the list.

Anthony Woods is having a fundraiser for his Congressional campaign in SF tonight.

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by: Michael Bedwell @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 20:28:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

corrected headline

The release said "List of invited guests at the LGBT event in the East Room" so it's not clear who did make it to today's event.

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by: Pam Spaulding @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 19:35:20 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yay!!!!

Its a fully inclusive list!!!

Visit http://www.thespectrumcafe.com to see the T put back into LGBT news.

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by: ynsaen @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 19:30:41 PM CDT

Not entirely ...

Um, actually they forgot to invite anyone from any bisexual organizations, as is usual due to bi erasure, but when that oversight was pointed out Robyn Ochs and her wife were invited. I don't know if it was a similar story with the T's or not.

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by: Estraven @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 21:28:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

No Andrew Sullivan either?

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 19:34:15 PM CDT

State Senator Scott Dibble

is a fantastic state senator from Minnesota. I'm pretty sure no David Dibble exists.  

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by: Populista @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 19:42:29 PM CDT

State Senator D. Scott Dibble

His full name is David Scott Dibble. He has gone by Scott Dibble for as long as i can remember, and on most official papers he goes by D. Scott Dibble. I guess the clerk compiling the list just overlooked that tidbit.

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by: BenDibble @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 22:32:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Wanted to see Rev. Al Sharpton

Guess he wasn't important enough.  Julian Bond, say who?

Same-Sex Marriage is good for the economy.

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by: CharlesMerrill @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 19:42:33 PM CDT

Rev Al ....

is in CA mourning with the Jacksons.

Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar. - Edward R Murrow

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by: Lyndon @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 21:34:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

all I wanna know is...

Who "quacked" him???
Hahaha! Whoever did is my new hero,lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
If nothing else, this event commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots is notable for one thing, and one thing only. It marked the birth of the "quack" as a form of protest. Viva la QUAAAAAACCCKKKKK!
Quack on!
I hope all homophobic anti marriage equality folks get "quacked" until the end of time. Made my day!

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by: Solanas @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 19:47:59 PM CDT

*quack quack*

http://www.politico.com/largev...

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by: Solanas @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 19:51:25 PM CDT

So were they allowed...

To ask President Obama questions? And were they able to talk with him about a real timeline to fulfill all these promises?

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 20:05:24 PM CDT

No

It was a like a wine and cheese at an art gallery. Polite conversation. Meaningless.  

Same-Sex Marriage is good for the economy.

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by: CharlesMerrill @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 20:16:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Then what was the point?

We shouldn't be "celebrating" with pointless "wine & cheese socials". We should be raising hell until we achieve full equality!

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 20:34:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The point is to silence us

Nothing is accomplished when every one goes home from the President's party as compassionate slaves. It's about our civil rights, not making friends at the White House.  I don't care if Brian Bond was a rural gay kid from Missouri and now has an important job at the White House. Hope he is impressed by his position, but I am not.

Same-Sex Marriage is good for the economy.

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by: CharlesMerrill @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 21:10:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Talk is cheap

Action is what counts. I'm still waiting to start the count.

Cause any fool knows, a dog needs a home; a shelter from pigs on the wing

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by: QueerInSoCal @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 20:23:11 PM CDT

Diversity?

I don't know if it's just what the camera saw. But several on Twitter mentioned that it looked awfully white (enough that white people noticed).

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by: GrrrlRomeo @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 20:36:34 PM CDT

Not Invited

Looking at the list is interesting.  

I notice I was not invited. This year I am the only transgender person running for public office.  The 57th largest city in the U.S. (same size as Pittsburg or Cinci).

Oh well maybe next year or whenever.

Pam,
J'aime ma Peau

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by: Blonde Pam @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 20:55:21 PM CDT

Dr Beyer is on the list

though she is HRC connected so that may make it easier for the admin to include a trans person, possessing HRC creds

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 09:01:34 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Other well-known Ts attending were......

Mara Keisling, NCTE
Shannon Minter, NCLR
both are obvious choices as "ex officio" invitees heading important organizations

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by: NancyP @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 23:18:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Spell the name right

Frank K-a-m-e-n-y. You'd think that since he came in for special mention, they could at least spell his name right on the invitation list.

No one from three of the marriage equality states, either: Iowa, Vermont and Maine. Vermont has at least FIVE state legislators who are gay or lesbian, two of whom have been in the legislature for years. Maine has several gay legislators who came out on the floor of the House when their marriage equality bill was debated and passed.

I read Obama's remarks: all rhetoric, no substance. More pats on the head, there there, just you wait a little more, here's a lollipop. I cast an electoral college vote for Obama. Disappointed much? hell yeah. Fierce advocate? Not that I'm seeing. Everything he's done on LGBT issues has been all symbolic -- show, not substance.

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by: Astra Borealis @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 21:04:55 PM CDT

Notes from a friend... with which I agree.

"If you listen to the President's rhetoric, you hear carefully constructed phrases that state clearly that we are NOT worthy of expending political capital."

You hear a challenge to keep trying via demonstration...but he won't lift a finger to help.

Also noting that this pic of first couple look like TWO persons who do NOT want to be there. It looks like they are hosting a consitutency that could make their tenure in the Whitehouse a four year one."

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 21:09:55 PM CDT

I am also noticing

a very uncharacteristic distance between the two (and I've observed taem for years in similar setups).

I honestly can't tell if Michelle is with him or if she thinks that Barcak is being an ass.

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 21:16:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I've observed them for years!

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 21:17:10 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Just posting this somewhere else...

..and I want to say loudly:  DONT WORRY FOLKS, IT AINT CATCHING!

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

---

by: Orion45 @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 21:35:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yeah.

My first thought is that they're in the middle of a marital fight.  It's like before the event she found a pair of his socks next to the couch for the Nth time.

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by: TrumpetDC @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 21:18:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I would like to be hopeful

Perhaps Michelle has been upset at him because he has become a WIMP in his leadership efforts for GLBT equality.  Perhaps she did get upset at him and told him he's being a jerk in how he is handling this last civil rights issue.

something is going on ... and doesn't look pretty.

Meanwhile, I did notice mostly men and whites.

And what's up with the APPLAUSE?  What the heck is wrong with those people attending.  It seems that they are happy with CRUMBS.  Truly their clapping was embarrassing.

ACTIONS are more important than Obama's empty words.

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by: Juan @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 09:44:17 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

notable absences on the list

A friend and I were chatting about this...

People of note not invited:

Evan Wolfson from Marriage Equality

Geoff Korrs from Equality California

David Mixner

Richard Socarides

Mary Bonauto of GLAD

My friend noted that Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council was given an invite to a prior WH gathering of faith based folks, but none of the above people were to this one. So much for reasoned dissenters being invited to an LGBT event, but the red carpet is rolled out to the religious anti-gays in the name of "outreach."  

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by: Pam Spaulding @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 21:34:58 PM CDT

Homophobia is an acceptable prejudice in the Obama White House

I've said that repeatedly. Once you accept that premise, so many of the President's actions and policies make sense

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 09:11:23 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

they could have attended as plus 1's

But it is curious that the people who have spoken out criticizing the administration were not invited.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Mad Professah Lectures http://madprofessah.com
"In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell

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by: Mad Professah @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 09:59:11 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I am leaving this comment blank in solidarity with trans women for the silencing of their voices by <A HREF="http://www.pamshouseblend.com">Pam's House Blend</A>

Shutting down dissent is not "Progressive."

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by: sdakgrl @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 00:01:26 AM CDT

threadjacking

Threadjacking to reopen a discussion on a contentious matter is inappropriate. Consider that notice. Take it into the chat room.

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by: Pam Spaulding @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 08:04:25 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

This was an opiate for A-list gays

It is the Administration attempting to silence radicalism an select our recognised leaders hand-picked for compliance by them...

Question is, are we so very indolent to accept this or do we continue to radicalise?

Be warned, if we do accept this, he can walk over us again...next week he will probably be hosting the religious right and they will get promises, money and photo ops.

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 14:01:19 PM CDT

The Two-Thousand Year Religious Reich sees the gathering as sinister

From Dallas-Fort Worth Catholic:

Naperville, IL (MetroCatholic) -  Americans For Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH) warns that President Obama will likely renew his radical promises to homosexual activists today at a White House "Pride Month" reception -- promises that, if fulfilled, will undermine the freedoms of the majority of Americans who affirm marriage and healthy, time-tested Judeo-Christian sexual values in their daily lives.
This afternoon, President Obama will meet with homosexual and transsexual activists at a "Reception for LGBT Pride Month." AFTAH President Peter LaBarbera reminds voters that Obama has no mandate for his comprehensive "gay" agenda, since these agenda items were barely discussed in the general election campaign:

A list follows of LGBT rights issues and LGBT political appointments and how they are evil.

Thank you so much Catholic Diocese of DFW.
Keep in mind that when the fundies come after you, we will already be gone.....

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 14:10:34 PM CDT