Obama campaign courts LGBT community with ad buys in TX, OH

How about Equality

rather than some vague reference about creating progress toward equality?

Either we are American citizens who are entitled to equality or we are not.


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 @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 20:41:48 PM CST

what she said

Obama thinks we're second class citizens no matter how many adds he runs.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 11:45:35 AM CST

[ Parent ]

It's a tossup

I like Obama, I like Hillary.

Though I have to think back to how Bill Clinton threw our votes away on DOMA and Don't Ask, Don't Tell...

Hillary has that wall to overcome, Obama has the Donnie McClurkin debacle.

I just guess I have been lied to too many times.  So far I haven't seen any real commitments from Hillary or Barack...

Here is their chance to make me feel safer and to affirm my rights as an American.

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by: bkmn @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 20:41:57 PM CST

Same here

Except I'm not thrilled about either one of them. On the whole I'll have less indigestion voting for Obama in the general than I will Hillary.

Never try to train a pig. It's a waste of time and it annoys the pig.

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by: cali_techie @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 03:05:32 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Hillary posted an open letter on ourchart.com

For those interested here is the link- February 4, 2008
http://www.ourchart.com/node/2...

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by: darlamc @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 20:44:00 PM CST

Obama misrepresented the Constitution

while in Iowa, just before the caucus.

"You want the word marriage and I believe that the issue of marriage has become so entangled - the word marriage has become so entangled with religion - that it makes more sense for me as president, with that authority, to talk about the civil rights that are conferred" with civil unions, Obama said. Individual denominations should make the decisions about what to recognize as a marriage, he said.

As a constitutional scholar, Obama is surely familiar with the 1st Amendment.  He is also surely familiar with the fact that civil marriage is a civil contract, not a sacred one.  I find it sickening that a presidential candidate would fudge the meaning on the 1st Amendment in this way.  It tells me he will uphold and defend the Constitution only where and when it doesn't offend his religious sensibilities or his political ambitions.

and btw, it's all well and good to separate civil marriage/unions from sacred marriage as he wants to do, but only if you are willing to do it for the entire populace. (14th Amendment, anyone?)  Until he and Michelle are willing to replace their civil marriage with a civil union, he's full of crap with this line of reasoning, and undermining 2 Constitutional amendments to support it.  It is shameful.  After reading this statement, I don't care what ads he might run talking about "working towards equality".  He's already shown me that he can't be bothered with full equality for lgbts.

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 20:56:49 PM CST

if he really feels that way. . .

I believe that the issue of marriage has become so entangled - the word marriage has become so entangled with religion - that it makes more sense for me as president, with that authority, to talk about the civil rights that are conferred" with civil unions

He panders when it's convenient.  I'm not gay an I'm offended by this and the fact he'll rely on haters to reach the masses and then, when he's so close he can taste it, he's finally courting LGBT community in a red state.

If the quote above is what he really thinks and he's willing to talk about rights being conferred with civil unions and marriage being a religious term, then he needs to have the cojones to say he plans on changing all government conference of those rights to civil union and stop issuing "marriage" licenses altogether.  People can call themselves married or husband or wife or whatever as they please, and religious institutions can perform marriages or not as per their dogma.

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by: ol cranky @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 06:54:12 AM CST

[ Parent ]

what she said

wrote my post at the bottom before reading comments, but I see more than one person here is doubtful as I am....ads in red states does not make a candidate for equality.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 11:47:23 AM CST

[ Parent ]

ditto

This ad fails to do anything for me.  He has made it evident that he does not support equality, and this doesn't change that one bit.

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by: sdv @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 20:03:37 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Sorry, this is a reposting

of a question I asked before that went unanswered:
Has Obama ever marched in Gay Pride parades in DC or Chicago?
I haven't been able to find any information on this.  I know Hillary has, and so has Deval Patrick, so I'm curious about him.

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by: Tomistocles @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 21:07:38 PM CST

Attend or Participate in DC Pride Events or National GLBT Protests ?

Hillary & Bill - NO, never, always "out of town" for previously arranged engagements.
Obama - NO, he's only been US Senator for 3 years.

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by: RogernDC @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 23:13:26 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Hillary - YES

she has participated in pride parade(s) in NY.

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 23:38:05 PM CST

[ Parent ]

links 'n pic

A quick google search shows that Hillary Clinton has been in the NYC pride parade at least 3 times.
NYC 2000
NYC 2005
NYC 2006

From the CLinton website

Hillary was the first First Lady to march in a Gay Pride Parade and has marched multiple times as Senator. She has also spoken in front of LGBT audiences on numerous occasions, including delivering keynote addresses at events hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, Empire State Pride Agenda, the Hetrick Martin Institute, PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) , GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), and the American Foundation for AIDS Research. Of all the presidential candidates invited to address the Human Rights Campaign's Board Meeting and Equality Convention in March 2007, only Senator Clinton accepted the invitation and addressed the HRC.

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 00:00:27 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Hillary most certainly has

I've witnessed it with my own eyes. But marching in a parade and making good on promises are two very different things. The parade amounts to talk while making good on promises to lead are action. She's long on talk, short on action when it comes to LGBT issues.

Never try to train a pig. It's a waste of time and it annoys the pig.

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by: cali_techie @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 03:07:51 AM CST

[ Parent ]

You're right on the talk-action thing, tek.

But marching on Gay Pride at least shows we have been on her radar screen.  My guess is that Obama has never given us much thought, and now he's definitely beginning to.
Where I'm still at is that either Obama or Clinton can be our friend, neither of them will actively work against us, but we have to keep reminding them that we exist and that the big tent must include us.
I suspect that we vote in massive numbers, and I wonder why the GLBT organizations haven't mentioned this to politicians more clearly and more often.

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by: Tomistocles @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 08:30:54 AM CST

[ Parent ]

We're on her radar

Because she knows >90% of all LGBT people vote and we tend to have more disposable income than our heterosexual counterparts therefore we can give more to her campaigns. In other words she knew because of our reaction to Bill (who threw us under the bus twice) she'd be treated like a rock star, that we'd open up our wallets, and most importantly vote for her.

I'm convinced Obama's tone deafness with the LGBT community comes from lack of experience as a candidate and I believe he learned a very valuable lesson from the McClurkin incident. While I haven't forgiven him for that he is at least talking about us and the need for tolerance to people who aren't necessarily our friends (see his MLK speeches). To me that's more valuable than marching with us in gay pride marches.

Never try to train a pig. It's a waste of time and it annoys the pig.

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by: cali_techie @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 10:40:50 AM CST

[ Parent ]

She marched in New York Pride

Because she wanted to be Senator in the LGBT friendly and powerful New York.  She and Bill marching in Washington D.C. - where other lawmakers could see them with us Q's dolled out in feathers and sequins, bumping and grinding go go boys, on the front page of the Washington Post, NO WAY.  Somehow, you can't blame them.

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by: Dunkindonuts @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 08:31:38 AM CST

[ Parent ]

We are not all flamboyant

In parades.  Don't get me wrong.  But what does the press go for in pictures, leather chaps open at the rear....topless dykes on bikes, and the feathers and the sequins...Not good photo ops for politicians.

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by: Dunkindonuts @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 08:43:11 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Yeah

I noticed with the SF Pride march the "commercial" parade entries like the bars, clubs, adult entertainment, etc., which tend to have the more flamboyant characters in them are at the front of the parade while the majority of the "community" entries like PFLAG, churches, etc., bring up the rear. It's definitely segmented.

Openly gay politicians tend to be sprinkled among the commercial entries while the not-gay politicians tend to be sprinkled among the latter set. I'm not sure who or what is responsible for that because I can see reasons why the march organizers or the entrants would want it to be segregated. After all, the march organizers are going to acknowledge their financial benefactors and sponsors by placing them in front and I can see why some community groups and non-gay politicians wouldn't necessarily want to be behind a float full of nearly naked dancing go-go boys or a large group of topless lesbians on motorcycles, and it has to do with more than just image (noise!). I'll also point out that while a few non-gay politicians march with us every year, most only come to visit us only when they're campaigning.

Never try to train a pig. It's a waste of time and it annoys the pig.

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by: cali_techie @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 11:00:45 AM CST

[ Parent ]

..... yeah well in LONDON

The MILITARY all branches marched at the front of PRIDE LONDON 2007. then Fire Departments and Police Departments.. and the Mayor's office.  (Gay cop running next year.)  Here's to all branches of our military marching!

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 @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 19:18:01 PM CST

[ Parent ]

And in exchange

There's no right to free speech and you have cameras watching every square inch of the city...

In SF the Mayor, police chief and officers march in the parade. I don't remember if I saw a fire truck. Military? Well that needs a bit of work.

I have mixed feelings about floats and entries from the adult entertainment industry and the bars. On one hand they are members of our community and I enjoy seeing them as they do add some "spice" to the march, but on the other hand they definitely fuel the impression to those on the outside looking in it's all about sex. That being said if there were straight pride marches they could look very similar. Not to mention every parade has it's quirks. The recent Chinese New Year parade in SF had lots of floats from casinos (gambling is a big problem in the Chinese American commuity).

I think as time goes on and societal acceptance grows the pride march will resemble every other parade. It's already beginning to happen with floats from companies such as Delta Airlines, Macy's, etc.  

Never try to train a pig. It's a waste of time and it annoys the pig.

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by: cali_techie @ Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 12:52:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

so is Obama

running ads aimed at GLBT voters in Red States does not make the candidate for equality.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 11:48:48 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I wouldn't use it as proof

because it really doesn't mean he's doing anything other than trying to get as many votes as possible especially if he can steal them from Clinton's traditional (if you can call it that) base.

Never try to train a pig. It's a waste of time and it annoys the pig.

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by: cali_techie @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 16:03:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

We want our revolution...NOW

Two dead and one beaten that we know ofin the last few weeks and he dares speak to us of "creating progress toward equality"

I am done with the kind of activism that occurs in black tie dinners and lobbying in fine restaurants.

This movement started with an uprising of those kinds of people that our leadership would now sweep under the rug and hide.

"We want our rights and we don't care how..
We want our revolution...NOW"
(from Marat/Sade)

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 @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 21:37:27 PM CST

I voted early in Texas

Despite the whole flap a couple months ago with Donnie McClurkin, which I truly believed was much ado about nothing, I voted for Obama. I saw Obama speak at a rally here in Austin  last year, and I knew then he had the ability to inspire and draw out votes without being divisive. His stance on equality was strong, without submarining his chances.

As for Hillary, I moved out of NY just as she was running for her first term, and while I wouldn't have voted for her then, because she clearly was not a New Yorker, if she were the Democratic nominee for president, I would vote for her now.

I'm going to an Obama Town Hall meeting here tomorrow, still have an extra ticket too...


Steve

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by: Stevious @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 21:57:24 PM CST

Hey Steve

If you get the chance to ask any questions at that meeting today, could you ask Obama what he thinks of the idea of separate but (not) equal in regards to marriage/civil unions?

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by: Fiona @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 10:33:56 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Separate But Equal and other beautiful traditions

Obama not only thinks that separate-but-equal is just ducky for LGBT couples. It was a gimmick from an era in which Obama could have aspired to no position in the White House higher than that of head janitor, but what's that to him? Once he's in office, LGBT citizens will be forgotten. Fast. His suckup routine with Donnie McClurkin should have been the definitive wakeup call.

Obama is also in favor of the "States Rights" approach to the whole marriage equality issue. This was a principle sacred to the White Citizens' Councils a half-century ago and is just as unConstitutional now. Doesn't bother Obama a bit.

This isn't a compromise or incremental approach to marriage equality; it's flat-out opposition to it -- and on the basis of old segregationist tricks at that.

But there's no limit to the ability of some voters to believe whatever is presented to them in a slick package, apparently.  

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by: talkstocoyotes @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 18:18:55 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Change takes work

I believe that is the message that Obama has continued to trumpet. We aren't going to just snap our fingers and have marriage equality, employment and job protection (both of which Obama fought for in th Illinois Senate), and other protections.  Obama is reaching out and trying to build coalitions.  We can put him and other politicians down, or when can become part of the process to make sure change happens.  That is what other groups have done for years.

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by: Cadence @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 22:28:22 PM CST

The Godzilla hypocrite vs. the MegaGodzilla hypocrite…

These ads are as hypocritical as you can get from someone who's in bed with christian bigots. And if you think Obama's a snake in the grass, and he is, check out   http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/327692.aspx. where Billery Clinton gave  a lengthy interview to Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network yesterday.    

There you'll see why Hillary Clinton is reviled as a Dixiecrat in a right centrist party. Like Obama, she's bitterly opposed to same sex marriage. She and her party are responsible for DOMA and DADT and refuse to repeal them. Not by chance did her campaign manager Barney Frank accept the task of gutting ENDA and then tossing both it and the Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Bill into the toilet. Democrats did it so Republicans couldn't claim that Democrats are GLBT friendly. As if.

Hillary Clinton, like Obama is a union buster and a long time supporter of NAFTA, exporting jobs, tax cuts for the rich matched by cuts in welfare, Medicare and unemployment insurance. She lying about that now but her social and economic program was set in stone when she spent six years on the board of director of Wal-Mart whose real slogan is "Always Low Wages".

Hillary Clinton, along with other right wing centrists like Joe Lieberman, is an ardent supporter of Bush's oil piracy and supporter of the zionist apartheid state. Their cruel treatment of Palestinians has been exposed by South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the most senior anglocatholic supporter of  GLBT equality knows a thing or two about life in an apartheid state. Billery adamantly supports Bushes plan to extend the war to Iran by using nukes 'if necessary'. Billery and Obama plan on keeping troops there through 2013.

If you looked at the video link above you see Billary Clinton as she really is. As outrageous as Obama is getting in bed with swine like Donnie McKulkin and Mary Mary , Billery Clinton goes way beyond him trawling for the votes of the senile bigots who dote on Pat Robertson, the bible fascist.   She appeared on Pat Robertson's CBN network to explain her deep commitment to 'christian values' like opposition to samesex marriage and to take a few cheap shots at Ralph Nader, a indisputable American hero. She bitterly explained that Nader is just a tool of the Republicans, the same slander she uses against Edwards, Obama and anyone else reckless enough to get in her way. Earlier Pat Robertson expressed his deep admiration for Billary and congratulated her for 'tacking to the right" as hard and as fast as she could.

The only people who could admire her or Obama are the terminally naive, other Dixiecrats, and hacks for the right centrist Democrats.    

The looter rich much prefer working with Democrats like Obama and the Clintons - they're greedier, they fool more people and they're able to get away with a lot more than Republicans.  

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by: donal1944 @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 22:36:45 PM CST

Oh yeah :(

And so we should vote for McCain? And have the Supreme Court stacked with Scalia clones to appease the RR?

Buy a clue!

Dems aren't heaven, but the Republicans would be HELL!

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by: SharonB @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 15:16:55 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Yeah...

The differences between the Democrats and Republicans are insignificant and cosmetic. They both support the war, both created the economic crisis and both supported efforts to squash ENDA and the hate crimes bill while refusing to repeal DOMA and DADT. People who support the Democrats are voting FOR war, economic chaos and bigotry. I'm sure that make you happy but it's not so good for the rest of us.  

The looter rich much prefer working with Democrats like Obama and the Clintons - they're greedier, they fool more people and they're able to get away with a lot more than Republicans.  

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by: donal1944 @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 15:32:23 PM CST

[ Parent ]

In the red state of Georgia

I'm not aware of ad buys by Clinton or Obama in LGBT publications.

Southern Voice noted, however, that the state's only openly lesbian lawmaker, Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) supported Obama.

Clinton, OTOH, had several prominent gay/lesbian supporters in GA: Ken Britt, Laurie Demorest, Allen Thornell, Cathy Woolard (interim executive director of Georgia Equality, who ran for Congress as an out lesbian in Cynthia McKinney's district but lost), and Atlanta City Councilmember Anne Fauver.

SoVo also reported that "Demorest, who is very active with the Atlanta and national Human Rights Campaign, said the Clinton campaign was the only one to reach out to her and ask her for her support."

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by: Becki Jayne @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 22:44:56 PM CST

It would be sort of fun...

...to distribute Obama's pro-gay ads to area black churches.

Just leave a stack of the ads at the door on Sunday morning.

I bet it would start a dialog.

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by: Storm @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 22:50:50 PM CST

Do you know that

Obama attends a pro-gay Black church. So why wouldn't it be fun to distribute the ads at all churchs regardless of the racial make-up, since as this site and others have shown us, homophobia comes in every race.

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by: Cadence @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 22:58:17 PM CST

[ Parent ]

That's true

but it is hard not to be disappointed that AA's are even more opposed to gay rights as a voting block than religious white Southerners (according to some polling last year anyway).  That hurts, but should never reflect on a group as a  whole.  Hell, one of my old friends is a very religious, very conservative (socially) AA woman who is very pro-gay marriage and gay rights.  We should always try not to generalize.

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by: onthesea @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 02:40:28 AM CST

[ Parent ]

That's a fine idea.

These ads should be distributed to all churchgoers on a fine Sunday morning in the spirit of starting a dialog.

It's been a while since I've done such a direct action, now that I've looked at the ads, I think it's such a good idea that I fully intend to do it.

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by: Storm @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 23:07:38 PM CST

Send a few to Billy Ball

  He know how to use them.  

pam would recieve another letter.

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 00:21:06 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Red State?

I find it very interesting that Texas is considered a "red state".  Until very recently, it has been a more blue than red state.  Heck in Dallas county, our Sheriff is a Democratic, Latina, Lesbian.  In the last election, Dallas went Dem. just about all the way.  Right now, some entrenched Repubs, and conservative Dems. seem to be in trouble.  

My vote went to Hillary, simply because I neither trust, nor believe in the Obama message of "hope".  It's really much too Oprah-like.  By the way, isn't she the one who brought us all Dr. Phil?  

Mr. Obama also seems to be the favorite of folks like hedge fund managers, and appears quite wishy-washy while being well to the right of Hillary.

Just saying Hillary has never marched in a Pride Parade shows the amount of misinformation out there about Hillary.

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by: tsokol1 @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 03:10:12 AM CST

Obama's message

to our community is far too much like the HRC's message to trannies; "We'll come back for you."

People in our community are dying and being beaten while the republicans preach hatred.

The dispossessed in this community cannot wait any longer for "progress toward creating change"

They cannot benefit from $1000 per person dinners.

They need equality and protections. Now.

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 @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:28:11 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Obamal is a liberal

Hillary is a moderate, while Obama is definitely liberal.  His stance on Civil Rights, education, the role of government, and law enforcement definitely makes him a liberal.  He has been rated as liberal by many different rating organizations.  In fact, he was asked about this during the MSNBC debate on Tuesday.

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by: Cadence @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 08:01:52 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Obama campaign

As a disabled lesbian (in a wheelchair) and a volunteer here in the Ohio Obama campaign I have NEVER felt more comfortable and accepted.  I believe Obama speaks of "we" not "I" when he speaks of change in this country.  So far, in my experience the campaign and it's staffers have delivered.  There is a great op-ed in The New York Blade in support of Obama:
http://www.nyblade.com/2008/1-25/viewpoint/opinion/1204OpEd
Obama.cfm
He has also denounced DADT and stated he would repeal it, something I don't think Billary has done. He has used his position to denounce the unequal treatment and discrimination of the GLBT population on several occasions.  He wrote an editorial that appeared in our local GLBT paper (last SUmmer) which addressed the McClurkin debacle, it satisfied me. THis is the same paper that will carry his ad.  As a person with a disability who has had to endure alot of lip-service from the GLBT community and everyone else, I appreciate increments of change vs. a rigid demand for all or nothing.  Obama uses language that unites rather than divides, I believe he can use the Bully Pulpit to encourage full inclusion of GLBT persons quite effectively when president.

power to the peacemakers
www.barackobamajewelry.com

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by: riv @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 10:33:45 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Yeah, yeah ... but will Obama have his picture taken with Gavin Newsome?

Before we start to think this is anything other than vote pandering, think back to when Obama took the money and ran from Gavin Newsome.

I'm not terribly sold on either one of them mainly because neither one will openly support true equality all Americans.  Because neither one of them thinks I deserve the same rights as they deserve, I will not be working for or contributing to either of their campaigns.  

However, I don't have to feel like I'm holding my nose to vote for either one of them in November.  I'm going to cast my early vote tomorrow for Hillary. I think she's got a more complete skill set for the job.

If I had my druthers, I'd like to see Obama as VP now and president later.  

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by: Mike in Texas @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 05:54:33 AM CST

Texas approach....

Here's the thing that made my partner and I vote for Obama.

The 1990s were a time when even the Clintons seemed to use our community for their own benefit. We are not asking for much but we would like simple respect from politicians. I can't excuse obama's connection to McClurkin, but the things he has said to the African American community really got our attention. On several occasions (at Ebeneezer Church on MLK day as well as his big rally here in Houston - where he gave his standard stump speech) he called the African American community and the entire country out for treating gay people so badly and not treating us with dignity and respect.

Overall though, I feel as thought Obama has the best opportunity to speak to people about why we shouldn't be used as a wedge to divide us. Lets remember that it was Clinton who signed DOMA, Clinton who signed DADT, and Clinton who told Kerry to throw us under the bus in the 2004 election. I just want a candidate who will speak to us as a nation instead of compartmentalizing us into sub groups for their own poltical purpose.

I know it's probably not fair to hold Bill's record against Hillary, and I know she is on the whole very friendly to our community, but I feel that she brings so much baggage to the table. She can't speak to moderates in Texas about the importance of treating people with respect, but he can. That's just my perspective.

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by: timothy.angle @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 10:30:36 AM CST

Arrogant and stupid

As far as I know, Obama is still standing by his status as a "constitutional" lawyer who believes "marriage" is a religious thing and not a status bestowed by state government.  Why should I be impressed with any ad aimed at the GLBT voter when he's so arrogant and stupid?

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 11:44:36 AM CST

I finally went and read

the add at Towelroad....just more talk and words innit?
He's not going to do anything for us.  The add even says it takes time...guess that's his excuse already for not advancing equality.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 11:55:46 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Both Hillary and Barack Put Politics Above The Constitution

George W. Bush has been a complete and unmitigated disaster as a President. He's accomplished nothing positive, except perhaps pointing up the good qualities of Warren Harding and Millard Fillmore. The Republicans vilify gay people. So the Democrats can count on gay support but give little indication that they will actually push for equality or real improvement in gay people's lives.
     America has had years to watch Hillary triangulate and otherwise try to benefit from the Bill playbook. She postures herself to the Party's right-center: Iraq, FISA, flag burning. For us, she prefers to think of herself as "really really pro-civil union" than anti-marriage. She thought she was playing it safe and then seems surprised that noone is galvanized.
     People are very galvanized by Barack (who is my Senator) in a way that surprises me. I am all for hope and change and then the question becomes what will the change be on the issues I care most about. My husband and I have two kids and face constant challenges, great and small, by not being treated as legally married (which we are in Canada) so protecting my family is critical for me. Here, Barack advocates something less than marriage (and since he is very popular and very persuasive, this reassures a lot of people that they, too, can be against marriage). This has particular sting because he presents himself, as Karen noted, as a constitutional law expert. As such he knows that the right to civil marriage is constitutionally protected and has been held to be so important it cannot be denied  even to convicted serial killers (who can lose the right to vote and other civil rights). Why do we deserve less? No one ever asks him. For him, frankly, I expect a bit better because when he was growing up in 17 states his parents' marriage was contrary to law. Why 40 years after the Supreme Court said this was unjust for interracial families would he subject gay families to similar vulnerabilities? Again, no one asks. And when the LOGO panel challenged him on favoring only civil unions, he gave a brusque, dismissive "oh, c'mon" as a response. Instead of using his bully pulpit to get rid of DOMA after he is president, as he says in his ad,why not start pushing now, when he could actually make a difference in the Senate? I think that tells us what to expect.

 

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by: David Goroff @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 15:03:38 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Still Do not trust Hilary

To answer a question.
Yes Obama marched in several Pride parades in Chicago since he was an Illinois senator.  Including during his Senate race in 2004.

I still do not trust Clinton on this issue, and to this day I wonder why she is trusted by the community.  At least Barak was pressing hard for fully inclusive state legislation in Illinois when it was not popular to do so.  Hilary's record on trans right is sparse, and she is a DLC dem, willing to jump to conservatism for political convenience.  Obama at least is a true progressive, even when he preaches unity, he does not hide those ideals.  Barak Obama also has more of a real record on fully inclusive legislation then Hilary ever did...and was pushing for it even as a lowly state senator.  I trust a man who worked on civil rights issues to progress civil rights, then a woman who worked for Wal-Mart, which was steeped in LGBT discrimination when she was there as a board member, and she NEVER brought them up while she was on the board.  Sorry...Obama has a consistent progressive history for the most part...Clintons history is highly suspect to me.  She is too often working on the wrong side of an issue, be it Wal-Mart or the Iraq war.  She, and ANY DLC type, I am not going to trust on ANY progressive issue, especially inclusive civil rights legislation.  

It takes more then marching in a pride parade for me to trust a politician on issues that effect me.  Hilary is not and never has been a true progressive.  Obama on the other hand, for all his idealism, has a very consistent record as one.  

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by: tfeminist @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 17:54:42 PM CST

same goes for silver tongue

It takes more then writing a letter to the target electorate for me to trust a politician on issues that effect me.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 18:16:05 PM CST

he's a politician through and through....

cmon guys.  its just an ad.  bud light plasters rainbow ads all over during pride month, its an ad.  we're a target market.  he needs us to buy his product, they know what to tell him to say to get us to do that.

hillary has baggage, sure, but i'm pretty sure, if sen. obama was around and an active politician at the same time they would be the same on those issues, just as they are the same on it now!  

they'll both throw us under the bus.  its the senate and the house that need to get the pro gay bills on the desk, and the best thing we can do is make sure we vote in a democrat who will sign them, and thats both of them.

call me cynical, i don't mind.  but its just a pretty ad.

its a good time for him now, he's ahead, doing good, doesnt see it as too much of a risk i bet, after all its only in LGBT publications.  not a huge billboard in the center of town.  he also had 'commited christian' flyers handed out all around south carolina, then theres mcclurkin and jeramiah wright, etc. the others.  his pro gay church is one of the branches that is more conservative leaning, as i've heard it.

i'm sure they're both in agreement on LGBT rights.

but he's a politician through and through, this ad is vague as can be.  its not really a bold move in my opinion.  it says nice things but doesn't really declare legal promises.

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by: mjc81 @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 18:39:34 PM CST

what she/he said

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 20:52:08 PM CST

[ Parent ]

To answer the original question…

no I didn't notice any outreach on the part of either candidate here in NJ.

I suspect Hillary assumed a victory and Obama wrote the state off.  

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by: Leo77 @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 18:39:45 PM CST

Ohio perspective

I'm an open lesbian living in Ohio, am active in my local Democratic party, and am active in the GLBT community.  I was a John Edwards supporter, and have been undecided since he suspended his campaign, although I'm starting to lean in one direction.  In the past few weeks, I have seen Hillary speak in person, and Michelle Obama.  I wasn't willing to wait in line for four or more hours to see Senator Obama.

I live in one of the Democratic strongholds of the state so my overall state perception may be off a bit, but when describing Ohio as a red state, please remember that in 2006 we elected a Democratic governor and a Republican senatorial incumbent was defeated by a very progressive Congressman, Sherrod Brown.

More local and statewide Democratic leaders are strongly supporting Hillary than Obama.  It appears to me that more LGBT leaders in Ohio are supporting Obama.

Obama bought a full page color ad in the Gay People's Chronicle (GPC) (Ohio's statewide LGBT paper, published out of Cleveland).  For once, that's a politician spending money on our community resources instead of just asking us for money.  Sure, it's to try to woo voters, but it's still the price of a full-page color ad in the pocket of the paper's publishers.  I appreciate that.

On the other hand, I think Hillary is less reluctant to be seen in our midst on a fairly regular basis.  

However, it isn't surprising to me that a feminist from the 1970's who is representing New York is more comfortable around groups of gay folks than a black man who has spent the last 20 years in Chicago.  (I'm not dissing Chicago - I know they have a strong LGBT community - but still, it ain't NY, home of the Stonewall riots.)  Hillary already knows how she'll be painted by the opposition - being an advocate for LGBT folks is going to be just one of many arrows shot at her.  But the opposition is still discovering Obama and developing their spew towards him.  It's understandable that he is cautious about the ammunition he provides them.  

Of course neither of them supports marriage equality.  Do we want a Democratic president?  Then don't expect them to advocate for marriage equality before the election.  It sucks, but that is still the practical reality.  That doesn't mean we can't advocate for it when we see them, but we should be realistic in what they're willing to tackle on the campaign trail.

The GPC sponsored a forum on LGBT issues with representatives from both campaigns before Tuesday night's debate in Cleveland.  The outcome was essentially that we know that whoever gets the nomination, we can't be complacent and we'll have to stay on them about our issues.  You can read their coverage here: http://www.gaypeopleschronicle...

I personally think Hillary is better on our issues, but I prefer Obama's background and perspective - not taking PAC money, getting the majority of his funds from small donors, his history as a community organizer.  He and Michelle both come from humble roots - like John Edwards, they have a personal understanding of growing up in this country without advantages.  They will bring a personal perspective that is sorely needed in Washington - coming from the working class, living as a minority in this country that claims that everyone has an equal shot - they know the promise of America is not extended to everyone equally and some of us have to work a lot harder than others just to get our foot in the door and our voice heard.  I believe that's what's needed to change Washington to reduce the dysfunction in government and get this country on the right track.  I don't believe Hillary has the same set of priorities.

Of course, tomorrow there's a huge rally for Hillary with a three Congresswomen, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Chelsea Clinton, and Madeleine Albright.  I'll listen to what they have to say and see if my current perspective changes.  

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by: OH les @ Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 10:14:02 AM CST

an ad only

"Of course neither of them supports marriage equality.  Do we want a Democratic president?  Then don't expect them to advocate for marriage equality before the election."

I don't expect Clinton or Obama to support equality after the election either.  
I understand your appreciation of the Obama campaign pending the money for a full page add, but that;s all it is, an add.  Volvo, Subaru, Absolute Vodka does too.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 12:19:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Ads

Volvo, Absolut, and Subaru are not buying full-page color ads in the GPC.  

And, by the way, neither is Hillary.

I'm pretty certain no other presidential candidate, in the primary or general, has ever bought such an ad in the GPC.

It may be "an ad only" to you, but it's still more than anyone else has done.

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by: OH les @ Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 12:53:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]