Jul

8

Servicemembers United Comfortable With DADT Survey Security

Filed Under DADT, Politics, President Barack Obama | Leave a Comment

SLDN Urges Gay Troops to Avoid Pentagon Surveys. Servicemembers United has a different opinion.

I’ve seen lots of bitchiness flying through the anti-Obama gay blogosphere regarding the Pentagon’s  troop survey on the DADT policy change.   Since I don’t like to listen to much those tired ass queens have to say, I contacted Alex Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United.

Nicholson stated the following:

1. He has not seen a copy of the survey yet and he doesn’t believe anyone else (outside those military personnel selected to complete the survey) has seen it either.

2. He was concerned there was a question about sharing bathrooms on the draft copy of the survey, but since he hasn’t seen a final version of the survey, he can’t state whether the question is still there.

There’s some fire-fanning comments coming from members of the anti-Obama gay blogosphere who are claiming the survey puts gay and lesbian servicemembers at risk of being discharged under DADT if they participate in the survey. Nicholson states “I am completely comfortable with the security mechanisms in place to secure confidentiality and anonymity.”  The survey itself does not ask if a servicemember is gay, but there’s a confidential chat after a servicemember has completed the survey that will allow him or her to discuss what it’s like being gay or lesbian in the military. Nicholson says:

“Servicemembers United encourages all gay and lesbian active duty troops who received the survey to take this important opportunity to provide their views. We especially encourage gay and lesbian troops to take advantage the opportunity at the end of the survey to participate in a confidential chat about issues related to being gay or lesbian in the U.S. military.”

It’s a damn shame that the “elite gay press” (that’s what they like to call themselves) is doing everything in its power to derail any effort the Obama administration makes to fulfill their promise of repealing DADT. And Pam Spaulding leads the bunch, like a good little token Black lesbian.

UPDATE July 9, 2010: Pentagon #DADT Survey Incredibly Biased & Derogatory, Still Safe for Gay, Lesbian Participation – http://bit.ly/b8JygX

Jul

7

Decision Day Epilogue: Statement on the Hawaii Civil Union Bill Veto

Filed Under LGBT, LGBTQ Families, Politics, WTF? | 1 Comment

Last night, Republican Governor Linda Lingle broke a promise and dismissed the will of Hawaiian citizens as she vetoed HB 444, which would have allowed both same-sex and heterosexual couples to enter into civil unions with all the rights enjoyed by married couples.

Michael Sargeant, Executive Director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, issued the following statement in response to Governor Lingle’s veto of the civil union bill:

“We at the DLCC are disappointed in Governor Lingle for ignoring the will of Hawaiian citizens as expressed by the Hawaii legislature’s passage of this landmark legislation. Governor Lingle also broke her campaign promise not to veto a civil union bill if passed by the state legislature. She has denied Hawaii the opportunity to become the latest example of states leading the way on equality.”

Vetoing the legislation broke a promise Lingle made in her first campaign for governor in 2002.

It was during a live debate broadcast on PBS Hawaii that Lingle was asked by moderator Linda Taira about her position on the arrangements for gay couples with rights such as family and bereavement leaves, probate rights and hospital visitation.

“On the issue of domestic partnerships, I have stated that if the Legislature (should) pass legislation granting certain rights I would not veto that legislation,” Lingle said [emphasis added].

Democratic legislators did their part and voted their conscience on “that legislation,” after a marathon 18 hours of earnest debate. But their work was undone by the Governor’s broken promise.

And in breaking her promise, Governor Lingle denied hundreds of thousands of her own citizens a right she probably takes for granted.

The Governor’s veto is a sad setback in the ongoing fight for equality. But that fight continues.

One day, America will look back on the struggle for equal rights and wonder why it was so difficult. Governor Lingle will be one of the reasons.

source

May

27

Gay Activists Launch Hunger Strike – #BIGFUCKINFAIL

Filed Under Bitch Slap, DADT, Politics | 8 Comments

I recently learned that Dan Choi and James Pietrangelo are planning a hunger strike:

Lt. Dan Choi released a statement to announce that he and Capt. James Pietrangelo will start a fast in opposition to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” compromise. He also said that more civil disobedience and arrests could be possible this weekend.

My response: LMAO! Really? FOR REAL? ROTFLMAO!

Seriously? This is a slap in the face to millions of Americans who – due to the current economic climate – are starving through no fault of their own. Two gay men who have homes and jobs and the ability to purchase food are willingly starving themselves because they oppose the current DADT compromise. Let’s ponder that for a moment.

How is this move supposed to make Americans sympathetic to the gay community’s cause when too many people are personally associated with people who are homeless and struggling to feed themselves and their children? This move wreaks of gay privilege because if anyone can CHOOSE to starve themselves it must mean they’re not that hard up economically. The same person who can choose to starve himself can also choose to eat whenever he wants. For Americans who don’t have that choice – and folks like myself who sympathize with them – I’m rolling my eyes at Dan Choi and James Pietrangelo and calling them media hungry whores just lookin’ for more attention.

That’s my opinion and I’m stickin’ to it.

May

25

Servicemembers United Supports DADT Compromise

Filed Under DADT, Politics | 3 Comments

As expected, the gay blogosphere has been working frantically to encourage the LGBT community to be suspicious of the latest DADT news that “leaked” out of Washington yesterday:

According to one person familiar with the White House meeting, the proposal that is being considered would legislatively repeal the statute this year, but the current policy would remain in place and implementation of repeal would not occur until after the Pentagon’s working group study is finished in December. Further, completion of repeal would require certification from President Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and Joint Chiefs chair Adm. Mike Mullen that the new law will not have a negative impact on readiness, recruitment, retention, and other key factors affecting the military.

Pam Spaulding and others (people who consider themselves elite members of the gay press and have decided that they can manipulate and present the news anyway they see fit) have gone so far as to encourage people to believe the latest tactics out of Washington are designed to screw over the gay community. Since I’m not a member of the gay blogosphere’s herd of sheep, I decided to ask a trusted source their opinion on the matter.  Eric Kennedy, from Servicemembers United – the nation’s largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans and their allies – says this:

We support the amendments that are being introduced by our champions in the House and Senate this week. While they don’t give us everything up front and immediately, there are mechanisms built into the legislation and the process to ensure that everything falls into place within a reasonable window. We simply do not have the votes for 100% of what we want right now, and advocates have worked very hard to get us 80% now with a mechanism for securing the remaining 20% in the near future. This gets the legislative battle out of the way and avoids the risks of the mid-terms pushing repeal of for 2, 3, or 5 more years.

Facebook was buzzin’ yesterday with rant after rant about Obama screwin’ the gay community – again. As often as I could, I reminded people that they might want to get their news from more than one source, especially if that source is a gay blogger who wouldn’t know balanced reporting if it bitch slapped her across the face.

May

23

Standup Florida’s Harvey Milk Day Celebration Wrap Up

Filed Under Audio Update, LGBT, Politics | 2 Comments

I was in Tampa, FL this weekend celebrating Harvey Milk Day with StandUp Florida, a new volunteer-based grassroots LGBT equality organization. StandUp organized a Harvey Milk Day remembrance dinner in Tampa, FL – my new favorite US-based gay mecca. SistersTalk Radio was on location, broadcasting live and enjoying the opportunity to meet fellow equality activists.

Other than two delayed flights (Tampa inbound delayed by 6 hours and Tampa outbound delayed by 5 hours), I had a great time. My hosts, Anthony Farver (Executive Director, StandUp Florida) and Bryan Arnette (State Director, StandUp Florida), were gracious hosts who waited for me to arrive Friday night before they would eat dinner. So sweet! Hampton Inn and Suites in Ybor has a great staff who took very good care of me during my brief stay in Tampa.

I have to pause here to thank my partner, Andrea Kleinheksel, for tolerating me during all my bitchy rants about delayed flights. She was also very accommodating and drove to Milwaukee to pick me up from the airport after my Chicago flight was delayed and I was bumped to a Milwaukee flight that arrived hours later than planned. Just say no to AirTran.

Anyway, the weekend’s events are worth writing home about – or at least posting a blog about. I met Romaine Patterson, creator of Angel Action and co-host and producer of the radio show Derek and Romaine. I had an opportunity to interview her; you can listen to that interview here. I also met Alex Nicholson, the founder and Executive Director of Servicemembers United. An interview with Alex is available here.

The Harvey Milk Remembrance Dinner was quite moving. Activists young and old gathered at Streetcar Charlie’s to honor the memory of Harvey Milk, of one of the LGBT community’s greatest heroes. Romaine Patterson reminded us that every single one of us can make a difference. Alex spoke about DADT’s affect on gay servicemembers even after they’ve been discharged from the military and Eddie Marti-Kring told a touching story about a German-American family who adopted him after his own mother kicked him out when she learned he was gay.

After dinner, those of us who were gathered to honor Harvey Milk did a candlelight vigil/walk, complete with Romaine Patterson, Alex Nicholson, Edward Mart-Kring and a few angels in tow. Along the route, we met up with religious anti-gay protesters who insisted gay people would get what’s coming to us. Instead of arguing with them, we paused long enough to sing Amazing Grace. When we finished the song, we continued our walk. A rather ambitious group of kids (about 16 – 18 years old) followed us and insisted on discussing the Bible with us, until Bryan Arnette informed them that we were gathered to honor the memory of someone who had died fighting for our rights. The confrontation ended without incident and we finished our walk – in honor of Harvey Milk.

After the walk, Drea (StandUp Florida’s new Creative Director) took yours truly to a Tampa dance club called Honey Pot. Hands down, it’s absolutely the best dance club I’ve ever stepped foot in. I’m not sure who voted in MTV/LOGO’s Best Gay Bar contest. Obviously, they’ve never seen the likes of Honey Pot! If they had, The Abbey (located in Los Angeles, CA) would NOT be considered the best gay bar in the country. Honey Pot’s diversity was amazing: lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, straight people, try-sexual people, homo-flexible people, liquor-lesbians, Black people, white people, Hispanic people, you name it. The music kept bumpin’ and the attendants knew every word to every song. The dance floor never emptied. The sweat kept pouring. The drinks kept comin’. If you’re ever in Tampa, FL, Honey Pot (and G Bar, their sister bar) should be on your must-experience list.

StandUp Florida plans a repeat of this year’s Harvey Milk Day celebration in 2011. It’s an event you don’t want to miss. Head on over to their web site and sign up for their newsletter. Tell ‘em Genia sent ya.

May

20

Gay Rights Activists arrested after sit-in in Sen. Durbin’s office

Filed Under ENDA, LGBT, Politics | Leave a Comment

Chicago, IL – May 20, 2010 -  As part of a broad strategy to gain a vote on ENDA this year, a group of thirteen Chicago activists have been arrested after a sit-in in Senator Richard J. Durbin’s office.   The sit-in was initiated due to the Senator’s lack of response regarding a pledge that a coalition of activist groups sent to the Senator for signature.  The pledge (in its entirety below) affirms his commitment to a transgender-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and forceful advocacy of the bill before the Media and Senate.  The ‘form letter’ response received from the Senator via email did state his support for ENDA, but does not mention transgender protections as part of the bill he supports:

In each of the last several Congresses, I have joined Senator Ted Kennedy as an original cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This measure would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Specifically, it would make it unlawful for employers to discharge or refuse to hire any individual, or limit any individual’s employment opportunities, based on that person’s sexual orientation.

The activists arrived in Senator Durbin’s office at noon during a protest in support of ENDA that was taking place in front of the Federal Building.  With the pledge in hand they arrived and stated they would not leave until the Senator signed the pledge.  The Senator was not in the Chicago office and when the group asked to speak to the Senator via phone, they were told “that is not possible.”  They refused to leave until the pledge was signed.  The staffer then called the Federal authorities to have them removed from the office.

“I am here because we can no longer sit around and wait for our rights to be handed to us by politicians, we must demand our rights from them,” said Lindsey Dietzler of LGBT Change and one of those arrested.  “We have to be here to fight for those who are forced to remain invisible and deny who they are just to make a living.  I want Senator Durbin to know that until there is full federal equality for every queer citizen, no one in this country is free.”

The activists arrested are: Andrea Crain, Kevin Connaghan, Lindsey Dietzler, Roger Fraser, Judy Heithmar, Brent Holman-Gomez, Nik Maciejewski, Rachael McIntosh, Corrine Mina, Michael Oboza, Samantha Pajor, Sherry Wolf, Danelle Wylder.

“The LGBTQ community has stepped up to the plate and done our part. We gave votes, money, and countless hours of volunteer work to elect a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress and put a Democrat in the White House,” said Andrea Crain of Join the Impact Chicago. “We have lobbied our representatives and educated the public. We were told to wait until after the health care bill passed, and it has passed. We did our work, now Senator Durbin must do his!”

We call on the community to stand in solidarity with those who have been arrested by signing our petition asking Senator Richard Durbin, the second highest ranking Senator in the Senate, to become a forceful advocate for an ENDA vote this year: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/PASS-ENDA-NOW. Please also contact Senator Durbin at his office at (312) 353-4952 and tell him to help get ENDA passed this year!

Pledge:
I, Senator Richard Durbin, agree to stand before my colleagues in the U.S. Senate and the media to forcefully declare the urgent need for a transgender-inclusive ENDA in 2010. While all LGBTQ people in this country remain second-class citizens, it is a crisis that 97 percent of transgender people, according to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, have experienced mistreatment, harassment or discrimination on the job.

Federally-sanctioned discrimination of the millions of U.S. workers who are sexual minorities must finally pass into history. The time is now to stop the lies, the scapegoating and the bigotry against those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. I appeal to my colleagues in the Senate to end our sad history of anti-LGBTQ bigotry and pass a transgender-inclusive ENDA in 2010.

May

17

32 Black Republicans Run for Congress: Can They Win?

Filed Under Politics, Race | Leave a Comment

Cross-posted with permission from Essence.com:

Angela McGlowan has been drawn to politics for some time — as a conservative commentator for FOX News and BET, and author of “Bamboozled: How Americans Are Being Exploited by the Lies of the Liberal Agenda” — but this year she stepped into the arena as a candidate.

She’s got some company, too. Running in Mississippi’s first congressional district, McGlowan is one of 32 Black Republicans campaigning for the U.S. Congress this primary season. It’s the largest showing since Reconstruction.

“I was asked to do this,” says McGlowan, as she recounts recruitment from jobless voters in her hometown of Oxford, Mississippo and impassioned protestors who approached her at Tea Party demonstrations.

The self-described “controversial sister trying to make things happen” cites less federal spending, more tax credits for small businesses, and reforming education,  particularly for special needs children, as her priorities. She spoke to ESSENCE.com about the curious influence that President Barack Obama has had on Black Republicans, the suggestion that she’s a poster child for the right, and whether or not Black candidates on the GOP ticket generally stand a snowball’s chance of winning.

ESSENCE.com: What do you think is behind the boom of Black Republicans running for Congress?
ANGELA MCGLOWAN: There has been this myth that there are not many Black Republicans out there. Well, there are. Compared to Democrats maybe it’s not a lot, but people think there’s just one or two. And this is an election year like no other. I have not ever recalled such a bad economic time, and you have a lot of people who are fed up with politics as usual. In the past, we had common folk — accountants, even an exterminator — run for office, and I think that’s what you’re seeing now. I also think Barack Obama being elected President has paved the way for more Black people to say, “Hey, we can do it!” It takes hope to be able to run, and even though he may have given hope to people on the right side of the aisle, we’re all Black people in this. Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, the first Black President has made a difference in our lives.

ESSENCE.com: What about the election of Michael Steele as the Republican National Committee Chairman? Do you think that’s played a role in inspiring more Black Republicans to run for office?
MCGLOWAN: Can’t answer that. Sorry.

ESSENCE.com: Okay… do you not want to speak about Michael Steele?
MCGLOWAN: I think that it is a great feat for Michael to be RNC Chair. But we have to judge by the content of one’s character and qualifications; not just because he’s a Black man. I know I’m contradicting myself here. Basically, I think it’s great that he won that, and I’m not going to comment on him further. I think the President, as the leader of the free world, is more inspirational if you put it in perspective. The President of the United States. RNC Chair. There you go.

ESSENCE.com: You were encouraged to run by members of the Tea Party. There’s an argument that Black Republicans are elevated and cheered on by White conservatives, or that you’re tokenized–
MCGLOWAN: Ohhh, Cynthia! I can’t answer for what other folks do. I can’t answer whether or not they’re pimping anybody. But I’m not a poster child. I won’t be put in front of a camera like a Black Barbie doll. If I ever think that’s happening to me, it’s going to be on. And if any people of color have joined this movement because they want to be on the forefront, and I don’t think they have, then that’s a shame. I’m certainly not doing that. I want people to vote for me in this district because of what I stand for.

ESSENCE.com: What’s the response you’ve received from your constituents?
MCGLOWAN: I do coffee meet-and-greets at my campaign headquarters. One time, I had about 40 people show up, and 30 of them were Black. I’m having Blacks stop by my office, knowing that I’m a Republican, and tell me that I’ve inspired them.

ESSENCE.com: And from White voters?
MCGLOWAN: From White voters I’m getting a lot of support, but I gotta tell you — I’ve had to meet with officials because we have gotten death threats. I’m the first Black female to run in this district in the history of Mississippi. There is a website where I’ve been called “the Negress” and a “filthy pig.” My two opponents are older White males. Some of their supporters took a picture of me and altered it to make my skin darker, turned up my nose, and kinked up my hair. They put it on a flyer saying that I don’t want White people to have guns. My staff and I have been threatened with calls. People in the street have come up to me being hostile. But it’s a small, ignorant minority.

ESSENCE.com: Given all that, plus the fact that most African-Americans vote for Democrats, do you think many Black Republican candidates have a viable chance?
MCGLOWAN: When Colin Powell was going to run for President and he stepped down, so many people were upset because they believed in him. He led by example. I think that if you are a darn good leader, it doesn’t matter what color your skin is. Look at Gary Franks and J.C. Watts. It depends on the candidate, and how they articulate what they’re going to do. Right now, poverty knows no color. I’ve had White and Black people come to me and say they want a job. If this were a normal election year, you might be right to question the viability of Black Republican candidates. I just know now people are voting with their pocketbooks.

Read more: http://www.essence.com/news/hot_topics_4/black_republicans_running_for_congress.php

May

10

Are Lesbians Morally Superior to Gay Men?

Filed Under Gays, Humor, Lesbian Podcast, Lesbians, Podcast, Politics, Sex and Sexuality, Women's Issues | Leave a Comment

She Said, She Said is a podcast featuring lesbian couple Genia and Andrea. Genia is the host of SistersTalk Radio and Andrea is the assistant producer.

In this segment:

*More DADT drama
*Another gay escort details night with Christian ex-gay activist
*Another mobile application that allows gay men to find other gay men
*Are lesbians morally superior to gay men?
*Is there anything wrong with meaningless sex?
*Can you love more than one person at a time?

Featured indie musician: Nhojj (Song played: Dream)

May

10

C.D. Kirven Discusses the Absence of Color in LGBT Leadership

Filed Under Lesbian Podcast, Podcast, Politics, Race | Leave a Comment

Author, activist, artist, screenwriter and filmmaker C.D. Kirven joined us on SistersTalk Radio to discuss her work and her political activism. We also discussed the absence of color in LGBT leadership.

C.D. is a powerful speaker.  This interview will give you goosebumps.

May

3

Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida, on SistersTalk Radio

Filed Under LGBT, Lesbian Podcast, Politics | Leave a Comment

Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida, joins us on SistersTalk Radio to discuss the battle for LGBT equality in Florida.

Next Page →

We're on YouTube!