Steele on Emancipation: ‘Are you crazy?’

“Why would we backslide on a core, founding value of this country?”

In response to a question from radio host Mike Gallagher today, RNC chairman Michael Steele used took a hard, dismissive line against slave emancipation.

“Do you favor slave emancipation?” Gallagher asked:

STEELE: No, no no. What would we do that for? What are you crazy? No. Why would we backslide on a core, founding value of this country? I mean this isn’t something that you just kind of like, “Oh well, today I feel, you know, loosey-goosey on slaves.” I mean, this is a foundational principle of this country. It is a foundational principle of organized society. It isn’t something that, you know, in America we decided, “Let’s have slavery; oh well now, let’s change our mind and make them whole persons and allow them the vote.” No.

Ben Smith’s Blog: Steele on civil unions: ‘Are you crazy?’ – POLITICO.com.

Sean Penn Oscar Acceptance Speech for “Milk”

Sean Penn Oscar Acceptance Speech for Best Actor in “Milk”

Who do you believe in the “Rent” controversy? Why?

A high-school production of Rent has been shut down over concerns with the show’s “adult content.”

Corona Del Mar High School students found out last week from their drama teacher that after a meeting with the school’s principal Fal Asrani and a union representative, the play was canceled due to objections about the ‘gay characters.’

via High School Production of Rent Cancelled for Gay Content?  | News | Advocate.com.

Agreed facts: The script was requested for review. The decision to cancel the play was made by the teacher (however, they disagree about why).

Rent Script

The principal says (paraphrasing): “I wanted to review the script, something that is my responsibility. When I asked for it, the teacher canceled the play.”

The teacher says (again paraphrasing): “I was asked to provide a script because of gay characters. But I haven’t ordered scripts yet and they wont be here for two weeks. The principal told me we won’t have time to revise the scripts before the show starts April 23, and that she won’t like gay characters, so I’m canceling the play and doing something safe instead.”

I dunno, I don’t think it is a smart idea to start crying “homophobia” here. “Rent” has an implied group sex scene, lots of shown adult sexuality, and plenty of cursing. It seems perfectly responsible that a principal would request to see the revised script as offered by the licensing company. I”m not convinced bigotry is at play here.

This is one person’s word against another’s. And I’ve learned in the world of blogging to never make a homophobia judgment based on a stranger’s word. (I’ll call it the “Die fags” theory, based on the douchebag homos who vandalized their own place with “Die Fags” graffiti, blamed homophobia, and reported a hate crime.) The principal’s story seems lacking detail, but the teacher’s story seems hysterical.

The writers at Queerty, who automatically assumes homophobia, point to the students for help but the students only repeat what the teacher told them. That’s just hearsay.

So who do you believe? The teacher, or the principal? Why? Are you sure your opinion is objective? Or are you just instinctively crying homophobia?

NYC Police Arresting Gay Men for Being Gay: What is this, 1967?

I’m just now hearing about this story, which has been percolating since late last year. Hot young NYC Police are trolling for older gay men in NYC, offering them consensual sex, then at the last minute, offering them money. With this entrapment, gangs of cops surround and arrest the victim, toss him in the slammer for a few hours, and convince him to plead to a bogus charge.

Robert Pinter, a 52-year-old gay man who was arrested for prostitution at the Blue Door in the East Village on Oct. 10, spoke at the town hall meeting. He said a young man — a 29-year old undercover cop who, Pinter said, looked even younger — cruised him in the store. He was “charming and persistent, and we agreed to go home for consensual sex, but as we were leaving he said, ‘I want to pay you $50 [to have sex].’ I didn’t respond, but I thought it was strange,” Pinter recounted. As the men left the store, Pinter said, a group of men who did not show police identification pushed him against the wall

“I thought I’d been set up by a gang,” he said. “I asked them why they were doing this to me. I was totally clueless. They handcuffed me and said, ‘Why the f— do you think we’re arresting you — loitering for the purpose of prostitution.’”

Pinter spent several hours in a police van, more time at the Seventh Precinct, and “16 or 17 hours in the Tombs,” the city jail downtown. His Legal Aid attorney “strongly suggested I plead guilty to disorderly conduct,” which he did, although he now regrets it. He was also ordered to go to city-sponsored classes on how to engage in prostitution more safely.

…The arrests at the Blue Door, (Duncan Osborne of the Gay City News) said, “are suspect and improbable. While overall, 17 percent of men arrested for prostitution in New York City are over 40 years of age, 66 percent of the men arrested at this location targeted by police were over 42.

via Police Charged with False Arrests of Gay Men at Adult Video Stores (Gotham Gazette, February 2, 2009).

The city is also trying to deny gay men the civil rights of free speech and freedom to assemble by even prohibiting discussing meeting for consensual gay sex!

The city first sued Blue Door in June, citing ten prostitution arrests that occurred there in January and February. The business owner signed a stipulation with the city in which he agreed to end all prostitution, lewdness and “assignation,” or agreeing to sexual encounters with or without money exchanged, in the location. That last provision would preclude any two men in the shop from agreeing, for example, to leave the venue and go to one of their apartments to have sex.

This is all in an effort to harass gay patrons of adult bookstores and to use the false arrests as evidence to sue and close legitimate gay businesses. If this can happen in New York, who is to say they couldn’t do this to any member of the LGBT community in any town? How will they close your favorite bar, or nab you on the street in front of your home? We must stop this now.

This is direct government oppression and false imprisonment in the United States of America. An investigation must start. If it is shown to be true it must be stopped, and whoever formed the policy must be fired, with civil and possibly criminal penalties. I am calling on LGBT America to make a real stink about this.

We finance the department and pay the salaries of government oppressors? Where is our outrage now?

Gay Marriage Equality Summit

One of the things we hear a lot at Queerty is, “Who are these self-professed leaders? We didn’t elect them!” Well, here’s the plain truth: They are whoever shows up.

via More Questions Than Answers at Gay Marriage Equality Summit / Queerty.

No Gay Divorce in Texas

A Dallas man has filed for divorce from his husband but the state of Texas is refusing to hear the case.

Attorney General Greg Abbott said that since Texas law prohibits same-sex marriages and civil unions, the men could not be divorced in Texas since their union is not recognized to exist in Texas.

The men, who have asked that their names remain private, were married in Cambridge, Mass., in 2006.

via Texas Blocks Gay Divorce – News- msnbc.com.

Inaugural Silent Protest of Rick Warren

From my images from the inauguration, coming soon on Washington Photo Journal.

Rich Murray from Brooklyn, NY, turns away from the US Capitol in silent protest during Rev. Rick Warren's invocation. The selection of Warren, who is seen above on the Jumbotrons, angered many voices in the LGBT community because of his anti-gay views.

What’s really going on in the gay rights movement?

LGBT people pinned hopes on Obama being the salvation. As if his election alone would nullify the influence of the religious right. LGBT leaders are recognizing the practicality and politics, while the people are still outraged by Rick Warren. His mere presence to them symbolizes a complete failure by Obama even before his presidency gets started.

There is a disconnect in the community. Leaders are being too practical and not outraged enough, while people are too used to being outraged while not thinking strategically how to make a real difference.

Dan Gilgoff at US News:

I’m struck by the angry reactions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender folks to my story this week on the elation of the gay rights movement over President-elect Barack Obama’s selection of openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson to give the invocation kicking off inaugural week. (I noted separately, on this blog, that some of the elation is born of the Obama transition team’s stepped-up its outreach to LGBT leaders.) The gay rights movement is far from elated with Obama, a number of commenters write.

Is the Gay Rights Movement—or Are Just Its Leaders—Elated Over Gene Robinson? – God & Country (usnews.com).

Little response to Obama ending ‘don’t ask’ policy is a good sign

Very little outcry against lifting the ban. LGBT need to focus on this and get it passed to get some momentum going for other things, including ENDA.

The little-noticed response, made in a video posted on change.gov, made barely a ripple outside blogs focused on the gay community, but that’s not surprising, said those who have been pushing to overturn the ban. Not only was Obama’s position expected, they said, but support for reviewing or repealing the policy has grown markedly in recent years, including some from unexpected quarters.

The end of “don’t ask, don’t tell” might not happen immediately, several critics of the policy said. Although they appreciate clarity from Obama on the issue, they anticipate that the demands of the economy and two wars are likely to trump a speedy policy reversal.

Obama will end ‘don’t ask’ policy, aide says.

New proposal to ban gay marriage in Indiana

New proposal to ban gay marriage in Indiana. It won’t pass though. Why? Cause we’re already illegal! These guys want to make us even more illegal.

An effort to pass a constitutional ban on same-sex marriages in Indiana is being renewed, this time with new wording that supporters hope will sway critics.

Its supporters said the new version would prohibit civil unions — which are already not recognized in Indiana — without affecting domestic partner benefits offered by some employers.

Chances of the amendment moving through both the House and Senate this session are slim, however.

Echoing his past comments, House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, said Indiana already has a law banning same-sex marriage.

That law, he said, has “been upheld by every judge that’s faced it.”

New proposal to ban gay marriage includes new wording | thestarpress.com | The Star Press.

In Maine, gay marriage goes on the offense – bill introduced to make it legal

This is what we need to do. We need to go on the offense.

Maine State Sen. Dennis Damon

Same-sex marriages would be allowed in Maine under a bill introduced by a Democratic state lawmaker, political observers said.

The measure, introduced by state Sen. Dennis Damon, is entitled, “An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedoms,” CNN reported Wednesday.

Maine unveils same-sex marriage bill – UPI.com.

Obama Supported Gay Marriage

Obama’s answer to the 1996 Outlines question was very clear: “I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages.” There was no use of “civil unions,” no compromise whatsoever.

Windy City Times – Obama changed views on gay marriage.

LGBT need to come out to lead America and stop playing victims

Obama Press Secretary Pledges Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”  |  Advocate.com

When the press secretary for the new administration answers the question “Is the new administration going to get rid of the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy?” with a one word answer: “Yes,” commenters still doubt the administration wants it to happen.

It amazes me how because so many people have been hurt for so long by politicians, they are unwilling to give the new president any chance. LGBT people were disappointed by the results of the Clinton years and have been bashed to second-class citizenship under Bush & Co.

Is this a form of internalized homophobia? Instead of expecting to be the victim and the castaway, these people should be standing up and saying “Good! Tell us Robert, What can we do to help make this happen?” I’m afraid these complainers instead will be the ones who do nothing to put pressure on the congress, nothing to pressure hate groups, nothing to support the incoming administration who supports us. Then they will look for every potential hurdle or setback and call it a betrayal by the Obama team and look for some cave to crawl in to to lick their wounds.

I say enough of that! We have a new administration who has made commitments to us, and we need to follow through with our commitment to them. We need to pressure the legislature directly. We need to pressure hate groups directly. We need to come out! Why!? Why is it that so many of us are afraid?

I know how it is. I know how a small or medium sized town has only one bar with all of the people in the community hating and loving one another at the same time. I know how even in large towns a community exists from the bars, where we struggle because the alcohol is plentiful, the hustlers take advantage of lonely old men (or the other way around), the meth is contagious, and the sex is seductive. We live in these worlds because they give us some sense of belonging to something, because we feel we don’t belong any where else. I know why we hide in these places.

Too many people hide in this environment and think that is what “the gay community” is all about. This is not limited to small or medium sized towns either. New young people come to DC to escape from home and live an out lifestyle. Good. That’s what the cities are for. Our communities in the cities will continue to thrive. We need to continue to gay it forward. But we can’t allow the cities to be a gay ghetto where we can escape from our families and let them forget us.

Don’t you dare tell your parents you have a new “roommate!” Grab that phone and call your parents and say, “Mom, you know while I was here I met someone and I think I’m falling in love. We are going to move in together.” Mom will likely not be as surprised as you think and may only be waiting for you to tell her. She may be shocked, horrified and disgusted. But  you know what? You are not going to change! So you might as well get the pain over with and let the healing begin now so you can be a happy family again in a few years.

What does coming out have to do with DADT? Everything. The gay community is up in arms because of some pastor who is giving a prayer, but where are posts strategizing how to send letters to repeal DADT? Where is the grass-roots organization to enact ENDA? We’re so damn victimized, we are missing these tremendous opportunities.

Being out gives us strength. It gives us political strength, personal strength, and financial strength because we learn to live on our own. The LGBT community is lacking strength right now, but we are making demands. We need to first show we have the position from where we can make demands. We need to push through a repeal of DADT. We need to push through an all-inclusive ENDA. We need to repeal DOMA. We need to make gay marriage legal by definition in law. Obama cannot do this. America’s laws come from the legislature. When they start there, they have the strength of being backed by the people. LGBT people need to lead in the legislature.

Being out allows us to say to our families, “This is what is important to me. This is my family. This is why marriage is important. This is why my job need to be secured. This is why I can’t join the Army. This is who I am and I am part of America too.”

I have outrage fatigue, too. I am tired of being outraged and I want a new direction. We cannot wait for Obama. We must lead ourselves. We must lead America.

Gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson goes to Seattle

Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson has become symbolic of the fierce tensions within the denomination — both nationally and internationally — over issues such as homosexuality and the authority of Scripture. For that very reason, some local Episcopalians are inviting Robinson to Seattle this week.

Local News | Gay church official to speak of civil rights and religious rites | Seattle Times Newspaper.

Reminder Saturday, collect signatures to repeal DOMA

Collect signatures to repeal DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act. Join the Impact.

Local – District of Columbia 1:30 at Dupont Circle