Slog
News & ArtsSunday, May 24, 2009
Homo Something's Coming...
Posted by Dan Savage on Sun, May 24, 2009 at 12:56 PM
...something good?
California representative Howard Berman predicted in an interview Thursday that the White House would be presenting new information regarding LGBT policies sometime before annual pride celebrations in June.“I think the White House is preparing to make an announcement on a number of issues,” he said, declining to go into detail. “I’m predicting here, not informing, that by the Stonewall anniversary we will have a very clear picture of what the administration is doing.”
1
It sounds promising:
" Berman said he agreed to remove that section of the bill based on his understanding that both the Obama administration and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were committed to equalizing treatment for same-sex partners in the very near future. He suggested that declaration might be part of a greater package of policy pronouncements from the White House.
“My expectation with respect to the issues that were originally part of my bill, is that the State Department and the secretary will provide the kinds of benefits that I sought,” he said, adding that he was committed to ending discrimination against gay and lesbian foreign service officers. “If I’m wrong, which I don’t think I am, we still have a ways to go on this bill and we can reverse course.”
If widespread changes that would cover the provisions that were taken out of the bill do not come to pass, then there should be a major outcry.
Other bits of the bill that are still intact sound very good indeed:
"What did make the bill were a series of policies that will empower the State Department to: track violence and discrimination against LGBT people that would be deemed illegal in the United States; encourage and persuade governments of other countries to repeal or reform any laws that criminalize homosexuality or restrict fundamental freedoms of gay individuals or organizations; include in annual human rights reports documentation of violence or discrimination against people based on their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. "
Let's all hope that change (for the better) is finally coming.
" Berman said he agreed to remove that section of the bill based on his understanding that both the Obama administration and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were committed to equalizing treatment for same-sex partners in the very near future. He suggested that declaration might be part of a greater package of policy pronouncements from the White House.
“My expectation with respect to the issues that were originally part of my bill, is that the State Department and the secretary will provide the kinds of benefits that I sought,” he said, adding that he was committed to ending discrimination against gay and lesbian foreign service officers. “If I’m wrong, which I don’t think I am, we still have a ways to go on this bill and we can reverse course.”
If widespread changes that would cover the provisions that were taken out of the bill do not come to pass, then there should be a major outcry.
Other bits of the bill that are still intact sound very good indeed:
"What did make the bill were a series of policies that will empower the State Department to: track violence and discrimination against LGBT people that would be deemed illegal in the United States; encourage and persuade governments of other countries to repeal or reform any laws that criminalize homosexuality or restrict fundamental freedoms of gay individuals or organizations; include in annual human rights reports documentation of violence or discrimination against people based on their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. "
Let's all hope that change (for the better) is finally coming.
2
I'll believe it when I see it. My extremely cynical prediction - more lame half-measures that don't even make it out committee.
3
It better be coming. Who knows? But I got a feeling there's a miracle due, gonna come true, coming to me!
4
My concern is that a provision that would grant equal status to same-sex partners of diplomats was removed based on a 'promise' that wider measures that will grant the same equality will be enacted.
My basic cynicism sees where the grounds for a 'bait and switch' may be laid - in the guise of "You take this protection out of this bill now, and we promise that we will give you the same or better protections later."
My hope is that this will be on the level. But politics being politics, one can never say for sure.
To do any less (than grant full protections for same-sex couples) is to deny that all citizens are equal, and in fact sends a not so subtle message that some of our citizens are somehow unworthy or undeserving of being considered full citizens and are indeed 2nd class or inferior.
My basic cynicism sees where the grounds for a 'bait and switch' may be laid - in the guise of "You take this protection out of this bill now, and we promise that we will give you the same or better protections later."
My hope is that this will be on the level. But politics being politics, one can never say for sure.
To do any less (than grant full protections for same-sex couples) is to deny that all citizens are equal, and in fact sends a not so subtle message that some of our citizens are somehow unworthy or undeserving of being considered full citizens and are indeed 2nd class or inferior.
5
We still get to march, right? I've been looking forward to going to a good singles mixer for a while now.
6
Obama will announce a committee to review LGBT civil rights issues and he will include more than a fair share of hetero supremacist religious types that will participate in order to ensure that all viewpoints are at the table and that religious organizations will be protected from being forced to recognize any rights extended to LGBTs.
Obama will be in Los Angeles on 5/27 the day after the decision to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the party that must deliver on whatever promises Obama makes:
http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/05…
Let's hope that any leaked promises of changes to come do not quell the urgency that has been raised in the past weeks. Obama needs to feel the heat or he will be too "busy" talking about normalizing relations with Cuba to take care of his promises to non-hetero America.
Obama will be in Los Angeles on 5/27 the day after the decision to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the party that must deliver on whatever promises Obama makes:
http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/05…
Let's hope that any leaked promises of changes to come do not quell the urgency that has been raised in the past weeks. Obama needs to feel the heat or he will be too "busy" talking about normalizing relations with Cuba to take care of his promises to non-hetero America.
8
I posted this on May 21st regarding the DADT waffling:
"Not to be a starry-eyed optimist or anything, but what if, just to make it a huge splash and one helluva party, Obama was waiting for the anniversary of the Stonewall riots?"
Again, not to be an optimist, because I trust politicians about as far as far as I can throw them, but what if? You would blow the fundies minds and still be early enough into the term that by the time election time came, assuming the economy turns around, any Dem could run on an economic platform and all the GOP would have would be "Gay Rights! The gave them rights!". It would be pretty funny to watch all these people slobbering in ads about stuff no one would care about...
"Not to be a starry-eyed optimist or anything, but what if, just to make it a huge splash and one helluva party, Obama was waiting for the anniversary of the Stonewall riots?"
Again, not to be an optimist, because I trust politicians about as far as far as I can throw them, but what if? You would blow the fundies minds and still be early enough into the term that by the time election time came, assuming the economy turns around, any Dem could run on an economic platform and all the GOP would have would be "Gay Rights! The gave them rights!". It would be pretty funny to watch all these people slobbering in ads about stuff no one would care about...
9
I trust our President to do the right thing. The right wing bigots don't run things anymore people. Change is coming.
10
Waiting for the Stonewall anniversary to announce a step forward in gay rights? Has America become one giant reality tv show? Is every week November sweeps? Jesus. . .
12
Hillary's recent pronouncement can't be undone, can it?
Won't the US look real stupid if State Department employees get better rights than the rest of us?
Of course, the US is already pretty stupid...
Won't the US look real stupid if State Department employees get better rights than the rest of us?
Of course, the US is already pretty stupid...
14
Something's coming, I don't know what it is, but it is going to be great. With a click, with a shock. Phone'll jingle, door'll knock. Open the latch!
15
Yes, the announcement will go something like this:
"I believe marriage is between one man and one woman. God is in the mix. Fooled ya again, SUCKAS!"
"I believe marriage is between one man and one woman. God is in the mix. Fooled ya again, SUCKAS!"
17
The rank and file Dems in congress will continue their traditional cowardice, and refuse to support the President. If there was an alternative to Dems, I'd be there so fast...
19
Howard Berman is a case. He's notorious for being very pro copyright-everything, pro RIAA, pro Anything That Promotes The War On Files.
I hope this is one time I can associate Berman with something good for a change.
I hope this is one time I can associate Berman with something good for a change.
20
I got a call from Obama's PAC last night, looking for money. Usually I just say "I don't promise money over the phone", but this time I decided it was a cheap chance to let his campaign ('cause yeah, he's still campaigning) know that he needs to move on gay rights.
The guy seemed much more interested in talking about healthcare. . . or even Guantanamo. I'm not super optimistic.
The guy seemed much more interested in talking about healthcare. . . or even Guantanamo. I'm not super optimistic.
21
Who care's what Obama's going to do for the faggots other than faghags? Faggety fag fag faghags. Fag fag fag.
Wow, that was fun. Let's keep using the derogatory term faghags forever! We can mock women for no other reason than their appreciation of gay men and ourselves at the same time!
Wow, that was fun. Let's keep using the derogatory term faghags forever! We can mock women for no other reason than their appreciation of gay men and ourselves at the same time!
23
Pretty sure the official administration position on LGBT issues will be: "Continue waffling till the last few months of 2011, then make some extravagant promises vis a vis the second term, which we will be unable/unwilling to implement after we are reelected."
24
Hey Dan-
I'll hold this football and you come kick the shit out of it...
come on; give it all you got...
I promise
I won't pull it away this time!
I'll hold this football and you come kick the shit out of it...
come on; give it all you got...
I promise
I won't pull it away this time!
25
OK, Dan, Balt-O-Matt, and Debbie, I'll round 'em out:
Come on, something, come on in, don't be shy,
Meet a guy, Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Maybe tonight . . .
Come on, something, come on in, don't be shy,
Meet a guy, Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Maybe tonight . . .
27
It plans to put gays and lesbians in harm's way by granting them equal opportunity to occupy foreign nations?
29
Hey Dan!
Don't forget we have something for you today!
(now spread your cheeks and take it like a man-
no squealing...)
Don't forget we have something for you today!
(now spread your cheeks and take it like a man-
no squealing...)
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