Thursday, June 18, 2009
Politics / Homo Stonewall Democrats Pull Out of DNC's Fundraiser
Posted by Dan Savage on Thu, Jun 18, 2009 at 2:40 PM
The Stonewall Democrats are out—and they're pissed:
The members of the Board and our membership put our hopes, our dollars and our time into ensuring the election of Barack Obama because we believed that he supported us. To now have his Administration refer to our relationships in the same terms used by our long time enemies such as Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and James Dobson hurts on so many levels. To have our committed and loving relationships referred to as the moral equivalent of incest and pedophilia is not something that any of us ever expected from this Administration considering how hard we worked to be seen and respected. For that reason alone, advocating for attendance at a fundraiser to support the Administration and the DNC, while they have not condemned this hurtful language, is not something our membership will receive positively.
Says John...
The Stonewall Democrats is THE gay Democratic organization. They are partisans to the core. They don't go against the party. And no offense to our friends at SD, but they're not exactly "gay activists" either. For this organization to announce that it is pulling out of the upcoming DNC gay fundraiser is not just a big deal for the fundraiser, it's a very troubling message for the Democratic party leadership.Let me put this another way. And again, no offense to Stonewall Dems. But these are folks that sometimes, some of us, think are more Dem than they are Gay. For them to stick it to the Democratic Party is rather huge.
Share via
1
good for them. i think that if we continue to push this, Obama will come through. i am just disappointed that we are having to push.
2
Now is the time to organize.
Join in the effort to protest for rights- sign up for a day, a week, or longer.
protestforhumanrights.com
Join in the effort to protest for rights- sign up for a day, a week, or longer.
protestforhumanrights.com
3
Dear Slog,
Can we get a running list of people/groups that have pulled out of this fundraiser?
Thanks much
Can we get a running list of people/groups that have pulled out of this fundraiser?
Thanks much
4
Well sure it's disappointing but guess what:
ain't nobody that didn't have to push.
And you're going to have a push a lot more and organize a lot more and reach out to persuadable straights a lot more and tell your stories a lot more and go meet with boring bland representatives from places like Yakima and Chapagne Ill. and Grand Junction CO a lot more, too.
so KEEP ON PUSHING.
ain't nobody that didn't have to push.
And you're going to have a push a lot more and organize a lot more and reach out to persuadable straights a lot more and tell your stories a lot more and go meet with boring bland representatives from places like Yakima and Chapagne Ill. and Grand Junction CO a lot more, too.
so KEEP ON PUSHING.
5
Where is the list of state reps and senators and us reps and senators and their positions on DADT DOMA ENDA and gay marriage?
Pls. get on with it.
Pls. get on with it.
6
I think that if we continue to push this, we will reshape his Presidency, and, *fingers crossed!* lose the House, Senate, and Executive for the next several years!!!!!!
-----vomits all over your shortsightedness---------
-----vomits all over your shortsightedness---------
8
Dan! Can you make it easy for us lazy spectators and occasionally re-list the people/parties NOT attending the fundraiser? Maybe a small tally at the bottom of those who withdrew their RSVP?
10
Obama's major skill/flaw that he's way into the whole political theatrics thing. This whole drama has seemed very contrived -- it's like Obama planned to play the "bad guy" with respect to gay rights all along, and *now* this whole soap opera seems to be leading toward Obama making a breakthrough announcement on gay rights on the anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
And that's the *ideal* take on this... ugh, fuck politics and politicans.
And that's the *ideal* take on this... ugh, fuck politics and politicans.
12
@10 If only. I hope you're right. It would be great to hear him say he's directing the DOD to stop kicking out gay service members, and he wants a law repealing DOMA on his desk by such and such a date. I'd love to be proven wrong. But I think he was short sided on this issue. Gays have been pushed around up until now, maybe he didn't realize we'd get this upset by being told to wait a little longer.
13
Good for the Stonewall Dems. I really never considered them a gay group because they have always come across as far too partisan. Perhaps we're finally learning.
14
I'm proud of Jon Hoadley (the executive director of the Stonewall Dems) for pulling out of this stupid fundraiser (which he probably helped organize). Dude works hard for like no cred. I'm glad he's successfully sticking it to somebody.
15
@10
I'd like to know when a social or civil rights movement has been spurred into action by being insulted and degraded by the very leaders that are supposed to support them or even worse who have stated emphatically that they're on our side and will fight for us the minute they get into power, like Fiercy Fraud has done.
If that's what is happening, well that's just sick. We shouldn't be behaving like an abused spouse who returns to their abuser.
I'd like to know when a social or civil rights movement has been spurred into action by being insulted and degraded by the very leaders that are supposed to support them or even worse who have stated emphatically that they're on our side and will fight for us the minute they get into power, like Fiercy Fraud has done.
If that's what is happening, well that's just sick. We shouldn't be behaving like an abused spouse who returns to their abuser.
16
@15 "We shouldn't be behaving like an abused spouse who returns to their abuser."
Thank you. That is a great analogy. I'll be using that quote when I'm at the White House fence.
Thank you. That is a great analogy. I'll be using that quote when I'm at the White House fence.
17
Can we get a list of how many people have signed up to take a concrete action, of say some actual non-parade non-party omg-i-might-be-arrested type, that takes like an hour a month?
It's one thing to close a checkbook.
It's another thing to open a door and take a risk.
It's one thing to close a checkbook.
It's another thing to open a door and take a risk.
18
(an aside to those who feel it's fun to personally attack me for saying this - years ago in BC I took many personal risks on this issue - as did many others - now is YOUR time HERE)
20
@6, your many comments on the last few posts on this topic make me glad that (on this at least, for the moment at least) I've kept clear of the ruinous temptation to bog down in my usual overblown poli-sci bullshit. These posts and comments have helped keep things pretty focused for me, and I'm grateful for everyone's participation.
As a lifelong Democrat, it feels good not to have to tiptoe around trying to protect the tender political flank of a timid party for once. Obama has the political capital and smarts to take the flak, and could navigate a course change without breaking a sweat, if the pressure persists. In the long run having a serious conflict lead to a great result like that would be better for him, for other promised voting blocs looking at us worrying if they're next to be ignored, for the Congress Obama needs to credibly lead...
If that doesn't seem farsighted enough, I'm sure an opthalmologist near you is accepting new patients.
As a lifelong Democrat, it feels good not to have to tiptoe around trying to protect the tender political flank of a timid party for once. Obama has the political capital and smarts to take the flak, and could navigate a course change without breaking a sweat, if the pressure persists. In the long run having a serious conflict lead to a great result like that would be better for him, for other promised voting blocs looking at us worrying if they're next to be ignored, for the Congress Obama needs to credibly lead...
If that doesn't seem farsighted enough, I'm sure an opthalmologist near you is accepting new patients.
21
Gloomy Gus -- ignore the science and go with your gut. THAT should really work for you in the face of countless examples of guts being followed then spilled out on the floor once slayed.
22
I just telephoned and e-mailed Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell and Jim McDermott's offices and asked them to sponsor legislation repealing DOMA. No time like the present.
26
23/24, that reads like a hyperbolic "hopes being dashed" phrase.
Hey Todd, are you for available? I hear the Stranger is hiring after the most recent of Dan's mistakes: Erica Barnett.
Hey Todd, are you for available? I hear the Stranger is hiring after the most recent of Dan's mistakes: Erica Barnett.
28
@18 I don't disagree with you calling people to action or demanding they get on their feet and fight tooth and nail for their beliefs.
I applaud your efforts. I applaud any efforts. I applaud the closing/opening of checkbooks, I applaud speeches, and people on TV to state their case. I applaud blogs and websites and donations. I applaud anything that puts these issues in the public eye on a daily basis.
It is when you degrade someone else's efforts that make you sound like a dick. Not when you just simply say "Let's get off our asses." If you can simply stick to "Let's get off our asses" and sincerely just attempt to mobilize people on this topic, than that's cool. But when you comment about how Dan should be talking about healthcare or you call people whiny for being angry about what is going on, you sound like a prick and people don't want to talk to you.
So that is the difference between people having your back and people bitching you out.
I applaud your efforts. I applaud any efforts. I applaud the closing/opening of checkbooks, I applaud speeches, and people on TV to state their case. I applaud blogs and websites and donations. I applaud anything that puts these issues in the public eye on a daily basis.
It is when you degrade someone else's efforts that make you sound like a dick. Not when you just simply say "Let's get off our asses." If you can simply stick to "Let's get off our asses" and sincerely just attempt to mobilize people on this topic, than that's cool. But when you comment about how Dan should be talking about healthcare or you call people whiny for being angry about what is going on, you sound like a prick and people don't want to talk to you.
So that is the difference between people having your back and people bitching you out.
30
Well, his attitude toward religion left me feeling he couldn't be trusted on our issues. Rev. Wright is pretty fucking fanatical. But if you want to be elected you have to say what the party officials tell you. Now that he's slandered us in court, I guess we all know how he really feels about us. Question is, will he apologize or let this fester? It has to be expensive to let it fester or he won't learn.
31
no more Mr/Ms Nice Gay 'cause we're tired of sitting at the back of the motherfucking bus.
DADT needs to be gone by the end of the year. We have the support.
And, there needs to be VISIBLE signs that the Congress and the Administration are ACTIVELY working to end DOMA. And yeah, it might take some time, but we need to see the committment.
DADT needs to be gone by the end of the year. We have the support.
And, there needs to be VISIBLE signs that the Congress and the Administration are ACTIVELY working to end DOMA. And yeah, it might take some time, but we need to see the committment.
32
@15: I totally agree. My main point is that I don't hear enough speculating whether this is all Wag The Dog type shit or not.
It's better to assume Obama is being an asshole for real, and, obviously, I think the outrage is totally justified.
However, is Obama just pretending to be *more* of an asshole in regards to this issue... just so he can show America that he can play the passive role too, and give The People What They Want, etc. i.e. "See? I respond to my citizens! Look!" Obama has been criticized for being more declarative than responsive.
Again, it feels way too Wag The Dog. And as Enigma hopes, I hope this is the case.
It's better to assume Obama is being an asshole for real, and, obviously, I think the outrage is totally justified.
However, is Obama just pretending to be *more* of an asshole in regards to this issue... just so he can show America that he can play the passive role too, and give The People What They Want, etc. i.e. "See? I respond to my citizens! Look!" Obama has been criticized for being more declarative than responsive.
Again, it feels way too Wag The Dog. And as Enigma hopes, I hope this is the case.
33
I'm not going so crazy as to vote for republicans. I'll still continue to vote mostly for democrats. But I'm done writing checks.
Until I see some real, concrete action on DOMA and DADT, I'm not writing another goddamned check to any democrat, and certainly not the democratic party. Not on the local, state, or federal level.
This isn't just about Obama. Harry Ried has said that he has no intention of putting DADT up for debate. There are no senate sponsors to repeal DADT. WFT? Yes, Obama appears to be ditching his pledge to be our fierce advocate. But I'm not seeing a whole lot of advocacy in the house or senate either.
Here's my pledge, democrats: my checkbook is welded shut till I see some action.
Until I see some real, concrete action on DOMA and DADT, I'm not writing another goddamned check to any democrat, and certainly not the democratic party. Not on the local, state, or federal level.
This isn't just about Obama. Harry Ried has said that he has no intention of putting DADT up for debate. There are no senate sponsors to repeal DADT. WFT? Yes, Obama appears to be ditching his pledge to be our fierce advocate. But I'm not seeing a whole lot of advocacy in the house or senate either.
Here's my pledge, democrats: my checkbook is welded shut till I see some action.
34
@22,25 - um. no.
Sure, keep doing that.
But people have to take actions where they physically are present and demand their rights politely but firmly. In groups, where it becomes obvious you will keep showing up and won't go away.
Emails don't count. Posting on WaPo won't count.
You have to BE there. And risk something. Over and over.
Sure, keep doing that.
But people have to take actions where they physically are present and demand their rights politely but firmly. In groups, where it becomes obvious you will keep showing up and won't go away.
Emails don't count. Posting on WaPo won't count.
You have to BE there. And risk something. Over and over.
35
@34 Thank you!
Perhaps this could be combined with Enigma's efforts? People could use the forum to talk about most effective places to demonstrate or protest, most effective strategies, etc. I mean Enigma your main focus could remain at the White House, but affording people to protest closer to home is just as important.
Perhaps this could be combined with Enigma's efforts? People could use the forum to talk about most effective places to demonstrate or protest, most effective strategies, etc. I mean Enigma your main focus could remain at the White House, but affording people to protest closer to home is just as important.
36
@35 I'd love it for people to stand outside city halls and state capitols. I'd love the idea Dan suggested- couples asking to see the President combine with those other efforts.
What we need are people who want to organize these efforts. I'm one person. A person no one seems to trust at the moment because no one really knows me. I've gotten 3 responses from all these posts over the past two days.
I'm in this for the long haul. All the vacation time I was going to take for camping trips and to visit family, I'm putting into this effort instead.
I think my small effort can have a great impact, but others need to step up and put their feet where their mouth is.
Use my forum page to organize things locally. Talk to your friends and family about mobilizing. It will take work, and that scares some people, but I know it can be done- the movement for equality has always beaten the movement for discrimination.
What we need are people who want to organize these efforts. I'm one person. A person no one seems to trust at the moment because no one really knows me. I've gotten 3 responses from all these posts over the past two days.
I'm in this for the long haul. All the vacation time I was going to take for camping trips and to visit family, I'm putting into this effort instead.
I think my small effort can have a great impact, but others need to step up and put their feet where their mouth is.
Use my forum page to organize things locally. Talk to your friends and family about mobilizing. It will take work, and that scares some people, but I know it can be done- the movement for equality has always beaten the movement for discrimination.
Most Commented on Slog
-
WTF? by Dan Savage
-
Your Wife Died Alone... by Dan Savage
-
Meanwhile in Vancouver by Dan Savage
-
Is Your Teen Out of Control... And Smoking Hot? by Dan Savage
-
PETA vs. Thanksgiving by Dan Savage
-
Health at Every Size by Dan Savage
-
Boy-Nerds Offended by Cootie-Ridden "Girl" Movie by Paul Constant
-
The Democrats Have 60 Votes in the Senate for Health Care Reform by Jonathan Golob
-
The Cost (and Fear) of Dying by Anthony Hecht
-
SL Letter of the Day: Hot For Twinks by Dan Savage
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (37) RSS