Slog

News & Arts

Line Out

Music & Nightlife

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Don't Be Fooled

Posted by Dan Savage on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 12:04 PM

This wouldn't be happening...

After five months of virtual inaction on the gay rights agenda, House Democratic leaders on Wednesday met privately to chart out a strategy for advancing the constituency group’s priorities in the 111th Congress.

Headlining the meeting was Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who with her leadership team and the three openly gay Members of Congress—Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.)—sought to map out a way forward on several key gay rights bills.

...if this wasn't happening.

Tonight's LGBT Leadership Council Dinner is a $1,000-a-plate minimum fundraiser featuring Vice President Joseph R. Biden. The fundraiser has become the target of gay activists who are pressuring gay donors to stop giving to the Democratic Party. The gay activists argue that so long as the “gay ATM” is filling Democratic Party coffers, the party is likely to continue offering lip service over action on gay rights....

Donors began to flee after boycott organizers announced they would picket outside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel tonight, and gay weekly the Washington Blade said it will video tape anyone who crosses their picket line.

Share via

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Newsvine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Email
 

Comments (24) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
Andy Niable 1
Dan, Dan, Dan. Talk to some folks on the Hill. Legislation doesn't just come pouring out of Barney's ass--this has been in the pipeline for months.

Your inexperience is showing again...
Posted by Andy Niable on June 25, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Enigma 2
Knights Out will be at the protest tonight and have announced one for Saturday.
The National Protest for Human Rights is starting on July 1st.

These tactics are working. We have to demand our rights if we ever hope to attain any. The majority doesn't like to give in unless it's forced to.

protestforhumanrights.com
Posted by Enigma http://approvereferendum71.org/ on June 25, 2009 at 12:10 PM
3
Even if you listen to the President of the United States, but especially if you listen to organizers, real change happens when the people demand it. Politicians don't just decide to do something, especially anything with hot button issues, unless the people tell them they want it.
Posted by samedelstein on June 25, 2009 at 12:10 PM
4
That said, have you heard about this?
http://pamshouseblend.com/diary/11709/se…

Hate crimes might get tanked. I imagine that if Obama showed any leadership on the issue, it would sail through congress with strong support.
Posted by RDM on June 25, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Confluence 5
Is this a surprise? Money talks. You threaten to pull away the bucks and then representatives respond swiftly to your wishes. That's how politics works, didn't you know?
Posted by Confluence on June 25, 2009 at 12:18 PM
6
@RDM: Really? Because I seem to recall him showing plenty of leadership on closing Gitmo.
Posted by six of one on June 25, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Joh 7
I like this.

Keep punchin them in the jeans.
Posted by Joh http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504158215&ref=profile on June 25, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Bonefish 8
Fuck yeah!
Posted by Bonefish on June 25, 2009 at 12:28 PM
9
Yes and no. Organized pressure is good. But Barney announced the trans-inclusive enda a few days ago and that means its been in the pipeline for a while.
Posted by Kevin Erickson on June 25, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Will in Seattle 10
Now, let me just point out a key phrase "donors started to pull out after boycott organizers" said they would PHYSICALLY show up ...

Actions are what cause change. Not words.
Posted by Will in Seattle http://www.facebook.com/WillSeattle on June 25, 2009 at 12:33 PM
11
Cutting off the funds is what is working. That defense of DOMA brief finally pissed enough 'mos and mo-supporters off that we can organize a boycott large enough to get thier attention. I'll give no money nor votes until they repeal DOMA and DADT. And HRC is dead to me.
Posted by Jersey on June 25, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Zoroastronomer 12
Videotaping? That's what the neo-nazis did at the last pridefest I went to. I guess it works both ways.
Posted by Zoroastronomer on June 25, 2009 at 12:45 PM
13
WAY TO GO.

Bitching works. Even better is the picket line.

(Yes, ITYS).

And waaaaaaaaay better yet is the filming of people who would cross that picket line!

Now how about picketing gov. Sanford at his press conference tomorrow? It would be nice if some nice looking gay couples, with kids, picketed him as a threat to their marriages and to all marriages everywhere: "GOP Adulterers -- Stop Threatening My Gay Marriage!"

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell -- Any Adulterers Who Tell Should be Kicked out of the Army!"

"Adultery is a Sin! No Adulterers Can Use the Word "Married" Anymore!"

Have fun with it.
Posted by PC on June 25, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Andy Niable 14
By all means, PC, let the purges begin. You must be This Queer (and derranged with Promised Land Syndrome) to be One of Us.

Now help me fashion this Golden Calf--it's almost Pride Weekend!
Posted by Andy Niable on June 25, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Baconcat 15
I've resigned myself to the fact that it's people with money that call the shots, and not the grassroots protesters.
Posted by Baconcat on June 25, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Will in Seattle 16
@15 - which is why they won't put the single-payer national health care plan on the table.
Posted by Will in Seattle http://www.facebook.com/WillSeattle on June 25, 2009 at 1:35 PM
john t 17
@12, yup, I'm glad to live in a country where everyone is entitled to use a camera in public spaces. Are you?
Posted by john t on June 25, 2009 at 1:41 PM
18
I knew Dan would take credit for repeal of DADT and DOMA!
Posted by thomasguy01 on June 25, 2009 at 2:21 PM
GLYNN 19
Zoroastronomer, poor analogy, neo nazis? - Who else uses cameras to look at people? Well, that'll be everyone with a camera then. Hell, mo's never look at dodgy pictures or videos do they?

And Andy said it's been in the pipeline for months - really? Well that just goes to show how they like to keep gay issues secret. If they shared little bit more maybe us mo's wouldn't get sooooo fucking angry, and if they shared it sooner they might have avoided the roth.

Talking to folks on The Hill gets us where? Look at the people who are talking to the folks on The Hill. What did they acheive yet? Do they inspire you? Probably not. They are sycophant blank page networkers looking for "A" gay cocktail party invites.

Dan Dan Dan don't bother trudging up that Hill - stay where you are and keep on fuelling the debate. It's time the fools on The Hill and the so called gay leaders came to us for a change. It's just a pity they only appear listen when their when they get their manbags snatched away from them - $$$$$ talks.
Posted by GLYNN on June 25, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Will in Seattle 20
the money has far less impact than the physical appearance and the resulting public shame and vids, actually.

thank god for cell phones.
Posted by Will in Seattle http://www.facebook.com/WillSeattle on June 25, 2009 at 4:28 PM
21
If a Republican AG used the phrases in the support of DOMA that the Democratic AG used you would have to scrap Barney Frank from the cielling.Also Barney Franf sees nothing wrong with the administration pandering after the up roar I have one more I don't know LTC Fehrenbach could attend the Pride Event Monday if after 18yrs of loyal serice you get booted of the service I would be pissed not looking for a pat on he head
Posted by walt46 on June 25, 2009 at 8:14 PM
22
I think Dan is 100% on the money. If they did't boycott the event, there would be no meeting...Pelosi is all about placating the donors. Still doesn't excue Obama's bizarre refusal to sign an order to stop any current Don't Ask Don't Tell discharge proceedings. He may be a bi-racial minority, but he still thinks like a white guy from Kansas...

oh ya...HRC is dead to me too...
Posted by drumstick on June 25, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Uriel-238 23
In the meanwhile, Yay! Movement!
Posted by Uriel-238 on June 25, 2009 at 11:41 PM
24
For anyone who wants to know how our protest at the DNC Fundraiser in DC went down, here is a link to a diary I posted on Daily Kos about our adventure. There is also a facebook group with some pics of our ragtag assembly.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/6…

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=96…
Posted by SCOTT IN DC on June 26, 2009 at 5:00 AM

Add a comment

 

All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC
1535 11th Ave (Third Floor), Seattle, WA 98122
Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use