Slog
News & ArtsTuesday, August 17, 2010
City "I was at the Obama lunch and there wasn't a single mention, from anyone at all, of queer people."
Posted by Eli Sanders on Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 4:31 PM
Slog tipper Joe dissents, somewhat, from Councilman Tim Burgess's rapturous report on President Obama's fundraising speech at the Seattle Westin:
I was at the Obama lunch and there wasn't a single mention, from anyone at all, of queer people. In the second gayest city in America! 13% of Seattlites are gay, right, something like that, but we may as well not exist, as far as the Murray machine is concerned. We deserve some love. Just a shout-out.Next time, I'm going to hand out little pieces of paper for distribution to all the gays in the room (there were prominent gay business people all over, one at my table, and several at the next table, and I saw a ton of others) and have us all stand up at the same time, and hold signs saying, "We're here, we're not afraid, and we want to hear from you." Hmmm...
I know there's a war and all, and that whole collapsed economy thing, but I would like at least a nod to the fact that we don't have basic civil rights, and a promise to try to make things better. I mean come on: if you're not for full rights for all people, you're anti-Family, un-American, anti-Freedom. If you're silent about the biggest social issue of the day, then why the hell should I give you money?
The rest of the lunch, as you've heard, was terrific. Obama is funny, and really does know how to work a crowd into a frenzy. Also, Gregoire is a bulldog.
Just the gay thing. Just the human decency thing. The Rs are going to use it this election, the trend of opinion is going the right way, so why not make it an issue and get me excited?
Joe
2
so? what's he supposed to say? "and I just want to give a shoutout to all the Seattle gays out there, WATUP!" calling them out might do them a disservice. such attention whores...next thing, you'll want your own month or parade!
3
We need Obama to get re-elected in 2012 if we are going to have any hope of him actually doing anything truly progressive. This statement is not limited to equality for teh gays.
4
I was so caught up I never gave it a thought. I am a bad gay sometimes. Thanks for the reminder, Joe.
5
Jobs.
Economy.
Infrastructure.
Foreign civil wars of Republican adventure.
... I think you guys are like maybe 34th on the list.
Economy.
Infrastructure.
Foreign civil wars of Republican adventure.
... I think you guys are like maybe 34th on the list.
6
did he mention Native Americans? there are a lot of them in this city compared to others, too.
did he mention mention any minority groups?
me me me.
did he mention mention any minority groups?
me me me.
7
so.... you were there and you noticed nobody said anything and now you're complaining. why is it you didn't say anything?
8
I don't get it. You want a shout-out just because gay people exist? Is he supposed to do this at every event everywhere?
9
Hey you, Max and Will and Tingley, do you not get it that Queer Americans don't have full civil rights?
That our families don't enjoy the same economic security and legal standing as straights? That in most of the country we can be denied housing, employment, custody, all sorts of basic things, because we're gay? Do you not get it that we have second class citizens in America, by law, and that all of your gay friends are in this group?
That's a little different than the economic issues, however real and difficult, facing other minority groups. We don't have rights. We're not full Americans. You don't get this? Here in Seattle, one of the few safe-havens in the world, where I know you have gay friends, you don't get this?
And, it's not like it would be hard to talk about it, to put forward and push a couple of bills. It could be a winning issue.
That our families don't enjoy the same economic security and legal standing as straights? That in most of the country we can be denied housing, employment, custody, all sorts of basic things, because we're gay? Do you not get it that we have second class citizens in America, by law, and that all of your gay friends are in this group?
That's a little different than the economic issues, however real and difficult, facing other minority groups. We don't have rights. We're not full Americans. You don't get this? Here in Seattle, one of the few safe-havens in the world, where I know you have gay friends, you don't get this?
And, it's not like it would be hard to talk about it, to put forward and push a couple of bills. It could be a winning issue.
10
@3: If he didn't get anything done with 60 D's in the Senate, a solid majority in the House, and the White House, it's clearly not a priority for him.
11
Identity politics demands that every speech the President gives anywhere must make a full listing of every demographic segment that exists and contain at least a token nod to delivering them the things that they prioritize. Anything else amounts to active antagonism.
12
@9, yes, I get it, and in my statement I pretty much said that gays cannot expect to see any progress until he is reelected. Just stating reality, a reality I hope gays find the silver lining in, because we all need whatever silver linings we can find. Lets face it, Obama has let his supporters down, and I knew he would. Its not like I am advocating for everyone to shut up and wait until his reelection to air their grievances, but I think the consequences of our electoral system need to be acknowledged along the way. A lame duck Obama will be a bold Obama.
15
@3, it didn't help that there were too many D's in that supermajority that would have sided with the Republicans on that issue.
Yes gays, keep pushing, keep calling bullshit, but don't let idealism blind you to reality. We need Obama to have a 2nd term for anything good to happen here.
Yes gays, keep pushing, keep calling bullshit, but don't let idealism blind you to reality. We need Obama to have a 2nd term for anything good to happen here.
16
@3 Bullshit. In a sane reality, he'd be what used to be called a Moderate Republican. He doesn't have a progressive bone in his body.
@5 An existing Muslim congregation building a community center in an abandoned building in an urban area shouldn't even have been on the radar and yet he (or his team) felt the need to comment on it in a major speech.
@6 & @8 You may have been in a coma for the last few months, but there have been a string of significant legislative and judicial rulings impacting gay Americans. Gay Americans are a large voting block in the Democratic party. Anyone with two grains of political sense to rub together to make a spark would have made a point of including them since there are elections in less than 6 weeks and "strained" is about the most generous description of current relations between the Whitehouse and the LGBTQQ community.
To paraphrase Kanye: "Barack Obama don't like gay people."
@5 An existing Muslim congregation building a community center in an abandoned building in an urban area shouldn't even have been on the radar and yet he (or his team) felt the need to comment on it in a major speech.
@6 & @8 You may have been in a coma for the last few months, but there have been a string of significant legislative and judicial rulings impacting gay Americans. Gay Americans are a large voting block in the Democratic party. Anyone with two grains of political sense to rub together to make a spark would have made a point of including them since there are elections in less than 6 weeks and "strained" is about the most generous description of current relations between the Whitehouse and the LGBTQQ community.
To paraphrase Kanye: "Barack Obama don't like gay people."
17
@12: you supported him, though you knew he would let you down. so, he met your expectations. see? glass half full!
18
I agree, we'll have to wait until his 2nd term to even have the possibility that he'll take bold action on expanding full civil rights to homosexuals. That's why he doesn't deserve a 2nd term. Smart and well spoken, sure. Still a coward.
19
@9 no, I just don't care. Canada did this decades ago and you guys like to sit around talking, but you never do anything. Wake me when you get serious.
In the meantime, one of my brothers is losing his house to foreclosure, so color me unconcerned that you're not top of the President's list.
In the meantime, one of my brothers is losing his house to foreclosure, so color me unconcerned that you're not top of the President's list.
21
@18, he doesn't deserve a 2nd term, but sadly he will still be the best choice on the ballot come Nov. 2012.
22
@17, yes, I supported him once the choice came down to him and Clinton (another sellout) in the primaries, and I definitely supported him that November, danced in the streets when he won, but always knew he would not fulfill the hope so many had in him.
I was disapointed when he announced he was running. I felt he should at least finish his first term in the senate before running for the top job. But damn, could he talk pretty!
I was disapointed when he announced he was running. I felt he should at least finish his first term in the senate before running for the top job. But damn, could he talk pretty!
23
@16, yeah, but he sure fooled a-lot of people into thinking he was a progressive. But would a real progressive even have a chance of getting out of the primaries in our political climate?
24
@12 did you copy and paste a comment from 16 years ago? This is so 1994...with a find/replace Obama for Clinton.
25
@24, no copying and pasting here. But if there are similarities, it might explain why democrats have such a hard time winning elections without serious fuckups by the republicans. Maybe they would do better if real progressives could make it out of primaries, or if they weren't afraid of scaring off moderates with progressive candidates.
God, America sucks!
God, America sucks!
27
OH BOO HOO THE RICH WHITE GAY MALES THAT ARE LET INTO THE PLANTATION HOUSE TO GIVE MASSAH OBAMA AND HIS DEMOCRATS DONATIONS ARE PISSED OFF THAT THEY WERENT MENTIONED AT THEIR PRETTY LITTLE BALLROOM CIRCLEJERK
WELCOME TO OBAMA WORLD WHERE YOU PRETTY BOYS ARE THE SAME AS THE DISABLED LESBIANS OF SIZE YOU IGNORE ON YOUR WAY TO YOUR MANICURES AND PEDICURES
UNTIL YOU GET OUT OF YOUR BOOZE DRENCHED HAZE AND REALIZE THAT HE HAS THROWN US ALL UNDER THE BUS AND YOU ARE DOWN IN THE GUTTER WITH THE REST OF US QUEERS NOTHING WILL HAPPEN
IN THE STRUGGLE FOR FQTBLG EQUALITY THE WAR IS PERSONAL AND THE WHOLE WORLD IS A BATTLEFIELD DEMAND YOUR RIGHTS EVERYWHERE AND NEVER STOP DEMANDING THEM UNTIL ALL OF US CAN WALK FREE OF THE OPPRESSION OF THE PATERNALISTIC "STRAIGHT" CULTURE
WELCOME TO OBAMA WORLD WHERE YOU PRETTY BOYS ARE THE SAME AS THE DISABLED LESBIANS OF SIZE YOU IGNORE ON YOUR WAY TO YOUR MANICURES AND PEDICURES
UNTIL YOU GET OUT OF YOUR BOOZE DRENCHED HAZE AND REALIZE THAT HE HAS THROWN US ALL UNDER THE BUS AND YOU ARE DOWN IN THE GUTTER WITH THE REST OF US QUEERS NOTHING WILL HAPPEN
IN THE STRUGGLE FOR FQTBLG EQUALITY THE WAR IS PERSONAL AND THE WHOLE WORLD IS A BATTLEFIELD DEMAND YOUR RIGHTS EVERYWHERE AND NEVER STOP DEMANDING THEM UNTIL ALL OF US CAN WALK FREE OF THE OPPRESSION OF THE PATERNALISTIC "STRAIGHT" CULTURE
29
Obama never said he was progressive/liberal people! I remember the campaign well and NEVER did he advocate for single payer health care or full marriage rights. You all act like you voted for Kucinich for Christ's sake. His 60 seat majority was never a solid majority (blue dogs anyone?) he's made some poor decisions but I think he's done pretty well in a time of unprecedented polarization in this country. As much as 2 year revolution sounds great, progress is usually a slow chug up a hill.
30
If it's any consolation, I was in the rope line at the end of the event. As I shook Obama's hand, I stared him directly in the eye, and implored, "Please help us pass ENDA." He looked directly back at me and said "We're gonna pass that." before moving to the next person in the line.
(Not that Obamabandoners are usually consolable.)
(Not that Obamabandoners are usually consolable.)
31
@30: thank you for "Obamabandoners".
@22: strike while the iron is hot. the Senate is a soul-killing dead end, he knew it, he grabbed the brass ring.
@15: i have not been in a coma. the point was: did he mention ANY 'voting block' and their urgent issue? i don't know. but why would teh gaez get priority in seattle over all the other 'voting blocks' like natives, or asians, or enviros? as a voting member of the latter group, i believe that habitat loss and climate change are more real and pressing issues than gay marriage, and 15 million homeless pakistanis would agree (if they didn't think allah did it because women let their hair show). but i bet i didn't get a shout-out. goal: $ to re-elect patty murray. non-goal: more fake controversies for Fox to gin up. he's not touching this till 2013.
@22: strike while the iron is hot. the Senate is a soul-killing dead end, he knew it, he grabbed the brass ring.
@15: i have not been in a coma. the point was: did he mention ANY 'voting block' and their urgent issue? i don't know. but why would teh gaez get priority in seattle over all the other 'voting blocks' like natives, or asians, or enviros? as a voting member of the latter group, i believe that habitat loss and climate change are more real and pressing issues than gay marriage, and 15 million homeless pakistanis would agree (if they didn't think allah did it because women let their hair show). but i bet i didn't get a shout-out. goal: $ to re-elect patty murray. non-goal: more fake controversies for Fox to gin up. he's not touching this till 2013.
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