Question of the year

What was the biggest LGBT thing that happened this year?

Interesting Quote: Aisha C. Moodie-Mills

The elephant in the room is that the top national LGBT organizations don’t necessarily focus on quality-of-life issues. They’re working on political expediency toward equality, and we’re thankful for the work, but they’re not focused on these other issues. We can’t ignore the fact that there’s classicism and racism within the broader LGBT movement, so once the powers-that-be and the folks who hold the purse strings can resolve their own crisis with HIV/AIDS, they’re not always concerned with the people who are left behind —just as we see in broader society of marginalized people left behind. They’re not doing enough, they’re not addressing the needs of black LGBT people in general, let alone those who have HIV/AIDS.

But if we look at the demographic shift of America, we know that by 2042 to 2050, the minority faces are going to be the majority makeup of America. If we are not addressing the issues that impact people of color who are LGBT in the movement, then there’s not going to be a movement.

Aisha is talking about the other needs of our community and how they should not be placed on the back burner.

She is the advisor for LGBT policy and racial justice at the Center for American Progress. She is a big deal.

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Rep. Barney Frank gives Obama an "A-" on LGBT issues, Supports Obama's stance on the Executive Order for Workplace Discrimination

Rep. Barney Frank had some good, but interesting things to say about the President's stance on LGBT issues.

Barney told The Hill:

"It's not a surprise," Frank said. "He hasn't yet said that he's for [gay] marriage, so that's a problem."

Frank was quick, however, to applaud Obama's overall record on gay issues, giving him an "A-minus" across the board. The Massachusetts liberal praised Obama's decision to quit any legal defense of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – which defines marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman – and to repeal the Pentagon's long-standing "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy.

Frank said the administration's adoption of new federal standards for gauging discrimination under DOMA is particularly good.

"He's been good [but] he hasn't been perfect," Frank said. "He just hasn't quite gotten to the marriage [issue]."

Barney also said that he also supported President Obama's decision on the executive order for workplace discrimination.

"The problem there, to be honest, is not so much gay and lesbian issues, but there's a lot of controversy about too many executive orders. … And so I think it's probably wise to wait on that," Frank said. 

"I wrote that I'm for it, but in the context of the criticism on too many executive orders, I think it's reasonable to wait until next year."

Frank, who's retiring at the end of the year after 16 terms, is hoping Democrats will do well enough at the polls in November that that they can preclude an executive order and enact a bill instead.

"If we win the House and the Senate," he said, "I'd rather do it legislatively."

White House will host LGBT conferences across country

I learn about this at Creating Change from some in the Obama Administration. They are hosting a series conferences to discuss LGBT issues.

Washington Blade has the story:
In a statement, the White House identified the White House LGBT Conference on Health — which will be held in Philadelphia on Feb. 16 — as the inaugural event for the initiative. The conference is set to feature remarks from Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.


The statement says the events — which will take place from February to June 2012 — will be a collaboration between the White House Office of Public Engagement and other departments and agencies. Expected attendees include grassroots leaders, community organizers, advocates, students and others.

Future White House LGBT conferences after the initial event will be held in other places throughout the country. Topics are set to include housing and homelessness, safe schools and communities as well as HIV/AIDS prevention. According to the White House, more details will be made public later.

Fred Sainz, vice president of communications at the Human Rights Campaign, said the conferences are ”a good sign that the administration is attentive to the needs of our community.”

Some are concerned that marriage isn't listed. However, we are learning that other issues are taking center stage. I have to say at the Obama Administration session, activists talked more about homelessness and the economy. Seems like priorities are shifting.

NAACP will host their First Town Hall Meeting on LGBT Issues

Next week, NAACP will host their first Town Hall meeting of LGBT issues during their annual convention. Panelists will include Professor Beverly Guy-Sheftall of Spelman College, actor Darryl Stephens, Wanda Sykes, Kenyon Farrow and Benjamin Jealous.

Here's more:

"Black members of the LGBT community share a common history and continued struggle to address issues of bigotry, yet their identities, talents and leadership are often times diminished because of homophobia and fear of physical violence,” says NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “It is important that we address these issues head on.”


Moderated by CNN News Anchor Don Lemon, the forum will examine the significant contributions of black gay leaders within the Civil Rights movement, the role of black straight allies in addressing homophobia, and how the country can collectively overcome LGBT discrimination within the black community.

The inclusion of the panel is a significant move by the NAACP. The civil rights group first showed solidarity with the gay community when it created the LGBT Task Force in partnership with the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) several years ago (Bond was also a member).

“The LGBT Task Force represents a historic moment for African-American LGBTs,” Dr. Sylia Rhue said in 2009 when she was interim director of the NBJC. “I believe it will establish the foundation for the NAACP as a forward-looking body, and finally moving it as it recognizes LGBT rights within the NAACP governing body.”

This is a very big step for NAACP. I'm glad they are moving forward.

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Spelman College receives National props for their 1st LGBT Summit for HBCUs

Dr. Beverly Guy-Shefthall helped create the summit

The media is taking notice of Spelman College's efforts in addressing the LGBT community. Ever since their summit, more schools and students are finally getting involved with these issues on their campus.

Black Voices News reports

The Chronicle of Higher Education, National Public Radio, BET, and Color Lines News for Action are among the media outlets that wrote about the significance of the conference in dealing with gay and lesbian issues on Black college campuses.

Many observers, HBCU alumni, and fellow students commended Spelman administration as well as young panelists for leading the charge.

"Spelman College is leading HBCUs in opening up conversations about the needs and concerns of LGBT students," according to a column published in The Chronicle of Higher Education.

"These types of conversations need to take place on HBCU campuses throughout the nation," it continued. "For too long, gay and lesbian issues have been ignored at HBCUs, leaving behind a significant percentage of African-American students who are looking for support as they pursue their educations and develop their personal identities."

Dr. Beverly Guy-Shefthall, who helped spearhead the inaugural event, said she was "pleased and a little pleasantly surprised by the national coverage." She said the forum is just one of many initiatives she hopes to see in 2011.

This was a great start. HBCUs can not ignore or act slowly to LGBT issues or the students. It is a high priority for these colleges to address all students. Spelman has set the example, now let the education and development begin.

RNC uses their Website to Attack President Obama on LGBT Issues

Within hours of President Obama's reelection announcement, the RNC wasted no time in slamming him, especially for his LGBT support.

Metro Weekly reports:

"Hope Isn't Hiring," a new site launched by the RNC includes a page of talking points on social issues, taking aim several times at Obama's record on LGBT equality.

Among the topics are "Despite It Being The Law Of The Land, Obama Refused To Continue To Defend The Defense Of Marriage Act In Court"; "Obama Repealed Don't Ask Don't Tell While U.S. Troops Are Still On The Battlefield"; and "Obama Opposed California's Prop 8 And Has Expanded Government Recognition Of Same-Sex Couples."

Regarding the government recognition of same-sex couples, the RNC specifically targets hospital visitation rights, noting "Obama Issued An Executive Order Allowing Same Sex Couples Hospital Visitation Rights."

The RNC also claims in that section of the new site that "Obama Has Been Acting On Policy Recommendations From The Human Rights Campaign Since Taking Office."

Here are some of their highlights

Fair is Fair: If we call out Ford's past, we have to do the same to Gilly

After watching this clip, I had to really look into Kirsten Gillibrand's record.

Now, I like her, really do, but her past ain't all that cute.

On the issue of gay rights, Gillibrand received an 80 out of a 100 rating from the LGBT advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign. That was the lowest score out of New York’s Democratic representatives. According to the Human Rights Campaign, she voted against the repealing of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" legislation she declined to co-sponsor legislation that would have repealed the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, opposed legislation that would grant equal tax treatment for employer-provided health coverage for domestic partners, opposed legislation to grant same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and permanent residents the same immigration benefits of married couples and opposed legislation to permit state Medicaid programs to cover low-income, HIV-positive Americans before they develop AIDS.

That said, Gillibrand is not an ideologue. The positions she took were arguably necessary as a means of getting elected in a conservative-voting district. And there is a notion among political observers that if she represented the entire state, those positions would soften to better reflect New York’s more liberal complexion.

Funny, during the whole Harold Ford issue, his past was a punching bag. But I rarely heard the same points about some of Gilly's dealings.

Yes, she is better than Ford on LGBT issues, but this has a stench of double standard to it. I'm afraid this info could be an issue for her if she doesn't completely address it. Also this could hurt our credibility if we don't address it as well.

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Next on Obama's Smackdown Tour: Progressive LGBT Bloggers

After watching Obama address the GOP, I think he should address another group, the LGBT progressive bloggers.

This would be perfect because they have been the most critical of Obama for things that were understandable and for things that made no sense.

If I could, I would have John Aravosis, Pam Spauding, Dan Savage and David Mixner sitting across from him and let the 'speech' roll. Obama could thank them for their concerns, but call them out on their foolishness.

As y'all know I'm not a huge fan of these folks. Mostly because they were stirring up nothing but trouble, and had no solutions or real plans to strengthen the LGBT community. They were doing more harm than good sometimes, and when we needed inspiration, they provide bitterness and discord.

Obama can take some their issues, and address them truthfully and directly. They need to know the real impact of their claims and hear from the man himself.

I believe this event could:

• Remind us why we voted for him
• Reminds us that we need new voices in our community
• Hold them accountable for their actions
• Keep him on task about our issues
• Keep us on the real, we need to remember that change is tough

I would give up Long John Silvers famous fish for this meeting. Their actions and words are not doing a thing for us. If he addressed them, maybe we would see that new leadership in the LGBT community is in order.

Baldwin and Polis says We are Close to Passing LGBT friendly Bills

Okay, some good Sunday news. LGBT faves, Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis revealed some hopeful info:

Speaking at an international conference in San Francisco today, Baldwin and Polis said the House is set to pass bills to provide health coverage for the same-sex partners of gay federal workers and to protect all gay and transgender employees from job discrimination. They said they expect a domestic partner benefits bill to come up for a vote by the end of the year and the employment bill to reach the floor early in 2010.

Baldwin and Polis said they are were also confident that the House will include a provision in the military spending bill to repeal the Clinton-era "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", which prohibits LGBT people from serving in the U.S. military. Both Baldwin and Polis said all three measures may face an uphill battle following the passing of gay rights pioneer Sen. Edward Kennedy, but they remain optiimistic.

They also reminded folks to lobby Congress to speed up the process for passing DOMA, DADT and ENDA. It's a measure we need to take up in order to succeed in our battles.

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Alex Blaze presents very interesting points about the DNC Boycott

Y'all know my feelings, but I want to share others who don't completely agree with "boycott" business.

Alex Blaze, Managing Editor of The Bilerico Project, had this to say:

1. I thought we were already boycotting the DNC. Am I the only who thought that the gAyTM was already supposed to be shut down?

2. The list of charges against the DNC, in its current form, contains some half-truths and unconfirmed rumors on it. According to MLK, self-purification was an entire step when it came to executing a social justice action, and it should be instinctively obvious as to why. If we're seeking justice, we have to base our actions in truth.

3. They say the boycott ends once ENDA is passed and DOMA and DADT are repealed, but they don't specify whether they mean a transgender-inclusive ENDA or not. Since a known and unapologetic transphobe is organizing this, it's a very appropriate question. (And, yes, I would say the same thing if a homophobic transsexual person were organizing something like this.)

4. There has been some movement forward on LGBT issues. Hate crimes legislation passed, discrimination against trans folks in government was banned, a slew of LGBT people were appointed to high-ranking positions, LGBT-specific health care provisions were included in the House bill, an inclusive ENDA's plugging along, the HUD opened up their definition of family to include LGBT families, the Census Bureau will release data on same-sex couples who put themselves down as "married," the HUD will study LGBT housing discrimination for the first time ever, increased HIV/AIDS treatment funding through the Ryan White CARE Act was proposed in the House, the DHHS lifted the HIV travel ban, abstinence-only education is most likely gone, and the DHHS has promised to create an LGBT senior resource center.

These are important changes for lots of people in the community, and if the biggest thanks the DNC can expect to get is a boycott, then what motivation do they have to move on more issues?

5. DADT repeal and ENDA could get done soon, but I really don't think that DOMA will be repealed for a good, long while. We're 0-31 in the marriage fight at the state level and same-sex marriage polls poorly. There's no way Congress is going to pass that soon.

6. Outside of a small group of gay megadonors (which hasn't signed on, as far as I can tell), are our dollars really enough to get attention? Considering how easily women got thrown under the bus this weekend, and how much more power they have in the party than we do, I don't know if we have the power to hold Democrats to their promises.

7. Um, so if it weren't for ENDA, DOMA, and DADT, would the DNC be alright? I mean, if the GOP announced tomorrow that they support us on these three issues, then does that mean we should donate to John Boehner?

These are good points, something more to think about.

Question of the Day: “Internet Left Fringe” style

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Okay, now is this saying the White House called all gays, or the gays who attended the march a part of the “Internet Left Fringe”?


Some folks have already twisted this as expected

Rep. John Lewis speaks to the LGBT Community

Thanks to Rod 2.0 for posting this on his blog

Interesting Quote: Toni Broaddus, the Executive Director of the Equality Federation

Cleve, it is a fact that the only success our movement has had in securing equal rights for LGBT people to date is at the state level, even as most of our movement's resources have been focused on the national level. Your claim of a failed state strategy simply is not supported by reality. Without our work to achieve equality in the states, LGBT people in this country would have no rights at all.

This is Toni's open letter to Cleve Jones, who believes "the state strategy is a failed strategy" when comes to LGBT issues.

Read it here

Interesting Quote: Beth Ditto

"The truth is that I do think that he is like a black president who is super liberal and trying to get health care.

"I don't think that gay marriage is where he needs to start, that's how I feel, and as a gay I think you've got to pick your battles and I think that he's already got so much s**t against him and people are already judging him that I don't think it's a priority.

"I think we've got to end a war, we've got to get health care, we've got to get out of whatever, and I don't think he's going to win any… I think it's a political strategy, I don't think he's a hater."

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White House LGBT Announcements may be coming soon

This is not big, big news, but at least it's something. California Rep. Howard Berman thinks the White House may be providing some interesting info regarding LGBT policies sometime soon.

“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.”

Will this be the info everybody wants to hear (DOMA & DADT)? Or more of the same. I guess we will see in June.

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