Interesting Quote: President Obama at the DNC LGBT Gala

We repealed “don’t ask, don’t tell,” because no one should have to hide who you love to serve the country we love. We reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act with new protections. And I signed a hate crimes law bearing Matthew Shepard’s name, because hate-driven violence has taken the lives of too many in this country. It has to end.

I lifted the 22-year ban on people with HIV traveling to the U.S. and prohibited discrimination in hospitals and housing that received federal funding, because stigma and fear have no place in our laws. We’ve made it illegal for health insurers to deny coverage to people based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Starting next year, insurance companies that offer coverage to straight couples have to offer it to gay couples, too.

We’ve worked to address and prevent bullying, because it’s not enough to say it gets better. We’ve got to make it better.

This statement is from President Obama's speech at the DNC LGBT Gala

Read the President's entire remarks after the jump

LGBT Bloggers are trying to Save Face by questioning the DNC Fundraiser

By the Power of Greyskull, gay folks really trip me out. Today our usual suspects (Pam's House Blend, AMERICAblog, Dan Savage and Queerty of course) are questioning if the DNC raised a million dollars.

Now, I don't mind asking questions, but it just seems this is more of a hater party looking for drama.

So with that said, I'm going to break down my concerns about this.

• They are all claiming that they haven't seen the receipt or anything, so it must be a lie. That's a bad assumption. Also I have to question the reasons why they need to know. Let's be real, their egos were bruised when people actually went to this event and raised tons of money. They spent days bashing this event and claiming that if this person pulls out, the event is over. But it wasn't over and it was a success. I'm sure they felt a that egg frying on their faces. So it seems this is more about regaining their credibility if anything.

• Queerty claims this: With all the boldface names who dropped out of June 25's DNC fundraiser in D.C., a report circulated that the party took in a cool $1 million. Okay, so are they saying that these "boldface name" were the only way to claim the big bucks? Child Cheese. It was less than 15 folks who didn't go to the event, however 180 other folks were present. Queerty also claimed that many people were not attending. Hmm, less than 15 vs 180...I don't know math, but I know mess and that's mess. 15 is not many.
  

• Dan Savage also tries to do some math, claiming: There were 180 people at the fundraiser and tickets were $1000 a piece and not everyone paid to attend. Some people paid more than $1000, but for 180 people to raise $1 million dollars the average attendee would have to have donated more than $5,500. Doable, sure, but I want to see the financial reports.
  

• Did we forget that this money was raised for us? I know it helps the Demonic Dems, but it goes to us and our issues...Can we be happy for that?
  

Again, I think we should question things. But I wonder if this more about rubbing their bruised egos or fighting for our rights? It's just interesting the same folks calling foul on the fundraiser are the same folks who tried to stop it.

Here's the DNC Protest

I have more folks in my class

So, How did that DNC Gay Fundraiser turn out?

After folks, bloggers and gremlins tried to rally up drama to stop the DNC Gay Fundraiser, it seems to have been in vain. The event had about 180 people present and raise nearly a million dollars, in fact, it was more than last year's amount which was about $750,000.

According to Advocate.com, VP Biden spoke about the drama festering in recent months.

“I am not unaware of the controversies swirling around this dinner,” Biden said, “swirling around the speed -- or lack thereof -- that we’re moving on issues that are of great importance to you and, quite frankly, to me and to the President and to millions of Americans.”

Biden thanked people in the room for their hard work and dedication during the election.

“More importantly , I want thank you for being a critical – critical – voice for keeping the nation focused on the unfinished business of true equality for all of our people; and I know, and this administration knows, that we have so much more to do,” he said. “I promise you, I promise you, with your help we’ll get there in this administration.”

Biden ticked off a list of priorities for the community, starting with receiving a standing ovation for saying with great gusto, “We will repeal the Defense of Marriage Act with your help!” He touched on “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act, employment nondiscrimination, the HIV travel ban and hate crimes.

“It all is for one purpose and that is, securing equality and dignity – equality and dignity – for all Americans,” Biden declared.

I'm glad things turned out to be a success. Folks still have hope for change and willing to make it happen.

However, I'm curious to hear what the Haters have to say. They wanted this to fail and by the grace of Hera, it didn't.

Maybe that's a sign.

We'll see

Source

For those Folks going to the DNC Gay Fundraiser

Suze Orman
Elizabeth Birch
Tim Kaine
Jennifer Chrisler
Chairman Barney Frank
Tammy Baldwin
Jared Polis
Adrian Fenty
NBJC's Alexander Robinson GMHC's Marjorie Hill
Iraq Marine vet Brian Fricke
Billy Bean
Former GLAAD head Joan Garry
Keith Boykin
Ray Buckley
Brian Johnson
Former SLDN head Dixon Osburn
Paul Smith
Krystal Ball

Thank you for being an effective voice for the community. Although this is just a fundraiser, it's still an opportunity to let VP Biden and others know what's going on.

Pay no mind to the folks outdoors. They should try to see this in a different light. With any major change, you have to face the fire. We can't move forward if we only stand aside on the path. This must be done.

So I applaud you and I believe you are doing the right thing.

So again, Thank you.

Misleading Article of the Day: AMERICAblog's "Howard Dean pulls out of DNC gay fundraiser"

I'll be nice and change the original title from "Dumb" to "Misleading". But here's the story.

The former chair of the Democratic party now has a "scheduling conflict" for a fundraiser on behalf of the organization he used to run. Dean is one of the four top names on the invite - he's throwing the event, and now even he's not going.



It's interesting that the very heterosexual Howard Dean is willing to take a stronger stand for civil rights than our own gay elected representatives, Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin, and Jared Polis. That Howard Dean is willing to take a stronger stand for the gay community

So where did Howard Dean say he's boycotting the event? Where is his article stating the crimes of democracy? There is not article, but there is a statement.

A Dean spokeswoman, Karen Finney, stressed that Dean's move was a scheduling conflict due to a "family commitment."

That's his statement. That's the deal. So why would you trick us into thinking Howard dropped out for other reasons?

He said it's a family commitment, then it's a family commitment. Stop creating storylines that don't exist. This ain't Days of Our Lives! Stop playing, John or AMERICAblog or whoever.

I'm telling you, the theme of this mess is Misconceptions, Misinformation and Assumptions.

Source

Money talks, bullcrap walks and so can the Dems.

Guess what? Folks are still not satisfied with the small, careful steps Obama's adminstration is making for the LGBT community. So they are going to continue protesting any and every DNC event.

Here's a press release for the Boston one

As we've all seen, we've gotten more in the past 6 days for the LGBT community than we have in the past 6 months. Once this firestorm of criticism and public pressure began over the repugnant DOMA brief, we began hearing that the Hate Crimes bill may pass very soon. Then once the boycotting began of the DNC fundraiser in Washington, DC, we then learned about the relocation benefits memorandum which seemed to be a direction reaction to the boycott.

Money talks folks and we have a HUGE opportunity here.

Putting on this protest will be emblematic of a larger issue at hand for the Obama administration and the Dems. No longer is the protest singled out just in Washington, DC, but now they're spreading. If the Obama administration and the Dems want to tamper down frustrations, the only way for them to do so will be to take concrete strong action to pass substantive LGBT civil rights measures. Let's make them do it!

Ok I get it, but will these protests lead to anything truly productive?

Yes, money talks, we know this. However, this is the ugly truth: The Dems will get their money regardless!

Not all of us agree that Obama has betrayed us. Please remember this reaction is not shared by the majority of the LGBT community. More and more folks are seeing a different side of this argument and standing firm with Obama.

Also Obama's win has clearly reinforced fundraising power in the Black and Latino communities. In fact, these groups raised tons and tons of money, which could rival the LGBT money power. And remember, there are LGBT communities of color who will already feel alienated by the same groups launching these protests. So in some ways, they may not be so quick to join in the party.

And if we withhold our money...What are we going to do with it? With no clear idea in sight, we could be wasting resources.

The protests, in my opinion are based from misconceptions, misinformation and assumption. We have to come better than this. But it remains to be seen if this makes a powerful difference.

How to make the best of the DNC Gay Boycott

Ok, if you look at the pic above, you will see the gay leaders who are not going to the DNC fundraiser. In my opinion, the DNC boycott isn't the best idea. However, I think there are things to make best of this mess or issue.

• Send other LGBT leaders in the place of the ones who are not going. We need as many voices as possible at this fundraiser. Let's face it, our needs run deeper than DADT and DOMA. We still have a community suffering with AIDS and lack of healthcare. There are LGBT teens living in the streets, doing any and everything to survive and there's still places where our youth are not protected from bullying. We need folks to push as many of our issues as possible. Also with different voices at the table, there are more opportunities to really see the diversity and resilience of our community. The more the merrier.

• If these folks are not tending the dinner, then they should design a plan to make the DNC do more. I'm sorry, but not going to the event ain't all that. The DNC is still going to get their fund raising on. So to make this boycott more effective these leaders should plan to engage in dialogue with DNC, hold them accountable and produce some action steps for addressing our civil rights.

• We need to hear from these leaders. We have heard or read about their reasons why they are not going, but I feel they need to tie it into a real strong purpose. A collective voice could make this boycott more credible versus an opportunistic reaction.

• Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I'm not convinced the boycott is making that big of a wave. It's causing a stir, but as I said before, the DNC will make their money. So these leaders should not claim victory yet, there could be more in store.

I'm still iffy about this, but we will see if this was the best move or not.

Interesting Quote(s): Barney Frank

On DOMA and DOJ's response

“I think the administration made a big mistake. The wording they used was inappropriate. I’ve been in touch with the White House and I’m hoping the president will make clear these were not his views.”

On the DNC Gay Fundraiser

“There are a lot of people who aren’t boycotting,” he said. “I think it’s a mistake to deny money to the DNC.”

Source