Dan Savage is seriously not happy with the White House

I'm pretty sure this is in response to White House adviser Valerie Jarrett's speech at the ironically-named HRC "No Excuses" dinner. You'll recall that during that speech Jarrett plagiarized Dan's "it gets better" campaign name, and didn't even bother telling people that the phrase came from an anti-bullying campaign, let alone that Dan created it. In essence, she chose words over deeds. She could have helped the cause of bullying immensely by actually talking about Dan's campaign, rather than simply plagiarizing its name, but instead she went for the sound bite over substance.  That's the unfortunate metaphor for so much in this administration. Read More...

Lesbian activist, Gay vet refused admission to DCCC fundraising event with Obama

UPDATE: Got this statement from the DCCC:

DCCC spokesman Ryan Rudominer said, "Ms. Diaz called on Friday and said she may be interested in attending the event with a guest. However, Ms. Diaz did not confirm attendance, payment was not submitted, and no information was provided for vetting."

__________________________
We learned that two LGBT leaders, Itzel Diaz and Anthony Woods, were denied access to the DCCC's fundraising event with President Obama in Miami today.

Anthony is well known to readers of AMERICAblog. Last year, we supported his campaign for Congress in California. He's an Army veteran who was kicked out of the military under “don’t ask, don’t tell.” My interview with Anthony is here.


Itzel is a leader in the Miami LGBT community. She sent her information to the DCCC by the deadline on Friday at 5pm. She was paying to attend the event and bringing Anthony as her guest. She also spoke with the DCCC RSVP contact and was told there was room for both to attend. She simply needed to send her info over by the deadline (which she did) and it would be sent to the White House for clearance. The DCCC informed her that she would hear back from them at 11 am today. However, when they did not call at 11 am, Itzel phoned the DCCC and was informed that they were both denied access by the White House.

Yes, according to the DCCC, the White House did not want Itzel and Anthony at the event. Makes me think the President doesn't want to have to defend his inaction on DADT.

This is very interesting to say the least.

Next year, of coures, Team Obama will be begging LGBT donors to come to his events. But, for now, they don't want us around. Read More...

BREAKING: GetEqual protesting Obama DADT inaction at high-$ fundraiser in Miami by air, land and sea; sending weather balloons over NBA star's home; three boats of protesters and press underway

7:29 PM:

As the sun sets in Miami, the GetEqual Seals return to harbor. Mission accomplished. Now the President knows what a fierce advocate really looks like.

UPDATE: 6:30PM - GetEqual protest makes the White House pool report - this is big, because it means the story will now go nationwide - the pool report also confirms that the guests at the dinner can hear GetEqual's bull horns:

At the reception in a "small" white tent around the back of the house, Rep. Chris Van Hollen was touting Democrats' accomplishments before a small crowd when pool got there. Compared it with New Deal, Great Society. Covered health-care bill, student loan overhaul. Says things have gotten better on economy.

"The president needs a Congress that is going to work with him...it is now halftime in the first time of Barack Obama's administration...dos the Miami Heat quit at halftime?" Crowd cheers.

POTUS takes the stage to applause. Mistakenly refers to Ron Klein as Ron Klain and apologizes. Ron Klein is inside the home.

As he is speaking, air horns can be heard across the bay, and pool is told by a GetEQUAL spokesman that they are activists protesting the administration on Don't Ask Don't Tell. Appear to have several small boats, at one point pool can hear some yelling. Some members of the audience look over but noise is not loud enough to disrupt and POTUS continues uninterrupted.

POTUS says economy is begining to recover because lawmakers were willing to take tough votes. Says: "The question in this election is not whether or not things are where we want them" but who will take us there.

They said no each and every time...they don't have new ideas."

Hits GOP Pledge to America. "They're selling the same snake oil they were before." says the 700B to pay for the wealthy tax cuts would be borrowed from China and Saudi Arabia.

Uses the ditch analogy yet again. It's muddy, R's tell Dems they aren't pushing hard enough -- you know the drill. "We've got to tell them in this election you can't have the keys back. You don't know how to drive!"

Says he and Democrats won in 2008 because of voters who want the American dream.

"That wasn't the end of the dream. That was only the beginning of the dream." Implores people to help get out the vote. POTUS spoke for about 12 minutes.

Pool is told the Miami Dade police have circled the GetEQUAL activists' boats and sirens can be heard.

Now at main dinner tent awaiting a second set of remarks.

UPDATE: They're in a tent. The fundraiser is a dinner, taking place in a tent, by the water, 500 feet away from GetEqual's 3 boats that are going crazy with bullhorns and loudspeakers. There is no way the dinner guests aren't listening to this.

This is the 40 foot banner on boat number two:

UPDATE: 6:10PM the three boats of protesters and media are now 500 feet from the shore at Alonzo Mourning's home, and are shouting on bullhorns with an extra strong speaker system, and are also broadcasting the President's own words promising gay rights advances that he has refused to deliver.

Obama's limo driving by protesters. This is when he cracked the window and waved.

One of the weather balloons released near the Obama fundraiser.

UPDATE: 5:42PM - Robin McGehee of GetEqual, who is on one of the boats heading for Mourning's house, has just texted "Mission Accomplished." We assume this means she has reached the position in the water off of the house, and the action is underway, including bull horns, weather balloons with signs, 40ft signs saying "stop the discharges now," and an extra large/loud sound system booming quotes of the President himself making gay rights promises. All of this underway under the watchful guise of two boats full of media, including the Miami Herald and all the local Miami TV affiliates, and two Spanish stations.

UPDATE 5:37PM: The three boats of protesters and media have just rounded by the bend and are within 5 minutes of reaching Mourning's house.

UPDATE: President cracked limo and waved to GetEqual protesters, so he definitely saw the signs and protesters.

GetEqual's press release explains what they're up to today - the press release reads in the past tense, when in fact the actions are ongoing:

“DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” ACTIVISTS CONFRONT PRESIDENT OBAMA BY AIR, LAND, AND SEA AT NBA STAR'S FUNDRAISER IN MIAMI
GetEQUAL, along with a group of Florida and national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender activists, surround Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning’s house demanding President sign Executive Order Stopping Discharges

MIAMI, FL (October 11th, 2010)– Earlier Monday evening from 5:00 pm until 6:30 pm (ET), GetEQUAL, a national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and other Floridian activists, unleashed a barrage of protests by air, land, and sea targeting President Obama for his failure to sign an executive order barring gay and lesbian servicemembers from being discharged under the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.

President Obama attended a star-studded Democratic Party fundraiser at NBA star Alonzo Mourning’s bayfront estate. During the hour and a half President Obama was at Alonzo's home for this big-money, Democratic Party fundraiser, LGBT activists confronted him at every turn, demanding he finally show some leadership and stop the discharges of openly gay and lesbian servicemembers by signing an executive order. Video and photos from today’s action will be released shortly and will be available at: www.getequal.org and www.youtube.com/getequal.

BY LAND

As the Presidential motorcade drove into the private estate located in Coconut Grove, activists held four 10 ft. signs demanding President Obama “End the Discharges Now,” and reminding him that “We’ll Give When We GetEQUAL”. The LGBT activists were stationed on the motorcade route directly outside of the private estate and at a park roughly a quarter of a mile down the road.

Inside the event, Democratic congressional candidate and Army veteran, Anthony Woods, who was discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, approached President Obama to inform him what the protests were about, and to remind him of his campaign promises. [NOTE FROM JOHN: This didn't happen because the White House refused to let Woods attend the even.]

BY SEA

While the President was inside the private fundraiser, another round of protests were unleashed from the bay just outside the event. From the bay abutting Mourning’s home, a second swarm of LGBT activists arrived by boats with two 40 ft. signs and shouted via bullhorns “End the Discharges Now” and “We’ll Give When We GetEQUAL”.

BY AIR

During the second swarm by boat, LGBT activists also launched two, large 8 ft weather balloons carrying 10 ft. long banners reading “GetEQUAL.org”. Those weather balloons were anchored in the water directly in front of the tent hosting the dinner reception and highly visible to guests.

The Advocate reveals that the White House turned away an African-American former congressional candidate, Anthony Woods, from the fundraiser. He thinks it was because he had been discharged under DADT. More from Kerry Eleveld:

A group of LGBT equality activists working to end “don’t ask, don’t tell” launched an elaborate protest early Monday evening as President Barack Obama attended a private Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fund-raiser in Miami, FL, at the home of NBA star Alonzo Mourning.

As the president headed toward Mourning’s Coconut Grove residence where donors had paid as much as $5,000 and $18,000 per person to see him, members of GetEqual, a national LGBT rights organization, along with local activists intended to line the street holding four, 10-foot signs that read “End the Discharges Now,” and “We’ll Give When We GetEQUAL” – a reference to the group’s recent campaign encouraging people not to donate money to either the Democratic or Republican parties or their campaign committees until the president signs an executive order immediately stopping the discharges.Video of GetEqual and media - one of three boats just launched - heading towards Mourning's home and Obama fundraiser.

Three full boat-loads of press and protesters have now launched, and are heading towards Mourning's house by sea....



UPDATE FROM JOHN: Obama has just driven into the estate, and according to witnesses on the ground, the President absolutely saw the protesters.

NOTE FROM JOHN: I've just been informed that GetEqual is in the process of protesting the President's high-dollar fundraiser at the home of Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning. GetEqual members, and local Florida allies, are at this moment lining the streets, protesting the President's inaction on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and GetEqual has just launched a weather balloon with a GetEqual banner hanging from it - the balloon is drifting in the direction of the Mourning bayside mansion where the fundraiser is being held, and where Obama is currently heading.

Below is GetEqual's Robin McGehee speaking with reporters near Mourning's home.

Read More...

GOP NY Gov candidate Paladino has a problem with gays, not so much with bestiality (or adultery)

I wonder what those orthodox Jews who were cheering his anti-gay comments think of bestiality.

So to summarize: Sex with people, bad. Sex with horses, good. Well, actually, sex with people is okay too when it's some woman who's not your wife and you end up getting her pregnant and then keeping a secret love child for ten years hidden from your wife. That's all okay. Read More...

DC Trevor Project event had over 500 people, raised over $10,000

Last week, in the wake of the rash of youth suicides, six friends in DC, Colin Bishop, Alex Levy, Christopher Nulty, Jason Rahlan, Scott Zumwalt and Trevor Thomas, wanted to do something. So, they decided to host a happy hour on Friday night to raise money for the Trevor Project and to build on the "It Gets Better" campaign launched by Dan Savage.

They started sending our invitations. We did a post on the event. It started small -- and ended pretty big.

I got the report via email:

What started as a small discussion among a few friends last week turned into an event with over 500 supporters.

After the final count today, you raised an incredible $10,678 for The Trevor Project. That money will fund over 700 calls to their suicide hotline. To put this in perspective, our initial ambitious goal was $1,000.

That's pretty amazing.

And, I think it shows the energy and passion in the LGBT community right now. Our kids our dying. Our leaders tell us we're not equal. So, we have to do what we can to protect them.

Here's the local FOX News coverage:
Read More...

Watch the hateful bigots in Norman, OK, where a 19 year old just killed himself

Hateful people. As for the bi-racial woman who disses "this equality stuff," and who claims that gay rights isn't civil rights, Coretta Scott King disagrees with you, and I think Martin Luther King's wife knew a little more about civil rights than you.  So STFU.

These are the truly hateful people appearing before the local city council who Zack Harrington watched, and listened to, before he killed himself.  Queerty has grabbed some excerpts.

Words kill. Hate kills.

This appears to be Zack's Facebook page. Read More...

This week, expect Obama admin. to defend constitutionality of DOMA and DADT

As we enter the final three weeks of the 2010 election cycle, there are grave concerns about the enthusiasm of progressive voters. For LGBT voters, there has been a grave disappointment with the lack of action on critical legislation. Over the next couple weeks, we're not going to see legislative progress. Instead, we're going to see the Obama administration defending the constitutionality of two discriminatory, anti-gay laws: DOMA and DADT.

Chris Johnson reported last week:

The deadline for making a decision in the Commonwealth case — filed by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley — is Oct. 12.

The Justice Department doesn’t have to appeal the decision in the Gill case, filed by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, until Oct. 18 because the court didn’t enter judgment in the case until later.

Every indication is that DOJ will continue to vigorously defend DOMA.

Also, any day now, we're expecting the Judge to enter her final decision in the Log Cabin Republican's case against DADT:

Lawyers for the Log Cabin Republicans, a group of gay GOP members, say they expect a U.S. district court judge in California soon to issue a permanent injunction that would prohibit the military from enforcing the ban throughout the United States. The judge, Virginia Phillips, a Bill Clinton appointee, last month ruled that the prohibition is unconstitutional in a lawsuit brought by the Republican group.

If the judge orders an injunction, the DOJ will probably seek a stay pending its appeal. We could see a replay of the proceedings that played out after the Prop. 8 ruling. You'll recall that Judge Walker order a temporary stay. The anti-gay forces appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which issued a stay. If the judge denies the stay, DOJ will also appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Over the next few weeks, we'll watch the Obama administration defend the constitutionality of DADT and DOMA. They don't have to do it, but they will. It might be different if the Obama administration had made any legislative effort to repeal DOMA or had worked to end the filibuster of the Defense Authorization bill. But, they came up empty on both. That should really inspire the LGBT electorate, huh?

But, remember, Obama's name isn't on the ballot til 2012. His failure to follow through on his promises while defending anti-gay laws is demoralizing to say the least. But, don't let solid allies lose because he's doing this. Read More...

NJ: Murder of trans woman Victoria Carmen White - disrespected by law enforcement

From Pam Spaulding:

People are mourning the tragic suicide of 18-year-old Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi; over in Maplewood, NJ, the young life of another person was taken from this earth as the result of a fatal shooting that should also receive your attention. (Maplewood Patch):

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office reported today that the victim of a fatal shooting in Maplewood on Sunday was Victoria Carmen White, formerly James White. White had legally changed her name to Victoria Carmen following sex reassignment surgery.

The Prosecutor's Office and Maplewood Police had originally identified the victim as James White. However, as stated in a release from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office this afternoon: "Following an examination by the Medical Examiner and further investigation, it has been confirmed that the victim was a post-operative transgender female having undergone sex reassignment surgery."

Looking at the numerous photos of Victoria, I have to agree with Monica Roberts of Transgriot.

Take a look at the photos of Victoria interspersed throughout this post. Does she look like a 'man'? When are you peeps going to get it through your heads, especially in the law enforcement and criminal justice communities that genitalia does not necessarily equal gender?

There is nothing indicating that IDing her in that manner is relevant to the shooting.

Fair point. Why mention it if it's not relevant to the case? Read More...

Paladino talks gays: brainwashing, speedos, grinding

Paladino tried to dig out from his vicious homophobic remarks. For the record, he has "a lot of homosexuals working in his organization." And, a gay nephew.

Is New Yorker Ken Mehlman voting for Paladino?



Here's how the polling in the race looks:
Read More...

I got a letter from my Congressman, Dan Boren, on DADT

Maybe Valerie Jarret is talking about Democratic Congressman Dan Boren when she made the statement, "We cannot allow people to sow division among us – not when the stakes are so high for our country."

I just received a letter regarding "don't ask, don't tell" from my Blue Dog conservative congressman who sits on the House Committee on Armed Services and it is dated October 1, 2010. Of course, he gets my name wrong but this is what he wrote:

Dear Mr. Beechum:

Knowing that potential action by Congress to repeal the U.S. Military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy is a matter of concern to you, I would like to provide you with an update on where this issue currently stands and share my thoughts on the subject. I value hearing from fellow Oklahomans about the issues that are important to them.

As a presidential candidate and now as president, Barack Obama has vocally called for repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." During his first State of the Union Address to Congress, President Obama vowed to pass legislation to reverse the policy, saying he would work with Congress and the U.S. military to allow gay men and women to serve openly. "It's the right thing to do," the president said.

During the 111th Congress, several legislative efforts have been initiated to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" which prohibits military service members from being asked about or discussing their sexual orientation. Chief among them is the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283). The House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2011 (H.R. 5136/S. 3454) also include provisions to repeal "don't ask, don't tell." The path forward for these bills is uncertain, as it remains to be seen if enough votes in the House and Senate can be mustered to pass them.

Responding to pressure from the president and anticipating action by Congreess, the Department of Defense initiated review of "don't ask don't tell" to determine how repealing the policy would affect military service members. As part of this process, the Department of Defense is surveying military personnel to collect information about their concerns and views. The review is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

I believe with strong conviction that it would be unwise to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" while our nation is at war. Large numbers of U.S. military personnel are now deployed abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan, working under stressful conditions and operating in dangerous environments far from home. Significant changes to personnel policy, such as reversaing "don't ask, don't tell," would be an unwanted distraction from the important mission at hand. Unit cohesion, combat readiness, and the safety of military personnel must be the first priority during wartime.

Before any legislative action is taken to change or repal "don't ask, don't tell," Congress should thoroughly study the conclusions of the Department of Defense review that is now underway. I understand that some members of Congress feel pressured to reverse "don't ask, don't tell" before the November elections. However, the best interests of our military service members must come first before politics.

My position against repealing "don't ask, don't tell" is also informed by the views of my constitutents. Since President Obama announced his intention to repeal this policy, I have closely listened to the concerns of easter Oklahomans, many of whom believe the policy should remain in place. As your congressman, I consider listening to and representing your views in Washington to be among my most important responsibilities.

I hope you find this letter helpful and informative. In the future, if I can address your concerns or serve you, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Respectfully yours,
Dan Boren

First of all, my last name is spelled "Beauchamp," Dan Boren, and I'm the Vice Chairman of the Delaware County Democratic Party in your district. I am quite sure I'm not very high up on the totem pole in "your world" but, unlike you, even though you serve on the House Committee on Armed Services, I actually served my country on submarines before being kicked out for being gay way back in 1988.

It is strange that you mention "the best interests of our military service members must come first before politics" and then go on to talk about being informed by your constituents, many of whom want the policy to remain in place. I'm quite sure the conservatives in our district do want to keep things the way they are, and might make sense politically to you, but that doesn't mean it is the right thing to do, and it also DOES NOT mean the unit cohesion, combat readiness, and the safety of military personnel are going to impacted less than the kicking out of gays and lesbians who are currently serving honorably and effectively in important duty assignments in both wars just because they happen to be honest about their sexual orientation. I have so much more to say, but I think I'll let the readers finish it for me. Read More...