GOP Senators knew Larry Craig had a gay bathroom sex problem and did nothing about it

But, after all, didn't Ronald Reagan always say the GOP was the party of the wide stance? Oh yeah, that was big tent. Somehow I think Larry Craig has a big tent as well. Read More......

Pelosi's speech at the HRC dinner tonight

"It is a special honor to receive this recognition from HRC and a personal joy to receive it from Jim Hormel.

"Jim Hormel is a pillar of the San Francisco community and a cornerstone of the GLBT movement. He is a great and generous philanthropist and a respected leader in the business community. I was grateful to have him on my team as co-chair of my first House campaign. As Ambassador to Luxembourg, Jim Hormel represented America with great distinction. It is an honor to call you Mr. Ambassador, and friend.

"Thank you as well to Joe Solmonese for leading the way and defending the rights of the entire GLBT community. I will display this award with great pride so that everyone knows that HRC and all of you have a friend in the Speaker's office.

"As I travel the country, people ask me what is it like to be the Speaker of the House – especially the first woman speaker. Some of you asked me that tonight.

"What is it like to be Speaker of the House? It is absolutely fabulous.

Salute to HRC

"Tonight, we join together in our nation's capital to celebrate the accomplishments and the courage of the Human Rights Campaign.

"More than 700,000 voices strong, HRC is the prime mover for GLBT rights across America and an inspiration for millions more.

"When Jim Hormel and many other courageous Americans built the foundations of what would become HRC, our struggle for justice was in its early stages. But our cause for justice would not be denied.

"For being a powerful and positive counterbalance to the voices of hate – and for being the hope and salvation of millions of Americans – thank you, HRC.

First Day in Congress

"The video we just watched brings me back to my first day in Congress – and reminds me to pause and celebrate the phenomenal progress we have made working together.

"As the video mentioned, I made my first speech on the House floor about AIDS.

"I said that because that is why I came to the Congress."

AIDS Work in Congress

"A doctor, speaking about his experience in those difficult days said recently, "In the first years of AIDS, I imagine we felt like the folks on the rooftops during Katrina, waiting for help."

"Because San Francisco had suffered the most, we learned a great deal about how to respond and developed community-based solutions that were a model for America, and eventually the world.

"Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS, HOPWA, the Ryan White Care Act and ending discrimination against people with AIDS were inspired by San Franciscans and today these initiatives provide health care and support for hundreds of thousands of Americans with HIV/AIDS.

"And because San Francisco was early to realize that our approach must also be international, with the help of Dave Obey, we secured the first funding for global HIV/AIDS. Working with so many of you – and with a helping hand from Bono – this has grown into a nearly $6 billion effort.

"There is still a great deal more to be done locally and globally.

Federal Marriage Amendment

"As we strive to work in a bipartisan way, we must also recognize the difference a Democratic Congress makes.

"In the previous Congress, we fought back cynical attempts to enshrine discrimination into the Constitution and defeated the Federal Marriage Amendment.

"In a Democratic Congress, unlike previous Congresses, malicious measures intended to divide the American people or to undermine the rights of the GLBT community are off the table.

Hate Crimes Prevention

"Instead, our Democratic Congress has a positive agenda.

"As Speaker, I proudly reintroduced the Early Treatment for HIV Act this year to extend Medicaid to uninsured Americans living with HIV. We must pass this bill and we will.

"This past May, the House passed Chairman John Conyers' legislation protecting Americans against violence based on sexual orientation, race, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or gender identity.

"Some doubted that we could pass a hate crime bill if it included protections for transgender Americans.

"But Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin would not be denied.

"Representatives Baldwin and Barney Frank fought for a fully inclusive bill. HRC rallied support. And with 237 votes, the House passed hate crimes legislation.

"Just last week, the Senate followed suit with a strong bipartisan vote. Thank you, Harry Reid.

"After 15 long years, we will – for the first time – put this bipartisan hate crimes legislation on the President's desk.

"I urge the President to sign this bipartisan bill to protect Americans. Violence fueled by bigotry has no place in America.

"This evening, I want to thank a courageous leader who turned her family's grief into action and helped change the debate in America on hate crimes. She traveled the country, she lobbied the Congress, and she won the day – Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard.

ENDA

"As members and supporters of HRC, you understand that it is truly historic that the House of Representatives will soon pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

"The tremendous progress we have would not have been possible without the great leadership of Chairman Barney Frank of Massachusetts. With his brilliance, his wit and legislative skill, he persevered in bringing ENDA before the Congress.

"America is a great and wealthy country, but we cannot afford to squander the talents of any of our citizens, nor should we.

"We all benefit if everyone gets a chance to work hard, and support their families.

"Yet today, in more than 30 states you can be fired for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

"That is wrong. Federal action is needed, and it is long overdue.

"I strongly believe that transgender individuals deserve the same rights and the same protections as any other Americans and will work to see that ENDA also protects their rights.

"In a few weeks, the House will be voting on ENDA. And those who oppose us will be lobbying on the Hill and working to defeat any version of ENDA. We cannot allow the forces of discrimination succeed.

"Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and others will do the inside maneuvering. But we cannot succeed without outside mobilization. Working together, we will mobilize, and educate. Each and every one of us must take personal responsibility for passing the strongest possible ENDA – one vote at a time.

"History teaches us that progress on civil rights is never easy. But justice is inevitable. It's about time.

"Many saw the 1957 Civil Rights Act as not having done enough, but it helped lay the groundwork for the great Civil Rights Act that followed.

"On the occasion of receiving the HRC Equality Award, I give you my commitment as Speaker of the House that I will fight for the most inclusive ENDA possible so that our nation's laws are in harmony with our nation's ideals.

"I accept this honor tonight on behalf of the many members of Congress who stand with HRC, not because it is popular in their districts, but because it is right.

"I also accept this award on behalf of my constituents in San Francisco.

"People always say it is easy for me to take these votes and be for these issues because San Francisco is so tolerant.

"It is not about tolerance. It is about the respect we have for each other. It is about the pride we take in our community.

"That sentiment is now spreading across America. And it is happening thanks to the work of the Human Rights Campaign – and each and every one of you.

"Thank you, Joe Solmonese. Thank you, Ambassador Hormel. Thank you, HRC.

"May God Bless you, and May God Bless the America." Read More......

Working for LGBT rights here in flyover country...

We've been doing a lot of blogging about LGBT issues at the national level, specifically ENDA and all the political schisms erupting here and elsewhere, but it's good to remind ourselves that the rubber often hits the road at the local level, where our advocacy organizations do a lot with not a lot of resources.

During our Pride last weekend here in NC (my post here), and the good folks at EqualityNC had a table up all day. People were enthusiastically signing the  Safe Schools Petition -- 900 folks in support of it. We have an LGBT-inclusive School Violence Prevention Act making its way through the State Senate. Since there was a lot of buzz there about ENDA, as well as other issues, ENC took an informal poll on what most concerned LGBT Tar Heels:

Over half the respondents thought preventing the anti-gay marriage amendment was top priority. North Carolina remains the only Southern state to legislatively stop a constitutional amendment to reduce gay folks to second-class citizens who cannot marry.

A close second was preventing anti-gay bullying in our schools (something Equality NC is working hard to do next session with our Safe School legislation). Many people also expressed concern that the trans community isn't included often enough in pro-LGBT legislation -- a particularly relevant issue given the recent attempts to remove trans-inclusion from the federal Employment Nondiscrimination Act, efforts which ENC strongly opposes.

Employment nondiscrimination, both statewide and national (including repeal of the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy), was also cited.

Just a few weeks ago, I was in Birmingham speaking at  Alabama's Day of Equality and Gala (put on by Equality Alabama), where hundreds of grassroots activists (LGB and T) came together to attend workshops and support the local advocacy organization.

On November 3, LGBT North Carolinians get their opportunity to come together, share stories and strategize how to advance our rights in our state with the 2007 Equality Conference & Gala. It will held at the Duke University School of Law,  and will feature workshops that bring together movement leaders, grassroots advocates, and LGBT citizens from across the state for a day of networking, skills-building, and learning. In the evening there will be a gala held at the Nasher Museum of Art in Durham.

I serve on the conference committee, and was pleased as all get-out to confirm that Alabama Representative Patricia Todd is going to join us to speak about her journey to become the first openly gay elected official in that state; and Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) President Neil Guiliano will also bring his perspective to attendees. What's exciting is that we will have several member of the North Carolina General Assembly there. Remember, in this state, being an open advocate of LGBT rights can be no small feat in some circles, and we look forward to educating more elected officials about moving forward in support of equality. In fact, the first Equality North Carolina Award for Legislative Leadership will be given to Representative Rick Glazier for his strong work on the School Violence Prevention Act.

I'll moderate a panel that should be extremely lively, "Still Crossing Those Bridges: Facing Racial and Ethnic Barriers," featuring  Mandy Carter, Co-Founder, Southerners on New Ground, Durham, Reverend Roger E. Hayes, Pastor, Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Inc., Winston-Salem, Alba Onofrio, Executive Director, El Centro Hispano, Durham, and Allan Taziri, Member, Fayetteville Bayard Rustin Commemorative Alliance.

[A side note: until late last week, I thought discussing race was the major third rail topic that makes people uncomfortable with implicit bias; little did I know that discussing transgender issues would raise equally troubling questions about the inability of people to handle difficult and divisive subjects honestly and openly without wounding. You live and learn.]

See some of the other workshops, including one with the pastor who made news at the Dem YouTube debate with a question on marriage equality, over at my pad. Read More......

'Sen. Craig visited me' says escort who claimed relationship with Haggard

From 9 News, in Colorado. And in all fairness, JoeMyGod was the one who really got the scoop on this. And may I just saw how screwed Larry Craig is. Oh to be a fly on the wall of GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell's office right now. Read More......

Is "Old Europe" as bad as the Republicans would like you to believe?

The Republicans would like Americans to think that everything in Europe is falling apart, but too bad the truth doesn't quite match up to their stories. Compared to other regions in the world, including the US, Europe is looking pretty good. Read More......

Saturday Morning Open Thread

Good Morning.

Check out this week's poem: Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night. It's by Dylan Thomas.

I think it's fair to say that we never go gentle into the day or night here at AMERICAblog.

Take it. Read More......

David Sedaris on French health care

Since it's Saturday, a bit of very funny humor by David Sedaris on the subject of health care in France compared to the US. I can definitely relate to his jokes His joke about the nurse bringing him an ashtray in the hospital (which is no longer possible, in theory, at least) while on demerol is really good too. Pay special attention at the end when he comments on the low cost of French health care because it's truly incredible how different the US and French systems can be.

Related (and above) is a photo I took during an emergency room visit to a hospital a year ago in the Drome, southern France. In local purchasing power, the euro is just like the dollar to Europeans but even with the ugly exchange rate, when is the last time you visited the emergency room (during the day) for 20 euro/$28? The doctor in my building charges 23 euro or about $32.50. National insurance picks up 60% of that and private insurance covers the rest but at these rates, who's counting? Read More......

So this is who the GOP wants to give control of Social Security?

A quick glance at some of the heavy hitters in banking and finance that the GOP would love to use for the outsourcing of American Social Security. I can accept that money makes the world go 'round and that greed keeps the Wall Street machine moving but considering some of the incredibly bad decisions the "experts" on Wall Street have made lately, is this the team we really want? Social Security may not be much, but most Americans would be unable to cope with such staggering losses.

Washington Mutual - 75% drop
Merrill Lynch - $5 billion write down
UBS - $3.4 billion loss
Citigroup - 60% decline.
Deutsche Bank - $3.12 billion write down.

Can you imagine the rubbish they would be pushing on average Americans who are trying to build and maintain their social security plan? If they can't even practice common sense in banking - their profession - why should the American public trust them to take care of something as important as Social Security? With this news it's no surprise that Bush and the GOP have been quiet on this subject. If you think we have problems because of the subprime failures, just wait until this group - including Republicans in Congress and Greenspan types - get their hands on Social Security. Read More......

Open thread

Catching up on some old Desperate Housewives. Just started watching in July, up to the beginning of season 3. Read More......