The Homosocialist

McCollum Ratchets Up the Rhetoric of Hate

2010-08-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

Florida AG and Gubernatorial candidate, Bill McCollum, reached a new low on Monday. In a blatant attempt to "out-conservative" his opponent, Rick Scott (another detestable excuse for humanity), McCollum went on record as wanting to ban Florida LGBTs from the Foster Parent program.

After initially hedging on questions about the inconsistencies between Florida' gay adoption ban (which he is vigorously defending in court) and Florida's Foster Care laws, which allow LGBT adults to serve as Foster Parents, when pressed, he stated "I really do not think that we should have homosexuals guiding our children."

In reality, McCollum probably doesn't give two rips about whether LGBTs can Foster or adopt. It's pure political posturing, at the expense of thousands of Floridian children who have no home or parental figures at all. Despicable, Mr. McCollum. You're a political worm.

So, where does that leave Floridians in the voting booth?

Rick Scott, Republican, currently leading the polls. He's running on a platform of being a "political outsider" (never mind his political activism throughout his career, bending laws and buying politicians to suit his corporatist agenda). He's the epitome of the dishonest politician, yet he plays such a "nice, sensible guy" in his ads that he's won-over the right wing, and really captured the hearts of TeaBaggers.

Bill McCollum, Republican, Jeb Bush's errand boy and general political hack. Like Charlie Crist before him, he'll say and do anything, to anyone (as proven in his treatment of Florida's children) in order to further his political goals.

Alex Sink, Democrat, leading the Democratic polls, leading McCollum, but trailing Scott in the general election polls. She talks pretty much like a Democrat, but when pressed on issues like marriage equality, she clams-up and falls-back on previous statements to the effect that she's "pro-equality", "pro-civil unions" and "ANTI-gay marriage". Like President Obama, she's trying to bait the LGBT community into supporting her half-hearted endorsement of LGBT equality.

Brian P. Moore, Democrat, former Socialist party Presidential candidate, 2008. Pffft. No chance of winning against ANY of the top three. Not even worth talking about.

John Wayne Smith, Libertarian. No chance.

Michael E. Arth, Farid Khavari, Lawton "Bud" Chiles, Daniel Imperato and Calvin Clarence "CC" Reed, NPA. The only one from this group with a semi-realistic chance of attracting votes is Chiles, mainly due to name recognition. His late father was the much beloved Democratic former Governor, Lawton Mainor Chiles, Jr. However, like Alex Sink, he talks about LGBT equality, but is pro-civil union, anti-gay marriage.

There are two other "write in" candidates who don't show up on any political radar, so I won't even bother to name them here.

Some choices, huh? Two, typically hateful Republicans, running predictable campaigns of fear Only one realistic Democrat/other, whose support of a major constituency is half hearted at best. I'll stay home this year. I refuse to be hostage to the Democrats based on their half-hearted support of me. Should Ms. Sink change her tune and come-out in support of full marriage equality, I'll support her. If not, I'll take my chances with the hateful Republicans.

It's up to you, Alex Sink. If you want to win, you'll go pro-Equality. The state's LGBTQ constituency can do it for you. All you have to do is be fully supportive of us.

As the 9th anniversary of 9/11 approaches. . .

2010-08-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

There's a huge controversy right now over the construction of an Islamic Prayer Center over two blocks from the site of the Twin Towers. Let's open our hearts, please?

Here's a song by my friend Karen Benedetto that expresses my feelings, perfectly. Click the title to view the video I created a year ago using her music.

"The Call" (Click title to view video)

Words & Music �Karen Benedetto (ASCAP)

The eleventh of September, the year two-thousand-one,

We were wakened from our warm and peaceful sleep.

The world as we had known it would never be the same

For the pain that we had suffered was so deep.

We held each other tightly and did not stop to judge

The color of the hand that we were holding.

We cried in every language, and prayed in every faith

And some could see a new world was unfolding.

From a farm in Indiana to a village in Nepal

In each synagogue and mosque and church

God listens to us all.

There’s a light that’s ever shining

That nothing can forestall…

God bless us all.

In one defining moment we were shaken to the core

By a hatred that we just did not foresee.

Now we have the opportunity to rise above it all.

And become a world where all are truly free.

Free from hate, ignorance, intolerance, and fear

We can build a world that shines so bright.

Let’s open up our hearts to the possibilities,

And walk in faith out of our darkest night.

From the smallest towns and villages

To the cities standing tall.

From the mightiest of mighty to the smallest of the small,

We will walk away much stronger, if we listen to THE CALL

God bless us all.

Instrumental Break…

From a farm in Indiana to a village in Nepal,

In each synagogue and mosque and church

God listens to us all.

There’s a light that’s ever shining

That nothing can forestall…

God bless us all.

We will walk away much stronger, if we listen to THE CALL.

Stand tall, stand tall. We shall not fall.

Love leads us all.

Two Items on my Homosocialist Agenda Today.

2010-08-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

First of all "Congratulations California!" I'm THRILLED for your victory in Judge Walker's Federal courtroom yesterday! It's a big step toward the full Equality that is coming. I'd have loved to have been at any of your celebrations yesterday, but this one brought tears to my eyes: Prop 8 Flash Mob

Next, last year I created a video tribute to 9/11, focusing on a positive message of healing. I think it's more pertinent today than ever, with all the discussion surrounding the Islamic community/prayer center that is going to be built 2 1/2 blocks away from Ground Zero. See it here: "The Call"

That's it for now. . . maybe more later.

Hogs & Quiches!
CJ

Beware of Tempting Bait

2010-08-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

This weekend the National Organization for (?) Marriage is bringing its freak show of hatred to Florida with their "Summer Bus Tour." Much of LGBTQ Florida is set to respond to their hatred with counter-protests. I'm hoping to be able to be there when it happens. We cannot let their hatred go unanswered.

I'd like to remind all our leaders and participants, though, NOT to take the bait being offered by NOM. It has become abundantly clear from their tour events, so far, that they are looking for one thing: an opportunity to paint themselves as the victims in this culture war. They are trying their damnedest to bait us into hateful response.

Please remember, my friends, that the most successful counter protests in recent memory have been peaceful. A response that resonates with peace and love is far more powerful and effective than screamed vitriol. I know, I know, it's human nature to respond to hate with hate. I know that it's counter to our strongest instincts to use peace, love, humor or even song, in response to the blatant discriminatory posturing from groups like NOM.

Reflect for a moment, though, on recent counter protests that have deflated the cause of hate and attracted national attention due to their positive message. One instance that comes to mind was a spontaneous response by school children to the message of anti-immigrant hatred being extolled from across the street from their own school. See the video here. Then there were counter protests of the 'tongue-in-cheek' variety such as the University of Chicago and ComicCon responses to Westboro Baptist Church. Even on the current tour of hate by NOM, I've heard of peaceful responses that were far more eloquent than confrontational screaming matches. For example, I heard of one counter protest where participants simply chanted "You need a hug! A big, gay hug!"

In short, I'm urging ALL participants at this weekend's counter protest in ~~Tampa~~ Orlando not to take the bait by responding in the natural, hateful manner. One idea that springs instantly to my mind is to have NOM protesters vastly outnumbered by a gigantic yet TOTALLY SILENT crowd, standing with their backs to NOM. Another might be more of the "flash mob" variety, wherein a large mob sings or dances to something like the Beatles' "All You Need is Love."

A direct action like this will get us far more media attention and much more positive exposure than if we let the mob scream its contempt at the hate bus crowd. You will be approached by people whose sole intent is to get you to react on camera. PLEASE don't take the bait!

Really, "all you need is love!"

Can We, Please, Work Together? (Redux)

2010-08-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

NOTE: To any members or officers of Equality Florida or Stand Up Florida who may read this piece, please accept it in the spirit that it's intended. . . to offer helpful advice and hopefully help mend rifts that threaten to weaken our community.

I attended St. Pete Pride this past June for the first time in a few years. I went to help staff the booth for Equality Florida and collect signatures to fight the Florida ban on gay adoption. Before my shift was to start, I stopped by Stand Up Florida's booth to meet some of its staff with whom I'd become friends online, and to offer support. Only one of the guys I knew was there at the time, we had a pleasant conversation. He also introduced me to a couple of other members/officers. Nicey-nicey, happy-happy. . . and I was on my way.

Half an hour later, while I was busy collecting siggies at Equality Florida, I heard a loud commotion inside the booth. When I turned, I saw one of the people to whom I'd just been introduced at Stand Up Florida along with a few other people, loudly and nastily complaining about Equality Florida and the way they operate. It was very confrontational and totally out of line. It was divisive, and certainly not an appropriate way for representatives of our organizations to behave in public.

Flashback:

1940s Europe. Nazi Germany had invaded and occupied Poland to their East, and invaded France to their West. In France they were fighting a valiant but weakening resistance and were on the path to fully conquering and occupying France. Then nothing would stand in their way as they advanced on the balance of Europe. Enter the USA and USSR. Yes, there were other allies. . . but let's focus on the USA and USSR for now. The differences in these two countries are apparent to us all, and I won't go into them here. This is not, after all, a history lecture. Suffice to say that these two nations, separated by vast gulfs of culture and political ideology, had one common goal: the defeat of Nazi Germany. For the course of the war, they set aside their political differences in order to cooperate and work toward their common goal.

A little background:

Equality Florida is an old, monolithic advocacy group that operates within the time honored model of Human Rights Campaign. While they say that they are not affiliated, the similarities are unmistakable. They take a conservative approach to progressive activism. They pay pretty good salaries to hired talent who work full time in the cause as their chosen profession. They have a mammoth annual budget, out of which come the necessary operational expenses. EQFL has political connections in the state to match HRC's political connections on the national level. They are, in effect, Florida's own baby HRC.

Stand Up Florida is a true "grass roots" activist organization that just started up within the past few years. I'm proud to say that when I first encountered its founder online, I gladly shared connections with him to many other groups within Florida, along with activists and bloggers who shared his passion for equality. Since then, he has built SUF into a strong, vibrant organization, and joined forces with other groups, some of whom I had helped him with connections. SUF is staffed and operated entirely by volunteers and has done a phenomenal job of growing into a bold, brash, "in-your-face" (not to mention, well-known) activist organization, doing great work. I see very strong similarities between SUF and the growing national group GetEQUAL.

Two different groups. . . two vastly different ideologies. . . one common goal: Equality.

My advice to Equality Florida:

Don't ignore Stand Up Florida, they are not going away. Embrace them as equals. . . allies in a common goal. Reach out to them and work toward the establishment of a dialog and cooperation. Politically, you'll probably never agree. But together we can fight our common battles on all fronts, eventually overwhelming our oppressors. Continue to work your frontal assault in Tallahassee, and encourage Stand Up Florida to cover the flanks with bold brash activism where it's called for (response to the NOM Summer Bus Tour, for instance).

My advice to Stand Up Florida:

Stop the petty bickering with groups that should be your allies. Of course you take exception with their conservative, "corporate" approach to social activism. But there are things they can do. . . places they can reach. . . politicians and allies with whom they hold political sway, that you cannot hope to achieve. They're a different organization and their methods and ideologies are repugnant to you. But your goal is the same: Equality. One other thing: don't openly ridicule people who try to diplomatically discuss concerns with you in private. It's sophomoric, at best.

There is nothing, I repeat, N.O.T.H.I.N.G to be gained by petty quarrels between your groups. You should be allies in spite of your philosophical differences. Let's all work together toward Equality. And be prepared to equally share in the accolades when we win. And, trust me, together we will win.

Can We, Please, Work Together?

2010-08-02T06:53:00.000-07:00

One thing that the LGBTQ community has struggled with for generations is the establishment and promotion of a cohesive message and unified front. Various organizations (whose ultimate goal is universal, Equality) insist upon following their own strategies and employing their own tactics, regardless of what other organizations are doing. And then they whine and carp about each other.

For a moment, let’s take just one issue which affects us all (if not directly, indirectly . . . no matter how some may deny that it has any importance in their lives) repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT). Three main organizations count this among their key issues, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and GetEQUAL (GE). HRC and GE are more “blanket” advocacies, involved in a number of the social issues that confront us. SLDN, on the other hand, is a highly targeted group, focusing solely on LGBTQ military members and the legal issues that impact them. All, though, have repeal of DADT as one of their major goals.

HRC is “the old guard.” They’ve been around for years and have political connections like no other. They’re conservative in approach if not in politics. They take a very cautious approach to activism/advocacy in order not to offend political allies. They’ve grown to require an immense operating budget, hiring expensive full-time paid “talent” to manage the organization in a very vertical, top-down manner.

SLDN was founded in 1993 in direct response to the enactment of the controversial DADT legislation. While politicians of the day insisted that DADT would make it easier for gay and lesbian Americans to participate in the country’s military, SLDN recognized, as many of us did, that DADT only paved the way for more insidious oppression. They are bipartisan and take a very “legalistic” approach to the issue.

GE, on the other hand, is the grass roots upstart. They’re passionate and they’re brash . . . the epitome of “in your face” without getting too revolutionary like ACT-UP of old. They rely on direct action and “civil disobedience” to get their point across.

Each of these organizations has its place in our struggle to get DADT repealed. HRC will tell you that the civil disobedience tactics of GE are risky, to the point of being counterproductive. GE will tell you that the HRC approach only appeases politicians and makes “lapdogs” of the LGBTQ community. While I have a personal bias on my preference of approaches, I recognize the value of each in the overall goal of getting DADT repealed.

Recent events have brought about the apparent confluence of the three groups’ efforts. Repeal of DADT (along with the Inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act, I-ENDA)had, apparently, been tabled by Congress for the remainder of this year, putting the entire legislative effort at risk of being sacrificed to mid-term elections. In July, the efforts of GE, and specifically (former Lt.) Dan Choi, evoked a promise of action from Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid. He did this through actions of civil disobedience, coupled with a calculated (perhaps manipulative?) encounter when Reid gave the Keynote Address at NetRoots Nation, an annual convention of progressive bloggers and activists. Within days, HRC and SLDN announced their intentions to jointly renew lobby efforts in Congress to push-through the repeal and promote passage of I-ENDA.

A cynic might say that HRC and SLDN are attempting to upstage GE and claim progress for their own. I, however, choose to believe that HRC and SLDN recognize the fact that, without the efforts of Dan Choi and GE, there would be nothing for them to lobby Congress about today.

In short, individual efforts, while using different strategies and tactics, are all necessary and contribute to the overall success of the whole. HRC, SLDN and GE are demonstrating a new cooperation that here-to-fore has been lacking in our community. HRC’s political connections, SLDN’s legal and legislative expertise, and GE’s civil disobedience are three efforts which individually cannot achieve the goal, but together are gaining momentum toward victory.

I hope each organization will publicly acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of the others. I pray that they will set egos aside and embrace rather than criticize one another’s’ work.

I further hope that they, especially HRC and GE, will take a serious look at the mechanisms in place to communicate (that means “listening” too!) with members of our community. Listen to and engage your constituency. Provide email addresses and phone numbers for staff members. Respond to every contact, no matter how insignificant it seems to you (it was significant enough for a constituent to contact you in the first place). And always respond with understanding and empathy, never arrogance.

Recognize and thank volunteers and donors, profusely.

To contact HRC:

Mail

Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-3278

Phone

HRC Front Desk: (202) 628-4160
TTY: (202) 216-1572
Toll-Free: (800) 777-4723

(On the surface, HRC seems easy to contact. They’ve greatly expanded the information on how to reach them on their web site. I suspect, however, that getting ahold of anyone there, much less getting a reply to email or voicemail messages is still problematic)

To contact SLDN:

Mail

SLDN

PO Box 65301

Washington, DC 20035-5301

Phone

(202) 328-3244 or (202) 328-FAIR

Email: sldn@sldn.org

(I’ve never had any dealings with SLDN, so I don’t know just how responsive they are to external contacts.)

To contact GetEQUAL

GetEQUAL.org

(I would suggest that GetEQUAL obtain a physical address and presence ASAP to build credibility and offer access to the community at large. Make it easy to find and responsive.)

Making another run at this. . .

2010-08-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

I've dusted off and renamed the blog that I started, and then let fall by the wayside just over a year ago. I'm hoping to begin regularly posting things here that I find interesting. I hope that some of you may, too, find some little degree of enjoyment in it. Look for my first new post tomorrow, Monday, August 2, 2010.

Peace and Abundance!
C.J.

Email of November 6, 2008

2009-06-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

Just want to share an email that I sent to my entire mailing list back on November 6. It was in response to the passage of Florida's dispicable Amendment 2 and California's Prop 8, along with the ballot initiative in Arizona.

"So, "we've won." Yeah, we got Obama elected. . . only to have the majority stomp on the rights of us, as a minority, once again.

"I say no more pink money for the Democrats. No more limp wrists stuffing envelopes for Democrats. No more lisping into the phones for the Democrats. No more flowery emails or text messages for Democrats. No more covering our lawns of our cute cottages and our Volvos with Democratic propaganda.

"I, for one, am not lifting a finger for another Democrat. Not until they stand with us, in a united front, to say "NO MORE! No more will we allow the arrogance of the many to interfere with the rights of the few!" Until they support us, the DNC can kiss my ***."

So, I'm glad to see other LGBTs coming-around to my way of thinking. I'm not one to say "I told ya so" but. . .

I like my Activists ACTIVE. . . PRO-Active, to be Precise!

2009-06-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago I became a follower of the Bilerico Project, a LGBT blog publisher based in Indianapolis. I hooked-up with them on faith that they were, as advertised, LGBT activists. I've been astonished, though, at how counterproductive their "activism" is to the Equal Rights Movement. No, not all their bloggers (I happen to be a big fan of Waymon Hudson and some others), but the leadership along with a few of their most vocal negativists. When it comes to our equal rights I'm not going to drop ANY of the equality issues because a few of them are satisfied with our second-class citizenship. I'm NOT going to work against nationally renown LGBT leaders and try to thwart their heroic efforts.

I'm not suggesting what action you, my friends, should take. But if you agree with me, I hope you'll let Bilerico Project know that you're dissatisfied with their brand of leadership/activism. I've chosen to discontinue association (Twitter, Facebook, subscription) with the organization. What you do can only be decided in your own heart.

Tired of the 'Lip Service'

2009-06-12T15:05:00.000-07:00

Enough is enough.

I'll not belabor the point that Hillary Clinton was the better candidate for equal rights for the LGBT Community. A large portion of our peers threw their support behind Barack Obama, including the much heralded Human Rights Campaign (of which I'm a former member) and gave Obama the nomination, hence the Presidency. So, I've learned to "suck it up" and hope for the best (knowing all along that Obama was no-more a friend to the LGBT Community than, say, John McCain).

Today the Obama Administration managed to win points with the radical right, while allowing itself to stay at arms length of the issue, by having the Department of Justice move for the dismissal of the first challenge to the attrocious Defense of Marriage Act. Make no mistake: it was the DoJ that filed, but the Obama Whitehouse sets the policies carried out by the DoJ.

The time has come for our community to sit down and stop being counted. Let politicians everywhere, of all stripes, know that you're not giving one red cent to their campaigns. Tell them that they'll have to find someone else to staff their phone banks, knock on doors, paste stickers on their Hybrids and, in general, do the legwork of a political campaign. Tell 'em you're not their patsy anymore! Let them know, once and for all, that untill they do right by us, they're not getting one trace of support from the LGBT Community. I helped turn my county and my state blue for the first time in years. . . and, by-gadfrey, I can help turn it red again, just by discouraging my fellow LGBT members from getting involved.

I'm not just talking about Representatives and Senators, either. Alex Sink could use my help getting the big office in Tallahassee. But she's not getting it until she helps defeat anti gay laws in Florida. Similarly, there are Democrats all over my state, my county, and my precinct who could use my help and my vote. Nope. Not a chance until they take action toward positive change for LGBTs of their constituencies.

Promises just won't do, anymore. It's going to take action.

If the LGBT community in California is at risk, aren't we all?

2009-05-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

Does the recent decision of the California Supreme Court, upholding Proposition 8, bother you? You say you're not gay, so why should it affect you? Or you say that you don't live in California, so it has no impact on your life?

Well, my friends, it should bother the hell out of you! No matter who you are, or where you live, it should eat at your soul. It's a shear case of the majority being allowed by the judiciary to strip-away the rights of a minority.

A brief history: On May 15, 2008 the California Supreme Court struck down their Constitution's ban on same-sex marriage in a 4-3 ruling. This ruling opened the door for full marriage equality in the state. Over the course of the next several months, about 18,000 couples wed, legally, for the first time in the state's history. On November 6, 2008, a referrendum entitled Proposition 8 was placed on the ballot for the General Election, proposing to ban same-sex marriages. This ballot innitiative was backed by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and also heavily funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS Church). Followinig is the text of Proposition 8, along with the election results, as reported by SmartVoter.org:

State of California November 4, 2008 Election
Proposition 8

Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry

State of California

Initiative Constitutional Amendment - Majority Approval Required

Pass: 6,838,107 / 52.3% Yes votes ...... 6,246,463 / 47.7% No votes

As you can see, it was certainly no "landslide" in favor of the proposition's supporters. Yet it had the effect of preventing further same sex marriages, and put into question the validity of those 18,000 marriages already performed.

Less than two weeks later, the California Supreme Court voted to review Proposition 8 and its validity. On May 26, 2009, the Court ruled that Proposition 8 should stand, but that the 18,000 marriages performed in the interum would remain valid.

The net result is that the Court upheld the right of the majority to oppress the minority! I'm sorry, but the only word I can think of to adequately describe this decision is "shamefull." Shame on those who put-forth this insidious ballot innitiative. Shame on those who voted in favor of it. Shame on the California Supreme Court (the SAME COURT that had innitially paved the way for legal same-sex marriage) for validating discrimination.

This means that a simple majority of people can vote to discriminate against a minority. How long will it be before you and I are in the affected minority? When will our friends and neighbors decide that we should not enjoy the same rights as they do? I'm serious here. . . if the state of California can do it, anyone can do it! This is UN- American!

I'll close with a poem by Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984), a survivor of the Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps.

When the Nazis came for the communists,

I remained silent;

I was not a communist.

Then they locked up the social democrats,

I remained silent;

I was not a social democrat.

Then they came for the trade unionists,

I did not protest;

I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,

I did not speak out;

I was not a Jew.

When they came for me,

there was no one left to speak out for me.

Obama Promised Us NOTHING!

2009-05-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

Suddenly, since some LGBTQ issues have again been hi-lighted in the national media, the LGBTQ community is angered that President Obama hasn't come to the rescue. "He said he was going to repeal 'DADT!'" "He was supposed to be FOR same-sex marriage!"

Hold it folks. . . he never said those things, and holding him accountable for it now is unfair. Our community projected those ideologies onto him, and he was smart enough to let us believe what we wanted. Thanks to this, we helped him get elected. Many of us helped him defeat Hillary Clinton for the nomination, then most of us helped him (some by default) to defeat Republican John McCain. He never really sought our support, we generously thrust it at him.

Take, for example, the insistence that he "promised to repeal DADT (don't ask, don't tell)." He never made such a promise. Here's what was said: "There's increasing recognition within the armed forces that this is a counterproductive strategy - ya know, we're spending large sums of money to kick highly qualified gays or lesbians out of our military, some of whom possess specialties like Arab-language capabilities that we desperately need. That doesn't make us more safe. . ." Then, he followed with the general disclaimer: "What I want are members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who are making decisions based on what strengthens our military and what is going to make us safer, not ideology." Read more here.

He allowed us to hear what we wanted to hear. . . that he didn't approve of DADT. He also, very conveniently, allowed us to let his disclaimer slide. So let's stop whining about Obama's failure to intervene in DADT.

I'm also amazed at the number of my fellow LGBTQ members who think he either explicitly or implicitly supports same sex marriage! Were they listening to the same campaign rhetoric as I? All I ever got from Obama was that 1. He considers same-sex marriage a states' rights issue, and 2. He personally believes that "marriage" can be defined as being between one man and one woman! But again we as a community heard what we wanted to hear.

Here's just one example of his views: (Click for LOGO video) He makes no attempt to address same-sex marriage at the Federal level, only that it's up to the states. Also, he explicitly states that his personal beliefs call for something not called marriage. . . "perhaps Civil-Unions. . ."

I, too, am frustrated by President Obama's failure to act on our behalf during these pivotal moments in LGBTQ history. But, I don't blame him. . . I blame us for our failure to accurately read the candidates and throw our support to the true Pro-LGBTQ Candidate.

equality. . . or, EQUALITY!

2009-05-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

Pretend for a minute that you're Barack Obama, and it's January 1, 2008. You're behind in the polls, but you've got a strong organization, lots of cash in the war chest, and a less than even chance of clinching the Democratic Presidential Nomination. I mean, c'mon, your chances are less than even! Why fight a battle you'll possibly/probably lose? Why not give up, throw your support to Clinton, and say, "Hey, Hillary? Since I'm helpin' you out here, how about the Vice Presidency?"

It'd be a hell of a lot easier, wouldn't it? After all, progress/change is only achieved in small steps, right? Why not go for the sure thing, instead of struggling so hard for the tough challenge?

Well, my friends, that's exactly what many GLBT Americans do when they say they'd be satisfied with something that looks like marriage, feels like marriage, benefits like marriage, but isn't CALLED marriage.

If it's called anything other than marriage, then, by default, it's something LESS. There are those who say "marriage" applies to Christianity, not to state sanctioned commitments. If that's true, then why can agnostics and atheists marry? And what of Muslims, Jews, and a host of others? Why THEM, but not Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders?

If you'll settle for a "civil union" in place of a marriage, and be satisfied with it, then you're only after equality. Note the lower-case E. It's my way of saying "equality-lite." All the great taste of marriage, but without the M word that offends so many wingers.

Me? I want EQUALITY! Equal in every respect. No room for condescention from our pious right-wing friends. EQUALITY! is within our grasp, my friends! As of TODAY, five states have legalized same sex marriage, through various means, but with the same result. . . EQUALITY!

Let's use this momentum to call our Democratic legislators and prod them to action. . . demand our EQUALITY! Let's insist upon full and equal rights in the eyes of the law, just as we are equal in the eyes of the Gods of our understandings. It's POSSIBLE! If we keep pushing forward, the opposition will soon be overwhelmed and unable to muster the strength or the funds to fight back. And by the time they are able to start retaliating, the American public will be able to see for itself that the institution of marriage has NOT crumbled. They'll see that their children are not being recruited into lives of sin and gratuitous sex. And maybe, just maybe, they'll begin to understand. Okay, allow me a little latitude for dreaming! :)

EQUALITY! It's more than just a slogan!

Generation Gap, or Activism Gap?

2009-05-05T20:39:00.000-07:00

I must confess I'm confused with the different definitions of "equality" even within the gay community. I thought, for a very long time, that it was a question of an generation gap. Now, however, I'm not quite sure where the line is drawn or for what reason.

Equal Rights Activist A: Believes that anything less than full equality, including full marital rights, isn't sufficient. This activist won't settle for civil unions, domestic partnership contracts or any other euphemism that purports to provide full equal rights without actually using the "M" word. This activist insists that "separate but equal is anything BUT equal."

Equal Rights Activist B: Insists that pushing for full marital rights is going beyond the pale. This activist would be perfectly happy to have a state recognized domestic partnership, assuming spousal style rights are included. This activist doesn't feel relegated to second-classhood by the mere difference in terminology. "It's only semantics."

I admit to being a Type A Activist, as described above. I supported Hillary Clinton as (in my humble opinion) the only viable Democratic candidate with a realistic chance of winning who was truly pro-equal rights. She stated, in plain words, her support for full equal rights. Having been somewhat of an activist since the early 80's, I assumed others of my generation would be of the same mind. . . that "good enough ain't good enough!"

I assumed (yeah, I know) that the majority of those in category B were of a younger generation. That they hadn't come through the struggles, missteps and bitter disappointments of their predecessors, so didn't understand the deeper meanings of (in my opinion) very powerfully different words. I figured that only by not understanding could they be such. . . such. . . lemmings! How did they go so "pro Obama" so soon, in spite of his stated position that "marriage is between a man and a woman. . .?" And they were hard-core in their enthusiasm for getting him elected! Even the Human Rights Campaign applauded him as being pro equal rights, even though he NEVER pledged support to full equality!

Now, I discover that I've got many friends, in roughly my age group (let's say, between 40 and 65), who could hardly give two proverbial squats whether it's called marriage, civil union or buddy-humpin', as long as they can enjoy rights that are similar in benefit to those of our heterosexual brethren. Conversely, I'm discovering a whole LOT of the younger generation who feel as slighted as I do by words like "civil union."

So, what's the variable that I'm not seeing? I guess it's not age, and therefore not a generational gap. Is it simply a matter of differing degrees of activism? Then why were they such avid (often rabid!) supporters of President Obama?

Disclaimer: This is NOT intended to rekindle the Clinton v. Obama debates that were ablaze early last year. Today I'm a strong supporter of President Obama, and worked hard to help get him elected (okay, AFTER Hillary conceded). I'm a bit puzzled, though, by those who expect him to fulfill some unspoken promise.

Allow me to introduce. . .

2009-05-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

. . .myself. I'm Cj. I know -- you're underwhelmed. Let me assure you, you have every right to be!

Rather than bore you with details about myself, I'll just state that I want to write. No, I'm not planning to be a great writer. . . I just want to write. Prose, pathos, dialog, narrative. . . maybe even a little poetry. Who knows? What you're reading here (on the very OUTSIDE chance that you've stumbled across my blog) is going to be my "test-bed."

If you plan to read-on, please promise one thing in return for the following promises to you. Hold me to my word! Don't back down! Call me on any dishonest writing. Don't worry about my feelings, just lay it on the line.

Now, for my promises:

I will do my best to be respectful to any persons, groups, cultures and ethnicities about which I may write.
I'll be impeccable with my words. In short, no BS, no condescension, no bigotry, etc.
All characters will be of my own creation. Any similarities. . . etc., ad-nauseum.
And I'll tell you right-here and now: gratuitous sex, gratuitous vulgarity, and gratuitous violence will never be a part of my repertoire. These are gimmicks sometimes used by lazy writers, and that's a fraternity I'd prefer to avoid. Don't misconstrue that to mean that there won't be any sex, profanity or violence in my writings. They'll be used when necessary to properly tell a story.

I guess, maybe, I'd better fill you in on a few details about myself. I'm a single gay man who works a 40 hour week. My mother lives with me . I'm a recovering alcoholic (5+ years, yay me!) and reformed smoker. I love to travel, although opportunity, financial ability and inclination seldom coincide. I love people and am a loyal friend. I do my very best to maintain a positive outlook. I'm a proud member of Unity Church. I have a close, personal relationship with the God of my understanding.

One last thing; writing is my dream. I've spent a lifetime telling myself that I couldn't do it, and I believed me. I've given-up my concerns about commercial success. I've given up the idea that I need for people to like my work, and me by association. My only goal, now, is for my writing to satisfy me. That will be my measure of success. In that respect, I'm already successfull, just by having posted this piece.

Namaste,
Cj