As an Obama supporter, I'm asking Barack Obama: get right with LGBTvoters already.

[Ken Burch]

You don't need homophobes in your coalition. The majority of the country ISN'T antigay. At least the majority isn't insane enough about it to believe there can be such a thing as an "ex-gay".

This is hurting you with a group you need to get on your side.

You have nothing to lose by getting off the fence on this, and everything to gain.

You'll only look tougher and stronger by doing so.

1)Apologize for/Renounce McClurkin already.
2)Renounce/Denounce the "ex-gay" movement.
3)Listen to what that community wants.

I say this as a straight, white progressive who wants you to win. You know what to do, Senator. In the name of justice and victory, do it.

(on edit: I realize that the LGBT community can speak for themselves, so I post this only in SUPPORT of them, not in the belief that I speak for them, to clear up any confusion on that point.)

[Ediacara]

1. If he does this, he'll have my support 100%

Since he's yet to do this, I voted for Hillary today.

[Ken Burch]

2. Fair enough. I hope he gets the message.

n/t.

[Ediacara]

15. It was the deciding factor for me

Points off for Obama: his uninsured health plan, his pro-ethanol boondoggle.

Points off for Hillary: her war vote and inability to say that she didn't realize how untrustworthy Bush was.

So it comes down to McClurkin (which any way you slice it is a big fucking deal to me).

[Olney Blue]

3. What is Barack's position on "don't ask, don't tell?"

[JerseygirlCT]

12. I believe there was general agreement at a debate a while

back that it was a mistake.

That seemed to include H. Clinton saying B. had blown it on that one, IIRC.

[musicblind]

57. He wants to get rid of it

as does Hillary. A win for us both way! :party:

[skooooo]

4. I've heard him say inclusive things...

...and named gays along with everyone else. I don't know about that other stuff.

[terrya]

5. Thank you for posting this

I know Hillary isn't perfect on issues relating to GLBT people. Yes, DOMA and DADT are odious. And I hope that a Obama adminstration or a Hillary Clinton adminstration will work to repeal these discriminatory policies.

But the "ex-gay" movement has no place in our political system. I don't give a damn if the Donnie McClurkins of the world decide to try to "change" their sexual orientation. Hell, if they can delude themselves into doing it, whatever. Just don't prey on people genuinely conflicted with their sexual orientations. And goddammit, don't prey on gay and lesbian youth who are dealing with their sexuality.

And I'll go one farther...I encourage the Obama AND Clinton campaigns to condemn this odious, abusive movement that is nothing but bigotry.

Again, thanks.

[cali]

11. Hillary has supporters who are proponents of the sickening

"gay cure" too. There's a pastor in Boston who supports her and who she's said wonderful things about. Both campaigns should indeed renounce this insidious and cruel stuff.

[Ediacara]

21. I wish we could rec individual posts

because Terry, this one would get a rec.

[Neecy]

6. Thanks, but...

I don't need a straight guy to tell me how Obama needs to 'get right' with me.

[Ken Burch]

16. It was more as an Obama supporter.

I thought that his own backers needed to be raising this. I'm fully aware, after watching American politics in the thirty-eight years since Stonewall, that the LGBT community can damn well speak for itself.

My apologies if this sounded like presumption. I never meant to try to speak FOR you. Just in support of you.

[Neecy]

23. I have raised it with his campaign

I can promise you he's heard an earful from many of us.

Sorry to jump on you, but I've seen this McClurkin thing dragged out again...and again...and again...I believe you're sincere and I understand why you posted this. But really, it's up to us to decide how he can make this right.

[Ken Burch]

26. Understood. And again, I didn't mean to try to take that away from you.

It was just meant as solidarity. OK?

[musicblind]

64. As a gay man,

I appreciate your post, and do not think it was presumptuous. It rings very true. Gay rights issues are a BIG deal to me in this election and I have discussed the Donnie thing with my friends. It is cringe worthy and we know it is not Obama's true feelings. It would help with a lot of people if he would denouce what took place and let them know how he really feels. Not the statement he gave BEFORE hand but a statement made after the fact.

[musicblind]

66. oops double post

n/a

[theHandpuppet]

7. Thank you, Ken Burch

I'll be waiting for his answer.

[maximusveritas]

8. He's already done most of that

He hasn't explicitly apologized and I would like to hear that too, but he's done the rest.

He actually has a stronger position than Hillary on gay rights when you look at the actual issues.

[Bluebear]

9. Unfortunately

we have been asking this since October with no answer other than "lighten up!"

[JerseygirlCT]

10. I'm with you there!

Make it crystal clear, Senator.

[Blue-Jay]

13. Agreed.

I've sent similar messages to the Obama campaign as well.

[Maven]

14. K/R

[readmoreoften]

17. Also his choice of Kirbyjon Caldwell as a campaign speaker.

He runs the ex-gay Metanoia Ministries and was chosen by Obama to address a discussion about the place of religion in politics. Not okay.

[Ken Burch]

22. Agreed. And what kind of weirdos name their kid "Kirbyjon" anyway?

Also, what does "Metanoia" mean? It sounds like a bad heavy metal band or an inflammatory disease.

[Ediacara]

29. His campaign now claims that he's not having Caldwell speak for them

even though Caldwell implied when he made his endorsement that he'd been in contact with the campaign and would be campaigning for Obama and that Obama would probably show up at his church. The campaign says, "it's not happening."

Which is good.

Also, Caldwell claims that he has nothing to do with Metanoia, which is something I call bullshit on. The woman who runs it runs it out of an office in his church, and it was featured on the church's website.

[K Gardner]

18. I admit I don't understand all the back and forth on this, but I think Obama needs to do whatever

Obama needs to do to get this thing settled. He needs to sit down and have a mano a mano with some representatives or make a speech or explain himself somehow. Even if it resolves nothing, he needs to address it.

[IrishBloodEngHeart]

19. I'm gay, and I'm fine with him

I don't believe you push supporters away because they don't agree with you on every issues.

Ex gays can support him all they want. I know Obama has been very clear in his speeches and voting record he is pro-gay, and none of these people are going to be making policy, so who cares.

[farmboy]

60. I'm gay and I'm not at all fine with the way the McClurkin issue was handled. Obama lied about the

role McClurkin played at the event in South Carolina days after it took place. Obama did not come clean with what happened. I also know that even if Obama didn't know beforehand all that McClurkin had said about gays and homosexuality before he signed the bigot on as a spokesperson at this event, he had plenty of time to learn about it and remove him.

Obama did not do this. Obama did not apologize. Obama said McClurkin's role was just that as a singer and that it wasn't major. McClurkin spoke to the audience more than 30 minutes about his views, longer than anyone else on the stage. He was the Master of Ceremonies in every way except by official title.

Obama should own up to this and try to understand why many, many gays were hurt and left incredibly skeptical of his intentions towards GLBTs (even if you were not.)

[flpoljunkie]

93. Thank you for a very thoughtful and rational response, to an often very heated discussion.

[dsc]

103. How on earth do you know that?

It certainly isn't because Obama has been forthright about the roles these people play in his campaign. We were told over and over again, that McClurkin would only sing and not speak. Heck, even after the concert and the existance of a tape confirmed he spoke, we still hear he only sang a few songs. If he lies to me now about the roles these people have, why should I believe he will tell the truth later?

[Proud2BAmurkin]

20. Good luck with that. Obama will sell gays down the river if he needs to.

At least that's what the record shows.

[jlake]

24. That was going to be my post word for word.

[Colobo]

25. Proud, your girl is getting waxed tonight. How does it feel?

[Bluebear]

27. That is relevant to gay people's concerns how?

[Lex]

41. I think the comment's more relevant to

being an asshole than to the actual topic of the OP.

[Bluebear]

47. Oh, then, mission accomplished!

[Ken Burch]

28. "getting waxed"? er...how did you find THAT out?

I just thought she was losing some primaries and caucuses.

[Ediacara]

32. non sequitur much?

[maddiejoan]

33. What's wrong with you?

seriously --what is wrong with you?

[terrya]

40. Um...I'm a Hillary supporter.

I'm trying to be fair here. I believe she needs to strongly condemn this "ex-gay" shit as much as Obama does.

But, still....

[DURHAM D]

96. She has nothing to condemn.

Obama supporters are trying to change the subject.

You are not in Obama's heart - why should he be in yours. He does not deserve your consideration. Don't think about whether you like him but whether he likes you. The clear answer is no. He deliberately threw gays under the bus to win South Carolina. He knew exactly what he was doing. He was pandering to a certain homophobic demographic.

I am a lesbian and have close friends who have known Hillary since the 60s. One of Hillary's early friends is my ex-partner. They worked on many projects and served on many boards together as they were both pioneers in the legal profession. Hillary has always surrounded herself with gays and lesbians - both staff and personal friends. She was never afraid to openly acknowledge and embrace our community. She did it at a time when most considered it political suicide. She didn't care. She did the right thing. She will keep on doing the right thing.

Because of her Bill Clinton had an inclusive White House. Bill attempted to allow gays to openly serve in the military. He deliberately attempted this early during what would normally be a honeymoon period for a new President. It didn't work. He got beat down by the Repubs, Colin Powell as Chair of the Joint Chiefs and Sam Nunn, a Democrat from Georgia and has recently been mentioned as a VP running mate for Obama. Bill got stuck with DADT. Not what he wanted and not what he planned.

What will Obama do - nothing.

[jlake]

42. I know you voted for Bush twice - but is winning what matters to you - or do

civil rights count for anything?

[DURHAM D]

109. I know he said he voted for Bush twice but he also said he is 24 years old.

Do you suppose he is not telling the truth.

[Blue-Jay]

31. Oh. It's you again.

[stahbrett]

30. I think he addressed the issue clearly with his statement:

"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of all other citizens. I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country.

I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."

Source:
http://chuckcurrie.blogs.com/chuck_currie/2007/10/senator-barack-.html

[Ediacara]

37. He should not have hired McClurkin to emcee an event on his behalf

He knew well in advance that that was going to be a problem, yet he went through with it anyway. When he rejects the agents of hate as well as the hate itself, then he's really saying something worth listening to.

If he apologizes for McClurkin and gives back the money he made, he and I will be on the same wavelength.

[Neshanic]

34. Yes, by all means run down to the store and get "Gay Right", then all us gays will vote for him!

Dreamy rock star that he is.

Here's the facts. Neither Hillary or Obama are going to do shit about gay issues. They both are the masters of walking the fine line. Hillary is my candidate because if health care and experience. Not for anything gay related.

[Bluebear]

38. 'run down to the store and get "Gay Right"'

:spray:

[Lex]

46. you'll find it in the

"gay related" aisle

:hi:

[TheDoorbellRang]

35. Yup. Sure not one of his shining moments

The one positive I remind myself of is that he would be more apt to listen to feedback from concerned constituents on this than the RW contingent. He needs some education on this, for sure. (I know I've learned a lot about LGBT issues here from other DUers. Kind of surprised myself on just how ignorant I was.)

[Duncan Grant]

36. k&r

Great thread, Ken. Thanks!

[calteacherguy]

39. Disagree with #2 on your list.

Why should we be denouncing people who call themselves "ex-gays." Should we all so denoune people who call themselves "ex-straights?"

I understand you may have meant "ex-gays" saying that gays are evil should be denounced, and I agree with that. Perhaps the OP just needs to be more clear.

[Maven]

43. What a fucking stupid post.

You. don't. get. it. At all.

Comment on a subject you know something about.

[Sapphocrat]

54. So, what else is new?

:shrug:

[QC]

78. Yeah, but typical in its fucking stupidity. n/t

[Bluebear]

44. Who the fuck calls themselves "ex-straights"?

[Neshanic]

48. And then they fucking wonder.....

[jlake]

45. You are a sick, sick man.

[calteacherguy]

56. I agree with the OP, he just clarified what was meant.

And we are in agreement.

[jlake]

62. But you think there is such a thing as "ex gay"

and "ex straight" :crazy: You Just. Don't. Get. It.

I now know that you are not a teacher of Math, Geography or Civil Rights.

[Ken Burch]

49. I meant the "ex-gay" movement, not the individuals, who we should have sympathy for

They mean well, but they've deluded themselves and it won't work out well for any of them. They will need a lot of support when reality breaks through.

[calteacherguy]

52. Right, that's what I figured.

:thumbsup:

[terrya]

50. We should denounce "ex-gays" because they believe we're sick.

They believe we're disgusting. They believe we should be "cured". The "ex-gay" movement is an abusive, shameful, cruel hoax.

That's why it should be denounced.

Any other questions?

[Lex]

53. The 'ex-straights' are always harassing me with religion and denouncing

the straights for being straight, and saying how it's wrong and evil.

I hate when that happens . . . oh, wait.

[Ken Burch]

55. I've changed it to "the ex-gay movement".

N/t.

[calteacherguy]

59. Great, thanks! nt

[Ediacara]

58. What are you talking about?

Do you harp on physicists about bosons being linked to clowns?

[NMMNG]

63. Do you have any idea what the "Ex-Gay" movement is all about?

I have a feeling you don't because otherwise you wouldn't have posted something so asinine.

[DURHAM D]

99. No -

he just likes to shit in public.

[dsc]

107. Where are these ex straights?

Does even one exist? And if they do, do they lobby against straight marriage, or protecting straights from discrimination? Do they accuse straights of murdering children (as McClurkin did)?

[Sapphocrat]

51. Do you say this...

...because you agree that Obama should do the right thing, or because you want Obama to placate LGBT voters, just so he'll get our money and votes?

You don't even need to reply (assuming I'm not on your ignore list). You do would well, however, to be honest (first and foremost with yourself) about your motive(s) for posting this. I don't ever recall you being a big LGBT ally on DU before.

You would also do well to remember that most LGBTs know when we're being pandered to for an ulterior motive -- it happens every day.

[Ken Burch]

65. I say it because it's the right thing for him to do, whether or not it gains him a single LGBT vote.

This thread was started in the name of justice, not pandering.
I haven't posted a lot in the LGBT forums because as a straight I wasn't sure it was appropriate for me to do so. But I support gay marriage and all the objectives of the LGBT community.

I do understand your suspicions, and know that I can't allay them in a single post. I did this because I saw a candidate with a weakness he needed to address, which had both electoral consequences and also moral/ethical consequences.

In doing this, I've set off your bullshit detector. But it's a false alarm this time. I hope somehow I can earn your trust on these matters in the future, and again, I'm sorry for doing all this in a way that has offended you. Perhaps we can discuss this further through PM's.

[Sapphocrat]

84. It's all in the timing.

It is your timing that set off my bullshit detector -- which is very sensitive, as it has to be. I myself don't take all Hillary supporters at face value, either; while LGBTs are wrongly accused of "faux outrage" over the Obama/McClurkin/Caldwell/Newsom/etc. issues, I have no doubt in my mind there is a tiny but vocal minority of HRC supporters who couldn't give a damn about LGBT equality, but pretend to support us all in the name of getting HRC elected. (And if they think nobody sees right through them, they must think LGBTs are very stupid indeed.)

Do consider some of the wording of your OP: "This is hurting you with a group you need to get on your side," and especially "I say this as a straight, white progressive who wants you to win." Yes, it's natural to parse it down like that: Part of surviving as gay in a straight world is (sometimes literally) reading between the lines. For self-preservation, when in doubt, assume everyone is anti-gay, and let them prove they're good guys. If you don't, you end up shaking hands with a lot of people who are simultaneously sticking a knife in your back.

I thank you for your reply, and for your support -- which we need all the time, above and beyond any discussion of candidates.

Nobody bites (much) in the GLBT forum. In fact, the straight allies who do venture in usually get the warmest welcome of all (and not "warm" as in "flaming").

No reason to take it to PMs -- I believe you.

[Ken Burch]

68. self-delete

Duplicate post.

[hulklogan]

61. Absolutely fantastic post! n/t

[Beregond2]

67. Gay

He made a very strong denunciation of anti-gay bigotry in one of those church settings. The fact that he reaches out to these people doesn't mean he agrees with them on everything. He also never fails to mention gay people in a positive light in his speeches.

In any case, none of this compares to the betrayal of gay people committed by Bill Clinton with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." If Hillary expects us to give her credit for her years "in" the White house, she has to shoulder responsibility for all the bad things that happened then too.

At any rate, there are more issues at stake than those of the LGBT community. I had to laugh today at the caucus. Not one person there knew what LGBT even meant. I had to explain it to them.

[Ken Burch]

69. self-delete

dupe post.

[Ken Burch]

70. self-delete

dupe post.

[Ken Burch]

71. Don't tell me...they thought it was a sandwich, right?

n/t.

[hulklogan]

72. Are you a GLBT American?

Because your post reads like something a militant straight would post.

[Bluebear]

73. "At any rate, there are more issues at stake than those of the LGBT community."

Yes, we'll just shut up now, there are more issues at stake.

Jagoff.

[terrya]

74. "At any rate, there are more issues at stake than those of the LGBT community"

Gee, thanks for trivializing the civil rights of 20 million Americans. Who gives a damn about us, right?

[Maven]

77. Yes, I'm sure no one in WA knows what GLBT means.

Idiot.

[Bluebear]

80. He had to "explain" it to them!

Then he told them that there are many other issues more important than GLBT issues. :silly:

[Sapphocrat]

85. Yep!

"At any rate, there are more issues at stake than those of the LGBT community." Yep, we're just as annoying as those pesky African-Americans -- like that MLK dude, and that Malcolm guy -- who just wouldn't shut up about equal rights in the 1960s. Imagine!

:sarcasm: <= for the legions of sarcasm-impaired

Hey, little gay-baiter, what's your pet issue so I can tell you it's irrelevant?

[NMMNG]

86. I'm sorry you have such an issue with civil and human rights

The fact that you take such a narrow view of them makes it clear that you have a very minute understanding of the scope of them.

[NMMNG]

75. Thank you

He does need to do that, though not as some attempt to pander. He needs to do it as a genuine statement that bigotry towards LGBTs is as unacceptable as any other form of bigotry no matter how people try to justify it. That includes people claiming that it is part of their "deeply held religious beliefs".

Sadly I don't see it happening as it will cost him too many votes.

[Neshanic]

76. Ok Ken. You mean well and want to show support...lets just talk about this a bit.

You are right that your guy does not need homophobes in his coalition. That's a fact.

"The majority of the country ISN'T antigay". Well on that Ken, you are very wrong. If you mean the Will and Grace "gays" that may be true, but if you go to the HRC and see what GLBT people CAN"T do....well that's a whole another story. I can in my state be fired for being gay. That is a fact. Oh and before all the screamers start about how that would not happen or the city has laws... go through it yourself.

Obama was warned quite early about his little gig with his pal. He still went forward with it. Like I said, I do not expect either to do shit, because I am tired of hearing it, and the empty promises, and the bonus of being used as a hate pawn, as "our" people start to see if they can distance themselves when the heat gets put on by the republicans. To Hillary's credit she has not done such a crass thing as Obama, as far as I know.

Your heart is in the right place. I get it. Your guy is not the man on GLBT issues. He's a very sad excuse, as is most of our elected officials are when they are cornered on it. I expect him to fold like a cheap crd table when he is really pushed on it. Not with any glee, but then the real truth comes out.

That's the way it's been. We have the bus tire marks to show for it.

[musicblind]

79. I posted something similar to this up above.

but as a gay man, I agree, and thank you for posting.

I do not hate Obama, and I KNOW that Obama doesn't REALLY hate gays or anything like that. I know that deep inside Obama is on our side. He just really really needs to denounce this. Its not that big of a deal to apologize, most people would never know. just some statement on his website or in a small press conference. It would go a LONG way with the gay community. We would appreciate it and it would put all of this to rest, no one could bash him for it anymore.

[Neshanic]

81. He's not going to apologize, and no politician would.

[Bluebear]

83. 'I know that deep inside Obama is on our side.'

See, I don't. I don't know the opposite, either, but I have no reason to think he gives a hoot about us.

[DURHAM D]

100. I disagree -

I not only don't think deep down inside he cares about us I honestly think he is homophobic.

The early debate where Biden talked about AIDS testing and Obama's subsequent response telegraphed his personal problem with queers. Now Obama just reads from a carefully written script designed to fool everyone.

[Radical Activist]

82. Didn't he already do #1 and #2?

And he sponsored the bill that added sexual orientation to the Illinois human rights code.

Is there some other reason why you would prefer to ignore Obama's apology and stay mad at him? Is there a certain number of times he has to apologize when it will be enough?

[nonconformist]

90. Link? nt

[Radical Activist]

92. Here's an article that mentions the act I mentioned

http://www.nyblade.com/2008/1-25/viewpoint/opinion/1204OpEdObama.cfm

And two quotes of his apologies are now posted below.

[Meldread]

87. I would like for him to do that as well.

I like being pandered too. :P

That being said, it was not a deciding factor in my support for him. For me a major deciding factor was the Iraq War. For all the evils of the ex-gay movement, it still isn't mass murder and it still hasn't led to all the evils of the Iraq War Invasion. It's sick, and I don't think Hillary is repentant. I believe she might do something like it again if elected.

[newmajority]

88. From October 30, 2007

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Monday he is "disturbed" by some of gospel-singer Donnie McClurkin's views toward homosexuals, a day after the prominent Obama supporter lashed out at critics for calling him 'anti-gay.'

"It's true we had a controversy...a gospel singer was singing at a gospel concert on our behalf, he was one of many, and he had some views that were anti-gay," the Illinois Democrat said during an MTV/MySpace forum. "I am disturbed by those views and I have said publicly that I have disagreed with them."

So he has denounced McCloset's views and his words. What more would you like him to do, kill the son of a bitch??

[Radical Activist]

89. It sounds like he denounced McLcurkin's views strongly right away after it happened.

"I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to
ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."


Does that not count for some reason?

[nonconformist]

94. Probably because Obama was contacted as soon as he invited the SOB

by several GLBT groups, and asked not to do it. They protested, and he did it anyway.

So yeah, it seems kind of disingenuous.

[Radical Activist]

95. Then an apology isn't good enough for you.

But let's at least be honest that he has apologized more than once.

This is the first I've heard of him being contacted before the event.

[hulklogan]

97. Where in that quote are the words "sorry" or "apologize"?

That quote is nothing but a non-apology. I'm eager to see the multiple apologies that Obama has made about McClurkin.

edited grammar

[nonconformist]

98. Oh hell yes... this was a HUGE issue before the event even happened.

Obama was well aware of what McClurkin stood for, and how offensive it was to GLBT people.

That is why the GLBT community and their supporters are so pissed off about this.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2007/10/obama-under-fir.html

There's tons of articles out there on this, and all of the various organizations that contacted him, and in some cases, spoke to him personally on the phone urging him NOT to do this.

And to answer your question... no, at this point, an apology is meaningless.

[kdpeters]

91. He's quite all right with this gay -- and Melissa Etheridge too

I don't need to be pandered to. You know, I remember Bill Clinton 16 years ago who did all the right stuff, said all the right stuff, and made all of us gays feel so hopeful and included. It's like Melissa Etheridge said to Hillary in the Logo debates, we were left heartbroken, thrown under the bus time and time again with so many broken promises. I don't want that from my candidate this time. I want to know where he/she stands for real. Don't tell me what I want to hear, just be real. Of the top three, The top three were all equally unimpressive on gay issues. John Edwards was the most candid and honest which scored point with me. Obama stayed on his themes of unity and change. Clinton had all the right answers and it gave me this terrible familiar feeling in the pit of my stomach.

A lot of the Obama/gay stuff I suspect is more Clinton negative campaign smear. It's so over-the-top hysterical and personal and some of it is petty. These same people turn around and glow about how the Clintons as if they've completely forgotten the 1990's. Melissa asked Hillary, "How can we trust that you won't do the same thing." Her answer was so much patronizing BS as if to say, "How can you be so ungrateful?" She does not get it, but she tries to play like she does.

I don't look to the president to make promises about what she will do FOR us. Those are promises made to be broken as the gay community learned time and again during the first Clinton presidency. What we need is for a president who will be fair and inclusive, appoint fair judges, and not throw a whole lot of roadblocks or setbacks down on us. Basically stay out of our way so we can continue winning our fight. Well, that's exactly Obama's message. No prmises, but "Yes we can".

Like Melissa Etheridge, I don't trust that Clinton won't do the same as her husband. I trust that she will. Like Melissa, I'm voting Obama.

[nonconformist]

101. I'm straight, but I stand in unison with the GLBT community.

An apology for McClurkin would be so totally meaningless at this point. He had a chance to do the right thing, was begged to do the right thing, but he did it anyway.

That said, I don't think he's ever going to come out really strong on this. He's getting too big of a chunk of the Republican and the religious vote... at the expense of some of the Democratic base, which he seems to take for granted. Remember his whole "my supporters won't vote for Clinton, but hers will vote for me" thing?

[Sapphocrat]

104. nc, if I've never said it before...

You are the kind of through-hell-and-high-water ally that restores my faith in humanity.

( Well, not in people -- just in humanity. ;) )

Seriously, I really appreciate you. You've been rock-solid from day one. And you will end up on "the right side of history."

:yourock:

[nonconformist]

105. Thank you so much!

That really means a lot to me.

:hug:

[hill08]

102. He'll never do it. Bet on it

[Unsane]

106. he gets a bad rap on this

[newmajority]

108. I hope you all just saw Obama's speech live from the J&J dinner in Virginia

He was listing off all the things that we need to get over in this country, and fear of gays was on his list.

He just told a crowd in Virginia to get over homophobia. Now while the Democratic audience is hopefully already there, it's certainly not true for the rest of that state (Home of Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell - before he moved to Hell, and all sorts of right wing assclowns).

I think it's time to let the McClurkin thing go. Yeah, it was a fuckup, but he condemned the freak's comments and made it clear where he stands. He IS on your side.