Bill Clinton urged to cancel speech in prop 8 boycott

[galaxy21]

SAN FRANCISCO—Gay rights and labor leaders are urging former President Bill Clinton to cancel an upcoming speech at a San Diego hotel that became a boycott target when its owner donated money to pass a gay marriage ban in California.
The president of the San Diego hotel workers' union and several gay rights activists published an open letter to Clinton on a Web site Thursday after his staff indicated Clinton would not bow out of the paid appearance at the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel.

Owner Doug Manchester gave $125,000 to the Proposition 8 campaign early last year.

Cleve Jones, a veteran gay rights activist who does organizing for the Unite Here union, said Clinton would have to cross a picket line on Sunday if he goes ahead with the speech. Hotel housekeepers at the Hyatt have teamed up with organizers of the gay rights boycott to press for improved working conditions, Jones said.

"It is such a slap in the face to the labor movement and the LGBT community," he said of Clinton's plans. "His participation is helping to further enrich a proven enemy of equality."

...

McKenna said it was unfair to accuse Clinton of being unsupportive. In the days leading up to the vote on Proposition 8, he recorded a telephone message that went to millions of California households asking voters to defeat the measure.


http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_11691892


Considering the amount of goodwill Hillary has with the gay community, I'm really surprised he's thinking of going through with it. It would be a very bad idea if he did, I think. I don't think one cheque for a speech is worth pissing off that many people.

[Le Taz Hot]

1. President "Don't Ask Don't Tell?"

Not likely.

[galaxy21]

2. At least he doesn't go on about the sanctity of marriage

Possibly because he knows what a freaking hypocrite he would look like.

Honestly, I think Bill will do what's best for Bill. And that probably means not doing the speech. For Hillary's sake if nothing else.

[blm]

3. He has newfound support for gay community since HRC's primary run, dontcha know?

Remember when he urged Kerry to SUPPORT antigay measures on state ballots in the South, but, Kerry wouldn't do it, and some strategists tried to blame gay issues for 2004?

So, he came around on Prop 8 with a MINIMAL effort (no PUBLIC appearances and certainly no Larry King Live), and we're all supposed to forget how much he betrayed the issue in other elections.

[AtomicKitten]

12. *

http://www.americablog.com/2007/06/bill-clinton-reportedly-told-john-kerry.html

[Glorfindel]

4. I hope he will cancel, and let it be known why.

It would be a small gesture for him, but a very meaningful one for those of us who support LGBT rights and the labor movement.

[closeupready]

10. Dream on.

As others have said, he is President DOMA/DADT.

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

5. The owner of the hotel gave $125,000???

That is a little more than "support". Why is anybody doing any business at all with this hotel, and who/what is the International Franchise Association anyway, and why are THEY doing business with the hotel.

$125,000 is way way more than just "support"

[galaxy21]

7. Yeah, that is an insane amount of money

I can maybe understand someone giving $50 or even $200, but $125,000? How much do you have to hate gay marriage?

Just give it to a charity or something.

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

8. thats how i feel

$125,000 is a whole lot of dehumanizing hate. Why is anybody doing business with this hotel?

[Starry Messenger]

6. Hotel owned by "Papa Doug Manchester".

http://www.dougmanchester.com/

From his website:

"Papa Doug married his college sweetheart, Betsy, 43 years ago, and they are blessed with five children and ten grandchildren. His motto is "Making Positive Memories...""




Making Positive Memories...unless you are gay...would be more accurate, Doug.

He is a conservative Catholic who supported Romney for President.

[stevedeshazer]

9. They're asking President DOMA?

Good luck with that.

[AtomicKitten]

11. Clinton gets a two-fer by offending unions AND the LGBT community.

"What Would Harvey Milk Say About President Clinton's Speech at the Manchester Hyatt?" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cleve-jones/what-would-harvey-milk-sa_b_166489.html

Not much response on DU though. Hmmmmm.

[AtomicKitten]

13. kick

for an interesting lack of interest in this at DU :eyes:

[foxfeet]

14. There is a thread in the GLBT forum, just FYI.

:kick:

[AtomicKitten]

15. thanks for the heads-up and kick for the petition posted there

thread -----> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=221x119672

petition -----> http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/dotherightthing

[EFerrari]

16. Excellent! K&R

[denem]

17. Worth further discussion. Petition here:-

http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/dotherightthing