Rep. Tammy Baldwin: Votes are There for ENDA, DADT Passage

By GottaLaff

This is welcome news:

But Baldwin does believe the votes are in place in the House to pass ENDA and a DADT repeal bill.

“As someone who has actually counted the votes, I believe that there are,” Baldwin said. “That’s one of the things the LGBT Equality Caucus does is to [focus] attention to making sure we can tell [House] leadership, with accuracy, what the vote would be if they bring the measures up to the floor.”

The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus is a group of legislators in the House who are strong supporters of equal rights for LGBT people. The caucus is organized similarly to the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Baldwin and Rep. Barney Frank established the LGBT Equality Caucus in June 2008. It now includes nearly 90 members of Congress.

Don't Ask Don't Tell will be repealed. Now it's just a matter of when. And it can't come soon enough.

H/t: Towelroad

White House Talks DADT Repeal With... Lieberman

By GottaLaff

It didn't hurt to have Lady Gaga scream, or Judy Shepard speak, or a kajillion participants participate, or caring citizens write in and call.

Too bad we'll have Lieberman to thank as a likely sponsor:

The Advocate's Kerry Eleveld breaks the news:

Shortly after President Barack Obama pledged Saturday to end “don’t ask, don’t tell” during a speech to the Human Rights Campaign, the Administration’s highest-ranking LGBT official said the White House is speaking with certain senators about strategies for repealing the policy -- specifically Independent Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“On ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ this administration is talking directly to the Hill -- we are in direct discussions with Senator Lieberman,” John Berry, the director of the Office of Personnel Management, told The Advocate.

A spokesperson for Senator Lieberman confirmed that the senator had been speaking to the White House about the bill.

“Senator Lieberman has had discussions with representatives of the Administration and others on the best way to reverse this policy which he has opposed since it was first proposed in 1993,” said Marshall Wittmann, Lieberman’s press secretary. Wittmann gave no further information on the senator’s plans regarding the legislation.

Traitor Joe better come through. This is way too important to screw up.

President Obama addresses gay rights group: Liveblog

By GottaLaff

President Obama addresses gay rights group:
"You're making me blush."

He just said what a pleasure it was to be there opening for Lady Gaga. "I've made it!" Thanked the HRC.

He's been getting HUGE applause.

People still have outdated ways [paraphrase], but you're making a difference. That's the story of the movement of fairness and equality... for all those in history denied the rights of citizenship, not just gays.

You are making a difference.

Different kinds of families can show same compassion in time of need.. story of human rights campaign.

Adovcating on behalf of those living w/ HIV/AIDS. This fight continues now.

I have a simple message: I'm here with you in that fight. HUGE applause.

Progress has not come fast enough... it's important to be honest among friends.

It's not for me to tell you to be patient... but I will say, we have made progress. We will make more. There is not a single issue that does not touch on the lives of the LGBT community. We all have a stake in reviving economy, health care, schools... challenges in Iraq/Afghanistan.

While some may wish to define you by sexual orientation, nobody wants to be defined by only one part of what makes us whole... You're also parents, spouses worried about your job, soldiers, you are neighbors, friends, and most importantly Americans who care deeply about this country and its future.

So I know you want me working on jobs, etc. But my commitment to you is unwavering. Progress may take longer than you'd like, do not doubt the direction we are headed and the destination we will reach.

When you look back, you'll see a time when we put a stop to discrimination against gays/lesbians, incl. battlefield.

He's getting standing O's.

You will see a nation valuing these families... I am committed to these goals. We will fight to achieve them.

Referring to Matthew Shepard....

I met with Judy Shepard in May, promised we'd pass an inclusive hate crimes bill named for her son... we faced opposition, they never gave up, you never gave up, year after year... the House passed the bill... and after more than a decade, this bill is set to pass and I'll sign it into law!

Endless APPLAUSE, standing O.

It's a testament to Shepards... named for Sen. Ted Kennedy. Testament to HRC. Testament to Matthew and other victims of attacks... not just to break bones, to break spirits...

Closer to the day when no one has to be afraid to be gay in America.. no one has to fear walking down the street holding hand of one you love.

Closer to inclusive employee non-discrim. bill. Nobody should be fired because they're gay... We're gonna put a stop to it.

If any of my nominees are attacked for who they are, I'll stand by them.

We're invigorating response to HIV/AIDS, renewing Ryan White program.

We are rescinding ban on entry to U.S. based on HIV status.

We're moving ahead on Don't Ask Don't Tell... APPLAUSE. We should be celebrating Americans who show courage, esp. when we're fighting 2 wars. STANDING O.

We cannot afford to cut people with skills we need to fight... I'm working w/ Pentagon, House, Senate on ending DADT. I WILL END DON'T ASK DON'T TELL, THAT IS MY COMMITMENT TO YOU.

Can we transcend old attitudes? Will we uphold ideals that all of us are equal? I believe we can, I believe we will.

And that is why I support insuring the committed gay couples... I believe strongly in stopping laws that take rights away.

I've called on Congress to repeal Defense of Marriage Act. HUGE APPLAUSE, STANDING O.

We must all stand together against divisive efforts. It's about our common humanity.

Talking about hospital visitation, law treating you like a stranger.

We should admit that too many don't know urgency of this struggle.

We stand with LGBT families, and not just in front of gay audiences. Continue to pressure leaders, INCLUDING ME.

No one is a second class citizen...

Bringing up how younger gays must keep the "secret"... I believe the future is bright for that young person.

These ideals are what made it possible for ME to stand here today. That's the promise of America, HRC... the promise we are fulfilling!

Uh oh! Census Counts Same-Sex Couples

By GottaLaff

Oh what fun, a whole new controversy to contend with, because, you know, gay couples don't really count:

When the U.S. Census Bureau counts same-sex married couples next year, demographers expect hundreds of thousands to report they are spouses -- even though legal same-sex weddings in the United States number in the tens of thousands.

Gay advocates say they plan to use "A Census that Reflects America's Population," as the Census Bureau calls its plan to report same-sex marriage statistics, to push for legislative and policy initiatives, while groups opposed to same-sex marriage weigh a counteroffensive.

That's right, Rushpublics, we wouldn't want to pretend that gay love is valid, or that they're even allowed to love each other in the first place, right? That would make them ::gasp!:: equals! Besides, it totally messes up public policy.

Particularly at the state and local levels, gay advocacy groups say census data on income for same-sex couples will show the need for more protections against job discrimination. Statistics on households with children will help them challenge laws limiting gay adoptions and legal guardianship. With raw numbers to illustrate the need, it will be easier to demand services, they say.

"Why does the census ask if people are young or old, black or white, married or single?" said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, which promotes civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. "It's because we want to understand if the country is meeting the public-policy needs of those Americans. That's particularly so for LGBT Americans."

Not if you're compassionate homophobic conservative.

But conservatives say the tally could just as easily support their position that most gay people aren't looking to get married. They say they will oppose attempts to make policies more gay-friendly.

See, conservs, when you are denied the right to marry, then it's kind of a deterrent to getting married. There now. That wasn't so complicated, was it?

"It seems homosexual activists use these various markers as ways push their agenda, to force people to go along with whatever they demand," said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, which promotes "biblical values." "Regardless of what the numbers are, they're going to exaggerate the importance of it and claim all of society must change in order to comport with their demands."

Darn them gays and their agendas! How dare they want to be treated the same as other people? Who do they think they are... Americans?! The very idea!

The 2010 Census will not be the first in which same-sex couples have identified themselves as married. But it will be the first in which the raw numbers are publicly reported, reflecting an evolution in the way the Census Bureau keeps track of American lifestyles.

Hint: Being gay is not a lifestyle. But who's counting?

ACLU lobbyist, gay rights/pro-choice activist Larry Frankel found dead

By GottaLaff

A town hall meeting in York, PA, on October 10, 2007, addressed LGBT discrimination. Featuring Larry Frankel, Legislative Director of ACLU-PA...

This is the kind of mystery I do not like to report:

Longtime Pennsylvania ACLU lobbyist and Executive Director Larry Frankel, who in the last year or so has become the lobbyist for the national ACLU, has apparently been found dead in Washington under mysterious circumstances. This is a breaking news story in which most key facts are still generally unknown.

Frankel was an outstanding lobbyist for the Pennsylvania ACLU in Harrisburg, taking positions on scores to hundreds of bills each year. He was a coalition builder reminiscent of Ted Kennedy in the U.S. Senate or William Brennan on the U.S. Supreme Court, who aggressively reached out to unlikely allies like the National Rifle Association to help persuade members of the legislature that the ACLU was addressing broad concerns.

His aggressive outreach removed the ACLU from the fringes or margins of state policy and moved it toward the center of direct involvement.

A proud gay man, he was militant on the issue of gay marriage [...]

Larry believed in the importance of facts in making decisions. His correspondence with legislators was full of facts. [...]

He made progress on hard issues, such as the death penalty and mandatory minimum sentences, by documenting their high fiscal costs. [...]

He was a strong voice on freedom of choice, equal rights for women, and freedom of speech. [...] But he was tenacious, factual, honest, and decent, and he earned the deep respect of virtually all with whom he came into contact. [...]

He was one of the finest human beings to serve as a lobbyist, and his daily work honored the lobbying profession, as well as the ACLU and the gay community.

I searched around and couldn't find anything else on this. If anyone out there knows more, or can link me to other sources, I'd greatly appreciate it.

After the Dr. Tiller assassination, this is more than a little worrisome, but the facts aren't in yet, so... it's wait-and-see time.

H/t: Galelem

Liveblog: Obama speaks at LGBT Pride event at White House

By GottaLaff

President Obama is speaking at an LGBT Pride event at the White House right now:

There are unjust laws to overturn, unfair practices to stop.

This struggle is incredibly difficult.

Change laws, change hearts... it never begins in Washington. [Then a duck quacked/ringtone, broke the speech to bits, everyone laughing]

Fairness/equality not just for gays, but for anyone denied civil rights/citizenship rights.

We all share the capacity to love.

This struggle continues today. We cannot and will not put aside issues of basic equality. [applause]

It's not enough for me to tell you to be patient. We have made progress, we'll make more. I expect and hope to be judged not by words, promises, but promises my administration keeps. [applause]

We've been in office 6 mos., by the time the administration is over, I suspect you'll have good feelings about this administration.

I've signed in to law as many benefits as the current law will allow [paraphrased].

I've asked Congress to repeal DOMA [whoops, cheers and applause]

We have a duty to uphold existing laws, but not in a way that will exacerbate or divide. I still commit to reversing this law. I've asked Congress to pass benefits act... [applause]

We also want to pass employment discrimination bill, and an inclusive hate crimes bill in the name of Matthew Shepard [extended applause].

"I believe Don't Ask Don't Tell doesn't contribute to our national security" ... working with Pentagon to end it

MSNBC just cut in. The key: By the END of his administration, David Shuster said, and then he referred to Don't Ask, Don't Tell. If someone is kicked out of the military this year, then they'll have to wait.

Obama reiterates promise to "end" Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

By GottaLaff

"Increasing unrest" does tend to occur when invaluable members of our military are kicked out for simply being gay:

The President signed a gay pride proclamation today, reiterating deferred campaign pledges, including ending 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' but making no mention of same-sex marriage.

The Advocate's Kerry Eleveld wondered recently, "Will anything that doesn’t address “don’t ask, don’t tell” and full marital rights satisfy the [gay and lesbian] masses, who have shown increasing unrest lately?"

A proclamation seems unlikely to do that, though it does touch a series of issues:

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

What does "in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security" mean exactly? Just asking.

Full proclamation here.

And how I wish Prez O would go back to what he signed off on back in 1996:

(click on image to enlarge)

VIDEO: Α Δ Φ vs. Westboro Baptist Church-- a gay old time

By GottaLaff

A wonderful, edible, shiver-up-the-leg neener-nanner moment:



And the winner IS: Α Δ Φ/!!

Gay activists blast Obama over Rev. Rick Warren's Inaugural role

By GottaLaff

From the Department of What Was He Thinking: Paddy posted about Rev. Rick's involvement with the Obama inauguration here. Now we're starting to see the backlash, and it's not pretty:

The Rev. Rick Warren, a conservative evangelical pastor, has been tapped to deliver the invocation at President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration – and gay rights advocates are not happy about it. [...]

Though he is a prominent figure among religious conservatives, Mr. Warren invited Mr. Obama to speak at an 2006 AIDS summit he held at his mega-church, over the objection of abortion foes. Now, Mr. Obama is facing sharp criticism from part of his base for inviting Mr. Warren.

“Let me get right to the point. Your invitation to Reverend Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at your inauguration is a genuine blow to LGBT Americans,” wrote Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, in a letter to Mr. Obama today.

“And by inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table,” Mr. Solomonese continued, adding that Mr. Warren had spoken out strongly in favor of a successful gay marriage ban in California and “has often played the role of general in the cultural war waged against LGBT Americans.”

“This tone-deafness to our concerns must not be tolerate,” wrote Kevin Naff, editor of The Washington Blade, a gay-centered publication in the nation’s capital.

Linda Douglass, a spokeswoman for Mr. Obama’s presidential inaugural committee, said the upcoming ceremony would be the “most open and accessible” inauguration in history and defended the inclusion of Mr. Warren.

“Clearly, the president-elect disagrees with him on issues involving the LGBT community,” she said. But Mr. Obama has consistently stressed the need to “seek common ground with people with whom we disagree fundamentally.”

Ms. Douglass noted that the benediction, or closing prayers, would be offered by the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, a civil rights icon who has expressed support for gay marriage, and that the Lesbian and Gay Band Association would march in the inaugural parade, the first time such a group would do so.

Top Clinton aide joins Obama team

By GottaLaff

(photo credit)

Unity?

Former Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle will join Sen. Barack Obama's campaign "as the chief of staff to the vice presidential candidate -- whoever he (or she) will be," according to the New York Times.

"Ms. Doyle will take the position before Mr. Obama announces his choice for a running-mate -- he has not said when that will be. Mrs. Clinton and Ms. Doyle have a long friendship, and Ms. Doyle has long been one of her closest aides, until she was forced out.

Now the talking heads will be all newly a-buzz about a possible veep slot for Hillary:

Ben Smith: "Though this will stir speculation that she's paving the way for Hillary, but it actually makes me think the opposite. Clinton fired her in February ,and many of her backers view Solis Doyle as a bit of a traitor for having signaled that she'd move to Obama before the primary was over."

Time has a list of other Obama staff appointments made today.

Why, here's the list now! (See how I take care of you, saving you all that hard work of having to click on a link?)

Constituency Director: Brian Bond – formerly LGBT Outreach Director at the DNC
National Field Director: Jon Carson – formerly Obama for America Voter Contact Director
Senior Advisor to the Campaign and Chief of Staff to Michelle Obama: Stephanie Cutter
[UPDATE: Cutter is a longtime top aide to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and served as communications director to Sen. John Kerry during his 2004 presidential campaign. She also has worked as a staffer and consultant to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.).

Cutter's new Obama role underscores a growing concern within the campaign and among outside allies that Michelle Obama is becoming a lightening rod for the opposition.]
Industrial States Regional Director: Paul Diogardi – formerly Political Director for the Democratic Governor’s Association.
Battleground States Director: Jen O’Malley Dillon – formerly Iowa State Director for John Edwards for President
Chief of Staff to the Vice Presidential Nominee: Patti Solis Doyle
Latino Vote Director: Temo Figueroa – formerly Obama for America National Field Director
First Americans Vote Director: Wizipan Garriott
Northeast Regtional Director: Eureka Gilkey – formerly Obama for America Deputy Political Director
50-State Voter Registration Director: Jason Green – formerly Obama for America political and field staff
Campaign Chief of Staff: Jim Messina – formerly Chief of Staff to Senator Max Baucus
LGBT Vote Director: Dave Noble – formerly of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
West Regional Director: Matt Rodriguez –formerly Obama for America New Hampshire State Director
Senior Advisor: Michael Strautmanis
African American Vote Director: Rick Wade

Personally, I like seeing him reach out to the gay community as much as possible. I'm not sure if he's doing more than most have, but from what I've posted about in the past, at least he's making an effort.

Obama picks up HRC endorsement

By GottaLaff

Good to hear!

America's largest LGBT advocacy organization has put its support behind Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) in his run for the presidency as he pledges his support for LGBT citizens.

"The Human Rights Campaign has been at the forefront of the fight for GLBT equality and opportunity, and I am proud to have its endorsement," Senator Obama said. "Too often, the issue of GLBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. I look forward to working with HRC to end discrimination against GLBT Americans and to ensure that all of our citizens are treated with dignity and respect." [...]

Senator Obama also issued an open letter to the LGBT community today, pledging "real change for all LGBT Americans."

"It's wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation," he said. The Senator also touted his efforts during his time in the Illinois State Senate to protect LGBT citizens from discrimination, and to equalize federal tax and immigration law for same-sex spouses.

Senator Obama also supports repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as exclusively heterosexual on a federal level. He prefers civil unions with equal benefits, but says he won't stand in the way of the states' choices on how to recognize same-sex spouses. "As your President," Obama said, "I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws."

Click on the link for the full text of the statement, from the senator's LGBT website.