Topic >> Society and Culture

LGBT equality march in Washington DC now official, Oct. 10-11, 2009

activism, lgbt, politics, video 5 Comments »

Meet on the Mall for Equality
Update: Visit our National Equality March section for the latest news on what’s going in DC this weekend.

Despite earlier news, permits have been secured for the National March for Equality, also known as “Meet on the Mall for Equality,” to take place on October 10-11, 2009 in Washington, DC. Organized by Cleve Jones, the goal of the event is to “demand EQUAL protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.”

A promotional video for the event has been released. Watch:

To find out more about the event please visit the links below:

National March for Equality website
Facebook
Twitter

On a personal note: I’m not sold on the idea… at least not yet. It’s on Columbus Day weekend, so won’t legislators be out of town? The notion of descending on our representatives en mass is very appealing, but if no one is there when we are there… then what’s the point?

Cleve Jones, whom I deeply respect also said “most people on the west coast will be able to come to this march for less than $700.” Cleve, in this economy, plus being unemployed, $700 isn’t cheap, I don’t have the cash just lying around to make the trip. Twice that if my husband comes. On top of that we pissed a lot of money away on Obama and Prop 8 last year. I suspect a lot of folks are in a similar boat.

So I am wondering if our time and money is better spent on a local level, than making a trip to Washington, DC… which may ultimately be ignored by our leaders, and the media.

What do you think?


California AG Jerry Brown on latest Prop 8 challenge in federal court

lgbt, politics, video No Comments »

California AG Jerry BrownCalifornia Attorney General Jerry Brown and Andrew Pugno, attorney for Protect Marriage appeared on CNN discussing the latest challenge to Proposition 8 recently filed in federal court. Brown filed a brief in support of overturning ban yesterday. Watch:


A disco cure for the DOMA blues

lgbt, music, politics, video 1 Comment »

Shena Winchester "My Fantasy"After all the shitty news on DOMA today, we need a little disco to lift our spirits and fight another day (protest tomorrow anyone?). It is Pride month after all… Enjoy Shena Winchester’s new video “My Fantasy.”

I’m sorry Obama, but you are no longer invited to my party… I’m nolonger a fan.


McCain re-affirms DADT support in interview, not a “civil rights” issue

audio, lgbt, politics 2 Comments »

John McCain on DADTIn an interview with Air America’s Ana Marie Cox, Senator John McCain  re-affirmed his support for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT). When Cox compared DADT to Truman’s forced de-segregation of the armed forces as a civil rights issue, a testy John McCain replied: “Well, you are entitled to your opinion. But I don’t think so.”

An excerpt from the interview below:

MCCAIN: My opinion is shaped by the view of the leaders of the military. The reason why I supported the policy to start with is because General Colin Powell, who was then the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is the one that strongly recommended we adopt this policy in the Clinton administration. I have not heard General Powell or any of the other military leaders reverse their position, just like when on other issues, that people are expert and knowledgeable of, I rely on their opinion. But this is unique. These military leaders are responsible for the very lives of the men and women under their command, and that’s why I am especially guided, to a large degree, by their views.

COX: Now, you know that Truman de-segregated the military through executive order. And he did it against the wishes of some people in the military. There were some studies that had been shown and some panels that suggested that integration was actually good for the forces.

MCCAIN: Let me tell you again. Colin Powell was asked exactly that question, as an African-American. He was asked that question exactly, and he answered it hundreds of times. And he said, “I do not equate ethnicity with sexual orientation.” I agree with him.

COX: Well, actually, there’s something to that, because obviously, right now there’s no segregation at all of gay people and straight people because we don’t know who is gay. So I guess I have to ask…

MCCAIN: But the two issues are not comparable. So I’m not sure why you’d bring that up.

COX: I think they’re comparable in that they are both civil rights issues.

MCCAIN: Well, you are entitled to your opinion. But I don’t think so.

The full interview will air on Saturday 9am. An audio clip is available on the Air America website.