Bill Clinton Comes Out in Favor of Gay Marriage

Former President Bill Clinton who signed the Defense of Marriage Act into law which bars federal recognition of same-sex couples has come out in favor of marriage equality. He has been considering and "evolving" on the issue for some time.

"After speaking at the Campus Progress National Conference in Washington, DC, on July 8, the former president was asked if he supported same-sex marriage. Clinton, in a departure from past statements, replied in the affirmative.

Asked if he personally supported same-sex marriage, Clinton replied, "Yeah." "I personally support people doing what they want to do," Clinton said. "I think it's wrong for someone to stop someone else from doing that [same-sex marriage]" (The Nation).

This statement is a major kick to the already unstable legislation. Growing numbers of democrats and even republicans are coming out in support of repealing DOMA.

Persuade 48 Democrats to Endorse ENDA

48 Democrats in the House of Representatives have yet to come out with their position on the Employment Non Discrimination Act which would protect employers from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. The bill is currently about 20 votes shy of the 218 votes needed to pass.

The following is a list of undecided Democrats:

Bobby Bright (AL), Parker Griffith (AL), Vic Snyder (AR), Dennis Cardoza (CA), Allen Boyd, (FL), Sanford Bishop (GA), David Scott (GA), Walt Minnick (ID), Bobby Rush (IL), Daniel Lipinksi (IL), Deborah Halvorsen (IL), Jerry Costello (IL), Peter Visclosky (IN), Joe Donnelly (IN), Brad Ellsworth (IN), Ben Chandler (KY), Frank Kratovil (MD), Dutch Ruppersberger (MD), Bart Stupak (MI), Mark Schauer (MI), Travis Childers (MS), Bennie Thompson (MS), Dina Titus (NV), Michael McMahon (NY), Scott Murphy (NY), Paul Tonko (NY), Daniel Maffei (NY), Earl Pomeroy (ND), Dan Boren (OK), Kathleen Dahlkemper (PA), Jason Altmire (PA), Christopher Carney (PA), Paul Kanjorski (PA), John Murtha (PA), John Spratt (SC), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD), Al Green (TX), Solomon Ortiz (TX), Henry Cuellar (TX), Gene Green (TX), Glenn Nye (VA), Bobby Scott (VA), Thomas Perriello (VA), Rick Boucher (VA), Gerald Connolly (VA), Alan Mollohan (WV), Ron Kind (WI), David Obey (WI).

Please visit the google docs listing of telephone, emails, and fax numbers of these representatives.

Let them know the ENDA will protect LGBT people from unfair and unnecessary job discrimination and that you urge their support.

Demand the Democrats Treat LGBT Americans Equally!

The Democrats and President Obama have campaigned on change including civil rights for the LGBT community. Very little has changed, the administration continues to kick qualified service members out of the military based on sexual orientation, the Department of Justice defends the Defense of Marriage Act. Websites like Obama's Plan for Gay Right's have popped up to criticize the lack of action. The congress has not pushed any gay rights legislation and we are left with no hate crimes protections, no employment protections, no anti-bullying measures, no federal recognition, a continued ban on HIV + travelers, and no action to end Don't Ask Don't Tell.

The Democrats, the Administration, and politicians in general care about one thing; MONEY. Now that the community is pulling out on donations to the DNC they are concerned and trying to throw a few bones our way.

The administration is granting federal employees in domestic partnerships some limited rights and now also seeks to include gay marriages and civil unions in the 2010 census.

While these actions are certainly applauded, they are too little too late and do little to nothing to implement the rights and benefits millions of LGBT people rightfully deserve.

Take action by contacting the White House and the DNC. Let them know that donations will be withheld until the promises to the LGBT community are implemented.

http://www.democrats.org/contact.html

http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/

Activist Tip: Inquire About Candidates Positions

Wherever you are in the world, and whatever political affiliation your representative has in your local area, ie: liberal, conservative, moderate, etc you can ask their opinion on LGBT issues. Tell them you are a staunch supporter of LGBT rights including (marriage, adoption, hate crimes, employment non-discrimination, the right to serve and others).

Phone or email your candidates for senate, congress, city council, and the courts and let them know where you as a constitute stands on these crucial issues. The more we speak up, the more we will be heard, and we can demonstrate that we are a segment of the population that can and does get out the vote!

Feel free to re-post the comments you receive from candidates whether positive, neutral, or negative.

Anti-Gay Democrat Tim Kaine Selected as DNC Chair

Tim Kaine has been selected as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Mr. Kaine is anti civil union and has endorsed an amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Click here to ask why LGBT democrats should support a party whose chair is anti civil unions and more anti-gay than John McCain.

H/T to Blog Active

Help Pro-Equality Candidate Win Senate Seat in Georgia!

Help elect pro-equality Democrat Jim Martin in the Tuesday, December 2nd run-off election in Georgia. Incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss has a 0% rating on issues important to us, even voting for a same-sex adoption ban!

Jim Martin on LGBT issues:

-Expand federal hate crimes laws to include LGBT citizens.

-Expand federal workplace equality laws.

-Increase funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and education.

-Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell

-Supports Civil Unions

-Protect adoption rights for same-sex couples.

-Opposes discriminatory federal marriage amendment.

http://martinforsenate.com/

Anti-gay Alaska Senator Ted Stevens Loses Seat

In a closely contested race the AP is now reporting that Mark Begich (D) has defeated incumbent Senator Ted Stevens (R) of Alaska. Senator Ted Stevens has received a zero rating from the Human Rights Campaign indicating an anti-LGBT voting record.

While Mark Begich's views are not as well known on the issue of gay rights, early indications appear positive. He has appeared at the Anchorage Pride Parade and read the city proclamation marking the third Saturday in June as Gay Pride Day. He attended Pride Fest every year since becoming mayor. He has also come out on the record saying it is wrong to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

Senator Ted Stevens losing is a great way forward for LGBT rights, regardless of his replacement, but it appears we have a friend in Mark Begich.

Demand Apology from Conservative Talk Show Host Lars Larson

"On the October 31 broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio show, Lars Larson played a spoof "Barney Frank for President" advertisement, in which a person said: "Hi, everybody. I'm Barney Frank and I'm running for president of the United States. Why? Well, because Nancy Pelosi pissed me off. Harry Reid pissed me off, and so did ol' Barack. Ol' Barack himself pissed me off too. I'm pissed at the Repubicans and the Democraps, and I'm going to run as an independent sort of fellow." The ad concludes: "Now remember, this Erection Day -- Election Day, vote for Barney Frank for President. I'm Barney Fag -- uh, Frank and I approve this massage -- message."



Regardless about how you feel about Barney Frank, the Democrats, or the bailout there is no excuse for homophobic language.

Email the producers of the national show.

Contact Lars Larson himself.

NY Dem Senate Candidate Now Favors Marriage Equality

Joe Mesi (D) is running for the state senate seat in New York. He previously announced he was opposed to same-sex marriage but now has gone 180 on his position and announced he supports equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.

This is a significant development within New York politics. The house has approved a gay marriage bill and Governor Patterson is eager to sign it. The current barrier to passing this legislation is the republican dominated senate. The GOP currently has a 31-29 slim majority. With many seats up for grabs and the majority leader Joseph Bruno (R) retiring, this could pave the way for a democratically controlled senate.

If the democrats pick up the senate this November we could very likely see a marriage bill come before the house. While not all New York state democratic senate members support marriage equality, the N.Y. democratic platform does support same-sex marriage.

If Joe Mesi gets elected it will enhance our chances of winning true marriage equality in the state.

Endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats and supported by gay philanthropists, please be sure to drop a thank you email to Joe Mesi for support marriage equality.

2001 Niagara Fall Blvd
Amherst, NY 14228
phone: 716-625-9013

Michelle Obama Addresses DNC LGBT Caucus

Michelle Obama the wife of U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama has addressed the Democratic National Committee's LGBT Caucus at the convention. Below is a clip of the short speech she gave to LGBT delegates present at the convention.

Jared Polis Becomes First Openly Gay Congressman Elected

Today is historic as openly gay Mr. Jared Polis has won the democratic primary in Colorado's District 2 against his opponents Ms. Joan Fitz-Gerald and Mr. Will Shafroth. The upcoming election in November is merely a gesture in this heavily democratic district. Mr. Jared Polis goes on to become the first openly gay person to be elected to congress and the third out representative efter Barney Frank (MA) and Tammy Baldwin (WI). Sexual orientation was a non-issue in this race, and Mr. Polis ran openly, honestly and on a platform of equal rights for LGBT people. Congrats to him and his partner Marlin Reiss of 4 1/2 years, a self proclaimed animal activist and supporter of Friends of Jared for congress.

http://www.polisforcongress.com/