Open Forum: Will the Gay Vote Be Taken Seriously?

The gay community has been angered over the fact that neither mainstream political party makes a sincere effort on LGBT legislation. Every election cycle talk of whether the Democrats take the gay vote for granted and whether gays will go out to the polls comes up for discussion but nothing ever happens.

Financially speaking the LGBT community holds a large portion of the donations received by the DNC. Many queer people are withholding donations until change is made, and some are saying that it appears this gets the Democrats moving on legislation. Some threaten they will switch parties or won't go out to vote, but ultimately the Democrats know this won't go far since the other major contender is worse off on LGBT issues and not voting at all is unlikely among a heavily political base.

Will the gay vote ever be taken seriously? Does it require more funding to be cut from gay donors, a shift to another party, or more people self identifying as queer?

Open Forum: Did Queers Have Something Similar to the "Bradley Effect" Occur?

I have rehashed this entry because the election is over and it appears the "bradley effect" has occured on queer propositions.

"The Bradley effect, less commonly called the Wilder effect, is a proposed explanation for observed discrepancies between voter opinion polls and election outcomes in some American political campaigns when a white candidate and a non-white candidate run against each other. Named for Tom Bradley, an African-American who lost the 1982 California governor's race despite being ahead in some voter polls, the Bradley effect refers to an alleged tendency on the part of some voters to tell pollsters that they are undecided or likely to vote for a black candidate, and yet, on election day, vote for his/her white opponent." (Wikipedia)

The "Bradley Effect" was a shocking dose of reality about the inconsistency of polls to determine how truthful people are about their voting decisions. It also went on to show the racial implications of the governor's race.

While it is now 26 years later, the notion of a "Bradley Effect" has resurfaced because Barack Obama, a bi-racial candidate was running for the office of the presidency of the United States of America. It became interesting for political pundits and insiders to ponder whether people were indicating they would vote for the democratic ticket while in private would vote against it because of the racial implications. It turned out that not only did this not occur, but Obama defeated all odds and carried traditionally republican strongholds.

I wonder however whether this can be applied to certain LGBT issues that were on the ballot this Nov. 4th. The marriage amendments in Arizona, and Florida this year have passed, California is still too close to call but likely passed as well. There is also the adoption ban by unmarried co-habitating couples in Arkansas. All of these referendums hold major implications for Americans straight and gay.

People opposed to gay rights often argue that they "have gay friends" or are "not bigoted against gays." It has become increasingly unpopular to be associated with "homophobia." Is it possible there is a segment of the population that claims they will vote against these marriage amendments and in favor of LGBT rights while secretly espousing another point of view to hide their own fear of being labeled a bigot? The exit poll data showed us defeating the bans in California, Florida, and Arkansas, so why are the results different?

Volunteer to Defeat Florida Marriage Amendment

Throughout Florida there are opportunities from now until election day to volunteer with the No on Prop 2 campaign to defeat the so called "marriage protection" amendment.

2 Ways You Can Help

1 - Early Voting - Join us at early voting sites in your community and help us to educate voters about Amendment 2!

2 - Election Day Polls - Join hundreds of volunteers across Florida and work the polls in your community.

Work at a precinct in the morning (7:00-10:00 am), over lunch (11:00 am-2:00 pm) or afternoon (4:00-7:00 pm), or all three!

Date:
from 10/23/2008 8:00 am
to 11/4/2008 7:00 pm (Eastern Time)

Hosted By:
Vote No On 2 Campaign

Contact:
Tobias at 305-924-1899 with questions.

RSVP by:
November 4, 2008 at 12:00 pm (Eastern Time)

Early Voting Has Begun in Select States!

PFLAG is urging us to the Get Out The Vote. In some states you can skip lines and vote early! Voting has begun, vote NO on marriage amendments! Vote Obama!

Arkansas: Early voting has begun in the state. (Vote NO on Act 1, that bans unmarried co-habitating couples)

Arizona: which is facing a divisive anti-gay amendment (no on 102), voting is also already taking place.

Colorado: Early voting begins today and ends October 31. Vote-by-mail applications msut be received by October 28 (via mail) or October 31 (in-person).

Florida: Early voting begins today and ends November 2, (No On prop 2 "marriage protection amendment"). Vote-by-mail applications are due October 29.

Georgia: Early voting begins October 27 and ends October 31. Vote-by-mail applications are due by October 31.

Indiana: Early voting is already underway and ends November 3. Vote-by-mail applications are due by October 27.

Iowa: Early voting is already underway and ends November 1.

Maine: Early voting is already underway and ends on November 4.

Montana: Early voting is already underway and ends November 4. Vote-by-mail applications are due November 3.

Nevada: Early voting is already underway and ends on October 31. Vote-by-mail applications are due by October 28.

New Mexico: Early voting is already underway and ends November 1. Vote-by-mail applications must be received by October 31.

North Dakota: Early voting is already underway and ends on November 3.

Ohio: Early voting is already underway and ends November 3. Vote-by-mail applications must be received by November 1.

Tennessee: early voting has started, and lasts until October 30.

The District of Columbia: early voting started on October 20.

Wisconsin: Early voting is already underway and ends on November 3.

Rock the Queer Vote

"If you don't vote you don't have the right to complain" and we here at Queers United sure have a lot of complaining to do. LGBT people are not given the same marriage rights, adoption rights, the right to serve openly, protection under hate crimes legislation and employment non-discrimination. We are in the middle of a civil rights battle and we must demand equal rights. Your vote is our voice as a community, speak up be heard and vote for queer-positive politicians and referendums.

There are only a few days left, make sure to register to vote!

Click here to check your states registration deadline.

H/t to Queer Activism