Gay press frustrated by Obama approach

[ruggerson]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9503.html

A gripe has festered for months in the gay press: some reporters say Obama won’t make time for local gay publications.

Mark Segal didn’t want to wait. After weeks of requests to interview Barack Obama, the publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News concluded the senator’s aides may never make him available.

So even as the Obama campaign held out the possibility of an interview before the April 22 Pennsylvania primary, Segal published a half-blank front page to represent what he described in an editorial as Obama’s “disrespect of the LGBT local media.”

It was an attention-grabbing move that positioned a floodlight on gripes that had been festering for months in the gay press: Obama won’t make time for local gay publications.

“It wasn’t surprising to me,” said Tammye Nash, editor of the Dallas Voice, a gay and lesbian weekly that also failed in its efforts to interview Obama before the Texas primary on March 4. “Obviously he is not snubbing the gay community. But we obviously feel he is (bypassing) the gay press.”

<snip>

With a decent story for Obama to tell, gay editors from Dallas to San Francisco to Boston have been left wondering why Obama doesn’t take it directly to their publications, as Clinton has done with increasing frequency since Super Tuesday.

“It doesn’t seem to match what he says at these other events,” said Cynthia Laird, news editor at the Bay Area Reporter in San Francisco. “It is very disappointing to me.”

MORE

[Beregond2]

1. The answer:

Easy: Clinton has nothing to lose. Obama doesn't need to be giving the right-wing anything else to use against him. Sad that these things have to be taken into consideration, but they do.

[ruggerson]

5. So the "fierce urgency of now"

is just a hollow talking point?

[FrenchieCat]

12. I haven't really heard Hillary other than "rumors" about what she believes.....

and then saw that recent interview with students where Bill Clinton got heated when he was asked about DOMA, and he went pretty irrational because the Student wasn't buying his bullshit answer that he and Hillary give everytime someone asks about that gesture of theirs....which they consider as a "favor" to the Gay community....and which some in the Gay community have bought into, for whatever their reasons.

[ruggerson]

18. I'm interested in pressuring them individually to do the right thing

which I think is more productive than pitting them against each other.

[pnwmom]

51. You may have missed this part of the OP.

"With a decent story for Obama to tell, gay editors from Dallas to San Francisco to Boston have been left wondering why Obama doesn’t take it directly to their publications, as Clinton has done with increasing frequency since Super Tuesday.

“It doesn’t seem to match what he says at these other events,” said Cynthia Laird, news editor at the Bay Area Reporter in San Francisco. “It is very disappointing to me.”



______________

You may not have "heard her," but she has been giving interviews to members of the gay press, while Obama has appeared to be avoiding them.

[kdpeters]

47. Compare to Hillary's fierce urgency of losing Super Tuesday, suddenly she loves the gays

She's like that proverbial friend in need. She ignored the gay press the entire time she was saying it'd be over Feb 5th. Oooops. Now she's our good fairy fruit fly telling us how good she is to us. Someone should ask her what happened the the gay press interviews she had prior to her planned finish date?

[JoFerret]

56. It's a bunch of BS

.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

57. really hopeful message: pander to the right wing

[JoFerret]

59. More BO crap

.

[FrenchieCat]

2. This guy at Politico must be picking up his talking points from those at DU

with those articles here.

Guess Politico didn't see the fact that some members in the National Gay Press did get an interview. Oh well, more misinformation for those who need fodders...cause that's all they have. Guess earning $800,000 by promoting trade talk with Death Squad governments is serious stuff enough.



Obama Breaks Gay Press “Silence”
Michelle Garcia, an editorial assistant for The Advocate, told Dallas Voice on Tuesday that the interview will be posted on the magazine’s Web site Thursday.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5434184

[ruggerson]

4. Hey I'm curious

what does your hubby's church preach about gays and lesbians?

Do they perform/support same sex marriages?

[davidinalameda]

7. my church performs same sex ceremonies

of course my minister is a lesbian

(and it's a UCC church, like Trinity)

[ruggerson]

8. Trinity is not "open and affirming"

I trust you're aware of that.

[davidinalameda]

11. they are not but then again not all UCC churches choose to use that phrase

but if you take a look at Trinity and especially at Rev. Wright

they church supports full rights for gays and lesbians as does Rev. Wright

and you have the denomination supporting Trinity

if people would take the time to look beyond the hysterics, they'll see the truth

[ruggerson]

17. I'm aware of the good arguments he has made

for gay and lesbian inclusion in the spiritual family.

I'm also aware that the congregation could choose to be "open and affirming" and perform same sex unions (something the parent church supports), but they have until now decided not to do that.

[davidinalameda]

26. try this link

http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=17869


Over the years, Wright has included LGBT-inclusive sermons, and has also been very welcoming to HIV-positive individuals. Trinity had one of Chicago's first church-run HIV/AIDS ministries. Toward the end of 2007, Wright voiced his opposition and disgust of anti-gay violence in a sermon following news of the murder of Trinity's openly gay choir director Donald Young, according to congregation members.

************************

“It has always been a very welcoming place for LGBT individuals to come,” said Ronald Wadley, who has been a member of Trinity since 1987, and has participated in the church's same-gender-loving ministry program. He said he has had nothing but positive experiences with the church and Wright.

Prior to coming to Trinity, Wadley said he was raised in a Baptist church that taught anti-gay messages. He applauds the leadership at Trinity for refusing to “gay-bash from the pulpit.”

“I'm a very vocal, very political, African-American gay man, and being able to also go to church and worship God and not have to feel like I'm going to hell because of who I am and who God created me to be is very important,” Wadley added. “What I love about Trinity is I never have to step in that door and wonder, ‘Oh God, what's the pastor going to say about gay folks today that's not welcoming?'”

[davidinalameda]

27. and more from that article

****************************************

Others have voiced their disappointment that Wright never accepted the invitation to join UCC's Open and Affirming Program. Open and affirming churches have publicly stated that they welcome LGBT people.

“It does bother people,” Jackson said. “Not everyone, but it does bother some people.”

However, according to the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns board member Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer, Trinity's failure to hop on board is very common. In fact, there are several thousand churches that have not accepted the invitation over the years.

According to Schuenemeyer, the Open and Affirming Program is a movement within the denomination, and there has been a steady increase of church's adopting open and affirming policies over the years. However, in order to be recognized as an open and affirming church, a church has to vote in an inclusive policy, and they can do that in a number of ways.

[PVnRT]

58. Does Hillary's church perform same sex unions?

If not, the guilt by association thing doesn't work.

[FrenchieCat]

10. My church preaches that all people are equal......

That's my pastor, in the hat.......along with one of our parishioners, Rep. Barbara Lee.


My pastor is 72 years old, but he has an open mind. He doesn't perform Gay marriages that I know of, but he doesn't denounce the gay lifestyle.

Here's an article about him. My Hubby is his Personal Assistant. he ended up not retiring because his wife, who had been an invalid that he took care of after her stroke 10 years ago, died. he decided to soldier on instead.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20060806/ai_n16634908

[ruggerson]

15. Sounds like an interesting guy

[Neshanic]

3. Only in the back seat of a Tahoe, while speeding to another gig.

That's when he gets chatty.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[davidinalameda]

9. he's already come out in strong favor of gays

more than Hill has

she can give all the interviews she wants but Obama has called for the FULL repeal of DOMA while Hill hasn't

[Neshanic]

14. Except getting photgraphed with one. Camera shy, poor guy.

[FrenchieCat]

21. Who would that be? What Gay person did Obama refused to be photographed with?

Please tell!

[cbayer]

28. I think they are talking about the Gavin Newsome incident.

Just my guess. Otherwise, I have no idea.

[kdpeters]

53. LOL!!!!! Too many petty nonsense scandals to keep track of?

I've always said the photo snub scandal was pure silliness. Nonsense. And this proves it. It was such a great offense to to this fella, he doesn't even know what happened. They don't give a shit about what happened to my mayor. They don't even remember.

[quakerboy]

13. The same Segal who donates to Hillary knocks Obama? Shocking

[ruggerson]

16. There are a number of other journalists mentioned in the piece

who didn't donate to Hillary.

[pettypace]

19. Obama's trying to win in November

Can't win the presidency advocating gay issues vociferously...the country overwhelmingly leans to the right on those issues. John Kerry and Obama are both against the marriage issue.

[woolldog]

20. Exactly

What these people are asking for makes no sense and it hurts democrats chances in November. He's almost certainly pro-gay rights. Why can't they wait until after he wins in November?

[murielm99]

22. Why can't they wait until after he wins in November?

How many years did black people hear that phrase? How many years will women continue to hear it?

Why can't they wait? Maybe you should ask "them." There are a number of GLBT people on DU.

And what are they asking for in this instance? An interview, for heaven's sake. But oh, why can't they wait?

[pettypace]

24. I'm looking forward to the day

when LGBT people will have the right to vote, own their own land, date people outside their orientation, and so forth....lol

seriously though, its simply not a way to win an election in the US. It'd be like Obama advocating legalization of all undocumented people. These issues are extremely divisive even in Democratic circles!

[ruggerson]

25. Ronald Reagan got elected on a very anti-choice platform

even though the country was seventy percent pro choice.

How?

Because he was very upfront about his beliefs and admitted that many "good Americans" might disagree with him.

In other words, he defused it by presenting himself as an authentic person with authentic beliefs (posturing, to be sure, but it worked.)

And by stressing that he respected other American's right to disagree.

Since most Democratic politicians secretly support same sex marriage but are scared to death of the political consequences, and since almost half the country now supports same sex marriage anyway, wouldn't it be politically smarter for Obama to adopt a similar approach and have people respect him for his authenticity, instead of being timid and dishonest about his approach?

[pettypace]

34. Great point RE Reagan

The rules are such that both sides have to pander to religious ideologues, so even something seemingly trivial as same sex marriage will be manipulated speciously by the GOP in pretty much every election - its one of the last cards those folks rely on.

Barack explicitly said he's against same sex marriage in his Hardball forum a few days ago, so this is his firm belief. I don't think we can infer any duplicity on his stance, barring any evidence.

I will argue with your last point and say it would be politically advantageous for him to say he's for same sex marriage, but would let the states decide ultimately - and that his current take is hardly meek.

Good rebuttal, nonetheless.

[ruggerson]

39. His claim

is that he is against same sex marriage because of his religious beliefs. His parent church, of course, supports same sex marriage.

But, nevertheless, he conflates the religious issue with the civil, when he should be saying something along the lines of "this is solely an issue of civil law. Reasonable Americans may disagree with me on this, but the bottom line for me is equality under the law. That's what America is all about. I am unequivocally for the rights of every person to be treated equally under the law."

[Levgreee]

he does say that, what you say he should be saying... you are quite misinformed

[ruggerson]

45. No he does not

and since I've been involved in this issue since Baehr vs. Miike, I think I'm fairly well versed.

[murielm99]

32. I have no respect for anyone who

distances themselves from gay people at the first opportunity. That is what you are advocating. That is what Obama has done.

Your sarcasm and laughter at this issue shows you for what you are.

[pettypace]

37. Dang

I was hoping no one would find out that I'm Steve Bartman.

[woolldog]

29. You completely miss the point.

Which isn't that gay rights aren't important, but that brining these issues up right before the general election isn't smart. It will only siphon off votes from the democratic nominee. The more pressure these organzations put on the nominee, the more they're playing into McCain's hands, which will end up hurting gay rights.

[ruggerson]

30. I think it's better for a candidate to be bold and honest

Americans respect brave people who have beliefs they are not afraid to discuss.

[woolldog]

31. It's almost as if you want McCain to win....

[ruggerson]

33. Why don't you respond to what I wrote

instead of writing something completely inane.

Being timid and defensive on gay rights didn't work for Kerry, why do you think it'll work for Obama?

[cbayer]

38. But shouldn't our democratic nominee be advocating for equal rights?

I don't accept that sacrificing the equal rights of GLBT people for political expediency is acceptable. We are talking about 10% of the electorate here as well as their friends and families. With a democratic groundswell and what appears to be the country's will to move towards more liberal ideals, I think there is an opportunity here to take a stand.

[woolldog]

41. No one is talking about sacrificing gay rights.

The question is the best way to get the nominee in a position to enact a pro-gay rights agenda.

And campaigning on this issue, which is deeply unpopular, isn't the way to get that done.

[ruggerson]

43. What do you mean "deeply unpopular"?

Which issue?

[woolldog]

44. most americans are not supportive of the gay agenda

[ruggerson]

46. um, only rightwingers use the term "gay agenda"

but, putting that aside, what are the issues you are referring to?

Because I can give you polling data on all of them.

[woolldog]

48. marriage, adoption etc

maybe the courts are best suited to handle these issues?

[QC]

49. Pretty revealing, eh?

How long before he starts ranting about The Democrat Party?

[murielm99]

50. The "gay agenda?"

The next thing you will be talking about is how loyal you are to the Democrat Party.

[woolldog]

52. the term encompasses a host of policy goals and so I use

it for its succinctness. So what? Many people (not just republicans) use that term. :eyes:

[Cameron27]

60. Exactly

:thumbsup:

"Why can't they wait"

I can't believe some of the things that get posted here.

[dbackjon]

62. Tell you what

YOU GIVE UP your equal fucking rights for years - then tell me to wait.


YOU PAY the $5,000 grand in extra taxes I pay every YEAR because I can't get legally married.


Until you are willing to step up to the plate and be discriminated like we are, you have NO RIGHT to tell us to wait.

[Neshanic]

23. Cue "blame the gays". That and Hillary when he loses.

[murielm99]

35. That happened when Kerry lost.

The gays were blamed, and right here at DU, too.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[readmoreoften]

55. And after November he'll be trying to win in 2012. It's cowardice.

They're both cowards. But he's a huge coward on LGBT rights and he's going to lose a lot of votes over it in the general. The right will say that he's for gay marriage anyway--do you think it helped Kerry that he was only for civil unions?

It's pretty clear what's going to happen: at some point in the next two election cycles America is suddenly going to become ready for civil unions and gays in the military. In fact, 'gays in the military' will be a rallying cry, because we're going to need as many folks in the military as we can get. Knowing that the Conservative Christians will never move to the Democrats because of their easily manipulated pavlovian response to patriotic symbols and militarism, the Republicans will soften their positions on gay marriage (bringing it around to a 'family values' platform) and surpass the Democrats on Don't Ask Don't Tell. Who knows? Maybe they'll have a big weepy memorial for a gay troop killed at war.

Because the Democrats have never done a damn thing for LGBT people as LGBT people, the more fiscally conservative and ex-military gays and lesbians will accept the Republican embrace, splitting what is now a natural Democratic voting bloc. The Dems will go slightly MORE conservative (as they always do..) in an attempt to pick up the Christian conservatives who are fleeing the Republicans--but they won't get that many. In the end, they'll look exactly like the Republicans on the issues of gays (which won't appeal to the base) and only slightly less jingoistic and only slightly less corporate. The only constituency the Dems will have left is labor--whose membership is being destroyed daily through conservative NLRB rulings that are redefining workers out of existence. The progressive wing of the party (including the progressive gays) will abandon the party as well because it won't have any appeal left, and many either won't vote or will go third party.

The cowardice and triangulation will absolutely destroy this party, because it means that we are letting the Republicans frame the debate.

[kdpeters]

40. Hillary's there when she needs something; Obama not there much at all

More of the same. Both candidates don't really want to bother with our local presses.

The National Gay Newspaper Guild, which represents 13 gay newspapers, requested interviews with Obama, Clinton and Sen. John Edwards in the months leading up to the Super Tuesday primaries. None of the candidates accepted the invite.

In the weeks following the Feb. 5 elections, however, Clinton began talking with the gay press.

She met with Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff, who endorsed her in late December. She held a conference call with journalists from the Dallas Voice and Ohio gay publications before the March 4 primaries, and spoke last week with the Philadelphia Gay News.

Well, gee Hill. How nice of you to finally stop by. Where you been all this time? Ain't this thing supposed to be over by now?

Oh? It's not over? Oh no. Of course I wasn't thinking that had something to do with you showing up now.

An interview? My little old gay paper? How generous. Yeah, sure Hill, of course you're a great friend to the gays. You always remind us right before you ask for something. A donation to your campaign? $1000? Whatever you say Hill. I'm not sure what we'd do without you, but I'll probably find out as soon as you get this check in your hands.

[ruggerson]

42. Instead of focusing on Hillary

why don't you write what you think of Obama's positions on these issues, since he is more likely to be our nominee.

[kdpeters]

54. I think Obama's positions on these issues are more honest than Hillary's

Even though that ain't saying much at all.

But seriously, I would prefer it if he did give interviews to local gay press. If it were done out of pandering or responding to pressure, I'd find that just more insincere pap and lip service that I usually turn a deaf ear toward and roll my eyes. I don't want that. However, I do think we've waited long enough to have at least on attempt to speak to us directly. I have moderate to high expectations for the Advocate interview since this is really the first non-reactionary interview for us. I'll be disappointed if it is not fairly substantial, 3-4 pages at least.

If not, I'm cynical enough to not be the slightest surprised. I don't trust straight folks to really treat our issues like we would for ourselves. No surprise that Obama is not really any better or worse. At least I don't feel like he's blowing smoke up my ass giving me a laundry list of things HE will do for us. He doesn't speak that way and I find it refreshing. I think his style of leadership, dispersed, bottom up, is much better suited to the kinds of challenges we'll face in the coming years. We never could ever expect straight politicians to really stand up and fight for us. We've always had to bring the fights for ourselves.

That won't change and I don't want someone trying to tell me it will under his/her leadership. It won't and I know it, so I don't want to hear that lie. Most important in my opinion is the federal judges appointed and I think Obama will be GREAT for us in that regard. As far as anything else, on our issues, we'll be pushing them through congress. He won't and I have no expectations of that. I expect that he will not work against our congressional efforts and I expect him to sign whatever we successfully pass in the house. He'd be a terrible person to look toward for leadership, but I do think his model of governing is going to be more conducive to our own efforts to pass through legislation.

So that's it pretty much

[avrdream]

61. Typical BO.

On a similar note: read this about the DNC and the gays:

http://www.washingtonblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=17377