In 2012, if we don't have a candidate who represents our issues I'm voting GAY.

[readmoreoften]

I'm sick of being a second class citizen. If by 2012, we still have a nominee who support DOMAs, who won't fight for ENDA (with trans inclusion), and who refuse to challenge the culture of hate in this country, I'm going to write GAY on ballot to let both parties know that they lost my vote.

If a quarter of a million ballots with the word GAY written on them showed up across the nation, maybe we'd get a little more respect.

If you won't guarantee that I should have security in housing, employment, health insurance, hospital visitation, and the ability to be reunited with my partner during a national disaster then I won't vote for you in 2012.

What's done is done in 2008, but this is the end of the road for me.

[BOSSHOG]

1. I'm with you My Friend

I'm an old fart Navy Vet and I believe if Gays can't get married and can't join the military they should not have to pay taxes. I don't get riled up too much but the crap spewed forth by the constitution hating religious zealots in this country sets my head on fire.

[readmoreoften]

3. Heck, imagine if straight folks joined in. That'd be sweet.

I definitely know straight folks who are hardly motivated to vote (basically, my prodding gets them to the polls) but they'd love to vote GAY. I think the young voters would like it as well. A lot of people are sick of the way their friends and family are treated. They're sick of hypocrisy and violence. I think many atheists would feel comfortable joining in as well because treatment of LGBT people isn't much more than religion's influence over politics.

I don't think it's unreasonable to do this in 2012. It's high time there were some consequences for pandering.

[DesertFlower]

2. i totally agree with you. nt

[queenbdem87]

4. That is one of the most idiotic things I've ever heard.

The problem with the mainstream gay rights movement is that it focuses on providing a set of rights for people who identify a certain way, but if our society didn't force us to identify in categories based on who we have sex with, and that wasn't something that was emphasized as important, then we wouldn't have all of these issues of inequality today. Even if we do get marriage rights one day, that will just mean that we have come closer to living the lives of straight people, except with same sex partners. It doesn't call into question the normative values that tell us to get married and have kids and a big house, car etc. THOSE are the things we should be questioning (the emphasis on sexuality and societal priorities), not why straight people don't let us live like they do. Because I don't know about you, but I would rather just be myself, I don't want to be straight, and I don't want to pretend like liking other men means anything else about my personality or lifestyle then the fact that I fuck men. The big problems are still there, its only trying to make "gay" normal. But FUCK NORMAL!

[lvx35]

5. I don't think the OP is idiotic at all, but I hear you.

What's gonna fly with straits as well as gays is just getting the government out of the normalcy-defining business, except when it applies to criminality and health.

[readmoreoften]

7. I'm not trying to be normal. I'm just trying to survive. This isn't about marriage.

If you don't want a gay marriage don't get fucking gay married. There's not going to be a gay police that forces polyamorous queers into gay marriages. The larger issue at hand is the fact that we can be fired for being gay or for our gender presentation and it's an issue of poverty and second-class citizenship.

It's not about particular strategies or votes, it's about pandering to the right and denying us full inclusion in American society whoever we are L, G, B, T, or Q.

[insleeforprez]

20. Question

"Even if we do get marriage rights one day, that will just mean that we have come closer to living the lives of straight people, except with same sex partners."

Umm. Isn't that what we want? If not, why not?

[lvx35]

6. Thanks for waiting till 2012.

I think 2012 will be a time when we can kind of throw up our hands about the rest, sit down and deal with issues like this. Right now the other issues are too important.

[readmoreoften]

8. Corporatism is my #1 issue actually. Corporatism denies everyone's humanity.

I suppose my larger point is that if we don't have a candidate that challenges the religious right and corporate interest, then I don't have a party.

I have a candidate in this election still. I can vote for John Edwards. I was impressed by his stance on transgender medical issues.

[lvx35]

13. That's important to me too. But in this election, its about who's going to batten down the hatches.

There are currently a huge number of global factors at play dealing with geopolitics, oil, and economy that are shaping up for the perfect storm in about 4 years time. What we need at this point is somebody who will batten down the hatches and limit the damage. After the storm hits, change on energy and global issues will be inevitable and will proceed whether republicans like it or not. That's when I think we can get off these survivability issues and refocus on important social issues, like gay rights. These just happen to be unusual times.

[readmoreoften]

Corporatism and its attendant philosophy is the root cause or a major player in all these issues.

Before the Chicago School of Economics we were in a really different place. We need to go back to being the party of FDR.

[lvx35]

18. Amen to that! nt

[DarkTirade]

9. Kinda sad when one can say WITHOUT being sarcastic

that we have to keep the country, and possibly the world from being completely destroyed by greedy morons before we can focus on issues like equal rights. :(

I just remember remember when I first turned 18 and I could vote... I promised myself I'd vote my conscience, not just the 'lesser of two evils' or anything like that. Then my first election I could vote in... Bush vs. Gore. D'oh. Do I vote for a third party, or do I support the guy who I disagree with on a point or two, thereby possibly allowing the guy who I fully expected to take numerous steps backwards when it comes to civil rights, destroy the economy of the country, and probably start a war to take over? Hmmm... screw the conscience, I wanna keep the country from imploding.

And yet despite my expectations, I completely underestimated just how badly the Bush administration could screw this country up...

[Chovexani]

10. Oh brother I know what you mean

My very first vote in a presidential election? Stolen. Second one? Swiftboated, then stolen.

It's a wonder people our age even vote at all. :(

I'm totally on board with voting Gay in 2012.

[readmoreoften]

12. The Dem nominee doesn't have to be PERFECT. He or She just has to be willing to fight.

I'm not looking for someone with a perfect record or a perfect platform. I'm looking for someone who's willing to stand up and say to the Republicans "The party's over on the gay issue. You don't get to discriminate against these people anymore. No more workplace discrimination. No more economic discrimination. I will stand firm on these issues."

[Chovexani]

15. Preach

I'm tired of these spineless "the country's not ready for it" MFs. Or saying one thing while winking and nodding. Or saying one thign while having the spouse say something else.

I'm tired of ALL of it. Either you are for equality or you are not. Don't say you're our friend to get our votes and then when it comes down to it throw us away for bigot votes.

I totally feel where you're at. My gf and I are also considering Canada (she has a lot of health problems so health care is a big issue for us too).

[readmoreoften]

16. I'm considering England and Spain

I speak Spanish and I may be able to obtain an EU passport through my mother's dual citizenship. I'm assuming that if I bring my partner over I'll be able to marry (civilly unionize?) and she may be able to work as well. I wish we could afford a lawyer.

[TechBear_Seattle]

11. I would rather find a way to hold the parties accountable for their attitudes towards gay rights

Your plan does nothing, as the only people who will ever see it are MAYBE the two or three people who actually tabulate the ballots themselves. Even marking it as a write-in candidate will do you no good, as those are never examined unless there are enough write-ins to make a significant portion of votes cast.

Nice as a symbolic gesture of frustration, but we really should work out something more meaningful.

[readmoreoften]

14. The point is to get a meaningful number of write-in votes to make a point.

I don't see how there is any way they will listen if we keep voting for them no matter how much they betray us or campaign against us. If you've got another plan, I'd love to hear it.

[NorthCarolina]

17. Why wait till 2012? Vote Kucinich in 2008

That's what I plan on doing because I am NOT amenable to waiting any longer. The LGBT community has a unique opportunity to be heard LOUD AND CLEAR by supporting our sole advocate in this election, Kucinich.

As a gay man, Kucinich has earned not just my vote but also my respect. Vote for others if you are so compelled but know that in doing so you you tell the powers to be that your pro-LGBT convictions really don't run all that deep.

Kucinich 08...Right Then...Right Now...Right For America :patriot:

[readmoreoften]

19. I can't vote for him. He threw Iowa to someone who already threw me under the bus. /nt