members of the gay community....

[k_jerome]

I have a question. Are you really that surprised at the reaction to this Snickers ad from many people?

Ask yourself, in the historic first 100 hours, what was done to halt the erosion of your civil rights...not improvement mind you...to halt the erosion.

Ask yourself what you think will be done in the next, say, 2 years by the majority Democratic Congress to give you equal rights under the law in this country. How about a small step forward, while still remaining second class citizens? Something?

Ask yourself if the situation is acceptable in states that are vastly Democratic in political makeup. Ask yourself how these amendments keep getting passed in states that vote Democratic traditionally.

As a member of a racial minority, I have heard it all. Things are getting better. Don't be so pessimistic. Don't be so easily offended. You're too outspoken.

What do I do? I assume none of them care, then let them change my mind. Most of the time my assumptions are correct. What don't I do? Let them tell me what I should find offensive, or what I should think of my own situation.

What is the solution? I honestly do not know. I wish I could see a light, but its still dark. I do what I can, and vote for those that seem to do the least damage to the rights already there. You'll be told to wait. To be patient, there are more important things to work on right now. There are always more important things.

Let me assure you of this. When it comes to your rights and the rights of other minorities, this party of ours is the lesser of the evils. That is a far cry from the better of the choices.

So, are you really that surprised?

As a heterosexual male, I cannot hope to understand the level of bigotry you experience, however, I remain your brother in the struggle.

[Bluebear]

1. And I your caucasian brother standing for people of color.

Always.

[keopeli]

2. Peace, Jerome, and thank you! n/t

[rawtribe]

3. DOMA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_Marriage_Act

Thanks Bill and let's not forget don't ask, don't tell.

Never another Clinton, Never another bush...


:grr:

[blm]

20. I hear you....and many in the black community don't know how he screwed them over

in 1996 to protect Poppy Bush on CIA Drugrunning story that was dumping tons of cheap cocaine (IranContra cocaine) into black communities all over the country.

http://www.bet.com/BETShows/americangangster.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic&WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished

And almost forgot the quisling Don't Ask, Don't Tell sellout.

[OneBlueSky]

4. I'm a gay man who cares passionately about gay rights . . . however . . .

at this point in time I'm far more concerned about the survival of our nation, of our species, and of life on the planet . . . if the Congress spends their time and energy ending the war, impeaching Bush and Cheney, halting our march toward a police state, strictly regulating corporations, and dramatically changing how we interact with our environment and treat other species, I'm willing to temporarily put that issue on a back burner . . . emphasis on temporarily . . .

[Bluebear]

5. Just remember, rights postponed are dangerous.

'halting our march toward a police state' . . .we need to have sexual orientation protection codified into law and pronto. Enough of this "we don't need hate crimes legislation to cover gay bashing" rot.

[k_jerome]

6. the problem being, from my experience....

there is always something "more important"

[cboy4]

8. Exactly and there always will be if we don't push. Thanks

for your kind words k-jerome!

[DarkTirade]

12. On the back burner... but still cooking. :)

[Duncan Grant]

7. "I remain your brother in the struggle."

As I am yours. :thumbsup:

What a great post.

I forgot how emphatic some people can be about making me doubt my own experience of reality. The "All In The Family" comparison being a perfect example. How paternalistic and patronizing can one get? And what's in it for them anyway?

While my struggles as a gay man are vastly different than those of people like Fannie Lou Hamer, I none the less find inspiration from those who have walked this walk -- in all its permutations.

edit: sp

[k_jerome]

17. my friend, I was once of the mind that while an important issue, gay rights....

did not "compare in importance" to the civil rights struggles of minorities in this country. I have come to realize that this fight is just as vital and is, in fact, one in the same. The collective shame the majority will carry some years from now concerning this episode in our history will be equal to the shame of segregation and racial bigotry they carry now from a scant few decades ago.

I look forward to rubbing some faces in it, myself.

[dsc]

9. Great post

Thank you so much. And yes, I am disappointed that we didn't pass ENDA in the first hundred hours.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Bravo!

:applause:

But, this wouldn't be the first time we have untied in the face of prejudice.

[terrya]

11. I'm with you in your fight, also.

I'm with you 100%.

And to answer your question...I guess I really shouldn't be surprised. Marriage equality is a perfect example...the rush by states to pass constitutional amendments enshrining bigotry towards gay and lesbian people vis a vis banning same-sex marriage. We all know what's behind it...the opponents of same-sex marriage can raise phony issues like stopping "activist judges"...but the real reason behind denying GLBT people their rights is homophobia. Pure and simple.

I want to thank you for your support. And to thank you for these words. I've recommended this post.

Terry

[k_jerome]

21. I have no doubt we will win this fight....

I consider us both to be soldiers in the same struggle.

[Rhythm]

13. thank you, Jerome... *hugz*

beautifully said.

[swimboy]

14. Well said.

Thank you.

[donco6]

15. Nice post k_jerome

Thanks.

[mondo joe]

16. I take a somewhat different stance. Equal rights for gays is my #1 priority.

That said, what bothers me most about the "Snickers incident" was the inability on DU yto have a calm and rational discussion without the whole thing melting down into tribal warfare. There were even gays who had their identity questioned here for not falling into lock step, and allies who were badly treated as well.

I have no problem with people opposing the ad, getting it removed or celebrating that. But IMO that is a little cultural dust up, and not central to the issue of rights.

As far as the 100 hours is concerned, I am not troubled about not being explicitly included because that was not what our party ran on - and I think it's important to come in first on your promises.

Even in the gay community there is plenty of disagreement about how to make progress, so I'm not offended or troubled that there is yet greater disagreement in the broader community.

I am fortunate enough to know Heather Andersen, one of the plaintiffs in the Washington State marriage case. I also work with someone who is on the board of HRC. During Heather's case I knew they were at odds on strategy - HRC's goals have been more about legislature than judiciary as a means to an end. I knew that they passionately disagreed about strategy. I also knew they both wanted the same thing, but were willing to take different risks and make different compromises to get it.

Disagreeing about strategy, including timing, doesn't make someone your enemy, or even just not your friend.

[Midlodemocrat]

18. Very nice post.

:thumbsup:

[Unvanguard]

19. To be honest, no, I'm not surprised at all.

It's pretty much what I would expect from many straight liberals - token sympathy, combined with "of course I support gay marriage and anti-discrimination laws," added to a complete failure to understand the subtler forms of homophobia.