Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month
May 29, 2010 8:56 AM Subscribe
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posted by Senor Cardgage at 9:01 AM on May 29, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by Senor Cardgage at 9:01 AM on May 29, 2010 [5 favorites]
(mefi don't do colors, so imagine it pink, y'allz)
posted by Senor Cardgage at 9:02 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by Senor Cardgage at 9:02 AM on May 29, 2010
And DADT is on its way out the door, too, finally. Elections have consequences.
posted by joe lisboa at 9:03 AM on May 29, 2010 [12 favorites]
posted by joe lisboa at 9:03 AM on May 29, 2010 [12 favorites]
I see rainbows.
posted by joni. at 9:03 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by joni. at 9:03 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
When do introverted nerds get their turn?!
posted by Saturn XXIII at 9:05 AM on May 29, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by Saturn XXIII at 9:05 AM on May 29, 2010 [5 favorites]
Pfft, like John McCain wouldn't have KNEE JERK REFLEXES FAILING
posted by Pope Guilty at 9:06 AM on May 29, 2010 [6 favorites]
posted by Pope Guilty at 9:06 AM on May 29, 2010 [6 favorites]
Yay.
It kind of seems a bit like lip service in lieu of actual substantive action, but it's a nice gesture, I guess.
posted by Sys Rq at 9:06 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
It kind of seems a bit like lip service in lieu of actual substantive action, but it's a nice gesture, I guess.
posted by Sys Rq at 9:06 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
When do introverted nerds get their turn?!
That already happened that time he made the lady reporter board the hovercraft.
posted by availablelight at 9:07 AM on May 29, 2010 [11 favorites]
That already happened that time he made the lady reporter board the hovercraft.
posted by availablelight at 9:07 AM on May 29, 2010 [11 favorites]
That's pretty cool. I knew I voted for this guy for a reason.
posted by Faint of Butt at 9:07 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 9:07 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
When do introverted nerds get their turn?!
'bisexual' is clearly indicated in the title
posted by fallacy of the beard at 9:09 AM on May 29, 2010 [29 favorites]
'bisexual' is clearly indicated in the title
posted by fallacy of the beard at 9:09 AM on May 29, 2010 [29 favorites]
As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.
NNNGH I like this man so fucking much, it is actually kind of embarrassing. He is like the sparkly vampire to my squealing 13-year-old girl self.
posted by elizardbits at 9:12 AM on May 29, 2010 [63 favorites]
NNNGH I like this man so fucking much, it is actually kind of embarrassing. He is like the sparkly vampire to my squealing 13-year-old girl self.
posted by elizardbits at 9:12 AM on May 29, 2010 [63 favorites]
Across my Administration, openly LGBT employees are serving at every level.
Who are the highest-ranking LGBT people in the Obama administration?
posted by box at 9:13 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Who are the highest-ranking LGBT people in the Obama administration?
posted by box at 9:13 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
This is awesome!
Last night, I watched the Vanguard documentary Missionaries of Hate about the law banning homosexuality in Uganda. What was most troubling to me was how many people in the country supported a law that was essentially genocide for homosexuals. It was the brainchild of American evangelicals of course.
It made me think that even though there's no shortage of un-evolved monkeys in this country, there is also a huge, vocal, gay rights movement, composed of straight and gay people.
posted by sswiller at 9:13 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Last night, I watched the Vanguard documentary Missionaries of Hate about the law banning homosexuality in Uganda. What was most troubling to me was how many people in the country supported a law that was essentially genocide for homosexuals. It was the brainchild of American evangelicals of course.
It made me think that even though there's no shortage of un-evolved monkeys in this country, there is also a huge, vocal, gay rights movement, composed of straight and gay people.
posted by sswiller at 9:13 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Maybe Obama just came out and outted everyone else down the chain of command, Box. If so, that's awesome and he has secured my vote in 2012.
posted by mccarty.tim at 9:14 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by mccarty.tim at 9:14 AM on May 29, 2010
Who are the highest-ranking LGBT people in the Obama administration?
Amanda Simpson immediately sprang to mind, on the trans front.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 9:15 AM on May 29, 2010
Amanda Simpson immediately sprang to mind, on the trans front.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 9:15 AM on May 29, 2010
I shall wear my lucky pink underpants proudly today.
posted by The Whelk at 9:17 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 9:17 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Across my Administration, openly LGBT employees are serving at every level.
Interesting, so let's see, that's the President, Vice President, the Cabinet, all the way down. Excellent... I supporthis her decision.
posted by crapmatic at 9:20 AM on May 29, 2010
Interesting, so let's see, that's the President, Vice President, the Cabinet, all the way down. Excellent... I support
posted by crapmatic at 9:20 AM on May 29, 2010
I'm really pleased about this and I'm especially glad that transgender is explicitly included; I don't know that much about these issues (certainly not as much as I should) but it seems like people who are transgendered are often not given the recognition they deserve or even are explicitly marginalized so it's nice to see this being more inclusive than simply calling it "Gay Pride Month".
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 9:20 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 9:20 AM on May 29, 2010
I'm all for it AS LONG AS THEY DON'T WEAR MY DOC MARTENS, WHOSE STYLE BELONGS TO ONLY ME.
posted by Threeway Handshake at 9:20 AM on May 29, 2010 [10 favorites]
posted by Threeway Handshake at 9:20 AM on May 29, 2010 [10 favorites]
It kind of seems a bit like lip service in lieu of actual substantive action
Sadly, that was my second reaction. (First being "YAY!") However, my third reaction was that it's totally awesome that the president is standing up and saying out loud that yes, the LGBT community are deserving of the same rights as anyone else.
posted by Stewriffic at 9:21 AM on May 29, 2010
Sadly, that was my second reaction. (First being "YAY!") However, my third reaction was that it's totally awesome that the president is standing up and saying out loud that yes, the LGBT community are deserving of the same rights as anyone else.
posted by Stewriffic at 9:21 AM on May 29, 2010
*does a happy dance* When is the White House White Party scheduled for?
posted by msbutah at 9:21 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by msbutah at 9:21 AM on May 29, 2010
Across my Administration, openly LGBT employees are serving at every level.
Mark Agrast- Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs at the Department of Justiceposted by ericb at 9:23 AM on May 29, 2010 [192 favorites]
Raul Alvillar- Congressional Relations Officer, Housing and Urban Development
Judy Applebaum- Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs at the Department of Justice
Cynthia Attwood- Member, Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
Vic Basile- Senior Counselor to the Director, Office of Personnel Management
Anthony Bernal- Scheduler, Office of Dr. Jill Biden
Jeremy Bernard- Director of White House and Congressional Affairs, National Endowment for the Humanities
John Berry- Director, Office of Personnel Management
Jeremy Bishop- Special Assistant to the Secretary, Office of Public Engagement at the Department of Labor
Brian Bond- Deputy Director, White House Office of Public Engagement
Raphael Bostic- Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research, Housing and Urban Development
Ebs Burnough- Deputy Social Secretary, Office of the First Lady
Michael Camunez- Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance, Department of Commerce
Lyle Canceko- Deputy Director, Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Department of Commerce
Jamison Citron- Confidential Assistant, Office of White House Liaison, Department of Health and Human Services
Brook Colangelo- Chief Information Officer, White House Office of Administration
John Connor- Director, Office of White House Liaison at the Department of Commerce
John Coppola- Member of the National Museum and Library Services Board
Jeffrey Crowley- Director, Office of National AIDS Policy
Fred Davie- Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
Justin DeJong- Deputy Press Secretary, Department of Agriculture
Marisa Demeo- Associate Judge, DC Superior Court
Jenny Durkan- U.S. Attorney, Western District of Washington
John Easton- Director, Institute of Education Sciences
Eric Fanning- Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy
Chai Feldblum- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Carl Fillichio- Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Labor for Public Affairs and Communications
Daniel Gordon- Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, OMB
Kathy Greenlee- Assistant Secretary, Administration on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services
Steve Gunderson- Member, President’s Commission on White House Fellows
David Hansell- Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, Administration for Children and Families
Emily Hewitt- Chief Justice, U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Jennifer Ho- Deputy Director, Accountability Management at the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
Fred Hochberg- Chairman, U.S. Export-Import Bank
David Huebner- U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand
Glenda Humiston- State Director for Rural Development in California
Shin Inouye- Director, Specialty Media
John Isa- Deputy Executive Director, Federal Office of Compliance
Karine Jean-Pierre- Regional Director, Office of Political Affairs
Kevin Jennings- Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools
Kristina Johnson- Under Secretary, Department of Energy
Jenn Jones- Special Assistant, Department of Housing and Urban Development
Elaine Kaplan- General Counsel, Office of Personnel Management
Brad Kiley- Director, White House Office of Management and Administration
Harry Knox- Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
Kei Koizumi- Assistant Director for Federal Research and Development, Office of Science and Technology Policy
Andy Lee- Chief of Staff, Office of Innovation and Improvement at the Department of Education
Jeffrey Lerner- Regional Director, Office of Political Affairs
Sara Lipscomb- General Counsel, Small Business Administration
Zach Liscow- Staff Economist, Council of Economic Advisers
Thomas Lopach- Senior Vice President, Congressional Affairs, U.S. Export-Import Bank
Sharon Lubinski- U.S. Marshall
John Marble- Public Affairs Specialist, Office of Personnel Management
Jeffrey Marburg-Goodman- Special Counsel to the USAID Administrator
Mercedes Marquez- Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development
Kathy Martinez- Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy, Department of Labor
Michael Martinez- Special Assistant, National Resources Conservation Division, USDA
Mary Beth Maxwell- Senior Advisor, Department of Labor
Philip McNamara- Executive Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
David Medina- Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the First Lady
David Mills- Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement, Department of Commerce
Alison Nathan- Associate Counsel to the President, White House Counsels Office
Jeffrey Neal- Chief Human Capital Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Ven Neralla- Director of Priority Placement, Presidential Personnel
Dave Noble- White House Liaison, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Matt Nosanchuk- Senior Counselor to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Department of Justice
Dylan Orr- Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy
Joseph Palacios- Board of Visitors for WHINSEC
Paolo Palugod- Special Assistant to the Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division, DOJ
Peter Pappas- Chief Communications Officer for the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce
Raul Perea-Henze- Assistant Secretary of Policy and Planning, Department of Veterans Affairs
Drew Perraut- Policy Analyst, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB
Mark Perriello- Director of Priority Placement, Presidential Personnel
Gautam Raghavan- Deputy White House Liaison at the Department of Defense
Peter Roehrig- Special Assistant, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Constance L. Rogers- Deputy Solicitor for Energy and Mineral Resources at Interior
Donna Ryu- U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Ellie Sue Schafer- Director, White House Visitors Office
Tarak Shah- White House Council on Environmental Quality
Amanda Simpson- Senior Technical Advisor to the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security
Richard Sorian- Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, HHS
Campbell Spencer- Regional Director, Office of Political Affairs
Everette Stubbs- Deputy Director, White House Visitors Center
Nancy Sutley- Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality
Jonathan Swain- Assistant Administrator, Small Business Administration
Kenneth Tolson- Member, President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Moe Vela- Director of Operations, Office of the Vice President
Alex Wagner- Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs
Douglas B. Wilson- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Department of Defense
William Woolston- Staff Economist, Council of Economic Advisers *
Well, I feel proud every month, but really not about things about which I had no choice. A bit about how I dealt with those things, I guess.
But I would have been nice if my parents had lived long enough to be told it was OK to be proud of me. And I am proud of the country that (finally) says that at a high level.
posted by Some1 at 9:23 AM on May 29, 2010 [6 favorites]
But I would have been nice if my parents had lived long enough to be told it was OK to be proud of me. And I am proud of the country that (finally) says that at a high level.
posted by Some1 at 9:23 AM on May 29, 2010 [6 favorites]
At this point I'm wiling to believe ericb is some kind of gay news robot.
posted by The Whelk at 9:24 AM on May 29, 2010 [47 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 9:24 AM on May 29, 2010 [47 favorites]
a ...robosexual if you will.
posted by The Whelk at 9:24 AM on May 29, 2010 [29 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 9:24 AM on May 29, 2010 [29 favorites]
I see rainbows.
Forever?
"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a rainbow stomping on a fundamentalist's face -- forever." --James Dobson
posted by middleclasstool at 9:24 AM on May 29, 2010 [41 favorites]
Forever?
"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a rainbow stomping on a fundamentalist's face -- forever." --James Dobson
posted by middleclasstool at 9:24 AM on May 29, 2010 [41 favorites]
I am glad to see this, but the cynic in me wonders why he waited so long.
posted by caddis at 9:27 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by caddis at 9:27 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
It kind of seems a bit like lip service in lieu of actual substantive action, but it's a nice gesture, I guess.
See, this is whywe can't have nice things. the right winds up having final say - The best some of us can manage for this is a all-lower-case 'yay', but by Wednesday of next week, Rush and Beck will have convinced half my coworkers that what it really means is that June is Enforced Sodomy and Doc Martins month, and that they'd better drag Obama from the white house by force if they don't want their children contracting AIDS.
And, if the politicians are going to get next to no credit from their supporters for sticking their neck out this far, why should they bet big and risk it all in the hope the apathetic will see it as finally being enough to rouse them off their couches?
posted by Orb2069 at 9:27 AM on May 29, 2010 [54 favorites]
See, this is why
And, if the politicians are going to get next to no credit from their supporters for sticking their neck out this far, why should they bet big and risk it all in the hope the apathetic will see it as finally being enough to rouse them off their couches?
posted by Orb2069 at 9:27 AM on May 29, 2010 [54 favorites]
I'm really pleased about this and I'm especially glad that transgender is explicitly included
Totally. I understand why cis LGB people see this as all mouth and no trousers, but for trans people, a bit of mouth is an improvement.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 9:27 AM on May 29, 2010 [5 favorites]
Totally. I understand why cis LGB people see this as all mouth and no trousers, but for trans people, a bit of mouth is an improvement.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 9:27 AM on May 29, 2010 [5 favorites]
*why some cis LGB people etc., sorry.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 9:28 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 9:28 AM on May 29, 2010
Pfft, like John McCain wouldn't have KNEE JERK REFLEXES FAILING
McCain Planning Major Filibuster of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in Senate.
posted by ericb at 9:28 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
McCain Planning Major Filibuster of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in Senate.
posted by ericb at 9:28 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'd be happier to see "gays can finally get married like everyone else" month.
But hey, we can all pretend. That's what they have to do. Hooray for June!
posted by Malice at 9:29 AM on May 29, 2010
But hey, we can all pretend. That's what they have to do. Hooray for June!
posted by Malice at 9:29 AM on May 29, 2010
June is Enforced Sodomy and Doc Martens month
Will there be a bar, or is it more of a BYOB thing?
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 9:30 AM on May 29, 2010 [18 favorites]
Will there be a bar, or is it more of a BYOB thing?
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 9:30 AM on May 29, 2010 [18 favorites]
You hear that sound? It's the sound of all the idiots you went to high school with squealing in anger about this on Facebook.
posted by ColdChef at 9:33 AM on May 29, 2010 [36 favorites]
posted by ColdChef at 9:33 AM on May 29, 2010 [36 favorites]
but by Wednesday of next week, Rush and Beck will have convinced half my coworkers that what it really means is that June is Enforced Sodomy and Doc Martins month
Exactly. The man is trolling the loony right and they are going to fall for it so hard that even conservatives who have seemed heretofore quasi rational will be frothing like Birchers on acid. You think the gay theme colour is a rainbow, what till you see what kind of technicolor yawn the teabaggers issue when this sinks in.
posted by fleetmouse at 9:34 AM on May 29, 2010 [10 favorites]
Exactly. The man is trolling the loony right and they are going to fall for it so hard that even conservatives who have seemed heretofore quasi rational will be frothing like Birchers on acid. You think the gay theme colour is a rainbow, what till you see what kind of technicolor yawn the teabaggers issue when this sinks in.
posted by fleetmouse at 9:34 AM on May 29, 2010 [10 favorites]
Enforced Sodomy month you say?
posted by The Whelk at 9:36 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 9:36 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
At this point I'm wiling to believe ericb is some kind of gay news robot.
Not even close [NSFW - language]. Not even close.
posted by ericb at 9:37 AM on May 29, 2010
Not even close [NSFW - language]. Not even close.
posted by ericb at 9:37 AM on May 29, 2010
And, if the politicians are going to get next to no credit from their supporters for sticking their neck out this far, why should they bet big and risk it all in the hope the apathetic will see it as finally being enough to rouse them off their couches?
Well, see, but the thing is, if there's a Right Wing backlash to this, it'll be that much harder to get the real shit realized. Stuff like this only serves as a self-congratulatory back-pat for the Democrats, while its actual effect will be riling up the Right. That's a net loss in my books.
I want to be all woo-hoo, but gah.
posted by Sys Rq at 9:41 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Well, see, but the thing is, if there's a Right Wing backlash to this, it'll be that much harder to get the real shit realized. Stuff like this only serves as a self-congratulatory back-pat for the Democrats, while its actual effect will be riling up the Right. That's a net loss in my books.
I want to be all woo-hoo, but gah.
posted by Sys Rq at 9:41 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
This makes me happy. I am not from the US, and it may be only lip-service, but it's still so much more than the nothing you have been getting there so far. I remember my pulse hopping when Obama specifically mentioned queers in his acceptance speech. Lip service is also service.
My usual response to people when they get caught up on the pride element of LGBWTFBBQ Pride is to remind that it's not "I am proud of myself for being hot for Hugh Jackman", but rather that pride is the opposite of shame. Pride is a denial of shame.
posted by Iteki at 9:42 AM on May 29, 2010 [7 favorites]
My usual response to people when they get caught up on the pride element of LGBWTFBBQ Pride is to remind that it's not "I am proud of myself for being hot for Hugh Jackman", but rather that pride is the opposite of shame. Pride is a denial of shame.
posted by Iteki at 9:42 AM on May 29, 2010 [7 favorites]
I am glad to see this, but the cynic in me wonders why he waited so long.
Um, he issued a similar proclamation during his first year in office -- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2009.
posted by ericb at 9:42 AM on May 29, 2010 [6 favorites]
Um, he issued a similar proclamation during his first year in office -- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2009.
posted by ericb at 9:42 AM on May 29, 2010 [6 favorites]
June has long since been GLBT Pride month. Obama declaring it so only makes it slightly more official.
If we actually get the trans-inclusive ENDA passed, and DADT repealed, then I'll give Obama some credit for improving GLBT rights. (I'll give Congress more of the credit.) Declaring June to be Pride month is a nice gesture, but that's all it is -- a gesture.
posted by jiawen at 9:48 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
If we actually get the trans-inclusive ENDA passed, and DADT repealed, then I'll give Obama some credit for improving GLBT rights. (I'll give Congress more of the credit.) Declaring June to be Pride month is a nice gesture, but that's all it is -- a gesture.
posted by jiawen at 9:48 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Well, see, but the thing is, if there's a Right Wing backlash to this, it'll be that much harder to get the real shit realized. Stuff like this only serves as a self-congratulatory back-pat for the Democrats...
The religious right were 'huffing-and-puffing' about this last year, but that's was to be expected. In the end they can be expected to continue to do so. What impact those blowhards have on the momentum that we are seeing regarding gay rights, etc. is unknown, but I personally think they are just 'pissing in the wind' at this stage.
posted by ericb at 9:49 AM on May 29, 2010
The religious right were 'huffing-and-puffing' about this last year, but that's was to be expected. In the end they can be expected to continue to do so. What impact those blowhards have on the momentum that we are seeing regarding gay rights, etc. is unknown, but I personally think they are just 'pissing in the wind' at this stage.
posted by ericb at 9:49 AM on May 29, 2010
Well, see, but the thing is, if there's a Right Wing backlash to this, it'll be that much harder to get the real shit realized. Stuff like this only serves as a self-congratulatory back-pat for the Democrats...
That's one way to look at it.
But not everyone cares as much as you and I do about the red-team/blue-team war (not being dismissive, it's basically my job to care about that war). A lot of people still see the president as the nation's leader, set apart from and above the partisan fray. And what the president says to those people is important. For the nation's leader to get up and say "we're proud of the LGBT people that live in and contribute to this great nation, and we're going to honor them," well, that really does mean something.
It may not make someone go from "queers scare me" to "let's go to the Pride Parade" right away, but I bet, for a lot of people, it will move them a few spaces along the fear-acceptance-celebration spectrum. For instance, someone who's struggling to accept her gay son's recent coming out may take some comfort from this - it might give her the nudge she needs to move closer to accepting his sexuality.
Words do matter, especially when they come from your nation's leader.
posted by lunasol at 10:01 AM on May 29, 2010 [37 favorites]
That's one way to look at it.
But not everyone cares as much as you and I do about the red-team/blue-team war (not being dismissive, it's basically my job to care about that war). A lot of people still see the president as the nation's leader, set apart from and above the partisan fray. And what the president says to those people is important. For the nation's leader to get up and say "we're proud of the LGBT people that live in and contribute to this great nation, and we're going to honor them," well, that really does mean something.
It may not make someone go from "queers scare me" to "let's go to the Pride Parade" right away, but I bet, for a lot of people, it will move them a few spaces along the fear-acceptance-celebration spectrum. For instance, someone who's struggling to accept her gay son's recent coming out may take some comfort from this - it might give her the nudge she needs to move closer to accepting his sexuality.
Words do matter, especially when they come from your nation's leader.
posted by lunasol at 10:01 AM on May 29, 2010 [37 favorites]
Seriously, fuck the dinosaurs who still think gays are immoral. There's plenty of homophobes (non-trolls AFAICT) on America Speaking Out and Free Republic. Thank god we've got a president willing to go out on a limb and do this!
But he better be AT LEAST planning to push for more states to legalize gay marriage second term.
posted by mccarty.tim at 10:02 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
But he better be AT LEAST planning to push for more states to legalize gay marriage second term.
posted by mccarty.tim at 10:02 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
I would like to see a similar list of the openly LGBT officials in any past Republican administration, but my google-fu is weak. Or is it foolish of me to expect that such a list would even exist?
posted by elizardbits at 10:06 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by elizardbits at 10:06 AM on May 29, 2010
Sys Rq: "Stuff like this only serves as a self-congratulatory back-pat for the Democrats"
I can see how it'd look that way. But the Republicans are willing to filibuster just about anything, even middle of the road kind of stuff:
posted by boo_radley at 10:06 AM on May 29, 2010
I can see how it'd look that way. But the Republicans are willing to filibuster just about anything, even middle of the road kind of stuff:
In the 110th Congress of 2007-2008, with Republicans in the minority, there were a record 112 cloture votes. In the current session of Congress – the 111th – for all of 2009 and the first two months of 2010 the number already exceeds 40. The most the filibuster has been used when Democrats were in the minority was 58 times in the 106th Congress of 1999-2000.So the substantial stuff that we're all waiting for that will bring real change? Almost impossible to do right now, and for any lack of will on the Democrats part. Proclamations like this are a way to show that Obama and his party are still dedicated to these vital causes.
posted by boo_radley at 10:06 AM on May 29, 2010
I wonder if those family values crazy people are going to be mad because of June being a popular time for weddings. Who cares what they think?
posted by anniecat at 10:08 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by anniecat at 10:08 AM on May 29, 2010
sure...march us all into one month, then, BAM, gas chambers!
posted by sexyrobot at 10:14 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by sexyrobot at 10:14 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
He should make May 22 a federal holiday.
posted by shakespeherian at 10:14 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by shakespeherian at 10:14 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Or is it foolish of me to expect that such a list would even exist?
I suspect the GOP calls it oppo-research.
posted by joe lisboa at 10:22 AM on May 29, 2010
I suspect the GOP calls it oppo-research.
posted by joe lisboa at 10:22 AM on May 29, 2010
(Okay, I may have OD'd on my own cynicism. Sorry, folks!)
posted by Sys Rq at 10:28 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by Sys Rq at 10:28 AM on May 29, 2010
According to this, it was first officially declared by Clinton in 2000, and then scorned by Bush in 2001, though I can't find info for the intervening years, to see if he ever came around as it became more and more mainstream. I wonder what mccain would've done... probably also ignored it, but given how normalized LGBT rights are for the younger generation, it seems like a stupid move.
posted by mdn at 10:31 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by mdn at 10:31 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
See, told you he was a Muslim Communist!
posted by sourwookie at 10:33 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by sourwookie at 10:33 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Great. The LGBT community has been so needing a lift for a while now from this Admin. The HCR bill debate just sucked up most of the oxygen in the latter part of 2009 and early 2010, for the Obama WH to properly deal with it. With this and DADT, looks like their getting their moment.
Anyhow, shouldn't it be called the TRES FABULOUS Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride PARTY Month instead?
posted by Skygazer at 10:45 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Anyhow, shouldn't it be called the TRES FABULOUS Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride PARTY Month instead?
posted by Skygazer at 10:45 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
I stopped paying attention to politics after the insurance company bailout passed. Does this mean he now supports gay marriage?
No?
Hm.
Wonder how proud Mark Agrast, Raul Alvillar, Judy Applebaum, and all those folks feel about that.
posted by Joe Beese at 10:47 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
No?
Hm.
Wonder how proud Mark Agrast, Raul Alvillar, Judy Applebaum, and all those folks feel about that.
posted by Joe Beese at 10:47 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
He should make May 22 a federal holiday.
posted by shakespeherian at 1:14 PM on May 29 [+] [!]
Yes, with any state not observing it, and a lot of states won't, losing federal funding of some sort and BAM! A balanced budget for 2012, QED.
posted by Skygazer at 10:47 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by shakespeherian at 1:14 PM on May 29 [+] [!]
Yes, with any state not observing it, and a lot of states won't, losing federal funding of some sort and BAM! A balanced budget for 2012, QED.
posted by Skygazer at 10:47 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
[a big-ass list] posted by ericb
I was all set to be cynical as I was scrolling down, immediately thinking, "What, five or six? Big deal. [scrolling] Seven or Eight, big de… [scrolling] OK, ten, that's not bad, actua… [scrolling] wow, OK… [scrolling faster] OK, I get it! [scrolling faster] JEEESUS!"
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 10:49 AM on May 29, 2010 [14 favorites]
I was all set to be cynical as I was scrolling down, immediately thinking, "What, five or six? Big deal. [scrolling] Seven or Eight, big de… [scrolling] OK, ten, that's not bad, actua… [scrolling] wow, OK… [scrolling faster] OK, I get it! [scrolling faster] JEEESUS!"
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 10:49 AM on May 29, 2010 [14 favorites]
ADAP is failing persons with HIV/AIDS
Florida is starting a waiting list June 1 for AIDS drugs. The government is not supplying the drugs anymore in Florida - the largest state to do this, so far
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-05-21/business/fl-hiv-waitlist-20100521_1_aids-drug-program-aids-patients-hiv-patients
posted by halekon at 10:54 AM on May 29, 2010
Florida is starting a waiting list June 1 for AIDS drugs. The government is not supplying the drugs anymore in Florida - the largest state to do this, so far
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-05-21/business/fl-hiv-waitlist-20100521_1_aids-drug-program-aids-patients-hiv-patients
posted by halekon at 10:54 AM on May 29, 2010
My birthday month too! Oh man immagonnapaaaaaaartyyyy! Yeay!
posted by dabitch at 10:54 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by dabitch at 10:54 AM on May 29, 2010
Declaring June to be Pride month is a nice gesture, but that's all it is -- a gesture.
Gestures matter.
sure...march us all into one month, then, BAM, gas chambers!
Um. Ew. Yeah, I know where the pink triangle comes from. Still, ew.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 10:59 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Gestures matter.
sure...march us all into one month, then, BAM, gas chambers!
Um. Ew. Yeah, I know where the pink triangle comes from. Still, ew.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 10:59 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Yay for the recognition, yay for including trans, yay for addressing it and addressing it with aplomb, BIG yay for moving forward on kicking DADT to the curb. If they can fly the rainbow flag, the should also be allowed to serve under it. And while I fault Obama for backing off on his marriage equality talk, it's coming, with or without him. It's the civil rights movement of my generation, and it's a damn shame that someone who could only be where he is now thanks to the previous civil rights movement won't be at the head of that Pride Parade.
I want more. Most liberals want more. Lots more. But the man isn't a miracle worker. He's let me down before, and I'm sure he'll let me down again. But in a million years, I'd choose Obama over ANYONE we've had available to us in a long time. (I can't count Dennis Kucinich; while his politics and mine line up pretty beautifully, I'd have to be insane to honestly believe anything we want would ever get accomplished. I live in Happy Liberal La-La Land in my head, but he seems to think it's a real place. Ah well.)
posted by tzikeh at 11:00 AM on May 29, 2010 [3 favorites]
I want more. Most liberals want more. Lots more. But the man isn't a miracle worker. He's let me down before, and I'm sure he'll let me down again. But in a million years, I'd choose Obama over ANYONE we've had available to us in a long time. (I can't count Dennis Kucinich; while his politics and mine line up pretty beautifully, I'd have to be insane to honestly believe anything we want would ever get accomplished. I live in Happy Liberal La-La Land in my head, but he seems to think it's a real place. Ah well.)
posted by tzikeh at 11:00 AM on May 29, 2010 [3 favorites]
Anyhow, shouldn't it be called the TRES FABULOUS Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride PARTY Month instead?
MOAR STEREOTYPES PL0X
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 11:00 AM on May 29, 2010 [5 favorites]
MOAR STEREOTYPES PL0X
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 11:00 AM on May 29, 2010 [5 favorites]
Oh - and while we're celebrating the diversity of This Great Nation, I fully expect a declaration of National Atheist's Month.
Any day now.
...
...
*crickets*
posted by tzikeh at 11:01 AM on May 29, 2010
Any day now.
...
...
*crickets*
posted by tzikeh at 11:01 AM on May 29, 2010
June has long since been GLBT Pride month.
'Tis true.
This year marks the 40th. year of Gay Pride celebrations in the U.S.
The first Gay Pride Day was held on on June 28, 1970 to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
Since then pride parades have been held annually around the globe.
posted by ericb at 11:05 AM on May 29, 2010
'Tis true.
This year marks the 40th. year of Gay Pride celebrations in the U.S.
The first Gay Pride Day was held on on June 28, 1970 to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
Since then pride parades have been held annually around the globe.
posted by ericb at 11:05 AM on May 29, 2010
dirtynumbangelboy: "MOAR STEREOTYPES PL0X"
Oh relax and have a mimosa sweetie.
posted by boo_radley at 11:06 AM on May 29, 2010
Oh relax and have a mimosa sweetie.
posted by boo_radley at 11:06 AM on May 29, 2010
Oh relax and have a mimosa sweetie.
Um ... ya' got it wrong, honey. It should be: 'Oh relax and have a mimosa, honey.'
posted by ericb at 11:10 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Um ... ya' got it wrong, honey. It should be: 'Oh relax and have a mimosa, honey.'
posted by ericb at 11:10 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
DNAB is back! Yay!
posted by five fresh fish at 11:22 AM on May 29, 2010 [9 favorites]
posted by five fresh fish at 11:22 AM on May 29, 2010 [9 favorites]
LGBT Pride Month and dnab is back. Two things to celebrate! Yayyyy!
posted by marsha56 at 11:23 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by marsha56 at 11:23 AM on May 29, 2010
a ...robosexual if you will.
posted by The Whelk
I will.
posted by haveanicesummer at 11:23 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk
I will.
posted by haveanicesummer at 11:23 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
I owe fff a coke.
posted by marsha56 at 11:24 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by marsha56 at 11:24 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Oh relax and have a mimosa sweetie.
::rolleyes::
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 11:35 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
::rolleyes::
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 11:35 AM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Have a boilermaker, puts hair your chest and scares small animals.
posted by The Whelk at 11:39 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 11:39 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Shit like this, or his Diwali message where he didn't smirk or obviously struggle with the foreign words, reminds me just what a breath of fresh fucking air replacing Chimpy McFuckface with Obama was. In spite of the various ways he has sinned by what he had done and by what he has left undone.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:44 AM on May 29, 2010 [8 favorites]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:44 AM on May 29, 2010 [8 favorites]
Well, see, but the thing is, if there's a Right Wing backlash to this, it'll be that much harder to get the real shit realized.
Let the Right Wings backlash themselves into a volcanic spewing frenzy. Let them fall down and spew eyeball juices from their sockets until their brains frizzle up. Who the fuck cares! God DAMNIT. Their fucking goddamn idiotic insane inability to handle the idea of homosexuality is fucking beyond belief and I am fucking sick of it. They have to get over their idiocy and we have to stop pandering to them. Stop bending over backwards so as to not anger the little fuckers and start demanding change, for fuck's sake. Stop letting these evil little pinheads get their own fucking way.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 12:04 PM on May 29, 2010 [17 favorites]
Let the Right Wings backlash themselves into a volcanic spewing frenzy. Let them fall down and spew eyeball juices from their sockets until their brains frizzle up. Who the fuck cares! God DAMNIT. Their fucking goddamn idiotic insane inability to handle the idea of homosexuality is fucking beyond belief and I am fucking sick of it. They have to get over their idiocy and we have to stop pandering to them. Stop bending over backwards so as to not anger the little fuckers and start demanding change, for fuck's sake. Stop letting these evil little pinheads get their own fucking way.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 12:04 PM on May 29, 2010 [17 favorites]
And one more thing
This: McCain Planning Major Filibuster of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in Senate Makes me angry; I'd like to punch him in the snoot. I've never punched anyone, but I could give it the ole motherfuckin try.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 12:07 PM on May 29, 2010
This: McCain Planning Major Filibuster of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in Senate Makes me angry; I'd like to punch him in the snoot. I've never punched anyone, but I could give it the ole motherfuckin try.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 12:07 PM on May 29, 2010
dirtynumbangelboy: "::rolleyes::"
In all seriousness, it's good to have you back.
posted by boo_radley at 12:47 PM on May 29, 2010 [4 favorites]
In all seriousness, it's good to have you back.
posted by boo_radley at 12:47 PM on May 29, 2010 [4 favorites]
Meanwhile, Russian Gays Outwit Police Dragnet to Hold Successful Pride Parade Without Arrests, Beatings.
posted by Sailormom at 12:54 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Sailormom at 12:54 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm leaving this country today, and only sporadically checking email and MeFi as I ween myself away from internet connectivity for some time. But I saw this post, and am briefly scanning what I can as I am packing and heading out the door. I have happy tears in my eyes and go knowing that this country and its people that I love and will miss dearly is on the right path and will be ok.
posted by iamkimiam at 1:23 PM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by iamkimiam at 1:23 PM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
In other good news, the gay couple sentenced to 14 years in Malawi were pardoned.
It was almost certainly due to pressure from Ban Ki-Moon, but it's still good.
posted by Lemurrhea at 2:17 PM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
It was almost certainly due to pressure from Ban Ki-Moon, but it's still good.
posted by Lemurrhea at 2:17 PM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Here's hoping one of the Repubs has a conscience and goes with the military on DADT.
posted by mccarty.tim at 2:19 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by mccarty.tim at 2:19 PM on May 29, 2010
Sure, it may be just a gesture, but as someone who lives outside of America, this gesture is screaming pretty fucking loudly "We're different now and the world can begin to be proud of us again".
Nice work, America.
posted by twirlypen at 2:23 PM on May 29, 2010 [4 favorites]
Nice work, America.
posted by twirlypen at 2:23 PM on May 29, 2010 [4 favorites]
You hear that sound? It's the sound of all the idiots you went to high school with squealing in anger about this on Facebook.
Actually, one of the things that was cool about Facebook (to me, anyway), before I left it, was that nobody I encountered from high school gave me anything but good words and support when they figured out that I am now openly gay (unlike in high school, which for me was a tormented closet existence).
I found out that one of my friends from high school is also now openly gay. So, times do change. And that matters.
And, as dirtynumbangelboy mentioned, so do gestures like this.
posted by blucevalo at 2:30 PM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Actually, one of the things that was cool about Facebook (to me, anyway), before I left it, was that nobody I encountered from high school gave me anything but good words and support when they figured out that I am now openly gay (unlike in high school, which for me was a tormented closet existence).
I found out that one of my friends from high school is also now openly gay. So, times do change. And that matters.
And, as dirtynumbangelboy mentioned, so do gestures like this.
posted by blucevalo at 2:30 PM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Seriously, fuck the dinosaurs who still think gays are immoral.
I thought you said immortal and looked around in hope and awe. Can I get some specs for my batsignal?
posted by toodleydoodley at 3:34 PM on May 29, 2010
I thought you said immortal and looked around in hope and awe. Can I get some specs for my batsignal?
posted by toodleydoodley at 3:34 PM on May 29, 2010
Awesome. Well done, Mr Obama.
posted by New England Cultist at 3:47 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by New England Cultist at 3:47 PM on May 29, 2010
Oh - and while we're celebrating the diversity of This Great Nation, I fully expect a declaration of National Atheist's Month.
He's mentioned atheists in a non-negative way. That's pretty damn far ahead of anybody recently. Baby steps.
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:03 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
He's mentioned atheists in a non-negative way. That's pretty damn far ahead of anybody recently. Baby steps.
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:03 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
You hear that sound? It's the sound of all the idiots you went to high school with squealing in anger about this on Facebook.
a sound that helps me know who to defriend
posted by changeling at 4:20 PM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
a sound that helps me know who to defriend
posted by changeling at 4:20 PM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
woo hoo! dnab's back! and congratulations on the step forward!
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 4:23 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 4:23 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Pope Guilty wrote: "He's mentioned atheists in a non-negative way. That's pretty damn far ahead of anybody recently. Baby steps."
Eh, we have a constitutional amendment. The first clause of the first one even. LGBT people do not. Nobody needs to do anything to validate my point of view on religion. We all need to work towards getting rid of the discrimination against LGBT people under the law.
Even here in fundie-land, I don't get anything but funny looks when I make my atheism known.
While I might appreciate a shout-out, I think it means a lot more for LGBT folks, who are being actively discriminated against.
posted by wierdo at 5:18 PM on May 29, 2010
Eh, we have a constitutional amendment. The first clause of the first one even. LGBT people do not. Nobody needs to do anything to validate my point of view on religion. We all need to work towards getting rid of the discrimination against LGBT people under the law.
Even here in fundie-land, I don't get anything but funny looks when I make my atheism known.
While I might appreciate a shout-out, I think it means a lot more for LGBT folks, who are being actively discriminated against.
posted by wierdo at 5:18 PM on May 29, 2010
Aw HELL yeah! And June starts on a Tuesday, this year, too! You know what that means...
BIG GAY TUESDAY!!!
posted by darkstar at 6:31 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
BIG GAY TUESDAY!!!
posted by darkstar at 6:31 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
wierdo: Eh, we have a constitutional amendment. The first clause of the first one even. LGBT people do not.
one could argue that the 14th applies. Just have to get the courts on board with it.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 7:18 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
one could argue that the 14th applies. Just have to get the courts on board with it.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 7:18 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
June declares Barack Obama to be a lesbian. Obama smiles calculatingly.
posted by Not Supplied at 7:26 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by Not Supplied at 7:26 PM on May 29, 2010
Chimpy McFuckface - Damn, I knew his soul name was something like this, I just couldn't figure it out. Thanks, this will make it a lot easier when talking about the father and son.
posted by _paegan_ at 7:40 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by _paegan_ at 7:40 PM on May 29, 2010
So yeah, it's not like I'm exactly closeted, but. Hi! I'm transgender. It makes me happy to have a official "hey you people are pretty awesome" month.
I ended up buying some stretchy form-fitting clothes today for showing off my body and I will proudly not worry about bulges when I wear 'em.
posted by egypturnash at 8:03 PM on May 29, 2010 [12 favorites]
I ended up buying some stretchy form-fitting clothes today for showing off my body and I will proudly not worry about bulges when I wear 'em.
posted by egypturnash at 8:03 PM on May 29, 2010 [12 favorites]
Release your inner cyclist, dude!
posted by five fresh fish at 8:06 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by five fresh fish at 8:06 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Gestures matter.
I didn't say they didn't; and like I said, it's a nice gesture. But real action would be a lot better.
posted by jiawen at 10:44 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
I didn't say they didn't; and like I said, it's a nice gesture. But real action would be a lot better.
posted by jiawen at 10:44 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
In other good news, the gay couple sentenced to 14 years in Malawi were pardoned.
It's great news, but since one of them is a trans woman, they're not actually a gay couple, even though that's how their country treated them. Seriously, she said, "I am a complete woman," and everything, but because trans people are invisible, just about every single mainstream news organisation -- and many of the LGBT-specific ones -- have ignored her personal testimony and reported that she is a gay man. Yes, it's complicated because their case has implications for gay rights in the region, but it also has implications for trans rights in the region, and the way trans issues are discussed internationally, and that somehow is so much less important that it doesn't warrant a mention.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 12:37 AM on May 30, 2010 [6 favorites]
It's great news, but since one of them is a trans woman, they're not actually a gay couple, even though that's how their country treated them. Seriously, she said, "I am a complete woman," and everything, but because trans people are invisible, just about every single mainstream news organisation -- and many of the LGBT-specific ones -- have ignored her personal testimony and reported that she is a gay man. Yes, it's complicated because their case has implications for gay rights in the region, but it also has implications for trans rights in the region, and the way trans issues are discussed internationally, and that somehow is so much less important that it doesn't warrant a mention.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 12:37 AM on May 30, 2010 [6 favorites]
She's also quoted as saying "I have male genitals" which is probably helping the media confusion.
Guardian
Guardian
Yet Chimbalanga told the New York Times in February: "I have male genitals, but inside I am a complete woman. Maybe I cannot give birth to a child, but I menstruate every month – or most months – and I can do any household chores a woman can do."posted by dabitch at 3:21 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
one of them is a trans woman
I didn't know that. My apologies!
posted by Lemurrhea at 5:17 AM on May 30, 2010
I didn't know that. My apologies!
posted by Lemurrhea at 5:17 AM on May 30, 2010
No worries; it's not as if many news outlets have made it clear, after all!
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 7:32 AM on May 30, 2010
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 7:32 AM on May 30, 2010
Secret Life of Gravy: McCain Planning Major Filibuster of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in Senate Makes me angry; I'd like to punch him in the snoot.
John McCain: [t]he day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, Senator, we ought to change the policy, then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it because those leaders in the military are the ones we give the responsibility to.
A politician going back on his word? That's unpossible!
I say punch him.
posted by tzikeh at 8:35 AM on May 30, 2010
John McCain: [t]he day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, Senator, we ought to change the policy, then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it because those leaders in the military are the ones we give the responsibility to.
A politician going back on his word? That's unpossible!
I say punch him.
posted by tzikeh at 8:35 AM on May 30, 2010
Former Bush Adviser: ‘Republicans Are So Far Out Of Step’ On ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
posted by homunculus at 9:37 AM on May 30, 2010
posted by homunculus at 9:37 AM on May 30, 2010
I'm not saying it's about time, but it's about time. the Dems need spines or thing will happen that will not be pleasant.
Gay Marriage FOREVER!
IF they can vote, they should serve.
if they serve, they are 1st class citizens.
If they are 1st class citizens, they deserve the same courtesy and anyone else, including politicians....
Thanks for your time!
posted by David5372 at 12:13 PM on May 30, 2010
Gay Marriage FOREVER!
IF they can vote, they should serve.
if they serve, they are 1st class citizens.
If they are 1st class citizens, they deserve the same courtesy and anyone else, including politicians....
Thanks for your time!
posted by David5372 at 12:13 PM on May 30, 2010
All very nice, but no one in the history of human civilization has described himself or herself as “openly LGBT.” Nor did they come out to their parents as “LGBT.”
posted by joeclark at 12:25 PM on May 30, 2010
posted by joeclark at 12:25 PM on May 30, 2010
joeclark, you are actually right. No one has come out as 'LGBT,' but everyone who has come out to their parents (friends and others) have said:
In the end the one coming out finds themselves empowered in accepting who they are. "To those who cannot accept me for who I am, I say politely: FUCK YOU."
So, joeclark, what was your point?
posted by ericb at 4:03 PM on May 30, 2010
"There's something I would like to share with you. I've been on a journey in coming to terms with how I can share with you information about who I really am. Mom, Dad, I'm gay."The coming-out process is personal, unique and singular. There is often shock, anger, denial, etc. by parents, family and friends upon learning the news. Some are accepting (e.g. my Mom: "I always knew." My Dad: "You're my son. I love you as you are.") Others sadly reject their child, their friend.
"There's something I would like to share with you. I've been on a journey in coming to terms with how I can share with you information about who I really am. Mom, Dad, I'm lesbian."
"There's something I would like to share with you. I've been on a journey in coming to terms with how I can share with you information about who I really am. Mom, Dad, I'm bixsexual."
"There's something I would like to share with you. I've been on a journey in coming to terms with how I can share with you information about who I really am. Mom, Dad, I'm transgenered/transexual."
In the end the one coming out finds themselves empowered in accepting who they are. "To those who cannot accept me for who I am, I say politely: FUCK YOU."
So, joeclark, what was your point?
posted by ericb at 4:03 PM on May 30, 2010
Wednesday of next week, Rush and Beck will have convinced half my coworkers that what it really means is that June is Enforced Sodomy and Doc Martins month
Well, you have to admit that it is a cool album title as the musical collaboration which no one saw coming shoots and scores again. The mind boggles. What next -- Heart Bjork Hotel ?
posted by y2karl at 10:15 PM on May 30, 2010
Well, you have to admit that it is a cool album title as the musical collaboration which no one saw coming shoots and scores again. The mind boggles. What next -- Heart Bjork Hotel ?
posted by y2karl at 10:15 PM on May 30, 2010
I interpret Obama's statement as a personal challenge: "I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists."
So last night I wrote to my city council rep about dedicating a lovely but under-appreciated corner of our local park to an LGBT figure. I recommended Dr. Renee Richards, the MTF transsexual who won a ruling from the Supreme Court in 1977 that allowed her to play professional women's tennis. Dr. Richards has also been a surgeon and ophthalmologist for the last several decades. I thought the area's proximity to the park's athletic courts would be especially fitting.
When Obama makes a proclamation like this, more than anything it is a public acknowledgment of the strength of the gay lobby. That acknowledgment makes it easier for each of us to approach our own local officials. In writing to my councilman, I was able to invoke the President's challenge (quote it directly, in fact) and ask what our community, with its rapidly growing GLBT contingent, would be doing to answer this call to action. There is an official imperative for our officials to consider, acknowledge, and act on our requests that wasn't there before. Shouldn't we all take advantage of that while we can?
posted by hermitosis at 6:45 AM on May 31, 2010 [6 favorites]
So last night I wrote to my city council rep about dedicating a lovely but under-appreciated corner of our local park to an LGBT figure. I recommended Dr. Renee Richards, the MTF transsexual who won a ruling from the Supreme Court in 1977 that allowed her to play professional women's tennis. Dr. Richards has also been a surgeon and ophthalmologist for the last several decades. I thought the area's proximity to the park's athletic courts would be especially fitting.
When Obama makes a proclamation like this, more than anything it is a public acknowledgment of the strength of the gay lobby. That acknowledgment makes it easier for each of us to approach our own local officials. In writing to my councilman, I was able to invoke the President's challenge (quote it directly, in fact) and ask what our community, with its rapidly growing GLBT contingent, would be doing to answer this call to action. There is an official imperative for our officials to consider, acknowledge, and act on our requests that wasn't there before. Shouldn't we all take advantage of that while we can?
posted by hermitosis at 6:45 AM on May 31, 2010 [6 favorites]
You just know that if he also announce a series of national White Parties, that somebody down south would get confused.
posted by djfiander at 7:38 AM on May 31, 2010
posted by djfiander at 7:38 AM on May 31, 2010
EricB without Rakim, your question is obviously rhetorical, also stupid. So here’s a question that’s neither: Under what circumstances, if any, do you spontaneously describe yourself as “LGBT” in speech and actually mean it?
Can you name three cases, in your entire life, when anyone else you’ve talked to has spontaneously described themselves as “LGBT” and meant it?
How ’bout just one?
posted by joeclark at 8:53 AM on May 31, 2010
Can you name three cases, in your entire life, when anyone else you’ve talked to has spontaneously described themselves as “LGBT” and meant it?
How ’bout just one?
posted by joeclark at 8:53 AM on May 31, 2010
All very nice, but no one in the history of human civilization has described himself or herself as “openly LGBT.” Nor did they come out to their parents as “LGBT.”
If you read the president's proclamation, he uses the term LGBT specifically to describe a community. As a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered person, you might fully well refer to yourself, especially in a professional capacity, as "a member of the LGBT community."
I feel like anyone who can read or who thinks about this for more than three seconds could figure that out.
posted by hermitosis at 10:08 AM on May 31, 2010
If you read the president's proclamation, he uses the term LGBT specifically to describe a community. As a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered person, you might fully well refer to yourself, especially in a professional capacity, as "a member of the LGBT community."
I feel like anyone who can read or who thinks about this for more than three seconds could figure that out.
posted by hermitosis at 10:08 AM on May 31, 2010
joe's just being ornery and pedantic, hermitosis. He knows perfectly well what was meant by the original statement.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 10:22 AM on May 31, 2010
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 10:22 AM on May 31, 2010
joeclark - I may not be the person you are talking to, but I can give you several cases where I DID use JUST THAT PHRASE. Do you want me to list all of them or just a few selections?
posted by _paegan_ at 10:30 AM on May 31, 2010
posted by _paegan_ at 10:30 AM on May 31, 2010
(Fair warning, though, joeclark, I *was* an activist for a while. Many people spontaneously use the phrase LGBT in that setting.)
posted by _paegan_ at 10:33 AM on May 31, 2010
posted by _paegan_ at 10:33 AM on May 31, 2010
jpcooper: "What great use the president is making of his time."
What a worthless, pointless comment.
posted by boo_radley at 1:04 PM on May 31, 2010
What a worthless, pointless comment.
posted by boo_radley at 1:04 PM on May 31, 2010
Under what circumstances, if any, do you spontaneously describe yourself as “LGBT” in speech and actually mean it?
None.
As I wrote above in response to your original statement, "joeclark, you are actually right. No one has come out as 'LGBT'...". YOU ARE RIGHT.
posted by ericb at 1:11 PM on May 31, 2010
None.
As I wrote above in response to your original statement, "joeclark, you are actually right. No one has come out as 'LGBT'...". YOU ARE RIGHT.
posted by ericb at 1:11 PM on May 31, 2010
All very nice, but no one in the history of human civilization has described himself or herself as “openly LGBT.” Nor did they come out to their parents as “LGBT.”
When I remember my grandfather, the WWII vet, I don't say to myself "I'm memorializing Grandpa!"
Today's still a good holiday.
posted by EarBucket at 1:46 PM on May 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
When I remember my grandfather, the WWII vet, I don't say to myself "I'm memorializing Grandpa!"
Today's still a good holiday.
posted by EarBucket at 1:46 PM on May 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
I got kinda sick and slept for most of the day but I did make fried chicken - so that's a pretty good holiday.
I also went down to the bar after my nap (s) but no one got my multi-song jukebox critque of the holiday, starting with the Marine Hymn and In The Navy and This Land Is Your Land and ending with Good Bless The Child and The Man Comes Around and the Battle Hymn Of The Republic.
Fuckin' morons.
posted by The Whelk at 7:03 PM on May 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
I also went down to the bar after my nap (s) but no one got my multi-song jukebox critque of the holiday, starting with the Marine Hymn and In The Navy and This Land Is Your Land and ending with Good Bless The Child and The Man Comes Around and the Battle Hymn Of The Republic.
Fuckin' morons.
posted by The Whelk at 7:03 PM on May 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
The reality is nobody, at all, ever, describes himself as “LGBT.”
posted by joeclark at 9:20 PM on May 31, 2010
posted by joeclark at 9:20 PM on May 31, 2010
Or herself--perhaps you could try to be a little more inclusive?
But many of us, yours truly included, have in the past described themselves as being part of the LGBTTQQ sphere/community/world/pigeonhole. Which you know, of course. Which makes one wonder why you are harping on that one tiny little note of pedantry.
And when Obama said LGBT people serving in his administration, that's probably because it's a shorthand that everyone--yourself included, which makes one continue to wonder why you are harping on that one tiny little note of pedantry--understands, and far less of a mouthful than "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered people are serving..."
And so all we are left with is you, as I may have already said, harping on that one tiny little note of pedantry. To what end, really? It serves no purpose but to show you up as someone who enjoys harping on one little note of pedantry. So how about you give it up?
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 9:52 PM on May 31, 2010
But many of us, yours truly included, have in the past described themselves as being part of the LGBTTQQ sphere/community/world/pigeonhole. Which you know, of course. Which makes one wonder why you are harping on that one tiny little note of pedantry.
And when Obama said LGBT people serving in his administration, that's probably because it's a shorthand that everyone--yourself included, which makes one continue to wonder why you are harping on that one tiny little note of pedantry--understands, and far less of a mouthful than "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered people are serving..."
And so all we are left with is you, as I may have already said, harping on that one tiny little note of pedantry. To what end, really? It serves no purpose but to show you up as someone who enjoys harping on one little note of pedantry. So how about you give it up?
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 9:52 PM on May 31, 2010
I am LGBT.
There joeclark. Now some1 has described himself as LGBT, and your argument is dead. Deal.
And before it comes up, let me come out as GLBT, LGBTQ, GLBTQ, and all other permutations of that group of initials which may now or in the future be used. I'm of this community whatever ones like you may call it, and I'm proud of that community too.
posted by Some1 at 9:53 PM on May 31, 2010
There joeclark. Now some1 has described himself as LGBT, and your argument is dead. Deal.
And before it comes up, let me come out as GLBT, LGBTQ, GLBTQ, and all other permutations of that group of initials which may now or in the future be used. I'm of this community whatever ones like you may call it, and I'm proud of that community too.
posted by Some1 at 9:53 PM on May 31, 2010
No, I am LGBT! There Can Be Only One! [swordplay, a head is lost.]
Goddamn, joe, you should be embarassed.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:58 PM on May 31, 2010
Goddamn, joe, you should be embarassed.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:58 PM on May 31, 2010
Some1, it's worth noting that joeclark is himself somewhat queerer than a three dollar bill, as am I.
He's just got some... odd notions.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 9:59 PM on May 31, 2010
He's just got some... odd notions.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 9:59 PM on May 31, 2010
yeah, I sort of got that, but I also get perturbed by exclusion politics and semantic games (except the ones I want to play). I'm not just like all of you people - hell, I don't even like some of you people - but you're all welcome in my club, no matter which subset you're in. You don't want in, you want to stress out on how different you are - well, uniqueness is what we all have in common, but that's fine. But it's still a real club, a real group, a real community.
posted by Some1 at 10:16 PM on May 31, 2010
posted by Some1 at 10:16 PM on May 31, 2010
I'm with you on the first two, but I don't think that there is really an LGBTTQQ 'community', as such. A flotilla of ships moving roughly in the same direction, perhaps.. but if we were truly a community there would be more and louder voice speaking out against e.g. rampant barebacking in the gay men's world, domestic violence in the lesbian world, and trans- and bi-exclusionism in both.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 10:34 PM on May 31, 2010
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 10:34 PM on May 31, 2010
Community; not utopia. Yeah, we're all creeps to each other -- politics of exclusion -- and most of us are a bit paranoid (wonder why?), but we need each other too.
posted by Some1 at 11:18 PM on May 31, 2010
posted by Some1 at 11:18 PM on May 31, 2010
Jebus, as far as community is concerned, I find it difficult just being around other gay guys when they get into full-on harpy mode. I swear, I don't know when it became fashionable to turn any gathering of three or more gay guys into a snide, double-entendre-laden snarkfest, but it's a serious bummer when I just want to do the easy-going, beers and queers thing.
I know it's a stereotype, but crap on a cracker, it seems to be the default mode every time I get with a group of other queer guys. It's just awfully tiresome. It usually seems to be one or two of the guys that catalyzes this kind of thing, too. I don't know if it's just my isolated experience (in which I need to mix with other queers) or if it's something endemic to "teh gay culture" as I encounter it. Is this an issue with any of you guys or am I just an outlier (heh)?
FWIW, I've never heard (before this thread) another gay dude call himself "LGBT", either. Gay, queer, "fag", whatever, yeah. But LGBT seems to be a term I've only heard used in a specific kind of context. Namely, talking about the putative movement/community of alternatively oriented people and not generally about oneself. I mean, I'm not really LGBT, because I'm not lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. I'm gay. I suppose I could call myself a member of the LGBT community, but as DNAB mentioned above, there doesn't really seem to be much of an LGBT community, per se, from where I stand.
YMMV, though, and I'm sure I'm not as plugged in to all the activism subtlety that some of you are. I'm fairly new to being out, and all (only about 5 years).
posted by darkstar at 12:21 AM on June 1, 2010
I know it's a stereotype, but crap on a cracker, it seems to be the default mode every time I get with a group of other queer guys. It's just awfully tiresome. It usually seems to be one or two of the guys that catalyzes this kind of thing, too. I don't know if it's just my isolated experience (in which I need to mix with other queers) or if it's something endemic to "teh gay culture" as I encounter it. Is this an issue with any of you guys or am I just an outlier (heh)?
FWIW, I've never heard (before this thread) another gay dude call himself "LGBT", either. Gay, queer, "fag", whatever, yeah. But LGBT seems to be a term I've only heard used in a specific kind of context. Namely, talking about the putative movement/community of alternatively oriented people and not generally about oneself. I mean, I'm not really LGBT, because I'm not lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. I'm gay. I suppose I could call myself a member of the LGBT community, but as DNAB mentioned above, there doesn't really seem to be much of an LGBT community, per se, from where I stand.
YMMV, though, and I'm sure I'm not as plugged in to all the activism subtlety that some of you are. I'm fairly new to being out, and all (only about 5 years).
posted by darkstar at 12:21 AM on June 1, 2010
I know it's a stereotype, but crap on a cracker, it seems to be the default mode every time I get with a group of other queer guys. It's just awfully tiresome. It usually seems to be one or two of the guys that catalyzes this kind of thing, too. I don't know if it's just my isolated experience (in which I need to mix with other queers) or if it's something endemic to "teh gay culture" as I encounter it. Is this an issue with any of you guys or am I just an outlier (heh)?
No, you're not an outlier, and yes, it's really fucking annoying to others, too. I think part of it comes from being "on the outside" of predominant culture, and feeling like somehow that earns the catty queers the right to sit and pass judgement upon everything around them. Part of it is undoubtedly fed by loathsome caricatures in our media such as those found in sitcoms or movies, where the "really outrageous queen" gets all the "good lines" (i.e. memorable witty putdowns). Part of it seems to come from an externalized self-loathing, or perhaps a replaying of all the grade school and middle school meanness they absorbed and now they feel they have a safe place to play those same games back on the rest of the world. It's a tearing down of others to make oneself feel superior, and it's ugly no matter who is doing it and for what reason.
It is possible to develop a circle of queer friends who don't feel the need to base all their conversation and humor around put-downs, but it requires quite a bit of self-discipline, a lot of humor and ability to deflect chit-chat into more productive channels, and a willingness to let go of people who simply don't fit in with your mode of interaction. I know in my own life, I simply don't have the time for people who act like that, and I might have dropped some quality people with good friendship potential, but one or two nights out sitting and listening to a bunch of "oh Mary, what HAVE you done with your hair" conversations sort of has me finding excuses to keep from being around those people or groups again.
It's shocking to me that it's not just big city queers, and not just the circuit boys who participate in this as somehow the idealized form of gay rhetoric. The bears do it; the small-town closeted types do it too. I find it unattractive. Time spent with people should be something which feeds your soul, not something which creates more hate in an already hate-filled world.
posted by hippybear at 1:00 AM on June 1, 2010 [6 favorites]
No, you're not an outlier, and yes, it's really fucking annoying to others, too. I think part of it comes from being "on the outside" of predominant culture, and feeling like somehow that earns the catty queers the right to sit and pass judgement upon everything around them. Part of it is undoubtedly fed by loathsome caricatures in our media such as those found in sitcoms or movies, where the "really outrageous queen" gets all the "good lines" (i.e. memorable witty putdowns). Part of it seems to come from an externalized self-loathing, or perhaps a replaying of all the grade school and middle school meanness they absorbed and now they feel they have a safe place to play those same games back on the rest of the world. It's a tearing down of others to make oneself feel superior, and it's ugly no matter who is doing it and for what reason.
It is possible to develop a circle of queer friends who don't feel the need to base all their conversation and humor around put-downs, but it requires quite a bit of self-discipline, a lot of humor and ability to deflect chit-chat into more productive channels, and a willingness to let go of people who simply don't fit in with your mode of interaction. I know in my own life, I simply don't have the time for people who act like that, and I might have dropped some quality people with good friendship potential, but one or two nights out sitting and listening to a bunch of "oh Mary, what HAVE you done with your hair" conversations sort of has me finding excuses to keep from being around those people or groups again.
It's shocking to me that it's not just big city queers, and not just the circuit boys who participate in this as somehow the idealized form of gay rhetoric. The bears do it; the small-town closeted types do it too. I find it unattractive. Time spent with people should be something which feeds your soul, not something which creates more hate in an already hate-filled world.
posted by hippybear at 1:00 AM on June 1, 2010 [6 favorites]
Not only a GOOD THING, but also a great political move too; gives the frothing right something to fixate on. Somewhat of a political smokescreen.
posted by dazed_one at 8:50 AM on June 1, 2010
posted by dazed_one at 8:50 AM on June 1, 2010
For those of you arguing that this is not big deal, that it's *just* a gesture, think about your stance. Just 20 years ago this would have been a very big deal, very big indeed. 50 years ago this was unthinkable. So, the very fact that you see the announcement as just a gesture is a sign of definite unmistakable progress. Not long from now (perhaps not soon enough for you, I admit) the mainstream will also come around to the idea that such actions aren't enough and then some really significant stuff (like a constitutional amendment, perhaps) will get off the ground. Indeed legislative change may seem like just a formality acknowledging a de facto stance of inclusion and acceptance.
If you can't appreciate the action, then can you at least appreciate the idea that it is a sign of definite and clear progress? Isn't that something to be happy about?
posted by oddman at 10:02 AM on June 1, 2010
If you can't appreciate the action, then can you at least appreciate the idea that it is a sign of definite and clear progress? Isn't that something to be happy about?
posted by oddman at 10:02 AM on June 1, 2010
oddman: yes, I appreciate what you've said. The Stonewall Rebellion was just over 40 years ago -- before that, this would have been unimaginable. Just under 30 years ago, GRID (now HIV/AIDS) was beginning to emerge. 20 years ago, ACT UP was making big news. 10 years ago, Matthew Shepard was hung on a fence and left to die. Today, we have an official declaration of something which has been observed unofficially by many for years -- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender history being reflected upon during the month of June.
And five states (!) allow same-sex partners to get married. And several others allow domestic partnership "separate but equal" arrangements.
We've come so far in just my lifetime. When I was coming out in 1990 I never would have imagined we'd be here already. Gay marriage? Seemed like something to work for to benefit the generation after the next one below me.
How far will we come in the next 10 years? I'm curious to see.
posted by hippybear at 11:21 AM on June 1, 2010
And five states (!) allow same-sex partners to get married. And several others allow domestic partnership "separate but equal" arrangements.
We've come so far in just my lifetime. When I was coming out in 1990 I never would have imagined we'd be here already. Gay marriage? Seemed like something to work for to benefit the generation after the next one below me.
How far will we come in the next 10 years? I'm curious to see.
posted by hippybear at 11:21 AM on June 1, 2010
Hey! I know some of those people on ericb's list! Hooray!
posted by ocherdraco at 1:58 PM on June 3, 2010
posted by ocherdraco at 1:58 PM on June 3, 2010
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posted by Xurando at 8:59 AM on May 29, 2010 [3 favorites]