Gay Ad Buy

Senator Obama has made history by becoming the very first presidential candidate to make an LGBT specific ad buy in an LGBT publication. This ad is going in LGBT publications in Ohio and Texas.



Queerty has a great full post about the ad here.

Open Letter From Obama to LGBT Community

In yet another example of why Senator Obama will be a President who fights for LGBT rights and equality, here is an open letter from Barack Obama to the LGBT community:

I'm running for President to build an America that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all – a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters. It's wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation. And I ask for your support in this election so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans.

Equality is a moral imperative. That's why throughout my career, I have fought to eliminate discrimination against LGBT Americans. In Illinois, I co-sponsored a fully inclusive bill that prohibited discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity, extending protection to the workplace, housing, and places of public accommodation. In the U.S. Senate, I have co-sponsored bills that would equalize tax treatment for same-sex couples and provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. And as president, I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples — whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does. I have also called for us to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and I have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system.

The next president must also address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When it comes to prevention, we do not have to choose between values and science. While abstinence education should be part of any strategy, we also need to use common sense. We should have age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception. We should pass the JUSTICE Act to combat infection within our prison population. And we should lift the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. In addition, local governments can protect public health by distributing contraceptives.

We also need a president who's willing to confront the stigma – too often tied to homophobia – that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. I confronted this stigma directly in a speech to evangelicals at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, and will continue to speak out as president. That is where I stand on the major issues of the day. But having the right positions on the issues is only half the battle. The other half is to win broad support for those positions. And winning broad support will require stepping outside our comfort zone. If we want to repeal DOMA, repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and implement fully inclusive laws outlawing hate crimes and discrimination in the workplace, we need to bring the message of LGBT equality to skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones – and that's what I've done throughout my career. I brought this message of inclusiveness to all of America in my keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention. I talked about the need to fight homophobia when I announced my candidacy for President, and I have been talking about LGBT equality to a number of groups during this campaign – from local LGBT activists to rural farmers to parishioners at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Dr. Martin Luther King once preached.

Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say. I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary.

Americans are yearning for leadership that can empower us to reach for what we know is possible. I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of LGBT people in this country. To do that, we need leadership that can appeal to the best parts of the human spirit. Join with me, and I will provide that leadership. Together, we will achieve real equality for all Americans, gay and straight alike.

West Wing Obama Video

Our previous inclinations have been validated by Slate! It turns out that West Wing presidential candidate Matt Santos was based in part on Barack Obama.

Prominent LGBT Obama Supporters Interview

Queerty has an amazing interview with three top LGBT supporters of Barack Obama. I definitely recommend checking out the whole interview.

These three great LGBT leaders each give very different reasons as to why they have chosen to support Senator Obama.

Tobias Wolff

University of Pennsylvania professor Tobias Wolff is serving as the chair of Obama's LGBT policy group. He comments on why it appears Hillary has been winning the LGBT vote and why he thinks gay voters are now coming over to Obama's camp:

"...the actual result that the [Clinton] presidency produced: the only two occasions in American history when anti-gay policies were written into the statutes of the United States. I think the story of the gay vote in this election, once again, has been the story of a familiar name, a familiar brand and then gay and lesbian voters having to learn about somebody new. I think the more LGBT people learn about Barack”s record on LGBT equality and HIV/AIDS and the way that he talks about LGBT equality to general audiences, the more excited they become and the more they switch over to his side."

Wolff continues to address the policy differences between Clinton and Obama. He particularly sides against Senator Clinton on her Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) position. The Senator does not support a full repeal of DOMA.

"I find her position on DOMA quite unacceptable. It is incomprehensible to me that she continues to support vicious anti-gay legislation. When Representative Lewis spoke on the House floor against DOMA when it was enacted and, invoking the full authority of his experience in the civil rights movement, he said, “I know what bigotry looks like and this is bigotry, pure and simple”. I cannot understand why Senator Clinton will not endorse a full repeal of that statute. It’s incomprehensible to me."

Stampp Corbin

National LGBT Policy Committee Co-ChairStampp Corbin has a long history with Michelle and Barack, but he cites Senator Obama's LGBT policy viewpoints as the reason for his support.

"One, Barack Obama is great on LGBT issues and that’s of primary importance to me. Secondarily, I look at all of the other issues across the spectrum. There are a variety of them, from the war in Iraq to economic policies, but from an LGBT perspective, I think he’s better on those issues, particularly with the DOMA situation. He wants the full deal and Clinton believes - it’s just a difference of opinion. It’s strategic to leave parts of this Defense of Marriage Act so our opponents can’t get a federal marriage amendment passed. [But] I don’t think a federal marriage amendment can get passed if we have a Democratic president."

Eric Stern

Eric Stern is the former Director of the Democratic National Committee’s LGBT outreach program. He was a supporter of Senator John Edwards, but since Edwards suspended his candidacy, Stern transitioned over to the Obama campaign because of Obama's refusual to take money from special interest.

"One of the reasons why I endorsed Obama is because I believe the candidate whose campaign is essentially financed by people instead of corporations ensures that he’s directly accountable to the people, not the special corporate interest. I’m confident that Senator Obama knows to whom he’s directly accountable: the American people."

It appears that this election more than any other will prove that the LGBT community is not a monolithic voting bloc. These three leaders show that there are many reasons why people are drawn to fight for an Obama candidacy.

A Glimpse of the Upcoming Month?

I really was hoping that it wouldn't come to this, but Hillary has decided to go negative.

From CNN:

Hillary Clinton is taking aim at Barack Obama in a new Wisconsin television ad for not agreeing to participate in a debate there.

"Both Democratic candidates have been invited to a televised Wisconsin debate," an announcer says in the new 30 second spot. "Hillary Clinton has said yes. Barack Obama hasn't. Maybe he'd prefer to give speeches than have to answer questions."

"Like why Hillary Clinton has the only health care plan that covers every American, and the only economic plan that freezes foreclosures," the announcer continues. "Wisconsin deserves to hear both candidates debate the issues that matter. And that's…not debatable."

Obama has participated in 18 debates and will participate in two more in the next month. This is a very unfortunate ad that Hillary is putting forth and I really hope that the voters of Wisconsin see this as another example of "politics as usual" versus "politics of change."

McCain Will.i.am Parody Video

Hat tip to Sunshine for this AMAZING find! We have all fallen in love with the Will.i.am video for "Yes We Can," but this video just may be even better at differentiating the choice America will be making this November.

Enjoy and then comment on what you think of it!

A Hat Trick in the Potomac

Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia have chosen to join the movement for change.

McCain finally acted like the Republican nominee and began messaging against both candidates. Democratic voters are speaking out and we are coming close to the time where it will be necessary to rally around one candidate to take back the White House.

For now, it is time to focus on Wisconsin to make sure they join Hawaii in becoming Obama Country and then making sure Texas and Ohio jump in.

To celebrate this victory and to get "fired up, and ready to go" you should check out the Virginia exit polls. Senator Obama won across the board.

Dialogue About Gay Exit Polls

My friend Sarah, who I deeply admire and respect, posted a very impassioned comment to my Gay Exit Polls post.

Below is her comment, followed by my response. I invite Sarah or anyone else to comment in order to keep the discussion going. Thanks Sarah!

Sarah's Comment:

"First off, gays in California and New York may be percieved as people living the 'luxury' life of looking past homosexuality. I disagree. The Defense Against Marriage Act has been a pain in every single gay man and woman's life.

My friend can't even walk down the streets of Santa Cruz with her partner for fear of being beat up. She goes to the restroom at home because she's been beaten up so many times for who she is. One cannot ignore that even in West Hollywood hate crimes happen on a daily basis, many of these crimes are not even reported. Families are ripped apart everywhere in the nation soley for living the life they were born to live.

Do not take for granted the exits just because they were only done in CA and NY."

My Response:

I of course don't think that being gay in CA or NY is a perfect existence. I am painfully aware of the everyday problems facing the LGBT community, and I fully understand that metropolitan residents are not immune to these same issues.

I do, however, completely agree with Mr. Crain's assessment that things are different in the South and in other areas of the country.

As a resident of California, I could get a domestic partnership and have some form of relationship recognition with my partner. I can adopt a child and have my partner have a legal tie to our children. I can have the comfort of knowing that if I am fired or beaten up because of my sexual orientation, I will have non-discrimination and hate crimes protections.

For LGBT people living in some other states, they can't enjoy any of the rights and responsibilities of relationship recognition, in fact, it may be written into their state's constitution that they are never to have such rights. They are completely unable to adopt a child and have their loved ones have any legal connection to the child. Their boss can walk into their office and say "I am firing you because you are gay" with NO legal recourse whatsoever. They can be beaten up or killed simply for being gay and their local law enforcement would receive no resources to be able to prosecute the crime with a tougher sentence.

They are different. There are different concerns wherever you live no matter what your orientation may be. All that I am saying is that these exit polls should be treated with the knowledge that they are a very small sampling and that they should not be treated as a sound bite that with one monolithic voice, the gay community supports one candidate over another.

While, we are talking about the "pain" of the Defense of Marriage Act, lets look at the origins of DOMA... signed by William Jefferson Clinton. In fact, the two most significant hurdles in the LGBT rights movement are DOMA and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Both of which originate in the Clinton administration.

I do not blame Hillary for this legislation, in fact I respect her answers to why her husband passed both DOMA and DADT. What I don't get is why she isn't committing to repeal all of DOMA, like Barack is.

Response to Gay Exit Polling

There has been a great deal of discussion in the community about the NBC News exit polling in New York and California that asked lesbian, gay and bisexual voters who they voted for. While, I join others in praising this inclusion, it is vital for the community to not put too much stock in the results.

"NBC exit polling found that among the 4 percent of California voters who identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual, 63 percent voted for Clinton, 29 percent for Sen. Barack Obama and 1 percent for John Edwards. In New York, 7 percent of voters self-identified as LGB and 59 percent voted for Clinton, 36 percent for Obama and 3 percent for Edwards."

Citizen Crain has a fantastic analysis of the exit polls and how skewed they actually are.

He does well in identifying my biggest problem with the exit polls--the fact that they were only conducted in New York and California:

"While gay voters in places like New York and San Francisco may feel the luxury of looking past gay issues in the Democratic primary, those issues hit much closer to home in those states that lack any state or local anti-discrimination laws and where anti-gay bias is a more common occurrence.

I certainly don't feel that luxury. I know what life is like for gays who live in my native South, and I've seen firsthand how the issue can rip apart families and friendships. And laws like the Defense of Marriage Act have a direct impact on my life, since my partner and I cannot live together in the U.S. because of it. It makes a real difference to me that Barack Obama favors full repeal of DOMA and Hillary only half, and because she has consistently tried to defend the nefarious law signed by her husband in 1996.

Exit polling of gays is rarely done outside of New York and California because the sample is presumed too small. As a result, we get a skewed look at what GLB voters really think about these candidates." - Chris Crain

Life Imitating Art?

Arnold Vinick & Matt Santos from "The West Wing"

Barack Obama & John McCain... 2008?




I still get emotional every time I watch President Josiah Bartlett announce Matthew Vicente Santos and Leo Thomas McGarry as the Democratic ticket on "The West Wing." During a majority of the Bush years, Aaron Sorkin’s creation gave progressive Americans an outlet once-a-week to feel like there was an administration that cared for them.

As the 2008 Election continues to play out, I can’t help but notice how very similar to the popular NBC show it is all becoming. Here are just a few of the parallels:

Republicans: The Republicans nominate Arnold Vinick (John McCain), the socially moderate Republican, over the Reverend Bob Baker (Mike Huckabee). Vinick feels pressure to select the Reverend as his VP to pacify the religious right. He even says, “I have to reach out to the pro-life Republican base, we have to give them some reason to come out to the polls.” Vinick eventually chooses a different Southern conservative to appease the Dobson’s of the world, time will tell if McCain does the same.

Democrats: On the Democratic side, it is a little different because Matt Santos is going up against an imbecilic VP who no one likes. In reality, we are very lucky to have two candidates who are very well-liked. The similar part comes with the brokered convention that the Democrats have on the show and that they will probably have in real life.

Brokered Convention: A lot has been made in the last few days about the Republicans having things settled while the Democrats continue to fight it out. On the show, Kristin Chenoweth had the perfect response:

Greg Brock, The (fictional) New York Times: “Would the White House care to comment on the expected contrast between the high degree of organization and discipline in the Republican Convention and the Democrats anticipated free-for-all?

Annabell Schott, Press Secretary: “I believe the American people will be the beneficiaries in that they will be presented with a clear choice: Do they want to be governed by people who are animated or animatronic?”

Lastly, there are a lot of people who are wanting Senator Obama to pull a Romney and step aside for party unity, with the presumption that he will be next in line. When Matt Santos was facing a similar situation, he gave a speech that has been etched into the minds of fans as something we thought could only happen on television… until we met Barack Obama.

I give you one of the best television moments in history: