Face it we got duped. You want change? Save your $$ and donate to progressive congressional candidates. Replace the idiot “Blue Dogs” and what is left of the American Taliban calling itself the GOP and THEN LGBT civil rights might have a chance. The Democratic Party milked our community for money and votes and then turned around and stabbed us in the back. Stay home, they are not listening in DC and the wont be on Oct 11th. You want to get their attention. When the DNC fundraisers start calling tell them to repeal DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t tell FIRST, then we’ll talk.

Oh my. Not the “gay pride parades are keeping us down” rhetoric?

James

“I am curious… why *are* you going, Withers?”

Good question. I’ll write about that this weekend. For the record though: no one, who is fair, should make the argument that not going to DC is a sign of “bad activist.” Your reasons are legit (economic, etc., etc). A few folk, not many of course, have jumped on the “I ain’t going because the event was poorly planned” memo. That’s pure hokum and not at all related to the hard work the orgnaizers have done thus far.

Joey,

I was born with the Debbie-Downer gene! What am I supposed to do? Seriously though, I would argue my opinion is a bit more nuanced than you are making it. I’ll write more later.

James

Eh. I’m going to go against the grain and say don’t go, James. Really. Do something better for yourself and your “community.” Maybe sit down with some youth who couldn’t go to the march and figure out what it means. Kick it local. Work it where you can.

Sorry James, You know I just love you, but we don’t need any more Debbie-Downers. None at all. I think our politicos are enough. Sometimes the negative, opinionative things you write reminds me of my X. He hates all things Gay. Ironic don’t you think? A Gay Democratic Gay-hater. Interesting.

This isn’t just for you or me, it’s for all of us. It’s for our Nieces and Nephews, Brothers and Sisters, Parents and Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Children and Grandchildren (for those it may apply to). It’s for the countless Gay alliess we will come across throughout our lives, who we will NEED throughout our lives. It’s to motivate an entire generation of Gay Youth who’ve never been a part of something that effects them so much. Motivate us to spread the Love and Tolerance we preach so often about.

As I appreciate your opinion on what the march won’t do…in the words of my boss: “Don’t tell me what you can’t do; Tell me what you can do!”.

Shame on you.

The reasons we need a march are simple:

1) To make Obama and Congress aware of us, which it will. To make them realize that we’re not going to sit back and take whatever crumbs they want to give us when it’s politically expedient for them to give them to us.

2) To let the world see us en masse, and to let them know, without any doubt, that we are not going away and won’t be thrown under the bus.

3) We desperately need a positive national media event. We need the networks to show us across the land and let everyone know that we’re not shrinking away just because some bigots passed Prop 8.

4) To celebrate our unity. Yes, unity: we all want our rights, and we want them now.

Unless we make ourselves visible, we will be ignored. Raising the voices of a few hundred thousand people on the National Mall is a pretty good way to get the attention we need – no, demand.

And, if you really don’t want to be there, don’t go. One thing we do not need is another self-indulgent, bored fag on the TV screens of America.

We don’t need you.

We could try and organize a pink flu day/week where everyone who considers them self part of our community or friendly to our community calls in sick and spends 0 money.

So the march may or may not have an immediate effect or a long term one for that matter. What it will do is provide an opportunity for folks from all over the country to get together and exchange ideas. The NEM website is starting to have actual information on training sessions, gatherings, etc. There is more to this weekend then the march itself.

I am not one to give false hope that everything will be wonderful after this march. I am not expecting miracles. But I do think it is very important to try and motivate as many as can make it to show up. Each additional person adds hope.

James, like it or not people do read your articles and you are in a leadership role. I think this particular article does not help the community nor motivate folks to get involved. My partner and I will be there, hope to see you.

Bob