You guys should be leading the way on this! Urge your readers to support the initiatives at http://www.jointheimpact.org.

As for the racism issue, we need to move foward. Yes some of us initially messed up, but I didn’t see anyone blaming brown and black people at Saturday’s rally in Philadelphia. 5,000 people of every age and every shade with a simple, single message of unity and equality was an expression of something bigger than “now what?”

Obama concluded his election speech saying “Out of many we are one”. Saturday, I think gay America realized that this isn’t just a campaign cliche, but actually means something.

Saturday was a big step in challenging our racist demons and acknowledging a singular message. You guys need to do your part and cover this movement in detail. When you right articles that say “now what? any ideas” you’re advancing the idea that we’re disorganized and clueless. Do your part. Something big is about to happen and we need the gay press to help lead the way.

I had the opportunity to attend the rally in Phoenix this weekend. I was impressed by the gathering, but agree that visibility is only one prong on the fork we need to have and eat our collective cake. Here are some proposals for next steps:

1) Pull from the list of names/email addresses/phone numbers that were collected during the rallys and create a nationwide “base” list of supporters. This list can be used to disseminate information, request funding and supply suggested directives for future actions.

2) Select more engaged individuals from the list to be the State/District/Local representatives for a Nationwide campaign for our rights.

3) Using the aformentioned list and individuals, distribute State-by-State lists of both suppportive and non-supportive legistlative members. Include addresses for both and phone numbers for non-supportive members. Include suggested phone and letter scripting for communicating to the congress/etc. regarding our displeasure regarding their stance.

4) Create readily copied emails that can be distributed to the “base” and forwarded out to their friends and families indicating their support for our causes.

5) Develop lists of support networks for mini-rallys - if the national campaign hear’s about a business/church/etc. that is against our cause for equal rights, add that entity to the list and periodically set up small protests.

6) Communicate, communicate, communicate. The “base” will be more willing to interact if they are informed of the positive outcomes of their work. Additionally, they will be more willing to submit their own ideas.

7) MAKE SURE that we reach out to all ages and races, using our older members to aid with their wisdom and our racially diverse brethren to stretch our conversation into groups that are more insulated from sexually pluralistic ideologies.

These are just some ideas for our next steps…anyone else have ideas?

Trying to ignore the fact that 70% of the African American community in California voted Yes on Prop 8 my be the politically correct thing to do, but it does nothing to solve the problem. And there is a problem with anti-gay bigotry within the African American community, their vote reflects that. But that doesn’t mean we should scapegoat their community as the main reason for Prop 8’s passage, but we can’t ignore the problem either. Anti gay bigotry both cultural and religious (Mormon, Christian, etc) has to be spoken out against if we are to ever achieve equality.

Where should we go from here?

1. Members of existing GLBT/LGBT/LGBTQ community groups should individually revist the missions of those groups and demand changes in mission, strategy, and tactics. It is the membership who should direct their leadership better on what is important. If there is no change, money and commitment should be withdrawn.

2. GLBT/LGBT/LGBTQ community groups should look internally and examine how are they interacting with membership. If they are setting agendas without membership input but taking membership $$$ as their soul tool of outreach, then that needs to change. An soldier in the field is more valuable than a single $ in a bank account paying for a paper-born strategy.

3. Protests must continue. Be it bi-weekly or bi-monthly or state by state, protests must continue. The “Call In Gay” idea is a start, but civil disobedience and assembly are our tools toward recognition.

4. The general public and not GLBT/LGBT/LGBTQ community groups should be the public face of this movement to the political establishment. Coordinated phone calls/emails/letters to all legislators need to be continued.

5. A national media campaign must be launched to introduce America to gay families. Gay families can be single people, couples, and couples with children. The emphasis must be “we are just like you…but I am gay.” A gay agenda? Definitely! But we MUST personally, one-on-one show Americans who we are and not be grouped into one large blob. These are strictly documentary style ads that tell a short story only with the kicker at the end saying “…and I’m an American just like you.” No celebrities allowed. Diversity in race, creed, and gender should be encouraged.

6. The MCC and Unitarian churches as well as Jewish and Islamic institutions favorable to our cause should be assisted in aquiring fundraising by our community. Our community is so anti-religion at times, because of past experience. Our community as a whole should not just develop relations with supportive religious institutions, we should invest in them also either as a group or as individuals.

7. Membership must hold political and community leadership accountable. If a politician supports our cause, individuals should donate to them directly and not through clearinghouses like HRC or the Task Force. Groups should be pushing that as well. Its quicker and more effective. Politicians who are not agreeing with us or on the fence about civil unions vs civil marriages should feel the sting of no contributions or support.

8. Every year, in every state regardless of statue or consitutional amendment, both a civil unions bill and a civil marriage bill must be on the docket. We need to force them to choose with either way a win for our community. The only difference in the bills will be the title only. Our families deserve and need the rights now. We just create riders like in New Jersey which forced a review of civil unions after 2 years to see the implications of a two parallel tracts. It is noble to charge the windmill and fail, but failing keeps millions of families unprotected in some cases because of the word marriage vs civil union. We shouldn’t be so wedded to wording and more wedded to actual rights. In addition, if civil unions is the path chosen we immediately file suit to challenge separate but equal until its done.

9. Lobby every governor or legsilature to enforce the “full faith and credit” clause of the Constitution.

10. Pass ENDA and repeal DOMA. If ENDA can’t be passed because of transgender rights, compromise and move on but don’t abandon the issue. Keep pushing until its done. But if somethign can be obtained one year we must grab it. Again, too many individuals and families are without protection daily. Building on the existing legislation and creating a precedent in actual law helps us down the road in later arguments.

How does that do for a start?

In New York I think we should concentrate on getting Ruben Diaz and the rest of the Democrats in line to pass gay marriage here. I was very impressed with Congressman Anthony Weiner’s call to pass gay marriage in New York at the New York rally on Saturday.

“I’m curious as to what you mean by “tolerance” and “respect for faith”. Does that mean immunity from criticism?”

Criticism does not include picketing churches or businesses and demanding that people explain why they chose to vote in the way the did. I would certainly not want to be “harassed” for exercising my right to vote as I chose.

As I have posted to some yahoo groups (outforimmigration and Loveexilescanada), I believe that Obama reached out to the gay community at just about all of his speeches. He may not believe in gay marriage, but what is the difference if it is called a civil union, AS LONG AS WE GET FULL FEDERAL BENEFITS.
I also stated that we, as a community, have to come together… once and for all.
I suggested that if Mr. Obama does nothing by April (still within his first 100 days) that we plan a MILLION GAY WALK to Washington DC. He got our votes, now it is time for gayback (payback).
Ted Kennedy is back on the floor today. That is also a good sign.
What do you all think?????