Comments on: Besen: Drop the Washington Crack Pipe

By: John Kusch

John Kusch — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:47:11 +0000

I couldn’t agree more. Local activism and local solutions trump impersonal, centralized organizations. Many LGBT folks are hungry for activism they can see and feel. Writing checks can be important, but it can’t be the only thing in our daily lives that contributes to our struggle.

By: Roger Fraser

Roger Fraser — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:00:13 +0000

The notion of the political is ambiguous. It can mean electoral politics with the focus on lobbying and convincing people in Washington. But it can also mean something else, something akin to calling what we do a “movement.” Politics then becomes the kind of pressure that masses of citizens put on politicians by the actions they do in our streets or in workplaces or churches or schools. This latter kind of politics can be very effective when the size of crowds are large and people are noisy and committed. Wayne Besen, I’m sure, is tired of the first kind of politics, but I bet he applauds examples of the second kind (for example, what Gay Liberation Network of Chicago will be doing in Wheaton, Illinois, on July 14th protesting the presence of the Exodus International bigots).

By: Sarrellec

Sarrellec — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:26:47 +0000

Bleat bleat bleat
Another pundit who thinks we should all be incapable of walking and chewing gum simultaneously.
Another PAID pundit boarding the “anybody with internet access gets to voice their opinion–JUST LIKE ME!” and this must stop immediately or they’ll stop PAYING me.
Forgetting, of course, that those of us not paid for voicing our opinion might just be a bit less influenced by those weilding that check-signing pen.
Has anyone else noticed how the powers-that-be in the publishing world are doing their level best to make sure that absolutely everyone is aware that they and they alone are the annointed ones of knowledge and anything posted on the ‘net by us great unwashed–read “unsubsidized by a rich guy”–is automaticatically incorrect.
The funny thing is that I have virtually no trust for writings of those paid by others to create. There is an absolute conflict of interest inherent in the “opinions” of someone who is paid by someone else to have them.
On the other hand, if I REALLY want to know how someone in Gaza’s West Bank is REALLY being affected by current events, I can get on the ‘net and just ASK THEM.
However…I digress.
Still yet one more paid pundit advising the rest of us to shut the hell up.
Isn’t it interesting that, even as this paid pundit admits, MOST OF THOSE OF US POSTING ABOUT THIS SUBJECT ARE CALLING A SPADE A SPADE WHILE HE (THE PAID PUNDIT) WANTS US ALL TO IGNORE THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN AND TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE?!?!?
Just makes me wonder who signed his check this week.

By: Gerry Fisher

Gerry Fisher — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:20:52 +0000

Presidential and national politics *follow* local/state politics. They almost *never* lead it.

If we do our work on the local level and build up momentum, the federal efforts will follow. Guaranteed.

(This is not a call to cease federal efforts. I’m agreeing in a shift of emphasis.)

Good column!

By: Blue Jack

Blue Jack — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:52:45 +0000

I find it sad that our first Black president is so willing to accept a back of the bus seat for Gay Americans. Abraham Lincoln indeed! Gay Americans have stayed in the closet and acted like good little oddities for too long. If we stay quiet any longer then we are what haters say we are: “wimps”. While most of us work on humanitarian causes on the local and state level already, we have been remiss on the national level. Obama and the Dems in congress have been elected in a large way by seeking our money, votes and grass roots efforts. We now want what been promised us. The EXACT same civil rights these elected officials enjoy. Not separate and equal. The time is now.

By: Alan A. Katz

Alan A. Katz — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:16:24 +0000

Sam M, you wrote: “He is first going to make sure to have EVERYONE is going to be with us. ”

Really? I’m 62 years old and there’s no way in hell I’m going to live long enough for that, or even your children or your children’s children.

Imagine if Martin Luther King said that – we’d still be waiting for the 1964 Equal Rights Act.

They will NEVER all be with us. That’s what leadership means, getting out in front of the pack, not behind it.

And Obama is supposed to be a leader, not a consensus follower.

By: Alan A. Katz

Alan A. Katz — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:12:39 +0000

Terry Gronda wrote: “He is our champion and we need to make hime know that. Join me in being a proud Gay man who will support our great President as he has done more for us than any other politcal figure. All of which demonstrates that he is the represenative of change in our great country.”

With all due respect, Terry, I cannot accept or believe a single thing your wrote.

“He has done more for us than any political figure”????? What has he done, except make speeches?

In fact, he recently argued in court that we should be denied our Constitutional rights because we are similar to pedophiles and incestuous couples and because we’d cost the government money.

This is doing something for us?

Klebecher and Daniel Choi have both just had their asses booted out of the Armed forces and will be denied their pensions because Obama won’t lift a finger until he’s good and ready, if then. Them and 270+ other soldiers out on their butts.

This is doing something for us?

Tell me what he has done – what executive order, what bill he has proposed – anything he has done for us other than insulting us and co-opting us?

I campaigned for him, donated to him, voted for him, believed his promises. Well, big surprise, this is not the “change I can believe in”.

He has done nothing, and other politicians have really gone out on a limb. Gavin Newsome, Howard Dean, The Mayor of New Paltz, NY, Governor Patterson, who is waiting to sign a marriage-equality bill as soon as it hits his desk.

Please don’t insult those public servants of honor and courage who have backed us with deeds as well as words by claiming that Obama is the politician who has done the most for us.

He’s done nothing. And I, for one, am pissed.

By: Alan A. Katz

Alan A. Katz — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:04:05 +0000

To Nick:

You wrote “I have to agree with Besen. The vitriol that’s spewed on this website and others from the LGBT community just shows we need a break from the horrible negativity surrounding the political sphere right now. It’s making everyone desperate and vicious. Maybe if we stop focusing so narrowly on what Obama and Congress are doing (or not doing), and instead discuss and take action on issues we can directly affect, we’ll be a little happier as people.”

That baffles me. I read that as “let’s just go back and sit quietly at the back of the bus and do what we’re told”.

No group has -ever- gotten their rights by being passive or accepting or “happy”. They got them by putting their lives, their careers, their families and fortunes on the line.

Where is Act-Up when we need them?

By: Alan A. Katz

Alan A. Katz — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:02:03 +0000

To Michael W:

Wonderful post. I agree absolutely.

By: Byron

Byron — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:30:20 +0000

all I can say is we seem to be going backwards…
my partner a I (for 26 years) aren’t ready to throw in the towel yet, why are so many just willing to throw hope out the window???