Comments on: Bloggers’ Closing Thoughts http://www.365gay.com/blog/bloggers-closing-thoughts/ The daily news source for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:11:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Eric http://www.365gay.com/blog/bloggers-closing-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-2654 Eric Fri, 10 Aug 2007 22:09:29 +0000 http://visiblevote08.logoonline.com/2007/08/10/bloggers-closing-thoughts/#comment-2654 <i>"Look, if I said I was for 'gay marriage,' I'd never get elected. People seem okay with the words 'civil union,' and most support equality of rights. So, let's start there. By taking the position I'm taking, I can get elected and get that done. Then, once that's been in place a while, and everyone sees it causes no problems and they get used to the idea, we can all take the next step together."</i> The only problem with that is -- anyone who says that is essentially supporting same-sex marriage and admitting to being a hypocrite about it. Not quite so bluntly, but I think that's pretty much what Hillary said last night with her carefully worded, "Actually, I'd rather say I'm very positive about civil unions." Never did she admit to being "against" same-sex marriage, and she used DADT as an example of a short step toward progress taken fifteen years ago that might, in 2009, lead to full equality with regards to military service. I also loved her response to Melissa, empathizing with her impatience. The unspoken message seemed to be, "I can't get you everything you want by the end of 2009, but work with me and we'll get there together eventually." I appreciated that, and I'm hoping she's our candidate after the primaries. “Look, if I said I was for ‘gay marriage,’ I’d never get elected. People seem okay with the words ‘civil union,’ and most support equality of rights. So, let’s start there. By taking the position I’m taking, I can get elected and get that done. Then, once that’s been in place a while, and everyone sees it causes no problems and they get used to the idea, we can all take the next step together.”

The only problem with that is — anyone who says that is essentially supporting same-sex marriage and admitting to being a hypocrite about it.

Not quite so bluntly, but I think that’s pretty much what Hillary said last night with her carefully worded, “Actually, I’d rather say I’m very positive about civil unions.” Never did she admit to being “against” same-sex marriage, and she used DADT as an example of a short step toward progress taken fifteen years ago that might, in 2009, lead to full equality with regards to military service. I also loved her response to Melissa, empathizing with her impatience. The unspoken message seemed to be, “I can’t get you everything you want by the end of 2009, but work with me and we’ll get there together eventually.” I appreciated that, and I’m hoping she’s our candidate after the primaries.

]]> By: Dennis Miller http://www.365gay.com/blog/bloggers-closing-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-2653 Dennis Miller Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:08:21 +0000 http://visiblevote08.logoonline.com/2007/08/10/bloggers-closing-thoughts/#comment-2653 I just wish one of them who says they want to have all the rights but won't use the term marriage will be honest about why. Just say, "Look, if I said I was for 'gay marriage,' I'd never get elected. People seem okay with the words 'civil union,' and most support equality of rights. So, let's start there. By taking the position I'm taking, I can get elected and get that done. Then, once that's been in place a while, and everyone sees it causes no problems and they get used to the idea, we can all take the next step together." It would be refreshing to hear that sort of honesty, and I could almost support someone who put it that way. But all this dancing around and saying "It's my personal belief," or, "It doesn't matter," or (the worst, and yes, Sen. Edwards, I'm talking to you), "I understand how you see it as separate but equal, but I still don't support you," is tiring and hypocritical. I just wish one of them who says they want to have all the rights but won’t use the term marriage will be honest about why. Just say, “Look, if I said I was for ‘gay marriage,’ I’d never get elected. People seem okay with the words ‘civil union,’ and most support equality of rights. So, let’s start there. By taking the position I’m taking, I can get elected and get that done. Then, once that’s been in place a while, and everyone sees it causes no problems and they get used to the idea, we can all take the next step together.”

It would be refreshing to hear that sort of honesty, and I could almost support someone who put it that way. But all this dancing around and saying “It’s my personal belief,” or, “It doesn’t matter,” or (the worst, and yes, Sen. Edwards, I’m talking to you), “I understand how you see it as separate but equal, but I still don’t support you,” is tiring and hypocritical.

]]> By: Ana http://www.365gay.com/blog/bloggers-closing-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-2652 Ana Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:51:24 +0000 http://visiblevote08.logoonline.com/2007/08/10/bloggers-closing-thoughts/#comment-2652 I like Richardson. His Actions are speaking for them self. As a Transsexual His inclusion of us in equal treatment, is the deciding factor for me. He may not be the hottest looking, or most charismatic. However his soul is beautiful. More so than many of my gay and lesbian bi friends. Who have shunned T of the GLBT. I know when i am in New Mexico I am not lesser than I like Richardson. His Actions are speaking for them self. As a Transsexual His inclusion of us in equal treatment, is the deciding factor for me. He may not be the hottest looking, or most charismatic. However his soul is beautiful. More so than many of my gay and lesbian bi friends. Who have shunned T of the GLBT. I know when i am in New Mexico I am not lesser than

]]> By: Dolores M Bernal http://www.365gay.com/blog/bloggers-closing-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-2651 Dolores M Bernal Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:57:40 +0000 http://visiblevote08.logoonline.com/2007/08/10/bloggers-closing-thoughts/#comment-2651 As a former Capitol Hill journalist who has inteviewed each of these candidates on other issues, I have to say that Dennis Kucinich has always stood up for his beliefs, so I give him kudos for asserting that tonight to the LGBT community. Hilary, on the other hand, always shines no matter where you put her, so I wasn't surprised that she did very well. Totally dissapointing was Gov. Richardson, THAT was NOT a surprise as he tends to do badly in interviews with the press. Obama was careful on what he was saying, he has to. If Kucinich really had a chance, he would have my vote, but for now I have to say Hilary. As a former Capitol Hill journalist who has inteviewed each of these candidates on other issues, I have to say that Dennis Kucinich has always stood up for his beliefs, so I give him kudos for asserting that tonight to the LGBT community. Hilary, on the other hand, always shines no matter where you put her, so I wasn’t surprised that she did very well.

Totally dissapointing was Gov. Richardson, THAT was NOT a surprise as he tends to do badly in interviews with the press. Obama was careful on what he was saying, he has to.

If Kucinich really had a chance, he would have my vote, but for now I have to say Hilary.

]]> By: lwgrll http://www.365gay.com/blog/bloggers-closing-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-2650 lwgrll Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:35:19 +0000 http://visiblevote08.logoonline.com/2007/08/10/bloggers-closing-thoughts/#comment-2650 i am not concerned with the semantics of whether any of the candidates call it gay marriage, so long as they support a form of civil union that gives all of the rights afforded to straight married couples like tax benefits and inheritance rights. That some of the candidates said that they don't support gay marriage per se but support civil unions is alright with me. Certainly, there are so many members of Congress that must support such a measure and to find a candidate that will work to foster support will only help our cause in the LBGT community. i am not concerned with the semantics of whether any of the candidates call it gay marriage, so long as they support a form of civil union that gives all of the rights afforded to straight married couples like tax benefits and inheritance rights. That some of the candidates said that they don’t support gay marriage per se but support civil unions is alright with me. Certainly, there are so many members of Congress that must support such a measure and to find a candidate that will work to foster support will only help our cause in the LBGT community.

]]> By: Michael http://www.365gay.com/blog/bloggers-closing-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-2649 Michael Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:32:55 +0000 http://visiblevote08.logoonline.com/2007/08/10/bloggers-closing-thoughts/#comment-2649 I think what gives Hillary a big boost is she is a very good speaker and a very good debater. However I don't know I just think that she is very fact. I think she only worries about the polls at the current time and not what she actually feels. For example nobody ever mentioned that at one point she did vote for the Defense of Marriage Act in I believe it was 93. There are many speeches out there of her thoroughly supporting the Iraq War and taking our Saddam, but now that the American people are against it she's against it. And personally I don't want another Clinton in office, I mean from Bush to Clinton to Bush and to possibly Clinton again it's tiring. Get these people out of office and clean up Washington. I'm ready for something new. If Clinton wins this election and is re-elected for the past 28 years we would've had nothing but Bush's and Clinton's in the White House. I think what gives Hillary a big boost is she is a very good speaker and a very good debater. However I don’t know I just think that she is very fact. I think she only worries about the polls at the current time and not what she actually feels. For example nobody ever mentioned that at one point she did vote for the Defense of Marriage Act in I believe it was 93. There are many speeches out there of her thoroughly supporting the Iraq War and taking our Saddam, but now that the American people are against it she’s against it. And personally I don’t want another Clinton in office, I mean from Bush to Clinton to Bush and to possibly Clinton again it’s tiring. Get these people out of office and clean up Washington. I’m ready for something new. If Clinton wins this election and is re-elected for the past 28 years we would’ve had nothing but Bush’s and Clinton’s in the White House.

]]> By: Jonathon Feit http://www.365gay.com/blog/bloggers-closing-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-2648 Jonathon Feit Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:06:10 +0000 http://visiblevote08.logoonline.com/2007/08/10/bloggers-closing-thoughts/#comment-2648 Writing as Chief Editor & Publisher of the "Equality Media Newsletter" and WITH THIS RING Magazine (the world's first all-inclusive weddings magazine), I have to say that I especially appreciated Obama and Kucinich attesting to the importance of equality. Regardless of their personal feelings on issues of marriage equality, the fact that they at least identified and elaborated upon the various issues -- adoption rights, employment non-discrimination, immigration rights, etc. -- brings them out into the public space, and makes them viable topics of discussion. More recap will come in my newsletter, next week. Jonathon Feit Chief Editor & Publisher, "Equality Media Newsletter" FREE at www.withthisring-magazine.com Writing as Chief Editor & Publisher of the “Equality Media Newsletter” and WITH THIS RING Magazine (the world’s first all-inclusive weddings magazine), I have to say that I especially appreciated Obama and Kucinich attesting to the importance of equality.

Regardless of their personal feelings on issues of marriage equality, the fact that they at least identified and elaborated upon the various issues — adoption rights, employment non-discrimination, immigration rights, etc. — brings them out into the public space, and makes them viable topics of discussion.

More recap will come in my newsletter, next week.

Jonathon Feit
Chief Editor & Publisher,
“Equality Media Newsletter”
FREE at http://www.withthisring-magazine.com

]]> By: Terry Imber http://www.365gay.com/blog/bloggers-closing-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-2647 Terry Imber Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:04:38 +0000 http://visiblevote08.logoonline.com/2007/08/10/bloggers-closing-thoughts/#comment-2647 It says, "We the people..." not "We the straight people..." It says, “We the people…” not “We the straight people…”

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