Comments on: Vanasco: The celebration at the Lincoln Memorial

By: Paul Creeden

Paul Creeden — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:21:59 +0000

I understand the need to feel hopeful and enthusiastic over these minimal token offerings by the Presidential Inaugural Committee (not Obama himself). Hoewever, I really hope young LGBT people do not delude themselves. Our struggle is not over, and the Obama presidency will not end our struggle in the US or internationally. Gay men are being hanged in the Muslim world for being gay. Lesbian women are being stoned to death as well. LGBT people are openly persecuted in Africa, Asia and parts of Latin America. The Roman Church still preaches homophobia from its pulpits in all countries where it has sway. Take the lesson from Obama. Be stronger, more composed, more dedicated and smarter than those who persecute you, especially religious Americans. Be out. Be active. Be political. I propose a March on Washington by LGBT people in 2010.

By: cm

cm — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:53:14 +0000

I’ve been having struggles with how I feel about the inauguration. I was 100% behind it, and excited even though I don’t like some things about Obama, then the Rick Warren thing happened.

In an attempt to placate gays and their friends, we now have a gay Bishop, and a gay men’s chorus – but still not at the main show.

It’s like we’re the fat-girl the popular jock is dating, that he doesn’t want anyone to know about. OR the white guy with a black friend he doesn’t invite around his other friends.

It’s OK for him to be friends with us… he just wants to hide it. (AKA just not in public).

So I’d like to be excited, and part of me is… but most of me is just sad. He’s slid so far back on gay rights.

If this is how he “brings everyone together” – well I think it’s Thomas Jefferson who said, (paraphrase) you don’t make everyone equal by dragging them all down to the bottom. You do it by raising them up.

By: Joseph Meehan

Joseph Meehan — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:50:03 +0000

Contact HBO .com and tell them to fix this BASHING or face losing US……

By: LOrion

LOrion — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:05:31 +0000

Oh, lets see and the ONLY performers not to be announced or labeled was the DC Gay Men’s Chorus…didn’t know how to speill it huh!
Most on the Mall also said the speakers were turned off when Bishop Robinson talked. Though those near the front like Rachel Maddow said they heard it.
It is the PIC’c fault there is a big time HOMOPHOBE in charge of religion there that will always have these ‘little misunderstandings’, until they are exposed and fired that is.
Come On People in OBAMA camp you know very well who did this, expose the bugger.

By: Trace

Trace — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:36:15 +0000

Chris S, welcome to the Obama skeptics.

We’ve been waiting for you.

And by the way Vanesco, we’re waiting for your “Shame on the Obama team.”

By: Chris Sullivan

Chris Sullivan — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:06:42 +0000

Just makes me like Obama less and less. I am rapidly regretting my vote for him. I have newfound emptahy for those who don;t vote – because when the choice is between some who blatantly insults you and someone who claims to support you who keeps insulting you behind your back – really, what is the difference? As far as I’m concerned, the “honeymoon” for BO is over with before it has begun. Must be nice for him to have someone “further down the totem pole” to screw around with!

By: malibubobby

malibubobby — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:21:51 +0000

Not HBO’s fault, according to Paula Brooks at lezgetreal.com: the inauguration committee bumped Robinson to the un-televised pre-show–and then denied doing so! Not encouraging. At the very least, Obama’s people should know their actions are under a microscope since choosing Warren. Video was shot by Christianity Today and is at YouTube.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:17:49 +0000

Why has the main-stream media not reported on the censorship of Rev. Robinson? I am shocked that there is NOTHING out there – in fact, a search of CNN shows nothing on his name since FRIDAY, despite his having had allegedly “performed” during Sunday’s festivities.

By: Cadence

Cadence — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:16:51 +0000

Dan, it is not an insult to his mother, who told him he is black. Nobody in this race conscious country would call this man, or any other bi-racial child of his complexion anything other than black; the only reason some are getting their panties in a wad over this is because he is going to be the President.

Furthermore, despite the fact that society views him as black, it is not your place, or anyone else’s place to tell him what race he is. He has stated that he is a black man, and that’s all that matters. If he said decided to identify by another term, that would also be fine, because it is his right to label himself, and if you have a problem with it then keep it to yourself, because it really doesn’t matter. Your opinion on the subject is not only not needed, but it also doesn’t come from a place of knowledge on the subject.

By: desert bat

desert bat — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:36:02 +0000

You can get the link to the video and a discussion –it really was Obama’s transition team who specified HBO not to cover this — on firedoglake.

Don’t cancel gay-friendly HBO over this. But you might want to start banking the embers of your hope for the “inclusiveness” of this administration. Try not to be yo-yoed by the words and at-odds actions. Support one another, support GLBT businesses, stand tall, treat yourself well today and tomorrow in particular.

I say this to me as well as to you because I am very angry and deeply disappointed, too.