Comments on: Germany’s likely next foreign minister openly gay http://www.365gay.com/news/germanys-likely-next-foreign-minister-openly-gay/ 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: judderwocky http://www.365gay.com/news/germanys-likely-next-foreign-minister-openly-gay/comment-page-1/#comment-73722 judderwocky Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:33:44 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=9887#comment-73722 He has HUGE issues with unions. Supposedly he has called them the "pall bearers of the welfare state." He believes very strongly in a complete open market. He's not exactly a Barney Frank. He has HUGE issues with unions. Supposedly he has called them the “pall bearers of the welfare state.” He believes very strongly in a complete open market. He’s not exactly a Barney Frank.

]]> By: Daniel Syrek http://www.365gay.com/news/germanys-likely-next-foreign-minister-openly-gay/comment-page-1/#comment-73711 Daniel Syrek Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:14:13 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=9887#comment-73711 I think that this needs to be put in perspective. The supposedly "pro-gay" President Obama did not name a single LGBT person to his Cabinet, nor have the Democrats strongly supported gay rights or gay candidates for office. Westerwelle may not be a social activist, but he is the leader of his party, will likely be the vice-chancellor of his country and have the power to influence public opinion of homosexuality simply by being out while doing his job (hopefully well). Just the post-election photos of him at events with his partner on his arm, unafraid to show off who he is and who he loves is, in my opinion, far better than countless condescending but empty statements of notional support for gays from someone like Barack Obama. I think that this needs to be put in perspective. The supposedly “pro-gay” President Obama did not name a single LGBT person to his Cabinet, nor have the Democrats strongly supported gay rights or gay candidates for office.

Westerwelle may not be a social activist, but he is the leader of his party, will likely be the vice-chancellor of his country and have the power to influence public opinion of homosexuality simply by being out while doing his job (hopefully well).

Just the post-election photos of him at events with his partner on his arm, unafraid to show off who he is and who he loves is, in my opinion, far better than countless condescending but empty statements of notional support for gays from someone like Barack Obama.

]]> By: michaelandfred http://www.365gay.com/news/germanys-likely-next-foreign-minister-openly-gay/comment-page-1/#comment-73690 michaelandfred Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:49:10 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=9887#comment-73690 "Certainly no gay activist" is even pushing it. If you read the party platform there are no real reform for the LGBT community anywhere to be found. Expecting Westerwelle to do anything major for the gay communtiy in Germany is like expecting Sarah Palin to push for a liberal womens agenda in America. There my be some good by product simply by having a gay foreign minister, but there hasn't been a peep out of him for any kind of real reform since he's been leader of the party. Don't expect any now. Westerweller is our version of an ultra conservative Log Cabin Republican. "Wait, don't rock the boat, toe the line, money is god, how can I stay in power.." “Certainly no gay activist” is even pushing it. If you read the party platform there are no real reform for the LGBT community anywhere to be found. Expecting Westerwelle to do anything major for the gay communtiy in Germany is like expecting Sarah Palin to push for a liberal womens agenda in America. There my be some good by product simply by having a gay foreign minister, but there hasn’t been a peep out of him for any kind of real reform since he’s been leader of the party. Don’t expect any now. Westerweller is our version of an ultra conservative Log Cabin Republican. “Wait, don’t rock the boat, toe the line, money is god, how can I stay in power..”

]]> By: petenick http://www.365gay.com/news/germanys-likely-next-foreign-minister-openly-gay/comment-page-1/#comment-73689 petenick Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:29:01 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=9887#comment-73689 I am so glad to see this happen, especially for young gay people who need a positive role model. I have read about this man and his partner. Mr. Westerwelle seems quite capable to me. The majority of Germans today are intelligent and tollerant. My friends there are very happy about this event. Let's hope it spreads to other countries. The USA can learn a-lot from them. Viel Glueck Herr Westerwelle! I am so glad to see this happen, especially for young gay people who need a positive role model. I have read about this man and his partner. Mr. Westerwelle
seems quite capable to me. The majority of Germans today are intelligent and tollerant. My friends there are very happy about this event. Let’s hope it
spreads to other countries. The USA can
learn a-lot from them. Viel Glueck Herr
Westerwelle!

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