In 1992, there was this obscure ballot initiave that few, including myself, took seriously. In November, Amendment 2 passed, to everyone’s surprise. I was guilty as many, earlier I had done nothing except let it pass. I was a fool, and so many of us were.

So I worked to overturn A2, and did what I could. And yes Brian, I even protested if this makes you feel better so you can be correct about something.

But then, in the second most liberal city, Boulder, a known GLBT-friendly company, Celestial Seasoning Tea, was coming under fire by those in the gay community who claimed that “they were not doing enough” to fight Amendment 2.

I could not understand. Why did not they save their venom to go after Focus on the Family or CFV, or the spewing conservatives? Instead some within the gay community decided that being devisive was a better strategy than being a team.

They felt that criticism worked. The enjoyed condemning. Nothing that anyone did, from Celestial Seasoning Tea, to Governor Roy Romer, to CLIP, to NGLTF, HRC – no one -was ever going to do enough, be good enough, or ever meet their expectations. Meanwhile the real enemy was in the clear and took full advantage of all of the unnecessary infighting within the gay community.

Many of us have had unreasonable parents who told us that we would never be good enough, or that we didn’t try hard enough (when we knew that we gave it our all). Many of us have faced condemnation for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or trangendered.

So it is quite hypocritical to now become the very bully that once oppressed up before, and claim self-rightousness that it is now somehow okay to condemn those who are simply trying the best that they can, especially for those who do not understand the realities of the legistlative or judicial process.

If I am screwing up, missing the mark, or if I don’t get it – I want a kind gentle hand to help me up, to jump in and help, to offer to help and be part of the team – to work with me for a common goal – to work together.

What no one wants – or needs – is someone to condemn them. How would any of you on this thread like someone to condemn you if you were trying to work for others as a public servant?

I have always associated “learning through pain, punishment and condemnation” (instead of learning through teamwork, collaboration and support) as being the hallmark of lower-class white trailer trash rednecks who beat their kids at Walmart. Yes, those in the gay community, the radical separists, take on the same very traits as our conservative redneck homophobic counterparts. The only difference is political leanings and style, but the abhorrent tactics are the same.

Being president is a dirty, thankless job that is not a 40 hour per week job. Every day is a crisis, and multiple crisises are going on all at the same time. And worse, no one wants to help, only condemn.

Abraham Lincoln, John Kennedy both fought for the underdog, -and then paid the ultimate price for their efforts as neither left the presidency gracefully. Harvey Milk suffered the same fate. By fighting for the underdog, Obama is also unfortunately taking the same risks as his precessors. The further he goes outward, this increases the horrible likelihood of a tragedy, which none of us want. Obama already has the ire of racist Americas who, some already would like nothing more than him to suffer his presidency being cut short. So cautious maneuvers are more than his political career (which having a career is somehow being protrayed as being “selfish”), but is it also surviving as a human being.

I find it very pernoixoius for anyone in the GLBT community to use their energy to divide, fracture, splinter, obstruct, inhibit, condemn or persecute the rest of us who are really doing something. For those who want to spew venom, then there are plenty of right wing targets to hit, like James Dobson. I see much black-on-black violence and racism within the black community, and fail to see how anyone’s life is improved or how this behavior allows anyone to reach their full human potential.

The negativity and bitchiness in the gay community is a vile, toxic poison spewed by the most uneducated, lowest classes of persons who are the very ones who demand, yet do nothing themselves except bitch and complain. They are the ones who do not improve their lot in life, or work to improve the life of others, who are passive-aggressive and feel like everyone else “owes them”. What a horrible, bratty attitude to have. Those who have this attitude both deserve themselves and all that they get.

I have worked to improve the lives of others for 17 years, through nearly a dozen mainstream and GLBT chariable organizations. The lifes that I have worked to improve often times are the very uneducated, lowest classes of persons that I talk about above. I am condemned by others because I have worked hard my whole life and became successful and educated. Many times I want to give up, and many times I am sure that GLBT leaders want to also.

I would encourage those on this thread to support, not condemn; to help, not hate; to inspire, not inbihit; to perserve, not persecute. There are many who have the same struggles as you. You might want to think twice about whipping the mule to death which is the only mule that you have to get you where you want to go.

If you want something better, then instead of only hurting others, why don’t you jump in and help?

There will always be people who are part of the solution or part of the problem. Most of the people this post are part of the problem and might want to re-think what they have in their hearts.

Hell yes some of are impatient. We realize what’s on the line and the great injustice of the gradualism, pandering and dissembling that’s been prevalent in American politics.

As President, Kennedy initially believed the grassroots movement for civil rights would only anger many Southern whites and make it even more difficult to pass civil rights laws through Congress, which was dominated by conservative Southern Democrats, and he distanced himself from it. As a result, many civil rights leaders viewed Kennedy as unsupportive of their efforts.

It wasn’t until June 1963 that Kennedy finally intervened against George Wallace.

The criticism on this thread about “elitists” and “rich” self-serving politicians is exactly the same type of rheteroic that Jack Kennedy faced too, just like what is being rallied against both Barack Obama and the HRC in this thread.

The Kennedy Administration laid the groundwork for Johnson to sign the 1964 Civil Rights act. But Kennedy, like Obama, did not come out in his first time with guns blazing.

In this thread, we have people who are trying to hold Obama to a higher standard than Lincoln or Kennedy.

The Emancipation Proclamation was not binding until December 1865, five years after Lincoln took office in 1860.

Kennedy took office in 1961, but the Civil Rights act did not pass until 1964.

Neither Lincoln or Kennedy jumped all over the Emancipation Proclamation or the Civil Right Act in their first year in office as it is asserted that Obama should for GLBT people. This unreasonable expectation hold Obama above both the Lincoln-standard and the Kennedy-standard.

Barack Obama took office in 2009. Don’t go around expecting that DADT and DOMA will repealed in the first ten months of his Presidency.

If you blame Obama, then you are the same type of person who would have also blamed both Lincoln and Kennedy. Such standards are unreasonable.

Why don’t you give me examples of legislation that has been overturned so easy that a child could do it?

aakalan:
“If what you say is true, then Lincoln should have let slavery stand. It was eminently constitutional, wasn’t it?
Thank God there are some courageous souls who do not agree with you who are willing to fight and risk their careers to do what’s right.”

Fact:
Lincoln was not so courageous as your personal standard implies.

Abraham Lincoln was originally a bit racist in his earlier days before taking office. However he grew in his empathy both before and also while in office.

KEY:
Lincoln also agreed to uphold slavery in which Lincoln felt that the Consitution prohibited the Federal Government from abolishing slavery in states where it already existed.

Wiki
Abraham Lincoln on slavery

You imply that Lincoln took office and immediately advocated for Black people like you feel Obama should. This is not how it historically happened.

Does anybody think its possible that Obama wants to be reelected for a second term? I imagine that he is attempting to steer clear of making direct statements on controversial issues, such as gay marriage. I think we might see a lot more “change” in his second term, if he gets reelected. Patience is a virtue, and I know that we’ve all been waiting a long time for equal rights.

Gerry Fisher – RIGHT ON! Thank you finally someone who also understands the legislative process.

Essentially she is no Scalia. She may not outright advocate for GLBT issues, however during senate confirmations, she was much more on the side of GLBT people than conservatives. She is not necessarily an outspoken advocate, but if she was, should would not have been confirmed either. We are lucky to have her.