365 Gay News » Democracy

Besen: A deficit in decency

Jennifer Vanasco — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:54:17 +0000

Tens of thousands of anti-government types, gun nuts, white supremacists, religious zealots, tax evaders and crazies streamed into Washington last Saturday. It was pure delirium, as the National(...)

James Kirchick: How a gay appointee could strengthen democracy

Jennifer Vanasco/editor — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:27:55 +0000

The high-level government position to which I would most like to see an openly gay person appointed is that of Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Across the world, gay people are targeted for legal discrimination, physical abuse and murder by totalitarian regimes. Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe says that gay people [...]

Michael Guest: A symbol of America’s re-commitment to equality

Jennifer Vanasco/editor — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:57:37 +0000

The State Department’s Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs is the senior-most U.S. official with direct oversight of America’s human rights policies worldwide. Having an open LGBT person in that position would signal to the world that America will stand up for the human rights of LGBT people everywhere. What a powerful symbol that [...]

Andrew Belonsky: Restoring our moral authority

Jennifer Vanasco/editor — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:52:09 +0000

At this time in American history, I would truly love to see an openly gay Secretary of State. The United States has been locked in combat for almost seven years now, first in Afghanistan and then Iraq, conflicts that have severely diminished this nation’s moral authority. While I don’t think a gay Secretary of State [...]

Who we need at the top: Notes from our leaders, writers, activists and celebs

Jennifer Vanasco/editor — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:44:39 +0000

We’re not going to have a gay president – at least, not this time around.

But where would an openly gay or lesbian, bisexual or transgender appointee or elected official make the most difference(...)