On the first day same-sex couples could marry in Washington, brides Angelisa Young and Sinjoyla Townsend were the first of three couples taking the plunge in morning ceremonies at the offices of the Human Rights Campaign, which does advocacy work on gay, lesbian and transgender issues. Other ceremonies were planned throughout the day.

“Today was like a dream for me,” Young said.

The Rev. Darlene Garner married her partner, the Rev. Candy Holmes, both of Metropolitan Community Churches, a Christian group that primarily serves the gay and lesbian community.

“Equality and justice for all now includes us,” Garner said.

Fifteen licenses were picked up in the first hour the marriage bureau was open and two couples quickly got married and returned to pick up their certificates, courthouse spokeswoman Leah Gurowitz said. More couples were also coming Tuesday to apply for licenses.

Rebecca and Delia Taylor picked up their license early Tuesday and immediately were married outside the courthouse by a minister friend. The couple said they long ago exchanged rings and considered themselves married. Still, they were grinning after picking up their certificate back inside the courthouse following the ceremony.

“We’ve referred to each other as wives,” Rebecca Taylor said. “It’s just a legal document, so if anything happens to one of us, we have rights.”

But Delia Taylor said she found it moving to recite the vows. “My parents have a wonderful marriage,” she said.

Young and Townsend married in a room with about 100 guests sitting on white chairs and standing next to bouquets of white snapdragons and yellow chrysanthemums, roses and carnations. A cellist played before the ceremony, and cream and gray programs announced the names of the three pairs along with: “Congratulations to the couples on this historic day.”

D.C. bakery Cakelove supplied a three-tiered butter-cream frosted cake with a fresh strawberry filling for each couple.

About 150 couples were eligible to pick up marriage licenses Tuesday after applying on the first day the licenses were made available. Many of them stood in line for four or more hours last Wednesday. Townsend and Young were the first in line that day.

The District of Columbia is the sixth place in the country permitting same-sex unions. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont also issue same-sex couples licenses.

Couples had a variety of plans for their ceremonies. One couple planned to marry Tuesday at All Souls Church, the Unitarian Universalist house of worship where Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the bill legalizing the unions in December. District residents Eva Townsend and Shana McDavis-Conway said they were planning a wedding Tuesday by their plot in a community garden, where they have grown carrots and potatoes.

Other couples said they already had ceremonies and would simply wed at the courthouse, which has space for about 15 people in a ceremony room. Most of those celebrations will take place during the weeks of March 22 and March 29, courthouse spokeswoman Leah Gurowitz said.

Normally, the courthouse hosts four to six weddings a day, but over the next several weeks they are expecting 10 to 12 per day because of the demand for same-sex ceremonies. Some courtrooms and judge’s chambers may be used for the ceremonies, with the couple’s OK. The court’s official marriage booklet has been updated so that the ceremony will end by pronouncing the couple “legally married” as opposed to “husband and wife.”

• Is it wrong to want smart bigots? Enough has been said about “Beverly Hills” beauty queen Lauren Ashley, but if she must quote Leviticus it’s a good idea to  know chapter and verse. Especially when talking to a reporter (loves her look of befuddlement when asked if gays are okay if they accept Christ). Can’t shake the feeling Miss Thing is trolling for attention.

• What will he do now? Remember a few months back when the White House did its best to get rid of New York Gov. David Paterson? Bet you 50 bucks the disgraced governor wishes Team Obama tried harder to get him an ambassadorship. Paterson might be lousy at his gig, but he is top notch when it comes to marriage stuff. Don’t expect the same from the next governor.

• If Lincoln wanted to free blacks, he should have left slavery alone and outlawed abortion. Dear Republicans: maybe it’s time to give up any dreams of outreach to black folk. As a group you are tone deaf when it comes to race matters. Exhibit A:  Rep. Trent Franks, an Arizona Republican, opined blacks are worse off today as compared to slavery times.  The reason? Legal abortion. “And yet today, half of all black children are aborted. Half of all black children are aborted. Far more black children, far more of the African-American community is being devastated by the policies of today, than were being devastated by the policies of slavery.” Wacky has left the building.

• Stop asking McCain about Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The Arizona senator prefers intellectual pretzels instead of allowing gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly. He says he will only support lifting the ban if a comprehensive study says so. Does he mean something like the one done by Air Force Colonel Om Prakash?

• Saying no. Hundreds marched in Austin in support of two gay men who were attacked, last week, in an apparent hate crime.

• Chile. Hopefully our Chilean readers are safe and sound. If there is anything we can do, please ask. Let’s keep our wallets open people. Doctors Without Borders is a good organization to give at times like this.

• HRC head says DADT is going down this year. I’ve taken a few shots for suggesting Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is on its last legs, but Joe Solmonese is making a bolder prediction. He promised, at this weekend’s HRC Carolinas Gala, the policy will be kaput by the end of the year. Does he know something we don’t? Has he gotten a promise from the White House?

• We are asking. Remember when Maggie Gallagher said there were out gay people working for the National Organization of Marriage? We put in an email  to NOM requesting an interview with these folk. Haven’t heard anything yet, but we’ll let you know if we do.

• Canadian hockey gold. Congrats to our northern neighbors for their hockey wins (men and women). Well played ladies and gentlemen. Well played.

• Just because. Who doesn’t need a little beefcake to start the week? I hear Jesus Luz is dating a famous singer from the 80s. I thought Sade was married.

The message from the blog swarm is two-pronged. First, they want President Barack Obama to announce publically he wants Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repealed this year. Then Obama needs to “take the lead in working with Congress to make sure the repeal happens,” AmericaBlog says.

The bloggers involved include: Joe Sudbay and John Aravosis, AmericaBlog; Pam Spaulding, Pam’s House Blend; Michelangelo Signorile, Sirius OutQ & the Gist; Markos Moulitsas, DailyKos; Andy Towle, TowleRoad; Joe Jervis, Joe My God; Bil Browning & Phil Reese, Bilerico; Taylor Marsh, TaylorMarsh.com; David Mixner, DavidMixner.com and Dan Savage, Slog.

“We’ve had an amazing few weeks of momentum on DADT repeal following the mention of DADT,” Aravosis writes. “But that momentum is quickly slipping away. After talking to people around Washington over the past two weeks, Joe and I have found a vacuum of leadership that is leading to confusion. The Hill has no idea if the President does or doesn’t want them to move ahead with repeal this year. The House has already said that it’s waiting for the Senate to do something. The Senate is in turmoil after the Democrats lost a single seat in January. And the DADT proposals being discussed in the Senate are focused on every possible approach except full repeal this year.”

The group contends it’s HRC’s job to make Obama listen.

“Whatever HRC has been telling the White House about DADT, it clearly isn’t working” Aravois said on AmericaBlog. “In spite of the President’s positive comments during the State of the Union, no one knows where President Obama stands on repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell this year. All the while, unnamed administration officials are telling the media that it could be years before repeal finally happens. The White House clearly didn’t get HRC’s message, and as a result, we are losing this historic momentum.”

HRC responded to the blog swarm with a statement.

“The campaign will continue to push the momentum for repeal of DADT through an on-the-ground campaign manager in key states to build diverse local coalitions; to increase public education; to activate grassroots contacts with members of Congress; to form an online hub for action on repeal; and to partner with other key groups working on repeal including the Center for American Progress, Servicemembers United and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network,” HRC said.

The blog swarm encourages the public to call HRC for a call to action. HRC can be reached at (202) 628-4160 and toll-free at (800) 777-4723.

Some commented on the blogs about an inability to get through to HRC staff members.

“Throughout the day we have received between 300 and 400 e-mails and approximately 100 phone calls,” said Trevor Thomas, the deputy communications director. “We had the opportunity to have a conversation with many of those who contact us about our work on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the position we have taken with the administration on repealing the law this year.”

• Retarded for me, not for thee: Dear former Gov. Palin:  please treat us like adults. Just admit you give “Rushie” Limbaugh a pass on the word “retarded” because he’s an ally. Anything else you spout is moose manure.

• RIP Brendan Burke: The youngest son of Maple Leafs’ GM Brian Burke, died in a car accident on Friday. The father and son received recent media attention when Brendan publicly came out.

• DADT News: Read the Military Times today. It has a survey showing that troop opposition to gays and lesbians serving openly has sharply decreased since 2004. Twenty bucks says Sen. John McCain will never cite this study.

• Reason 639 to support Gillibrand: Unless you are a Log Cabin Republican, it’s time to get behind New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand with money and volunteer time. At this weekend’s Human Rights Campaign dinner, she announced her plan to offer an amendment to defund DADT. She’s carried our water. Time for us to do the same for her.

• Everything is going to be okay. Sade has a new album: After 10 years, Sade is returning with new tunes. Please forgive as I do the dance of joy.

• New additions: There are 24 new members to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). Rosie Perez and Phil Wilson, executive director of the Black AIDS Institute, are part of the incoming group.

• Who dat on Bourbon Street: If you have money, take your butt to New Orleans this week. The Saints marched into the  Super Bowl and Mardi Gras is around the corner. Get your party on Big Easy!

HRC’s report “Equality from State to State in 2009” also looks ahead to this year. For 2010, marriage equality and recognition of same-sex couples is a focus in a handful of states including Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico and Rhode Island.

“While the road is never easy, we look ahead to 2010 with renewed dedication in the fight for equality,” said Joe Solmonese, president on HRC, in a statement.

Achievements in 2009 are extensive. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed in October, expanding current federal hate crimes laws to include crimes motivated by a victim’s gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

The HRC report notes, “As the LGBT community knows well, major victories can be won by fighting off discriminatory legislation.”

In several states that was achieved. In particular, several states pushed back on legislation meant to be restrictive to gay parents. Also, a handful of states implemented or strengthened anti-bullying laws to protect students from harassment.

“We will continue to work closely with state LGBT groups and our allies to secure these much-needed advancements.  As the midterm elections heat up, we must remain focused on the many state legislators who stood with us by continuing to support them and also remember those who stood in the way,” Solmonese said.

The full report is available online.

1. Dr. Bert Chapman writes nothing worth a darn; however, he doesn’t need to lose his gig at Purdue University.

2. I’ve taken the Human Rights Campaign to task many a time, but this morning a lift of the coffee cup for this website focusing on students at predominately black colleges and universities.

3. Need a good laugh? Or cry? Watch Donnie McClurkin expound on what it means to be gay.

4. Will marriage equality get a vote this week in New York? Wish I knew.

5.  Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong is starting to appear in bookstores.

6. Anyone reading Sarah Palin’s new book? And yes that is a serious question.

7. Anyone watch the Colts/Patriots game last night? Not a fan of the pig skin but that match had me shouting.

8. There is nothing better than someone going on an extended homophobic rant and then coming up with a lame apology.

9. Who doesn’t need Cassandra Wilson on a Monday morning?

10. Why am I always late for work?

This Saturday, President Obama will be the keynote speaker at the Human Rights Campaign’s big DC fundraiser. As the largest gay rights fundraiser in the U.S., it’s a big deal to score a personality like the President. But his presence has many members of the LGBT community worried. Here’s a guy who has done virtually nothing for gay rights since his election. What can he possibly say?

I’m sure his speechwriters have cooked up something special for the night, but I’ve got a few ideas of my own. I’ve written a little speech for the beloved President – the kind of speech we wish the man would give, just once.

Tonight is a night to celebrate the Human Rights Campaign – the work they have done, tireless, well organized, well executed work, to promote the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in this country. It’s also a night to celebrate all of you, the people who donate their money and time to help make this country a more equal and just society.

But it is also a serious night, a night to reflect on where we have been and, more importantly, a night to plan and commit to where we are going.

I have a plan and I am ready for that commitment.

I understand that, in the face of the economic crisis facing us at home, the military crisis facing us abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan and the environmental crisis facing the international community, there is a very real struggle for basic human rights engaged in everyday by LGBT people in the United States.

This struggle is not overshadowed by the big news issues. It is not lessened by them. It is a constant and painful inequality. I know something about this kind of discrimination. My family knows something about this kind of discrimination.

And so, I do not stand before you tonight with excuses for the delays in Washington, for the setbacks and political conflicts that have crippled many important equality initiatives and stalled others.

I am here tonight because my administration is committed to full equality for LGBT people in this country. I pledged that commitment early in the campaign and have not swayed from that position.

I believe in the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the passage of inclusive immigration reform and the widespread protection of LGBT employees from retribution for their sexual orientation or gender identity.

I believe in hate crimes legislation that protects Americans from homophobia as well as racism.

And here’s what I’m going to do to make the things I believe in, a reality.

Within one year, by November 2010, we will introduce comprehensive immigration reform. This immigration package will include spousal sponsorship for same-sex couples in a committed relationship. Immigration reform is a priority for my administration and no reform package will be complete without this provision for the unification of American families thus far separated by discriminatory immigration policies.

Within six months, by April 2010, we will introduce a bill repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. When we ask so much of our troops, send them back for repeat tours, ask them to fight in harsh conditions so far from home, we must support their right to be open with their colleagues and superiors. We simply cannot afford to lose anymore good people from our military simply because of their sexual orientation.

As we speak, members of Congress are mobilizing around an inclusive hate crimes bill. That is a success that is imminent and my administration pushed to include the Matthew Shepard Act in the defense bill before Congress. We will push to get it passed.

These campaigns will not happen without roadblocks. Sometimes it will seem like we are moving backwards. We have already seen this with Proposition 8 in California and the proposed Proposition 1 in Maine.

But, the United States of America is a community of people from many different countries and many different cultures. It is a nation that vibrates with diversity and rises from its people’s differences as much as their shared experiences.

We are ready for progress. We are ready for equality. We, together, are going to make that equality happen.

From HRC (with slight editing):

(Washington) The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, issued the following statement on today’s historic decision by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s (ELCA) to lift its ban on noncelibate lesbian and gay pastors and to allow for those in committed same-sex relationships to serve as ministers.  This vote passed 559-541 following an earlier precedent declaring that congregations “that choose to do so [may] recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.”  In addition, on Wednesday, a 2/3 majority voted to approve a social statement on human sexuality to acknowledge without judgment the wide variety of views within the ELCA regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inclusion.

“By allowing for same-sex couples in committed relationships to serve their call to ministry and by creating policies that respects LGBT people in their congregations, ELCA is modeling for other religious communities what it means to be a faith community that honors all of God’s children,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  “This is a joyous day for the LGBT Lutheran’s who no longer have to choose between their spirituality and their sexuality.”

“The Holy Spirit has moved powerfully in the community called the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, working through the courageous advocacy of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and our allies,” said Harry Knox, Director for HRC’s Religion and Faith Program. “Thanks be to God for our colleagues at Lutherans Concerned and all of the Goodsoil coalition!  The ELCA has studied, prayed and listened to the witness of its LGBT sisters and brothers, and has come to consensus in community. This decision reflects the best of Lutheran tradition.”

The Human Rights Campaign has stepped into the hornet’s nest of  identity with a new report called “At the Intersection: Race, Sexuality and Gender.” The organization is even having an online conversation about the report today.

The study’s findings are not that earth shattering, especially if you have been paying attention to the “community” chatter since the defeat of Proposition 8. Gays and lesbians  of color experience their lives primarily through the lens of race and gender. LGBT people of color are simultaneously accepted and rejected by their communities. Brown and black gays and lesbians see no difference in racism and sexism exhibited by gays or straights.

The report isn’t all downer. It suggests bridges can be built on work against hate crimes and job discrimination. How the HRC study will be received is any one’s guess. I  think it will come and go with nary a whimper. Mainly because we would rather talk noise about community which is easy.

To hike my funk meter for a minute, is any one really shocked by this? Gays and lesbians of color have been saying stuff like this for ages, ages, and ages. And precious little has changed. And we all know how it will go here. Some  will call me a racist and tell me to get help. Others will wonder why 365 has turned into ghetto news central , and a few will quote nuttiness espoused by a black friend (word to the wise: just because your colored friend says it, it ain’t necessarily so).

Race talk brings out the crazy in all of us ; however, let’s put the crazy down  and actually hear each other. One way to start is to let go of the  innocence shields that always pop up when the topic is color.

Spend anytime reading the comment sections on gay political sites and there is lots of vitriol for President Barack Obama. From DOMA to DADT, there is a palpable sense the Obama administration has turned its back to the  LGBT community. That is a fair reading few would dispute, even those who continue to support the White House. However, the Palm Center released a paper arguing DADT is still around because of conscious choices by gay activists.

Called “Self-Inflicted Wounds”, the report argues when chatter for Obama to sign a executive directive to get rid of DADT was at its peak,  “a network of gay and gay-friendly activists, journalists and politicos worked to derail the possibility of a suspension of the ban.” Aaron Belkin, the paper’s author, makes the case that instead of focusing on a two tier attack, pushing  the president and congress, the “gay and gay-friendly activists journalists and politicos” focused their attention solely on the legislative side of the DADT debate.

No names are listed but if you remember reporter Jason Bellini, in a Daily Beast video, hinted the Human Rights Campaign might have informed the White House the military ban should be worked on last, after the hate crimes bill (HRC head Joe Solmonese vigorously denied  the implications of Bellini’s reporting).

Belkin’s paper will get a lot of press, as it should. Hopefully it will also engender a conversation about the nature of leadership. Maybe it’s time for us to recognize that a diverse group such as the “gay community” is cannot put all of its eggs in a leadership basket. Some who we think speak for the community are essentially on the hunt for access to power. There is nothing wrong with that, but if you are looking for change you might need to look beyond groups like HRC.