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.

I’m confused. Earlier in the week the Human Rights Campaign took President Barack Obama’s Justice Department to task for its dreadful defense of DOMA. Sure Joe Solmonese’s letter was slightly annoying but it hit most of the right notes. Yesterday after Obama signed a presidential memorandum that gave a few partner benefits—not health insurance—-to gay and lesbian federal employees, here is the tune the HRC decided to sing:

“We commend President Obama and his administration for taking this action to provide some basic benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees and his endorsement of legislation that would provide domestic partner health benefits.”

A rather timid response considering you would be hard pressed to find anyone who is pleased with what happened yesterday (heck the White House had a difficult time explaining the directive to reporters). And if meek was the way HRC wanted to go, why not at least say this “first step” does not remove the bad taste from the Justice Department’s DOMA justification.

Well I guess I shouldn’t be too cranky with HRC this morning. At least the organization didn’t do a Barney Frank and actually defend the White House and DOMA. Yeah you read right, the gay congressman from Massachusetts, actually thinks the Justice Department in its brief “made a conscientious and largely successful effort to avoid inappropriate rhetoric.” Yeah that riff about incest was so spot on (for any slow readers: that line is ironic).

While I’m on the topic of slow readers here is a private message to two “special fans”: yes I know I’m racist. I only go after white folk and never have said anything negative about blacks. As in never. To my other “special needs” buddy, presently I’m reading Details to upgrade my sartorial choices.

This post will be bitter by half. Let’s get the puppies and rainbows out of the way first. Bravo to Joe Solmonese and his letter to the President Barack Obama. While I still need some more info about Human Rights Campaign and the alleged deal on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” always nice to see HRC send out something that isn’t about fund raising.

OK, here comes the bitta. Not clear who approves these HRC missives, but in the future, please stay away from this phrase. Please. As in pretty and please.

“I cannot overstate the pain that we feel as human beings and as families when we read an argument, presented in federal court, implying that our own marriages have no more constitutional standing than incestuous ones.”

The pain we feel. The pain we feel. Excuse me but a politician does not care one whit about pain, such as it is, unless it’s the pain of losing an election or not getting a contribution. Emotional attempts at empathy fall flat in the rough and tumble world of politics because it is a chip with no value. Sure it would have been nice if the person drafting and approving the DOMA defense actually thought about how the incest line would be read, but I also want some hair, Denzel to have won the Oscar for Malcolm X instead of Training Day, and HBO’s The Wire to have earned one Emmy acting nomination (while I’m on the topic here is something private to anyone who went gaga over The Sopranos but couldn’t give The Wire any Emmy loving: you are an idiot).

Obama, like any pol, responds to power or its threat. In the Solmonese letter there is nothing about consequences. Nada. What is HRC going to do if Obama doesn’t do anything about DADT or DOMA? If we are looking for change, then that is the question that must be answered. If not, Obama will do what all pols have done before him. Move on and search for other votes.

1. Can’t wait to see where the Human Rights Campaign and DADT story ends up.

2. Nothing interesting to say about the Tony Awards show last night. I hear host Neil Patrick Harris did a good job and there was some set issues with Bret Michaels.

3. “The Wiz” was the last Broadway musical I saw. A young Stephanie Mills baby!

4. Reaching the end of Norrell’s  Booker T. Washington biography. Worth reading.

5. RIP David Carradine. Still unclear about how you died but you were great in Kill Bill.

6. Anyone got a Pride story to share?

7. Congrats to Roger Federer (what was up with that freak rushing him on the court). Boo to the Lakers.

8. If you don’t laugh at this Marx Brothers’ scene, your heart is colder than mine.

9. Looking forward to the Colbert Report this week.

10. I just had a final random thought, but this is a family site.

“It’s great to see the Assembly strongly re-affirm its support for marriage equality.  It’s time for the Senate, which now has pro-equality leadership, to ensure that loving, committed same-sex couples in New York can have the same rights and responsibilities under the law as loving, committed different-sex couples,” said Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese.

In June 2007, the New York State Assembly voted 85-61 in favor of a marriage equality bill.  That bill stalled in the Senate, which was then controlled by the GOP.

In 2006 the New York Court of Appeals ruled against marriage equality, stating that it should be resolved by the legislature.  New York currently recognizes marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction, but does not permit same-sex couples to marry in New York.

Five states have recognized marriage for same-sex couples under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont (effective September 1, 2009), and Maine (effective September, 2009, pending a possible referendum).  California recognized marriage by same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8.  The Proposition 8 vote has been challenged in court; a decision by the state supreme court is expected by June.

The New Hampshire state legislature has approved legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples; that legislation will go to the Governor’s desk.  Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state.

It is the second time the lobbying effort known as Clergy Call has been held on Capitol Hill – the first event was held two years ago. Both have been sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign.

Conservative Christian groups have regularly fought all efforts to pass LGBT legislation.  Wednesday’s Clergy Call is an effort to show that not all religious leaders support that agenda. 

The 325 religious leaders taking part in Clergy Call this year represent Christians, Buddhists, Jews and Muslims.

At the top of the list of legislation being pushed by the clergy is an expansion of federal hate crime law whichwould include sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. The legislation was passed by the House last week and is pending in the Senate.

HRC spokesperson Harry Knox said the clergy is “here out of a pastoral concern for real people in their congregations who have to deal with the ramifications of hate violence.”

They also are pushing for passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing and employment. A bill is expected to be introduced later this summer.

Additionally, they support repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” the ban on gays serving openly in the military, and the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which bars the government from recognizing same-sex relationships.

President Obama has signaled his support of all four bills.

Among the clergy on the Hill is Gene Robinson, the openly gay Episcopal bishop from New Hampshire, who delivered the invocation during a kickoff concert at the Lincoln Memorial for President Obama’s inauguration.

In launching Clergy Call on Monday night at Calvary Baptist Church in downtown Washington, Robinson said that religious conservatism “still presents the greatest obstacles we face in full equality.

“Ninety-five percent of the oppression that we know in our lives comes from the religious community,” he said.