Roots of Equality

If you’re a gay democrat like me, you may be a little conflicted about the recent actions and/or inactions of Obama and his administration concerning LGBT rights. The LGBT community has been increasing the pressure as of late to start working on his promises to us. It began with Lieutenant Daniel Choi shining a light on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) as he came out on national television which led to his dismissal. I expanded my focus from marriage equality and remembered the stunningly explicit discrimination that our federal government sponsors.

From there, Obama commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots by declaring June “LGBT Pride Month.” Our community was pleased with the recognition but would not be appeased. The promises of this administration are in the forefront of our minds and I am painfully aware of the administration’s dodging of the issues. Despite the disappointments, I am prone to trust the judgment of Obama and trusted that he was aiming for the right timing and strategy to repeal DADT and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and it was our job to make sure the promises were not forgotten.

Then, we were hit with the recent Department of Justice defense of DOMA. Not only did they defend DOMA, they used some inflammatory language including incest and child rape. They went further to say that DOMA is constitutional and even saves the country money. Why did the language go so far? Because one of the writers was W. Scott Simpson, a conservative Mormon who worked under Bush’s administration. The bigger question is: Why is Obama and his administration ok with this? It’s arguable on whether or not the DOJ had to defend existing law (DOMA) but there has been precedent of former presidents who have filed briefs opposing existing federal law as unconstitutional.

This is where Obama crossed the line with many of us gays including me. This is where I began to seriously question whether or not he really had our interests in mind. In response to the uproar, the DOJ spokesperson released the following statement.

As it generally does with existing statutes, the Justice Department is defending the law on the books in court. The president has said he wants to see a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act because it prevents LGBT couples from being granted equal rights and benefits. However, until Congress passes legislation repealing the law, the administration will continue to defend the statute when it is challenged in the justice system.

Though it was nice to hear that he remembered that he wants to see a repeal of DOMA, the damage was done. The uproar prompted a boycott of the LGBT Leadership Council’s DNC fundraiser by some rich and influential gays including David Mixner.

With acknowledgment that the timing had something to do with pissing off the gays, Obama pushed ahead his move to sign an executive order to extend same-sex partner benefits to federal employees. Yay right? Not quite. The benefits that same-sex partners would receive include long-term insurance, allow employees to use sick leave to take care of ailing partners, and would let partners of diplomats to use the medical facilities at foreign posts. Noticeably missing is healthcare benefits (which is what I think of when I hear “benefits”). DOMA (the very same DOMA Obama’s DOJ defended) prevents the extension of those benefits.

So where are we now? Well I can only speak for myself when I say that I am highly disappointed by Obama’s inaction when it comes to DADT, action when it comes to DOMA, and his baby steps when it comes to LGBT month and the extension of benefits. I am waiting and will be pushing for a significant step towards keeping his promise to us.

Yesterday, the California Budget Conference Committee voted to reduce the proposed $80 million dollar cut to HIV/AIDS funding to $8 million. An $80 million dollar cut would have meant loss of funds for prevention and care like ADAP (AIDs Drug Assistance Program) which would have led to a loss of lives.

The $8 million dollar cuts will reduce the budget of such programs as prevention, housing, home care, research, state operations, and education. Funds in ADAP will be moved around but should have no client impact.

Though we can breath a sigh of relief, the programs are not in the clear yet. The committee’s proposal must still be voted on by the legislature and the governor can still veto it. Do your part by calling your legislator. It takes just two minutes and makes a huge difference in making HIV/AIDS funding a priority for legislators.

This year’s LA Pride Parade was the best I have attended.  Large crowds lined the route for the entire 1.2 mile stretch.  Roots of Equality participated in the parade, with Teresa marching as part of the OUTWest contingent, and Melissa and myself (Tom) walking with the Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing (GLEH) group. 

This year’s parade was a snapshot of our amazing history in this city.  Los Angeles hosted the first LGBT Pride parade in the nation’s history.  In the summer of 1970, a few big cities held events to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of 1969 in NYC.  New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles all held events.  But Los Angeles was the only city to host a parade, which prevailed despite opposition and intimidation by the LAPD.  Locals bravely marched down Hollywood Blvd., beginning a tradition that now takes place across the nation and this was the 39^th year that LA celebrated our Pride in the parade.

Our participation with GLEH was even more moving.  Melissa and I marched down the street carrying banners to promote the new film, On These Shoulders We Stand, which will premier at Outfest this July 11 and 18.  This film is a touching and eye-opening documentary about the early days of the LGBT movement in the US, much of which started right here in LA.  History tends to forget LA’s role in just about everything that isn’t “Hollywood”, but if there is a single place that played a more significant role than others in the formation of the LGBT movement, Los Angeles is that place.  And the elders who we marched with at LA Pride can tell you that.  They cheered from the bus “we started it” and “we’re your grandparents” statements that are too true and too often forgotten.  On These Shoulders We Stand tells these stories and everyone who cares about the LGBT movement or LA should watch this film at Outfest.

This fall, we hope our LGBT History Exhibit will shed light on the role LA played in the LGBT movement.  Keep posted to our website for more details on the most colorful history lesson you’ll probably ever experience.

One of the greatest injustices dealt to gay and lesbian couples because of the lack of marriage rights, is their inability to sponsor their would-be spouses for citizenship. The Uniting American Families Act would change that allowing “permanent partners” of permanent residents to be sponsored for permanent residency. First introduced in 2000, the bill has stalled in the judiciary committee in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007.

On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony regarding the UAFA including the above moving testimony from Shirley Tan. The bill currently has 105 house cosponsors and 19 senate cosponsors and many believe that this time around is the best shot for the UAFA.

So after our “loving witness” of the anti-marriage rally, we headed back to Bertha, the van we borrowed from Melissa’s mom. Bertha was out and proud on her support for equality, and Bertha suffered the consequences. Bertha got keyed.

The punks keyed “yes 8″ on the door and then went up and down the side of the van keying it. The rage was ameliorated by the offer of Pastor Rudy Rena from Cornerstone Church who organized the stupid “Still Standing in the Middle for Marriage” rally. He offered to pay for the damages. He may think we don’t deserve the rights and dignity of civil marriage, but at least he’ll pay for one of his stupid follower’s damages.

Bertha’s three damaged panels are in the shop right now being completely repainted so we can return her to Melissa’s mom in the same condition we got her. Her paint may be restored, but her soul will never be the same.

Sidenote: when making the police report, the police officer looked completely clueless when we asked that this be filed as a hate crime. He then said that if we want a copy of the police report, we’d have to drive back up to Fresno because apparently the city hasn’t discovered fax machines or emails.

Another sidenote: Bertha may have been vandalized, but it in no way matches this violation. Fuckin Fresno

Equality week was insaaaane!

The decision came down Tuesday morning, and though it wasn’t a surprise, we were pissed.

First stop, the Latino Equality Alliance rally in East LA. Hundreds of people showed up in the middle of their work day to express their anger and disappointment.

Next stop: the night rally starting in West Hollywood. Speakers included the amazing Dan Choi, Reverend Eric Lee, Drew Barrymore, and Kathy Griffin. Celebrities, gays, and straights marched together down Santa Monica and stopped at the Matthew Shepard square for a moving tribute to the victims of hate crimes. Marchers stopped in their tracks and went silent as they examined the faces of the victims of homophobia and took the time to lay down white flowers in front of the memorial.

Thousands of us marched from there all the way to Hollywood and Highland stopping traffic along the way. We took some time to sit-in and grabbed some chalk and wrote out our messages and feelings about prop 8 and made our way back to West Hollywood.

On Wednesday, Obama was in town. We rallied across the Beverly Hilton where he was speaking at a democratic party fundraiser. We told Obama we’re still here, and we want our rights now.

Saturday was the day we had all been waiting for as people actually looked forward to traveling to Fresno. The morning began with a symbolic march from Selma as hundreds marched the 16 miles from Selma all the way to Fresno including Reverend Eric Lee.

The marchers came just in time for the start of the rally and were met by a deafening roar of support from the awaiting rallyers. The crowd of 5,000 were honored with speeches by the leaders of this movement and was capped off by an emotional and motivating speech by Meet in the Middle organizer Robin McGehee followed by Cleve Jones.

Sunday morning’s Leadership Summit provided some informative and helpful polling information to use in the fight ahead. The room was packed with over 250 leaders.

Sunday evening, the “Still Standing in the Middle for Marriage” group had their counter-rally at city hall. We headed there for a “loving witness”. I took pictures since I can’t pretend to love them and I didn’t want to go off on the fuckers. Our people held signs like, “I love my gay parents” and “Straight Christian for Equality” and “God Bless You”. We killed them with kindness and bubbles and had some very meaningful conversations. Though we didn’t expect to change any minds, we were visible and sent a certain message that we’re not going to disrespect you (because we’re better people than you) but we’re not going away.

Unfortunately there were a group of rogue reactionaries who ran around screaming “bigot” and being disruptive thus undermining our message. Poor form. Then our car got keyed with “Yes 8”. More on that to come.

All-in-all, we came together and expressed ourselves and fueled up on each other’s energy for the fight again. Viva la revolucion!