Taking on the Democrats
I'm well aware of the very big issues this election is about and how we need to get control of the White House from the Republicans before they destroy this country -- and the world -- entirely. I spend a lot of time talking about all those issues on my radio program every day. But it doesn't mean GLBT people have to be complete doormats either. As a voting bloc worth a lot to these candidates, they should earn our respect. While some gay activists and groups are jumping over themselves to accommodate the frontrunning Democratic candidates, Matt Foreman at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force reminds us that we need to demand a lot more:
But, what of the Democrats? Sadly, mostly silence. You can find our issues explicitly referenced on only three candidates’ sites (Kucinich, Richardson and Gravel). Frontrunners Clinton, Obama and Edwards carefully parse their support of our people into specific reforms. We find no evidence that the Democratic frontrunners counter Republicans’ anti-LGBT speech with routine and positive inclusion of LGBT people in their visions for a whole and healthy society.
It’s déjà vu all over again — the GOP often slyly and sometimes audaciously whips us for political gain. The Democrats include us — sorta — but only in response to a direct question and typically in the language of careful legislative reform.
Update: As many of you heard, Matt Foreman was on the show today discussing his piece. I thought he was, as usual, well-spoken and on target.
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