Less "Evolved" Than Dick Cheney?

It's Pride Day 2011, and as the AP points out, the day gets a big boost from the passage of the marriage equality law. It will probably the biggest Pride parade ever in New York.

Lot's of celebration in the air but we must also look toward the future: And part of that is focusing on President Obama's ridiculous stance -- "evolving"-- on marriage equality. He only gives ammunition to our enemies by being opposed to marriage now. After the monumental New York win, and the powerful push for equal rights by Governor Cuomo, and the vote by a Republican-controlled state senate, the president looks so far behind. He came to Manhattan to take gay money last week, only to tell us that what we just achieved is something he is opposed to. That is not just some minor point for us to give him pass on it. It is a direct assault on our rights. The president is now on the side of the people working against, while the universe of those working for us and joining us in this fight has just grown exponentially.

As I said to Politico, in a quote that has been picked up by CBS and others, "When your position on something like this is behind Laura Bush, that is a problem." I'd add, to use the president's "evolution" term, if you're less evolved than Dick Cheney that is pretty scary.

Jubilation!

What a night it was, and what a Pride weekend it is going to be. Congratulations New York and congratulations to the world, as getting marriage equality here is a monumental achievement for our movement.

As the most influential and most populous state to make marriage equality a reality, New York has completely reinvigorated our movement. This is a game changer of huge proportions. New York State follows pioneering states like Vermont and New Hampshire which also attained marriage equality not through the courts but through a vote by legislators, the people's representatives. As small states,Vermont and New Hampshire -- which followed Massachusetts, the first state to have marriage equality, after its highest court ruled gays and lesbians couldn't be excluded from marriage -- are often able to experiment with new ideas. They did something big by showing that the world does not fall apart and heterosexual marriage is not affected in any way if legislators have the guts to allow gays and lesbians marry. Now, the sheer magnitude of New York takes the fight for equality in a different direction. New York City's position as the center of the world on so many fronts brings marriage equality far into the mainstream. New York, as a business leader, a cultural leader, a media leader, an education leader, an entertainment industry leader, a fashion industry leader and political leader in the U.S. -- and as the seat of the United Nations -- will have enormous influence in bringing equal rights and marriage equality to many states and to the world.

It's not that marriage is the be-all and end-all. Marriage is a right that not everyone, perhaps not even most LGBT people, may want to exercise. But it is something denied us, an institution that for too long has been cordoned off for straights only. That can't be tolerated. Knocking down the walls of marriage knocks down many other walls of inequality. We cannot accept any laws written against us.

And make no mistake: Over 30 states have ugly amendments to their constitutions banning marriage for gays and lesbians, defining LGBT people in those states as less than everyone else. In most states it is legal to discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in housing, employment and public accommodations, because there are no civil rights protections. In some states LGBT people cannot adopt children. We nave no federal civil rights protections beyond the long overdue hate crimes act. The Defense of Marriage Act is still harming us, challenged in court but still there preventing the federal benefits of marriage. And though it is on its last legs and we hope it will be gone in a matter of months, "don't ask, don't tell" is still the law of the land.

So, there is much work ahead. But what happened in New York last night will be seen to have been as pivotal as what happened in this state, in this city, over 40 years ago when patrons at the Stonewall Inn said, "Enough!" In the streets of Manhattan last night, all over Chelsea and the West Village, couples were proudly holding hands, celebrating the fact that they're not second class citizens in their relationships. I was energized by all the young people dancing in the streets, packing the Stonewall Inn and spilling way outside. There must have been over 1000 people there -- gay, straight, transgender, young, old, men, women of every race -- on Sheridan Square and in the street, embracing and dancing at the site where it all began. The history of the struggles and triumphs of this movement -- from the Stonewall riots up through the darkest and most ghastly days of the AIDS pandemic and into this period of dizzying achievements and the occasional, expected heart-sinking losses -- was in the air. Everyone was connecting, euphoric and realizing that it is our time.

Happy Pride to all!

Victory, Finally!

It was exhilarating to see the Senate vote 65-31 to throw out "don't ask, don't tell," finally. It's been a long hard slog, and there's so much more to do to foster LGBT rights. But we should celebrate this victory. I went on CNN yesterday after the vote to talk about what impact this will have.

Spirited Discussion Last Night on CNN

Last night I appeared on CNN to discuss Obama's speech with Dan Dan Savage, Lt. Dan Choi and Hillary Rosen. Was a good, but sometimes feisty debate, and i can't wait to get all your thoughts. Was two segments, pretty long and the video is in two parts here.

CNN Appearance Re: Hate from the Pulpit

I was interviewed on CNN by Don Lemon on Saturday night while I was still in Montreal attending the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association convention. We discussed my interview with the hate preacher Steven L. Anderson, who prays for President Obama to die, and believes all gays should be executed. He also made a death wish upon me too during the interview. (We had some technical issues at the studio in Montreal, so, as you will see, much of the interview took place on the phone while CNN ran video clips of my interview with the hate preacher.)




You can see the full video clip of the interview with Anderson and hear the entire audio interview, which is much longer, right here.

My CNN Appearance Re: Obama

I appeared on CNN earlier tonight and discussed President Obama and his promises, and what he has fulfilled and has not, with CNN's Don Lemon and Log Cabin Republican Charles Moran.

Clips of the Week: "That’s the Quitter's Way Out"

Our Friday feature on the show, Clips of the Week: the dumb, sometimes smart -- mostly not -- things they said all week, all put to music by our producer, David Guggenheim. This week: “That's the Quitter's Way Out”

MY CNN Discussion Re: Outrage

This is my discussion last night of the film Outrage with CNN's Don Lemon and Charles Moran of the Log Cabin Republicans. Some of you were commenting in last night's post, but continue the discussion here. (Interesting, one of the two "hogging" references is missing here; Don says he was just joking btw).

Outrage Panel This Friday

Per the speculation, Jim McGreevey will not be on the panel with me this Friday after the screening of Outrage at the Director's Guild Theater. But I'm totally jazzed that my good friend, ACT UP comrade and mentor Larry Kramer will be replacing him! It will be me and Larry, moderated by the sharp and witty activist Rodger McFarlane. Should be interesting. Friday, May 1, 8:00 pm (screening, followed by panel at 9:30), Directors Guild Theater (110 West 57th Street).

Debating About Miss California on CNN

Yes, it's crazy that this is still going on, but the right has been churning it and trying to cast her as a victim. This is a clip from my debate with CNN's Roland Martin about Carrie Prejean, Miss California, on CNN's AC360. I think it's important to read Martin's column first, to get an idea of where he's coming from in addition to knowing some of his not so good history on gay issues.

Just a Reminder

For those who are not subscribers to Sirius XM, you can always get a free trial to listen to the show at any time.

My CNN Debate From Weekend

This is just one clip from my discussion on CNN on Saturday with columnist David Sirota and Florida RNC chair Jim Greer. The discussion was wide-ranging from Obama's overseas trip to right-wingers calling the stimulus package "fascism" to the Iowa marriage ruling. It was 20 minutes live and then we even taped a segment that played later. Unfortunately, CNN only posted our discussion on guns and the recent shootings -- an important issue -- on their web site. This is a clip of that discussion.

My CNN Appearance Saturday Night

It was, for TV, a pretty long segment. So much so that it takes two YouTube clips. Don Lemon played several clips of his interview with national RNC chair Michael Steele then had Florida RNC chair Jim Greer and me debate his comments, the Republican Party's outreach to minorities and the future of the party. I love the part when Don brings up "Palin-Steele 2012. " Now that would be entertainment!

Clips of the Week: “Homosexual Attachments”

Our Friday feature on the show, Clips of the Week: the dumb, sometimes smart -- mostly not -- things they said all week, all put to music by our producer David Guggenheim. This week: “Homosexual Attachments”

A Log Cabinite Defends Palin

One day on the show last week we went though Sarah Palin's latest attempt to portray herself as a victim of that horrible so-called liberal media, and a Log Cabin Republican called to defend her.

Does Melissa Etheridge (and wife) Get the Shoe Toss?

Ever since Melissa Etheridge published her slobbering Rick Warren suck up on Huffington Post I've felt that the Obama people and anyone else who cared -- if they cared -- breathed a sign of relief. Basically, Ehtheridge was completely bamboozled by Warren, who played to her ego -- he wanted her autograph -- and then there was her wife -- idiotic and insulting post on her blog that portrayed Warren as the victim in all of this.

I think Etheridge's heart was in the right place, in wanting to engage -- I have less insight on what motivates her partner, however -- but this wasn't time to do it, and I feel like she just usurped the movement. Shouldn't she have consulted with gay activists first? Then again, she's been vocal on Prop 8, and certainly has a right to be. We always want celebrities to speak up and use their voices for the cause. But when they go off the reservation, do we just suck it up or do we have a responsibility to take them head on and let everyone know they only speak for themselves? In other words, do Etheridge and her wife get the communal shoe? We'll get into it on the show today. Let me know your thoughts.

Did Your Mamma Name That Street?

Yes, it's an actual street in Bari, Italy, where both sides of my family hail from. During a visit a few years back I asked a cab driver who that person was, and he said MS was a 19th century statesman, though I've not really researched it further.

A friend from my gym spotted the street sign while visiting Bari recently and sent me the pic. So, to the right-wing caller Deborah -- who tried to imply that I've made up by name by screeching, sarcastically, "Did your mamma give you that name?" -- screw you!