NYC Stonewall Democrats Endorse Quinn

Via press release:

The Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City, the city’s leading LGBT party organization, will back City Council Speaker Christine Quinn for Mayor of New York City. The Speaker won the club’s endorsement in a landslide victory Wednesday evening, capturing 80% of the vote.

The city’s oldest LGBT Democratic organization joins a growing list of supportive LGBT groups, including the Empire State Pride Agenda’s Political Action Committee, The Human Rights Campaign and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and a host of elected officials, including Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, State Senator Brad Hoylman.

“There’s no question that Speaker Quinn’s candidacy is a historic opportunity for New York City, but more important is her unmatched record of delivering for all New Yorkers,” said Stonewall Democratic Club President Melissa Sklarz.

RELATED: The National Stonewall Democrats went on an "indefinite hiatus" earlier this year due to lack of funding.

The End Of Stonewall Democrats?

National Stonewall Democrats are going on an indefinite hiatus due to ongoing funding difficulties. Executive director Jerame Davis spoke today to David Taffet at the Dallas Voice.

“A lot of decisions are being made,” Davis told the Voice. “It’s likely our office will be closed for most of this year.”  Davis continues to work as an unpaid volunteer and will use the current office in Washington, D.C., at least through the end of the month. Local and state chapters will continue to operate normally. Stonewall Democrats of Dallas President Omar Narvaez said his group’s regular monthly meeting is Jan 15. He described the Stonewall as very grassroots, operating from the bottom up, and said locally nothing will change.

In an email to members in early December, Davis warned the organization was facing a $30,000 deficit and might be forced to close if the money was not raised. Davis became executive director of National Stonewall Democrats in December 2011 and inherited the organization’s debt. “We’ve never raised enough money out of dues alone to keep the organization going,” he said. Most memberships come from the local Stonewall organizations. When a member pays dues to the local group, $10 is passed along to national. Davis said some groups are not passing along membership money.

You stay classy, Log Cabin.

Stonewall Democrats Face Budget Crisis

Via email for the National Stonewall Democrats:

For the second year in a row, our income has not met expectations. In 2011, we were able to offset the downturn by cutting costs - staff, services, programs; we cut everything to the bare essentials. We saw an uptick in funding at the beginning of 2012 as our renewed messaging and mission focus invigorated new and former donors, but as the campaigns heated up, donors were pulled in many directions and we felt the impact. As the year closes, we're facing a budget deficit of over $30,000 and if we do not bridge this gap, we will likely be forced to close our doors.

We will never be a huge multi-million dollar organization - and we don't need to be - but we do need the resources to complete this important work. That's where you come in. If everyone receiving this email contributed just $5, we could retire our debt and have a nice cushion going into the new year. If everyone gave $10, we could pay off the debt and have nearly 3/4 of our 2013 operating budget covered too. You have stepped up in the past and we're asking you to do so again. Please show your support by contributing any amount you can today - $5, $50, $500, even $5000. Every penny counts.

Here's the donation link.

Stonewall Democrats Denounce Log Cabin

"The Log Cabin Republicans have proven once and for all that they are not an organization aligned with the LGBT movement. They are a Republican front group bumbling their way into fooling LGBT voters that it's OK to support a party that would legislate us back into the closet. Their endorsement of Mitt Romney isn't just shameful - it's insulting.

"Mitt Romney stands for nothing positive for LGBT people. He supports a federal marriage amendment (which was a reason for Log Cabin to refuse to endorse George W. Bush in 2004). He supports McCarthy-like investigations into our community for evidence of 'harassment of Christians'. He opposes the repeal of DOMA. He opposes ENDA. He's even said things as basic as the right to visit your sick or dying loved one in the hospital is a 'privilege' and not a right. [snip]

"So there you have it - the Log Cabin Republicans, who screamed loudly and forcefully for months that liberal groups and LGBT movement posturing weren't going to affect their endorsements have instead allowed the interests of money sucking GOP insiders and the fear of a conservative performance troupe to decide their endorsement for them. It's reprehensible. Have they no decency?" - Jerame Davis, executive director of the National Stonewall Democrats, via press release.

FLORIDA: Log Cabin Republicans Run Ad Exploiting Death Of US Ambassador

The Broward County chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans ran the above Pam Geller-esque ad this week in the Florida Agenda, drawing the fury of National Stonewall Democrats head Jerame Davis, who fired off the below press release.

"The Broward Log Cabin Republican Club of Florida has cravenly disrespected the life and legacy of a United States civil servant with this ad. Put bluntly, they have crossed the line of civil discourse and good taste by including an image of the corpse of slain US Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens being carried through the streets of Benghazi, Libya. "Their shameless and callous use of the image of Ambassador Stevens' body aside, the confused hatchet men at Log Cabin are conflating a number of unrelated issues in order to attack Democrats and President Obama. First, they latch onto right-wing rumors that Ambassador Stevens was gay and then they insinuate that President Obama is responsible for the attack because he did not protect the Ambassador from 'Sharia Law'.

Then, in a very bizarre turn, they state their support for Israel as a 'beacon of hope' in the Middle East and urge voters to, 'support Israel in this hour of darkness: vote Republican!' It is simply unimaginable to me how any political message, let alone the muddy and ludicrous message of this ad, in any way justifies disgracing the memory of a man who gave his life in service to his country. This level of depravity and moral indifference must not be allowed to enter our political discourse. "We call upon the Broward Log Cabin Republican Club of Florida to retract this ad and apologize to Floridians for subjecting them to this sort of degenerate messaging. We also call upon Log Cabin Republicans national office to repudiate this ad for the partisan detritus that it is."

I'd expect something like this from GOProud, not Log Cabin.

UPDATE: Bilerico has the response from Log Cabin head R. Clark Cooper, who has forcefully denounced the action of the Florida chapter: "This ad does not represent the position of Log Cabin Republicans, and we reject it completely.  The 9-11 attack on Americans posted in Libya was a straight up act of terrorism. There are plenty of reasons to vote Republican on protecting US interests abroad, but such an ad is fallacious, simple minded and irresponsible."

UPDATE II: Cooper has emailed me a longer response: "This ad does not represent the position of Log Cabin Republicans, and we reject it completely. The 9-11 attack on Americans posted in Libya was a straight up act of terrorism.  To suggest the AQIM attack on our consular mission in Benghazi was connected to homophobia is just as ridiculous as USUN Ambassador Susan Rice claiming the attack in Benghazi was prompted by a film critical of Mohammed. There are plenty of reasons to vote Republican on protecting US interests abroad, but such an obscene ad is fallacious, simple minded and irresponsible.  I am deeply embarrassed to have to explain to strong pro-gay conservative ally, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, that an official chapter of LCR ran such an offensive and moronic ad." [Note from JMG: Ros-Lehtinen represents South Florida.]

Quote Of The Day - Jerame Davis

"Barney Frank is a distinguished and honorable public servant. He has faced nearly 40 years of unspeakable hatred and persecution for being the most prominent and outspoken openly gay elected official in the country. Regardless of what he has to say about Log Cabin Republicans, the notion that they would suggest a man as brave and upstanding as Congressman Frank is either cowardly or a bully is both deluded and absurd.

"The true bullies are the hate-mongers in the GOP who want to strip us of our rights and shove us back into the closet. And 'cowardly'? Cowardly is making pathetic excuses for the backward and misguided anti-LGBT policies of your Party. The Log Cabin Republicans are the most weak-kneed, sycophantic apologists I've ever encountered. After their dismal performance at the RNC convention driving the GOP platform even farther to the right, they should give back all the money they've fleeced from their donors and close the doors." - Jerame Davis, National Stonewall Democrats executive director, via press release.

At Charlotte's LGBT Welcome Party

Last night I attended Unity Charlotte, a rather swank welcoming party for the hundreds of LGBT delegates and activists attending the DNC. In the house were many boldface names such as former HRC head Joe Solmonese, former Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Brian Ellner, Clinton White House advisor Richard Socarides, New York Assemblyman Harry Bronson, Q Notes editor Matt Comer, and Stonewall Democrats president Jerame Davis and his partner, Bilerico founder Bil Browning.

We were welcomed by Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, who opened by denouncing Amendment One before ticking off Charlotte's accomplishments in LGBT rights, including the recent adoption of domestic partner benefits. Entertainers included disco queen Kristine W, lesbian comic Suzanne Westenhoefer, the Charlotte Pride Woodwind Quintet, and the local gay chorus. Great night and I got to meet a lot of JMG readers! Big thanks to my longtime San Francisco pal Ron Vereen for fetching me from the wilds of rural South Carolina. Hit the slideshow for more names and faces. Full screen photos here.

Stonewall Denounces Log Cabin

"Gay Republicans are touting new language in the GOP platform as being a step forward for LGBT equality and as evidence the Republican Party is moderating on LGBT issues. The specific text reads, 'We embrace the principle that all Americans have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.' The idea that this generic bit of meaningless rhetoric is movement by the GOP toward a more inclusive and pro-equality footing is preposterous. For decades, the Republican platform has included anti-LGBT language that, at various times, has opposed adoption rights, marriage equality, and the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

"What's even more ridiculous is the idea that this language is something new. The Republican Party platform has included similar language since at least 1996. This is just a rewording of a generic principle that few Republicans would construe to include LGBT equality. While the GOP gives lip service to the principle of dignity and respect for all, the reality of that ideal clearly escapes them. The real message to read in this is that the GOP's cognitive dissonance continues unabated and the apologists at Log Cabin Republicans are still selling snake oil and calling it progress." - Jerame Davis, executive director of National Stonewall Democrats, via email.

Stonewall Democrats To Log Cabin: Don't Endorse Anti-Gay Candidates

The National Stonewall Democrats have launched a petition campaign asking the Log Cabin Republicans to refrain from endorsing anti-LGBT candidates this year. Stonewall's executive director Jerame Davis writes:

In 2004, Log Cabin Republicans took a principled stand and refused to endorse George W. Bush for his support of a federal marriage amendment alone. These candidates have pledged to go farther than President Bush ever considered. Will Log Cabin Republicans follow its own precedent and refuse to endorse anti-equality politicians? Recent stories in the media suggest they may actually be willing to overlook the anti-LGBT pledges GOP candidates have taken against our community. Sign the petition and tell Log Cabin Republicans they should never endorse anti-LGBT candidates who pledge to deny us equality.

RELATED: The other allegedly gay Republican group, GOProud, has already issued a statement declaring that any of the four remaining GOP candidates would make a better president that Obama. GOProud staffers have been photographed brandishing a Romney banner.

Stonewall Democrats Head Steps Down

National Stonewall Democrats executive director Michael Mitchell has announced his resignation. Chris Geidner reports at Metro Weekly:

In an extended interview with Metro Weekly in his Massachusetts Avenue office, a space shared by several progressive LGBT organizations, Mitchell says that his commitment when he came to the organization was a two-year one. ''We're at the end of that contract,'' he says, ''so it just feels like the right time for me personally to not renew my contract.'' Board chair Craig Roberts, who spoke with Metro Weekly later on Oct. 17, says of the decision, ''I asked him earlier in the month what his intentions were going to be … and he decided that he was going to leave us at the conclusion of his contract, which is entirely his decision to make.

Mitchell's interim replacement will be Jerame Davis, who is the partner of Bilerico editor Bil Browning.

RELATED: Last week Equality California lost its second executive director in several months, an action gleefully reported by anti-gay groups.

Minnesota Stonewall Head: Stop Making Fun Of Marcus Bachmann

"I don’t view saying that someone’s gay is a negative thing, but I believe that perceived sexuality was being used as an attack on Marcus Bachmann, and I find it unacceptable to use perceived sexuality as an attack on anybody. The message I see it sending is a bit hypocritical because we’re advocating for policies in schools to stop this exact thing, saying someone’s effeminate or someone speaks with a high-pitched voice or even [saying] someone is gay because this a gay characteristic." - David Joseph DeGrio, chairman of Minnesota Stonewall DFL, speaking to the Minnesota Independent. Hit the link for DeGrio's letter to his members.

Stonewall Dems: Walmart Is Homophobic

As Walmart ramps up its media blitz against the New York City government, hoping to finally gain a foothold in the nation's largest market, the Stonewall Democrats have issued a statement denouncing the company as homophobic.

"Walmart represents a culture of intolerance and insensitivity towards LGBT employees and issues that is unwelcome in New York. Just last year more than 100 Walmart stores were found to be promoting a children's book that suggested that gay people can overcome “sin” and convert to heterosexuality with the help of counseling. Walmart CEO Mike Duke signed a petition in his home state of Arkansas that was aimed at preventing adoption by gay and lesbian parents. The 2011 Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, which evaluates corporations on LGBT issues, gave Walmart 40%. That failing grade is in marked contrast to other retailers like Macy's and Costco which both received 100%. "Walmart's values are not our values and they are certainly not New York's. Stonewall Democratic Club is committed to building a city that is free from intolerance towards all LGBT people - a city that remains Walmart free."

A Walmart spokesperson has denied the charge, saying that the company supports its LGBT employees. Today the company launched its second round of radio and newspaper ads urging the public to fight attempts to keep Walmart out of New York City.

DADT Survey Reactions

Senators Gillibrand, Udall, and Liebermann

"The Pentagon report makes it unambiguously clear that the risk of repeal on military effectiveness is minimal, that any risks can be addressed by implementing the report’s recommendations, and that a clear majority of active duty servicemen and women have no problem with repeal. The military has spoken and now is the time to repeal this policy that is damaging to our national security. The report is the product of one of the most, if not the most, extensive studies on a military personnel issue that has ever been conducted and its findings demonstrate that we can proceed with repeal of this discriminatory policy in a way that ensures that the U.S. military continues to be the best fighting force in the world. Men and women, regardless of their race, religion, or sexual orientation, who are willing to fight and defend our country should be allowed to do so without fear of discrimination."

Servicemembers United

"This thorough and comprehensive report makes clear to lawmakers and the American people once and for all that the U.S. military is capable of handling the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' The questions are now answered and the debate is now settled," said Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United and a former U.S. Army Human Intelligence Collector who was discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." "It's now up to the Senate to bring the defense authorization bill back to the floor, allow 10 to 20 amendments to be debated on each side, and get this bill passed. We have the votes now if the process is fair."

People For The American Way

“For years, the Right has fought to preserve the discriminatory, ineffective Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, claiming that allowing gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country would put American troops in harm’s way. The Defense Department’s comprehensive study exposes this ugly, dishonest fear-mongering for what it is. The vast majority of U.S. troops do not feel threatened by serving alongside gays and lesbians, and our military leaders say repealing the policy won’t put national security at risk—in fact, the opposite is true. Allowing gay and lesbian service members to serve openly makes all of us safer. The arguments for keeping Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell have come up empty. It’s time for the Senate to listen to our troops, to the courts, to the majority of Americans, and to their own common sense, and end this failed experiment in discrimination once and for all.”

Stonewall Democrats

"Recent statements by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and even Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) that more study needs to take place before repeal are just stall tactics, especially given the thorough, year-long process that the Defense Department undertook to study the issue of repeal. We also find it ironic that the Senators said that the upper chamber should be talking about jobs and not ‘political’ issues like DADT repeal. We remind the Senators that DADT is about jobs: the jobs of thousands of soldiers, some of them mission critical and irreplaceable, who were discharged from the military because of the discriminatory DADT. DADT repeal is not some fringe issue being pushed by a small minority; it is an issue supported by a large majority of Americans and now, we find with the official release of the study, by an equally large majority of the military."

OutServe

"This report definitely answers the question of the impact of DADT repeal on the military. Specifically, knowing a soldier is gay has no negative impact on readiness," said Jonathan Hopkins, former Army Captain and veteran of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We've known this for a long time. Among military members who know they've served with someone gay, 92% said that repeal would have little or no negative effect on military readiness. 69% of servicemembers who responded to the survey said they served with someone they knew or suspected was gay. "This study gets to the facts, and exposes the invented argument of 'unit cohesion' as a myth," said Hopkins. "Those who've served with gay or lesbian soldiers, Marines, or servicemembers of any stripe recognize that gay troops have – as the Pentagon report says – a 'patriotic desire to serve' as well as a 'desire to fit in, coexist, and succeed in the military environment.'""I don't want any special treatment. I just want them to take the knife out of my back so I can serve," said an anonymous gay Marine on the OutServe network.

Human Rights Campaign

“This issue has been studied for fifty years, including by the military itself, and the results from over twenty-two studies are uniform: open service does not harm effectiveness,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “The small handful of Senators blocking repeal no longer have any fig leaves behind which to hide. The time for repeal is now.” “America’s men and women in uniform are professionals who already serve with gays and lesbians and repeal will do nothing to change their dedication to protecting our nation,” said Solmonese. “Senators who said they want to hear from military leaders and troops now have their answers. Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will allow every qualified man and woman to serve without sacrificing the high standards that have made our military great.”

PODCAST: Same Sex Sunday

Same Sex Sunday is a weekly LGBT news and activism podcast hosted by Phil Reese and Joe Mirabella. This week's guests:

Christian Berle: Deputy Director, Log Cabin Republicans
Christopher Massicotte: Treasurer, Stonewall Democrats
Shawn Werner: Director of Campaign Services, Victory Fund
Michael J Wilson: Director, Americans for Democratic Action

Today's topics: "After Tuesday's election, the political landscape clearly changed for the gay, lesbian, bi, and transgender communities. But how did it change? What does a Republican majority mean? What role do Log Cabin Republicans play in moving us forward? How did state races move us closer to marriage equality? Will Obama face a Democratic primary challenge?"

DADT Cloture Vote Reactions

Stonewall Democrats

"Senate Republicans have tragically blocked the National Defense Authorization Act because it contains language to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," showing themselves to be far outside of the American mainstream. Their actions today are just more obstructionism and willful disregard of what 8 in 10 Americans want. It is a sad the lengths the GOP will go to in order to discriminate against soldiers who want to serve our country openly, honorably and with integrity. It is nothing short of a slap in the face to their service in their fight for our freedoms. Today, one man's bigotry and opinions proved how out of touch the GOP is with the majority of Americans. Today Senator John McCain held back progress and history. Senator McCain along with the rest of the Republican party is consistently out of touch with the values that Americans hold true to in 2010.”

National Gay & Lesbian Task Force

“Once again, politicians are playing politics with people's lives. Filibustering the defense authorization bill to block action on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal and the DREAM Act — two measures that do justice to the fundamental principle of fairness — is a disappointment and disservice to our country. Seventy-eight percent of Americans support ending 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and countless others believe that young people should be provided a path to citizenship in the country they love and have always called home. Today's Senate vote mocks those ideals. The senators who led and supported the filibuster effort should be ashamed.”

Human Rights Campaign

Today our military readiness and national security were set back as Senator John McCain successfully led a Republican filibuster of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), to which the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is attached. Not since 1948 has Congress failed to act on the NDAA. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has committed to bringing the bill back up following the election. “This filibuster was election year politics at its worst,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “It’s a shame that during a time of war, Republican Senators wouldn’t even allow debate on the bill that provides a pay raise for our troops.”

GetEQUAL

Today is a disappointing day for everyone who has engaged in this fight over the years -- for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Servicemembers United, Outserve, Knights OUT, countless servicemembers who have taken action with us, and the active-duty servicemembers across the globe who are being forced to remain closeted while serving our country. We thank them for their service and we stand steadfast in our commitment to serve them as they have served us. We are calling on President Obama to show the courage and leadership required of the Commander in Chief to unequivocally state that military discharges must end immediately. Our elected leaders have demonstrated that they are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing. Now it's time for our "fierce advocate" to step up to the plate for us.

GOProud

“Just now on the floor of the Senate, Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell offered a consent agreement that would have allowed for a vote on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal and provided a fair framework for the debate. Unfortunately, Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid rejected this offer – and as a result, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal has died in the Senate. “The defeat of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal lies solely with Harry Reid and the Democrat leadership. Harry Reid is playing political games with the lives of the brave gay men and women serving in our military. It's clear now that Lady GaGa should have held her Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal rally in Nevada instead of Maine.”

Servicemembers United

"Today's vote is a failure of leadership on the part of those who have been duly elected to serve this nation and to put the best interests of the country ahead of partisan politics," said Alexander Nicholson, founder and Executive Director of Servicemembers United. "The Senate could learn a good lesson from those who serve in uniform and who stand to benefit from proceeding to debate on this bill - serving this country means putting politics aside and getting the job done. It is simply inexcusable that this vote failed today." The votes to break the filibuster had previously been lined up, but last week Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid decided to use an uncommon procedural privilege on the bill that eroded support for breaking the filibuster and guaranteed the vote's failure. Intense lobbying and public pressure over the past week proved not to be enough to force either side to back down. The Senate will not likely take up the defense authorization bill again until after the mid-term elections in November.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

“Today’s Senate vote was a frustrating blow to repeal this horrible law. We lost because of the political maneuvering dictated by the mid-term elections. Let’s be clear: Opponents to repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ did not have the votes to strike those provisions from the bill. Instead, they had the votes for delay. Time is the enemy here. We now have no choice but to look to the lame duck session where we’ll have a slim shot. The Senate absolutely must schedule a vote in December when cooler heads and common sense are more likely to prevail once midterm elections are behind us. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network will continue to take this fight to the American people, the vast majority of whom support repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’”

HomoQuotable - Michael Mitchell

"While I'm glad that Governor Crist has changed his position on a number of issues regarding LGBT equality, it's simply too little, too late from a politician who has spent his life using the LGBT community as a political football. Kendrick Meek, Crist's Democratic opponent, has an outstanding track record of fully supporting our community, whereas Charlie Crist has spent his political career using us as a wedge to further his own ambitions.

"Charlie Crist is the worst kind of politician. When it was clear to him and everyone that there was no way he could win the Republican Primary - he became an Independent and thus left long held positions in order to save his political future. Once again, he is attempting to use the lives of LGBT people as pawns in his game to win votes at any cost." - National Stonewall Democrats executive director Michael Mitchell.

DADT Ruling Reactions

Human Rights Campaign

“Today a federal judge affirmed what the vast majority of the American people know to be true – that it’s time for the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law to be sent to the dustbin of history. With this legal victory in hand, Congress is right now in a perfect position to strengthen our national security by ending a law that has discharged thousands of capable service members. With House passage already secured, the Senate can and should vote in the next few weeks to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and allow every qualified man and woman the chance to serve with honor.”

American Foundation for Equal Rights

"Today's court decision declaring "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" unconstitutional is yet another significant and long-overdue step toward full equality for all Americans. Along with the recent federal court decisions on DOMA and Proposition 8, it is clear that our nation is moving toward the day when every American will be treated equally under the law, as is required by our Constitution."

Stonewall Democrats

“Today’s Federal court decision calling the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy unconstitutional on grounds that it violates gay military members' rights to free speech, due process and open association is another nail in the coffin of the policy.” Mitchell continued, “We’re glad that the Federal court agrees with President Obama’s position: that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell needs to come to an end. Our Senators need to hear from their constituents demanding repeal. We also call on Senate Republicans to rise above the obstructionism they’ve been playing at for months and let a vote happen on what the vast majority of Americans want: repeal of DADT.”

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

“We’re pleased by the judge's decision, but this decision is likely to be appealed and will linger for years. Congress made the DADT law 17 years ago and Congress should repeal it. The Senate will have the opportunity to do just that this month and most Americans think the Senate should seize it.”

Reactions To Lifting Of Prop 8 Stay

Equality California

Monumental! U. S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker has denied Yes on 8 proponents their request that he stay his decision which declared that Prop 8 unconstitutional, paving the way for couples to get married. This is an incredibly joyful moment in our history, not only for all of the committed couples who will finally be able to get married, but also because a fundamental constitutional freedom has been restored in our great state. Our victory today is due in no small part to the State of California’s stance on the case. Governor Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown both asked the court to lift the stay and allow marriages to commence. Both have refused to defend Prop. 8 in court, preventing the State’s talented attorneys and vast legal resources from playing a role in this case.

National Gay & Lesbian Task Force

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the same-sex couples who will again be free to experience the joy and celebration of legally marrying in California. This is a remarkable moment, stemming from the landmark ruling declaring Proposition 8 unconstitutional. That decision came down to a simple yet profound principle: People should be treated equally under the law. Lifting the stay puts that principle into practice. We thank the judge for his continuing sense of fairness and sound reasoning in this case.”

Stonewall Democrats

"At a time when a majority of the American public believe that same-sex couples should have the legal right to marry, Judge Walker’s decision to lift the stay on marriage for same-sex couples is simply a natural expression of a Constitution that guarantees equality for all Americans,” said Michael Mitchell, Executive Director of the National Stonewall Democrats. “It only seems radical to a shrinking minority of people who are on the wrong side of history.” “As we head into midterm elections, it’s important to remember that in large part, it’s been the Republican party that has used marriage equality as a wedge issue, Republican governors who vetoed marriage equality measures and Republican Members of Congress who pushed for a Constitutional amendment that would forever keep LGBT people as second-class citizens. We, of course, welcome and applaud any elected official of either party who supports marriage equality, but time and again, it’s pro-equality Democrats who are doing the lion’s share of the work that will ultimately result in full marriage equality.”

Faith In America

"We applaud Judge Walker's responsible handling of the stay regarding Prop 8. Clearly his ruling that Proposition 8 violates Constitutional rights is a landmark opinion and it deserves careful deliberation. No longer will religious-based objections to marriage be a justification for the government to keep the right to marriage away from same-sex couples,² said Mitchell Gold, founder of Faith in America. Judge Walker¹s ruling last week in which he found that banning marriage between same-sex couples was unconstitutional, also acknowledged that religion has been misused to justify harm to gays and lesbians and their families. "We are so happy for the LGBT couples in California who wish to marry the love of their life, just as I was able to do a few short weeks ago in the State of Iowa," Gold continued. "Same-sex couples deserve the same freedom and rights allowed by the Constitution. Today is another historic day."

Lambda Legal

"Although we're disappointed that Judge Walker elected today to give the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals a chance to consider the issue of the stay, we are gratified that he has denied the request to put his historic ruling on hold during any appeals. He has applied the standard legal tests in the standard way and reached the only logical conclusions given the overwhelming evidence produced at trial: nobody is harmed - especially not the backers of Prop 8 - by restoring equality in marriage to California's same-sex couples. Nobody suffers when everyone is treated equally. There's enough equality to go around. "To maintain the stay, the Ninth Circuit will have to find that Prop 8's proponents are likely to win on appeal or will suffer irreparable harm if same-sex couples again are allowed to marry. But at this point, the truth is crystal clear, as last week's decision explains: the only people suffering harm are lesbian and gay couples whose constitutional rights are violated every day that Prop 8 remains in force, and who simply seek the same rights everyone else already enjoys."

NEW YORK: Activists Attack Senate Leader Over Support For Anti-Gay Dems

New York Senate leader John Sampson met with the Stonewall Democratic Club in Brooklyn this weekend where activists ripped him a new one over his support for Sen. Ruben Diaz and Sen. Shirley Huntley, both of whom vigorously oppose marriage equality. Things got so heated at the meeting that Sampson threatened to walk out.

Sampson has angered gay advocates with his pledge to support all Senate Dems seeking reelection, including the six who voted against the same-sex marriage bill, killing it, 38 to 24. He's also refused to promise to put the controversial bill up for another vote. "I don't think the senator is a homophobe by any stretch of the imagination, but we'd like to see him working on our side a little bit harder," club President Joe Hagelmann said about Saturday's meeting at Junior's Cheesecake. Eight Democrats joined all 30 Republicans in opposing the bill. One opponent, Hiram Monserrate, has since been expelled from the Senate. Another no-vote, Sen. George Onorato, is retiring. Five of the remaining six face serious primary or general election challenges.

The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender [LGBT] community is especially concerned by Sampson's support of Queens Sen. Shirley Huntley, a "no" voter facing a primary challenge from gay-marriage supporter Lynn Nunes. Sampson gave Huntley $9,500 from his own campaign cash and tried unsuccessfully to prevent the Empire State Pride Agenda, New York's largest LGBT organization, from endorsing Nunes. Sampson is also supporting Bronx Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., the most vocal opponent of gay marriage in the Democratic conference. Sampson is headlining a fund-raiser Thursday for Diaz Sr., whose primary challenger is ex-Assembly staffer and community organizer Charlie Ramos.

Catch that last line? The Democratic leader of the New York Senate is headlining a fucking fundraiser for Sen. Ruben Diaz, who says that he is the church AND the state for New York. Click over to the Advocate for Julie Bolcer's detailed report from the meeting.

Activists To Crash Harold Ford's Speech at NYC LGBT Community Center

LGBT activist group The Power has announced plans to crash next week's speech by former Rep. Harold Ford (D-TN) at the NYC LGBT Community Center.

On Wednesday, February 24th at 6 p.m., The Power invites you to join us in confronting anti-LGBT Senate hopeful Harold Ford, Jr. when he addresses the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City at the LGBT Community Services Center at 208 West 13th Street (between 7th & 8th Avenue). Be there early and invite all your friends to stand united against his lies. SMS: If you plan to attend, please text keyword LGBT to 95495 to get important late breaking updates via SMS. Ford, a member of one of Tennessee's most corrupt political families, has a record of lying to gay people to advance his political career. As a Tennessee Congressman, Ford pursued the endorsement of National Stonewall Democrats, promising that organization that he would not support an amendment to the Constitution banning same-sex marriage. After getting the endorsement, Ford not only supported it, he gave a floor speech on behalf of the amendment and voted for it twice!

Ford says he now supports marriage equality. He continues to remain coy about his decision on whether to oppose Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the fall.