General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSo is diversity important or is it not important (a tale of two threads)
I posted a thread asking if we were ready for an open LGBT cabinet member, the results were decidedly mixed
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022127912
Another thread was posted celebrating the record number of women in the House.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2124366
Pretty much not one negative post. No posts asking why it is important to have women in Congress.
I would love an explanation for this difference that didn't involve either rampant hypocrisy or homophobia but I don't see one.
dkf
(37,305 posts)But I don't really like choosing people for the sole purpose of touting some characteristic whether it be race, sex, preference, religion....
dsc
(52,166 posts)dkf
(37,305 posts)I do not celebrate Michele Bachman or Sarah Palin.
On the other hand a largely male dominated congress seems pretty darned incompetent.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)if America is ready for out LGBT candidates, which is kind of a different question entirely. People on that thread were mostly commenting on the viability of particular candidates named. One or two were educated as to why being out in a position of peer matters. A good thing, no doubt.
Really, if anyone asks me if America is ready for a woman president, I'd have to say no. I don't agree with this at all, but I'm basing it on how badly the media (and people here) viewed both Clinton and Palin through a very sexist lens. I think it's going to take an extraordinary candidate to break that ceiling. My sense is we are not there yet.
And the thread on women had no negatives simply because it was celebrating an accomplishment, not competing with LGBT for acceptance. When we see some significant accomplishments in putting numbers of LGBTs in office, DU will undoubtably celebrate that as well. I hope you have no doubts about that.
Lately on DU, we are finally able to heartily celebrate gay marriages and rejoice the "norms" are changing. In time we hope to see more diversity in our govt as well.
gollygee
(22,336 posts)and I would be very happy to see one. Our leadership is stronger the more diverse it is - the more it looks like the country as a whole.