Dear Democrats: We need to talk. Love, The Gays

[Bluebear]

Dear Democrats,

We need to talk.

This may be a hard letter to read, but I need to figure out if this relationship is still healthy for me.

For the longest time, I thought we had something special. Remember how much fun we used to have back when we were young, and control of the Congress and the presidency was just a crazy dream? You always used to ask me for help, and you knew I'd never turn you down.

You were so adorable when we were courting. Sure, you never really understood me, but I liked that you seemed to try. The White House cocktail parties were totally fun, and that Easter Egg Roll is something I'll always cherish. Or remember the time you let me march in the Inaugural parade! Other than that whole Rick Warren thing, I really thought we had a connection.

I know you kept telling me that you weren't ready for marriage, but I was willing to wait since you had promised so much else in the meantime.

But now, I've kind of had it. I'm just not getting what I need out of this relationship. You rarely call me anymore, and when you do it's to ask for money. We talked about joining the military together -- but now it seems like you are flaking on that commitment. You promised to protect me from the homophobes at work, but you don't seem to be in a hurry to actually do it. And that Department of Justice brief thing was just cruel. I'll never understand why you did that.

It almost seems like you're embarrassed by me in public. I know not everyone in your family approves of us, but before you got your new job, it seemed like you didn't care what they thought and were always ready to fight for me. Now, it's like you're a different person.

Please don't take this the wrong way. I still think we have a future. I want us to have a future. But I need this relationship to be healthy for both of us. And I just can't get excited anymore by your empty promises and half-gestures.

I need you to take a real step. You know what I'm talking about -- the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell.

I still worry every day that I can be fired in 29 states just because I'm gay. And my friend who is transgender can be fired in 38 states. I know you can do it. You've helped protect people from employment discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, disability and many other characteristics. Each time my friend and I have been left behind. It's our turn. ENDA's time has come.

It's our turn to be welcomed into the military as well. I want to serve my country openly and proudly. I was so excited when you promised you would repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell this year after 17 long years of putting up with it.

Now, I can't even get you to talk about DADT.

You promised to change. I know that you can. But why should I stand by your side when you can't keep your promises to me?

I get that you're scared. But I'm scared too -- scared of losing you. You need to prove to me that you really care. You need to finally give me the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell, like you promised.

I have enough disappointments in my life. I need you to not be one of them.

Love,

The Gays

(and all those who love and care about them)

http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/DearDemocrats

[Ian David]

1. Signed and posted on Twitter! n/t

[Binka]

2. K & R

Hi BB. :hi:

[pinboy3niner]

3. Signed & FB'd -- K&R

:kick:

[county worker]

4. This Democrat is having a Courage Campaign voter information booth at a Harvey Milk

celebration in a park in Santa Maria. I'm also hosting a phone bank in my home on the 29th giving voter information and education about the up coming June 8 election. I am not gay but I am working for equality just the same as are many heterosexual Dems.

Instead of whining why not get out and do something about it and not blame other people!

[awoke_in_2003]

86. don't think this is aimed at the people...

it is aimed at the leaders, who never seem to follow the will of the people.

[kenny blankenship]

5. You been lookin' for love in all the wrong places.

You can't make somebody love you. Jail taught me that.

[joeybee12]

6. KNR

[DearAbby]

7. Signed K&R

Now come on over here, let Mamma give you a hug.

[DevonRex]

8. I signed this letter this morning when I got it in my email. K&R. nt

[foxfeet]

25. Same here.

[Arkansas Granny]

9. K & R

[EFerrari]

10. When we are old and full of sleep, we'll remember that we lived through the Big Ugly, Bluebear.

:grouphug:


William Butler Yeats. b. 1865

863. When You are Old

WHEN you are old and gray and full of sleep
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

How many loved your moments of glad grace, 5
And loved your beauty with love false or true;
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face.

And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how love fled 10
And paced upon the mountains overhead,
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

[DevonRex]

12. OMG. At first I didn't see the comma.

Then I saw it was your post and reread it. :rofl: at myself. And :hi:

[EFerrari]

16. lol

:hi:

[pinboy3niner]

19. Very nice! Poor "Big Ugly Bluebear," LOL!

:rofl:

[Bluebear]

26. LOl to all....well, I never!! :)

:rofl:

[Echo In Light]

11. K/R

[donco6]

13. Love it, but . . .

I keep thinking of a bad Maury Povitch episode and am waiting for the crazy stalker girlfriend to come busting in, with two babies in tow.

[laughingliberal]

14. Huge REC! nt

[Teka]

15. Awesome!!

Signed, added to my Facebook wall

[unhappycamper30]

17. Signed! K&R

[kiva]

18. Happy to K & R n/t

[NoSheep]

20. Signed and shared on Facebook

[racaulk]

21. K&R!

:kick:

[rhett o rick]

22. rec. I might be able to understand why Obama has it tough getting things done on health care, bank

reform, lobbying reform, etc. To not repeal DADT is unbelievable. It should have been the very first thing he did after taking office. There are two good reasons. One, the most important, it's the right f'in thing to do. Second, it would have been a nice thank you to the left for all their hard work to get him elected. No matter what he really thinks of us, we deserved a small thanks. DADT would have been good. And third, compared to the other huge tasks ahead, it is relatively easy.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

23. K&R

A lot of folks have had much to be disappointed about, but I don't think any group has more. :( :hug:

[rhett o rick]

24. Does anyone have a clue why the pres wont repeal DADT? Was he scared by a gay in his childhood? nm

[Tailormyst]

30. It seems to me

That he is still courting the RW and is afraid to upset them. OR, he just really is against equality. Cowardice or bigotry. Has to be one or the other.

[Kitsune]

34. "Cowardice or bigotry."

That pretty much sums it up perfectly. I wish more people would talk about it in those terms, because you're exactly right.

[liberation]

52. n-dimensional chess people, n-dimensional chess.....

[awoke_in_2003]

87. +1000. nt

[Bluenorthwest]

73. Those are the choices, cowardice or bigotry

exactly. He is a craven bigot, or a bigoted coward.

[Ignis]

32. Chess, AKA:

"It's horribly, terribly complicated.
Peons like you just wouldn't understand.
Just show up in November and pull the lever, damnit!"

[Bluebear]

33. :nodding:

[rhett o rick]

44. Well I dont really have an argument for that, so..... ok. nm

[struggle4progress]

58. Because it's a statute, and statutes are repealed by Congress, not by the President?

Because a concerted campaign, to blame the President for Congress's failure to repeal the statute, predictably gave Congress an opportunity to take all the heat off themselves by pointing fingers blaming the President for Congress's failure to act?

Because instead of grassroots organizing directed at undermining the wacko obstructionist wingnuts who have built their political careers by drumming up hate, we've seen a concerted effort to undermine support for the party that actually proposes to ditch DADT?

:shrug:

[Bluenorthwest]

74. This President employs some of the you call 'wacko'

Such as Josh DuBois. Donnie McClurkin. Read up on McClurkin's quotes, and dig that Michelle says he is her favorite entertainer. Calls gay people child killers, Michelle Obama loves him for that.
Barack the candidate made direct, detailed promises to lead the Congress. He has failed to do so, he has not even tried.
I notice that you do not even mention ENDA, because it is uncomfortable to have to admit that in most of the States, gay people can be fired for simply being gay. You like to pretend this is some conceptual issues, worthy of splitting hairs about how it 'should' be fought for. It is about people, jobs, housing, taxes, and in a very basic way, it is about justice. And you want to play 'that's not the secret pass word'.
I do not agree with you that people should be fired until they learn to ask nicely not to be discriminated against.

[mitchtv]

93. +7

K&R

[struggle4progress]

95. Donnie McClurkin has a position in the Administration? Since when?

The McClurkin concert was a while ago in 2007, before the 2008 primaries

Michelle Obama loves McClurkin for calling gay people child killers? Really? In my world, an accusation like that requires some evidence, beyond her taste in music and the fact that he said some idiotic stuff on the 700 Club seven years ago

I think Clint Eastwood's spaghetti Westerns are classics and regard his "Unforgiven" as a brilliant film: I can't stand his politics. Similarly, I thought "Road Warrior" was a fantastic movie but regard Gibson's religious views as bordering on certifiable insanity. Lots of folk enjoyed Michael Jackson's music but thought the excessive plastic surgery and strange interactions with children indicated some substantial and unattractive personality problems. Maybe Michelle Obama just liked McClurkin's music

[The Green Manalishi]

78. It's called an 'Executive Order'

and Truman used it to integrate the army in 1948. Yes, over the objections of senior officers and without asking a soul in congress.

DADT could be history by 12:01 AM tomorrow if the President Obama wished it so.

[Lilith Velkor]

82. Thank you!

Jesus Fuck, I was beginning to think I was the only one around here who's read any history or civics.

[FedUp_Queer]

89. Actually, not quite.

This is not the same thing as Truman integrating the military. DADT is a statute, Congress must repeal it. HOWEVER, you are right to say that Obama could TOMORROW, suspend its enforcement through stop loss. Then work to repeal the law.

This letter struck me as words I have thought myself. Let me also say that I think this post frames ENDA wrong. The issue is not that an employer can fire a person because they are gay in many states (they can). I think we need to frame it differently. An employer can fire (or not hire) a person based on their sexual orientation. This means that right now, an employer can fire a person because they are gay or straight!!! I think once straights understand this, ENDA doesn't look so extreme to an awful lot of people.

[FedUp_Queer]

98. Exactly...

It's all of us GLBT's peoples fault that Obama has dropped the ball on DADT. It's OUR fault that he has not only done nothing to repeal it (Executive Order to Stop Loss LGBT people to stop discharges and work for repeal), but he has told people in Congress to not try (Google Alcee Hastings and DADT to find out) to. This is our fault. I'm very glad I know who's really to blame here. Next time I read of a woman or girl someone raped, I will be sure to ask: "Well, what was she wearing?"

[struggle4progress]

99. um ... huh?

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tailormyst]

28. Thanks for posting this.

I had high hopes for this President.

[amborin]

29. K&R

[Prism]

31. K&R

[Forkboy]

35. K&R

[depakid]

36. Happy to put my name on that...

[tnlefty]

37. K&R and signed.

:kick:

[stevedeshazer]

38. Recommended.

[Starry Messenger]

39. already recc'd

here's a kick. :)

[David Zephyr]

40. Rec # 76.

!

[myrna minx]

41. Signed and K&R n/t

[Touchdown]

42. You're too nice about it. I'm tired of being nice.

My letter to Democrats would've been... Give me the same rights as straight people have or I will take an ice pick to your eyes!

[readmoreoften]

47. I like your style! Touchdown indeed!

Or maybe Touche.

[liberation]

51. Well, you ain't kidding with your avatar... that's for sure :-)

J/K!!!

[Stinky The Clown]

43. Stinky <----K&R #80

[earth mom]

45. K & R! nt

[readmoreoften]

46. Meh, I'm not scared of losing them. I already broke up with them. But if they're nice...

maybe someday we can be friends. I would never trust them as a partner, but maybe we could be on friendly terms.

[unkachuck]

48. K&R....n/t

[Bonobo]

49. Fantastic. K&R

Edit: Too late to rec. But I thought it was great.

Equal rights is such a no-brainer but I think multiple approaches and multiple exposures like this will be needed to overcome inertia.

[cliffordu]

50. K&R

[William Z. Foster]

53. k and r

Thanks.

[WillyT]

54. K & R !!!

:applause:

:hi:

:kick:

[Enthusiast]

55. K&R and signed. nt

[bertman]

56. I have a sinking feeling that your letter is addressed to "John Democrat", but it's a valiant

effort and a great letter.

Signed.

K & R

[dmr]

57. Signed.

:hug:

[Skittles]

59. I STAND WITH "THE GAYS"

YES INDEED

[saracat]

60. Bravo! K+R

[goclark]

61. K and R

[ZombieHorde]

62. Recommended. nt

[unpossibles]

63. brilliant. nt

[MarshalltheIrish]

64. I co-sign to this!

As a straight ally, I feel this way, word for word.

[girl_interrupted]

65. Bluebear..Signed, Sealed, Delivered K&R

Thank you for bringing this petition to our attention, Bluebear. It's time we become "civil" about other people's rights. I hope a lot of people join in signing & supporting this. It's way past time.

[girl_interrupted]

66. Bluebear..Signed, Sealed, Delivered K&R

Thank you for bringing this petition to our attention, Bluebear. It's time we become "civil" about other people's rights. I hope a lot of people join in signing & supporting this. It's way past time.

[Mojeoux]

67. People who love Gays and Gay People Put Obama in Office!

True that!!!!

[cate94]

68. K & R

[Happyhippychick]

69. Signed. Thanks for sharing. xo

[tekisui]

70. KNR!

[Scruffy1]

71. The right wing hate machine has poisoned our country

Even in the 60's I knew many gays in the army who didn't work very hard to hide it. The general rule
seemed to be do your job and we'll leave you alone as we got a whole lot more serious thing s to worry about. I trace a lot of the current gay bashing back to Ron Raygun and his unholy alliance with the prosperity gospel hucksters. After all what's the point of being "saved" if you can't feel superior to someone else? So we've been dealing with this stupidity that we classify people on what they do with their bodies a few minutes a week rather than on how they do their job or their character. The gay community has waited too long for a simple thing speaks loads about our oligarchy and also how the liberal establishment is so willing to be co-opted.

[awoke_in_2003]

88. yep...

most of what is wrong with this country can be traced back to the Reagan's religious wrong.

[Mad_Dem_X]

72. K&R. Wonderful letter.

[Bluenorthwest]

75. It is a point that needed to be made

I sure hope the Democratic Party is listening, and ignoring the anti equality bigotry of Tim Kaine and others.

[Soylent Brice]

76. K&R

[customerserviceguy]

77. Well stated

You really have a style with words!

[mlevans]

79. This is thoughtful and well reasoned, with a charming touch of humor.

It's also absolutely true, every word. Speaking as a hetero male, I feel it is long past time that these things were done. I have and do work with gay people, many of whom I consider friends as well as colleagues. The notion that those of us who are not gay are somehow threatened by our brothers and sisters who are is ludicrous from the word go. Rather than "gay pride" and "family values" rallies, I would love to see "people pride" gatherings, all of us united and taking joy in the delight of being members of the human race. I thought we were headed in that direction back in the '60s, but somewhere along the way we seem to have missed the mark. I won't quit hoping for it though. Good post, friend.

[icymist]

80. K&R

Thanks for posting this, Bluebear.

[unapatriciated]

81. signed and posted on FB

on a side note, Credo is a great mobil phone co. We round up monthly and at the end of the year we get a ballot and a vote as to where the money goes.

[nichomachus]

83. I'm not scared of losing them any more -- I just want my shit back

I sent them a lot of money (well, a lot for me).

[freddie mertz]

84. K & R. The "president's "delays" on these issues are unconscionable.

And THEN there is the silence in the congress and senate.

I expected more, but then, I took the promises seriously.

[awoke_in_2003]

85. "You rarely call me anymore"

don't worry, elections are coming up. I am sure they will start calling again. Lather, rinse, repeat- the party is good at that :sarcasm:

on edit: You get a "rec", too

[Bryn]

90. K&R

[AtheistCrusader]

91. K&R

[tango-tee]

92. Still in time for a heartfelt K&R!

I'm with you, dear bluebear!

In solidarity and love :yourock:

[skyounkin]

94. Shit!!

Do I get the gay if I read this??

DO I GET THE GAY IF I READ THIS?!!


::runs away screaming in terror::

[Bluebear]

96. Yes.

:)

[skyounkin]

97. Really??

::goes to rentboy.com::

>.>