Dear Friends of the Gay and Lesbian Community,
In my view, no group of people have more at stake in this election than the gay men and women of America and, perhaps, around the world, as human rights are being threatened and denied universally.
In my view, no group of people have worked harder or have been more vocal in defending their rights than the gay community but it is also from my view that I witness opposition to those rights mounting an aggressive attack in the media, on the pulpit and in the political arena.
The Far Right-Christian-Conservatives, that have hijacked the platform of the Republican Party, love to place their blanket of sanctimonious values over gays and lesbians by saying, “We love you and care for your souls and that is why we wish to SAVE you”…but only so long as you do, in fact, go away!
I align with Liberalism because historical precedents and a connection to certain values have steered me toward an ideology that has fought for the rights and opportunities for women, minorities and the poor against opposition put forth by the status quo. I consider the rights of Gay Americans in the same vein and that is why, today, I am compelled to appeal to the gay community to become even more active in this election than ever before.
I have seen some resignation caused by frustration and a willingness to compromise (“Let’s just call it a ‘civil union’,” for example) and I believe it’s time for all of us, straight, gay or confused, to order our priorities.
Yes, these are tough economic times, and yes, there are tenuous alliances on the world stage, but Human Rights have always been the centerpiece of American strength and this is still the most important battle we wage today.
It has to bother all conservatives that Mitt Romney ran for governor of Massachusetts promising to be more responsive to gay rights “than even Ted Kennedy” and today, in his quest to prove himself to be the conservatives conservative, he denounces gay marriage. His handlers and supporters will connect the dots to portray an ideological consistency but it has to be clear to everyone that Mitt Romney will believe whatever he needs to believe to get his party’s support.
Perhaps moderate conservatives do not join Mitt’s new objective to amend the Constitution to define marriage as “a union between one man and one woman” (as has transpired in North Carolina) or Rick Santorum (who equates gay sex as the equivalent to incest or bestiality) or Michelle Bachmann (“It is part of Satan to say ‘this is gay’”…of course at the Bachmann’s that could be pillow talk!) but does a moderate conservative have any voice in the Republican Party anymore?
What used to exist as the political right wing (think Reagan, Eisenhower, Nixon, Goldwater) has been led by the nose into an extreme conservatism so afraid of losing its grip that they dress up as Minutemen in parking lots with muskets from WalMart carrying placards decrying their loss of “Freedumb.”
President Obama admitted that his view of gay marriage had “evolved” after speaking with gay and lesbian friends, soldiers and staff with regard to this issue and he is now voicing support after years of frustrating his gay supporters (and all of us who support non-prejudicial civil rights). It is one thing to “flip flop” from supporting human being’s rights to a new position that limits them, as Romney did, than it is to have flipped from having a limited perspective to a more inclusive one.
Having ended “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is also a significant contrast to his opponent who said when it was repealed that “It should have been kept in place.”
President Obama has stumbled at times in his futile desire to be politically-inclusive, but, this election is about realism as much as idealism and now it’s about experience, as well.
President Obama rode into the White House on a wave of expectation, much of which was created by our own fantasies and not by his design, and after nearly 4 years reality has taken its place, but, the hope we shared is still alive and will find its roots in the highest purpose of America itself; the defense of human rights.
Bottom line? There is no choice in terms of who needs to be in the White House from 2012 to 2016. Obama as a second term, lame duck President could become a truly great presidency in the matters of human rights, the environment, education, foreign policy, the rebuilding of America’s infrastructure, and with investment in our national health.
Over 122 million Americans voted in the 2008 presidential election and even though Obama garnered 52% of the popular vote we can essentially say that half of America voted one way, the other half, another. It is difficult to say how many of those voters were gay, however, there are approximately 9 million Americans over the age of 18 who identify themselves as gay and that translates into over 7% of the voting public. What’s more, is that high percentages live in crucial electoral states and if that vote is added to 90% of the 60 million non-gay Democrats who voted for Obama in 2008…this election will be decided.
Half of America always disagrees with what they do not understand, particularly in every fight for civil rights, but if gay Americans lean on the rudder of this giant ship, together we can steer American values toward a more correct heading; one that leads to human rights and dignity around the world.
Rally. March. Write. Persuade. Vote. Put aside the frustrations caused by leaders who have been slow or confused and let’s turn frustration, born from political stalemates, into a rally cry for renewed action. More than “lifestyles” depend on us- lives are at risk!
Love,
Gary
