Gay Paper Has Hissy Fit: Obama Refuses To Talk With Gay Media

The Huffington Post is reporting (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/05/scathing-editorial-obama_n_95210.html) that the Philadelphia Gay News is having a hissy fit over Barack Obama's alleged failure to talk to gay media outlets and saying that "Sen. Barack Obama would rather talk at the LGBT community than with them." I cannot help but find it ironic that Obama is being taken to task by self-appointed gate keepers while nothing is being said about the fact that Hillary's campaign website leaves the LGBT community completely invisible and she only makes gay supportive statements to friendly gay media outlets. In contrast, Obama has made many truly public statements supporting gays and LGBT equality, including at venues such as Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church where there is mainstream media coverage.

I do not understand this kind of reasoning. Is it because Obama has not stroked the egos of the Philadelphia Gay News editorial board and made them feel more self-important or what? I have a real problem with a candidate like Hillary who consistently fails to mention gays in mainstream venues, yet says the right things to small, safe, freindly LGBT audiences. What takes more leadership: denouncing black churches' homophobia directly to the face of many of those homophobes like Obama did, or doing a safe interview in a small non-hostile setting like Hillary? Apparently, the Philadelphia Gay News puts more value on Hillary kissing the ass of the Philadelphia Gay News' staff - knowing that most main stream media outlets would never publish her interview remarks - than making bold, widely public remarks supporting LGBT equality.

Hillary's supporters within the gay community can drink the Kool-Aid if they want, but personally, my view is that if Hillary will not be seen supporting gays when speaking to large non-gay audiences, she won't be supporting us later if elected to office. Her actions are tantamount to those of someone who says they support you to your face but who then will not be seen with you publicly. Yes, actions are important, and the Philadelphia Gay News has totally misread what counts.