UPDATED: I have received comments from some arguing for work back on th ewhome front. I just do not see activism in our home states - at least not in backwater states like Virginia - as the solution. Years of activism have brough us here in Virginia basically nothing and legal protections for LGBT Virginians continue to rate lower than protecting domestic pets with most of our bigoted legislators. For Virginia, national legislation is the only answer for change within the next decade or more in my assessment. What works in Massachusetts doesn't necessarily work elsewhere.*
Since I heard this story I have had to calm down a bit before writing my thoughts. I'm not sure what happens to members of Congress, but sooner or latter their egos get the better of them and they seem to end up in tempestuous love affairs with themselves. Joining this category is Congressman Barney Frank. Notwithstanding the abject failure of Frank and Congressional Democrats to deliver ANYTHING significant benefiting everyday LGBT Americans - even with a Democrat in the White House and Democrat majorities in both houses of Congress - Mr. self-impressed Frank told Michelangelo Signorile that the National Equality March is ""useless" and LGBT Americans should not put pressure on the White House. Poor Obama. He can't take "more pressure." What about LGBT Americans who continue to be thrown out of the military under DADT or gays fired from their jobs due to religious based bigotry. In my view, Obama's "pressure" is pretty low key compared to what many LGBT Americans face every day in this falsely proclaimed land of "liberty." Here are some highlights from The Gist:
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On the National Equality March:Barney Frank believes the march this weekend and rally on the mall are "useless" and don't put pressure on the White House. "I literally don't understand how this will do anything," he said. "People are kidding themselves. I don't want people patting themselves on the back for doing something that is useless." Besides, he says, "Barack Obama does not need pressure." He says we should model ourselves as lobbyists on "the National Rifle Association." He says people should not come to Washington and should stay home and lobby their members of Congress. "Nobody in Congress even knows they're there, he says, and he is not attending the March: He is going to California to raise money for himself and other Democrats.
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I can't wait for the next call I get from Congressional Democrats asking for money when I will mimic Mr. Frank's words and relate how in my view giving money to Congressional Democrats is "useless." I hope Mr. Frank's fundraising trip is a bust. LGBT Americans need to turn off the LGBT ATM and tell folks like Barney Frank to go f*ck themselves until the deliver REAL results. The time for talk is over. Action is what is needed.
1 comment:
Barney Frank is indeed an egotistical jerk (I've interviewed him twice) — but he's also a savvy politician, chairman of a powerful House committee, who knows what works and what doesn't. Suggesting that LGBT Americans act more like the NRA through grassroots lobbying may well accomplish a lot more than theater-on-the-street. On a Sunday, at that.
I've been to two LGBT marches on Washington, which were thrilling and empowering affairs. But there isn't a single thing one can point to that they accomplished, other than making the marchers feel like they "did something" and "took a stand."
Well, fine, now do it back home; that's what Barney's suggesting. It's a lot harder back home, by yourself or in a small group, than it is among 800,000 of your best friends in an empty, faraway city.
Michael, go ahead and be full of outrage; in many ways Obama and the Democrats deserve that. But there is movement on Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the House just passed the Hate Crimes Act, and it looks like we may actually get some version of health care reform.
When you can be in twelve places at once, then it's fair to expect it of Obama. So try re-reading Barney as if he might possibly be right.
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