DNC Faith OutReach Director Throws Gays Under the Bus

I swear that there are days that it seems like the Three Stooges are running the White House and the DNC. In a political climate when one would think that the DNC would want to re-solidify the support LGBT community as a part of the Democratic base, instead things are done that seem aimed at alienating LGBT Americans instead. A case in point, the new head of the DNC Faith Out Reach director. In what would seem to be yet another attempt to kiss the bigoted asses of conservative Christians - who will not be voting Democratic regardless of what the DNC may do - the appointee to the position, Derrick Hawkins, is engaging in gyrations claiming that he does not support and never has supported same sex marriage. Never mind that much of the country has reached a tipping point on the issue. Hawkins would rather act as if LGBT Americans are the lepers the Christianists want to paint us to be. This is precisely the type of bullshit that is leaving Virginia Democrats apathetic even in the face of a real threat of severe religious extremism should the GOP win control of the Virginia Senate. The Democrat "gang that can't shoot straight" time and time again gives the impression that they are either (i) so hapless and spineless or (ii) so willing to surrender that it makes no difference as to which party is in charge. A disgusted John Aravosis vents at America Blog Gay. Here are highlights:

We reported recently that the DNC's new faith outreach director, Rev. Derrick Harkins, had signed a pledge in favor of same-sex marriage in 2009, only to state his adamant opposition to marriage equality earlier this year

[R]ather than get back to those of us reporting on this, and back to the gay community itself, and explain what's going on, the DNC decided to clarify things to Billy Graham's magazine. (That should tell you something.) They explained to Billy Graham's magazine that Harkins's name on the pro- marriage equality statement was a mistake, he supposedly never put his name on it.

Well, that's convenient. And sounds awfully familiar. Remember the runaround we're still getting from the White House on President Obama having signed two different questionnaires in 1996 affirming his support for marriage equality? Yet another signed statement that no one knows where it came from.

The Democrats are masters when it comes to alienating their base and then wondering why they lose elections.