tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6762928.post814082753910517176..comments2024-01-03T05:23:36.046-08:00Comments on The Citizens: Gay Rights March on WashingtonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6762928.post-61885553520353499492009-11-21T20:14:06.240-08:002009-11-21T20:14:06.240-08:00In Australia, we're about to have a gay rights...In Australia, we're about to have a gay rights march - same-sex marriage is illegal under our federal laws, thanks to former Prime Minister John Howard.<br />It will on the 28 of November in all the capital cities.<br /><br />The website is www.equallove.info<br /><br />Our last one, on August 1, had 10,000 people nation-wide including 5,000 in Melbourne (my city).<br /><br />Wish us well.Mikhail Silverwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07981370631370607531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6762928.post-37019703341278294252009-10-13T14:19:29.148-07:002009-10-13T14:19:29.148-07:00As you know, there are a handful of issues that ca...As you know, there are a handful of issues that cannot be handled at the state level. Obama has promised to pass ENDA, repeal DOMA, and to allow gays to serve openly in the military--and I expect him to start making good on those promises in 2010. Keeping up the national pressure on those fronts is important. <br /><br />But I agree completely marriage recognition will have to be won state-by-state for the time being. (LTG is almost certainly correct that Federal action will be required in some states later on down the line.) I also agree with Barney Frank that this particular march on Washington was ill-conceived and ill-timed, however heartfelt the sentiment. <br /><br />As for the public dispute in the political community regarding the repeal of Prop 8... I have to concede it would probably be safer to attempt to repeal Prop 8 in 2012. Nevertheless, when polled by the various organizations, my husband and I both indicated our preference to put an initiative on the ballot in 2010. California should be leading the nation on this issue, not just following when it is safer to do so.<br /><br />While the gay community is very internally divided regarding when exactly to attempt to repeal Prop 8, I think the events of last year have energized the gay community and helped unite it. The has been a real shift in attitude. Last year most gay leaders believed the issue needed be fought as a matter of civil rights, without mentioning the "G" word. Now I think there is now a general understanding this was a mistake. We should not apologize for standing up for ourselves. Pride matters. And that, I think, was the basic reason for the Washington march.Dr. Strangelovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14407042105777411150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6762928.post-40561490597152205522009-10-12T09:44:05.101-07:002009-10-12T09:44:05.101-07:00It is worth remembering that the famous Civil Righ...It is worth remembering that the famous Civil Rights march on Washington came at a time in August 1963 when the President was getting on board with a civil rights agenda. The judicial victories over segregation were nearly a decade earlier.The Law Talking Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17886791396468512490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6762928.post-90674238595646554372009-10-12T09:42:23.860-07:002009-10-12T09:42:23.860-07:00Nevada has a GOP governor right now. They Nevada ...Nevada has a GOP governor right now. They Nevada legislature passed a civil unions bill over his veto about 4 months ago. There wasn't a 2/3 vote to legalize marriage. If the Dems take the governor's house in 2010, then there will probably be a big shift in Nevada.The Law Talking Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17886791396468512490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6762928.post-65560429079476150462009-10-12T04:26:40.894-07:002009-10-12T04:26:40.894-07:00I think part of this is that some kinds of activis...I think part of this is that some kinds of activists get stuck in a rut when it comes to street demonstrations. They start thinking that street demonstrations are the answer to every political problem. But they are in the legislative drivers' seat now and Frank may be right when he says that a demonstration in Washington over a couple of days when most Congressional reps are out of town anyway, won't pressure anyone. <br /><br />I also agree with LTG that trying to do this all at once throws away the biggest advantage supporters of equality for the gay community has: namely that every time they win a victory somewhere the sky doesn't fall. Since last year's successes in New England and Iowa, equality is gaining momentum and I can speak for Iowa when I say there has been little to no backlash at all. State by state seems to be the way to go. <br /><br />I'd say the next target should be Nevada. Get Las Vegas thinking about Gay Marriage as a source of tourism dollars in a recession.Raised By Republicanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03461006522141969925noreply@blogger.com