I Want My Gay DNC

Perry
February 9 2006, 9:46AM

Very disturbing news indeed. I look forward to a statement from either the DNC or from the Stonewall Democrats.

alicia
February 9 2006, 10:12AM

sad

our true allies are few indeed...

another vivid illustration of precisely why we will miss coretta so...

peace
ab

s
February 9 2006, 10:36AM

Keith:

First, I’d like to thank you for being so honest and open. You are where I was about 15 years ago. I began to grow tired of the pandering I saw the Democratic party do towards blacks. They would cry separation of state and church but would run to the black churches when it was time to get our votes. Although the social programs introduced by the democrats had good intention, unfortunately it has created many of our people to become handicapped and so dependent on these programs that generations find themselves still on them. What we saw happen in New Orleans are proof of that. That city and state was democratic led and those left behind were poor, black and dependent on social programs.

I can’t say that I totally blame the democratic party but more of the blame lie at the feet of black leaders that have lined their pocket for years and kept the democratic party unaccountable in regards to economic empowerment for our people versus social service dependence.

I must disagree with you though regarding the republican party and not caring for blacks or being racists. No, they don’t go out of their way to appease blacks by throwing social programs to them, but they have a long history of empowering blacks through self-reliance going back to pre-civil war days and were instrumental in getting the Civil Rights Bill(s) through when the then racist democratic led congress defeated it. That’s why we are seeing a revival with blacks returning back to the Republican party (we were republicans prior to the New Deal era).

The Democratic Party has brainwashed us into thinking that republican and black are synonymous with being an “Uncle Tom”. The Republican party is not a party for everyone (black or white). But the weakness and racial pandering of the Democratic party is something I could never go back to. There is a strong gay lobbying group called Log Cabin Republicans. These are gay Republican men and women that are working to change the republican party to become more inclusive. Slowly, they are making some progress.

Economic empowerment is where our people need to focus our attention. Not social dependent programs. After all is said and done, this is what the Democratic party's social programs created for our people (90-95% of blacks vote democratic):

In 1860, 98% of all Blacks in America worked for White people.

In 2001, 98% of all Blacks in America still work for white people.

In 1860, blacks in America had a combined net worth of one half of 1 percentage point. Guess what, in 2001, after Civil Rights, Jesse
Jackson, NAACP, and Urban League, our combined net worth is half a percentage point.

Derrick from Philly
February 9 2006, 11:08AM

I was ten years old in 1968 during the time when many of the Great Society programs were instituted and we saw the beginning of affirmative action. A few years later, I heard of something called REVENUE SHARING which I understand was a way for Richard Nixon and the Republicans to sabotage Lyndon Johnson's Great Society--giving states more control over federal money meant for the poor. Still, don't tell me that many black folks did not benefit from programs and policies instituted by President Johnson and the national Democratic Party over these last 40 years.

Republicans have taken the politics of old Southern Racist Democrats such as John Stennis, Lester Maddox and George Wallace and turned it into the politics of Trent Lott and Senator Brownback of Kansas(whatever the bastard's name is) and other right wing bigots.

Whatever faults and unanswered promises taint the national Democratic Party, the Republican Party has embraced the most racist, homophobic white trash in our society--that is unforgivable.

khalid
February 9 2006, 11:40AM

Keith, I feel you. I spoke with Phill Wilson (Black AIDS Institute) about what I think the source of all of this pandering to 'Middle America' is all about.

The Democratic Party, JUST like the Republican Party, is run by white men. The Republicans have locked up the white, male vote. Democrats are still seeking the support of 'Middle America' (trans: white men), because they are not ready to turn THEIR party over to it's rightful heirs: womyn and people of color. The Great White Hope syndrome rears its ugly head... again.

There will not be another white, male Democratic President in our lifetime. The party can't even get behind Hillary because they are waiting for another Bill to appear. Unfortunately, Black people (and others) aren't waiting. They're doing what you're doing. They're checking out of politics; many of them not even showing up to vote. And I can't even be mad at them for it.

bucknips
February 9 2006, 12:07PM

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I have often said that if it had not been for liberal-thinking minds so many of the civil rights that minorities and women own and deserve would not exist. I can't understand why they are afraid to own that!

Nyah Molineaux
February 9 2006, 12:19PM

Keith, I am just like you. I am almost ashamed to say I am a democrat. They have no backbone and over the years they have become a bunch of spineless bitches, you are to scared to speak up.

There are a lot more political parties. The green party, the Labor party, DC Statehood party. These parties are truly liberal, progressive, and they are moving forward.

Fuck the Democrats and Republicans or should I say Republocrats.

Kenneth Winfrey
February 9 2006, 3:04PM

This is the problem of the binary choice we have. It's either/or (Democrat or Republican) but neither seem to really be able to effectively carry a banner that represents even half of us. We gay folk need to keep in mind that political causes have to go beyond sexuality. LGBT vs. SGL, marriage vs. civil union, a matter of choice or a matter of birth, as well as the other questions about how we define our sexuality are indications that we aren't ready to be a clear-cause political party at all. Most of us only agree on the idea that we have sex with members of the opposite sex--at least some of the time--and nearly nothing else. How can the Democrats create effective key messages to defend a community so fragmented and diverse as we are?

Even if we all wrap ourselves around the DOMA-type issues, once that matter is resolved, our politics become existential. We can't expect single LGBTs who don't plan to raise families to ever put too much energy into the cause. In addition, hate crimes and discrimination will only carry as much weight as the self-identification of the perceived victim(s).

From a distance, for example as an alien flying by in a UFO, one might think that Republicans would be more likely to support the ideals of personal freedom (to be gay). It is, after all, true that many of us aren't as interested in approval/acceptance as we are in simply being allowed to enjoy the rights given to all Americans. However, religion and so-called "tradition" keep us out of the Republican party message. Those of us who are more "libertarian-istic" will find that certain anti-discrimination positions Libertarians have keep us from feeling at home with them either. They don't support hate crime-specific legislation, and might allow parents to send children to ex-gay programs--as a matter of parental personal liberty. I can't help but wonder if they would keep the same position if we could prove that homosexuality is biologically innate. Ultimately, the Libertarian party is very much like 7-Up, it's the "un-party."

Therefore, I don't think that "we" are well represented by a political party at all. We'll need to address our needs on an issue-by-issue basis, not by putting a banner on a single political party.

Derrick from Philly
February 9 2006, 3:39PM

Just as the right wing conservatives waited and then fought to gain control of the Republican Party, the liberals in the Democratic Party must be patient in fighting for our issues, and support our leaders for the soul of our party.

There are world events, domestic social issues, environmental and economic problems that will cause Americans to think about these conservative nuts who run the Republican Party; and some rethinking will occur within the Democratic Party toward these neo-conservative souless quacks right now running our party-- such as Warner from Virginia (maybe even Clinton of New York--there,I said it).

American politics swings back and forth, right to left (unfortunately, never far enough to the left). The conservative movement in this country will eventually fail because they can't shape the world into the American Empire that they dream of, they can't force people to bow down to their dishonest and corrupt form of Christianity, they can't stop educators from telling the truths about the ugly side of American history, they can't seem to do anything about the great spending deficits they've created, and they'll hate the fact that this country will be half Latino in a few decades.

No, the present leadership in the Democratic Party ain't shit, but the conservatives in the Republican Party are shit--which stinks the worst?

Legal Rebel
February 9 2006, 5:24PM

s, as always you make very good arguments but I still feel that they are off point. We must learn our history, I agree. However, the face of the Republican Party in 1860 is not going to get us to where we need to go. We all know that most Blacks were traditionally Republican. But we must ask ourselves why? Well, because of the Republican's agenda. I would have been a die-hard Republican in 1860 also if I had an inkling of a chance to gain my freedom from slavery.

What about today's agenda? Today, we as Blacks, GLBT, etc., have our own issues. We have to gain support for our issues and we must side with a political and social machine to assist in and ensure our progress.

I consider myself liberal and most candidates that I have supported have been Democrat. Today the Democratic Party shares more ideals that are alinged with my personal ideals. I have many issues with the Democratic Party also, but I am not willing to be a part of the Republican Party which has shown intent to exclude non-white males from their Agenda. And its not enough that Republicans have appointed Clarence Thomas, Condoleezza Rice or Colin Powell and many others. These are figure heads. What's important are the public tax dollars that go to black owned businesses, communities and schools.

s, you are so quick to criticize the Democrats, but anyone can play Monday morning quarterback. How about you take a deep look at the Republican Party. You don't have to look to far. I happen to live in a state in which the Republican Party launched a successful campaign to add a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriages. As an entreprenuer I have had to take on the state Republican Party and their fight against Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) goals on public works projects. Our tax dollars are unproportionately funding majority-owned private businesses. In a state that is over 20% Black statistics have shown that less than 3% of state tax dollars have gone to black-owned businesses.

I don't know what Republican Party you are speaking about when you refer to "empowering blacks through self-reliance". The modern day Republicans are doing just the opposite of that. Furthermore, the Log Cabin Republicans are a powerless caucus group. They were not even welcome at the Republican Natoinal Convention.

In sum, we have more power as Blacks and GLBT people as we realize. We could foster that powerful swing vote that would make the two major parties dependant on us for once.

s
February 9 2006, 5:40PM

@Legal -

You are so anti-republican, anti-right and my post wasn't addressed to you. It was addressed to Keith and it was in regards to economic empowerment for blacks and not social enslavement. But thank you for the erroneous lesson. As I said, the party isn't for everyone and those reliant on heavy government dependence would most definitely be turned off by it and call it "racist" because of it's policies.
Actual facts of the history of the Republican Party's affiliation with Blacks can be clarified at http://www.nbra.info/. And for your information...I have and will vote for democratic candidates if they line up with my core beliefs. On the federal level though, my vote swings more towards the republican party.

But then again.....you'll find something wrong with this too to get your point across. Move on...

Thermostat X
February 9 2006, 7:10PM

you need to make up your mind!.... you either on or off. enough said.

Texas76132
February 9 2006, 8:27PM

I can't help but wonder if the Democratic Party was ever as liberal as we think it was or is now. They were the stalwarts for the 1960's Civil Rights era and the working man and woman. But after that, what do they stand for? Millions of people have switched to the Republican Party because of Reagan years and it continues to this day. Many Blacks have stopped voting all together, and likewise, and their loyalty to the Democratic Party continues to drop to this day. This party needs to do some deep searching to find out why their base continues to shrink. They need to find out what is behind this new kinship between the Republicans and Black pastors and their mega churches. They also need to find out what prompted Howard University to reestablish its Republican Party group on it's campus after all these years, among other things. Something is fundamentally wrong with a party that continues to loose to an administration plagued with ethical and corruption problems and shows no sign of beating them. If they can't find the answers for their decline, they will be about as relevant as the Green Party now in about 20 years. Maybe this is just a case of history repeating its self and the parties switching what they stand for and flip flopping again.

castiron
February 9 2006, 9:39PM

Money is power. Amass as much money as you possibly can and take care of yourself and your family. When we do that, government becomes less and less significant in our lives and the lives of our loved ones.

Mike Rogers
February 10 2006, 12:56AM

I wrote the Stonewall "Do nothing" Democrats. Here is the toothless statement they sent out:

Stonewall has communicated to the Democratic National Committee the need to have a strong, established LGBT outreach program that is able to effectively express the strategic interests of our community.

We are lobbying the DNC to hire more staff to support the current work of Donald Hitchcock, while hiring openly-LGBT organizers for Democratic efforts and campaigns across the country. Stonewall is also pressing for the appointment of more openly-LGBT members of the Democratic National Committee. This will help grow the size and voice of the DNC’s Gay & Lesbian Americans Caucus, which has been a vocal proponent for a full-time LGBT Outreach Director and for increasing DNC operations targeting the LGBT community. Looking to the future, we are already working with community activists to increase the number of LGBT delegates at the 2008 Democratic National Convention and working to place many of those delegates in positions to determine the direction and platform of our party for the next decade.

Our organization is separate from the Democratic National Committee, and we have already begun implementing our own efforts for the 2006 elections, opening regional offices and hiring local community activists. While we continue to lobby on behalf of our community with individual Democratic campaigns, we support efforts to bring about a full-time position to implement grassroots LGBT outreach for the Democratic National Committee.

What a joke.

Mike Rogers
February 10 2006, 1:22AM

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA
Perry.... Sorry to laugh, but the Stonewall Democrats are the absolutely most useless LGBT organization in DC. At least the Log Cabins attract freak watchers and make people realize how stoooopid Gay GOPers are.

All Stonewall does is make us look sheepish and unwilling to fight.

I have the Stonewall, um ...statement -- at
http://www.blogactive.com/2006/02/once-again.html

markus (aka darkmanjah)
February 10 2006, 8:46AM

i concur with Castrion. i think that there comes a time when our people have to face the reality that America's political system does not operate in the interest of Black folk, never has, never will. In a country and culture that has NEVER, EVER toleratd difference, even among their own kind (just read their history books with critical eye)to continue to expect them to look out for GLBT's is outrageously wishful thinking. There is no cosmic law that says we must wait on them to turn the corner, as Omowale would say. As much money as GBLT's make as a collective (with few exceptions, most GBLT's have well paying jobs/careers to satisfy, unfortunately, their hedonistic desire to "look good" and all that that means) why not follow Castrion's lead and spend the money where it REALLY counts? Governments are (morally) corrupt institutions that could care less about the masses, and until we realize this we will continue to experience these slaps in the face over and over and over again.

David Mariner
February 11 2006, 9:54AM

Keith,

I was a huge supporter of Dean, but I have to agree that I'm losing faith in the Democratic Party as well. Sadly the 'Washington Insiders' at the DNC have changed Howard Dean more than Howard Dean has changed the DNC.

What's really sad is that DC gay power-players are criticizing Ramon for taking the stand he did, not because they disagree with him at heart, but because doing so is in their own personal best interest to maintain their position as 'insiders'.

The Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council formally requested a Director of GLBT Outreach at the DNC almost a year ago and their concerns were ignored. Why haven't they all resigned in protest? Sadly, it might have to do with the fact that they had to invests thousands of dollars to be part of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council in the first place, and they are not willing to walk away from their political investment to do the right thing.

David

Ryan Nevel
February 12 2006, 1:11PM

Amen!! I'm so tired of being undercut...under the radar! Did they think no one would notice? And if they did, they're probably right. I wouldn't have known had I not visited your site.

That's what pisses me off! But where do we turn?
Who really represents us?

I'm attending a reception in Tampa this month and Hillary Clinton is the guest of honor. Hopefully, I will get the chance to express my concerns directly.

P.S. I attended your lecture at U.S.F., and I left invigorated. Thank you for all that you do!!

Andy_Szekeres
February 13 2006, 2:08PM

Contact Donald Hitchcock at the DNC and tell him how you feel. It is time we fight back... do not send your checks into the DNC. Send them off to State Parties or othe Progressive Groups who have field programs