Live Blog of the Logo Debate

It's pretty long, so I wouldn't dream of putting it all here. But, here's a link to it on Huffington Post. I have to admit that it was weird doing the Live Blog. It really reads as if I was watching the debate and commenting on it with friends as it was happening. Quite odd to think that thousands of people are reading what my thoughts were.....

Q &A with Jonathan Capehart, Panelist for tonight's Logo Presidential Forum

Tonight's Presidential Forum hosted by Logo Network and sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign features Margaret Carlson as the moderator and panelists Joe Solmonese, Melissa Etheridge, and Jonathan Capehart.

I had the opportunity to pose questions to Jonathan Capehart in advance of tonight's event. Mr. Capehart is an editorial page writer for the Washington Post.

if you would like to view tonight's debate, but you don't get Logo Network, you can view live streaming video here. Otherwise, please join us at Huffington Post for liveblogging by myself and News Editor Katharine Zaleski.

Interview with Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post
Q. What is your background and how did you come to be involved in tonight's Presidential Forum?

A. I've been an editorial writer for about 10 years now. First at the New York Daily News and now at the Washington Post. As a result, I've had to be on top of major issues, including gay and lesbian issues. I'd like to think that because of my past work the organizers sought me out to serve as a panelist.

Q What was the process by which the questions were selected for tonight? Will you have the liberty to answer your own tough questions?

A. There were several brainstorming sessions. We culled thousands of questions that came in via the Internet. I've gotten more than a few questions directly from friends and from folks who heard I was going to be a part of this and just wanted an outlet to make sure their question got a hearing.

Q. Will each candidate receive equal time or will the 'top-tier' candidates receive a greater share of the time?

A. It's all about equal time. This being live television with a hard-and-fast two-hour window, we have to be prepared for anything.

Q. What is the format for the forum?

A. The candidates will come out one by one over the two hours. They'll sit with us for about 15 minutes and then make way for the next candidate. Other than a 2.5 minute break somewhere in the forum, there are no commercial breaks. And everytime they remind us of that I think of that scene from "Valley of the Dolls" when Nellie O'Hara is drunk in the ally screaming about always having to be on: "Sparkle, Nellie! Sparkle!"

Q. In the Washington Blade, you had a comment that said this Forum did not intend to provide any 'gotcha' moments. Some people, including myself are apprehensive that tough questions will be asked. Can you assure us that tonight will challenge candidates to account for their lack of support for full equality for LGBT Americans?

A. Without question, the Democratic Party candidates will be challenged on their views. Unfortunately, the Republican candidates, notably Mitt Romney, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, didn't accept the invitation to participate.


Q. Trangender Americans are often left out of discourse when discussing LGBT issues. In fact, I'm not sure that a Trangender oriented question has ever been asked in a nationally televised forum. Can we expect them to be represented in tonight's discussion?

A. Absolutely!

Q. Do you have any idea why Joe Biden never committed to attending the Forum or why Chris Dodd cancelled his participation?

A. We were told scheduling conflicts. I suspect Sen. Biden's has to do with his book tour. I'm not sure why Sen. Dodd cancelled exactly.

Q. What do you hope to accomplish tonight with your presence on the panel?

A. This will be one of the first times the candidates will be at a televised forum devoted soley to gay and lesbian issues. My hope is to get them to talk from the heart instead of their talking points, which might be impossible in these highly scripted times. But we'll try.

And yes....the gays do vote

On the L.A. Times blog, Top of the Ticket, Don Frederick reports on a survey done by Community Marking, Inc. in San Francisco. Here's the most pertinent part of the survey and his blog post:

The study this spring by San Francisco-based Community Marketing Inc. found that an eye-popping 92.5% of gay men reported that they voted in the 2004 presidential race, and almost 84% said they cast ballots in the 2006 midterm election. Among lesbians, the results were almost as impressive; nearly 91% said they voted in 2004; for the midterm, the figure was 78%.

By comparison, the Washington-based Committee for the Study of the American Electorate put the turnout for all Americans eligible to vote at about 61% in 2004 and roughly 40% in 2006.

Consider that last statistic for a moment--when matched with the findings by Community Marketing for the '06 contest, the bottom line is a turnout rate among gay men more than twice that for the nation's voters as a whole.

I consider this significant and a little surprising. After all, historically, minority groups that are affected by the lack of recognition by government and the political system vote in lower numbers than the general population. This information warrants the attention of the Political Parties and the Presidential candidates, especially in advance of tonight's Presidential Forum.

Combined with the growing minority population that I referenced in my previous post, candidates are going to have to campaign and court voters in different ways than they ever have before.

Hillary's DOMA Dilemma

Here is a response that Hillary Clinton gave in response to a question posed by Paul Hogarth of BeyondChron during her breakout session at the YearlyKos Convention:

Secondly, DOMA, I believe that DOMA served a very important purpose. I was one of the architects in the strategy against the Marriage Amendment to the constitution, and DOMA gave us a bright line to be able to hold back the votes that were building up to do what I consider to be absolutely abominable and that would be to amend the constitution to enshrine discrimination. I believe marriage should be left to the states. I support civil unions as I’ve said many times with full equality of benefits and so I think that DOMA appropriately put the responsibility in the states where it has historically belonged and I think you’re beginning to see states take action. I think it’s, I think part three of DOMA needs to be repealed because part three stands in the way of the full extension of federal benefits and I support that. So that’s the first.

She pretty much said that banning equal marriage is discrimination, which makes me wonder why she isn't better on issues of equal rights. But, that's a completely different issue.

However, if Hillary supported passage of DOMA then as a means to prevent passage of FMA, then the fact that FMA no longer stands a chance at passage should be taken into account now. Accordingly, she should take her support of repealing parts of DOMA further.

The commerce clause of the United States constitution makes it clear that each of the States shall respect the laws of other States. Accordingly, it wouldn't be a stretch for her to advocate repealing that provision of DOMA.

Recent news articles in Newsweek and the Washington Blade showcase the tremendous support that Hillary is receiving from the LGBT communities around the country.

The question remains with regard to what we are getting for our support. Very little time has been spent addressing LGBT rights during the previous Presidential debates and forums. This Thursday, Logo Network and the Human Rights Campaign will host a forum with the Democratic Presidential candidates. (Joe Biden never committed and Chris Dodd recently canceled.)

Here is a comment which doesn't make me think that any candidate will be pressed towards taking positions in support of our movement toward equal rights.

The purpose of this forum is not to provide gotcha moments, because that doesn’t serve anybody well,” said Jonathan Capehart, a gay Washington Post editorial page writer who will serve as a panelist for the forum.

But you do want to get the candidates talking about these issues in a way that’s human and not overly rehearsed.

I hope the panelists will consider pressing Hillary on this point. Accordingly, I hope Hillary will show the courage to expand her position and show the LGBT community that she is truly willing to fight for equality.

Gays and Lesbians Deserve the Right to Work

For too long, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act has sat around Capitol Hill getting dusty. It looks like it may actually have a chance at passing. That is, if the Democratic Leadership will stand up for what is right. And if Republicans will stop playing politics with basic rights.

The idea that someone can be fired simply because of their sexual orientation is appalling. Yet, Congress is slow to prohibit such blatant discrimination. Why?

Democrats in Congress need to grow a spine. Just because the word "gay" is involved doesn't give you a license to whine about the voters in your District. If you can't sell the idea that all Americans deserve a fair shot at making a living, then you don't belong in Congress.

Republicans in Congress need to view this issue through the lens of conservatism rather than petty politics. The fundamental right to earn a living seems like a good, solid conservative idea. After all, conservatives inherently oppose "freebies" such as unemployment compensation, right? So, it would logically follow that EVERYONE have full access to the job market. Right? (no pun intended)

Gay rights groups need to stop walking soft around the halls of Congress while lobbying for ENDA. The Human Rights Campaign is dedicating much effort to this, but I'd like to see a tougher approach. It is not acceptable to give a wink and a nod to anybody on this issue or to allow people to group this with more complicated issues of the gay rights movement. The time has come to tell Congress to get the work done.

So, to the Democratic and Republican Leadership, roll up your sleeves and get it done. It's your responsibility to protect the basic rights of the American people. All of us.