Seems like my Governor can’t catch a break. This good man signals his intention to veto a bill recognizing gay marriages in the Golden State and the gay left (and even a few otherwise sensible gay centrists and conservatives) gets all upset. Well, now some social conservatives are upset too. According to 365gay.com, groups who support amending the state constitution to bar gay marriage “are accusing the governor of defying Republican reasoning by suggesting the issue should be put to the California Supreme Court.”
As I find time later in the week, I hope to write a little bit thoughtfully on the proposed gay marriage legislation, but for now, I will note that while, given the circumstances, I think the Governor is doing the right thing in vetoing this legislation, he has not done a good job of explaining himself on the issue.
Although I voted against it, five years ago, more than 60% of my fellow Californians approved Proposition 22 which defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Because the people have spoken on the issue, if the legislature is serious about gay marriage, then the proper thing to do would be to put the question before them again–in the form of a ballot initiative to repeal that proposition. Or, indeed, a proposition to redefine state-recognized marriages as the union of two individuals.
Oh, and . . . someone needs to tell 365gay.com reporter Mary Ellen Peterson that an institution she defines as moderate, the California Council of Churches, is anything but. It is really quite left-wing.
So, while some on the left think the Governor is pandering to the far right in vetoing the gay marriage legislation, the latest remarks by some social conservatives suggest otherwise.
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com
Gay Marriage Intimidation Tactics, Part II
Okay…. I read all of the comments on this posting, so I felt the need to do a second posting. As a challenge.
In the comments section on this posting, if you are in favor of gay marriage and proud of it… please type in your full name, address and home phone number. Keep in mind that those that read this website range from those gay “outing” activists on the radical Left to many conservatives who are curious about a gay conservative to the radical Right folks that know more about beastiality than one should.
Since many of you feel it is okay to publish the names of those for, whatever reasons (political, personal or moral), oppose the idea of gay marriage….. I challenge you: Are you willing to go public with your names and private information to potentially expose yourself to a range of eyes and intentions of good and bad people alike?
Put up or shut up…..
-Bruce (GayPatriot)
The Gay Left’s New Low — Targeting American Civilians
Thanks to GP Reader Anthony for sending me this outrageous story.
Pair vows to out anti-gay wed signers: AG certifies ballot measure – Boston Herald
A pair of gay activists are raising the stakes in the fight over same-sex marriage, vowing to post on the Internet the name and address of anyone who signs a petition to ban gay marriage and civil unions in Massachusetts.
“I have the fight in me now, and if people I know, or that I support, or that I do business with are on that list, I might not support them or their philanthropies or their businesses,” said Tom Lang, who launched knowthyneighbor.org with his spouse, Alex Westerhoff.
These two guys are basically threatening retribution or violence by posting names and addresses of those who oppose them politically.
Can you imagine how the Human Rights Campaign would howl if the names and addresses of openly (or not open) gay and lesbians were posted on a website? “A hate crime!”, they would scream!
Well, how is this less of a hate crime? Or at the very least, political intimidation at its absolute worst? Is this what the political dialogue in America has sunk to?
– Bruce (GayPatriot)
Joe Solmonese: Same old liberal song and dance
In this post on Chris Matthew’s Hardblogger, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Joe Solmonese shows his true colors, as an activist more concerned with the agenda of the left than as a leader committed to gay and lesbian issues. Weighing in yet again on the Roberts’ nomination, he writes that “the Human Rights Campaign joined the growing chorus of those speaking out in opposition to the Supreme Court nomination of John Roberts.” He neglects to mention that this “growing chorus” of opposition largely includes only voices from the far left (with an a handful of extreme right-wingers thrown in). And his piece merely rehashes the standard left-wing arguments against the good judge’s confirmation.
Moreover, in the entire piece, he makes only two references (three, if we count AIDS) to gay issues. In his first comment, he contends that Roberts
dismisses the “so-called right to privacy” and by doing so not only threatens reproductive freedoms but also threatens the legal underpinnings to Lawrence v. Texas, which overturned laws that effectively labeled gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans as criminals.
He offers no evidence, only interpretation to suggest that as Chief Justice, Judge Roberts would overturn Lawrence v. Texas, the Supreme Court decision which found that state sodomy laws violated the Constitution. And once again, he brings up “reproductive freedoms,” probably in deference to his previous employer, but not an issue appropriate to a gay and lesbian organization.
[Read more…]
Gov. Arnold Vetoes His 1st Gay Rights Legislation
Hat tip: BoifromTroy
BFT received the news via an email from Equality California:
With only vague comments, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 866, authored by Assembly Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Daly City) and sponsored by Equality California, which was designed to prevent discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals in political campaigns. This was the first of many bills Equality California sponsored this year to make it to the Governor’s desk.
“We are extremely disappointed by Governor Schwarzenegger’s veto of legislation that would have added LGBT people to the list of groups covered by the Fair Political Practice Act’s Voluntary Pledge,” said Geoffrey Kors, Executive Director of Equality California. “Regardless of what he thinks about the enforceability of the Voluntary Pledge, it is ludicrous to exclude one group of people from the rights and protections granted to others. The exclusion of LGBT citizens in this case is just simply an unacceptable form of discrimination.”
Here is the statement from Governor Schwarzenegger —
To the Members of the California State Assembly:
I am returning Assembly Bill 866 without my signature.
I strongly support clean and fair campaigns. The Code of Fair Campaign Practices is unenforceable other than through the exercise of the vote at the ballot box. Candidates and campaigns are free to make their case to the voters about whether their campaign follows or their opponent ignores “basic principles of decency, honesty, and fair play.” I trust the people to be the best judge of conduct of a campaign when they exercise their franchise to vote. I am confident that they will reject candidates that use appeals to negative prejudices against any group of people.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger
BFT says: “The move is stunning, because Schwarzenegger had signed four pieces of pro-gay legislation in 2004. However, given the ungrateful attitude of the gay community since, and the support of many gay activists for a multi-million dollar ad campaign against him, what can you expect?”
(GP Ed. Note — I at first thought this was a veto of the same-sex marriage legislation that passed yesterday. My apologies for the initial posting.)
Is this a signal as to what Arnold will do with the gay marriage legislation? Time will tell.
-Bruce (GayPatriot)
Announcing opposition to Roberts, gay groups stand with the left
Just as I was about to turn in, I received a press release from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) noting that three gay organizations had joined them in opposing the nomination of Judge John G. Roberts to the U.S. Supreme Court. Just a week after GLAAD names a Republican as its new head, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) have come out against the president’s nominee for the Supreme Court before the Senate has even held hearings on his nomination. (I guess it’s too much to ask that more than one national gay organization acknowledges the significance of the 2004 elections.) My guess is that the only people who will pay any attention to this announcement are Senators who have already made up their minds to oppose the good judge’s confirmation.
Not waiting to hear his how this good man handles tough questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee, these groups have decided to join the growing number of left-wing organizations opposing his confirmation. In their release, they provide little evidence to show how Roberts would not be good for gay people. They borrow a few arguments from the left and strain (without much evidence to back them up) to show that he just might possibly be bad for us. Shouldn’t they wait and see how he addresses questions on gay issues in his confirmation hearings before rushing to conclusions?
They mention a September 1985 memo where he “cautioned President Reagan against stating that the AIDS virus could not be spread through casual contact among schoolchildren, claiming that this conclusion was in dispute.” But, given how much more we know about AIDS today than we did back then, it might be a good idea to ask the judge if he believes he erred in writing that memo twenty years ago–and if he was aware (at the time) of the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC) guidelines which stated that casual contact “appears to pose no risk.” (Or maybe he was aware of those guidelines and thought the word “appears” justified his caution.) We can better know how his views on AIDS have evolved if Senators ask him about that memo (as I believe they should).
[Read more…]
Republican Named to Head Leading Gay Organization
Here is some very promising news in the “Maybe the Gay Community Is Seeing The Light” Department. Neil Giulano, the former mayor of Tempe, AZ, who also happens to be openly gay and Republican, was named earlier this week to be the President of Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
Neil G. Giuliano Named GLAAD President – GLAAD.org
This is an important step as it appears to be the first time since the November 2004 election that a major gay organization is actually *taking action* to adapt to the reality of America’s perceptions about gay America. Rather than the useless platitudes and phony outreach promises coming from the Human Rights Campaign, and the outright aggression against the will of the people by the head of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force….
MATT FOREMAN: Well, fundamentally human rights should never be put up for a popular vote. Even today if we put the freedoms that we take for granted, like freedom of press or religion or speech, up to a popular vote, we would lose them in most of our states — maybe not most, but at least half of them.
GLAAD has actually done something.
Congratulations to Neil, who I have communicated with before wearing another hat, and perhaps we will have the chance to interview him here at GayPatriot in the coming weeks.
Related Story: Log Cabin Invades GLAAD – The Malconent
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com
Pataki: best NY governor on gay & lesbian issues
Just read in Log Cabin‘s e-newsletter, “Inclusion Wins,” this comment from Alan Van Capelle, executive
director of the Empire State Pride Agenda about the Republican Governor of New York:
George Pataki is the best governor gays and lesbians have had on their issues. If anybody was looking at specific accomplishments, Gov. Pataki has delivered and matched those when compared with anyone else who has been there in Albany before him. He has the best record on LGBT issues when compared to any other New York governor.
And despite his work on gay and lesbian issues, this good man probably never got more than one-third of the gay vote in the Empire State. It’s that pesky little (R) after his name.
Abortion Rights are Not Gay Rights
Very good column by Dale Carpenter about how the Gay Left has somehow hijacked the push for gay rights and linked it to the pro-abortion agenda. But this shouldn’t be a big surprise when the Human Rights Campaign picks a pro-abortion lobbyist and fundraiser as its new leader, right?
Abortion Rights are Not Gay Rights – Independent Gay Forum
Typical of gay activists’ reaction to the Roberts nomination was that of Joe Solmonese, executive director of the Human Rights Campaign. Writing for the online edition of the Advocate, Solmonese warned that Roberts “has an extremely disturbing record in opposition to Roe v. Wade,” the historic 1973 Supreme Court decision announcing a constitutional right to abortion. Indeed, abortion has become the litmus test for gay groups in deciding whether to oppose him.
But that’s okay…. the Gay Lefty activists repeatedly align themselves (in our name) with the most fringe elements of society anyway. Pro-communist, anti-capitalist, pro-terrorist, and anti-War on Terror organizations. So why would we be surprised that the pro-abortion movement would hijack our supposed largest gay rights organization and that our so-called gay leaders would blindly consent?
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com
UPDATE (from GPW): Over at the Independent Gay Forum, Steve Miller writes: (scroll down to “CNN’s Odd Ad Policies”)
According to the AP, “other abortion rights groups including the National Organization for Women, the National Abortion Federation and the Feminist Majority all have announced their opposition to Roberts.” They should have added the Human Rights Campaign, the abortion rights lobby that targets gay and lesbian donors.
Rafael Palmeiro and Jim McGreevey
I have always been a David Letterman fan. But as he gets older, I actually think he is becoming funnier, more creative, and much more intelligent in his humor than Jay Leno. In fact, I have begun TiVO’ing both shows and comparing them. There is no doubt that Leno is ripping off some of Letterman’s stuff. But I digress…
Last night, in an homage to Johnny Carson… 
, Paul Shaffer donned the “Great Karnak” hat and lifted the envelope to his forehead.
Shaffer: “The answer is Rafael Palmeiro and Jim McGreevey.”
Letterman: “Rafael Palmeiro and Jim McGreevey……”
Shaffer: “Is there an echo in here?” (Tonight Show traditionalists would have loved it!!!) “Yes, Rafael Palmeiro and Jim McGreevey. I shall now reveal the question.”
Shaffer (ripping open the envelope and pulling out a piece of paper): “And the answer is….. Name two guys who lied about what they stuck in their ass.”
I think I busted a gut last night…..
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com
Related Story – McGreevey Retrospective: No Big Whoop – BoiFromTroy
HRC’s Tepid Response to Roberts’ Pro Bono Work
Read it all right here…. Roberts Role in Gay Case Re-emphasizes Need for Full Examination – HRC.org
Judge Roberts? involvement in the case is noteworthy, but his participation adds little to our understanding of how he would vote on the court. The stakes are too high for guessing games over Judge Roberts? stance.
The Supreme Court makes critical decisions and it is the nominee?s job to guarantee that he will protect individual rights and freedoms on the nation?s highest court. Judge Roberts has consistently argued that as an attorney, he has zealously represented the interests of his client, no matter his personal views. Judge Roberts should make clear where he personally stands on important constitutional principles.
But this photo on HRC’s front page of their website makes it seem they have *already* decided….
Ah, the contortions of the Gay Leftists when confronted with a paradox.
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com
SCOTUS Nominee Roberts Aided in Gay Rights Case
HUGE STORY. Roberts Donated Help to Gay Rights Cause – LA Times
Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts Jr. worked behind the scenes for gay rights activists, and his legal expertise helped them persuade the Supreme Court to issue a landmark 1996 ruling protecting people from discrimination because of their sexual orientation.
How can the Human Rights Campaign, Log Cabin Republicans and National Gay & Lesbian Socialist Task Force oppose him now? (Hat tip: Roger Simon)
UPDATE: Just received this comment from Chris Barron at Log Cabin Republicans: “Log Cabin is engaged in a thorough and thoughtful review of Judge Roberts? nomination to the United States Supreme Court. Log Cabin is carefully studying the record and writings of Judge Roberts. We will be closely watching his testimony during this confirmation process. Judge Roberts? work on the Romer case is part of his record and we are hopeful it is a sign that he will be a fair-minded jurist on issues of basic fairness for gay and lesbian Americans.”
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com
Random Tuesday Evening Thought
Since as a gay conservative, I’m constantly labeled as a “self-loathing gay”… well, it got me thinking.
Since nearly all of the gay community’s leadership and activists are aligned with pacifist, anti-military, anti-religious, pro-abortion, and anti-capitalist causes…..
Wouldn’t that make Gay Leftists “self-loathing Mainstream Americans”?
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com
DC’s Gay Councilmen Dems Strike Out At Ol’ Ballgame
Gay Baseball Night Draws 1,100 to RFK – Washington Blade
“Let it be known that the only two elected officials here tonight are Republicans,” DC Councilwoman Carol Schwartz (R) at Gay & Lesbian Night at the Washington Nationals baseball game (July 19, 2005)
That’s right folks. Over one thousand DC area gay and lesbian residents from Team D.C., an organization of gay and lesbian sports teams, attended the new Washington Nationals as they played this week in RFK Stadium. But not one of the two gay councilmen or *any* elected Democrat was to be found at the stadium to show support of one of their key base group of voters. Nope, just two Republicans.
“It?s awesome,” said Brent Minor, president of Team D.C., an umbrella organization of gay and lesbian sports teams that sponsored the gay Night Out event.
“We didn?t even know if we?d sell the first 150 tickets,” Minor said, while standing on the field before the game. ?We are stunned. We have over 1,100 people here.”
At least seven Major League Baseball teams were scheduled to host a “gay night” event this year at their respective stadiums.
David Catania (I) — but might was well be a Democrat — and Jim Graham (D) are two openly gay members of the DC city council. Maybe they just don’t like baseball? Or was it they just didn’t have the balls to show up? *groaning at my own pun*
Beats me…. frankly, I forgot DC still *had* a baseball team.
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com
And You Thought *I* Was Rabid?
Check out…. HOMOCON.COM!
My kinda guy.
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com
STUNNING! HRC decries Bush SCOTUS nominee
The Human Rights Campaign’s pro-abortion, GayLeftist president Joe Solomonese says that Supreme Court Justice John Roberts is anti-gay and will oppose him. I am completely shocked! (sarcasm off)
Joe’s conclusion comes after the concession by himself that Judge Roberts has no record on GLBT issues…. but he MUST be anti-gay because President Bush nominated him, right? Read the whole statement below….. prepare to roll your eyes.
Moments ago, President Bush nominated conservative Judge John G. Roberts, Jr. [INSERT ANY NOMINEE NAME HERE] – (GP editorial comment) to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
Knowing he was on the President’s “short list” of potential nominees, HRC has already conducted a preliminary review of his record. We have serious concerns about his judicial philosophy regarding the constitutional right to privacy and legal protections for GLBT Americans. And while he has no paper trail on GLBT issues, that does not mean that he is supportive. His views on legal protections for our community must be examined in Senate hearings. Now that his nomination is official, we’re digging more deeply to learn where Judge Roberts stands specifically on GLBT and other civil rights issues.
Between now and Judge Roberts’ confirmation hearings most likely in September, HRC has a monumental task of analyzing his record and uncovering his beliefs on issues important to GLBT Americans. We urgently need your financial help. Click here to stand with us and help protect our rights.
George Bush has already made more than 200 appointments to the federal bench. It’s highly unlikely that Judge Roberts will be the first with a record of support for GLBT rights or a woman’s right to choose. For example, would he have voted with the majority to strike down anti-gay sodomy laws in America? Or to declare Colorado’s anti-gay Amendment 2 unconstitutional? Neither Clarence Thomas nor Antonin Scalia did — and that’s the kind of appointment Bush promised to make to the Supreme Court.
As you know, there is no more important decision for protecting the rights and freedoms of every American than choosing a Supreme Court Justice. The Supreme Court will have the LAST WORD on the constitutionality of marriage for same-sex couples in America; the LAST WORD on the constitutionality of GLBT-inclusive hate crimes laws; the LAST WORD on whether GLBT Americans can serve openly in our military. Their decisions affect all Americans and all of us must stand together now to fight for a fair and balanced Supreme Court. Click here to make your emergency gift today.
HRC needs YOU and all people who care about GLBT equality. Please, make your donation today and then take a moment to tell a friend about our efforts.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Warmly,
Joe Solmonese
HRC President
Oh, and of course at the end of the letter, the ever money-hungry, palace-building HRC President asks for an “emergency contribution.” Good Lord.
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com
On the Other Hand…. Log Cabin is Cautious
Now this seems like a more reasonable and thoughtful… less knee-jerk and typically GayLefty-reactionary response…..
Log Cabin Republicans News Release
For Immediate Release
July 19, 2005
Log Cabin Republicans on the Nomination of Judge John Roberts to the United States Supreme Court
Statement of President Patrick Guerriero
(Washington, DC)?”Log Cabin looks forward to a thorough and thoughtful review of Judge Robert?s nomination to the United States Supreme Court. Recognizing the importance and impact of the Supreme Court, we support the confirmation of all fair-minded jurists to the bench. Log Cabin will carefully study the record, writings, and testimony of Judge Roberts during this confirmation process, particularly as they relate to questions of basic fairness for gay and lesbian Americans.”
Forgive Log Cabin, they didn’t get the faxed talking points like HRC did from the LibDemocrat National Committee moments before the President’s announcement.
Oh, and Patrick doesn’t ask for any “emergency money” because the world is ending either…..
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com
Why so much abortion stuff on HRC’s Supreme Court webpage?
Seems like HRC President Joe Solmonese‘s background as chief executive officer of the pro-abortion group Emily List is influencing HRC’s attitude toward the Supreme Court. Eva Young e-mailed me to note that “there is too much abortion stuff” on HRC’s Supreme Court website. And she’s right.
Why is a gay group so concerned about the stances on abortion of three of the four judges listed in their “snapshot” portraits of the president’s potential nominees (as identified by “Court watchers“)? Not only that. HRC has listed a number of groups with which it is working on judicial nominations through something called “he Coalition for a Fair and Independent Judiciary.” It seems more a selection of liberal interest groups than anything else, including such well known leftist outfits as People for the American Way, Alliance for Justice and Earth Justice.
It seems that despite some positive changes at HRC in recent months, it remains committed to a liberal agenda — rather than limiting itself to gay and lesbian issues. HRC is thus not living up to its own Mission Statement defining it as a “bipartisan organization.”
Gay Groups Differ in O’Connor Reactions
The “non-partisan” Human Rights Campaign reacts with shrill hyperbole and their usual chicken little rhetoric…. (never mind no prospective nominee has even been announced yet!!!)
O’Connor Retirement is Serious Threat to Civil Rights
…while Log Cabin Republicans did what normal, rational folks do when a national leader announces her retirement… honor her legacy…
Log Cabin Commends Justice O’Connor for Her Service to the Nation
But what do you expect when HRC’s new head is a LiberalDemocrat, Pro-Abortionist?
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com
UPDATE (from GPW): National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Executive Director Matt Foreman sees the retirement as a “sad day for the Supreme Court and America” and has called “upon the president to honor the advice and consent role the Constitution gives the Senate in the nomination and confirmation of Supreme Court nominees, including meaningful consultation with both parties.” I’m pretty certain that his predecessors at NGLTF did not call upon President Clinton to seek the advice and consent of the then-Republican minority in the U.S. Senate when he filled vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993 and 1994. I guess that clause only applies to Republican presidents.
Are Gays the “new Jews” ?
I missed this Jonah Goldberg piece at The Corner earlier this week. (Hat tip: RelapsedBlog/Relapsed Catholic)
GAYS=JEWS — The Corner at NRO
Central to the anti-Semitic narrative is the Jews’ longevity as an intact people. There’s no enduring gay tribe, is there? Can you simply swap out the stereotype of Jews as financiers and predators of capital in favor of the stereotype of gays as interior decorators and hair-dressers and have anything similar to anti-Semitism? Is there a gay diaspora? I’ve heard the argument that homosexuality behaves like a religion, does this mean that Yglesias and Sullivan buy into it? Or do they want to claim all the benefits of playing this particularly powerful bigotry card without carrying any of the burdens of the analogy?
I’m anxious to hear your thoughts on this debate….
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com