President Obama recently declared June to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month, continuing a tradition started by President Clinton and on a hiatus during President George W. Bush’s terms in office. We should all enjoy the parties and parades, and celebrate our diversity. If we want to continue to move our rights forward,…
In every teen angst movie, there is a scene where the newly beautiful swan has a moment of crisis. Relations with the new glam clique become strained and she is driven back to friends from her ugly duckling days. Cady of the Mean Girls goes back to Janis and Damian, just as Veronica ended up…
“There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends,” says Albus Dumbledore. Nowhere is this more true than in the world of party politics. Stand up to your party on the wrong issue, and life…
Over the past two weeks, the deportation order against Henry Velandia has brought immigration to the forefront of national LGBT politics. Velandia, from Venezuela, legally married American citizen Josh Vandiver in Connecticut in 2010. Unlike an opposite-sex spouse, he is unable to apply for a green card because the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prevents…
Two historic events could occur on May 5, 2011. Fred Karger could become the first out LGBT presidential candidate to participate in a major party debate. As a consequence, the Fox News Channel could see their highest LGBT viewership ever. A Democratic debate with a gay candidate would be worth a look, if only to…
We forgive athletes and teams for a variety of offenses, from steroids to strikes to slurs. Kobe Bryant fans will eventually forgive him for calling an official a “F—in’ f—ot,” as many did for prior alleged acts. Before we do so, let’s make him do a little more than apologize and give the NBA $100,000….
“Works to build a better community. Plans for the future. Ensures colleagues share in successes. Protects the less fortunate.” Any mother would beam with pride if her child were so described. In a performance review, such comments would garner a promotion. In Wisconsin, these traits put a target on your back. These four points are…
Pop Quiz: Where is the political center of the LGBT community? Urban Mo’s? No, though you could make an argument that it’s the social center. At 3909 Centre Street? No, that’s The Center, with a capital C. It’s actually somewhere near the intersection of University Avenue and the I-805 in North Park. If you want…
Last week, as the U.S. Senate held show votes defeating Democratic and Republican sponsored budget plans, senior legislators in back rooms continued the real negotiations. The Senate’s Gang of Six is using the recommendations of President Obama’s Deficit Commission to design a bipartisan proposal to increase revenue, decrease spending and fix entitlements. In the House,…
Sometimes progress doesn’t fit on a bumper sticker. “Congress Repeals Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” will always be a sexier sound bite than “Attorney General Holder announces that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will no longer defend Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).” Make no mistake, though, President Obama’s decision not to defend…
