When Rep. Paul Ryan releases a new economic plan, I am typically left to wonder if he is on something. With his new plan for helping the poor, however, I think he might be onto something. Not the idea that poor people need a nanny to help them pull it together, mind you. That’s demeaningly…
When Jo Becker’s book Forcing the Spring: Inside the fight for marriage equality was published earlier this year, it set off a firestorm of arguments about who had contributed how much to the effort and when. Given the breadth of the title, some long term LGBT activists felt it focused too much on Hollingsworth v…
“Was it the same cat?” That was Trinity’s question in The Matrix, when Neo reported seeing two black cats in rapid succession. In the movie, déjà vu is a glitch that portends a dangerous change in the computer program. Watching multiple advocacy groups again remove their support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has given…
Escape velocity is the speed needed to break away from a planet without eventually being pulled back by gravity. Hit it, and you can coast to the freedom of open space without hitting the jets again. For Earth, it’s about 25,000 mph. The escape velocity of a political movement can’t be calculated, but there is…
I was thrilled to see Michael Sam become the first openly gay player drafted into the National Football League (NFL). The coverage of his emotional response, including kissing his boyfriend, was tremendous. I remain skeptical, though, of the idea that his sexual orientation didn’t hurt him in the draft. You’ve probably heard the current narrative….
When Brendan Eich resigned from Mozilla last month, a group of marriage equality supporters penned a public statement “Freedom to Marry, Freedom to Dissent: Why we must have both.” They argued that “diversity is the natural consequence of liberty” and that “disagreement should not be punished.” Then LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling was caught on…
I doubt there is any real danger that a Fox News item would convince most San Diegans that former Councilmember Carl DeMaio is our dream congressional candidate. Still, Dana Perino’s article (http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/04/28/california-house-race-no-one-puts-gay-republican-carl-demaio-in-corner/) Straight talk about gay Republican congressional candidate Carl DeMaio warrants some discussion. Perino’s column begins by suggesting that DeMaio’s biography and Council record…
As the 2014 elections approach, you’ll hear about Rep. Scott Peters’ (CA-52) strong record on LGBT equality, for two reasons. First, it’s true. Second, the race is made-for-TV drama, with openly gay former San Diego City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio challenging Peters, a one-term straight incumbent with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) endorsement,…
I know that in 33 states, workers can still be fired for their sexual orientation or gender identity. I remember the days after the Prop. 8 vote, misting up at random times when I remembered that a majority of my neighbors took away my right to marry. So I hope you’ll forgive the twinge of…
As a physician, I make life and death decisions. When I lead a team of trainees, I am at the top of the chain of command. Medical students gather information to make decisions with the interns, who can seek the advice of senior residents, who in turn come to me. They try to limit it…
