It's over, phew! A Black candidate is
now, officially, the nominee of a major political party. For gay
Americans, so much more has transpired. The Democratic Convention at
the Pepsi Center – and its day-long arrival at Denver's Invesco
Field – triumphantly signaled a new level of political acceptance
for gay and lesbian issues in the Democratic Party.
On Monday night, Massachusetts Senator
Ted Kennedy, a long-time gay ally, was the first high-profile Democrat to include gays and lesbians in a speech: “For me, this is
a season of hope. ... Barack Obama will close the book on the old
politics of race against race, gender against gender, group against
group, and straight against gay. ... There is a new wave of change
all around us – and if we set our compass true, we will reach our
destination – not merely victory for our party, but renewal for our
nation.”
The next night, New York Senator Hillary Clinton, in a stirring – but longer than most – speech continued the call for equality. “I ran for president to renew the
promise of America. ... To rebuild the middle class ... To promote a
clean energy economy ... To create a health care system that is
universal, high quality, and affordable ... To create a world class
education system ... To fight for an America defined by deep and
meaningful equality – from civil rights to labor rights, from
women's rights to gay rights ... Most of all, I ran to stand up for
all those who have been invisible to their government for eight long
years.”
Yet, the best was yet to come, when on
the final night of the convention, Democratic
presidential nominee Barack Obama included gay rights as an example of
an issue that divides Republicans and Democrats – and one he would like to
bridge.
“We may not agree on abortion, but
surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in
this country. The reality of gun ownership may be different for
hunters in rural Ohio than those plagued by gang violence in
Cleveland, but don't tell me we can't uphold the Second Amendment
while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals. I know there are
differences on same sex-marriage, but surely we can agree that our
gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they
love in a hospital and live lives free of discrimination. Passions
may fly on immigration, but I don't know anyone who benefits when a
mother is separated from her infant child or an employer undercuts
American wages by hiring illegal workers.”
The mention was historic, and it
surprised and electrified the crowd, who enthusiastically endorsed the
inclusion with a rousing cheer.
The next day, Senator John McCain made his choice for VP – Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin. The choice of
Palin makes it painfully obvious that the McCain camp is hooked on
winning over Christian conservatives. Palin opposes both abortion
rights and gay marriage.
So much for inclusion, Log Cabin Republicans.
Gay marriage may not be the wedge issue
it has been in previous election cycles, but don't confuse that with
the idea that McCain and Obama share common ground on gay issues, as
a recent AP article did. The story, which mislead readers by implying the two men share similar positions on gay issues because they both oppose gay marriage, neglected to flesh out the details of their
positions. Indeed, Obama favors civil unions over marriages, but does
so for more pragmatic reasons, not personal bias. Obama recognizes
the need for legal protections for gay couples in loving
relationships. In contrast, McCain believes gay rights –
particularly in the areas of marriage and adoption – need to be
halted. One is mistrustful of gay voters, while the other seeks them
out.
In Massachusetts, anti gay marriage
forces are not ready to give up the ship just yet. Leaders
at Mass Resistance are seeking to put a measure on the 2010 ballot that
would once again ban out-of-state gay couples from marrying there. An
unlikely proposition in a state about to celebrate five years of gay
marriage in May of 2009.
And it was our own Gay Entertainment Report which brought me the news that The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela, the award-winning transsexual Cinderella film, is set to open in New York and Los Angeles next month.
The Gay Slant pops in most Saturdays at
On Top Magazine. Walter Weeks is a writer for On Top Magazine and
can reached at ww@ontopmag.com.