June 19, 2009 11:38 AM

Angry Gay Democrats Pull Support For DNC

By
Prerana Swami
Topics
Social Issues
(CBS/AP)
The Obama administration's decision to file a controversial brief on behalf of the Defense Of Marriage Act appears to have been the last straw for many gay and lesbians who were once enthusiastic supporters of the administration as well as the Democratic party.

Politico reports that the National Stonewall Democrats is the latest group to pull out of a June 25 Democratic National Committee fundraiser because of the Obama administration's defense of DOMA and lack of action on gay issues.

The group said is "incredibly disappointed" in the party for a variety of reasons, including a perceived lack of support.

"The DNC has traditionally provided materials for the many Pride parades and festivals around the country to help educate the LGBT community about why the Democratic Party is the Party for full LGBT equality," National Stonewall wrote in an e-mail, according to Politico. "This year, we were informed that we would not be receiving any materials or support for producing materials for the various nationwide Pride activities. These decisions were very disappointing."

The e-mail also cited the DOMA brief as a reason to pull out of the fundraiser.

"The members of the Board and our membership put our hopes, our dollars and our time into ensuring the election of Barack Obama because we believed that he supported us. To now have his Administration refer to our relationships in the same terms used by our long time enemies such as Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and James Dobson hurts on so many levels," National Stonewall wrote.

The government's pro-DOMA stance has already prompted many other high profile gay rights supporters to boycott the fundraiser.

Among them, as Newsweek reported Wednesday, is Vermont Senate President Peter Shumlin. As an early Obama supporter and leader of the marriage equality bill in Vermont, Shumlin was expected to be an honored guest at the event.

"I am shocked and disappointed at the level of insensitivity that the Department of Justice has shown towards gay and lesbian couples and their families," Shumlin said in an e-mail to Newsweek. "My disappointment in this has led me to the regrettable decision not to be a participant in the DNC event."

Shumlin also said he believes that the Department of Justice and the government's action will not only alienate the LGBT community but perpetuate stereotypes and discrimination as well. He expressed hope that Mr. Obama will "actively support" marriage equality.

The recipient of the National Stonewall Democrats' e-mail, the DNC's Tom Petrillo, responded with a short statement encouraging a continued relationship between the two groups. Petrillo pointed to the fact that the DNC plans to support a Stonewall activity later this year.

Add a Comment See all 106 Comments
by dartplayer501 July 7, 2009 3:21 PM EDT
The guy has been in office for 6 months!!! Heck, GWB hadn't even screwed the country up much in that time. Give him a chance - he's trying to juggle too many balls at one time at the moment, and he hasn't quite figured out he can't keep them all in the air all the time. Gay and lesbian rights will be addressed in the future - patience is a vitue with politicians. Besides - what is the real alternative? Getting someone like Sarah Palin as president? She thinks that all homosexuals should die because they're an abomination before her God. Remember - patience please.
Reply to this comment
by Aldymac June 20, 2009 8:21 AM EDT
The reason gay marriage can't be equal to heterosexual marriage is because, two males cannot procreate between themselves nor can two women procreate between themselves. So, why should they be called, "equal"? Why should they be called, "married" when they want the term applied to them only in "contempt" of heterosexual marriage? When homosexuals, male and female, can procreate without the help of the opposite sex, then they will have the right to claim "equality" with heterosexual couples. Untill that time also there should be no benefits that are equal to heterosexual benefits.
The forceing of their agenda through the legal system to make people "respect" them and "tolerate" them when they do not show the same respect or tolerance to anyone else simply because they want to have "spiecial rights or, greater, rights" than anyone else, or another term might be used, they want their lifestyle to be "exaulted" above everyone elses lifestyle.
DOMA is in existance because of the mockery of marriage by the homosexual agenda.
Reply to this comment
by dartplayer501 July 7, 2009 3:24 PM EDT
So I assume that infertile heterosexual partners shouldn't marry either, since they can't procreate. What ignorance you show. Gays are not trying to stop you doing anything - on the other hand you ARE stopping them from doing what they're constitutionally entitled to. BIG difference. BTW I'm a happily married hetero who has procreated as you so delicatly put it.
by jerrymarc1 June 20, 2009 12:44 AM EDT
President Obama seems to have no stomach to stand up to his generals or deal with the public over what is 'right'. I think MLK would cringe. I wonder if he would still be ok with a separated 'race' army to keep order and discipline in the armed services. I think MLK would cringe. Maybe so - his generals are calling the shots. I think MLK would cringe. President Obama and his Justice Department seems to equate my California marriage to incest. I think MLK would cringe. President Obama - I thought we would have real change...you lost my (next) vote. Show some back bone and start doing what is 'right' by ALL your citizens. This country is not a theocracy like Iran...the Christian Right doesn't call all the shots...the US Constitution does...show some leadership in this area.
Reply to this comment
by gkgmd June 19, 2009 9:04 PM EDT
I'd love to do a study on the correlation of use of the word queer and *** with level of education. I bet they are almost linearly inversely correlated. The lower your education the more likely you are to act like a backwoods klansman.
Reply to this comment
by gkgmd June 19, 2009 8:42 PM EDT
People will look on homophobes like they look on Nazi's and KKK members within the next 1 0 years. America will look on them with nausea and repulsion.
Reply to this comment
by Questionews June 19, 2009 5:53 PM EDT
The Gay community's is not going to be able to force this issue from the top down. If it's going to happen, it's got to happen from the bottom up. A state & local approach will have to do for now. Only after a majority of states change their gay rights laws will the Feds follow suit. Putting their resources & effort into trying to make changes in the laws on a national level is a waste of time & material. Their best bet for now is to relocate to those states that have already modified their laws.
Reply to this comment
by blog_fever2 June 19, 2009 5:41 PM EDT
Nobody is forcing anyone to do anything. If you want to leave, that is your choice, just like your lifestyle. Whichever choice you make, please just keep it to yourself. This is all getting old.
Reply to this comment
by didserve June 19, 2009 5:34 PM EDT
Many Americans are very disapointed in the current Obama Administration and our lame Democratic congress!

no war crimes trials

still in iraq

expanding Afghanistan

no universal health care

no full support of gay rights

Americans may have to take to the streets to get real change we can believe in!
Reply to this comment
by Questionews June 19, 2009 5:38 PM EDT
You forgot his promise to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Maybe he forgot.
by blog_fever2 June 19, 2009 5:47 PM EDT
President Obama is not the one holding up the change. Keep that in mind during your street protest.
by pw08-2009 June 19, 2009 5:33 PM EDT
texbelle123,

"Our new president is just a Black version of George W Bush."

Your comment is exactly how most of the gay community thinks, if they don't get their way on this issue and that is part of why your effort is losing support.

Not to mention that our president (whom I did not vote for anyway) is kind of busy with some other issues, like missles being pointed at Hawaii and so, like most of the rest of America, we don't consider gay marriage as being really important at this time!

And with such weak support from people like you, then you're getting just what you deserve from the president, who by the way, just made it easier for many of you to get medical benefits.
Reply to this comment
by blog_fever2 June 19, 2009 5:53 PM EDT
Church! These posters do not want to admit any of the progress that has been made because it is not the level that they want. Sad.
by Questionews June 19, 2009 5:31 PM EDT
This new format is just wacky!!
Reply to this comment
by blog_fever2 June 19, 2009 5:42 PM EDT
I agree. I really dislike the changes!!!
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