The Maine Event

Today, the Senate will vote on whether or not to debate the issue of "don't ask, don't tell". Moderate GOP Sen Susan Collins of Maine just said she would not lend her vote later today if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid does not allow a full and open debate on amendments, including one she would oppose that would strike language from the bill that repeals the military's policy against homosexuals serving openly in the armed forces.

Collins admitted to feeling frustrated by the situation she finds herself in... yeah... so do we.

She says:

"It's not not fair. I am a strong supporter of repealing DADT. It's not fair to block out amendments from people who disagree with my position. For the life of me, I don't understand why the majority leader doesn't bring this to the floor and allow free and open debate from both sides. That would be fair."

Well, one thing's for sure... the pressure is on today, so everyone... keep those fingers crossed for equality.... and speaking of equality...

Lady Gaga lent her efforts to the cause in Collins' home state yesterday and I have to say her speech was quite stirring. She calls equality the "prime rib of America" and I tend to agree.

Check it out here:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/20/gaga.gays.military/index.html?hpt=C2

Let's all hope that our Senate can make us all proud to be Americans today and stand in support of repealing this highly unjust law. If Reid gets the votes, the Senate will likely have to put the bill aside during its pre-election recess and take it up again after November.

Here's what you can do: You can use Twitter hashtag #4the14k (“For the 14,000–a reference to the serivce members who have left the military under DADT) to follow along. And while you’re at it, give your senator a call at (202) 224-3121.

-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -

"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay mariage please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

TELL Congress What YOU Think About DADT!!

It's been a big week for this issue.

On May 20th Servicemembers United uncovered a staggering 630 new DADT discharges, which had previously been discounted Department of Defense’s official “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” discharge numbers! They obtained the documents through a Freedom of Information Act request. These newly released numbers now bring the 17-year total number of discharges to at least 14,055!!! That's 14,055 capable US soldiers who won't be standing up for a country they love because of who they love!

Also this week, Nancy Pelosi made quite a powerful statement during an interview with The Hill.

"I don’t have any doubt that ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ will be a memory by the end of this year"

Well, for those of you who haven't heard, Congress is scheduled to vote THIS WEEK on repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". If we're going to win this, we need as many Illinois residents as possible to speak out against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" within the next 24 hours.

Click the link below to find out what you can do to help take a stand for human rights.

REPEAL DADT NOW

This could really happen, gang!! But it's up to all of us to make this change possible. Gandhi once said "You must be the change you wish to see in the world"... let's be a part of the change we all want to see! Let's end this ridiculous policy!



-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -


"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay mariage please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

The KAGAN Question

The White House denies it, feminists call it a distraction, the right wing wants to "expose" it, the left wing wants to "embrace" it.... but EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW!! Is Elena Kagan gay?
Kagan, who is a graduate of Harvard Law School, was recently nominated to the Supreme Court by President Obama on May 10th of this year.
The question of her homosexuality has been the subject of much debate since her nomination and quite frankly, I think it's a tremendous waste of time. But does it matter? Does it matter to the gay community? Some people say it does. I say, since when does sexual preference have ANYTHING to do with a person's ability the hold ANY office in the United States? Home of the brave and land of the FREE indeed.

Here's why some people think it does matter...

A Cornell law professorhas said that Kagan clearly indicated she believes gay marriage is a political question, not a constitutional one, meaning there is no constitutional right to gay marriage, but Maggie Gallagher says that's not true. She cites the fact that the Human Rights Campaign agrees with her that Kagan supports marriage equality.
Furthermore, Ed Whelan notes that Kagan issues a slippery "clarification" of her stance on whether or not gay marriage is constitutionally permissible. I can see how her stance on this issue is of large concern to many Americans, gay or straight...but nevertheless, her position on this issue has no bearing, in my mind, on her own sexuality.

Naturally, the right wingers have been quick to jump into this debate. Many talk radio heads have critiqued the way she looks, stating she is masculine because she's been known to smoke cigars and play poker. It has also been brought up that while she served as Dean at Harvard, she kicked military recruiters off the campus because of the DADT policy.

Kagan was recently pictured on the cover of the Wall Street Journal playing softball. The picture is quite old, clearly from her college days. Pat Buchanan had this to say of the "suspicious" photograph:

"Women's softball has been associated with lesbians and being gay for a long time not exclusively obviously, a lot of girls teams play softball, but that's been sort of a signal, like two men sunbathing together on a beach or something like that - the immediate implication is that they're gay"

I see... well, Mr. Buchanan, I had no idea you were such an expert on gay lifestyle... let alone gay "signals".

Elena Kagan is 50 years old and unmarried... clearly... she must be gay! Do I detect a little sexism? Check out this clip from a Fox News program with Megyn Kelly that discusses the now notorious softball photograph of Kagan and issues of sexism:



I think there are so very fine points made here... but seriously people... it's one photograph!! Why is this causing so much upheaval?!

Granted, if she is gay and denying it, I could see how this would affect people in the gay community. An openly gay member of the Supreme Court would certainly be advantageous for the rights of gay people across the country. It would also send a powerful message of acceptance. But let's face it, if she is gay and denying it... it will eventually, pardon the expression, COME OUT. It always does (link to previous blog post of George Reckers)

I still believe that this is %100 nobody's business but what do y'all think?

Does it Matter if Elena Kagan is Gay?

• 
  
  Yes, the American people need to know


• 
  
  No, sexual orientation should not matter in the least


• 
  
  As a GLBTQ member of society, I want to know


• 
  
  I'm more concerned that she has never been a judge before


• 
  
  Who the heck is Elena Kagan?

view results
Free vote poll

-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -

"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay mariage please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page atwww.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

Of Human RIGHTS Bondage

This morning the Human Rights Campaign marched on Washington DC to protest the DADT policy. And everybody's favorite Lieutenant took a final stand against the military.

Lt. Dan Choi stood next to Kathy Griffin and stated:

“Hello. My name is Lt. Dan Choi. I am being discharged from the US Army because I am gay and dared to say it out loud. Today, I am here on a mission with Capt. Jim Pietrangelo, and we are asking you all to join us. We’re calling you to action because we are at a turning point — a moment in time where talk is no longer enough, and action is required.

Equality is not going to happen by itself.

You have been told that the President has a plan. But Congressman Barney Frank confirmed to us this week that the President still is not fully committed to repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell this year. And if we don’t seize this moment it may not happen for a very long time. Some may tell you that I am one of the lucky ones. I have been welcomed back by my unit with open arms. And it would be easy for me to stay quiet and hope that change will happen. But what I was taught at West Point and learned in war is — hope is not a strategy. As officers, James and I both find it a dereliction of our moral duty to remain silent while thousands of our brothers and sister are not allowed to serve openly and honestly. Capt. Pietrangelo was honorably discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 2004 and I will be subject to the same shortly. As officers we are here today fighting for those in the ranks, and we need our Commander in Chief to do the same.

Our fight is not here at Freedom Plaza, it is at the White House. We are walking to the White House right now to send the President a message. So…take out your cell phones and your cameras. Document this moment. Join us as together — we make history."

Directly after this awesome call to arms, Choi and several other supporters handcuffed themselves to a fence outside of the White House!!! Robin McGeehee, cofounder of GetEqual.org and co-organizer of the gay march on Washington last fall, organized this protest today. She along with Choi have been arrested.

What a powerful speech and an even more powerful demonstration. Not since the Vietnam war have the American people showed such commitment to a cause! I am impressed by Choi's composure and conviction during this trying time in human rights. He really couldn't have said it better... let's make some history!! (And let's hope Obama can make some more as well)

-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -

"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay mariage please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page atwww.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

Elephants on Parade?

Last week Dick Cheney made it known that he was in support of the repeal on the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy and that he stands by President Obama's efforts to overturn this ridiculous law.

Here is an excerpt of what he had to say in his ABC interview:

I think the society has moved on. I think it’s partly a generational question. I say I’m reluctant to second-guess the military in this regard because they’re the ones who have got to make the judgment about how these policies affect the military capability of our, of our units. And that first requirement that you have to look at all the time is whether they’re still capable of achieving their mission and does the policy change i.e. putting gays in the force, affect their ability to perform their mission. When the chiefs come forward and say we think we can do it, then it strikes me that it’s time to reconsider the policy. And I think Admiral Mullen’s said that.

I have to say, I'm first in line to throw Cheney to the dogs for war crimes and various other crimes against humanity which he is responsible for during the Bush Administration, BUT... I'm truly encouraged by his support on this issue. Cheney, who has a lesbian daughter, had revealed, after he was out of the White House, that he supports same-sex marriage on the state level.

Could it be that we're a step closer to "meeting in the middle"??? Only time will tell, but I'm hoping this will inspire other right-wingers to think outside the closet.

Check out Cheney's response to DADT on ABC and tell us what you think!!!





-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -


"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay marragie please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"