Mr. President:Please accept my apology for interrupting your speech at Netroots Nation. I was raised in the South, as you were, and my mother taught me better. But once in a while, the circumstances of history throw manners out the window.
I know you weren't able to hear my full question. In a setting such as a convention hall, it's not exactly conducive to a productive conversation. What I said was, "Mr. President, will you call for the repeal of DOMA and Don't Ask, Don't Tell right now? Please." At least a little of my Southern upbringing came through.
The moment kind of overcame me and I didn't set out to interrupt your speech. But you need to understand that you have been an inspiration to me. You are what inspired me to become involved in politics. I believed you when you said to the gay community, "I have a vision for America and you are a part of it." And I still believe it.
You are such a passionate person and I love that about you. When you heard me yell from the audience at Netroots Nation, probably all you heard was "DOMA and Don't ask, Don't Tell" and assumed that someone was chastising you for having signed them into law, but that's not what I was doing.
Your defense of why you signed them was unnecessary because we all understand the politics and the reality of how it came to be. I wasn't seeking an explanation.
I was hoping that you would take the opportunity to strongly express your support for repealing both of those laws and to help make it a reality. You are in a unique position to explain why now is the time to repeal them. You can help change the political dynamic and usher in the vision that you held in 1992 and that I believe you still hold today. Again, it's just hard to express that when shouting a question from the audience.
You said, pointing your finger at me "You couldn't deliver me any support in the Congress." Perhaps today you could help President Obama in his effort to be a fier ce advocate for the gay community. I know your legacy is important to you and I hope you understand that it didn't end when you left the White House. These issues are clearly important to you and you regret their being a part of your legacy. But you can be an important part of changing it and your legacy will reflect that.
So, I hope you'll stop dwelling on the past on DOMA and DADT and be a champion today and in the near future for their repeal. Will you leave the past as it is and help create a more fair and just future? I know you believe that it is the way it should be, but will you say it and become a champion for it?
The gay community will not be able to achieve this on its own. We need you more than we ever have. Will you be there for us?
With much respect,
Lane HudsonFor those who think the Great Nationwide Kiss-In was pointless, gratuitous or childish, I'm going to up the ante a bit on your thinking.
I want you to consider WHY the idea of two people of the same sex kissing makes you squirm, makes you uncomfortable. I want you to FACE those feelings for a minute.
But lemme give you some historic perspective to help you out.
Exhibit 1:
Exhibit 2:
Exhibit 3:
Exhibit 4:
Exhibit 5:
Okay, I'll stop- that last one tends to squick ME out! ;)
But here's the thing: Kissing is NORMAL. It's NATURAL. It is an expression of love. Or friendship. Or something more:
Heck, sometimes a kiss is something as trivial as an attempt at a world record with tens of thousands of your non-closest friends!
Anyone who can look at these images, watch cou ntless movies and television out there, casually kiss people on the cheek that they barely know at gatherings and STILL think that same-sex kissing is wrong... well, I feel sorry for you and your narrow view of the world.
But thanks for reading all of this.
Yesterday was the Great Nationwide Kiss-In and a day that the Mormon Church is going to find hard to put behind them.
SALT LAKE CITY - The Mormon church's vigorous support for Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California last year, has turned the Utah-based faith into a lightning rod for gay rights activism, including a nationwide "kiss-in" Saturday.
The event comes after gay couples here and in San Antonio and El Paso, Texas, were arrested, cited for trespassing or harassed by police for publicly kissing. In Utah, the July 9 trespassing incident occurred after a couple were observed by security guards on a downtown park-like plaza owned by the 13 million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The court case was dismissed, but the kiss sparked a community backlash and criticism of the church.
"I don't think that kiss would have turned out to be the kiss heard round the world if it were not for Proposition 8," said Ash Johnsdottir, organizer of the Salt Lake City Kiss-In.
Below the fold are some of the stories, photos and videos of the day. Please feel free to share any others you may have as well...
(h/t Sean and Lurleen)
Here is a really sweet montage of the San Francisco Kiss-In:
More than 100 gay people, their family members and civil rights activists gathered at Library Square on Saturday to kiss and tell the public that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, has the right to acknowledge their loved ones with the little token of affection."I would just like people to think a little more about who they love and why instead of who they hate and why," Charles Frost, a father and grandfather said after speaking to those gathered at the amphitheater as part of the Great Nationwide Kiss-In held this weekend in 50 cities nationwide and in Canada.
The en masse public display of affection was staged to replicate actual incidents in recent weeks in which gay couples in three cities, including Salt Lake City, were detained or arrested by security guards for what the couples say was kissing in public.
In Denver, same-sex and heterosexual couples gathered on the mall to kiss, hug and let others know that kissing, hugging and holding hands in public isn't a crime and shouldn't be treated like one."We've faced constant harassment, and our home has been vandalized," said Pamela Thiele, 61, of Denver, who was joined by her partner, Lauren Fortmiller, 62. The couple married in California and have been together for eight years.
"I've been filled with so much sadness and despair and I'm grateful to do something constructive," said Thielehiele, who said she heard about Saturday's event after it was posted on the Colorado Queer Straight Alliance website.
In Washington, D.C., 22 people, many of them strangers to one another, gathered under the scorching sun on Washington's National Mall to participate in the national smooch.
"This is America. A kiss on the cheek is OK," said Ian Thomas, 26, of Leesburg, Va., who organized the Washington Kiss-In. "It's got to be OK. If not, we're in serious trouble."
Chicago. This link also has a great photo gallery of the event.
More than 50 people gathered in the plaza surrounding Cloud Gate during what seemed as one of the hottest days of the year with one thing on their minds - kissing!Saturday afternoon marked the Great Nationwide Kiss-In where LGBT couples from around the country gathered at local public venues to send a message that "Kissing is Good" after three gay couples have recently been arrested for kissing in public.
The local 'Kiss-in' was organized by Join the Impact Chicago and even warranted a "warning" from the Illinois Family Institute that told parents to guard their children from such displays.
Michael also posted a wonderful video of the event in Chicago.
Oh noes, teh evul gayz r kising! Protekt yur childrun!!
What utter nonsense.
To ALL participants, I say this: "Kisses!"
www.GayTalkRadio.org
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