We Will Prevail

Today’s article was written by TSM contributor James Queale.

This week, like many weeks, was filled with bitter homophobes who said and did outrageous things. Like the North Carolina pastor who advocated putting gays and lesbians into separate pens so that we can die off; or the mindless cluster fuck known as “One Million Moms” and their never-ending complaints about homosexuals indoctrinating children through media.

Let’s forget about those people today and take a look at a recent video that shows yet again that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is dead.

Videos and pictures like this have been becoming commonplace these days. It is videos and pictures like this that give me hope and make me remember that we are winning this fight. Anti-gay groups are getting louder because they are losing and deep down they know it. I really feel like they are on their last hurrah. If you look closely, people are evolving all over the place and there appears to be a recent surge thanks to Obama.

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” – Nicholas Klein or Gandhi (Disputed)

Hero of the Week Award: March 2, Archie Comics

Hero of the Week

Today we are pleased to honor the continued commitment of what was once a surprising player in LGBT equality, Archie Comics. The company has a reputation as being conservative and traditional, bolstered by an ill-advised 70s partnership with a right-wing evangelical publisher. Over the past few years, however, the Archie brand has been surprisingly successful at re-inventing itself and creating a relevant, safe place for young comic readers to see how everyone really can get along.

Last year Archie Comics made a great move toward equality by introducing their first gay character, the loveable Kevin Keller. Creator Dan Parent made Kevin a realistic, complex character. He happens to be gay; he’s also a teen in Riverdale, so he has his share of typical misadventures but also knows everyone loves and supports him. It’s a great message for LGBTQ youth and their allies and families. While previous diversity characters have been given short shrift after their initial introductions, Kevin has quickly become an Archie mainstay. After taking over Veronica for four issues (and exploring coming out, dating, bullying, and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell), Kevin was given his own title which debuted last month. It’s off to a promising start and Kevin looks to be a vital part of the Riverdale community.

The company took equality even farther last month. In the Life With Archie series which shows the life of the characters as adults, they celebrated Kevin’s wedding to his partner, Clay. In typical Riverdale fashion, no-one bats an eye at true marriage equality and the wedding is a marvelous, supportive event. They are also a bi-racial couple, adding to the “everyone belongs” message. That issue alone was almost enough to earn the company HWA. But this week they did even better.

The American Family Association’s One Million Moms project noted the presence of Life With Archie #16 in Toys ‘R’ Us stores and started another boycott attempt. The extremist hate group objected to the presence of a loving same-sex couple on the cover of a comic book. So far Toys ‘R’ Us has not replied (perhaps not wishing to waste time debating with lunatics?). Archie Comics, on the other hand, came out with a strong, wonderful statement issued by CEO John Goldwater.

We stand by Life with Archie #16. As I’ve said before, Riverdale is a safe, welcoming place that does not judge anyone. It’s an idealized version of America that will hopefully become reality someday. We’re sorry the American Family Association/OneMillionMoms.com feels so negatively about our product, but they have every right to their opinion, just like we have the right to stand by ours. Kevin Keller will forever be a part of Riverdale, and he will live a happy, long life free of prejudice, hate, and narrow-minded people.

Way to go Archie Comics. Let’s hope your efforts speed the pace by which all of America becomes a bit more like Riverdale when it comes to inclusion.

Number 1 Bigot of the Year Award 2011: John Boehner

Number 1 Bigot of 2011

For those that have been following TSM for any amount of time, it should come as no surprise that Mr. Fake and Bake, crocodile tears, Mr. 1%, John Boehner, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, earns the most dubious honor of the Number 1 Bigot of the Year for 2011.

The congressman from Ohio has consistently demonstrated an abuse of power from a wealthy white heterosexual that rivals some of the super rich white boys on the Supreme Court.  Boehner’s hypocrisy, double standards, misogyny, and homophobia have set his legacy of hate and abuse of power in history!  Rather than working for the American people to balance the budget and get out of a deficit, the ubiquitous obstructionist Boehner said, “we will not raise taxes,” as he was working tirelessly to protect the incomes of the top 1% of Americans–damn the rest of the country.

Yet, while operating out of a deficit, Boehner is spending tax payer dollars to defend discrimination by hiring an attorney to defend DOMA–yes, we must be fearful of the Gay Agenda!  

Pandering to the outer fringe of his party rather than brokering meaningful compromise (how sad is it when you can make Sen. Mitch McConnell look reasonable?) he has made 2011 the year of the do-nothing Congress. Let us hope that his recent capitulation on the payroll tax holiday is the beginning of his downfall–Boehner, another rancid tea bag.

Flashback  2010: The Bigot of 2010 was John McCain.

Bigot of the Week Award: December 9, Rick Perry

Bigot of the Week

Just as it looked like Rick Perry (Mr. Snap on Hair) had become totally irrelevant in the GOP Presidential election cycle, he created a new ad that wins him this week’s BWA. Trailing badly in the polls, Perry decided to tack even farther to the right, releasing this nasty 30 seconds of homophobia and irrational babbling. After saying “I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a Christian,” he launches into a bizarre comparison of the end of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell with the so-called “War on Christmas.” You know the only thing those things have in common, Rick? Civil rights for all Americans and the separation of church and state are both enshrined in our Constitution. You should have someone read it to you some time. If by some chance this horrific pandering to the Teahadists pays off, let’s remember what a Perry Presidency might look like—bless his heart!

As an antidote to this asshat, enjoy this very smart parody.  As a further lovely tonic to such a schmuck, my friends and huge LGBT allies Jennifer and Misti inspired me to do Perry as the bigot and and include the delightful parody.

Bigot of the Week Award: November 11, The Spectre of DADT

This Week's Bigot's Victims

Even with the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell going into full effect, LGBT members of the military face continued pain and oppression. As the nation celebrates Veterans Day, it is worth noting the irony that one segment of the population that served to defend our nation is still subject to second class treatment. TSM questions the value of war and military intervention as the solution to problems. That being said, the military is a major employer and its treatment of its past and present employees has a long way to go.

The end of DADT changed the military’s policy, but much work is needed to change its culture. As Leonardo Lucio, a Navy reservist and NoH8 activist, recounts, even though he can serve openly, he is regularly subjected to gay taunts and slurs by his fellow service members. Veterans who were given dishonorable discharges in the days even before DADT are not eligible for benefits, regardless of how well they served their country, often solely because of who they are. (Kudos to Richard Pan of the California Assembly who is trying to ensure that this practice is overturned at least as far as state benefits!) Even when benefits are available, veterans can be subject to horrible abuse. Esther Garatie, 28, a former Marine lance corporal who lives in Dallas, sought treatment for depression at her local VA hospital; she was subjected to a tirade by the nurse, who told her she was depressed because of her “lifestyle of sin.”  Sadly, thousands of stories like these exist.

LGBT service members and veterans are the employees and retirees of our government. They deserve freedom from discrimination as much as any of the rest of us. Lifting the irrational ban on service was a positive step. We won’t be able to truly acknowledge their service, however, until the climate in which they serve can be purged of antiquated, hateful attitudes and behaviors.

Broken Clock Moment for Fox News

Fox (Faux) News

Everyone knows that even a broken clock is right twice a day. Well it looks as though Fox (Faux) News had a broken clock moment with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday last week.  I wonder if this is a sign of the apocalypse?  Wallace took Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum to task on issues of homophobia and hypocrisy, two areas in which Santorum qualifies as an expert.

During the last presidential debate, Santorum tried to argue that the repeal of DADT would have harmful effects on our military:

…ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was the government trying to inject social policy into the military

Wallace replied:

…the end goal of doing away with the policy was that gay soldiers would be on an equal footing with their heterosexual peers.

Wallace scored huge points as a journalist when he used a WWII quote that was used to try and prevent racial integration:

The army is not a sociological laboratory. Experimenting with policy, especially in a time of war, would pose a danger to efficiency, discipline and morale and would result in ultimate defeat.

Of course, Santorum replied, “ that unlike race, sexuality is a choice.”  I wonder when Santorum chose to be heterosexual.  Honestly, as obsessed as this man is with homosexuality, I’m not sure he or Marcus Bachmann are fooling a lot of people, just as our J. Edgar Hoover and his pink flower bathing cap did not really fool those in Washington, even though he managed to persecute a generation of people within the LGBT community.   Click here to see the video and the full story.  I also need to thank my friend and LGBT ally Tim Jung for inspiring me to write this story.

Bigot of the Week Award: October 7, Herman Cain

Herman Cain Number 1 Bigot of the Week

Those of you who follow TSM will remember that we called out Herman Cain’s bigoted behavior before, when he expressed his blatantly Islamophobic comments. I’m sure it comes as no big surprise that Cain’s bigotry proves pervasively pernicious.  Cain appeared on The View to deride the LGBT community and stated he wants to reinstate DADT and that being gay is a choice:

Well, you show me the science that says that it’s not and I could be persuaded…Right now It’s my opinion against the opinions of others who feel differently. That’s just a difference of opinion.

I wonder when our Cain decided to be heterosexual?  What made him chose heterosexuality? Perhaps he just has not met the right man yet?  His homophobic comments certainly earn him this week’s BWA. How sad that as a black man, he is unable to see the intersections of oppression.  Click here if you wish to see the video of him.

Bigot of the Week Award: September 23, GOP Debate Audiences and Candidates

Bigot of the Week

If you truly want to see the darkest side of humanity, I suggest you watch the GOP Presidential Candidate Debates and observe the audiences. I assure you that you will only be able to stomach a few minutes before plummeting into complete misanthropy. During this week’s debate we heard the GOP audience actually booing gay Soldier Stephen Hill, serving in Iraq, thus earning the audience and candidates the BWA.

Hill asked Rick (the P is silent) Santorum, “Do you plan to circumvent the progress that has been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military.”  Here is where the audience  booed him. Like the previous debate, where the audience cheered for Death, the candidates sat silent–their silence allowing us to, at the very least, interpret social cowardice and at the very worst showing they agreed with their sociopathic audiences.

Santorum’s response would indicate that the candidates are in full alignment with their sociopathic audiences:

Any type of sexual activity has absolutely no place in the military. And the fact that they are making it a point to include it as a provision within the military – that we are going to recognize a group of people and give them a special privilege, I think tries to inject social policy into the military and the military’s job is to defend our country.

I did not realize that being treated as a human being was a “special” privilege. Shame on Santorum, shame on Dr. Ron Paul, the rest of the ship of fools for not calling out bad behavior. Your silence BELLOWS true cowardice!  There is a great article on Towleroad if you would like to read more.

Discharging Clinton’s Legacy

Repealed after 18 years

Today is a significant moment in the Civil Rights movement for the LGBT community.  While I am happy that today marks the end of the military’s  Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy, I can’t help but worry about how slowly the wheels of progress move and how safe our LGBT brothers and sisters will actually be from their own ranks.

18 years ago, it was President Clinton who capitulated to the Republican bullies and instituted the DADT policy.  Let us not forget the chief bullies that played center stage during the Clinton years, Ken Starr and Linda Tripp, better known as Boris and Natasha.  One need not look hard to see Democratic Presidents capitulating to Republican bullies.

While the Pentagon has made statements that the military is now ready and has been trained to work with the LGBT community, the reality is that we know many of our LGBT soldiers are still going to be bullied by their peers.  I have heard the “higher ups” state that they will enforce the new policies regardless if they agree with them. I worry about LGBT soldiers fear of reporting abuse or harassment; feels rather like our Anita Hill having to report sexual harassment to her then boss and abuser, Clarence Thomas–we all know how well that turned out.  If only we could discharge that legacy of Bush Sr.

For today, I shall put aside my skepticism, and celebrate a move towards civil rights and equality for the LGBT community.  Now, let us get to the business of repealing DOMA!

Some Much Needed Laughter and Levity for this Sunday

Repeal DADT

Talk about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, this video will have you crying you will be laughing so hard.  Thank you so very much to my friend Sara Swain, a fierce LGBT ally, for sharing this with me.  Click here to watch this wonderful and lighthearted video.