Ruby-Sachs: Barbara Boxer the wrong Senator to protest

[1]

Yesterday, Obama was heckled at a California fundraiser for Senator Barbara Boxer. Boxer has been holding fundraisers across the country in order to gear up for a heated and difficult race in the upcoming election. If Sarah Palin were in charge of this blog, there’d be a big sign with Senator Boxer’s face in the crosshairs – the conservatives are gunning for her this time around.

The thing is, as much as we dislike Obama and his wishy washy approach to gay rights advocacy, we love Senator Boxer. Boxer has, when it comes to gay rights, been a staunch supporter of equality. She received a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign, spoke out about gay rights and actually is one of the few politicians to support gay marriage. She is a liberal activist politician in a landscape of conservative values and inaction on both sides of the aisle. She is exactly the kind of candidate we, as a community, should support.

Instead, we decided that a fundraiser where Obama (read not much of an advocate for gay rights) was doing his best to support Boxer was a perfect opportunity to highlight the President’s inaction of LGBT issues. This when Boxer is praying patrons open their cheque books and cough up a bit more money for her campaign. It doesn’t mean that the hecklers weren’t right in their criticism, Obama is hugely problematic when it comes to equality advocacy, but they needed to choose a different time to engage in that discussion.

The night is over and we can hope that Boxer got some of the funds she needs out of the event. Still, I hope that the people from Get Equal choose a more opportune moment to engage in protest. In the mean time, if they are serious about equality perhaps they should spend time raising a few dollars for Senator Boxer and her progressive agenda.

[1] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/blog-boxer-top.jpg

Friday Watercooler: Palin/Bachmann 2012…Hell Yeah!

• If only. On Sean Hannity [1] Wednesday night, Hannity asked his guests Sarah Palin and Rep. Michelle Bachmann if they would consider being on the same ticket for a presidential run in 2012. Palin answered in her usual cagey way “As I have said, I’m not gonna close any doors that perhaps would be open.” When Hannity asked the crowd what they thought there was a roar of approval. Most likely the same kind of roar that would come from a left-leaning crowd. How could the lefties amongst us not roar in approval for that kind of competition. Bring it on!

[2]

• He has supporters, too! Here is an addendum to a previous Friday Watercooler. Remember Derrick Martin who was allowed to attend his prom with his male date and was subsequently kicked out of his parents house? Remember how his classmates were soooo supportive of him that they held a rally [3] not because they cared that he was gay but because they were worried that their town would be known “known as a pro gay town”? Well, brave Derrick gets his own REALLY supportive rally [4] tonight in Macon, Georgia. Now lets hope some rich, famous gay gives Derrik a scholarship [5].

[6]

• She shows her true colors. Yet another shout out for our straight ally, Cyndi Lauper. I LOVE this lady. Lauper is spearheading the first permanent housing complex for homeless LGBT youth. Opening in the winter of 2011, The True Colors Residence [7] will give homeless LGBT youth ages 18-24 will have subsidized homes to help get them off the street. I find it shocking that, according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, between 20 – 40% of LGBT homeless youth identify as LGBT. I am happy that Cyndi puts her money where her mouth is. I live a few blocks from the proposed site and look forward to welcoming the residence into the neighborhood. The girl doesn’t just want to have fun!

[8]

• CNN apologizes, sort of. CNN Host Kyra Phillips [9] started a “debate” segment yesterday with the question “Homosexuality, Is it a problem in need of a cure?” Her producers invited a controversial “expert” in the “ex-gay” movement who was expelled from the American Counseling Association for ethical abuses and presented him as a “Psychotherapist, educator and expert in the field of sexual reorientation”. GLAAD [10] sent out a call to action and today the topic was revisited by Ms. Phillips on CNN by bringing on a real expert in the mental health field to educate that gay was not a mental illness and wasn’t need of curing. I really don’t have much issue with Ms. Phillips, I have an issue with the production. If they can’t afford or are too lazy to research their experts to see if they truly are experts, it’s time for a new job. Our friends at AfterElton.com have the video.

[11]

• God Save Malcom McLaren. This bit of news has saddened me. Former impresario and manager of the the Sex Pistols has died of mesothelioma in Switzerland. With Vivienne Westwood, McLaren [12] opened the clothing store Let It Rock (later Sex) in the early seventies before stumbling upon the future Johnny Rotten. Though the Sex Pistols flamed out quickly McLaren was instrumental in the seismic shift of music that is know as punk rock. A true Revolutionary!

[13]

• Gleeful. I hate to admit that I am excited for the new season of Glee. I don’t think it’s the best show but it definitely brings out the show queen in me. Besides, there is some definite eye candy on display. And who doesn’t LOVE Jane Lynch [14]. AfterElton’s Gay Man of the Decade, Neil Patrick Harris [15] guest stars on a future episode and the video below is behind the scenes scenes from that episode. We Got The Funk, indeed!

[1] http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/hannity-would-you-like-to-see-a-palin-bachmann-ticket-video.php?ref=fpb
[2] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-sarah-palin-michelle-bachmann-detail.jpg
[3] http://www.365gay.com/news/weekend-watercooler-billie-joe-armstrong-talks-about-his-sexuality-again/
[4] http://www.macon.com/2010/04/07/1086151/rally-planned-friday-to-support.html
[5] http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-03-19-mississippi-prom-gay-teen_N.htm
[6] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-derrick-martin-gay-prom-student-georga-detail.jpg
[7] http://www.dnainfo.com/20100406/central-harlem/cyndi-lauper-open-shelter-for-homeless-lgbt-youth-harlem
[8] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-cyndi-lauper-detail.jpg
[9] http://www.afterelton.com/blog/michaeljensen/cnn-kyra-phillips-gays-cohen-not-appropriate
[10] http://www.glaad.org/Page.aspx?pid=1378
[11] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-kyra-phillips-cnn-detail.jpg
[12] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/malcolm-mclaren-dies-aged-64-1939621.html
[13] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-malcom-mclaren-detail.jpg
[14] http://www.afterellen.com/blog/thelinster/jane-lynch-dishes-on-glee-scenes-with-neil-patrick-harris-and-molly-shannon
[15] http://www.afterelton.com/people/2010/01/man-of-decade-results

Dad of Palin grandson bares all for Playgirl cover

(Anchorage, Alaska) The teen father of Sarah Palin’s grandson is featured on the cover of the upcoming print version of Playgirl magazine – sporting nothing but a sultry gaze.

The photos of Levi Johnston – the 19-year-old former fiance of Palin’s daughter – were a huge hit last fall on the …

Withers: Glenn Beck is an idiot

The new year has barely started and I’m about to break a resolution, wasting brain space on the loony man Glenn Beck. First he starts an interview with Sarah Palin by reading his “journal thoughts.” Aside from being a wee bit creepy, the Beckster makes the interview about him and …

RuPaul as….Sarah Palin?

From John Polly at our sister site NewNowNext.com:

‘Tis the season for another hot-topic-worthy ready shot of RuPaul, and this time she’s “Going Vogue!” Watch out, Grandma Palin. Ru’s got on her red anorak and she’s ready to govern! And I’m guessing Ru knows her way around a lumberjack. Plus, I’m …

Palin book goes platinum

(New York) “Going Rogue” has gone platinum.

HarperCollins spokeswoman Tina Andreadis said Tuesday that just two weeks after publication, Sarah Palin’s memoir has sold 1 million copies. The print run for “Going Rogue” has been increased again, to 2.8 million copies. The original printing was 1.5 million, then moved up to …

Sarah Palin’s co-author homophobic

Media Matters unearthed homophobia espoused by the woman who co-wrote Sarah Palin’s book.

Sarah Palin leaves door open to Presidential bid

(New York) Sarah Palin said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that a 2012 presidential bid is “not on my radar,” but wouldn’t rule out playing some role in the next presidential election.

“My ambition, if you will, my desire is to help our country in whatever role that may be, and …

Sarah Palin steps down as Alaska governor

(Fairbanks, Alaska) At times, it seemed like a flashback to the 2008 presidential campaign.

Sarah Palin stepped down as Alaska governor on Sunday with a fiery speech reminiscent of her days as running mate to Republican John McCain – when she frequently revved up crowds while attacking Democrats and the news …

Palin to Resign as Alaska Governor on July 26

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) announced this afternoon she will resign from office on July 26 and return to private life, a stunning decision by last year’s Republican vice presidential candidate to leave office before the end of her first term.

“We k

* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual