Out in Politics: April 2008 Archives
Several months ago, I came out publicly in support of Hillary Clinton for president. As the Democratic primaries go on and on ... and on, I've been watching it all go down and am basically ready to support whoever the nominee is against John McCain this fall.
But I am such a big fan of Maya Angelou - have read almost all her books - that I had to share this open letter she has written in support of the senator from New York:
Dear Friend,
I am writing to tell you about my friend, Hillary Clinton, and why I am standing with her in her campaign for the presidency. I know the kind of president Hillary Clinton will be because I know the person she is. I am inspired by her courage and her honesty. She is a reliable and trustworthy person. She is someone I not only admire but one for whom I have profound affection.
Hillary does not waver in standing up for those who need a champion. She has always been a passionate protector of families. As a child, she was taught that all God's children are equal, and as a mother, she understood that her child wasn't safe unless all children were safe. As I wrote about Hillary recently in a praise song: "She is the prayer of every woman, and every man who longs for fair play, healthy families, good schools and a balanced economy."
It may be easy to view Hillary Clinton through the narrow lens of those who would write her off or grind her down. Hillary sees us as we are, black and brown and white and yellow and pink and relishes our differences knowing that fundamentally we are all more alike than we are unalike. She is able to look through complexion and see community.
She has endured great scrutiny, and still she dares greatly. Hillary Clinton will not give up on you, and all she asks is that you do not give up on her. She is a long-distance runner. I am honored to say I am with her for the long run.
I am supporting Hillary Clinton because I know that she will make the most positive difference in people's lives and she will help our country become what it can be. Whether you are her supporter, leaning towards her, undecided, or supporting someone else, I believe Hillary Clinton will represent you -- she will be a president for all Americans. It is no small thing that along the way we will make history together.
Vote for Hillary Clinton and show your support at www.hillaryclinton.com. I know she will make us proud.
The Advocate's Kerry Eleveld writes that Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama has been weathering a small storm lately in the LGBT community for being too tight-lipped with gay and lesbian news media. ... But last week, his campaign offered (The Advocate) an exclusive sit-down in Chicago with the man who may well become the next President of the United States.
Here are some highlights:
I think the underlying fear of the gay community is that if you get into office, will LGBT folks be last on the priority list?
"I guess my point would be that the fact that I'm raising issues accordant to the LGBT community in a general audience rather than just treating you like a special interest that is sort of off in its own little box - that, I think, is more indicative of my commitment. Because ultimately what that shows is that I'm not afraid to advocate on your behalf outside of church, so to speak. It's easy to preach to the choir; what I think is harder is to speak to a broader audience about why these issues are important to all Americans."
If you were elected, what do you plan to do for the LGBT community -- what can you reasonably get done?
"I reasonably can see "don't ask, don't tell" eliminated. I think that I can help usher through an Employment Non-Discrimination Act and sign it into law."
Both you and your wife speak eloquently about being told to wait your turn and how if you had done that, you might not have gone to law school or run for Senate or even president. To some extent, isn't that what you're asking same-sex couples to do by favoring civil unions over marriage, is to wait their turn?
"I don't ask them that. Anybody who's been at an LGBT event with me can testify that my message is very explicit -- I don't think that the gay and lesbian community, the LGBT community, should take its cues from me or some political leader in terms of what they think is right for them. It's not my place to tell the LGBT community, wait your turn. I'm very mindful of Dr. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" where he says to the white clergy, don't tell me to wait for my freedom.
So I strongly respect the right of same-sex couples to insist that even if we got complete equality in benefits, it still wouldn't be equal because there's a stigma associated with not having the same word, marriage, assigned to it. I understand that, but my perspective is also shaped by the broader political and historical context in which I'm operating. And I've said this before -- I'm the product of a mixed marriage that would have been illegal in 12 states when I was born. That doesn't mean that had I been an adviser to Dr. King back then, I would have told him to lead with repealing an anti-miscegenation law, because it just might not have been the best strategy in terms of moving broader equality forward.
That's a decision that the LGBT community has to make. That's not a decision for me to make."
Go to Advocate.com to read the complete interview...
It's gotta be great to have Elton John on your side. The superstar sang at New York's Radio City Music Hall last night and raised $2.5 million for Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Here he is greeting a former president (Bill Clinton) and a possible future one..
Here are some highlights:
Sen. Hillary Clinton musta read in Out Magazine that Ellen DeGeneres heads the list of the 50 most powerful gay folks because the presidential hopeful paid yet another visit to Ellen's daytime chatfest on Monday. Here's a clip from the appearance:
Sen. Barack Obama was on Chris Matthews' "Hardball" and was asked about his stance on gay marriage. He's against it, of course (will any major candidates ever have the guts to support full equality for gays and lesbians?) but he is in favor of "strong civil unions." Check out the clip and see for yourself...
About Out
in Hollywood
Greg Hernandez, Page 2 "News Lite" columnist for the Los Angeles Daily News, gives you a fly-on-the-wall account of the Oscars and other awards show, movie premieres, film festivals and various star-studded events. He also shares his celebrity interviews as well as specially-selected videos and photos. He writes about all things pop culture through a gay man's eyes ...
E-mail Greg
Recent Comments
Doug on Obama is against Prop. 8 but also against gay marriage...: You have reservations about Obama due to his lack of commitment about ...
Steve Charing on Obama is against Prop. 8 but also against gay marriage...: Would I like for Obama to favor same-sex marriage? Of course. Would ...
Craig on Obama is against Prop. 8 but also against gay marriage...: Actually one of my biggest frustration is with gay people. I am gay to ...
kaylaychi on "Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom" is box office sensation in limited release...: yes oh.. i agree.. i love noahs arc... we need season 3... ...
Pickle on Survey: Rafael Nadal: Hot or Not???: HOT HOT HOT! ...
Andy M on Bill Clinton's No on Prop. 8 message to California voters...: This is excellent news! Way to go, Bill! Protect marriage! Prote ...
Craig on The Advocate talks to Denis Leary about his "Big Gay Following": In fairness to his response about sleeping with a man, it's the same a ...
Pinky on Rosie responds to her critics ... sorta: I wonder if Rosie got all huffy when no celebs were making PSAs, makin ...
Sad in the STL on "Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom" to open in theaters Oct. 24...: I'm in St. Louis and the closet place to see the movie is in Chicago. ...