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A conservative group, Focus on the Family, came out in support of legislation in Colorado, which supports (yes, I said supports) limited equal rights for gay couples in committed relationships. More so, it would support any pair of adults who are in a co-dependent living situation.

Politically speaking, this is an interesting twist and a creative strategy to "end" the debate on marriage equality.

Never a dull moment when it comes to political maneuvering! I wonder how much more good work could be done in this country if lawmakers quit worrying about the gay community and instead focused on our deficits, the war in Iraq, declining education for our kids, etc.

Yes, that was a rhetorical question, but you're welcome to respond!

This was brought up at the State of the Movement panel at the HRC building last month. I am still infuriated (here is my write up on it)at the lack of addressing real issues that these leaders in the gay community showed in public, the only people that adressed these issues was the audience.

Anyways, a favorite example I like to use when people talking about political maneuvering for gay culture is the last virginia elections.

Everyone says it was a win for the gays, however it was only a close call because in the last couple weeks it was made public that it would effect straight couples as well as gay. I think that being able to combine the issue of gay marriage to effect straight coples equally as wrongly as it would effect the gays is an absolutely wonderful way to help pass gay legislation. It brings to reality the stupidity of some of the things they are taking away from good people in this world.

As you said, why can't they focus on serious topics liek the war in Iraq and stop using gay people as a political whip. I still do not see why they won't allow us the right to share our love with our partners and be recognized as a couple, but then again I am biased. I am also dissapointed with the HRC etc... int heir lack of involvement within the community and public outreach while they have turned almost all efforts onto the politicians. Our voices are a very strong thing to be reconed with just like the our money going into campaigns. I wish the major organizations would start to let us help in the fight and bring us into it, as we are the ones they represent, instead of just going forward and reaching out to the politicians.

Politicians put the law on the table, but we are the ones that vote. It seems like they are going after the politicians but are forgetting who it is that passes the law. If they continue to forget about the people and educating the people in the USA, we can never progress. hrmmm that could be a fun thread for you. Do you think that the US is uneducated to alternate lifestyles and what is our representation doing to help increase awareness within and outside our community. I haven't heard a thing from any of the major organizations in years, but always hear about them on the hill.

In short get the law on the table, but don;t forget to educate and promote to get it passed or declined. It is a two step process and lately it seems like organizations are only doing the first step and forgetting about the rest. I honestly believe that if they would have paid for some commercials bringing up the effects on straight couples herein VA the latest ban would not have passed. It was a tight margin and if some ad dollars etc... were spent it would have gone over into our favor.

What I like about your post, DC Diva, is that you seem to live with optimism and cynicism. Does that make your head hurt or what?!!

I see all of this as a complicated issue.

I do agree that the primary way that voters will change their mind on this and quit supporting anti-gay legislation is by understanding the ways in which it will affect them personally. I don't really think that the VA legislation (even with advertising, etc.) could really have made enough of a splash with them to change the outcome. There are too many close-minded folks (out of habit and ignorance) in areas outside of NoVa.

I have always said that gay weddings are "transformative" and by that I mean that straight people can't help but understand our relationships in a way they may never have before. The folks in attendance are a captive audience and one can't help feel the love.

I still think that the old art of "coming out" will really make the biggest difference. We need to tell people who respect us how this affects US and they will in turn understand it on a broader level. For example, I told our entire construction crew (one by one and as conversations evolved) about the upcoming vote and how my partner and I would be affected by the outcome. These are guys who never have thought twice about this but the faces attached to the discriminatory laws may help them see the issue differently.

What do you think?