Politics: November 2012

Baldwin, Huebner Keynote the LGBT Leadership Conference
Filed by Karen Ocamb | November 29, 2012 | 5:00 PM |Baldwin, Takano and openly gay US Ambassador David Huebner are among the featured speakers and attendees at the Victory Fund's LGBT Leaders 2012 Conference, which this year is being held Nov. 28-Dec. 2 in Long Beach. Read More
Uganda Update: Death Penalty Still in 'Kill the Gays' Bill
Filed by Karen Ocamb | November 29, 2012 | 2:00 PM |Box Turtle Bulletin reports that the Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament has suspended House sessions after debate over oil resources got unruly. Sessions are set to begin again on Monday, during which the "Kill the Gays" bill will be a top priority. Read More

Virginia Commonwealth University Coach Fired for Being Gay
Filed by Michael Hamar | November 29, 2012 | 12:30 PM |Many readers may be shocked by the title of this post, but here in Virginia, LGBT citizens have absolutely zero state law employment protections and since Congress has never passed ENDA, there are no federal law protections either. Read More

Grover's Not Over Yet
Filed by Terrance Heath | November 28, 2012 | 3:00 PM |For years progressive have envied and despised Grover Norquist for his ability to organize conservatives and keep them organized, and more recently for the power his anti-tax pledge held over Republicans. Read More

Don't Ask, Don't Tell... Don't Serve?
Filed by Jessica Max Stein | November 27, 2012 | 1:30 PM |The newest Against Equality anthology questions queers' rush to take up arms. Read More

Will Super Pac Help Gay GOP Mayoral Hopeful Overcome His Past?
Filed by Karen Ocamb | November 25, 2012 | 2:00 PM |The Los Angeles Times reports that notorious Republican ad man Fred Davis has created a super PAC to boost the chances of openly gay GOP candidate Kevin James in his race to be the next mayor of Los Angeles.Read More

LGBT Post-Election Analysis on Critical Thinking [VIDEO]
Filed by Waymon Hudson | November 25, 2012 | 10:00 AM |Watching the historic results roll in on issues and candidates that matter to the progress of civil rights for LGBT people was truly a snapshot of just how much, and how quickly, this country has changed on social issues.Read More

Minorities to Republicans: We're Just Not That Into You
Filed by Terrance Heath | November 23, 2012 | 2:00 PM |Hey GOP, here's some friendly advice. You know that diverse coalition that carried President Obama to victory? The truth is, they're just not that into you. There's a good reason for that. It's not them. It's you.Read More

Election Recap - The View from Western Pennsylvania
Filed by Sue Kerr | November 20, 2012 | 5:00 PM |I've waited awhile to let it all sink in, but I think I'm ready to take a look at the fallout from the elections from the Western PA. Well, at least from my Western PA view. Read More

Old Man Mitt [Caption This]
Filed by James Holmes | November 20, 2012 | 4:00 PM |This pic is just too good to resist. Snapped of the former Governor in defeated splendor, it's nice to see he's made it out of the house. Read More

Paul Ryan ISO Mandate
Filed by Terrance Heath | November 18, 2012 | 4:00 PM |I'm no doctor, but defeated Republican VP candidate Paul Ryan may still be too "shell-shocked" to resume his role as the right's "idea man," if his latest addition to the growing list of GOP excuses for their stunning election day losses is any indication.Read More

Tammy Baldwin's History Making Victory - as a Progressive
Filed by Terrance Heath | November 16, 2012 | 12:30 PM |In a night that was full of sweet victories, few were sweeter than Democrat Tammy Baldwin's. As she said in her acceptance speech, it was "a huge victory for Wisconsin's middle class." Baldwin's victory was all that and more.Read More

Proud Papa: Where Will My Daughter Get Married?
Filed by Guest Blogger | November 15, 2012 | 5:00 PM |Last Tuesday, as the returns poured in from all over the state, supporters celebrated at the same hotel conference room where, just three years before, they had left in defeat and sorrow.Read More

We Need a LGBT Capitol Miracle
Filed by Mark Segal | November 15, 2012 | 4:15 PM |Most are tripping over themselves to give what they believe should be the LGBT priorities for the Obama administration's second term. All their suggestions are worthy, but they all miss the Washington magic. They're looking in the wrong place.Read More

LGBT Human Rights in Uganda & a Diplomat's Dilemma
Filed by Mercedes Allen | November 15, 2012 | 2:00 PM |The more we learn about political movements in Uganda, the more we realize that if we are forceful, we may actually be causing harm to that nation's LGBT people.Read More

Catholic Bishops Suddenly Silent as LGBT Ugandans Face Possible Death
Filed by John M. Becker | November 14, 2012 | 5:00 PM |How are America's bishops reacting to their colleagues' endorsement of a bill that would bring horror, persecution, and bloodshed to Uganda's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans community? With stone cold silence.Read More

What a Difference Four Years Makes
Filed by Davina Kotulski | November 14, 2012 | 12:30 PM |Just four years ago, on election day, I stood on the corner outside a polling place in Northern California holding a "No on 8 sign." Read More

A More Diverse Congress [Infographic]
Filed by Bil Browning | November 14, 2012 | 11:30 AM |Here's a very cool chart to illustrate just how diverse the incoming crop of Congressmembers are. While the media has been drooling over the success of female candidates this year, there's several other notable results.Read More

'Regular' Romney Supporters Unmasked
Filed by Bil Browning | November 13, 2012 | 1:30 PM |There was much hoopla over the billionaires throwing scads of cash Mitt Romney's way, but not as much attention was paid to the average folk who invested in the campaign.Read More

Are You a Gay Republican or a Republican Who Is Gay?
Filed by Guest Blogger | November 12, 2012 | 2:00 PM |Gay Republicans are thought to subordinate their membership in the LGBT community to their party's platform. But is this fair? What is really going on?Read More

Election 2012 Isn't Over Yet in Some California Races
Filed by Karen Ocamb | November 12, 2012 | 12:30 PM |The nasty campaigning might be over - but the results of seven very close California races are not yet in and some candidates have been reluctant to concede defeat.Read More

'You're on Your Own' vs 'We're in This Together' Illustrated
Filed by Terrance Heath | November 11, 2012 | 6:00 PM |After many years in the workforce, most of them spent working in Washington, DC, I firmly believe you can tell an awful lot about people by they way they treat those who work for or under them.Read More

A Nation in Progress
Filed by Terrance Heath | November 09, 2012 | 5:00 PM |Obama's victory in 2008 signified how much America had already changed enough to make his historic campaign and audacious victory possible. President Obama's successful bid for re-election suggests that the country has changed even more in the past four years.Read More

Rachel Maddow Brilliantly Deconstructs the Election Results
Filed by Karen Ocamb | November 09, 2012 | 3:00 PM |MSNBC host Dr. Rachel Maddow brilliantly summarizes and skews a number of the "hot topics" that were going to be game-changers throughout the past two years of campaigns leading up to Tuesday's historic election.Read More

Ellyn Bogdanoff & Allen West Fired By Florida Voters
Filed by Michael Emanuel Rajner | November 09, 2012 | 11:30 AM |For the past several months, I have been deeply involved in a major undertaking and vowed not to get heavily involved in the election. But as the campaign cycle progressed, it became very clear I needed to find my place on the battle line.Read More

What Do We Want to See in President Obama's 2nd Term?
Filed by Viktor Kerney | November 08, 2012 | 5:00 PM |Now that President Obama has a second term, what's next for the LGBT community? Read More

Recounting Our LGBT Victories
Filed by Mark Segal | November 08, 2012 | 3:00 PM |Make no mistake about it: There is a new America after this election. Tuesday was full of watershed moments for LGBT equality, as the nation, from shore to shiny shore, spoke with one voice.Read More

A Historic Election for Equality Means We Must Work Even Harder
Filed by Waymon Hudson | November 08, 2012 | 1:00 PM |As Ted Kennedy said, "The work begins anew, the hope rises again, and the dream lives on."Read More

Speechifying: Winning & Losing
Filed by Bil Browning | November 07, 2012 | 5:15 PM |Here are the two speeches you've wanted to see all year. Or at least I have. I know what happens after they're given - people get a breath of fresh air and, if they're lucky, a nap.Read More

Minnesota Rejects Marriage Amendment
Filed by Bil Browning | November 07, 2012 | 3:10 AM |In a win that's especially dear to my heart, Minnesota, a state in the midwest, has rejected a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.Read More

Washington State Passes Marriage Equality
Filed by Bil Browning | November 07, 2012 | 2:10 AM |Washington becomes the third state where gay and lesbian couples have won the right to marry at the ballot box - all in this election.Read More

Tammy Baldwin Wins Senate Campaign
Filed by Bil Browning | November 07, 2012 | 12:55 AM |After a strange back and forth "Did she or didn't she?" night of rumors about Tammy Baldwin's fate in her Senate race, it has now officially been called in her favor.Read More

Maryland Approves Marriage Equality
Filed by Bil Browning | November 07, 2012 | 12:22 AM |Minutes after Maine's historic win for marriage equality at the ballot box, Politico has called another win for our community in Maryland.Read More

Maine Approves Marriage Equality
Filed by Bil Browning | November 06, 2012 | 11:55 PM |We have finally won marriage equality at the ballot box.Read More

Obama Wins a Second Term
Filed by Bil Browning | November 06, 2012 | 11:20 PM |Get out the damn champagne. Obama won!Read More
Donnelly, McCaskill, & Warren Win Senate Races
Filed by Bil Browning | November 06, 2012 | 10:45 PM |Indiana's Joe Donnelly, Missouri's Claire McCaskill, and Massachusetts' Elizabeth Warren have won their respective Senate races.Read More

When Do the Polls Close in Your State?
Filed by Bil Browning | November 06, 2012 | 2:00 PM |Voting is the most important thing you can do today, so be sure to get out there before you can't cast a ballot. Remember: if you're in line by closing time, they have to let you cast your vote.Read More

Obama's Closing Argument: The Winning Message
Filed by Terrance Heath | November 06, 2012 | 12:30 PM |When it comes to politics, it ain't over 'til its' over. And even then it may not be over. Read More

What's Your Electoral College Prediction? [Open Thread]
Filed by Bil Browning | November 06, 2012 | 11:30 AM |What's your prediction for tonight's election results? Forget the popular vote, all anyone talks about anymore is the electoral college.Read More

Big Bird Goes to Washington
Filed by Joseph Gentile | November 05, 2012 | 5:15 PM |Brought together to defend public broadcasting - and by the fear a Romney administration might defund it - adults, children and those adults still children at heart had an unmistakable message for the Republican presidential candidate Saturday, Nov. 3: "EL-MO! We won't go!"Read More

A Message for White Voters
Filed by Bil Browning | November 05, 2012 | 3:00 PM |Chris Rock has a special message for voters of the Caucasian variety. You can still vote for Obama; he's white too.Read More

LGBT Celebrities Ask You to Vote for Obama
Filed by Karen Ocamb | November 05, 2012 | 1:30 PM |Many LGBT celebrities and organizations have advice on voting for our community. Check out some of the videos before you head into the voting booth.Read More

Nate Was There Too [Comment of the Week]
Filed by Bil Browning | November 04, 2012 | 4:00 PM |How many other anti-LGBT politicians do you know that have queer kids? Let's name names.Read More

Who Is Jaime Regalado & What Does He Know About the Gay Vote?
Filed by Karen Ocamb | November 04, 2012 | 2:30 PM |The once progressive LA Weekly sure seems to have a hard on for Assemblymember Betsy Butler in her 50th Assembly District race against Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom.Read More

Election 2012: Eyes Wide Shut
Filed by Yasmin Nair | November 04, 2012 | 1:00 PM |To those of you who insist that you will be the ones to hold Obama's feet to the fire: I have no interest in coddling your delusion. When he wins, the only feet I plan on holding to the fire are yours.Read More

Stormy Weather: The Candidates & Climate Change
Filed by Terrance Heath | November 04, 2012 | 11:30 AM |First, there was Snowpocalypse. Then there was Snowmageddon. That was followed by Thundersnow. This summer brought the derecho. And most recently, we've been visited by Frankenstorm. Aside from their odd names, these events all have a few more things in common.Read More

President & Vice President Job Descriptions [Infographic]
Filed by Bil Browning | November 02, 2012 | 5:30 PM |Manpower, the temp staffing agency, has put out an infographic that's tailored to their business. Feel like getting a well paying job? Check out the job descriptions for two positions that come with several perks but requires a lot of responsibility (and people skills!).Read More

New Feel-Good Pro-Obama Music Video: Forward
Filed by Karen Ocamb | November 02, 2012 | 4:00 PM |"Forward," a brand new grassroots song and music video in support of President Obama's re-election campaign by the executive producer behind the iconic "Yes We Can" music video of 2008 with will.i.am, has hit the internet.Read More

Homophobic Politician's Son Outed Brother During Constituent Visit
Filed by Michael Emanuel Rajner | November 02, 2012 | 11:30 AM |Voters of Florida Senate District 34 should kick Republican Ellyn Bogdanoff to the curb this November 6th. We need leadership and not another spineless politician unwilling to defend her own son from her party.Read More

Catholic Bishops Politicize the Pulpit Ahead of Election
Filed by John M. Becker | November 01, 2012 | 4:00 PM |Over the last several months, America's Catholic bishops have noticeably stepped up their efforts to get Catholic souls to the polls for next week's election. Those efforts, though, have hardly been bipartisan.Read More

Trust Romney... Because He's Lying?
Filed by Waymon Hudson | November 01, 2012 | 2:00 PM |The argument for Romney has become "you can't really trust anything he says, so just trust he'll flip-flop in the direction you want." That's an interesting knot to tie oneself into.Read More

Forward or Backward: The Choice for President Is Clear
Filed by Guest Blogger | November 01, 2012 | 10:00 AM |The LGBT community has come too far for Brian Brown, Maggie Gallagher, Tony Perkins and all those voices of hate and division to win on November 6.Read More