Gay Issues Not "Real" to Dems?

That's what one unnamed Dem "insider" told the WashBlade:

But the Republican National Committee could be expected to focus on this issue by portraying Democrats who favor repealing DOMA as advocating for gay marriage “through the back door,” [get it? -- Scott] according to one Democratic Party activist and insider who asked not to be identified.

“This can only distract from the real issues the Democrats want to focus on in 2008, namely the Iraq war and the highly unpopular Bush administration,” the party activist said. [emphasis added]

Okay, I already assumed gay issue weren't a priority to the Dems, but I had no idea they weren't even considered "real."

In the same article, Rep. Barney Frank says we shouldn't split hairs with the Dems because they are great and the Republicans are "terrible."

Wrong...the Dems just sound better than the Repubs. When it comes to action (DOMA, DADT, Marriage Equality, UAFA) they're about the same.

And I disagree with Frank -- it's precisely because the Dems say they are for us when asking for our money and votes that we should hold their feet to the fire when looking at their records...and considering future support. I expect our issues to be as real to them in the Oval Office or Senate floor as they seem to be at their fundraising receptions.

I'm just not holding my breath.

I'm a Radical. Who Knew?

Responding to Disney's decision to allow same-sex couples have commitment ceremonies at Disney, Rick Scarborough of Vision America:

"Apparently, Disney (which also has "Gay Days") doesn't care if it offends the deeply held values of its customers. Pandering to a radical fringe group seems to be more important. America continues to slide toward the abyss. God help us!"

(via Pam)

"Radical?" Remember when radical meant free love, peace, sex drugs and rock and roll?

Now it means marriage, kids and wanting to join the armed forces.

I think he's right. If America wants to shun two adults who love each other and who want to make a lifelong commitment; if we turn away men and women who love their country and deny them the honor of serving in America's armed forces and if we deny kids the opportunity to be raised by two parents who desperately want them and who will love and care for them...we are headed for an abyss.

Fighting for His Deceased Partner's Final Wishes

A gay Baltimore man is fighting the parents of his late partner, Russel Groff. Groff specified in his will he wished to be buried in Tennessee. His parents lost an initial case to move the body to their family cemetery and are now appealing.

Quote of note, from Meredith Curtis of the American Civil Liberties Union, regarding the case:

“Certainly, we think that Mr. Olive’s [Groff's partner] case exemplifies all the myriad problems that can result when the law treats gay partners as legal strangers,” she said, “when in fact they’re not strangers at all.”

There's that term again "legal stranger." I've been on the receiving end of it, from a judge talking about me and our son.

The lack of legal recognition of gay families hurts real people, as in this case.