The Banal Chew

Don't Ask, Don't Tell...Don't Matter!

Ding, dong. DADT is dead.

On 22 July 2011, after jointly "certifying" that ending this unfair policy would not hinder the USA's ability to fight enemies [sidebar: wtf?], President Obama, Leon Panetta and Mike Mullen notified Congress of their joint decision, and an obligatory 60-day waiting period began. That period ended at 12:00am on 20 September 2011, and this ridiculous policy of discrimination was shelved in the library of disgraceful history.

It's a little late, considering the number of lives it (and its ancestral policies) ruined. But it's another step forward. 

I'm certainly lifting a glass in celebration of its demise tonight.  In fact, maybe I'll just start right now!

Finally, a good news day!

From U.S. District Court Judge Vaughan R. Walker's long-awaited decision, handed down just hours ago, on the question of legality of California's shameful Proposition 8 (italics mine):

CONCLUSION

Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

Of course, the haters will see that the case is appealed, and it will undoubtedly end up in the hands of the Supreme Court justices before it's all over.  But let's take a moment to put down our picket signs, clipboards, checkbooks, close the lids of our notebook computers and pop corks to celebrate, just as we did in those heady pre-Prop 8 times to toast those who supported equality and to the 18,000+ newlyweds who have benefited from that choice!

Gay Power

This post commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City.  I'm a day early, but what the hell.  Considering there's a dinner for us tonight to wish us farewell as we head to the U.S., I doubt I'll be in much shape to post anything coherent tomorrow. 

Like so many others, I am amazed at how fast and how far we have advanced in the U.S. when it comes to gay rights.  Yes, it may seem like the pace could be quicker, but we live in an age of impatience, fueled by technology, consumerism and an increasing fear of ennui. 

When you compare our struggle with that of other disenfranchised demographic groups throughout history, you see that we have indeed come a long way baby, and within a relatively short amount of time.  I, too, get bogged down in the struggle, but I say let's rejoice in the fact that we are advancing.  It may be a game of checkers, but we're making headway.

But back to Stonewall.  I was recently directed toward a remarkable letter written by the well-known author Edmund White to a couple of his friends only weeks after the riots took place.  It provides a shimmering glimpse at the beginning of one of the most historic and heroic "call to arms" we have seen in the modern era.  Below is an excerpt.  The full letter can be seen here.  I encourage you to read it. 

Saturday night, the pink panthers are back full force. The cops form a flying wedge at the Greenwich Avenue end of Christopher and drive the kids down towards Sheridan Square. The panthers, however, run down Waverly, up Gay Street, and come out behind the cops, kicking in a chorus line, taunting, screaming. Dreary middle-class East Side queens stand around disapproving but fascinated, unable to go home, as though torn between their class loyalties, their desire to be respectable, and their longing for freedom. Sheridan Square is cordoned off by the cops. The United Cigar store closes, Riker's closes, the deli closes. No one can pass through the square; to walk up Seventh Avenue, you must detour all the way to Bleeker.

Blue Skies, or Clouds?

I have been asked to say a few words at the "gay wedding" of two dear friends tomorrow.*  I'll try to keep it a-political.  That will be difficult, however, what with the imminent storm that is moving in across the U.S., or so the National Organization for [Straight-Only] Marriage would have you believe.

(I was going to embed the advertisement here, but I can't bring myself to do it.  I won't dirty my blog with the trash.  If you want to see a parody of it, go here.)

Apparently, straight people are afraid.  Very afraid.  Funny..the straight people I talk to couldn't care less. 

Here's a clip from Hardball, featuring a heated argument between Maggie Gallagher (NOM president) and Joe Solomnese (HRC president). 

Maybe there will be a storm.  And maybe it will be a tornado.  And maybe it will suck up all the bigots who put together this hateful and misleading campaign and plop them down in the land of the Wicked Witch of the West.  Oh but wait, she melted.  Dorothy and her friends saw to that. 

Thanks, Dorothy.  Can you take care of these people now?  They're just as evil.  You can start with Maggie Gallagher.

For giggles, have a look at the audition tapes from the casting call for the NOM advertisement, clipped from The Rachel Maddow Show.  (Scoot video forward to 2:09.) 

Bless and release.  Bless and release.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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*While same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in Australia, our friends are calling it marriage for their own personal reasons. I applaud them for that.

A Good Egg

President Obama has invited LGBT families to the White House Easter Egg Roll this year.

"We must do more to support and strengthen LGBT families. Because equality in relationship, family, and adoption rights is not some abstract principle; it's about whether millions of LGBT Americans can finally live lives marked by dignity and freedom."

Obama Presidential campaign speech, 2008

Pretty cool, indeed!

Feeling Better All the Time

After chastising myself thoroughly for yesterday's glum post, I just want to say:

--------------------

And because it's only mostly about partying, let's keep in mind that there are some serious issues at stake these days. 

Recently, the NSW Legislative Council held a public inquiry into the notion of revising the state adoption laws to allow adoption of children by same-sex partners.  I forwarded my public submission to them.  Unfortunately, if the list of public submissions is any reflection on the public hearings, the right-wing (mostly "Christian") groups received the most attention.  I hope not.  We won't know the outcome until April.

Tomorrow (5 March), the California Supreme Court will begin hearing oral arguments on the validity of Proposition 8.  Please send your positive energies in that direction, no matter where you are.  This is a nasty, demeaning piece of legislation that most assuredly will not stand the test of time.  In fact, I think its time is already up.  The Court's decision should be handed down by early June.  Appendages crossed...

And now...party on, my friends!

The L & M Words

I'm lucky, I know.

I have a partner who tells me he loves me. 
I have a son who tells me he loves me. 
I have family who tell me they love me.
I have friends who tell me they love me. 

And I like that. 

Someday, Mark and I will be able to marry and have it recognized at a federal level, both in the U.S. and Australia.  Fortunately, I could move to Australia as Mark's partner, which is something the U.S. doesn't allow.  It is infuriating that international, opposite-sex couples can marry and have that union recognized for immigration in the U.S.  It is a right denied to Mark and me...and to many other same-sex couples.

It is unfair.  Simply unfair.

I'm glad times are changing, but there's still much work to be done.

Please go here to illustrate your support for Freedom to Marry week...at whatever level.

Half step forward, three steps back...

This morning, I awoke to a weekly news e-mail from SameSame.com that linked to the website's article about NBC's coverage of Australian diving gold medalist, Matt Mitcham, during the Beijing Olympics.  Apparently, many are miffed that Mitcham's sexuality was never mentioned during any of coverage.  In response, NBC sportscaster celebrity, Bob Costas, declined to say anything substantive about the complaints during an interview with AfterElton.com, fearing he would slander his fellow sportscasters.  I actually like Bob Costas, and his comments are worth reading in the full interview, but his approach to this issue was cowardly, in my opinion.  Talk smack about his fellow sportscasters?  Please.

Here's the comment I dashed off in response to the SameSame article online:

Indeed, it is news like this that makes me embarrassed to be from the U.S. No matter how far we seem to edge forward in the gay-rights arena, it only takes something as stupid as this to quickly whip us back, causing us to lose ground. Americans are a mixed up bunch; there's no question. For a place that, from early days, has had a unique Bill of Rights stitched into the fabric of its governance (something Australia still does not have), the protections offered by such seem only to fly in the face of human rights. American society is drunk on a scary and frustrating cocktail of misguided morality, obsession with sensationalism, NIMBYism, protectionism and arrogance. The whole country needs rehab.

The fact is, Mitcham's entire personal triumph is fantastic.  It is more about the battle of the human spirit for perseverance, integrity and the pursuit of a goal, as much as it is about who that person chooses to share a romantic life with.  Mitcham's personal story is well-known by now: his struggle with the intense pressure of being a champion athlete, his bout with severe depression, and, with his partner Lachlan by his side, his fight to overcome the struggle and successfully return to the world of diving competition.  All this at twenty years of age. 

Look at Anna Meares.  Here in Australia, there was in-depth coverage of her comeback from a broken neck to win a silver medal in cycling.  During the post-race interview on television, she sat side-by-side with her husband.  In a personal and moving way, they both talked about the struggle that occurred...together and individually.  It offered a very earthy and human perspective that lay in direct contrast to the glitzy pomp and circumstance of medal competition.  Was the same coverage given to Matthew Mitcham?  I never saw it here, if it happened.  And surely it did not in America.  God forbid we should show two loving humans of the same sex, celebrating such an overwhelming accomplishment.  And isn't that what the spirit of the Olympics is all about?  Personal triumph?  Matt offered Lachlan his Olympic bouquet, for God's sake.  It doesn't get much more touching than that.

Now Mitcham himself has admitted that he does not wish to be labeled as a "gay diver", and that's fair enough.  I am a firm believer that one's sexuality should never affect the way s/he is viewed in a career context.  This isn't about being a gay diver, however.  Not in my opinion.  It's about the way in which, once again, the media and sports institutions go to great and unfortunate lengths to protect a false sense of homogeneity within a very popular industry.  And in the end, also once again, it's about equal treatment.