Tag: politics

Un-Scaring California

First published at 365gay.com on October 17, 2008 If the election were held tomorrow, it’s quite likely that gays would lose marriage in California. That’s California, our most populous state, home of San Francisco and Nancy Pelosi and the liberal Hollywood elite. What progressive California giveth, progressive California may taketh away. It surprises (and frankly,… Continue reading Un-Scaring California

‘Saturday Night’ Gets it Right

First published at 365gay.com on October 10, 2008 In the last few weeks I’ve become seriously convinced that Saturday Night Live could help sway this presidential election. For one thing, it has crystallized Sarah Palin’s foreign-policy experience in a simple phrase: “I can see Russia from my house.” She didn’t quite say that, of course,… Continue reading ‘Saturday Night’ Gets it Right

Palin, Pregnancy, and Principles

First published at 365gay.com on September 5, 2008 I admit it: I was fascinated by the announcement that Sarah Palin’s 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. It’s no surprise that teenagers have sex—even evangelical Christian teenagers, and especially very good looking ones, in Alaska, where there’s not much to do but hunting and fishing and…well, you know.… Continue reading Palin, Pregnancy, and Principles

McCain’s Adoption Contradiction

First published at 365gay.com on July 21, 2008 Here’s the latest for the “politicians trying to have it both ways” file: John McCain on gay adoption. Asked about the subject by the New York Times, McCain made clear that he opposes it. Here’s the relevant portion of the interview in full: Q: “President Bush believes… Continue reading McCain’s Adoption Contradiction

Obama’s California Contortion

First published at 365gay.com on July 7, 2008 Barack Obama believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Yet he opposes the California ballot initiative that would write that view into the state constitution, calling it “divisive and discriminatory.” What gives? Obama’s not alone in this apparent contradiction: Arnold Schwarzenegger, the state’s… Continue reading Obama’s California Contortion

Defending Drag Queens

First published at 365gay.com on June 9, 2008 June brings pride parades, which brings out drag queens in bright sunlight. I don’t envy anyone wearing pancake makeup, a wig, heels and pantyhose in 90-degree weather. I particularly don’t envy drag queens, who—like other gender non-conformists in our society—suffer more than their share of unfair criticism.… Continue reading Defending Drag Queens

The Phelpses’ Logic (and Ours)

First published at 365gay.com on February 4, 2008 No one was surprised when the Phelpses announced plans to protest Heath Ledger’s memorial services. Known for their “God Hates Fags” message and their obnoxious funeral pickets—they now demonstrate against fallen American soldiers for defending our “doomed, fag-loving nation”—the Phelpses are nothing if not attention whores. What’s… Continue reading The Phelpses’ Logic (and Ours)

Are Our Opponents Like Segregationists?

First published at Between the Lines News on January 15, 2008 In terms of gay-rights progress, brace yourself for a difficult year. This is not because things are getting worse for gay and lesbian people. It’s because the national conversation on gay-rights issues is getting harder. One reason is that, as cliché as it sounds,… Continue reading Are Our Opponents Like Segregationists?

The Diversity Fallacy

First published at 365gay.com on December 10, 2007. I won’t have any transgender people at my Christmas party this year. Actually, I won’t have any non-transgender people either: I’m not hosting a party this Christmas. But in years past I’ve hosted many, and I’ve never had any transgender people attending, unless you count one former… Continue reading The Diversity Fallacy