Tag: politics

Winning, or Silencing?

First published at 365gay.com on October 29, 2007 It wasn’t the first time an audience defied expectations. This time it was in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. I was there with Glenn Stanton, my “debate buddy” from Focus on the Family, to discuss same-sex marriage. The only thing we knew about Rhinelander before arriving was that its number… Continue reading Winning, or Silencing?

Compassion for Craig?

First published on September 4, 2007, at 365gay.com Jim West, Jim McGreevey, Ted Haggard, Mark Foley, Bob Allen, David Vitter. Now Larry Craig. Public figures’ getting caught with their pants down is nothing new. What is new is a high-tech culture that makes exposure likely, rapid, and widespread. Larry Craig pleaded guilty to “disorderly conduct”… Continue reading Compassion for Craig?

Richardson was Right (Sort Of)

First published at 365gay.com on August 20, 2007 It seemed like a softball question at first. During LOGO’s August 10 gay-rights forum for the Democratic presidential candidates, panelist (and rock star) Melissa Etheridge asked New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, “Do you think homosexuality is a choice, or is it biological?” Richardson, who has a strong… Continue reading Richardson was Right (Sort Of)

Welcome, Baby Cheney

First published in Between the Lines, May 31, 2007 The day after Jerry Falwell’s funeral, Mary Cheney—who is a LESBIAN, in case you’ve forgotten the Bush-Kerry debates—gave birth to a baby boy. If I were the world’s scriptwriter, I would have reversed the order: Cheney gives birth, then Falwell keels over. No matter: just as… Continue reading Welcome, Baby Cheney

A Tragic Lie in Michigan

First published in Between the Lines on February 8, 2007 It was a classic bait-and-switch. When gay-rights opponents sought to amend Michigan’s constitution to prohibit, not only same-sex marriage, but also “similar union[s] for any purpose,” they told us that the amendment was not about taking away employment benefits. They told us that in their… Continue reading A Tragic Lie in Michigan

Mary Cheney—Unfit Parent?

First published in Between the Lines on December 14, 2006 Mary Cheney is pregnant. Wish her well. That’s what good folks do when presented with an expectant mother. Behind the scenes they may say or think whatever they like, but publicly they wish the mother-to-be well. Which puts right-wingers in a bit of a bind.… Continue reading Mary Cheney—Unfit Parent?

The Pedophilia Smear

First published in Between the Lines on October 19, 2006 The recent scandal involving Rep. Mark Foley sending sexually explicit text messages to sixteen- and seventeen-year-old former congressional pages has resurrected the ugly stereotype of gays as pedophiles. I am no longer surprised when I hear this sort of garbage from the Family Research Council… Continue reading The Pedophilia Smear

Foley’s Folly: A Lesson

First published in Between the Lines, October 5, 2006 It is early yet to talk about “the moral of the story” with respect to Mark Foley. Foley, a Republican congressman from Florida, resigned last week after it was revealed that he had been sending sexually explicit e-mails and instant messages to underage congressional pages. Here’s… Continue reading Foley’s Folly: A Lesson

The New York Ruling, Take 2: …So Make Lemonade

First published in Between the Lines on Thursday July 13, 2006. By now you’ve probably heard about the New York Court of Appeals’ deciding that their state constitution does not require equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. Problem is, much of what you’ve heard is misleading. Yes, the Court declared that “The New York Constitution… Continue reading The New York Ruling, Take 2: …So Make Lemonade