Gay Dems complain DNC cut off funding, drop support for Biden event

[IndianaGreen]

Gay Dems complain DNC cut off funding, drop support for Biden event

The board of directors of the National Stonewall Democrats are dropping their support for a June 25 DNC fundraiser with Vice President Joe Biden over, they wrote in an email obtained by POLITICO, a combination of policy slights and the claim that they've been cut off from traditional party funding.

In the email to Tom Petrillo, who runs the party's substantial gay fundraising operation, the board members write:

(W)e are incredibly disappointed that the DNC has made a decision to withhold any financial support to National Stonewall Democrats this year but is in turn asking us to help raise money for the DNC in a difficult financial environment. The DNC has historically supported National Stonewall through sponsorship of the annual Capitol Champions event. This year, we did not receive any support. The DNC has traditionally provided materials for the many Pride parades and festivals around the country to help educate the LGBT community about why the Democratic Party is the Party for full LGBT equality. This year we were informed that we would not be receiving any materials or support for producing materials for the various nationwide Pride activities. These decisions were very disappointing.

We'd be remiss to also not mention that the recent legal brief of the Obama Administration defending DOMA is incredibly hurtful. The members of the Board and our membership put our hopes, our dollars and our time into ensuring the election of Barack Obama because we believed that he supported us. To now have his Administration refer to our relationships in the same terms used by our long time enemies such as Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and James Dobson hurts on so many levels. To have our committed and loving relationships referred to as the moral equivalent of incest and pedophilia is not something that any of us ever expected from this Administration considering how hard we worked to be seen and respected. For that reason alone, advocating for attendance at a fundraiser to support the Administration and the DNC, while they have not condemned this hurtful language, is not something our membership will receive positively.

The group says it's not "boycotting" the June 25 fundraiser with Joe Biden; it just won't encourage its members to attend.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0609/Gay_Dems_complain_DNC_cut_off_funding_drop_support_for_Biden_event.html?showall

[Cant trust em]

1. I really hope that this doesn't devolve even farther into a stupid pissing match.

We need to come together to find solutions.

[msongs]

2. yeah, how about equal rights for all Americans? nt

[Malikshah]

5. When it comes to basic rights there is not compromise. They are either there are they are

denied. There is not coming together to find "solutions" unless the rights are championed.

[Rhythm]

18. +1 -- There is no compromise on our equality before the law

[Zodiak]

6. I think it just did devolve into a pissing match

What kind of stupid politics is this? It's throwing gasoline on a fire.

Jesus fucking christ on a trailer hitch this is incredibly stupid!!!

I don't think Dean would have done this.

[Cant trust em]

9. "Jesus fucking christ on a trailer hitch"

I've never heard that one before. :)

[Zodiak]

10. Behold!

Now you've seen it.

[Cant trust em]

11. I'm still laughing.

I did not expect to see that when I clicked on the link.

:rofl:

[donco6]

22. You're a trailer hitch virgin? Awwww -

That's cute. :)

[QC]

17. Actually, Dean had a lot to do with it--he appointed a Pentecostal preacher

as chief of staff, with some very unfortunate results:

http://www.queerty.com/leah-daughtrys-lawyers-accused-of-strong-arming-20080313/

[ThomCat]

7. How do you come together to find a solution when one side

is moving farther away and being hurtful and offensive and opposing equal rights?

On an issue like equal rights you can't be working against us and claim to be working with us too.

A "pissing match" implies that both sides are competing somehow, but so far it's just one side pissing on the other, and we're tired of getting pissed on by people who claim to be our friends. :(

[Cant trust em]

8. My point is that I want people to spend time talking about the issue

not this whole "well, I'm not going to go to your fundraiser"..."OK, well we're not going to fund you either"

[ThomCat]

13. Unfortunately, the LGBT community is being reasonable in withholding

funds effective immediately.

Our money seems to be the only thing the party wants from us, so it is the only thing we have that we can withhold.

There is our vote too, but that won't come into play for another 3 years.

Should we keep pumping money into the party that is screwing us, on the vague hope that someday the party will decide to help us?

[sui generis]

14. there are consequences to bad behavior

If these asswipes want our support they better fucking well support us. We're Americans before we're gay, with everything that Americans are entitled to.

Unfortunately, we ARE fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan just like other Americans there, except somehow our service mean less to America because of what they think we do with our pink parts.

No - Joe Biden and Obama and our very own national party do not deserve support from us until they demonstrate that our American rights are a priority to them.

Today, not tomorrow or next term.

[Cant trust em]

16. Allow me to re-clarify

The DNC shouldn't have cut their funding.

Sorry. I should have spent more time on this post on the front end and probably saved us both some time here.

I am fully in support of the LGBT advocates going at this 100%.

I guess my point is that I want this to stay about the issue, and not just be a struggle on funding.

[donco6]

20. They want our money? Piss on 'em. n/t

[xchrom]

3. recommend

[Rowdyboy]

4. From now on my money goes only to those who support me....

[WVRICK13]

12. Same Here

This Gay ATM cash stream has ended for any politician or political group that is not actively working to establish my rights as a citizen. I am tired of paying taxes in a country where I do not share equal rights under the law.

[Rhythm]

19. Point 8 of the "Dallas Principles"

1.Full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals must be enacted now. Delay and excuses are no longer acceptable.
2.We will not leave any part of our community behind.
3.Separate is never equal.
4.Religious beliefs are not a basis upon which to affirm or deny civil rights.
5.The establishment and guardianship of full civil rights is a non-partisan issue.
6.Individual involvement and grassroots action are paramount to success and must be encouraged.
7.Success is measured by the civil rights we all achieve, not by words, access or money raised.
8.Those who seek our support are expected to commit to these principles.

[donco6]

21. And not just money -

Time, effort, LTE, walking, calls, . . .

[Orsino]

15. "Thanks for your support! See you again in 2012!" n/t