I'd like to call attention to the huge silence about this time every 4 years concerning gays...

[IndianaJones]

and their struggle for civil rights and equality.

Of course, this is always followed up by 4 years of inaction, interspersed with a little lip service here and there.

Keep those donations coming, we don't hate you as much as the other side!

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. Ted Kennedy mention gay rights in his speech. n/t

[Ediacara]

4. And I thank him for that

Unfortunately, I think that will be the first of maybe three mentions the entire convention.

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. I felt the applause from the audience kind of shift when he mentioned

gay rights. He must still be way out front on that one.

[kansasblue]

6. yup.... 'My' senator mentioned gays.

Thanks Teddy!

[bluestateguy]

2. Regrettably, the majority of the public is not there yet

Cruel as it sounds, we may just have to wait for Father Time to catch up with some of the older generations who are more bigoted (though, yes, I am aware that our older DUers are fully on board with equality).

Generational replacement is your friend.

[NJmaverick]

3. Progress may not be as fast as we all would like

but it has been slow and steady


The Democratic National Committee's Executive Committee on Friday approved 25 delegates -- seven of whom are LGBT -- to the 2008 Denver Democratic Convention's standing committees on platform, rules and credentials, according to a DNC press release.

http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2008/01/17/2

[qwlauren35]

9. Not sure if everybody heard you.

A standing LGBT presence on the Democratic platform should address this issue.

And as for "silence" around gay rights, I don't think people were "silent" 4 years ago. I don't think folks were "silent" when Clinton was running, and I think Dean's championing of civil unions as part of his platform spoke volumes.

People hear what they want to hear. The last 6 years have brought incredible progress to the issues of gay rights, especially around marriage and legal partnership. I'd love to see statistics on how often LGBT individuals are getting booted out of the military these days. I have a feeling that DADT has been unofficially suspended. If things go as they have historically, at the end of the "war", there will be clear evidence that the LGBT presence in the military did NOT "harm morale" and LGBT will be lifted, at which point, it would be up to each LGBT individual to determine the risk of being out in their unit, instead of the government. Removing DADT does not automatically protect anyone from harrassment. I think the average person in the military has already figured this out.

[Ashy Larry]

5. Its kind of hard to take action when you lose the election.

If Obama doesn't do anything on this issue after he is elected, then I will join you in your criticism.

[SidneyCarton]

7. Agreed.

But something must be done if we win, in order to justify the faith put in our party.