Who here knew that Tucson hero Daniel Hernandez was a GLBT activist?

[Smarmie Doofus]

Trying to get a handle on how easily info ( *factual* info) re . GLBT issues crosses over from the blogosphere ( esp. the *glbt* blogosphere) to the "general interest" domain..... both on DU and in the culture generally.

Mention of Mr. Hernandez political activities doesn't seem to have made the cut to , say , network news, though they (MSM) do note that he's Latino, a college student , is age 20 and for 5 days had been an intern for rep Gifford ( "She's been really great on GLBT issues"... says Mr. Hernandez... not in Newsweek, or NY Times but in an interview on a tiny glbt news website.).

For the record, Mr. Hernandez served on the City of Tucson Commission for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender issues prior to ...and during ....his very short tenure w. Rep. Gifford.

http://www.topix.com/forum/world/puerto-rico/TPNCEMGFE6SJPMDFQ

Disclosure: My theory is that GLBT people perform heroic acts everyday but these are not appreciated by ... or even *known* to the general public because their status as glbt is considered unmentionable ( usually by the 'right') or "irrelevant", ( usually buy the "left").

A conspiracy of silence... involving both camps, for *ostensibly* different reasons... appears to prevail.

[Dappleganger]

1. It says so on his Facebook page.

I sent that sweet boy a note thanking him and then read his info.

[Smarmie Doofus]

6. You rule. But a lot of us still aren't on Facebook.

Including me. (I'm on.... but NOT on. Signed up about a year ago just to keep track of 13 y.o. son... but can't figure out how to get back on any more. It's like they've forgotten about me.

Did you see anything on MSM... outside of facebook.... about Hernandez' political activism?

I have not.

[Dappleganger]

18. No, nothing at all.

The only thing they kept going on about was how eloquent a speaker he was for 20 (which he most certainly is).

LOL, like you I signed on to FB to keep track of teens. And it was all downhill for me from there...

[qnr]

2. Perhaps, but to be fair, I found out via the media coverage so if there is a

conspiracy of silence, it's not that effective.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. Really? On DU? Or somewhere else? nt

[qnr]

8. Elsewhere. Followed a link from twitter, IIRC. n/t

[Smarmie Doofus]

24. I'm not sure I'd consider that MSM.

MIght be dating myself.... but doesn't the average news consumer still get the gist from broadcast TV/radio ( i.e. corporate sources) and/or newspaper?

[qnr]

29. You missed the point. I went to an MSM site via a link on twitter. n/t

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. He introduced himself as a GLBT activist during the gathering Saturday afternoon

when it was his turn to speak. I don't recall him saying anything about assisting the Congresswoman, only that he respected her and was an intern. It was very moving. May be on YouTube? I was watching live on MSNBC at the time.

[Smarmie Doofus]

9. So he asserted it on MSNBC live?

I wonder if it made the cut to BROADCAST news . I never saw it there.

I'll check u-tube. Thanks.

[Ruby the Liberal]

11. Yes. He was one of the first speakers as I recall

Or, if my memory is fading, it may have been a witness interview with whatever talking head was manning the anchor desk that afternoon. That day is blurry as to the sequence of events - but I recall watching as he introduced himself as a "long time LGBT activist from Tucson" who was an "intern to the Congresswoman".

If you find it on the TubeYous or other such media, can you PM me a link? I'd like to see it again.

This man is awesome.

[Ruby the Liberal]

13. Just reread your note about MSM broadcast

If my memory is correct and I first saw him at the gathering Saturday afternoon (and not a MSNBC interview), that could potentially be on network news + archives. I am not sure who all carried that event or for how long.

If not, it was an MSNBC specific interview.

Either way, I was intrigued as to his passion and humility - why I remembered him. It wasn't long after that the interwebz started noting that he could be stopped under the papers-please law in his own state and then the headlines about how he helped save Gabby's life.

[jonnyblitz]

everything I have read about him outside of and on DU has

mentioned that he is gay. I don't think I have read anything that didn't mention it.

[Smarmie Doofus]

7. Hmmm... did the president mention it last nite?

Did you see it mentioned on NBC< CBS< FOX< ABC?

I'm not arguing... I'm just curious.

[jonnyblitz]

5. dupe

[davidinalameda]

10. 5 people think that it's not newsworthy?

I'd say something but my comment would be pulled

any mind readers out there?

:evilgrin:

[Smarmie Doofus]

12. I'll pull out my pointy hat with he stars and moons on it.

My guess is they'd say it ( i.e. sexual orientation) had nothing to do with his actions in keeping Rep. Gifford alive long enough to get her to emergency room.

Which ... of course... is literally true.

*Literally*.


But they can speak for themselves.

[davidinalameda]

16. you'd be wrong

it matters to millions of GLBTers out there that he's gay

it matters even more now in light of the recent DADT debates

to have an out gay man as a national hero means a lot

[Smarmie Doofus]

19. Of course it matters to GLBTs.

I'm saying that people to whom its irrelevant..... or SAY it's irrelevant.....will likely maintain that his sexual orientation is no more relevant than the fact that he wears glasses to..... he fact that he behaved heroically.

What I'm really speaking to is his ( Hernandez') *invisibility* as GLBT. Media doesn't report it, he might as well be straight by "default".

To folks I just described , our invisibility is... if you will ... "invisible." The attitude may or may not cloak actual hostility. Sorta like telling people that someone they worshiped, say... Langston Hughes..... was gay. People who had been publicly committed to the " what difference does it make" camp suddenly have an *opinion*. It's often not pretty.

[davidinalameda]

21. those 5 people who said it was irrelevant seem to be in the minority

at least on here

and I believe that the only people who would say it's irrelevant are probably homophobes who dismiss any positive thing done or accomplished by GLBTs

[demosincebirth]

22. You paint with a big brush. Well, in that case, any person who does

and act of heroism, why not name his sexual preference.

[muffin1]

27. Sexual "Preference"...

figures.

[FreeState]

30. If a straight person is a hero they always point that out

Go to Google and do a search on news articles on people who have done something heroic. Look at the articles... "a married man", "a father of 4", etc.

[PBS Poll-435]

14. I didn't know, but it does not surprise me.

Mr. Hernandez is a hero and a really kind soul for what he did.

[demosincebirth]

15. I knew. Big deal, he's gay.

[davidinalameda]

17. I take it you're straight?

[demosincebirth]

23. Does it matter to you.

[Smarmie Doofus]

20. Kick.... for more responses.

[MrScorpio]

25. I did not know until I found out on DU nt

[Divine Discontent]

26. I knew and think it's HELPFUL! he is going to be around, hopefully, for a long time &

his story is a great one. He did so well, and we're all so proud of him! So, in regards to the question, I think it's helpful to having good stories like this be out there, but understand why it's not 'noteworthy' to some, I believe they're all just saying it shouldn't matter!

DANIEL :yourock:

[muffin1]

28. I did not know,

but I'm glad I do know now!