The Bilerico Project

From the Buckeye State - A Bigot for Sec of State?

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:00:00 -0500

Here in the Buckeye State we are gearing up (already) for the 2010 elections. So far we have a contested U.S Senate primary between one fully LGBT supportive candidate, Jennifer Brunner and one who "is open to the idea" - Lee Fisher. Now, we are beginning to see a primary fight between Marilyn Brown and Jennifer Garrison for Secretary of State. It's not often that I brand a Democrat a bigot, but sometimes it is needed.

Let me first define what I mean by bigot in this instance. I label anyone who isn't for full marriage equality a bigot. I think that any straight married person that isn't for full marriage equality is an even bigger bigot, in that they hold the special distinction of being in the "I got mine" category. I realize that under this definition both Secretary of State Clinton and President Obama are bigots. So be it.

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Take Action on Department of Justice Brief

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:30:00 -0500

The ACLU posted on their Facebook page that the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday at 10:00am entitled "Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice."

This would be a great time for Attorney General Eric Holder to answer questions about the DoJ brief that was so painfully insulting to this community.

Information on Committee Members and how to contact them is after the break.

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Wine or Win? Seeking Quality Part 4

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:00:00 -0500

I want to go back to the fundraiser that sparked this conversation with Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern. The event itself is not the issue. I commend Equality Ohio Campaign Fund for actually doing something. To have a high dollar LGBT event for the sitting Governor - branded with the LGBT organizations in Ohio - is a positive step forward.

The problems arise with both the audacity of the language and the misplaced priorities of the organization.

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A Conversation with the Chair: Seeking Quality Part 3

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:00:00 -0500

This is an ongoing series that began at Bears Left. This is part three and was originally published on May 18th. Further posts will be simultaneous.

Today I sat down with Chris Redfern, Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party to talk about the party's commitment to LGBT issues, and the involvement of the LGBT community in the party. It's plainly clear to me that Chairman Redfern has built on his 100% voting record when he was in the Legislature and carried those policies and beliefs to the party.

This conversation was prompted by an event held over the weekend to raise money from the LGBT Community for the re-election of Governor Strickland. Promoted by the Equality Ohio Campaign Fund, and called, "Making History, Ohio's LGBT Community Unites," the invitation to this high dollar event laid forth a seven point legislative agenda that re-electing Gov. Strickland would help accomplish. The idea that the LGBT community "Unites" at a cocktail party for one candidate for office that costs $250 at the minimum is naive at best and downright offensive at worst.

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Have an Impact: Seeking Quality in Equality 2

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:30:00 -0500

This is an ongoing series that began at Bears Left. This is part two and was originally published on May 11th. Part 3 will appear here on Thursday.

The organizations that speak for us have the highest of responsibility. Even if I am not a member or do not donate, their missions and actions claim to speak on my behalf. I have no option on that front, and it is why I hold them to a very high standard.

This first test of any organization is, to me, does the organization actually have the impact it claims to.

Equality Ohio fails to pass that test.

Continue reading "Have an Impact: Seeking Quality in Equality 2"...

More Quality in our Equality...

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:30:00 -0500

This is an ongoing series that began at Bears Left. This is part one and was originally published on April 15th. Part 2, published there on May 11th will follow tomorrow, with Part 3 on Thursday.

The only way that the LGBT movement will be successful is by being professional, creative and honest. Our state-wide organization here in Ohio, as of late, is none of those things.

One can start with a tour of the Equality Ohio homepage.

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Marriage Moving in Maine

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:30:00 -0500

The efforts to move the Marriage Equality bill forward in Maine have been successful. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the bill out of Committee to the full Senate today on a vote of 11 to 2 to 1. The full Senate is expected to vote in the next 48 hours.

You can help pass this important piece of legislation and continue to add states to the growing list.

Continue reading "Marriage Moving in Maine"...

2010 Already?

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:30:00 -0500

At least here in Ohio, conversations are already starting in on the nominees for our open Senate Seat.

Even though it is an Ohio interest story, I think it bears mention here as a tactic for moving forward on marriage equality.

Eric Resnick, reporter for the Gay People's Chronicle in Cleveland sat down with the two Democratic candidates for United States Senate.

The results after the jump.

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"They Must Recruit Our Chidren..."

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:00:00 -0500

Ah, Anita Bryant. Her famous quote about gays needing to recruit children has been parroted so many times since 1977 that it has become an all to familiar refrain of the right. Even the Prop 8 supporters in California Video of Bigot stooped to that level. One of the reasons that Harvey Milk's mantra of "I'm here to recruit you," was so popular was how it openly mocked the ridiculous idea that we are recruiting.

Rod Parsley and his Columbus Mega-church on the other hand, are trying to recruit your children and really aren't shy about it.

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Maybe New York next?

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0500

Gov. Patterson from New York said yesterday on an Ithaca, NY, radio station that he intends to introduce a same-sex marriage bill similar to the one previously introduced by former Gov. Spitzer.

The only problem is, the Empire State isn't as welcoming as we would think.

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Next We Move Forward

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0500

Within the span of five days the supporters of marriage equality have moved forward in three very different jurisdictions in very different ways.

All of this progress is cause for massive celebration. Honestly I think the Iowa decision is the most impactful of the three, but I don't want to diminish anything that has happened. The question that has to be asked is what comes next.

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Speedbump to history

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:30:00 -0500

I kind of feel bad for Gov. Jim Douglas. I am sure that there are things for which he will be remembered. I don't live in Vermont, so I'm not really sure what they are. I do know however that he won't be remembered as a civil rights champion.

A bump after the cut.

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Defend Iowa

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:00:00 -0500

Now that we have won in the Iowa Supreme Court, we need to defend the decision and prevent the Constitution from being amended.

The Democratic leadership in both the Iowa House and Iowa Senate have pledged to block any Amendment and their full statement is behind the cut.

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Tell President Clinton He Is Wrong

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 11:30:00 -0500

The Courage Campaign has done a great job harnessing the reaction to the passage of Prop 8.

Today they bring to light that former President Clinton will headline an event at a hotel that is not only in dispute with labor but also is owned by a HUGE donor of Prop 8.

How to help after the cut.

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What inclusive means to me

bo@bilerico.com (Bo Shuff) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:00:00 -0500

Openly Gay Bishop Gene Robinson will offer a prayer on Sunday at an official Inaugural event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

If this doesn't send chills of hop up your spine, well I just can't help you anymore.

Inclusion to me means that everyone, everyone gets a place to have their voice heard. It doesn't mean that I am going to agree with the voices, but they need to be heard.

After the cut is a clip from The American President, a movie I hold in high regard. From 1:19 to 2:01 sums up in 42 seconds how I feel about America.

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