Political Deception Archive - The Gay Manifesto

Apr 2, 2010 0

First Lesbian Divorce Granted in Texas

I am glad to see someone in Texas has read more than just the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Although a fan of the 2nd my favorite today is Article IV Section 1…the Full Faith and Credit Clause. To paraphrase, States within the United States have to respect the “public acts, records, and judicial proceedings” of other states. If legally married couples in Massachusetts can get a divorce in Texas then the fact that they are a same-sex couple makes no difference.

A San Antonio woman in the middle of the gay marriage debate has been granted the state’s first gay divorce.

An Austin judge has denied Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s request to intervene in the same-sex divorce.

The couple were married in Massachusetts in 2004. They filed for divorce in Travis County.

Abbott argued unsuccessfully that, since the couple’s marriage was not valid in Texas, neither should be their divorce.

via Woman first to get gay divorce granted in Texas | kvue.com | KVUE News.

Well we now know that at least one judge in Texas has actually read the entire U.S. Constitution

Army Secretary Back Pedals on DADT Suspension

Secretary of the Army is offering an apology for saying that the Army would be suspending the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy.

DADT is still on so don’t go sharing the fact that you were born a homosexual with anyone.

Apparently President Obama’s State of the Union promise to repeal DADT this year was just lip service to keep the Gay and Lesbian community donating to the Democratic Party. Obama could actually suspend DADT until the congressional repeal, but he won’t.

Army Secretary John McHugh apologized Thursday for mistakenly telling journalists the Department of Defense would place a moratorium on discharges of homosexual servicemembers while the Pentagon conducts a year long study on the impact of changing the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and other military leadership have made clear they’ll uphold the current law while the study is being conducted. Recently Gates announced new standards for discharging gay servicemembers, including raising the ranks of officers who can conduct an investigation and requiring all testimony from peers and outside parties to be given under oath. But Gates never said gay service members would not be dismissed in the interim.

McHugh’s comments to a defense writers group on Wednesday were published on major wire services and newspapers, including the “New York Times” and the “Washington Post”. His apology today:

“Yesterday, in response to a series of questions from reporters regarding “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, I made several statements that require further comment. “First, while President Obama has asked Congress to repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, it is and remains the law of the land… Second, I was incorrect when I stated that Secretary Gates had placed a moratorium on discharges of homosexual service-members. There is no moratorium of the law and neither Secretary Gates nor I would support one.”

Meanwhile the Defense Department is also updating a major snag in their study. It quickly came to realize that talking to gay soldiers about their experiences and opinions breaks the first rule of the current policy: DON’T ASK. In that same apology statement McHugh says this:

“Third, with regard to the three soldiers who shared their views and thoughts with me on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, I might better have counseled them that statements about their sexual orientation could not be treated as confidential and could result in their separation under the law.”

McHugh’s Mea culpa goes on to announce changes.

“The working group is likely to utilize a third party from outside of the department to solicit these views so soldiers can speak candidly and without fear of separation. I urge every soldier to share his or her views and suggestions on this important issue through this channel. This is the appropriate way to do so.”

John McHugh is a former republican congressman from New York and was sworn in as the 21st Army Secretary on September 16, 2009.

via Army Head Corrects Record on Gay Policy « Liveshots.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell will never be repealed. The Democratic Party gets traction out of telling the Gay and Lesbian community that they are the only party that can repeal the offensive rule. They would loose to much money by actually coming through with their campaign promises.

My guess is they have decided to milk DADT through the November 2010 elections sucking money from our community. After November they will not have the votes to repeal DADT so the begging will start again with the promise of repeal being pushed to 2012.

They are just a bunch of turds! I am up for a third party! No more money for the Democratic Party until Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed…they have the votes they just don’t have the will.

Pentagon Asks Soldiers Parents For DADT Repeal Permission

Surveying active military service members and their parents with prejudicial questionnaires only promotes discrimination and violence towards Gay and Lesbian soldiers. The United States military is not a democracy.

Recently the Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, wrote a letter to the entire Air Force regarding the Pentagon’s working group study of how to implement repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. As part of the Pentagon’s directive, the armed services will survey their respective members, including their families, to gauge their views. Particular focus will be paid to performance, unit cohesion, recruiting and retention, and other matters that impact mission effectiveness.

The military is not a democracy, and we do not survey our troops to solicit their opinions on policy and operational decisions, most notably when we go into harm’s way. When other significant change has been brought about, military surveys were not conducted to discern the views of the troops.

Most recently when women were integrated onto submarines, the Navy did not conduct surveys. When women were integrated into the military academies in 1976, male service members were not surveyed. And when African Americans were fully integrated into the armed services, white service members and their families were not surveyed to determine their views.

There is already significant data regarding open service of gays and lesbians in the military and its effect upon performance, unit cohesion, recruiting and retention, and mission effectiveness. From numerous analytical studies commissioned by our military including that of Colonel Om Prakash, USAF, as well as academia, we have learned that open service has no detrimental effect upon the factors the Pentagon’s survey seeks to assess.

We can also draw upon the practical experiences of allies that allow open service, whose troops have served alongside us in Iraq and Afghanistan. From the collective experiences of these countries, we have learned that there was no detrimental effect to their mission. All these nations now conclude that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly has been an overwhelmingly positive contribution to their mission.

One of the most important factors in implementing successful change in a large organization is strong, committed leadership from the top. President Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen are all committed to ensuring a smooth transition with respect to open service.

Surveying the troops is unnecessary and unprecedented. Instead, the Pentagon should focus on the lessons learned from our allies, as well as the research it has already conducted on this issue. That is the key to successfully repealing DADT.

via Pentagon Should Look to Allies, not Surveys, for Answers on Open Service | Blog | Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

Contact your member of Congress and demand they repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. If the Democratic majority cannot support our nations Gay and Lesbian soldiers then Gay and Lesbian Americans will not support the Democratic Party.

Gay Couple Marry In Army Barracks To Cheers Of Supportive Regiment

Not only do modern soldiers in armies around the world support allowing Gays and Lesbians to serve openly, they fully embrace same-sex marriage.

The United States military is mired in the prejudices of the past unable to more forward due to the discriminatory attitude of their branch commanders. Unit cohesion suffers and valued soldiers are dischaged because our militaries top brass cannot let go of their bigoted attitudes towards Gay and Lesbian American soldiers. An overwhelming majority of American citizens and soldiers support allowing Gays and Lesbians to server openly in the United States military.

One groom wore ceremonial uniform with his Iraq medal, the other morning dress with an orchid. Surrounded by silverware and paintings commemorating great battles, Lance Corporal James Wharton, 23, and his new husband enjoyed their first dance to Tina Turner in the warrant officers’ mess of the most prestigious regiment in the land.

The Household Cavalry, famed for escorting the Queen during state occasions and the fact that it counts both her grandsons among its officers, celebrated its first gay wedding in style. L/Cpl Wharton was joined in a civil partnership with his boyfriend, the Virgin air steward Thom McCaffrey, 21, surrounded by members of L/Cpl Wharton’s regiment, the Blues and Royals.

“The entire regiment has been really supportive,” he said. “When I went to ask the Squadron Leader, Major Nana Twumasi-Ankrah, for permission to get married, he just said “This is fantastic, congratulations.”

“The lads joked it was the gay event of the year. Everyone was excited. It was the talk of the barracks. This generation of soldiers is completely liberal,” added the junior non-commissioned officer, whose only regret was that some of his friends would not be back from Afghanistan in time to enjoy the nuptials.

Just over 10 years ago, before a ban on homosexuality was lifted, gay soldiers faced interrogation and expulsion from the Army if discovered. But, in a very visible sign of the changing times, L/Cpl Wharton was given permission to host his wedding reception at the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment’s Knightsbridge barracks.

“Colour, creed, age and who you sleep with all become irrelevant when you’re both being shot at. All that matters to me is that he is an effective, well-trained and fit operational soldier,” said his troop leader, Captain Michael Fry. “I hope people will focus less on L/Cpl Wharton’s sexuality, and more on the fact that he is a good soldier.”

“The Household Cavalry has a fine tradition of leading from the front, so it is unsurprising that we continue to represent the face of the modern Army,” added his commanding officer, Lt-Col Crispin Lockhart MBE. “We recognise and value individuals from diverse backgrounds who bring fresh ideas, knowledge, experience and talent to the regimental family.”

Earlier in the day the couple had tied the knot at Westminster registry office, L/Cpl Wharton clad in ceremonial dress as were his best man and usher, Lance Corporals Michael Faulkner and James Hawley.

“It is good for the Army and it is good for the regiment. They have supported him 100 per cent. It is progress,” said L/Cpl Hawley.

As their respective mothers dabbed away tears, the pair spoke their vows at a civil partnership ceremony before L/Cpl Wharton’s sister Liza Ridge read “You’re The One For Me” by Dallas Fisher. Their choice of the gay anthem, The Pet Shop Boys “Go West”, during the signing of the register drew applause and laughter from friends.

Both from Wrexham, L/Cpl Wharton and Mr McCaffrey met several years ago but only decided to make it official during a holiday in New York.

“We just clicked when we met. We laugh a lot together,” said Mr McCaffrey. “It is really quite strange. I went to the regiment’s Christmas ball and we were the first gay couple to go there and everyone was really nice. I would have thought they would have been more old-fashioned but they have been brilliant.”

Mr McCaffrey’s father Paul, a former Regimental Sergeant Major, added: “We are just over the moon. All we ever wanted for Thom, as any parent, is to see him happy.”

He continued: “It is unbelievable. It was so completely alien to the Army that was then. It is not that it went from a homophobic organisation one day to an accepting organisation the next day, but it is still a big change. I do a little bit of work with the Territorial Army and we have gay guys and girls and we just accept it.”

via A very modern military partnership – Home News, UK – The Independent.

Contact your members of Congress and demand they allow Gay and Lesbian soldiers to serve openly. Repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

Congratulations to Lance Corporal James Wharton and Thom McCaffrey on their new life together.

Proposed COBRA Bill Extends Health Coverage To Same-Sex Couples

Legally married Gay and Lesbian Americans are being denied federally guaranteed health coverage currently given to married straight couples. When a Gay or Lesbian is laid off they cannot protect their family with COBRA health coverage. COBRA provides government subsidized health insurance for up to 36 months while you are unemployed.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) yesterday introduced the Equal Access to COBRA Act, which would allow many domestic partners the same access married spouses currently have to COBRA health coverage if their partner loses a job.

The law would apply to companies that already offer health coverage to domestic partners and their children. Currently, more than half of Fortune 500 companies cover domestic partners under their health plans.

Boxer said, “This is a question of fairness: Every family deserves access to health insurance, especially in this tough economy. This bill ensures that domestic partners and their families will have equal access to health coverage after a job loss.”

Under federal law, employers must offer continuing health care coverage to departing employees and their beneficiaries for up to 36 months. Current federal laws related to COBRA coverage do not apply to domestic partners or same-sex spouses — even at companies that offer health coverage to domestic partners of employees.

This legislation would change federal law to allow equal access to COBRA coverage for all individuals who are covered by an employer’s health plan. It would apply to domestic partners as they are defined by an employer’s health insurance plan.

via Instant Tea » Blog Archive » Boxer introduces COBRA benefits bill for domestic partners.

Contact your members of Congress and demand they support the Equal Access to COBRA Act.

Marine Commandant Says Gays Would Live Separately If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Is Repealed

The United States military takes its orders from a civilian government. That civilian government answers to the American people. If the civilian government says that Gay and Lesbian Americans can now serve openly, then the military commanders will follow the orders or face court martial.

Our military is responsible for defending all Americans not just straight white christians! If General Conway cannot defend all Americans equally then he must be removed from our military forces. Bigotry is not an American value and any soldier embracing bigotry should be immediately discharged.

Apparently General Conway forgets that between 7 and 10 percent of our military is made up of Gay and Lesbian soldiers. General they are already sharing billets.

Yesterday, as Secretary of Defense Robert Gates issued more lenient guidelines for enforcing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, General James Conway — Commandant of the U. S. Marine Corps — reiterated his opposition to repealing the policy and told Military.com he will insist that the Marines have the option of not living alongside gay servicemembers:

CONWAY: We just think that our corps will not want to see it changed. If it is changed, it’s going to require some leadership, engaging, to ensure our order are carried out. It’s going to require some resources. Because right now we billet by twos. We’re the only service that billets by twos. We like that, we want to continue doing that. But I would not ask our Marines to live with someone who is homosexual, if we could possibly avoid it. And to me, it means we have to build BEQs [Bachelor/Base Enlisted Quarters] that have single rooms.

QUESTION: Why not, why wouldn’t you let them live with someone who’s homosexual?

CONWAY: Well, ah. I think, I think, one I would, in this case, want to preserve the right of a Marine who thinks he or she wouldn’t want to do that. Okay? And again, that’s the overwhelming number of people

Marines are forced to do and live in a whole host of disagreeable conditions and it’s unclear why Conway wants to preserve Marine choice “in this case,” particularly since “men and women of all races, religions, and values train together, sleep in extremely close quarters, and eat in the same mess halls without detriment to unit cohesion or military effectiveness.” Living with a gay servicemember, however, is apparently so insidious that Conway must carve out a special exemption for those Marines who “wouldn’t want to do that.”

Should his request be granted, the United States will become the only nation (of the 25 that have dropped the ban) that segregates its servicemembers on the basis of sexual orientation. As Larry Korb argues in this new report, “the militaries of Great Britain, Canada, and Israel amply demonstrate that lifting the ban on openly gay service will not require the U.S. military to provide separate housing, shower, or other common-use facilities for gay and lesbian service members.” In fact, even General Carl Mundy, commandant of the Marine Corps from 1991 to 1995 and an opponent of a repeal, has predicted that segregating the forces “would be absolutely disastrous in the armed forces. …It would destroy any sense of cohesion or teamwork or good order and discipline.”

via Wonk Room » Marine Commandant Says Gays Would Live Separately If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Is Repealed.

Contact your members of Congress and demand the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The American people overwhelmingly support allowing Gay and Lesbian soldiers to serve openly.

Pentagon Changes Rules for Discharging Gay & Lesbian American Soldiers

Just lip service!

I was shocked to find out that accusations leading to the discharge of Gay and Lesbian Service member were not given under oath. So service members belonging to christian hate groups could simply out those they felt were not living according to gods laws.

A one star general or equivalent must investigate and discharge Gay and Lesbian soldiers.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates Thursday approved new rules that will make it harder to discharge gays from the military, calling the changes a matter of “common sense and common decency.”

Gates announced new guidelines for how the Pentagon carries out the 1993 law banning gays from serving openly in the military — rules which essentially put higher-ranking officers in charge of discharge proceedings and impose tougher requirements for evidence used against gays.

The new guidelines go into effect immediately and will apply to cases already open. They are considered a stopgap measure until Congress decides whether to go along with President Barak Obama’s call for a repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law.

“I believe these changes represent an important improvement in the way the current law is put into practice, above all by providing a greater measure of common sense and common decency for handling what are complex and difficult issues for all involved,” Gates told a Pentagon news conference.

The changes raise the level of officer authorized to initiate a fact-finding inquiry into a case, the level of officer who can conduct an inquiry and of the one that can authorize a dismissal.

To discourage the use of overheard statements or hearsay, from now on any evidence given in third-party outings must be given under oath, Gates said. Cases of third-party outings also have included instances in which male troops have turned in women who rejected their romantic advances or jilted partners in relationship have turned in a former lover.

Some kinds of confidential information also will no longer be allowed, including statements gays make to their lawyers, clergy, psychotherapists or medical professionals in the pursuit of health care.

The individual service branches will have 30 days to change their regulations to conform to the new rules.

Military officials, Republicans and even some conservative Democrats have been reluctant to embrace a change in the existing law. They say they support Gates’ review of the policy but that no changes should be made if they might undermine military cohesion and effectiveness.

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and other Democrats say the time has come to repeal the ban and have called for an immediate moratorium on dismissals.

Nathaniel Frank, a senior research fellow with the Palm Center, which supports a repeal of the ban, said it is unclear how much of an impact the new guidelines would have because regulations already restrict third-party allegations.

“Anything that continues to allow the discharge of service members for something that research shows has no bearing on military effectiveness will not go far enough,” Frank said.

An estimated 13,000 have been discharged under the law. The Pentagon didn’t officially begin tallying discharges until a few years after the law was implemented, and official figures show roughly 11,000 discharged since 1997 with the peak in 2001 before the military became strained by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

via Pentagon Changes Rules for Discharging Gays – NYTimes.com.

Contact your member of Congress and demand the immediate repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

Proposed Senate Resolution Condemns Ugandan Genocide Against Gays & Lesbians

Members of Congress are drafting resolutions condemning the Ugandan genocide against Gays and Lesbians and urging the other 86 countries that still criminalize people for being born homosexual to repeal those laws. A nice but meaningless gesture unless those countries continuing to persecute Gays and Lesbians are denied foreign aid from the United States.

A key Senate committee is preparing to debate a resolution that would urge Ugandan lawmakers to dump a controversial anti-gay bill.

Nineteen lawmakers, including Republican Senators Bob Casey, Jr. of Pennsylvania, Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Susan Collins of Maine, have signed on as co-sponsors of the resolution since Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold’s February introduction.

Feingold’s resolution calls on members of the Parliament of Uganda to reject a bill that includes a death penalty provision for people who repeatedly engage in gay sex and those who are HIV-positive. The bill also bans the “promotion of homosexuality,” which would effectively outlaw political organizations, broadcasters and publishers that advocate on behalf of gay rights.

The bill’s tangled language could allow straight folks to be put to death, as well. The death penalty provision applies to anyone who is found guilty of “aggravated homosexuality,” a term used to describe a repeat offender. Those offenses include failing to report to officials knowledge of a person who is gay. Therefore, a person does not need to engage in gay sex to bring the death penalty to bear.

While a scheduled March 23 meeting in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee which includes the resolution on its agenda has been postponed, Federick Jones, a spokesman for the committee, assured On Top Magazine in an email that the meeting will take place later in the week.

A similar House resolution also introduced in February might receive its first outing during a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on US policy in Africa scheduled for Wednesday. The committee is chaired by California Representative Howard L. Berman, the resolution’s primary sponsor.

Berman’s resolution has attracted 58 co-sponsors, including openly gay representatives Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Jared Polis of Colorado.

Both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Obama criticized the proposal at the National Prayer Breakfast in February. Obama described the measure as “odious.”

In addition to urging the Uganda Parliament to reject the anti-gay bill, the resolution also “urges all countries around the world to reject and repeal similar laws that criminalize homosexuality, and encourages the United States Department of State to closely monitor human rights abuses that occur because of sexual orientation.”

via Senate Resolution Calls On Uganda To Dump Anti-Gay Bill | On Top Magazine :: Gay & Lesbian News, Entertainment, Commentary & Travel.

Contact your members of Congress and demand that they sign onto any resolutions condemning the persecution of Gays and Lesbians around the world. Urge them to stop foreign aid to all countries refusing to recognize basic human rights for our community.

Do not purchase any products produced in Uganda. Uganda’s main export is coffee so check the label and ask your local barista’s where the coffee they are serving comes from.

President Obama Sells Americans To Insurance Lobby – Supports Anti-Choice Christians Over Pro-Choice Democrats

Democratic Primary 2008, I supported then Senator Obama over Senator Hillary Clinton because of his stance on Health Care Reform. Candidate Obama was against mandatory health insurance and supported a strong public option possibly Medicare for all. Candidate Clinton was my favorite on Gay and Lesbian issues but her version of Health Care Reform was simply to force all Americans to buy private health insurance. As a good liberal and an American I could not support that stance so I voted for Barack Obama.

Today President Obama has sold the American public to the insurance industry for a few million in campaign contributions. This criminal Health Care Reform bill that passed today does nothing but force 31 million Americans to purchase private health insurance. The same private health insurance that has caused our problems. The same private health insurance that Americans already cannot afford. The same private health insurance that denies covering procedures. The same private health insurance that is responsible for 46,000 deaths each year!

No price controls. No mandated coverage. No oversight.

The Progressive voters of this country that put President Obama into office on a mandate of change have been sold out! Today I am ashamed that I voted for the Democratic Party.

Can you afford a $1000 a month policy? How about a $5000 a month policy? There are no caps on policy costs.

For those of you buying the party line that “this is a starting point for reform” well let me just tell you that the only changes to this bill will be smaller government subsides and increased rates.

PLUS President Obama sold out our pro-choice allies signing an Executive Order extending the Federal Funding Ban on Abortions to get anti-choice Democrats on board. LET ME REPEAT THAT Democratic President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order extending the Federal Funding Ban on Abortions to get anti-choice christians to support the bill.

A cadre of anti-abortion Democrats announced Sunday that they’ve reached an agreement with the White House to defuse the controversy over abortion in the health care bill and will now vote yes — effectively putting the Democrats over the 216-vote threshold to pass health reform by day’s end.

The announcement by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and a half-dozen colleagues came just after the White House announced that President Barack Obama will sign an executive order reaffirming a ban on federal funding of abortions.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34767.html#ixzz0irRO7ASe

These are the same christians that want to kill Gays and Lesbians! These are the same christians who are targeting and killing Family Planning doctors. What is the price on our communities head. Has President Obama signed off on the christian death camps for Gays and Lesbians? What has the Gay and Lesbian community been sold for?

The 219-212 party-line vote, with no Republicans voting yes and 34 Democrats voting no, nonetheless secures a historic win for Obama while providing his party with some much-needed momentum after a long, grueling slog that has Democrats playing defense in the run-up to the midterm elections.

I fear for the Gay and Lesbian community around the globe if President Obama so easily sells out core liberal values for corporate campaign contribution. The Democrats have a super majority in both the House and Senate, if they are not willing to stand up for their core values then frankly I am tired of being lied to and am finished with the Democratic Party.

When Bill Clinton took millions from the Gay and Lesbian community and claimed to support our issues we ended up with DOMA and DADT! We will not tolerate being sold out again!

Gays & Lesbians Should Take Lessons From Tea Baggers

Bless our good brothers and sisters from GetEqual who staged the sit-in at Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office on Thursday I greatly admire their dedication and willingness to face incarceration for our cause.

But Damn! Those teabaggers know how to protest. Mind you I do not appreciate their blatant racisim and homophobia but they get results. The capital building was locked down! Think about the impact of 10,000 irate Gays and Lesbians swarming the capital building and directly confronting our representatives while draping the capital in pride flags.

Things are getting pretty heated in the Capitol with crowds of anti-Reform/Tea Party activists going through the halls shouting slogans and epithets at Democratic members of Congress.

As our Brian Beutler reports, a few moments ago in the Longworth office building, a group swarmed a very calm looking Henry Waxman, as he got on the elevator, with shouts of “Kill the bill!” “You liar! You crook!”

Not long before, Rep. Barney Frank got an uglier version of the treatment. Just after Frank rounded a corner to leave the building, an older protestor yelled “Barney, you faggot.” The surrounding crowd of protestors then erupted in laughter.

At one point, Capitol police officer threatened to throw a group of protestors out of the building but that only seemed to inflame them more; and apparently none were ejected.

Note that this was in the Longworth building, not the Capitol building proper. But I’m a bit surprised that this is being allowed to occur anywhere in the Capitol complex. From Brian’s description it sounds like menacing.

via Menacing | Talking Points Memo.

We may not like their message but the Tea Party protesters gets results. Our elected representatives fear them and bend to their will. The Gay and Lesbian equality movement needs to take a page from the Tea Party playbook and make our elected officials fear us.