There are unfortunately a group of Democrats nationwide

[ruggerson]

who really care about LGBT rights only insofar as how the issue affect Obama's standing in the polls and his historical legacy.

They have never volunteered on a gay suicide hotline, they have never gotten involved with mentoring at a gay youth center, they don't really care about ENDA, many quietly oppose marriage equality, because their pastor tells them to.

Their priority is exclusively Obama's political well being, even if, at times, it is harmful to the LGBT civil rights movement.

The good news is that many, if not most, LGBT voters accross the country will vote for Obama in 2012, despite the ill will that this small part of the Democratic party has promulgated for the last three years.

Many in the LGBT community (and their straight families and allies) believe that Obama has done a pretty good job against daunting odds and will give of their time, energy and finances to help ensure he gets another term.

Speaking for myself, there is zero chance that I would ever vote for anyone but the Democratic nominee. I know what Obama's successes and failures have been in regards to the issues affecting my family and my community. I know how I rate him on a whole panoply of issues across the board. The bottom line for me is that I want
President Obama choosing the next two Supreme Court Justices, not some Republican rightwing nutjob.

In November, 2012, my vote belongs to Barack Obama.

And no small faction of the party can dissuade me from doing anything else.

[demosincebirth]

1. I see you truly know what side your bread is buttered on. Aside from JC running under the Gop

banner (yea right)I would never, ever vote for a republican.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. It was that way for me in 08 as well. In spite of them.

They are just background noise.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ruggerson]

6. what part of

"I know how I rate him on a whole panoply of issues across the board" are you failing to grasp?

And many, if not most, Democrats who suport LGBT equality are straight. I guess the difference is that they have brainstems.

[Pab Sungenis]

8. Gay issues are a life and death issue for me.

In 2007 they were literally a life and death issue for me, and I lived in spite of bigotry and a lack of rights.

Since then, gay issues are paramount in my mind and someone who is right on everything else and is still anti-gay does not get my support. It's why I voted against (and will always vote against) Jeff van Drew down here in New Jersey, for example.

[treestar]

4. Does everyone have to volunteer?

There are a lot of causes.

Hispanics could say the same thing.

We want Democrats in office, not even Obama per se. If this phantom primary challenger existed and won, I would vote for that person. It's not that they care only about Obama getting into office, it's that they want Democrats in office.

It seems some kind of sin to consider any other issues or any other group.

[ruggerson]

9. of course not

but listening respectfully to what many gay people have to say about their own issues would be a small start.

[ClarkUSA]

14. Respect goes both ways. You attacked Pres. Obama & many of his supporters as "homophobic"...

... many times in the years prior to DADT repeal, for the terrible offense of disagreeing with your POV re: President Obama's strategic moves. If you want others to treat you respectfully, try taking your own advice.

[jefferson_dem]

5. Excellent post.

Thanks.

[Puglover]

7. I have said this numerous times.

No matter how nasty the folks you speak of (most are on my ignore list) are I will proudly vote for Obama! And after he is reelected I will exercise my right to criticize him.

[Prism]

10. I sometimes wonder how petty I'm liable to be in 2012.

Because there are definitely days where some of the vigorous supporters of this president are so appalling, so anti-gay, so antagonistic to our movement towards civil rights, that I just plain do not want to vote for the man in 2012.

Not because of what he has done, but because of what so many others do and say to LGBT people in his name. It feels like it would be rewarding bad behavior to give my vote to a man who has a segment of followers who will say anything to gay people to defend him.

I dislike priesthoods, especially the self-appointed kind, and I'm weary of the LGBT community coming under constant assault from these roaming inquisitorial squads who are forever wandering the internet rooting out apostasy.

I know not voting for Obama in 2012 is cutting off one's nose, etc. But damn, some days, I'm sorely tempted. It's almost a battle between whether or not my patience can out-last the bullying antagonism of the true believers.

Even despite the DADT repeal, the antagonism in the LGBT community towards Obama is real, and it's being exacerbated by this relentless attack stance marinating in homophobic undertones. Gay people can't have even one good day without getting dumped on by our so-called allies.

I'll never forget the fuckers who called Dan Choi mentally ill and denigrated his efforts. They were legion here. They are still here, patting themselves on the back for the DADT repeal, as if they had fuck all to do with it.

Yeah, 2012 will be interesting. Just think, once the campaign begins in earnest, we'll have months of getting boxed about the ears about how awesome the bullies were for rightfully attacking the LGBT community, and how evil and wrong we were for our heresy of criticism. Lord. I want to register Independent just thinking about it.

[stevenleser]

16. See my #15., I think it applies to what you have written here as well. n/t

[ClarkUSA]

18. Your rhetoric is so loaded with over-the-top vitriolic insults that it's ironic YOU are complaining.

I could say a few things in kind but I will let the contrast between your nasty broad-brush attacks and my relative restraint speak for me.

As I have said to the OP, respect goes both ways. If you're unwilling to give it, don't be surprised if you don't get it.

[mitchtv]

19. I understand what you are saying

hearing those Pukes on tv was enough for me to vote for Obama , now that he is taking an aggressive approach to the pukes.but he had better at least try .I don't need any 'kids' telling me what is a Democrat either,

[vaberella]

11. I completely agree and support your statement.

We defnitely need to work on ENDA and DOMA. Especially ENDA which has let fall to the wayside.

[vaberella]

12. Who keeps unrecing this post?! Shit. n/t

[babylonsister]

13. FWIW, recommend. nt

[stevenleser]

15. I think you perceive things this way, but I don't think they actually are this way.

I think the LGBT community and Obama's staunchest supporters have antagonized EACH OTHER to the point where they both have incorrect and exaggerated perceptions of each other. The recent thread by Pab Sugeneris about the list is a really good example. The two groups are talking past each other in a sort of bizarre Monty Pythonesque farcical way.

[Pirate Smile]

17. Too late to Rec so a Kick.