With the North Korea situation being in front of the news, the answer to that question is simple: No. But it gives us an opportunity as a community to look at how the US and our community are dealing with other nations and their LGBT policies. The best examples from the last few years are in the Middle East, Africa, and Chechnya.
Goals for the Upcoming New Year
Okay, someone has to say it. We’ve survived the first year of the Trump administration, but it has done damage to both the country’s reputation and our community. And if you feel that way, 2018 is your year to correct that path.
Human-Rights Blackout
Much has been made of the lack of attention to human rights by President Trump on his recent excursion to Asia. This, by and of itself, represents the US giving up the mantel on this subject since we first gained prominence on the issue during the Jimmy Carter administration in the 1970s. We were the international leader for this proud cause, and president after president – regardless of being a Democrat or a Republican – raised it on foreign trips. We are told that Trump mentioned the topic of human rights only in passing to the president of the Philippines […]
With Pence a Lapdog, is a Trump Impeachment Even Worse?
Is it not obvious by now who is controlling President Donald Trump and his anti-LGBT crusade? Vice President Mike Pence, who made a national name for himself as governor of Indiana by pushing “religious-liberty” laws to allow citizens to ignore LGBT rights for religious reasons. That’s not to mention anti-trans legislation he supported, and his backing of conversion therapy– all of which Pence sees as his contribution to the moral fiber of America, and his legacy.
From Asia, with Pride
I’ve been traveling out of the country for the last couple of weeks, and with what seems to be so much disagreement in our community on a range of issues, and the ongoing doubts about where our struggle is leading, I thought I’d share with you a few snapshots from my trip– which should give you a different view of our community and our accomplishments.
‘Gypsy’ the Musical is LGBT History
Outrageous lesbian murderess steps out of the pages of history LGBT history can be found in every aspect of our lives. Sometimes it just comes as a surprise to learn that something, or someone, you’ve known about was gay. Given the title of this column, you may think this is going to be about the lyricist of Gypsy – my favorite Broadway composer, Stephen Sondheim, who’s gay – it isn’t. And if you think it’s about another member of the production company of that original Broadway bombastic hit– so many of them were gay– again, it isn’t.
My Rendezvous with Ben Franklin
When you set out to change the world, you never expect to actually see the results of those years of struggle, or to win praise. And if you are lucky enough to, it comes as an overwhelmingly emotional surprise that takes days to come to terms with… and fully accept or appreciate.
What Did America Do on its Summer Vacation?
It’s the last week of August– or what are known as the lazy, hazy last days of summer. Soon schools will open and, as many of us will recall, many teachers will ask their assembled students, “What did you do with your summer vacation?”
Conversion Therapy is Torture
To the entire LGBT community: Let’s begin as a community to state the truth without putting lipstick on a pig. Personally, it sickens me when I see someone from GLAAD or HRC on television calling conversion therapy “praying the gay away.” That is downright as truthful as a Donald Trump tweet, and might show how we attempt to soften our message for consumption by the mainstream. Or, it might hide something very sad: our own attempt to not accept what has been done to us as a collective community for years – and that, my friends, is torture.
Is the Queer Community Eating Its Own (Again)?
Recent battles over the rainbow flag and the Star of David have exposed long-simmering biases.