A Message from Morehouse: Robert M. Franklin's Speech

“The Soul of Morehouse and the Future of the Mystique”

President’s Town Hall Meeting
Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
11 a.m.

(The following is an excerpt from prepared remarks delivered by Dr. Robert M. Franklin to
the students of Morehouse College.)


…I’d like to address a subject that is vital to every man of Morehouse, namely,
the soul of Morehouse and the future of the Mystique.

I have tried to translate the mystique into terms more comprehensible to the
public. So, you have heard my vision language on many occasions and many of
you have already begun to interpret and apply this vision in creative ways. Here
is the vision in eight simple words:

Renaissance Men with social conscience and global perspective.
Morehouse produces such leaders in a very special kind of community; we call
it “The Brotherhood.” … [The Morehouse Mystique] is a distinctive and
mysterious bond between good men that strengthen us when we’re together and
sustains us when we’re apart and until we meet again. It is captured in rituals
like the College hymn. Show me one other college that sings its hymn in a
manner where a mystical bond seems to radiate above and within the members.
This is Morehouse. It cannot be reduced to words or data.

But after two years, I have learned something that I did not [know] before. One
of the critical ingredients in the Morehouse mystique is a fundamental sense of
discontent with mediocrity and nonsense. Morehouse men bond around their
complaints about how Morehouse often functions or ‘dysfunctions.’ In other
words, you cannot be a Morehouse Man in the making—a Renaissance Man
with social conscience and global perspective—unless you are uneasy about the
human condition. I want each of you to have a healthy impatience with the
status quo. And I will declare at every Morehouse commencement that
Morehouse men must be so sensitive to the presence of disorder, mediocrity and
injustice that they cannot sleep well at night until they tip the scale toward
justice. Unto whom much is given, much is required.


THE SOUL IN DISTRESS


But today, our soul is sick and our mystique is threatened. Not for want of more
financial resources. We have never had enough money. (And, it is amazing that
we continue to produce Ivy League results with HBCU resources.) Nor is the
mystique threatened by what the Harvard historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. called
“discrepancies between our rhetoric and our reality.” Every institution has its
discrepancies and gaps in quality and performance. My administration is fully
committed to eradicating and alleviating Morehouse discrepancies and I trust
that you see evidence of progress….

Our soul is threatened by the presence of a few people inside and outside the
Morehouse village who are spiritually ill and disoriented. So, I’d like to speak
very directly to those men and women, but primarily to men of Morehouse. As
all of you listen to these remarks, I want you to do two things: first, help us to
disseminate this message widely, especially to our brothers who were unable or
unwilling to join the president in this historic chapel meeting….

Second, to those who have not yet committed to the Renaissance and renewal of
Morehouse, I want you to listen and make a decision about whether you should
remain at Morehouse. I know that a few of you are enrolled because it was
mama’s or daddy’s dream. But, if it isn’t your dream, you should exercise the
discernment and the courage to transfer to a more suitable environment. There
are a lot of schools out there that would love to have a young man who
qualified for admission to Morehouse. And remember that there are thousands
of brothers out there who did not receive a Morehouse admission letter.


A PIVOTAL DATE FOR THE MOREHOUSE RENAISSANCE

On this day, April 21st, I want to set forth and clarify the expectations of the
Morehouse Renaissance. This date is pregnant with meaning. According to
tradition and myth, on April 21, 753 B.C., Romulus and his twin brother,
Remus, founded Rome, perhaps the first great international city, the first world
house. Today, I use that event to symbolize the groundbreaking of a renewed
Morehouse as world house.

I have articulated five attributes of the Renaissance Man. My staff calls them the
“Five Wells.” Well read, spoken, traveled, dressed and balanced. (To remember
them in order, remember that “R,S,T” are consecutive letters of the alphabet.
You’re on your own for remembering the final “D” and “B.”) I want to highlight
three of these today: reading (or the life of the mind), speech and dress.

· Well-read. You have seen that HBCUs face a crisis of graduating
students, especially black men. In many schools, less than 29% of the
men enrolled graduate within six years. This year, Morehouse is
reporting a rate of 67%, which is exceptional to most people—but not
good enough for Morehouse. Last week, at the student election debate, I
heard a candidate announce an initiative called “GOT: Graduate On
Time.” Perhaps more parents should follow the model of elite institutions
that award scholarships. They pay for eight semesters, period, and only if
the student maintains a 3.0 GPA.

· Last week, the College honored several hundred men who earned a place
on the Honor Roll at Morehouse College. Recently, a record was set as
688 students (out of our 2,600 total) earned the distinction of Dean’s List
placement. I challenged all of my students to aim for this honor and then
to aim higher. But, if you need assistance, be man enough to ask for help
rather than fail a course. Our teachers are smart, but most of them cannot
read your mind or follow the games some students play to pass courses
without really learning much.

· It gives me heartburn to mention this topic, but there is the matter of
academic dishonesty. During my time here, we heard the joke, ‘All work
and no plagiarism make for dull papers.’ Some of you are smart, but not
as smart as you think. We know about using technology to cheat, about
texting answers into exams. Brothers, someone is paying for a
Morehouse education. Shouldn’t you be trying to get it? Do the right
thing.

· I have seen too many students standing in lines wasting time. You should
carry something to read and make good use of your down time. Read
books, not just summaries of books. Choose an accomplished and prolific
writer as a role model. But just as important—if not more—study
grammar and syntax and the art of composition. General Education at
Morehouse seeks to teach and encourage you to apply these fundamental
rules. Learn the power of accurately constructed sentences and well positioned
words.

· It matters how well you write. Each of you must be able to write a solid
personal statement for a job, graduate application or a fellowship. Once
you have been accepted into the prestigious programs, it is crucial to be
able to write flawless research papers, theses and dissertations. And on
an ongoing basis, your written communications with superiors and
colleagues in the workplace are of even more importance. I do not want
employers or professors to call us and ask, ‘How did Morehouse graduate
a student who writes so poorly?’

· If you are not learning, if you need a tutor, ask for help. Morehouse
provides tutors and we are about to establish a more comprehensive
mentoring program inspired by a student-led movement called
Resurgence of the Crown….

· … The Renaissance Man is well-spoken. He chooses his words
carefully. This reduces the necessity of relying on profanity or empty
verbal placeholders like, ‘um, um, ahh…’ or nonsense like ‘you know
what I’m saying, you know what I’m saying?’
· Strive to have something valuable to say, and be in possession of elegant
words and phrases that allow you to effectively communicate complex
emotions and ideas. Profanity does not reflect your verbal grace and
style. It suggests a lazy mind and is contrary to the Morehouse ideal…


EXPECTATIONS FOR THE RENAISSANCE

· In the matter of violence. Morehouse will be a campus of peace and
justice. We will be a violence-free zone. … We have an excellent judicial
council and it will continue to render decisions in student misconduct
cases. But, I intend to take a personal interest in brothers who try to
resolve conflict by violent means….

· In the matter of gender relations, Morehouse will be a community that
respects women. We will be a community of zero tolerance for sexual abuse,
date rape, prostitution, pimping and other forms of illegal behavior….

· In the matter of customer service and professionalism, Morehouse will
operate in accord with the best practices of a selective, private college. I
have heard your call for improved customer service. It is outrageous to learn
that occasionally a faculty or staff member has behaved in ways that fall
below Morehouse standards. We will not tolerate this. But, at the same time,
we expect every one of you to show respect to all faculty and staff.

· It is unacceptable to be demanding or demeaning, threatening or
challenging, insulting or inflammatory. We are here to meet your needs, but
the staff and faculty are not obligated to yield to rudeness….

· The other issue concerns our campus and its conservation efforts. We are
becoming a greener Morehouse. We will improve utilization of energyefficient
light bulbs and paper recycling. I want to thank students and alumni
for working with my team to accomplish this.

· As for our attractive ambience, we employ the services of professionals to
help maintain the grounds of the campus. …We have a collective
responsibility to ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of our dorm rooms,
classrooms, bathrooms and the entire campus. If I can stoop to pick up trash,
may I ask that you do the same?

· After all of the filth and trash that the slave system forced us to endure, how
can we deliberately litter our campus with flyers and handbills? I have asked
our General Counsel to prepare a legal communication to the companies that
are employing people to dump handbills on our campus grounds....


SQUARING IDENTITY AND ETHICS: A CAMPUS IMPERATIVE

In the matter of diversity, Morehouse will be a safe, respectful campus that
balances personal liberty with the responsibility of membership in a moral
community. Morehouse is blessed with a variety of diversity assets. You hail from
43 different states and 27 different countries. You are diverse in ethnicity and race,region, socio-economic background, culture, religion, political loyalty and personal interest. But all of you can and will become Renaissance Men.

As an all-male institution with the explicit mission of educating men with
disciplined minds, perhaps the great challenge of this moment in history is our
diversity of sexual orientation. … Part of our greatness lies in our ability to accept men of quality who wish to uphold the Morehouse mystique. We do not pry into a
person’s private identity; nor do we wish to have identity paraded in an undignified
manner. We do demand that everyone aspire to high ethical standards and
responsible community behavior. Identity must always square with, and yield to,
ethics.

…I have appointed a committee on Diversity and Tolerance to review the
effectiveness of what we have done and are currently doing. You will hear more in
the fall. But, let me be clear: three basic principles will govern our life together in this moral community:

1. The principle of safety and security. Anthropologist Abraham Maslow
has observed that if people do not feel secure, not much else will matter.
Every student, staff and faculty member must feel safe and secure in the
Morehouse community.…

2. The principle of diversity. It is a privilege to study and live in a diverse
community. People often assume that an HBCU is less diverse than other
majority institutions. Well, I’ve been a student and taught at majority
institutions and they are hardly more diverse than Morehouse. We have a
small percent of non-African American men. Most majority schools have
a small percent of nonwhite students.

· Since we are unique, why don’t we use this opportunity to model
something our community needs? Straight men should learn more about
the outlooks and contributions of gay men. Read a book by a gay author.
Have an intelligent conversation with a gay neighbor. At a time when it
was truly scandalous to have homosexual friends or associates, Dr. King
looked to Bayard Rustin, a black gay man, as a trusted adviser. And,
Malcolm X regarded James Baldwin, a black gay man, as a brilliant
chronicler of the black experience. To my straight brothers, diversity at
Morehouse is an opportunity that can enrich your education if you are
courageous enough to seize the opportunity. We cannot force you, but we
invite you to learn from your environment.

3. The principle of decorum. Decorum is a Latin word that means orderly,
dignified, becoming and handsome. …

· Here, I offer a word about being well-dressed, the fourth of the
“Well” attributes. I have not desired to be overly prescriptive about
this. You do not have to wear a tie and jacket to class, although no one
would object to it. You’re a college student. You can enjoy yourself
while wearing comfortable clothing that respects the fact that you are
part of a community of educated and ethical men…

· We cannot monitor what you wear when you leave campus, but
while you are on the Morehouse campus, in the presence of adult
learners, do not sag your pants, do not show your undergarments.
Do not wear do-rags, and do not wear baseball caps in class or in
the cafeteria. …

· And, to those who would experiment with wearing clothing
associated with a women’s garb (dresses, tunics, purses and
pumps) I am directing that you not exhibit these items on the
Morehouse campus. Wear what you wish to off campus. But, while
you are here on the ground where Mays and Martin and Maynard
walked, those items are off limits. A man in women’s clothing on
campus is provocative and will not be tolerated.

I want to establish a culture of high expectation and encouragement, not one of
enforcement and harassment. But, I ask you to work with me to restore the
Morehouse that our mothers and fathers prayed and sighed for.


THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER

So, in summary, I want to say that Morehouse is your house. You must take
responsibility for its excellence.

…If you cannot follow the guidelines of a moral community, then leave. Change
your behavior or separate from this college.

…If you want to be part of something rare and noble, something that the world has
not often seen—a community of educated, ethical, disciplined black men more
powerful than a standing army—then you’ve come to the right place….

Up you mighty men of Morehouse, you aristocrats of spirit, you can
accomplish what you will!

Human Rights Campaign Applauds Obama Administration for Supporting UN Declaration Affirming Human Rights of LGBT People

Some amazing news is coming off of the HRC wire. This is the change we can believe in:

Human Rights Campaign Applauds Obama Administration for Supporting UN Declaration Affirming Human Rights of LGBT People

Bush administration had previously refused to sign



WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, issued a statement today on the Obama administration’s announcement that it formally endorsed a United Nations declaration calling for an end to discrimination and other human rights abuses based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The move is a reversal of the Bush administration’s refusal to sign the statement, which made the United States the only western nation not to support the measure when presented by the U.N. General Assembly in December.



“This is a welcome step forward as it signals to the world that, after years of a hostile administration, the United States recognizes the humanity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people at home and abroad,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We applaud the Obama administration for joining the other 66 member nations that have officially recognized that basic human rights include the equality of LGBT people.”



“The United States supports the U.N.'s statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity and is pleased to join the other 66 U.N. member states who have declared their support of the statement,” the State Department said in a statement released today. “The United States is an outspoken defender of human rights and critic of human rights abuses around the world. As such, we join with other supporters of this statement, and we will continue to remind countries of the importance of respecting the human rights of all people in all appropriate international fora.”



In December, HRC was a vocal critic of the Bush administration’s refusal to sign the declaration. Nearly 2,500 HRC members called the State Department urging it support the declaration. HRC also released a joint statement denouncing the Vatican’s opposition to the declaration. The statement, which was signed by faith program directors from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and National Black Justice Coalition, can be found read online by visiting, http://www.hrc.org/news/11728.htm.

NAACP National Chairman Julian Bond Gives Amazing Speech at HRC LA Dinner

National NAACP Chairman Julian Bond gave an amazing speech in support of LGBT rights at HRC’s Los Angeles Gala Dinner on Saturday, March 14. Check the video out below!!!

Marriage: The Time Is Now

News sources are reporting that a legislator in Vermont is preparing to introduce legislation that will secure marriage rights for the lesbian and gay community:

AUGUSTA, Maine—The gay marriage issue moved onto the legislative agenda Tuesday as supporters of the idea said this is the time to recognize marriages between same-sex couples -- even if the debate comes amid major concerns in the State House over budget cutbacks and their impact.

Sen. Dennis Damon said he is introducing a bill to rewrite Maine's existing statute that defines marriage as between one man and one woman, instead defining it as a union between two people. In addition, it recognizes gay marriages from other states.

Damon, D-Trenton, answered critics who questioned the timing of the bill as lawmakers face a $838 million shortfall by saying it's "long overdue."

"Currently there is discrimination. Heterosexual couples who have decided to spend their lives together are treated differently than same-sex couples who have ... that same commitment to each other," Damon said. "I don't see the fairness of that. I don't see the need for that, and this bill will put an end to that."

You can find the rest of the article after the jump...

Civil Rights Leaders Support Eric Holder for Attorney General

Please read the following media advisory about HRC's enthusiastic support for the potential Attorney General:

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, will join with other civil rights leaders at a press conference tomorrow in support of Attorney General nominee Eric Holder. The Human Rights Campaign announced its support of Holder in a December 18, 2008 letter along with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. The letter is available from the Senate Judiciary Committee here: http://judiciary.senate.gov/resources/documents/upload/121808-LeadershipCouncilOnCivilRights.pdf



“In Eric Holder, President-elect Obama has chosen an attorney general who has demonstrated his dedication to civil rights, protecting communities from hate violence, and the fair and equal application of our laws,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Eric Holder has recognized the deleterious effect that hate and bias crimes have not just on victims, but on entire communities. President-elect Obama’s appointment continues to prove his commitment to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.”



WHAT: Press Conference in Support of Attorney General nominee Eric Holder



WHEN: Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. ET



WHERE: 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building



WHO: Sens. Whitehouse and Cardin along with leaders representing the civil rights community



BACKGROUND: After graduating from Columbia Law School, Mr. Holder joined the Department of Justice’s Attorney General's Honors Program. In 1988 he was nominated for and confirmed as Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In 1993 President Clinton nominated Mr. Holder for United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, and he was confirmed later that year. In this role he worked vigorously to reduce crime and increase neighborhood safety. Notably, he emphasized hate crimes enforcement to ensure that bias-motivated crimes would receive adequate resources, attention, and punishment. Hate crimes continued to be a priority for Mr. Holder after his 1997 appointment by President Clinton to Deputy Attorney General. His dedication to the issue of addressing hate-based violence is exemplified in his 1999 testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. The text of his remarks is available at: http://www.hrc.org/11605.htm

Longtime friends say Obama would benefit gays

Want to know what kind of president Barack Obama would be for gay Americans? Just listen to his longtime gay friends.

That was the thinking of the Human Rights Campaign PAC, the political arm of the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender group.

So after endorsing Obama, HRC sent a camera crew to Chicago to interview gay folks like activist Gail Morse who knew him way before the rest of us.

“We’re going to have a partner in the White House. We’re not going to have an enemy,” Morse says in the “Friends” video. “He sees us as people with issues that government can address.”

On the night Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination, HRC e-mailed the “Friends” video to nearly 900,000 of its friends and urged them to forward it.

The video is part of HRC’s all-out effort to persuade gay Americans that by helping Obama win they’ll get a real friend in the White House, who could help Uncle Sam catch up with changes in the states.

Find more after the jump...

Google opposes ban on gay marriage

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • September 29, 2008


Internet company Google will publicly oppose an attempt to ban same-sex marriage in California.

Co-founder Sergey Brin said in a blog posting that the company, which is headquartered in the state and employs nearly 20,000 people, sees the issue as one of equality.

It is unclear if Google will contribute to the campaign opposing Proposition 8.

In the past weeks Hollywood celebritities Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg have donated to the campaign.

Proposition 8 is an initiative measure on the 2008 California General Election ballot in November.

It would amend the state Constitution to "eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry."

In May the California Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriages in the state.

The Court voted 4 to 3 to strike down the ban.

Opponents of gay marriage raised over more than a million signatures to place the initiative on the November ballot.

"While there are many objections to this proposition - further government encroachment on personal lives, ambiguously written text - it is the chilling and discriminatory effect of the proposition on many of our employees that brings Google to publicly oppose Proposition 8," wrote Mr Brin.

Find more after the jump...

Gay man flies under radar as major mover and shaker in Obama’s campaign

Steve Hildebrand has the opportunity to become one of the highest-ranking openly gay members of a presidential administration if Sen. Barack Obama is elected this year.

Hildebrand has been with the campaign since before it officially formed, and currently serves as deputy national campaign manager.

“I was the Kool-Aid drinker from the beginning,” Hildebrand said, smiling during a recent trip to Atlanta.

Hildebrand grew up in a small South Dakota city best known for the Mitchell Corn Palace. He wears his graying hair in a buzz cut, and admits to feeling unfashionable at some of the campaign’s more trendy events. He doesn’t enjoy talking about himself and hates having his picture taken.

Hildebrand started in politics working for Democrats in western states. Quickly earning praise for his field operations skills, he ran the Gore Iowa Caucus campaign in 2000 and managed campaigns for Sen. Tom Daschle and Sen. Tim Johnson in his home state. He was also one of the first to talk about an Obama presidency.

“I was the one who was literally emailing 300 people Barack Obama clips every day for months, driving people crazy,” he said. “I then got connected with him and had a long series of meetings around a conference table trying to make sure that this made any sense.”

Find more after the jump...

VP Nominee Joe Biden to Address HRC Dinner

With Barack Obama's campaign continuing its outreach to LGBT voters, Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden is expected to speak at the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner this weekend in Washington, D.C.

Biden’s decision to speak comes on the heels of the Obama camp’s landmark policy call discussing the Democratic presidential ticket’s opposition to “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Biden has long supported a repeal of the policy.

"If the support Senator Biden has proven on our issues is any indication of the type of vice president he will be," HRC President Joe Solmonese said in a statement just after Biden was added to the Democratic ticket, "then our community can be assured that Senator Obama has chosen a thoughtful and staunch advocate for equality as his closest adviser."

Biden returned the compliment, expressing his support of the HRC in a statement.

"I'm honored to participate in this event," Biden said. "Discrimination has no place in this country and I am proud to stand with HRC in the fight to end it."

In recent years Biden served as one of the most vocal advocates of repealing the U.S. ban on HIV-positive visitors and immigrants in the latest renewal of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

Biden has also vocally opposed “don’t ask, don’t tell” and the Federal Marriage Amendment. Additionally, Biden supports extending hate-crimes and job bias protection to LGBT people. (The Advocate)

GOP hopes that Biden will be a liability in the South

Earl Ofari Hutchinson | Posted August 25, 2008 3:52 PM for Thedailyvoice.com


The Georgia GOP committee wasted no time when it got word that Obama picked Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his running mate. It bluntly said that by picking him Obama had effectively killed any chances that he had to win the South. The issue for the committee is Biden's liberal record. He was ranked as the third most liberal Senator in 2007 by the National Journal. The most liberal Senators were Obama and Rhode Island Democrat Sheldon Whitehorse. The single biggest thing that earned Biden his high liberal rating is his civil rights record.

On the issues of busing, affirmative action, expanded hate crimes legislation, government set asides for minority business, a Rosa Parks commemorative stamp, and fair housing legislation, Biden has been a dream for civil rights leaders. The NAACP gave him a perfect 100 rating in his stance backing affirmative action.

On his Senate campaign website last year, Biden boldly touted what he called "The Biden Plan": Ending 21st Century Discrimination." This is a sweeping plan to end discrimination in education, the workplace, and the criminal justice system. Biden's civil rights record is so solid that even his unthinking loose lipped crack earlier this year that Obama was "clean" didn't hurt his civil rights standing. Jesse Jackson quickly stepped in and praised Biden as a strong supporter of civil rights.

If elected, Biden and Obama would be the best presidential tandem on civil rights since Lyndon Johnson and Hubert Humphrey in 1964. That's a scary possibility for Southern conservatives. So scary that it made the Georgia GOP declare that their civil rights passion virtually amounts to a political kiss of death for them in the South.
This is not inflated political hyperbole. For the past four decades, liberalism and civil rights have been tightly interlocked in the South. This election is no different. Obama and Biden know the mortal political danger that a too strong emphasis on civil rights and race pose to their White House chances. Their ginger step around the issue though won't make the issue disappear.

Find more after the jump...

An Inclusive First Day

Well-known LGBT supporter Sen. Edward M. Kennedy brimmed with emotion as he addressed the Democratic National Convention on its opening night Monday in Denver. "Barack Obama will close the book on the old politics of race and gender and group against group and straight against gay," Kennedy told the room of some 4,500 cheering delegates waving signs emblazoned with the senator's name.

Kennedy's appearance was a surprise given his brain cancer, which many thought would prevent him from attending the convention. But true to form, the 46-year Senate veteran persevered. “Nothing -- nothing -- is going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight," he said, later pledging to "be there next January on the floor" of the chamber to work with a President Obama.

His speech got the crowd pumped for Michelle Obama's headline address -- "I come here as a wife who loves my husband and believes he will be an extraordinary president," she said -- which ended the first day of the 2008 Democratic convention. Hours earlier, the first of two LGBT caucus meetings during the week took place, where the number of LGBT delegates -- 380, according to caucus chair Rick Stafford -- was trumpeted as a 41% increase over the 2004 total. "Our caucus will be unequivocal and enthusiastic in our support of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States," Stafford said.

Stafford was one of several speakers at the meeting, a gathering of LGBT delegates and convention participants in the Colorado Convention Center, where other caucuses and convention events take place before the main festivities begin later in the day at the Pepsi Center a few blocks away. Among those who addressed the caucus: Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the lead attorney in the California court case that legalized same-sex marriage there; and press-shy philanthropist Tim Gill.

Democratic National Committee secretary Alice Germond, who’ll call the roll for Obama’s nomination on Wednesday, knew exactly how to get the delegates going. "If you are LGBT...you are everywhere," she said in a booming voice. "You will make that critical difference of 1%, 2%, 3% in swing states, so that we don't have the hateful legislation we've seen proposed in the last four and eight years. We will change that!"

When Baldwin was introduced, she received a standing ovation from the room. "I started out a supporter of the candidacy of Hillary Clinton," she said to applause, but quickly added that both Clinton and Obama jointly asked her to be on the Democratic platform committee. "What an incredible honor and what an incredible sign of the two sides coming together," Baldwin said -- although die-hard Clinton supporters planned to rally in the streets of Denver on Tuesday.

As for the document she helped craft, which includes gender identity as a protected category for the first time and makes a point of including same-sex families, Baldwin said it was "by far the most pro-equality platform we've ever had. The language is unequivocal and we should be proud to support" it.

But it was Gill, who founded the pioneering publishing-software company Quark Inc., who arguably provided the most compelling remarks of the day. The man behind the Gill Foundation and the Gill Action Fund, whose mission is to knock off anti-gay state legislators by lavishly funding their opponents, described himself as a "career counselor."

"Rick Santorum is a wonderful example of a man who needed a change in career," Gill said, referring to the former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, to cheers and cackles from the caucus. "And there are thousands of people in this nation that are really in need of a new career," namely the Sally Kerns lurking in many state legislatures.

"The Republican Party is controlled by a bunch of bigots," Gill added, underscoring the stakes of this November's elections, from the White House on down, "and the only way the bigots are going to learn is if we take their power away."

Written by Sean Kennedy and Kerry Eleveld The Advocate 8/26/2008

Kanye West Challenges Fans to End Homophobia

Rapper Kanye West urged his fans to be more open minded and sensitive about cultural differences and diversity in society as he claims confrontational bigotry is nothing more than "disrespectful".
The hip-hop wonder made the comments during a concert at New York's Madison Square Garden on Tuesday August 5th. He called on his fans to follow his example and be more accepting and considerate of people regardless of their differences - attempting to end homophobia in hip-hop culture.

He preached:

"Open y'all's f**kin' minds. Be accepting of different people. Let people be who they are ... You know how many people came at me, calling me 'gay' cause I wear my jeans the fresh way? Or 'cause I said, 'Hey, dude, how y'all gonna say f*g right in front of a gay dude's face and act like that's OK?' That s**t is disrespectful ... It took me time to break out of the mental prisons I was in. The stereotypes of the fear of the backlash that I would get for believing in what I believe in, for accepting people for who they are."

After airing his opinions, he thanked the patient crowd and signed off by saying, "Thank y'all for listening to me. I had a few things to get off my chest. I want y'all to handle the rest. New York City, good night."

N.C. State Employee Rejects Helms Tribute

North Carolina lowered their flags half-staff this week to honor the passing of conservative Sen. Jesse Helms. But L.F. Eason — the director of the state Standards Laboratory — chose to retire rather than comply with the directive. Eason explains his objections on NPR's All Things Considered.

Listen to Eason's courageous act of defiance.

Paterson Is Cheered At NYC's Gay Pride Parade

Gay residents cheered Gov. David Paterson on Sunday as he joined the city's annual gay pride march a month after he directed state agencies to provide full marriage benefits to same-sex couples who were legally married elsewhere."What he did ... sends a message that leadership isn't about waiting. It's about finding the opportunity. It's about finding the way to move progress and civil rights forward," said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the city's most powerful openly gay elected official.Tens of thousands of gay people and their supporters marched down Manhattan's Fifth Avenue in the always colorful celebration, which is officially called the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride March. A violent thunderstorm halfway through did not halt the parade.

There were floats, marching bands, stilt walkers, motorcycle riders and bicycle riders wearing T-shirts that said "bike-sexual."
"I think it's sensational," said Dolores Stoia, who watched from behind police barricades. "I'm not really a big fan of parades, but it's very entertaining."

Paterson, the first New York governor to march in the gay pride parade, took part even though he had surgery to remove a cataract on Saturday."The doctors told me I couldn't march today," he said. "I ran 8 1/2 miles Friday. I can march today. And I will."

Even though gay couples cannot legally marry in New York, Paterson said last month that the state must recognize marriages legally performed in other states and countries that allow gay marriage.

Read the Full Article

AP article by KAREN MATTHEWS -- June 30, 2008

Image of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Gov. Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg at the 39th Annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride March along Fifth Ave. in Manhattan Sunday. Credits: Mariela Lombard Published: 06/29/2008 20:31:59

Michelle Obama: Barack Will Fight For Gay Equality

The Associated Press June 27, 2008 - 9:15 am ET


(New York City) Barack Obama will fight for equal rights for gays just as he fought to help working-class families overcome poverty, the Democratic presidential hopeful's wife told a gay Democratic group Thursday night.
Recalling his past work as a community organizer to help struggling families, Michelle Obama said he would take the same approach as president.
"Barack believes that we must fight for the world as it should be, a world where together we work to reverse discriminatory laws," she said at a Manhattan fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee's Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council.
Michelle Obama also drew a connection between the struggles for gay rights and civil rights.
"We are all only here because of those who marched and bled and died, from Selma to Stonewall, in the pursuit of a more perfect union," she said at the event, held days before the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots between gays and New York police, and the city's annual gay pride parade.
"The world as it is should be one that rejects discrimination of all kinds," she said.
Touting her husband's record pushing for workplace discrimination legislation as an Illinois state senator and his support of civil unions, Obama noted her husband also had brought a call for equality to conservative groups, telling churchgoers they need to combat homophobia in the black community.
Although he does not support marriage for same-sex couples the Illinois senator opposes a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and says states should make their own decisions on the matter. He has said he's interested in ensuring that same-sex couples in civil unions get federal benefits.
His Republican opponent, Arizona Sen. John McCain, also opposes a federal constitutional amendment but worked to ban gay marriage in his home state. McCain supports the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, while Obama has called it "counterproductive."
Michelle Obama's speech brought a standing ovation from the crowd of about 200 donors, who raised about $1.3 million, organizers said.

With love and pride, Mass. Governor Deval Patrick’s Daughter Comes Out Publicly

Article by Laura Kiritsy Editor-in-chief of Bay Windows


On June 14, 2007, the day that lawmakers finally voted down an anti-gay marriage amendment to the state constitution, Katherine Patrick stood outside the State House and looked up at her father. Gov. Deval Patrick was standing on the front steps, surrounded by a jubilant crowd of hundreds that mobbed the brick sidewalk and spilled halfway across Beacon Street. As they cheered the defeat of the amendment - an effort led by the governor, Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Sal DiMasi - Katherine had never before felt more proud of her father."Because, of course, he didn’t know that I was gay then," the 18-year-old recalls. "So, for someone so publicly to fight for something that doesn’t even affect him was just like, ’That’s my dad,’ you know?" she says with a laugh. "That’s all I could think. I was very, very proud to be part of this family, and this state in general.""It was great. I’m very glad," she adds, looking at her father. "Don’t cry, Dad." Patrick’s eyes are brimming with tears, prompting some good-natured teasing from his daughter. "He’s done some good things," she says with a laugh, patting his arm. "I appreciate it. Want a tissue? Oh, God. He’s a crier."

Read More about Katherine's coming out: http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc3=&id=75834

Philly Police Department Make It Safe

In light of Philadelphia's recent and successful gay pride event this last weekend, I thought it appropriate to highlight the great strides the Philadelphia Police Department is making in the protection and safety of LGBT people. The Philly PD, led by Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, has initiated a pro-LGBT program that will focus protection of LGBT individuals in the predominately gay neighborhood, and change the environment and "macho and homophobic" attitudes of his police department.

The gay neighborhood, or affectionately termed the "gayborhood" by the locals, is a geographical area in Philly known for its gay themed commerce and nightlife. Known by its partially rainbow street signs (among other things), the gayborhood is the area of concentration for Ramsey's initiative to protect LGBT people. As advised by his in-house counsel on LGBT affairs, Ramsey will permanently station 2 to 3 officers in the center of the gayborhood. The stationed officers are not required to identify as LGBT because as Ramsey says, "You don't have to be gay to serve the gay community, or black to serve the black community." His officers will be thoroughly trained to deal with and understand the LGBT community because over the next two to three years Ramsey will require his entire Philly PD to attend queer-sensitivity training.
The commissioner insists there is zero tolerance for any kind of discrimination in his department of 6,700. He also acknowledges that unless the culture changes, gay men and lesbians will continue to be reluctant to become police officers.

In a city where homicide rates nearly top the charts, police enrollment is steadily declining and hate crimes are "drastically" under-reported, Ramsey hopes to make a difference from the inside out.

Read More on Ramsey's Pro-Gay actions: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080609_Making_the_police_safe_for_gay_officers.html

NY Governor Leads State to Marriage Equality

On Thursday, New York's newly appointed and relatively unknown governor, David A. Paterson, announced his directive to make same-sex marriage legally recognized by the state of New York. Paterson showed his commitment to marriage equality in 1994, long before gay rights groups were broadly pushing for it. In the 1980s, Paterson presented himself as a strong ally for gay and lesbian rights when he refused to compromise a hate crimes bill in the State Senate that did not include sexual orientation. The bill became law in 2000 and, thanks to Paterson, 'sexual orientation' was included as a protected group, which historically marks the first time the term appears in New York law.

“In many respects, people in our society, we only recognize our own struggles,” Mr. Paterson said. “I’ve wanted to be someone in the African-American community who recognizes the new civil rights struggle that is being undertaken by gay and lesbian and transgendered people.”

Read more on Paterson's directive: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/30/nyregion/30paterson.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5087&em&en=57f877b49f4b8395&ex=1212292800