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(The military’s express policy of) discrimination according to sexual preference ended on this date.
Scott Brown voted for it, but is downplaying it to minimize damage to his Tea Party support. Weenies about it or not, eight Republicans voted to repeal. In about 10 years, they’ll be taking credit for the whole thing.
Alleged Democratic Senator Joe Manchin skipped out on the vote altogether to attend a Christmas party.
Credit where it’s due – Lieberman was instrumental.
Addendum: I’ve scanned a few of the conservative blogs. Some of them appear to be quite subdued, with Red State not even mentioning the repeal. Hot Air posted a slew of conservative comments. This is my favorite:
The repeal passed in the House earlier. The Maine sisters have ponied up and are breaking ranks with their party.
The nation turns it’s lonely eyes to Scott Brown. This is his existential moment. Is GOP moderation alive, or will Mordor reign forever over a darkened Middle Earth?
All kidding aside, this can be pivotal moment in U.S. history. And seriously, if Brown wimps out and caves to the fringe, progressives really must hang it around his neck in 2012.
Addendum: Although the Black Caucus members have voted the right way on the issue, they have not stood out in the debate largely because of the problems of homophobia in the African American communities. That’s what makes this speech by Civil Rights Movement veteran Rep. John Lewis so important.
During the last Buju Banton flap I scoured the Internet looking for a gay positive reggae song and came up empty. People told me they had heard them, but nobody could give me a name or song title. Others told me not to expect to find anything, and that Jamaica may be the most homophobic nation outside of the Islamic world. So I’m wondering if this one is making history. The artist is Mistah Maja P and while I can’t make out all of the lyrics, there is a reference to Boom Bye Bye. I don’t know anything about him, or where he comes from. Maybe someone familiar with him can fill us in?
I can’t connect to his website. Maybe you’ll have better luck.
Thanks to Mitch for the tip.
Addendum: Okay, that’s not his website. Here’s an article about the song. Not everyone in the reggae community is happy.
He has a myspace page.
Any promoters out there want to help him out by booking him local? Just a thought.
I thought this was already decided!
No copy of the decision available yet. Obviously it will be appealed.
Addendum: The decision. Thanks to Heraldo.
Second addendum: TPM has some highlights.
I wanted to check as to whether the enforcement of the judgment would be stayed pending appeal, so I skipped to the end of the decision.
Because Proposition 8 is unconstitutional under both the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses, the court orders entry of judgment permanently enjoining its enforcement; prohibiting the official defendants from applying or enforcing Proposition 8 and directing the official defendants that all persons under their control or supervision shall not apply or enforce Proposition 8. The clerk is DIRECTED to enter judgment without bond in favor of plaintiffs and plaintiff-intervenors and against defendants and defendant-intervenors pursuant to FRCP 58.
Looks to me like homosexual couples can hitch themselves tomorrow if they want. (TPM reports that a stay was granted, which is standard procedure.)
It’ll probably survive the 9th Circuit appeal. So how will Justice Kennedy vote when it gets to the Supreme Court?
Third addendum: Judge Vaughn Walker isn’t equivocal in the least.
Because slaves were considered property of others at the time, they lacked the legal capacity to consent and were thus unable to marry. After emancipation, former slaves viewed their ability to marry as one of the most important new rights they had gained.
I’ll read the whole thing tonight and comment further. There’s some great stuff in the decision. Check out some of the passages the Kos folk found.
Fourth addendum: Lest we become too sanguine, there’s still Dan Choi and others like him. And there’s this. Reminders that there’s still a long road.
Fifth addendum: Hilarious and sad responses from the lunatic fringe.
Sixth addendum: A team of sociologists provides this pie graph to represent all of the consequences of yesterday’s ruling. The chart comes from GraphJam.
I heard it on KHSU this morning. Fortunately it airs on KMUD at noon.
He received his final discharge papers recently. Apparently he and his father are not on speaking terms. There’s a huge weight on the shoulders of this remarkable young man.
I think DADT will be repealed, but not until after the election.
Poor Target. All they wanted to do was drop a money-bomb of $150,000 in support of a homophobic candidate in the Minnesota Governor’s race. And now they’re catching flack for it.
One proud mother’s Youtubing of her protest is getting loads of hits.
What is particularly amusing in a dark sort of way is the candidate recipient of Citizens United money. From TPM:
<i>For his part, Emmer has criticized such boycotters. “The sad part to me is, I thought we were supposed to be able to exercise our rights of free speech,” said Emmer. “We’re supposed to celebrate the fact that we have different perspectives. And it doesn’t seem like that’s what this is about. This seems to be more personal and we’ve got to get over that.</i>
So basically, not only must we now allow campaigns to dump obscene amounts of money into campaigns, but we’re not even supposed to say anything about it. Corporations should have the right to dictate the outcome of elections free of criticism. Criticism is a violation of their First Amendment rights!
A side note, watching Ms. Reitan enter the Target, it looked exactly like our own Target’s entrance. I mean, literally, you watch it and it could be the Eureka entrance. Scary.
I had heard that Jeff Leonard has been working hard to make up for a bad city council vote some time back, and his response reflects as much. Actually, I’m fine with all three responses. Joe is performing a great public service here, although I can sympathize with candidates who prefer to keep their election votes private. There might not be a problem with this one, but some may not want to open that door for future questions. Also, while those candidates who get right back to Joe should be commended, the races are in their final stretch and each candidate is probably receiving a plethora of emails requiring response.
I do believe the question is relevant to every office. It’s a transcendent issue just as desegregation was a half-century ago. It shouldn’t even be political.
16 to 12 with a defector from each party.
Republicans are wigging out and threatening everything possible to obstruct the bill. But it’s looking good.
Addendum: Passed in the house – not even close.
And the Republican brain trust chimes in.
The birthday is today, but the event is tomorrow. The following is from Queer Humboldt, although if I could make it to the event, I don’t know what I’d wear that is “queer.”
You are invited to join Queer Humboldt to help celebrate the first annual Harvey Milk Day.
This Saturday, May 22, 2010
5:30pm to 7:30pm
856 10th Street
Arcata, California 95521
(Behind the Minor Theatre)
See a map !
Wear something queer—a T-shirt, hat, pin, sticker, whatever…..
Humbrews has a great selection of over 20 beers on tap, a great menu, and wants to host our queer community events!
Come out, celebrate, mix, mingle and be proud of Harvey Milk and all of his hard work paving the way for us today.
….
Also in honor of the day, Joanne at Nacho Mama’s is offering a free half-pint of Milk today with any purchase.
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