Captain's Log

Capital Pride Festival - It's Time to Shake Up "The System"

From New York City to San Francisco to our nation's capital, I've been to - and in - many Pride parades and festivals across this country.

Arguably the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ movement, New York City has to lay claim to the largest parade, which they call a "March," followed by a huge street festival on the banks of the Hudson.

Each year, San Francisco and Los Angeles switch places to have their Pride events coincide with New York's - with this year San Francisco's "To Form A More Perfect Union" also happening on June 28th. Los Angeles' is holding their parade and festival this weekend, which this year is called "Power. Passion. Purpose."

Last night, in The District of Columbia, we celebrated Capital Pride in grand style with a parade snaking through the heart of the gay district in Dupont Circle. This year's theme, called "Generations of Pride: Celebrate and Remember," honored two super-heroes of the LGBTQ movement - Dr. Frank Kameny and Dr. Lilli Vincenz. As with every Pride parade (or march), it was fabulous, fun, peaceful and filled with love and acceptance.

Today, however, is the Capital Pride Festival. Situated on Pennsylvania Avenue, with a backdrop of the U.S. Capitol and down the street from the White House, D.C.'s Pride Festival offers a unique view into how it feels to be an American - as well as hitting home on how many of our federal laws discriminating against LGBTQ Americans could be fixed by the politicians in power on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Last night we celebrated our diversity in a wild (although not as wild as San Francisco, which arguably has the most splendiferous display of our community's diversity) and fun manner. Today, however, it's time to agitate and shake up the political system.

From the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes bill now being buried as an amendment (it should have been a "stand-alone bill - symbols matter~!), to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act struggling it's way through the halls of power to Don't Ask, Don't Tell - which apparently is not going to even be spoken about until late 2010 if you listen to some of the "leaders" of our community - today 250,000 diverse Americans will watch RuPaul sing on stage, eat burgers, have some beer, and let their kids play in the special children's area.

It's also the day we get to sign up to volunteer with a national or regional organization to fight for our civil rights. Today's the day we get to sign up for marriage equality in our nation's capital. Today's the day we get to tell congressional representatives and staffers, as well as personnel with the Obama administration (trust me, they'll be there - we're everywhere...) to get it in gear and pass federal legislation protecting all Americans.

So if you get to attend the Capital Pride festival between the U.S. Capitol and the White House, have a wonderful time. Just remember to support those sponsors and vendors by stopping by their booths and or catching their roving volunteers and make a choice to help. Sign a petition, put your name on a mailing list, find out how to volunteer, and buy something if you can from one of the vendors.

Importantly, as you gaze at the U.S. Capitol, remember that we are all fighting for the same thing - equal rights and equal protections under the laws of the United States of America. As we may be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or anywhere along that spectrum - but we are all Americans.

Breaking News: The Legality of a Referendum on Same-Sex Marriage in D.C.

This just in from informed sources regarding the legality of a voter referendum to suspend what is called "The Jury and Marriage Amendment Act of 2009."

The Act, approved by the D.C. City Council, recognizes as "valid any marriage legally entered into another jurisdiction between two persons of the same sex." The measure passed by a nearly unanimous city council vote, and Mayor Fenty signed it.

Opponents of gay marriage then introduced what is called "The Referendum Concerning the Jury and Amendment Act of 2009," asking residents of the District of Columbia to decide whether our nation's capital "will recognize as valid a marriage legally entered in another jurisdiction between 2 persons of the same sex."

According to sources, the attorney general of the District of Columbia will soon issue his "statement" on the validity of the proposed measure to negate the city's actions to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere.

And he's going to say NO. It's going to go something like this: the proposed voter-referendum, under District law, negates the Human Rights Act for the District of Columbia. And the proposed petition should be denied.

His conclusion:

As expressed in the HRA, the established public policy of the District of Columbia is to treat individuals as equals, whatever their gender, sexual orientation, or marital status may be. The Council reflected that policy in section 3(b) of the Amendment Act, in a manner consistent with well-recognized principles of comity. The effect of the proposed Referendum, however, would be to negate that action. Therefore, the proposed measure is not a proper subject for a referendum under District law, and the proposer's petition should be denied.

I'm Done Asking. It's Time to Tell. No, make that "Demand."

I'm sick and tired of "asking" for our civil rights. I am appalled at LGBTQ kids getting murdered or committing suicide because they are "queer" to their classmates. I am more than disgusted at having the "voters" decide who I can and cannot love, all the while taking our tax dollars to pay for our nation's schools, infrastructure and ever-expanding needs.

And I am livid many American politicians are comfortable with gay and lesbian servicemembers serving, and dying, for our country in silence - simply so either the Democratic or Republican incumbent gets re-elected.

Rachel Maddow, keeping the political establishment's feet to the fire, had Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) on her show recently, speaking of President Obama's ability to issue an executive order to ensure no more gay and lesbian servicemembers are kicked out of the military simply because they are gay.

I'm tired of LGBTQ issues being "kicked down the political road" while we suffer and die for "the greater good."

The world is changing, and American's attitudes are changing also. The Republicans are losing grip of more than just power, they are losing grip of public opinion and - importantly, elections. And if the Democratic leadership doesn't understand the political ground is shifting under their feet, they may also be out of a job.

It's time for the president and congressional leaders to give our servicemembers the respect they deserve, and get off the fence - as our soldiers, airmen, seamen and Marines are serving in silence - and not sitting on the frikkin' fence.

It's time for the Democratically-controlled Congress to Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell, and for President "fierce advocate to repeal DADT" Obama to issue an executive stop-loss order NOW.

Otherwise our political leaders - from the president on down the political ladder - are looking, and acting, like cowards. And that is beneath contempt.