Nomenclature

I don’t think that my window seat in this airplane has been aptly named.

The most perfect marriage equality video. Ever.

I told you so.

The fight for marriage equality moves to New Jersey, and the folks there have put together the most moving campaign video I’ve ever seen.  It’s perfect.  It’s absolutely perfect.  It takes its time to tell a specific story about this specific couple.  It doesn’t rush, it doesn’t have theoretical arguments about fairness, and it doesn’t have generalized statements about right or wrong.  It’s sincere, genuine, and simple.

And it ends with the most beautiful two-sentence statement that I’ve ever seen in a campaign ad.  Ever.  It’s perfect.

What He Said, Part 4

Tony Kushner

“The news from Maine doesn’t make me depressed, but it does make me angry. I’m angry that bigots, cretins, and theocrats get to vote on whether or not their fellow citizens are entitled to equality under the law. Our basic right to equal treatment is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and should not be subject to state referendums.

I’m angry that the Catholic Church and the Mormons, tax-exempt under the increasingly laughable pretext that they have something to do with God, pump millions upon millions of dollars into this wicked campaign to promote bigotry and perpetuate human suffering, while supporters of LGBT equality pay taxes for the privilege of continuing to be not-fully enfranchised sub-citizens.”

What He Said, Part 3

David Mixner

“President Obama standing on the sidelines in Maine and Washington was appalling. The failure of our national organizations and leaders to demand his involvement was equally appalling. The outrageous act of the Democratic National Committee sending an email into Maine asking Maine Democrats to call into “NEW JERSEY” instead of to support the fight against bigotry was unbelievable. No one gets to sit on the sidelines in an epic battle against apartheid and no one gets a free pass. If you want our support, you have to earn it. We are way beyond where we will accept a little bit in 2009, some in 2010 and maybe more in the second term. Does anyone think after yesterday election results and the upcoming 2010 election, Obama has the ability to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and “DOMA” next year? Does anyone really believe we haven’t already missed a historic opportunity in the first 10 months of this year? Only a courageous fighting President and Congress can now help turn us this around and that we have not seen so far. Enough.”

What He Said, Part 2

Andrew Sullivan

“After Maine, where the Catholic church actually organized a second collection to raise money to prevent gay people from having civil rights, the situation shifts again. Using a tax-exempt church to raise money to defeat the civil rights of fellow citizens is not too shocking in the age of Benedict. It is shocking if one believes in a separation of politics and religion, and if one believes that the church of Jesus should stand in solidarity with the marginalized, rather than seeking to marginalize and demonize them still further.

It is time to acknowledge that the Catholic church hierarchy can no longer pretend that it isn’t the active enemy of gay people and our families. That this church hierarchy — especially in its more conservative wing — is disproportionately gay itself and waging war against their fellow gays through the cowardly veil of the closet, is not new. But it is, as we flinch with the sting of defeat, harder to take than ever.”