[OutVoice] governator

Tue Nov 11 18:44:47 CST 2008

All,

I think all the information we are sharing is VITAL and so IMPORTANT.  Thanks to Robert Anton for putting me in the direction of the Sam Harris footage as I had not seen it yet.

As I said in my previous post attached below in this thread, we as a COMMUNITY need to  stay TOGETHER.  RIDICULOUS things are being said because of the HURT EVERYONE in our COMMUNITY is feeling.  It doesn't matter what RACE we ARE as we stand collectively on the losing side of this kind of HATRED.  This HATRED IS FOR ALL OF US as GLBT Men and Women.  It HURTS and HITS each of us the same.  The blame game is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS.  WE as an LGBT community did EXACTLY what Barack campaigned so hard AGAINST in the final days of his INCREDIBLE campaign.  He ORGANIZED the Democrats into NOT becoming complacent in their thinking that they had the election all sewn up.  It's my OWN thought and opinion from what I have learned and continue to learn and understand, that we as a COMMUNITY grew complacent in the fight of Prop 8 in California because this had already been spoken on by the California State Supreme Court as UNCONSTITUTIONAL by what I
 understand to be a Republican majority State Supreme Court at that, that this coupled with the fact the California has always been a rather progressive, forward thinking State, left us getting as Barack said to the Democrats about Hillary whooping his butt in New Hampshire....we got SPANKED.  It was a recipe of many ingredients that when combined, created the passage of that RIDICULOUS Prop 8.  

We could have and should have done more as a COMMUNITY to come TOGETHER and ensure that this would not fly.  We have received our WAKE-UP CALL and as I STATED below WE must REMAIN UNIFIED, ORGANIZED, and READY to see this through.  To lay blame specifically at the African-American Community is simply UNFAIR and DIVISIVE.  There are far too many other VOTES that were not MADE or convinced to VOTE NO on Prop 8.

The Winds of Change Are Blowin'...are the first words from my song Brothers In Arms and Sister Soldiers...and those winds are...BUT...we have to stay TOGETHER and TIGHT as an LGBT COMMUNITY...We need every one of our Brothers & Sisters for this...we have gone through far, far too much as a COMMUNITY through DECADES to get to this point and drop THIS damn ball.  Gordon, Anton, Aaron Carl, and I know I'm missing other folks...this is the dialog and shared info and opinions that are so VITAL to our SUCCESS.  WE sure the hell aren't going to win this fight on our own - one person at a time, but ONLY as a COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY.

-Terry Christopher

--- On Tue, 11/11/08, Robert Anton <playanton at yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Robert Anton <playanton at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [OutVoice] governator
To: outvoice at outvoice.net, enterrytainer at yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 1:25 PM

I haven't been following all the posts here, but there's definitely been a discussion going on. I read an article that I found interesting after watching a post by Sam Harris on youtube. Tell me what you think.

LGBT Community Must Blame Itself Not Blacks for Prop. 8 
Story Posted By Herndon Davis 

As a Black and openly gay advocate/activist and resident of Los Angeles, I watched as Prop. 8 in California was voted into reality which now allows for a legal ban against same-sex marriage within the state. I also watched how within 24 hours many  LGBT activists squarely placed the blame on black residents who voted 70% in favor of the measure.

I further watched and read how Black gay protestors who were against the same-sex ban and in favor of same-sex marriage were called the “N” word during a demonstration march in Westwood. 

And finally, I've read how blogger, Jasmyne Cannick was assailed by everyone from Mayor Durrant of West Hollywood to fellow LGBT bloggers for her recent Los Angeles Times commentary concerning race relations within the LGBT community and its effect upon Prop. 8.

My advice to the LGBT community, the organizers of “No on Prop. 8,” the many different LGBT funders, and the remaining members of the “Gay Mafia” is that they should take seriously the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors of black and people of color communities as it endeavors further in its marriage equality quest.

As a advocate, activist and now a consultant within the LGBT arena, I can tell you from personal experience, there is a deep arrogance and belief among many within the LGBT community that Black communities should instantly whip onto the civil rights bus for the LGBT community just because we too are a minority. 

In some corners of our diverse LGBT community there is a blatant disregard for culture, religion, and the oppression of other racial and ethnic groups. Many working class black and Latinos are struggling to pay rent, put food on the table and dodging bullets to lift their eyes up from their burdens to see a reason and a connection to the white faced and seemingly privileged LGBT to support marriage equality. 

These are points, issues and big chunks of truth that the LGBT community seems ill-prepared to tackle.  In this new age of Obama, there still lies ahead a much deeper conversation concerning race relations that LGBT communities seem to quickly shy away from. So instead of focusing anger towards Black communities, the LGBT community must seriously take a long, hard look at itself.   Here a few things for starters: 

1. For Prop. 8, why couldn’t the LGBT community get the Queen of all American cities, San Francisco to vote in higher numbers on such a crucial vote? 

Also please remember that Blacks consist of a tiny 6% of California's total population. So this means that far, far more millions of non-black people voted YES to ban same-sex marriage than Black folks. So why all the rage against Black people?? Why not rage instead against the Castro district or the Bay Area that did NOT vote at all! 

2. Why in Los Angeles were there seemingly 6 radio advertisments an hour to vote 'No on Prop 8' during the morning run on the Latino 96 FM station but absolutely none on the black 102.3 FM  KJLH station or the black and notoriously homophobic, 106 FM radio? 

Where were the funds for the media outreach there? Again, not fully funded or fully staffed by the LGBT powers-that be. 

3. Why was there only [1] Town Hall that I know of that was held targeting African Americans in Los Angeles?  And why was there less than 5 Black people across the entire state of California trying to coordinate a 'No on 8' campaign targeted towards the Black community?  

Again Black and people of color community outreach has been historically and consistently under-funded and understaffed  by the LGBT establishment.

By the way the Town Hall conducted in Los Angeles was held just two weeks before the election at the mostly white and wealthy campus of USC in the middle of rush hour at 6:30pm and required $8 to park then walk to the building where it was being held. 

So why not hold it at a community center in Compton with free parking at 7:30pm maybe 6 weeks before election with follow up Town halls in Lemiert Park , West Adams, Watts, Gardena , and in other areas South Los Angeles?  I guess that was too much work to do for the LGBT community to earn the Black vote on such an important measure. 

4. And where was the door-to-door neighborhood canvassing and phone banking directly targeting Black communities?   

I know of only one organization in the entire state of California that initiated a phone banking activity a few days before the election directly targeted towards Black communities.  I am not aware of any door-to-door canvassing specifically targeting black neighborhoods for 'No on 8.'  

Again, under-funded and understaffed but still the LGBT community expected the Black vote on Nov. 4.  A bit naive don't you think? 

5. Also where was the outreach to Black affirming clergy to assist with Black churches in California ? 

Yes I am fully aware that there was some work done in this area just two weeks before the election, but again it was not fully funded or fully staffed enough to make a significant impact. 

6. And why on earth did the LGBT community expect to run a few advertisements in historically Black newspapers in California just two months before election to sway voters?  Think about it. 

After all these years in existence then suddenly the LGBT community places public educational advertisments hoping black folks would help and support on Nov. 4.   I don’t think so.  It takes much more of an effort than that to earn the Black vote. 

7. And finally, where was the all important “ask” and with it the justifications of “why?”  Again there is this blanket assumption that all Black folks will do blackflips onto the Civil Rights bus for gays and lesbians.  Think again.  

To reach Black and people of color communities it will take a well thought out and fully FUNDED and fully STAFFED strategic plan, time, and patience. 

Remember Blacks went from slavery to 'separate but equal' to desegregation to tolerance to gain.  Blacks for instance still lag behind in many areas of social justice although we have all of our rights.  

>From under-employment, under-education, income inequities to literally driving-while-black, African-Americans still face steep odds despite a Black man heading to the White House. 

So if the LGBT community would like to continue to compare itself to the Black civil rights struggle, it may want to readjust its timeline a bit. It has taken several hundred years for Blacks in this country to go from slavery to President. 

Could it be that the LGBT community may have to just wait its time as well? Maybe not hundreds of years but perhaps a whole lot longer than previously expected?  

These are just a few things for all of us to think about going forward as we have marriage pending in New Jersey , New York , Iowa , and possibly D.C. and of course California 

Herndon Davis is media consultant, author, TV/Radio Host. He can be reached directly at www.herndondavis.com  and 
www.diversityTV.tv 

--- On Tue, 11/11/08, Terry Christopher <enterrytainer at yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Terry Christopher <enterrytainer at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [OutVoice] governator
To: outvoice at outvoice.net
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 11:46 AM

David and ALL,

I will be there tomorrow night 4 sure and am very EXCITED to stand shoulder to
shoulder to let my and OUR voices be heard collectively against the Mormon
Church.

On a separate note, I want to THANK LEN ROGERS for allowing this important
discussion to take place and re-connect the LGBT music scene nationwide with
this type of forum or "chat".  I know that this group has always been
about promoting music and supporting music based posts.  This is a conversation
we all need to have and all need to be a part of so THANK YOU, LEN.

With that said, I want to say that though I haven't gotten a sense of
finger pointing here through the various passionate posts by Gordon, Aaron Carl
and others, I KNOW IT'S HAPPENING else where.  We are ALL HURT.  WE ARE
ALL PISSED.  I think we have all been very supportive of each other here and
I hope that we can stay that way.  This is about protecting OURSELVES and
our INALIENABLE RIGHTS as LGBT individuals and on the much larger scale OUR
LGBT FAMILY while fighting this gross and disgusting act of blatant injustice,
separation and discrimination. 

Nothing would be more damaging to our Community than to split into factions of
smaller groups within our LGBT Community.  We need to stay UNITED and TIGHT. 
We need to CIRCLE OUR WAGONS around US.  I am hearing that crazy things are
being hurled verbally out in California within and against our own
Community.  The RELIGIOUS RIGHT would love to see US dissolve our resolve
into such infighting which then takes our focus off the TARGET which IS THE
FIGHT AT HAND.  This is GOING TO BE A LONG, LONG FIGHT.  It's one that has
been in the making for DECADES.  We have to SUPPORT each other, LOVE and
RESPECT one another and our difference of opinions while staying UNITED
and COLLECTIVELY willing TO FIGHT LIKE HELL!

-Terry Christopher

--- On Tue, 11/11/08, Davieclem1 at aol.com <Davieclem1 at aol.com> wrote:

From: Davieclem1 at aol.com <Davieclem1 at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [OutVoice] governator
To: outvoice at outvoice.net
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 11:14 AM

I don't think white and black voters, nor gay and straight voters, were too

far apart on prop h8; those of us who cared knew that gay equality needed to 
take a back seat and went quietly under the bus to await the election with Mr. 
Ayers, Rev. Wright and the nice people from ACORN.

But now, looking at the results in the most abstract of terms, this is a 
truly monumental and frightening precedent.   The concept that a zealotous, 
bigoted majority can strip a minority of a court-granted   or god-given right
is 
preposterous, and a threat to democratic equality.   Even people who think that

marriage is a bourgeois concern, or may consider prop 8 to be an insult to be 
ignored, or are homophobic, have to see the dangerous example that's been
set.

So, we were well behaved and mostly polite for the good of the country and 
the world ... I think we can be as self-congratulatory as the rest of the 
electorate for making the only reasonable choice (I have been feeling a little
bit 
more "it's about fucking time" than "yes we did").  
But we're talking about a 
basic tenet of our society, one that inspires me to be very protective.   

How many New Yorkers will be there tomorrow night?

"Time and Place
Date:
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Time:
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location:
New York Manhattan Mormon Temple
Street:
125 Columbus Ave at 65th Street
City/Town:
New York, NY

"Make your voices heard right here in New York City. 

We will tell the Mormon Church how we feel about its relentless campaign to 
condemn and control our lives. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 
was, by far, the biggest financer of California's heinous and hateful 
Proposition 8. The Mormon Church begged their members to donate money to Prop 
8, 
pouring 20 million dollars into the campaign. And their attacks on us
didn't 
start there and aren't 
about to end. They're plotting right now to bring their money and influence

to bear against the LGBT community everywhere in this country, including trying

to prevent marriage equality in New York. 

Join us in speaking out against hate and discrimination! Stop them taking 
away your rights! 

PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION - BRING SIGNS -- ALERT THE MEDIA 

Media Contact: Corey Johnson - (646) 246-4848"

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