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08/26/2008
Congressman Barney Frank Talks to Towleroad at the DNC
Yesterday we met with Congressman Barney Frank in the halls of the Pepsi Center at the Democratic Naitonal Convention in Denver. Frank spoke to Towleroad's Corey Johnson about gays voting Republican, 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell', and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Here's part of what Frank had to say about that:
"If we pick up 15 or 20 Democrats, most of them will be supportive. But I am disappointed in the transgender community. They seem to think that if Nancy Pelosi and myself, George Miller and a few others waved a magic wand we could deliver it. Look, this past year in the legislatures of Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York, efforts to add transgender protections...were defeated. And I testified for it in Massachusetts and lobbied for it. And as a political problem out there, I wish there weren't, but pretending that something doesn't exist is never a good way to deal with it. I am afraid that too many people in the transgender community think that talking to me and Nancy Pelosi is the way to do it. I don't yet see enough grassroots lobbying on their part.
"I do think that the hearing that we had — and by the way, we had a hearing in the House over the objections of many of the transgender leadership. But I really doubt their political wisdom...Because they said it was part of our deal to separate it from ENDA and they wanted to not have anything separate. We did a good job in that hearing and we helped persuade some people. So we're making progress. We'd make even more progress if the transgender community was willing to do the hard political work. And not, frankly, think they can just talk a few leaders into handing this to them."
Previously
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin talks to Towleroad at the DNC [tr]
A Partisan Message from DNC Treasurer Andrew Tobias [tr]
EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Jared Polis, Democratic Congressional Candidate from Colorado [tr]
Notes from The Democratic National Convention [tr]
Inside the Pepsi Center [tr]
Towleroad Guide to the Tube #345
DNC Highlights Monday Night [tr]
Breaking: Four Arrested in Obama Assassination Plot [tr]
Posted 3:08 PM EST by Andy Towle in Barney Frank, Democratic National Convention, Democratic Party, Denver, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, ENDA, News, Towleroad TV | Permalink
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To DB:
Every community has its separatists and extremists. I understand why you might feel that way, there is a lot of racism in our community. One need only peruse these pages a few days to see that.
I would agree that race is one of the biggest (mostly not discussed) issues of this election. Most polls I have seen though stay with the traditional (GLBT)numbers, or show better numbers FOR Obama/Biden: 65-35% per history vs. 86-14 currently.
The Badlands issue got lots of press in Northern California, some in Southern California. Maybe not more because it is so common?
I would agree with you about racial identification is primary with both groups
you mentioned. Sad and weird, but historically consistent,no? Also true outside GLBT world?
BTW, am GWM who will vote Obama and have given him more $ than my family can afford. I was waaaayyyy mad about the Donnie McClurkin thing, as I hear were most GLBT/SGL Black folks were too. His response was a bit disappointing too, choosing the YT :) pastor as a conciliatory gesture :0 !!
I really believe Obama/Biden will win and move the country forward again.
Peace....
Posted by: Rocco | Aug 27, 2008 6:44:31 AM
I understand the politics involved in pushing through T legislation, but I think allegations that we do a bad job about it is unfair. We're not exactly rolling in cash. I have a hard enough time finding, keeping a job and keeping myself off the street. I have battled homelessness ever since I transitioned. Exactly how is someone that works minimum wage jobs at best, and lives out of a car supposed to go to Washington and press the issues?
Something like 50%+ of the trans population is below the poverty line. Advocacy takes time and more importantly CASH and the very thing we are trying to advocate for is employment discrimination protection, we can't make enough money to advocate unless we can gets jobs. It's a catch 22. I'm lucky if I can buy more than ramen and mac and cheese for my food supply, and I'm somehow supposed to fund anything else? I can't even fund my own life!
Posted by: Pathia | Aug 27, 2008 1:01:31 PM
The apparently irony-impaired Barney Frank criticises the trans community for their "all or nothing" attitude? Did Martin Luther King settle for civil rights for black folks but not Hispanics? Screw him and the arrogant entitled horse he rode in on. As is mentioned above, the very rights we're in need of are those that make flying around the country shmoozing and circle-jerking with the rich and powerful possible. And the fact that he has the gall to claim we want the benefits without the work is beyond obscene. Many of us have been fighting for YEARS to secure even the most basic rights and safeties...and many of us are LGB as well as T. Frank seems to think that only part of my identity has done the hard political work. It will be a LONG time before we forget Frank's and Joe S.'s "pragmatic" manuvers. And ENDA STILL didn't pass--hello? This should be a clue that in the minds of the Right, the transfolk aren't the only icky little freaks on the radar, but some people never learn, I guess.
Posted by: Thaniel | Aug 27, 2008 3:56:15 PM
Right on Barney Frank. Stay on the both mom and her Young Republican. What you say is exactly correct. So much for those family values.
...and McCain passed over the two closet case homos (FLA and SC's Senator) for this lady....proof that the guy is in fact SENILE
Posted by: Brian B | Sep 2, 2008 11:49:31 PM