11/05/2008
Barack Obama Wins Presidency as Gay Rights in Nation Backtrack
We were up late last night running a live blog to which over 8,000 of you tuned in. So thank you. It was incredible to hear voices from all over the country (and the world) chiming in. Thanks too to Corey Johnson, Matthew Rettenmund, Michelangelo Signorile, and my Towleroad partner Michael Goff, who were our panelists. If you'd like to review everything that went down, the post is here.
First things first. We have a new President, Barack Obama. Eight long years of the Bush administration will soon be over. Bush not only destroyed America and its standing in the world, it appears he pretty much destroyed his own party. I could not be more overjoyed that I am not waking up today, as in the past few elections, feeling as though we had the wool pulled over our electoral eyes by a bunch of crooks, some of whom should face the severest scrutiny for the acts they perpetrated on their own country. Anger or vengeance is not my overriding feeling right now, however. It is both exhaustion and joy.
McCain's gracious and emotional concession speech was amazing - amazing in that, given the past two years, this was a John McCain that I did not recognize. If John McCain had run as this person and not as the hateful petty candidate he was (I believe) forced to run as by his own party, he just may have won. Instead, he appealed to the basest instincts of his party and was repudiated by a populace that refused to accept the divisions he and his running mate, Governor Sarah Palin, placed at the center of an ugly, negative campaign. Let Joe the Plumber be sent back to the dustbin of obscurity, please.
In the Presidential race, Obama's electoral count is at 338, McCain's is at 161, with Indiana, Missouri, and North Carolina still up in the air. Florida and Ohio are now blue states, which is amazing. In the Senate, 5 seats have been gained by Democrats, 3 are still undecided. In the House, Democrats gained 18 seats, 10 are still undecided.
Proposition 8 is still in play but right now support for the measure is ahead, 52% to 48%, with 95% of precincts reporting.
It was a battle funded to the tune of $74 million, and we may have lost it. For some reason, California voters put Proposition 2, a measure "to prohibit the cruel confinement of farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs," ahead of the marriage rights of gay people. The farm animal act passed, while gay and lesbian Americans appear to be sent back to the status of second-class citizens and discrimination appears ready to be written into the California constitution. Please do not take that statement as anger that Prop 2 passed. I'm happy it did. I'm just upset that Prop 8 looks likely to as well, and believe it will certainly play out to be a complex story.
People will be looking to place blame. The racial element in the voting will be eyed (exit polls showed 70% of blacks voting for the measure) but should not be the scapegoat. Older white voters also voted in large number for the measure. However, what should be looked at most critically is the millions and millions of dollars pumped in to pass this measure by donors associated with the Church of Latter Day Saints. The Mormons.
And because the measure would likely pass by such a narrow margin, one also has to consider those who could have gone out and voted but didn't, either because of laziness or because they took an Obama win in California for granted.
One thing is for sure, what's done is done. We must move forward. I do believe that our historic presidential win has positioned this country for great change and it is time to take advantage of that. I have spent many hours trying to get the word out about the importance of defeating Proposition 8. But I won't let its passage squelch the hope that fills me today.
We lost on other ballot initiatives as well. Arizona's ban on same-sex marriage passed. Florida's Amendment 2 banning same-sex marriagepassed. Arkansas' anti-gay foster parent and adoption measure passed. Yes, it's done. It's exhausting for me to dwell on the hours I spent reporting on these issues. But what can we do but move on and keep fighting?
Some other bad news:
Anti-gay Michelle Bachmann won in Minnesota. Disgusting.
The race between Norm Coleman and Al Franken in Minnesota looks headed for a recount.
Now for the good news:
Connecticut voters rejected a Constitutional Convention that could have taken away marriage equality there.
Democrat Kay Hagan ousted Elizabeth Dole from the North Carolina Senate.
Gay entrepreneur Jared Polis was elected in Colorado's second district, as was predicted a few months ago. He joins Tammy Baldwin and Barney Frank in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Anti-gay Congressman Marilyn Musgrave is gone from Colorado. Musgrave was the lead sponsor of the Federal Marriage Amendment.
Lupe Valdez won re-election as Dallas County Sheriff.
Kevin Beckner unseated Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair in Florida. According to the Victory Fund, "Beckner is a 37-year-old financial planner. This was his first bid at public office. Blair caused a controversy earlier in the campaign by opposing a day of silence in memory of 15-year-old hate crime victim Lawrence King."
Kate Brown won the race for secretary of state in Oregon, making her the second-highest ranking official in the state.
More Victory Fund wins here and here.
No doubt there are other races I have missed or forgotten to highlight. If you feel particularly happy or angry about one, feel free to let loose in the comments, just try to be good to one another. Thanks too for participating on Towleroad during this election season.
Posted 11:36 AM EST by Andy Towle in Barack Obama, Election 2008, Gay Marriage, Gay Rights, Jared Polis, News | Permalink
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You know, I am really saddened by the outcome of Prop 8 and the other marriage amendments, but really, I don't see how Prop 2 and Prop 8 can be compared. One concerns the torture of animals and the other government sanctioned marriage. I am not offended that Prop 2 passed, I am thankful. We should not see it as some kind of "oh they care about animals more than gays" insult, when the question at hand was lifelong torture of animals vs. discrimination in marriage policy. Even if they are just animals, its torture. If I had to choose one victory, honestly, I would choose Prop 2, even though I wanted Prop 8 to go down badly.
Posted by: Wes | Nov 5, 2008 11:50:07 AM
Thank you for your hard work reporting and spreading the message.
we might be down, but we certainly aren't out - the fight continues and we won't stop till we have our full equality
Posted by: Matt | Nov 5, 2008 11:52:10 AM
Can anyone tell me what happens next in regards to the existing gay marriages in CA? Are they going to be dissolved? What is the next step, when does this take place?
Posted by: BusyTimmy | Nov 5, 2008 11:57:18 AM
I agree with you WES, I'm against the torture of animals. BUT come on, they're
give a damn chicken more rights than me???
Posted by: will | Nov 5, 2008 11:57:46 AM
Andy, I usually agree with you, but this time I think we need to take some responsibility: we were seriously out organized. Prop 8 supporters went to the neighborhoods and energized voters about this issue. We didn't. I saw the difference - lived it for several weeks. We failed because we didn't have the right leadership and because deep down no one wanted to believe that Californians would vote against its gay citizenry.
Posted by: Znsd | Nov 5, 2008 11:58:33 AM
Great work Andy.
Prop 8's win, which seems more than highly likely at this point, is a clear indication that the gay rights movement needs to clean house. The ads were AWFUL. They never mentioned gay -- and only one showed any gay or lesbian people.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO WIN ANYTHING IF WE CONTINUE TO BE ASHAMED OF OURSELVES AND HIDE!!!!!
And it is obvious that's what the HRC and NLGTF want us to do.
86 them, NOW!!!!!
OUT OF THE SUITES AND INTO THE STREETS!!!!!!
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | Nov 5, 2008 11:59:41 AM
It is like finding true love and finding out your brother died in the same moment.
The first demonstration I ever participated in was against segregationist Gov. George Wallace who was running for President. So, although white, I grew up a witness to the daily evils of racial bigotry. We weep for joy at the idea of a black President and First Lady in the White House.
But we weep for sorrow that, regardless of what feel good opinion polls have said, when push comes to shove, in the polls that count, gays are as hated, as unworthy of first class citizenship in the minds of the majority of voters as blacks were in 1960.
But make no mistake: the real responsibility for the apparent victory of religious fascism with Prop 8 and its ugly sisters in other states rests at the feet of the "leaders" of the gay movement. They have hobbled our progress for decades by ignoring hoi polloi, putting their trust in the enlightened elected rather than working tirelessly to enlighten the electorate [except at the last minute]. They've sold t-shirts and key chains, they've held black tie galas and Tina-saturated circuit parties. They've killed entire forests for their paper blizzard of press releases almost universally ignored. And they have perfected preaching to the choir rather than enlisting them to FIGHT for their rights. They act as if we all live on Planet Gay, and our enemies live on another planet so we need not really worry about them. Dance on, Darlings.
Over their history, HRC has surely taken in close to half a BILLION dollars. We are still Human. Where are our Rights? What was their Campaign? NGLTF has collected far less, but has entirely failed at the Task of our Liberation.
We are still Gay and Lesbian, but what has GLAAD done with the millions we sent them to stop our Defamation?
And, yes, the fault, Dear Brutus, is also in our stars that we are underlings. While the American Taliban was firing missles of lies and deceit, Ellen mewed like one of her kittens about marriage equality, but she reached into her $70 MILLION fortune too late and for too little to save anyone but herself and HER wife. Is anything changed around their Bel Aire mansion other than her doing her happy dance that what she really fought for, Prop 2, and the duckies and the moo cows in California will have more room to move—before they're slaughtered.
Rosie broke her promise to SF Mayor Gavin Newsom to "be there" if he ever needed her, and effectively gave the blog finger to anyone who asked why.
Elton couldn't directly give money as a non-citizen, but couldn't he at least have donated his time for a fundraiser?
When you go see "Milk," remember that, at last look, its director Gus Van Sant only donated $2500 against 8.
When you tune in to watch Kevin and Scottie on "Brothers & Sisters," remember that its rich creator, Greg Berlanti, apparently gave less than $40,000. Readers of Towleroad collectively donated at least twice as much.
When you replay your CDs by millionairess Madonna or consider buying a ticket to her current concert tour, remember that she just threw some WORDS against 8 out to people paying as much as $400 a piece for their tickets.
No, don't blame rabid dogs for biting you. Ask why our paid leaders and praised idols have let them run loose for decades, only trying to stop them when they're already at our jugular veins.
Posted by: Leland Frances | Nov 5, 2008 12:04:09 PM
I feel my money was wasted by the NO on 8 campaign. Their ads were lame and only the very last one (narrarted by Sam L. Jackson) featured any type of gay couples. The No on 8 campaign was not interested in feedback from people, as I talked with the heads of the campaign and they were just arrogant and didn't want to hear anything because they felt they knew best.
We need to focus on these religious groups of helped pass this. No more playing nice and being "tolerent" of religious views. They are not tolerent of us, so why are we going to be nice to them? When the gay and straight community finally decide to take a stand and turn their backs on the religious bigots of not only California, but America, then things will change.
Posted by: Jason D. | Nov 5, 2008 12:12:49 PM
Half of LA was blown away by a hurricane. The current Republican did nothing to help them, but they voted for another one? What the F#$K?!
Posted by: Josn | Nov 5, 2008 12:14:23 PM
I am so thrilled by Obama's victory, but it is his campaign and the corresponding high turnout of African Americans that ensured Prop 8's passage. We have not gotten through to the African American community, yet...
Posted by: Ken | Nov 5, 2008 12:17:34 PM
"I agree with you WES, I'm against the torture of animals. BUT come on, they're
give a damn chicken more rights than me???"
Nonsense. Last I checked, chickens could not marry and gay people were not being systematically bred and raised in tiny cages where they can't even stand up or turn around, having their mouths melted shut so they can't kill each other just from being packed into crates like sardines, etc.
Lets have some perspective. Animals are really the ones who need the most speaking up for, they have no voice and are acceptably abused to an appalling degree.
Posted by: Wes | Nov 5, 2008 12:20:19 PM
My two questions are--
why can't we put on the ballot in 4 years that churches lose their tax exempt status if throwing their hat/money into the political ring? See how willing the Knights of Columbus, The Mormon Church and other organizations are willing to support hate if their dollars are taken away.
Also:
Is there any truth and/or hope in this article at the daily kos?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/5/112542/197/624/654318
Posted by: Rob | Nov 5, 2008 12:23:15 PM
After all the loses for the gay movement yesterday, I do not feel like celebrating. I better make room in the closet, again, for me.
Posted by: Second Class Citizen | Nov 5, 2008 12:23:58 PM
WILL, your rights not to be tortured are still in place. The chicken does not beat you in terms of rights. they can't marry either, and they also can't vote.
Posted by: Dan B | Nov 5, 2008 12:24:01 PM
There is a lot that can be said. Let me start with this:
EXIT POLLS
Exit Poll: 52 No, 48 Yes on Prop 8 from yesterday.
This is the same polling that everyone is now citing as correct as to race. There is also what Nate Silver writes about it over at 538. There is also the reality that was wrong on several other races yesterday. The Exit polls had Al Franken winning comfortably against Norm Coleman of MN.
RACE AND THE GAYS
We did a piss poor job of reaching out to minority communities. We were out organized. If you want to have won, the money should not have just been stuck in the aire wars. We were running Kerry's strategy of 2004. I hoped for the best, but knew after seeing Obama of 2008 (which should have been our strategy) how a winning strategy works. I said from the start to win we needed to minimize our loses. If we had done that, we would have won this. That's not Monday morning quarterbacking. That's looking at again the Obama win versus the Kerry one.
GOING FORWARD
The numbers actually look very good for us to come back in 4 years to try to repeal this. 52/48 when it was 61 just 8 years ago is extremely encouraging it we think that basically the shifting views in CA seems to be happening at a rate of more than 1 point per year.
Posted by: akaison | Nov 5, 2008 12:24:35 PM
Please don't ever forget that black Californians disproportionately voted for Prop. 8 and against homosexuals. Gay activists need to start educating that community and help it reject the intolerance and hatred in its midst.
Also to all those gay Democrats who are feeling good about Obama -- that's it for you. You are going to be ignored for the next four years - count on it. DOMA is going nowhere. And no pro-gay laws are gonna happen either. Plus straight Democrats got what they want, so why should they care about us? Obama OPPOSES gay marriage.
Can you tell I'm bitter?
Posted by: Daniel | Nov 5, 2008 12:27:22 PM
Andy, are you angling for a job in the Democratic Administration? Because you seem to be awfully restrained in face of the historic defeats dealt to our side.
Posted by: Mike | Nov 5, 2008 12:29:55 PM
PS
RELATED TO GOING FORWARD
If I were gay groups in CA, which I am not, but if I were, my strategy now would be to get some money together to start grassroots organizations in black, Latino and religious communities. I would concentrate in the parts of the state that aren't the liberal coasts or comfort zone area. Recruit locals to act as the face of the effort. Looking at the numbers if you could have convinced 3 percent of that total to the No on 8 side, you would have won. A long term strategy could have done that at the grassroots. Shade 10,000 off here, shade 20,000 off there, and you would have won this. That should be the goal in the next 4 years. Will it be? I doubt it.
Posted by: akaison | Nov 5, 2008 12:29:59 PM
I donated so much time and effort into the NO on 8 campaign and refuse to ever do it again. I feel my money was wasted, and you just can't win with religious bigots no matter how hard you try. You can't change their mind very easily. The only way we are going to get rights is through the supreme court ruling that things that take away OUR rights are unconstitutional.
Posted by: Jason D | Nov 5, 2008 12:31:26 PM
Leland I could not agree with you more. The No on 8 campaign was a disaster from the start. Slow and poorly organized and underfunded. We were outspent at every turn. You wanted a lawn sign? Good luck. You had to buy them, the mormons gave them away by the thousands! I had to drive miles to get some for our friends and at that they limited me to 2! WTF? True signs do not win an election, but you are right, where was the money?? HRC should be ashamed. Nice new building you got there in DC. Our marriage is now in complete limbo as we wait to hear what happens next. We are just completely devastated today. Happy about Obama's win, but 5 of 5 anti gay props won as well. Very sad commentary.
Posted by: Zephyr | Nov 5, 2008 12:33:04 PM
Really Daniel?
Obama included gays and lesbians in his speech last night in the first 3 minutes--tell me when did "your" candidate do that? I do not believe "no pro-gay laws are gonna happen" as you say. Obama will be an inclusionary president.
Swallow your bitter pill.
Posted by: Rob | Nov 5, 2008 12:33:33 PM
This really will be my final point here. I am amazed at the way that belief by people here is exactly the same as by those we oppose. For instance, I point out that we are basing our views of faulty data, and the very next post continues to use that data. It's fascinating to read because if you look at some of the actual narratives from yesterday- you will find that people supported Prop 8 because a certain percentage said annecdotally that they were fine with gay marriage, but not with it being taught in schools. If you engage in the same level of analysis no wonder you are failing. You have to be smarter than they are. Not on the same level. because you are on the same level, you always going to be dumbfounded.
Posted by: akaison | Nov 5, 2008 12:33:48 PM
Oh Come on Wes! Human rights come first, not animal rights. Instead of saying animal rights will bring about change with humans, why don't we start with humans first. The passage of prop 2 is just astounding....compared with the passage of prop 8.
Posted by: matt chicago | Nov 5, 2008 12:35:18 PM
Admittedly I am not 100% sure about this, being a Brit. But didn't Obama state that he supports civil unions being legislated at a federal level? If that's the case, then it's not all bad surely as no states would be able to overturn federal law?
After all, we don't have 'gay marriage' in the UK either. We have civil unions which is basically marriage under a different name which has cross-party support. Obviously I am basing this argument on the assumption that civil unions in the US would be the same as the UK, and the rights from both marriage and civil unions are virtually indistinguishable.
Posted by: Joseph | Nov 5, 2008 12:39:05 PM
I am disheartened, but not surprised, by the passing of Prop 8. The next step is coming, and appeals and measures are already being filed in California courts. With the House, Senate and President now Democratic, perhaps this will be overturned...
Oh, and Indiana and N.C. went to Obama, not that it matters as Obama has won, but it's amazing to finally see more blue states in the U.S. of A. Now comes the hard part, undoing 8 years of horrible foreign policy, Republican greed, a trillion dollar deficit and restoring our international image as a nation of peace and strength. God willing, the day will pass.
Congrat's on everyone for making Towleroad such a great online community, and thank you Andy for all your efforts. It is because of you and your blog that I have become extremely politically active, have campaigned and volunteered and you have rekindled my once dead optimism. Thank you Andy, Obama and the millions of voters who made this day happen.
Posted by: CJ | Nov 5, 2008 12:39:09 PM