2011, A Banner Year for LGBT Rights

[RoyGBiv]

Under Obama's watch ...

To those who denigrate the President because it didn't happen quite as fast as you personally demanded it happen and intend to vote against him, enjoy the reversals.

Quote:It is customary to look back each holiday season to assess the successes of the past year and remind ourselves how far we have come, where we need to go, and whom to thank for both. Our year was cabined by two striking moments: Just before 2011 began, Congress repealed the odious "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and just before 2011 ends, a lesbian petty officer kisses her same-sex partner in the ceremonial first kiss upon her ship's return. But, the steady advance toward equality in the military is just one reason why 2011 may have been the best year for gay rights since Alexander the Great ruled the known world.

EarthHow do we continue our undeniable progress into 2012? This is why we look back: to determine what worked, who worked for us, who worked against us, and what strategies are better than others. I argue that there are three clear lessons from the banner year of 2011: (1) President Obama has not only done more for our community than any president in history, but has indeed been the "fierce advocate" he promised to be; (2) litigation can be more successful than disorganized political activism; and (3) the old advocates, gay rights organizations, and institutions collectively (and derisively) called "Gay, Inc." can still be relevant if they adapt to a world that is no longer characterized by an inaccurate "Will & Grace"-like conception of LGBT people.

http://www.towleroad.com/2011/12/whence-...-2011.html

[jaxx]

Indeed a banner year. So much done, so much more to work for. Nice to see President Obama being shown as the advocate of LGBT's that he is.

[NJMaverick]

Yes it has been a banner year. Thank You President Obama for righting so many wrongs.

[jaxx]

We've come a long way baby!!

[RoyGBiv]

(12-23-2011 08:48 AM)jaxx Wrote:  

I have held my tongue about that picture and the story that goes with it because I haven't wanted to lend anymore evidence to the argument that I'm a gigantic asshole, but since it turned up here, I'm going to say something.

Shortly after DADT was repealed, a friend of my in the Navy sent me a picture of one of his shipmates kissing his boyfriend after they arrived in port at Norfolk. There was no media, no snapping pictures or reporters doing interviews, just two guys locking lips, one of whom was a machinist's mate on a guided missile cruiser, the other a "bear" who wasn't in the Navy. He sent me the picture because he thought I'd appreciate it and said he had seen several similar scenes.

Why are we seeing this picture now with this story attached to it?

I cannot prove anything, of course, but it strikes me that these are two attractive females in what appears to me to be a posed scene accompanying the story. Even bigoted straight men find this sort of thing titillating and thus at least marginally acceptable. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with this picture or the story, just that it is odd that the story of the two muscled up hairy guys kissing drew no media attention, yet this does.

[jaxx]

(12-23-2011 09:47 AM)RoyGBiv Wrote:  

(12-23-2011 08:48 AM)jaxx Wrote:  

I have held my tongue about that picture and the story that goes with it because I haven't wanted to lend anymore evidence to the argument that I'm a gigantic asshole, but since it turned up here, I'm going to say something.

Shortly after DADT was repealed, a friend of my in the Navy sent me a picture of one of his shipmates kissing his boyfriend after they arrived in port at Norfolk. There was no media, no snapping pictures or reporters doing interviews, just two guys locking lips, one of whom was a machinist's mate on a guided missile cruiser, the other a "bear" who wasn't in the Navy. He sent me the picture because he thought I'd appreciate it and said he had seen several similar scenes.

Why are we seeing this picture now with this story attached to it?

I cannot prove anything, of course, but it strikes me that these are two attractive females in what appears to me to be a posed scene accompanying the story. Even bigoted straight men find this sort of thing titillating and thus at least marginally acceptable. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with this picture or the story, just that it is odd that the story of the two muscled up hairy guys kissing drew no media attention, yet this does.

From what I've read, the ship always has a raffle for who gets the first kiss/media notice when they step on land. This year the lady won the raffle and all the sailors thought it was great. So this is why this picture has gone viral.

edit to add....the lady spent $50 on $1 tickets and won.

[OptimistesMaddie]

(12-23-2011 09:47 AM)RoyGBiv Wrote:  

(12-23-2011 08:48 AM)jaxx Wrote:  

I have held my tongue about that picture and the story that goes with it because I haven't wanted to lend anymore evidence to the argument that I'm a gigantic asshole, but since it turned up here, I'm going to say something.

Shortly after DADT was repealed, a friend of my in the Navy sent me a picture of one of his shipmates kissing his boyfriend after they arrived in port at Norfolk. There was no media, no snapping pictures or reporters doing interviews, just two guys locking lips, one of whom was a machinist's mate on a guided missile cruiser, the other a "bear" who wasn't in the Navy. He sent me the picture because he thought I'd appreciate it and said he had seen several similar scenes.

Why are we seeing this picture now with this story attached to it?

I cannot prove anything, of course, but it strikes me that these are two attractive females in what appears to me to be a posed scene accompanying the story. Even bigoted straight men find this sort of thing titillating and thus at least marginally acceptable. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with this picture or the story, just that it is odd that the story of the two muscled up hairy guys kissing drew no media attention, yet this does.

They did win a raffle and all other couples had an equal chance to win. I don't doubt there was some PR thought that went into sending the picture out.

I want that poster!

[RoyGBiv]

(12-28-2011 07:46 PM)OptimistesMaddie Wrote:  They did win a raffle and all other couples had an equal chance to win. I don't doubt there was some PR thought that went into sending the picture out.

Yeah. I feared sounding like I was discounting it, and I'm not, and they should be very happy. I think it is a great picture, and it pleases me to no end that it has been publicized as it has with very little mainstream blowback.

I still wonder if we'd get the same reaction if that were a picture of two men. This actually came up in conversation with a gay friend of mine in DC after I commented. Seems this is a topic of conversation (mostly tongue-in-cheek) amongst his biker club. They're all "leather bears" and, even by their own admission, do not make pretty pictures. They laugh about what Joe Midwesterner would think about two guys in leather and gold chains with guts that they stopped being able to blame on the beer ten years ago making out.

Quote:I want that poster!

Me too.

[Treestar]

That is one group that should be 100% behind the President and any Congress person who voted for the repeal. That photo just proves it. There is a clip of those girls saying how "we can be who we are now." What a huge difference that makes.

[There Is No Spoon]

Yes it has been. I'm still cynical about those who seem like they are incapable of being grateful for the progress that has been made.