Smells Like Progress in Here

Although I intensely loathe national polling after a state enacts legislation legalizing same-sex marriage or civil unions, because who the fuck cares what some dipfuck in Bigotville thinks of same-sex marriage in another state, and even the asking tacitly suggests that their irrelevant opinion should matter, I was nonetheless pleased to see the results of the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll inquiring "whether [New York] state's law legalizing such unions is a positive or negative outcome."


Even a quarter of conservative Republicans and white evangelical protestants find the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York a "positive development."

Twenty years ago, I was just about to start my senior year of high school. Back then, if the topic of same-sex marriage even came up at all, I was always the only straight person of any political stripe to challenge the inevitable contention, "Gay marriage will undermine the sanctity of marriage." Now, it's just a punchline, in all but the places reeking insistently of dinosaur scat.

It's Official: DADT Repeal Has Been Certified

I almost can't believe it. Sixty days until that horrible piece of institutional bigotry is dead.

Blub.

I have several close friends (including a regular Shaker, who may identify himself in comments if he feels so inclined) who have served this country in the military, forced to secret a part of themselves by the country they loved so much they were willing to lay their lives on the line to protect it, to fight for freedom and equality they weren't even granted themselves.

They are some of the greatest patriots I have ever known, and nothing honors their service better than making sure that no one ever has to serve in a closet again.

Good riddance, DADT.

The End of DADT at Long Last...?

The Pentagon will reportedly certify the end of DADT today. Once Obama signs off on the certification, DADT would be officially over in 60 days.

The military finally recognizing out troops will also put pressure on the federal government to repeal DOMA, in order to formally recognize the spouses of married gay troops.

*titters with anticipation*

Number of the Day

Four: The number of openly gay judicial candidates President Obama will have nominated to US District Court after his formal nomination of Michael Fitzgerald to the US District Court for the Central District of California.

Know what will be even more awesome? When the nomination of openly gay judicial candidates isn't even remarkable anymore.

Thank You, Mr. President

At today's press briefing, White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters that President Obama is putting his support behind the Respect for Marriage Act, the bill introduced in the Senate by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), which would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the legislation which, among other things, prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage.

The president has "long called for a legislative appeal for the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which continues to have a real impact on families," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters at Tuesday's briefing. He said the president "is proud" to support the Respect For Marriage Act, "which would take the Defense of Marriage Act off the books for once and for all."

I don't know what "supporting" the Respect for Marriage Act will mean, if anything, beyond sending Carney out there to say the president supports it, but even if it's just that, that's an important follow-up to the administration having announced in February that it would no longer defend the constitutionality of DOMA in court.

(As an aside, when I say—over and over—that I want Obama to publicly give a shit about the national reproductive rights battle being waged, and people say, "Well, what do you expect him to do?" the answer is that I expect THIS. I expect him to use his bully pulpit to clearly state what side he's on. And here is evidence that he does it, when it matters to him, either personally or politically.)

On Wednesday the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the new bill, which would repeal all three sections of DOMA -- which federally defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman -- including section 1, which is the name; section 2, which instructs states not to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states; and section 3, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing legally performed same-sex marriages.

Representatives from both pro- and anti-gay marriage groups will testify before the panel.

Of course they will, because a hearing on same-sex marriage wouldn't be complete without the American Family Values Children Christian Liberty Freedom Patriot Association Foundation Organization dragging a metric fuckton of dinosaur scat into the room to stink up the proceedings.

Go RFMA!

Feel the Homomentum!

How about a little good news?

California Governor Jerry Brown (D) signed legislation today "that makes California the first state in the nation to require the inclusion of the contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans in school history lessons and textbooks."

The legislation addresses omissions in history books, according to Gil Duran, a spokesman for the governor.

Brown issued a statement in which he called the legislation an "important step forward for our state."

"History should be honest," Brown said. "This bill revises existing laws that prohibit discrimination in education and ensures that the important contributions of Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life are included in our history books."

"It's an important step forward for the state of California," Duran said. "It revises existing law to make sure people are not excluded from history books. History should reflect reality."

The bill by state Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) had sparked hot debate in the Legislature where it was pushed through by the Democratic majority. ...Leno said it would reduce bullying by educating young people about the accomplishments of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, community.

"Today we are making history in California by ensuring that our textbooks and instructional materials no longer exclude the contributions of LGBT Americans," Leno said. "Denying LGBT people their rightful place in history gives our young people an inaccurate and incomplete view of the world around them."

Naturally, there have been MIGHTY OBJECTIONS!!!1!!eleventy! from various upstanding members of the American Family Values Children Christian Liberty Freedom Patriot Association Foundation Organization. You can find that dinosaur scat at the link, if you're so inclined, because I ain't posting it. Fuck them.

Thanks, Governor Brown!

The Pentagon Has Suspended DADT

In wake of the court ruling ordering the immediate suspension of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, the Pentagon is complying: "The Pentagon has ordered a halt to all separations of gay troops under 'don't ask, don't tell' and will begin accepting applications from prospective recruits who identify themselves as homosexual."

Meanwhile, defense officials will continue to prepare for the law's formal repeal, which Congress approved in December. The law will be formally repealed 60 days after the defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs "certify" that it will not adversely impact military readiness.

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he expected certification to occur in late July or early August.

It remains unclear whether the Pentagon will seek to appeal Wednesday's court ruling, which would have to go to the Supreme Court, Pentagon spokesman Marine Col. David Lapan said Friday.

Troops are currently undergoing training programs to clarify the law and ensure a smooth transition to its repeal. Most of that training is expected to be completed by this summer, yet there is no requirement that 100 percent of the force must be trained prior to repeal, Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez said.

Quite obviously, it would be better if the entire military had been through sensitivity training before the repeal. Sixty days should be more than enough time for that to happen.

Quote of the Day

"It's the hope of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network that this favorable ruling will not be challenged by the Defense Department. In fact, this whole matter could have been avoided had we had certification back in the spring. It's time to get on with that important certification, end the DADT confusion for all service members, and put a final end to this misguided policy."—Aubrey Sarvis, Army Veteran and Executive Director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision today to order "the U.S. government to immediately cease enforcing the longstanding ban on openly gay members of the military."

In other words, the court ordered the government to stop making excuses, pull its thumb out, get with the fucking program already, and officially end DADT.

I New York

The lovely Ms. Anna, 3, holds a sign with her mom, Shaker Westsidebecca, during a rally Saturday in Syracuse to celebrate marriage equality in New York State. At left in adorbz polka-dot dress is Ms. Anna's other mom, Eastsidekate. Photograph by Lauren Long for The Post-Standard. Posted with the family's permission.

So, Friday night, the New York State legislature voted to legalize same-sex marriage in New York. This has already been much-discussed in the Open Threads, but I wanted to offer a dedicated thread for the decision, too.

There was much rejoicing at Shakes Manor Friday night, not only because we are fervent supporters of marriage equality generally, but because we have New York peeps, including family, who are personally positively effected by this decision.

On a personal level, I blubbed my face off.

On a political level, well, I blubbed my face off. But I also observed: "The fact is, in New York tonight, there are Republicans to the left of Obama on marriage equality." This is something that did not escape the notice of the New York Times editors, either. Their editorial "Gay Marriage: Where's Mr. Obama?" is really very good.

Fundamental equality, however, is hardly the equivalent of a liquor law that can vary on opposite sides of a state line. Why is Mr. Obama so reluctant to say the words that could lend strength to a national effort now backed by a majority of Americans?

The US is ready for marriage equality. This is the time.

Congratulations, New York.