Giant among dykes, founder of the Daughters of Bilitis, subject of the 2003 documentary No Secret Anymore, and gay marriage activist Del Martin has passed away in San Francisco today. Del is survived by her beloved Phyllis Lyons. The couple, together for over a half a century, was the first to wed the day gay marriage became legal in California this past June.
Boyd Richie announced a change to the Roll Call Vote process at this morning's Delegate Breakfast. After receiving our delegate credentials, we were directed to a small room in the west wing of the host hotel. Inside the room we presented our delegate credential and ID, then placed our president preference (Obama, Clinton, or Abstain) and signed our name. This was our official vote. The list will be copied and published then delivered to the Pepsi Center via a shuttle bus around 12:30pm. Mr. Richie stated that officials staying at other hotels would still have the opportunity to vote later today.
Chairman Richie was upset both visibility and emotionally when some delegates asked whether observers would be present during the voting process. "We're all Democrats", said Richie in an angry tone. Finally, after several interruptions from some delegates requesting an observer, he asked the Obama registered agent Ron Kirk and Hillary registered agent Garry Mauro whether they wanted observers. Registered agents are the official representatives for campaigns. Mr. Kirk said they [Obama delegates] were not interested in having observers. As he said this, some Obama supporters began to chant, "Unity, unity." In place of Mr. Mauro, John Oeffinger represented the Hillary campaign and honored the request of Hillary delegates to assign observers. John then immediately scrambled about the ballroom to schedule observers in shifts.
Strangely, we've also been told that we'll vote again this evening. Mr. Richie said he did not know the process for delegates that wish to change their vote from what they placed on this morning's ballot.
After voting, we were sent to a table to obtain our seating assignment for this evenings Roll Call Vote at the Pepsi Center.
So, how many times do we vote? Which one counts? I guess we'll find out tonight.
When you first walk into the Pepsi Center and look at the stage, it completely overwhelms. Fiberoptic stars twinkle on a black backdrop on either side of the stage. From the floor to the rafters, lights and video screens make you seem like you're at a U2 concert. In between guest speakers, the video screens pan across the venue to capture people dancing to soul and gospel music (and maybe a couple of disco songs every once in a while).
I'm not exactly sure what you see on television, but I can tell you what you didn't see yesterday on the floor of the convention. There was not an empty seat in the venue. In fact, the most powerful person at the Pepsi Center was the fire marshal, who at one point decided there were too many people standing on the floor and aisles. Anyone having to use the restroom or a drink could leave, but wouldn't be back allowed onto the floor. Now you know why some of us were dancing around to the music a bit more wildly than the night before.
Just before Hillary began her speech, workers wearing florescent green vests walked through the aisles with black trash bags. Each of the workers wears a headset connected to a two-way radio. And on cue, they opened the trash bags to reveal "Hillary" signs as the crowd went wild with excitement. As a Hillary supporter, I noted that each sign had a surreal footnote reading: "Paid for by Obama for America."
After being introduced by her daughter, Senator Clinton received a standing ovation with thundering applause from everyone: Unity at last. For the first time in my life, I saw people wearing Obama shirts and pins waving 'Hillary' signs. For a few minutes, it was as if we were in some parallel universe where Senator Clinton, not Barack Obama, was the actual nominee.
Her speech was as far from self-centered as one could get. She urged Democrats to unite behind Barack Obama for president. Whether that will happen or not, I don't know. I hope so. What I do know is that for tomorrow's speech, we'll all go to the bathroom early and sneak in some bottled water.
Did you know that the Gay Place's mascot is named Dandy?
I've been thinking a lot about unicorns lately. A lot. Mostly because the live coverage of the DNC has been so very… lacking.
Sample of live coverage:
Anchor One: What's happening now, Anchor Two?
Anchor Two: It looks like everyone is turning around for a moment of silence.
Anchor One: Is there any particular significance for this moment of silence?
Anchor Two: I don't know, but it sure is special.
Illuminating.
Naturally my thoughts turn elsewhere… and where else but to unicorns? Let's be honest, unicorns have been en vogue recently because – no thanks to a certain YouTube unicorn whose name rhymes with Schmarlie and another one we'll just call Schmlanet Unicorn – they are soooooo ironic.
Aren't they?
I mean, the Gay Place logo is a unicorn for a reason, right?
Let's imagine a queer political party – one that rightfully takes the unicorn for its party mascot. The unicorn makes a perfect political mascot because of what it symbolizes:
OK, this blog is proof: Staying up to watch the DNC makes you a little gayer.
If it wasn't clear before, it's clear now. Hillary Clinton told not only her supporters, not only PUMA, not only the DNC, not only the DNCC, not only those who would use her name in vain, but she told the whole world: It's time to unite against the last eight years and to vote forObama. And a vote for McCain would only usher in four more:
With an agenda like that, it makes sense that George Bush and John McCain will be together next week in the Twin Cities. Because these days they're awfully hard to tell apart.
ABC was the first to put up the full text of her landmark speech. Click here to read.
Chelsea Clinton narrates this DNC tribute to her mom, which ran at the convention moments before she introduced her mom.
OK, so she didn't become an astronaut…
Our guest blogger Steve Rivas will be filing from the DNC later tonight. Stay tuned!
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) Caucus convened at noon today with a true spirit of unity inside the Four Seasons Ballroom at the Colorado Convention Center. Seating was provided for nearly 400 people. The opening remarks provided an amazing history between the DNC and the caucus. The GLBT movement within the DNC began in the 1970s without the official recognition of the party. In 1972, a caucus of five people convened as gays and lesbians. There was no official GLBT caucus in 1980. Then in 1984 the DNC certified the GLBT caucus only to later decertify it as a "special intrest" group. It wasn't until 1996 that the DNC officially recertified the GLBT caucus.
Today the official number of GLBT delegates from states, territories, and commonwealths was announced as 360+ strong. That's a 41% increase in GLBT delegates from the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Texas alone boasted 22 GLBT identified delegates during today's caucus roll call.
The return of Foodies at Dart Bowl this past Sunday night taught us a few things: Lesbians like to drink; lesbians like to bowl; and lesbians have big balls.
Here's a photo gallery for you to enjoy. (As we come up with better captions, we'll toss 'em in.)
Right now, in a small two-story building across from the Denver Police Department, there are more PUMAs than a shoestore shelf. My first stop upon arriving in Denver was to the official headquarters of PUMA. Started by Will Bowers PUMA was first known as "Party Unity My Ass," but now stands for "People United Means Action." The name change reflects the organization's mission to reform the Democratic Party and rid it of caucuses to ensure every vote is counted. After all, certified votes in Michigan were changed months after the election based on exit polls. That was probably a bad precedent.
It's probably too late to RSVP Kitty for this afternoon's Foodies at Dart Bowl, but that doesn't mean you can't come. Even if you don't wish to bowl (or there is no longer room on the lanes), come hang out, come mingle, check out the fine dining experience to be had only at the Dart Bowl Cafe, bring some quarters for pool and the arcade, and get ready for an eyeful of fabulous Austin lesbians.
Oh, and in the last post, when I mentioned that Kitty was once Alabama's Junior State Bowling Champ, I forgot to mention: Back in college, I was a pinsetter at a bowling alley. Yup. Back in the day, before those automated tumblers that reset the pins, a real live human sat on a real teeny perch (oh, I was so teeny back then!) and watch for problems and crawl through the machinery to untangle messes.
Foodies at Dart Bowl happens this TODAY, Sunday, August 24, 4-6pm. It's $7.50 for shoes and 2-hours of bowling. Bring money for food and other fun.
I thought that I would have a peaceful sleep before beginning my trip to Denver to attend the DNC as one of only 360 GLBT delegates. Just hours before dreaming of New Mexico drivers and construction zone speed limits, I was rudely awakened at 2:33am by the official Obama campaign text message, confirming the news about Biden. So much for the 'unity' ticket.
My trip from Austin has lasted eleven hours and ended in Raton, New Mexico for an overnight stay. Tomorrow I'll join Democratic delegates from all throughout the country in Denver to convene for Monday's opening session of the Democratic National Convention.
Kate asked that I provide a brief bio, so here goes:
I'm a disaster planning consultant (13 years), helping businesses prepare for and respond to emergencies. For this work, I have traveled throughout North America.
I have three younger brothers. (Yes, I'm the "gay big brother.")
The Gay Place and Chronic are proud as peacocks to welcome Special Guest Blogger Steve Rivas to the team to cover and convey his personal journey to and through the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week. Steve is delegate from our own Texas Senate District 14 and is one of the history-making 365 (or so) openly gay delegates to attend the national convention.
As you may or may not know, delegates were voted to the national convention by our own state convention this past June. I was honored to be present that late, late night at the Hilton downtown and to be part of the vote that sent Steve to Denver. Now, "sent" is a purely figurative term in this case. Delegates pay their own way. After being elected as representatives from their state, they have less than two months to raise the necessary dough to take off work and get themselves to Denver. Check out Steve's web page. There is an easy link to make donations to him on this public service quest, should you feel so generously inclined.
"In selecting Senator Joe Biden as his running mate, Senator Obama has chosen a proven and effective advocate for fairness and equality that our entire community can be proud of. Senator Biden’s record in the United States Senate is one of support and understanding that has been unwavering throughout his career."
Curiously, at time of this posting, HRC had not yet updated their site with this news.
When the good doc, out lesbian, and Rhodes scholar began making regular guest appearances as a commentator on various news programs, much was made about the "look-softening" she underwent in her trek from radio to television. Well, everyone knows TV adds about 10 pounds of dyke to anyone with short hair.
We can only hope that at some juncture, the glasses will make a comeback. Not that we're biased.
If your man picks gay-baitin', new-Dem-con Tim Kaine for his choice for running mate; then find me… and bring a bucket. You will be witness to the grandest public rainbow display of reverse peristalsis this side of Mr. Creosote.
