LGBT HISTORY: Overview of the Month and Official Website

Our first view of LGBT History month is the actual US website for GLBT History Month, sponsored by the Equality Forum.

Every day, they will be focusing on antoher pioneer in LGBT history. First up for today? Del Martin and Phyllis Lion, the founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the original lesbian in the US. Del Martin died about a month and a half ago, and were the first to be married years ago when San Francisco began allowing same-sex marriage. They were also among the first to be married when California allowed it a few months ago. I couldn't imagine a more appropriate way to begin the month than honoring them.  

Here they are as young women:

That's from the above website.

The video above is just a general overview of who they are talking about, and the website allows you to see a video, biography, and news about each person. The only criticism I have, as the list is fairly well thought out and detailed in terms of issues the people represent (though I think there are more appropriate people who represent gay parenting than Rosie, but... anyways) is the final one... Michelangelo. Um. I think there are better (and more "out") examples of gay persons in history. But, that aside, it's fabulous.

I will also be blogrolling as we go along...

Update: I had to put the YouTube video in from the same organization as the one from their website wasn't working properly.

GAY STUFF: Candidates' Position

Follow up to previous blog. This is stuff found on the candidates' websites regarding LGBT/queer issues:

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Barack Obama:

• LGBT Fact Sheet
• Obama Pride Page
• Response to the HRC Questionnaire
• Open Letter to LGBT Community

Highlights from the above:
-Supports full civil unions, and anti-Constitutional DOMA
-Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell
-Talks about HIV/AIDS prevention in greater detail
-Mentions the passing of Del Martin
-Supports the passage of the Uniting American Families Act

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John McCain:
If you search for "gay" or "LGBT" or "GLBT" on John McCain's page you get one link, here, which states the following:

CHANGE #15: Barack Obama Is Against The California Ballot Measure Banning Gay Marriage Despite His Assertion That Marriage Is Between A Man And A Woman Barack Obama Came Out Against A California Ballot Measure That Would Ban Same-Sex Marriage. "Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who previously said the issue of gay marriage should be left up to each state, has announced his opposition to a California ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriages. In a letter to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club read Sunday at the group's annual Pride Breakfast in San Francisco, the Illinois senator said he supports extending 'fully equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples under both state and federal law.'" (Aurelio Rojas, "Obama Rejects Proposed California Gay Marriage Ban," Sacramento Bee, 7/1/08)"

Obama Had Previously Said He Opposes Same-Sex Marriage But That Each State Should Make Its Own Decision." (Aurelio Rojas, "Obama Rejects Proposed California Gay Marriage Ban," Sacramento Bee, 7/1/08)

That's right, McCain uses gay marriage as a way of making people disinterested in Barack Obama. Politics of division, what? Meanwhile, there is no section for LGBT Americans in his "Coalitions" section. Also, you get this nasty bit if you search for "marriage" on the site:

As president, John McCain would nominate judges who understand that the role of the Court is not to subvert the rights of the people by legislating from the bench. Critical to Constitutional balance is ensuring that, where state and local governments do act to preserve the traditional family, the Courts must not overstep their authority and thwart the Constitutional right of the people to decide this question.

The family represents the foundation of Western Civilization and civil society and John McCain believes the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman. It is only this definition that sufficiently recognizes the vital and unique role played by mothers and fathers in the raising of children, and the role of the family in shaping, stabilizing, and strengthening communities and our nation.As with most issues vital to the preservation and health of civil society, the basic responsibility for preserving and strengthening the family should reside at the level of government closest to the people.

In their wisdom, the Founding Fathers reserved for the States the authority and responsibility to protect and strengthen the vital institutions of our civil society. They did so to ensure that the voices of America's families could not be ignored by an indifferent national government or suffocated through filibusters and clever legislative maneuvering in Congress.

Thanks, McCain.

GAY STUFF: Del Martin Dead at 87

Lesbian pioneer, founder of the Daughters of Bilitis, died today at 87 years old.

That's her (on right) and her partner, Phyllis Lyon, being married the first time in San Francisco. They were remarried again when California approved gay marriage.

I'm glad she got to live that long to see it.

From 365gay.com

GAY STUFF: Gay marriage in California (AGAIN)

Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the original lesbian activists, got married again. :-)

Congrats, girls. Seems it's a big year for all the equal rights movements.

(MSNBC article here)

PS Now how creepy is this: to the reader from Cincinnati who came to Queer Cincinnati via the newest cinplify posting -- thanks Dan! -- and then left via cincinnatidailyphoto... you were my 1,000th visitor!