Hey guys...

I wanted to share an email from my good friend Ben in California. This is a very serious and important topic. Please help out:



Hello, everyone!

I'm writing this to friends and family that care about Joe and I, and care about the rights of other gay people who live in this great country of ours. I am shaking with anger as I type this, because I can't believe the lack of fairness and compassion that our current administration is capable of...

Tomorrow, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. (ENDA) The bill would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or fail to promote employees simply based on sexual orientation. While the vast majority - nearly 90% - of Fortune 500 Companies prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, there are surprisingly no federal prohibitions against such discriminatory behavior. ENDA would extend existing employment-discrimination provisions of Federal law, including those in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to establish "a comprehensive Federal prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."

To obtain White House support for ENDA, lawmakers compromised by exempting "small businesses, religious organizations and the uniformed members of the armed forces" from the bill. So, basically, if I worked at a hometown restaurant, or a church, or were in the military, I could still be fired for being gay. Which, if you ask me, is Un-American, but a compromise that was made by our side in order to get a bill through. White House staffers actually helped craft these exemptions, so it looked as if this bill would have White House approval...

But, not so in "BushLand." The White House issued a "Statement of Administration Policy" making it clear that despite the exemption compromise, "senior advisors" will still recommend that President Bush veto the bill.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN?

I guess the Bush Administration should be reminded of our constitution, which DOES NOT READ:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal (UNLESS THEY'RE GAY), that they are endowed by their creator (UNLESS THEY'RE GAY) with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

I know many of you may have issues about gay marriage, or gays in the military, or gays adopting etc. But, this isn't about that. This is about Joe and I, and other gay people being able to earn a living, without fear of discrimination in our work place. Is that so radical?

If you support the President vetoing the bill, then read no further. (But, please...be sure and make your feelings known to me! That way we can dissolve any illusion of friendship or love for one another. I'm getting WAY TO OLD to pretend to love or supposedly be loved by friends or family that hate gay people.)


If you are with Joe and I and DON'T support the President vetoing the bill...

Please get involved by contacting your Congress Person and Senators by calling (202)-224-3121.
(Ask for your representatives and they'll put you through. Tell them to please support the "Employment Non-Discrimination Act")

Then, call the White House Comment Line between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Mon. - Fri. at (202)-456-1111
(Tell President Bush NOT to Veto the "Employment Non-Discrimination Act".)

Thank you all! Joe and I wish each of you good health, joy, and prosperity!

- Ben

Wha? Your friends must be paid-in-full Log Cabinets.

The bill has already been watered down to nothing over the years - the latest being by the exclusion of the transgendered; it's become virtually meaningless now. It should never be allowed to pass with all these edits and deletions. Workplace rights are across the board or not at all. To start cherry-picking which Americans do and don't have rights is exactly what conservatives want - fragmentation of freedoms among the haves and have-nots. Divide and Conquer!

And with the Supremes now conservatively stacked, any challenge to the law would be quashed - faux quote: something like, "the right of employers to discriminate based on fundamental religious freedoms" and we're all basically hung out to dry.

I hope Bush DOES veto this bill, but of course, this time, he won't. Then, at the photo op, he'll unfurl the "Empowering the Workforce of America" banner and urge the working peons to help him rebuild the dollar. Something about having Pride in America; the only time he'll ever use the word Pride.



"Joe and I" can go f**k themselves. They are not your friends, softballstud.

Coach McGuirk,
I'd like to respond to your comments because I feel like my letter misrepresented who I am to you. I am FAR from being a Log Cabin Republican. I am a proud Liberal, who has voted Democrat my entire life, except in 1984 when I was too stupid to know better. Unfortunately, I still have a SMALL number of friends and family that still support this horrible administration. Why, they do is beyond me. And, they drive me absolutely f-ing crazy!!! My letter was an attempt to try and appeal to these misguided people on their level, so they wouldn't hit the delete button. I probably could have have been more militant, but I was trying to bring them over to our side.

I understand your frustration with the ENDA bill. It SHOULD include everyone! And, with NO EXCLUSIONS for churches, military or small businesses. I share your frustration. But, I guess I feel like maybe we're more likely to get rights gradually in this current political climate, rather than all at once. I may be wrong. (And, probably am.) But, our Congress can't even stop this war, when 70% of us want it to end. Is it really possible to get through a "no exclusions, all inclusive ENDA law" with no compromises? Right now? And if we can't, should we wait until we can? Or, should we try and get passed what we can now, and build from there? I DON'T HAVE A F-ING CLUE! I'm not a politician. And, I'm not an expert on this stuff. You obviously know more about this issue than I do. If you have any suggestions on what we all can do to get a no exclusions, all inclusive ENDA bill through this congress, then I will gladly join you and do whatever I can.

I was just trying to do SOMETHING, after reading about this stuff on-line, rather than sitting at home and letting the Bush administration screw us over again. I read about all of the crap the administration is pulling, and I get SO ANGRY, which I'm sure you can relate to. And, I just feel like I have to do something. So, in this case, I did. Then, after sending it out, my friend, "Softballstud", asked me if he could post my letter on this site. I said, "If you want to. Sure." Then he suggested I JOIN this site because it's "informative" and "fun" and the people are "great." So, I did. Today. Then, I logged on and the first posting I read was from you. Thanks, for the warm welcome, Coach McGuirk. Especially, the ending. Now, rather than feeling empowered, I just feel humiliated and stupid. I imagine my friend who posted my letter feels the same way. It's the kind of thing that makes you hesitate to get involved or take a stand again. Thanks. This really is a "fun" site.

- Ben or as you say, "Joe and I"

Welcome to the board, Newguy. Sorry if you feel it's off to a rocky start. Right or wrong, we all have our own opinions, which sometimes are rather acidic. Don't let that stop you from posting or expressing your opinion. That is what this board is all about. Also, don't take any of this too seriously. Enjoy the ride!

Ben (newguy). I am so sorry about the personal attack from Coach McGuirk. Typically this site is not so brutal that one resorts to personal attacks, rather than just posting their opinion or difference of opinion.

I hope that this one bad apple will not stop you from stating what you feel and keep us all informed. I mean that's what this site is all about. This is how we grow as a community, sharing thoughts and opinions and not calling each other names.

Whether you are right or wrong, shame on you Coach. Newguy deserves an apology!

newguy: Blah, blah, whatever. Wake the f**k up. ENDA is not “fun,” nor is it at your disposal, so please don’t have your friends post things that neither you nor he can defend. The idea that you’ve sent this email around to your friends and family is frightening.
You seem to agree with everything I’ve said about ENDA, and yet...
“This is about Joe and I”
That statement is so selfish and self-absorbed that I can’t help but be reminded of the Log Cabinets, so I reiterate: “f**k you, Joe and I.” Maybe you think that ENDA is about you, but it’s actually about your next door neighbour. Are you ready to sell him down the river? Your choice.

Millerguy: Please stop pandering to the ignorant; you’ll tire, eventually. Believe me, I have. Yes, indeed, ”Yea to Outsports.” I’ve been here since 1993 and know how to handle myself, thanx.

softballstud
I am so completely sick and tired of dumb and ignorant. If anything, YOU owe US all an apology for posting your friend’s letter. I hope you eventually get it.
Again:
newguy: “This is about Joe and I.”
Me: “f**k you, Joe and I.”

Also, contrary to what someone said on another thread (one about the magical colors of depression), I would NEVER say anything on this or any other message board that I would not say in person, face to face. I say what I mean and I mean what I say.

So it would be better if I pander to you instead? Funny, I can't tell the difference at this point.

Coach McGuirk,
You only quote part of a sentence of my letter. If you go back you will see that I said, "This is about Joe and I, and other gay people being able to earn a living, without fear of discrimination in the workplace."

I apologize for not including Bi-sexuals and transgendered people in that statement. I probably should have. I would never sell my neighbor down the river. So, if you go back and look, I think it's clear that I meant for it to not just be about my partner and I. If it seems that way, I apologize. Also, I would ask that you please take my word for it. If you knew me, you would know that I'm not the selfish person you seem to have the impression that I am. And, if I gave you that impression, I really am sorry.

Also, I apologize if I've given you the impression that I think ENDA is "fun" or that it's "at my disposal". I swear that's not the case. Once again, I was just trying to make a difference, but I must really suck at this stuff, because you seem to really hate my guts.

I seem to be clueless on this issue, so can you please let me, and eveyone else know what we can do to make a difference with this issue? I really do want to help. And, not just for my partner and I, but for everyone!

Finally, when I said that I expected this site to be "fun". I guess once again, I didn't articulate what I meant very well. What I meant was that I thought I could participate here and not feel shamed, embarrassed, and attacked. Now, I know differently.

Let's assume that Bush would sign a GLB ENDA and veto a GLBT ENDA. What would the results be?

GLB ENDA gets passed -- Bush signs. GLBs get limited federal rights, Ts don't get federal rights.
GLBT ENDA gets passed -- Bush vetoes. GLBs don't get federal rights, Ts don't get federal rights.

When faced with a choice between getting something or nothing, I usually opt for something. But that's maybe because I try to act rationally in my daily decision-making.


My main question for the dead-enders: Why can't we just pass a GLB ENDA now and then get Ts and full (no church, no military, etc.) GLB rights added later?

Agreed. 100%. I don't understand why some people are willing to keep 99% of the GLBT community (the GLBs) without legal protection all for the sake of 1%. Sorry, but if we could get a veto-proof bill passed by leaving out the T's FOR NOW, that's what we all ought to be pushing for. My cynical mind is telling me that some in the gay community (particulrly within the HRC crowd) secretly hope this thing fails so they can continue their status as victims.

Even Barney Frank supports the T-free ENDA because he knows it will pass and actually extend protections to more people.

Listen *ss wipe. It's not the difference of opinion, or you quoting out of context that is concerning. It's your name calling and personal attack on a new poster that sucks! State your point and get over yourself, no need to call him obscene names.

**Can you imagine this guy in the old Gay Games thread - sheesh!

Holy shit!:
"Lawmakers vote to protect gay, lesbian workers"
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071108/ts_nm/...ongress_gays_dc