Join us monthly as we focus on the Top Stories of the previous month and Post comments from some the top activists and Journalist. This month we focus on 4 Topics and hear from our Panel of SIX.
Meet the Panel:
Is a gay American activist and social worker, who became an activist as a result of the events surrounding the death of her partner, Lisa Marie Pond. Langbehn is also the recipient of the National Equality Award from HRC in 2010.
Is a Active Volunteer in the Washington State Democrats. He even drove Theresa Heinz Kerry around when she visited in 2004.
Is the Outspoken Publisher of the Seattle Gay News for nearly 30 years.
Is a Blogger and Activist.
Dave Kaplan
Mayor of Des Moines, WA
Activist
Topic #1: President Obama announced May 8th that he now supports same-sex marriage, reversing his longstanding opposition amid growing pressure from the Democratic base and even his own vice president. Comments?
Janice Langbehn
Comments
on Obama finally saying out loud what I believe he has always felt -
well I guess that says it. I think as I begin to volunteer for his
re-election as well as other candidates local and state - it's important
that I figure out how to frame the
marriage equality argument so that the movable middle and allies can
then tell their friends and family and then they can and so on - until
the ripples are so big - it is clear that this was the one and only path
our country should and will take. Hope that makes sense.
Topic #2: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich officially ended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. Has the Fat man left the Building?
Ben Doko
Wish he buy me $ 8000 Tiffany ring before he quits! lol
George Bakan
...
oh gosh, really ... zzzzz ... he was never really in the race ...but, I
like the idea of moon colonies in just a few years, funded by the feds
...moon = lunatic ....!
Topic #3: A judge sentenced a former Rutgers University student, Dharun
Ravi , to 30 days in jail for spying on his gay roommate who later
committed suicide, rejecting defense arguments that he did not deserve
time behind bars but disappointing prosecutors who portrayed him as
insensitive. Was the 30 Days Justified?
Ben Doko
If I was the judge , I will sentence him to at least 10 years!!
Janice Langbehn
Given
what they found him guilty of yes - if it was me, I might have charged
him higher to secure a longer sentence. OR part of his sentence is that
he could be deported back to India. If he is a felon know - he should
head out besides who is going to hire him now?
Topic #4:
Ben Doko
First of all, they can raise as much money as they want. Why do they care now ?
Dave Kaplan
Um
... as an elected official in a suburb, who might be inclined to be in
the pride parade in Seattle, why would I even consider paying $1500 to
participate? My inclination to be in the parade would be to celebrate
our "community", not to supposedly pander to non-existent voters from
Des Moines who might be in the crowd. I don't have $1500 to drop on a
parade slot when my personal funds are going to support a multitude of
local and national LGBTQ organizations, and the campaign to ensure
marriage equality on the ballot this fall.
Regarding those
elected officials representing Seattle, let me say this ... when our
"community" collectively sat on its ass (both in terms of activism and
financially) for the past decade and a half, while Sen. Murray and Rep.
Pedersen and others busted their butts educating fellow legislators as
to our issues, with little support to help move the issues along, they
have MORE than paid their dues for recognition in my not so humble
opinion.
Nowlin Haltom
The rates in all Prides are getting ridiculous as are some entry fees!
George Bakan
...
new plan ... put a fence up and charge every body 40.00 to get in ...
they do that in other cities ... ditch the two tier fees and have the
politicians pay the same as a business ... and not all political efforts
are small and struggling for money ... from the inside, Marriage
Equality Campaign has been given everything they want .... reform it all
next year. FACT, the giant non profits do not give the parade a dime
beyond the entry fees, and just the opposite, haggles over the fees.
Pride Foundation which gets tons of credit for the event, but has
nothing to do with making it happen had NEVER donated a dime in 30 years
... because many think Pride Foundation millions back the event, they
don't in Seattle, fund raising is made more difficult. .... this is not a
simple problem....
and ALL volunteer, not a single salary. NONE, high or low. Think about
thousands of hours donated to make it happen.... amazing service to the
community ... even in the middle of several big mistakes this year.
Melanie Nathan
The
only ones paying for anything to do with pride be it parade, exhibits or
entrance fees should be the multi million dollar business sponsors the
rest should all be about community.
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