Apparently the Dallas Morning News attended a different rally last night than me. At the rally The DMN attended, all the LGBT community did was complain about Democrats. There was no mention of the Texas Republican platform. There was no mention of the hatred from religious extremists going on across the street. No mention of the success last week at the DART board meeting. No mention of the Rainbow Lounge Raid. No remembrance of Harvey Milk or other hate crime victims.
Nope. Just non-stop complaining about Democrats.
At the rally I attended, one banner read, “Dems: Keep your promises.”
One. That’s it.
But signs accused homophobes of murder and demanded equality now.
After savagely ridiculing the Republican platform and skewering the handful of protesters blaring hatred on bullhorns across the street, Daniel Cates did have a line for some Democrats who are bowing to right-wing pressure.
“The time has come to lead or get out of the way,” he said.
One line.
But from the Morning News article, the rally was a Democrat-bashfest.
What happened?
Several of the speakers asked me if I thought it was odd that the Morning News contacted them ahead of time. I answered that if a writer didn’t report regularly on LGBT issues, he was just doing his homework so he’d be up on the issues and concerns of the community when he got there. That’s just being prepared.
But that’s not what happened. The DMN article doesn’t quote what any speaker said during the rally. The article might quote what some of them said ahead of the rally. On the phone.
But not one quote FROM the rally. Not one chant from the parade route. Not one answer to the religious extremists.
So according to the Morning News, the rally was all about bashing the Democrats. Interesting, because it would have been hard to find a single Republican in the crowd. And if there were any Republicans there, other than the reporter whose piece could be used as a Republican Party press release and the counter-demonstrators across the street, it sure didn’t seem like they were very excited about the current Texas Republican Party with its platform calling for making criminals out of LGBTA people.
Read our coverage of the march and rally by going here.
I was quite surprised by the DMN news article.
I agree with your theory the they must have talked to people beforehand and not actually listened to the rally, as their story was mostly a work of fiction.
The DMN simply repeated the GetEQUAL – Act On Principles message. Jonathan Lewis and Paul Yandura hired activists ($90,000 a year) to “embarrass Democrats,” their words. They’ve engaged in several useless publicity stunts and handed the enemy a good story about our anger at Democrats.
When your little march gets recast as “embarrassing Democrats,” it is simply one of the negative consequences of the GetEQUAL mentality. The story that the LGBT community is alienating Democrats is true. Don’t blame DMN, blame the children at GetEQUAL.
Andrew.. why are you always so hateful? I mean, these people are out there actually doing something- I have yet to see you put any kind of action to your many many disparaging comments. Just saying, if you are going to sit around and bitch, yet can’t get out from behind your computer screen and make something better happen… then you really have no one but yourself to blame when things aren’t going the way you want. Sorry buddy- historically speaking, Direct Action and Civil disobedience work- they get results- for all of your bitching all you have managed to do is divide, belittle and insult..
I’m gonna shoot myself for saying this but I kinda agree with AndrewW. It’s been laughable to watch the Tea Party piss all over Obama and the Dems. Most media have been portraying their movement as a bunch of bitter white people who are angry about a black man in the big office. This movement has been an embarrassment to the Republican party and could be their downfall in mid term elections. All they need is ONE minority group mad at the Dems. The black community won’t do it. The Hispanics are so pissed about SB1070 that they definitely won’t. Women are pleased with the leadership roles that the administration has given us, so no. TaDah!!! Pissed off gay men! That’s our story! So don’t be surprised that conservative media (i.e. DMN) is gonna spin this march as a democratic bitchfest. They’ve been waiting for MONTHS for some form of criticism about the Obama administration that didn’t come from a gun-toting, bible thumping redneck. I am sorry that the full meaning of the march was missed by DMN but not surprised.
Daniel: What results? What results do you think you created by having 100 people marching around making demands? Did you change any minds? This little gathering was a non-event. Maybe it made you feel good, but that’s NOT the goal, our equality is.
You believe we still need “attention.” 97% of the US population knows about our struggle for equality – reminding them does NOT change their minds. Only conversation and education can do that.
Your well-intentioned group of publicity seekers would do a lot more good by talking to friends, neighbors, co-workers and even strangers. 100 people could probably change a few hundred minds simply by “sharing” instead of “shouting.”
I’ve made a substantial investment in the LGBT movement and the first step is for our community is to hold tactics, methods and strategies accountable. I believe the LGBT community has begun to do that. That’s why only 100 people joined you. Most people realize it’s 2010 and no amount of “historical reference” changes that reality. It’s a whole new world – grow up. The rest of us have.
@Tisha:
I agree. GetEQUAL (and similar angry/embarrassing groups) have become our “LGBTea Party.” When you “embarrass Democrats” maybe 20% of them agree with your angry stunts, but 80% roll their eyes, laugh or get angry at US. It doesn’t make any sense to alienate the majority of Democrats OR give the Republicans the ability to make it appear the LGBT Community does not support Obama or the Democratic Party.
Thankfully, GetEQUAL is being ignored and they’ve stopped their childish stunts. But, for $89,000 a year I think their employers are expecting some more embarrassing stunts from Kip Williams and Robin McGehee. What the LGBT Community needs to understand is those childish stunts embarrass US, not the Democrats.
AndrewW….you are an embarrassment to Dallas and our community. Everybody has you figured out and knows of your multiple names. You are merely a distraction and your opinions don’t carry weight like you think they do.
You promised our community a national plan almost a year ago about a new campaign you were personally funding about “Winning Equality”.
Wassup with that effort? Haven’t seen anything to date.