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Barney Frank calls gay march a waste of time, Obama and DC council move forward on gay issues
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Gay D.C. Councilman David Catania (Photo: AP)
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), one of the few openly gay member of Congress, called today's National Equality March a "waste of time at best," indicating that gay and lesbian activists should be lobbying their elected lawmakers rather than participating in protests. He said that with the march, "The only thing they're going to be putting pressure on is the grass." These comments make light of the First Amendment, and underscore deep divisions in the GLBT community over how to proceed in the cause of equal rights. This is also an interesting position for Frank to take, as in 2006 he strongly opposed the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act, on the grounds that it undermined civil rights, specifically American's right to assemble or protest. And, as early as this year, after being accused by Rep. John Hostettler (R-IN) of having a "radical homosexual agenda," Frank responded with, "I do have things I would like to see adopted on behalf of LGBT people: they include the right to marry the individual of our choice; the right to serve in the military to defend our country; and the right to a job based solely on our own qualifications. I acknowledge that this is an agenda, but I do not think that any self-respecting radical in history would have considered advocating people's rights to get married, join the army, and earn a living as a terribly inspiring revolutionary platform."
On Saturday, President Obama addressed the Human Rights Campaign annual dinner, and pledged to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell. The president claimed that the administration is making progress on GLBT issues, acknowledging that action has been slow to come, but reiterating his earlier calls to stand with him. The president said, "I appreciate that many of you don't believe progress has come fast enough. Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach," ending with, "I will end Don't Ask Don't Tell."
Here is a video of his statements:
On Tuesday, DC Councilman David Catania introduced a bill which would allow same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia. Earlier in the spring, the DC council passed a law recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states. Tuesday's bill, if passed, will be a major step toward equality.
Here is the video of Catania introducing the bill:
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