Political IQ: Children suffer when the religious right wins

My latest Political IQ column is out:

For any mother, the day her child turns 18 is a milestone, but for a lesbian mom that particular birthday can be overwhelming. Read more.

My first Bilerico post

My first post is finally up at Bilerico. I was lost in Internet h*ll for awhile, and couldn't gain access to the site. Now all the problems are fixed, and I'm a happy camper. I'm so pleased to be joining the blog as a contributor.

Political IQ: Hate Crimes & Congressional Farce

In my latest column, I consider how the twisted path of one bill provides a preview of our future fate in Congress.

Get ready to laugh. I'm going to lead you through the twists and turns of one of the most ridiculous places known to humankind: the U.S. Congress. The purpose of this exercise is to explain what has happened to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act. But I have a deeper goal. Read more.

Political IQ: A national LGBT march may do more harm than good

My new column is out.

A GLBT march on Washington should be a great idea. It should energize the pro-equality community and rally the nation. It should move the president and push Congress into repealing all those laws that punish us for the “crimes” of living and loving while queer.

The Oct. 11 National Equality March, spearheaded by longtime activist Cleve Jones, should do all those things, but I fear it won’t. Even worse, the event could damage the movement at a pivotal time. Read more.

Political IQ: Close your wallet & open your mouth

My new Political IQ column tackles the topic of when it's appropriate for LGBT people to close their wallets and talk about their lives.

What we have here is a teachable moment. It would be a shame to waste it.

Tweet, tweet, tweet!

I'm now on Twitter. You can see my updates in the right column of this blog., or visit me on Twitter. (My tag is @DianeSilver.) It's fascinating to put your thoughts into 140 characters. I'm still not certain I have the hang of it, but I am enjoying the interaction.

Political IQ: Stonewall's unfinished revolution

I write again about the 40th anniversary of Stonewall in my latest Political IQ column:

This month, as we commemorate the Stonewall uprising at gay Pride celebrations around the world, perhaps we should also ask ourselves what we’re willing to risk for equality.

The dream of equality & Stonewall

My latest op-ed for the Progressive Media Project strives to put the Stonewall uprising in perspective.

Making the news

I open my mouth and get myself and this blog into the newspaper.

If Diane Silver’s blog reflects the sentiments of gay and lesbian Americans in the heartland, President Barack Obama is fast losing a serious fan base.

New column: Beyond Proposition 8

Another new Political IQ is out.

The California Supreme Court decision upholding Proposition 8 is the best thing to happen to the GLBT movement in years – and no, I’m not joking. Read more.

Political IQ: The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Wimp Out

My new Political IQ column is out:

Aaron Belkin, Nathaniel Frank, Gregory Herek, Elizabeth Hillman, Diane Mazur and Bridget Wilson took Barack Obama's last excuse away. Read more

My latest op-ed on Proposition 8

Now posted on the McClatchy website, my newest op-ed. I originally entitled this column, "Why We Fight."

Where in the world is Diane?

Where IS she? Well, sitting at her desk, contemplating the meaning of life, liberty, Proposition 8 and Supreme Court nominees. Also, she's recovering from a fun and exhausting trip to beautiful Madison, Wis. (Yay WisCon 2009!) and running like a maniac to meet deadlines.

And so it goes...

Too gloomy on marriage?

I just completed a Political IQ column for Q Syndicate on how Iowa and Vermont aren't turning the political tide on marriage, at least not yet. I still stand by my conclusions, but now I'm beginning to wonder if my not-yet-published op-ed is a little too gloomy. Signs of hope come from today's New York Times and the Des Moines Register of the ho-hum, isn't-this-boring nature of the first day of same-sex marriages in Iowa.

Top this off with a nice helping of Adam Nagourney following up the week-old story about GOP misgivings on using gay marriage as a wedge issue, and you've got more than a little reason to be optimistic.

Was I too gloomy, or does a lack of screaming merely mean that people are regrouping before attacking again?

I'll be interested to hear what people think of the column.

New Column: The Cruelty of Expectation

I write about Shirley Tan and her family in my new Political IQ column and ponder the human cost of change that may come too late.

Gay equality & "the fierce urgency of whenever"

Andrew Sullivan gets the award for the line of the day. In describing the Obama Administration's stunning lack of action on rolling back "don't ask, don't tell," Sullivan notes that it amounts to "the fierce urgency of whenever." Sullivan also writes:

I wonder how Obama would have felt if Truman had followed the same path of cowardice and convenience in 1948, when racial integration was far more contentious in the military than gay integration is today.

Meanwhile, Marc Ambinder reports on the Obamites alleged plan for inching the nation towards equality. Ambinder includes the bombshell that Obama doesn't intend to even attempt repealing DADT until after the 2010 elections.

I pleaded for immediate action on DADT in a recent column. My next column talks about the real consequences of taking a "whenever" attitude. Here's a preview: The consequences have nothing to do with politics.

New Column: The sad truth about gays & the economy

My new Political IQ column is out.

I'm not feeling particularly rich these days. Every time the Dow Jones average plunges and new unemployment figures are released, my stomach churns. I go into terror mode as I contemplate my economic future. Read more.

Political IQ: Don't Ask, Don't Tell can't be allowed to fester

In my latest column, I write about "Standing Up to Obama" on DADT.

I threw reasonable out the window the day I heard about Amy Brian. The Iraq veteran was forced out of the Kansas Army National Guard because... Read more.

Latest Column: What Gays Owe Black America

My new Political IQ column is out.

Political IQ: A new political landscape & a new gay agenda

My new Political IQ column is out.

This new political landscape also gives us greater freedom to act. When LGBT America faced the repressive Bush administration and a Congress dominated by social conservatives, we didn’t dare challenge politicians who might be our friends. The prospect of defeating even weak-kneed Democrats and facing never-ending government by the religious right meant we had to bide our time. But those days are over.