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.

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.

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.

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

Political IQ Again: The ghost of Jerry Falwall

This is funny. I delayed posting my previous Political IQ column for so long, that the next one has just been published, so this is a two-fer day.

This one's called Undermining the Religious Right, wherein I discuss Jerry Falwell's ghost, the hate crimes bill, religious freedom, marriage equality and my own inability to embrace optimism.

Political IQ, also known as the Red-Faced Express

Here's my latest column, entitled "The Tide Isn't Turning on Marriage."

I stand by everything I wrote in that Political IQ column, which was penned soon after Iowa and Vermont legalized same-sex marriage, and yet...to be honest... that glow you see is coming from my face.

Just a few weeks after I finished that column, we've added Maine to the ranks of states providing marriage equality, and New Hampshire will soon join the fold. The N.H. governor says he'll sign the bill legalizing same-sex marriage if lawmakers make a few changes. Box Turtle Bulletin has looked at those revisions.

Am I red faced? Oh yes. Do I believe the tide has turned on marriage? Well... damn, I hate go all Clintonesque, but that depends on what you mean by "tide."

Have the majority of states instituted marriage equality for same-sex couples? No.

Do same-sex couples have the same rights under federal law that heterosexual couples enjoy? Heck no.

Is something different in the air? Does this spring, which may well end with six states embracing equality, seem just a bit brighter than any we've seen a long time? Oh yeah.

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.

Overcoming the Ick Factor

Here's my latest Political IQ column:

Put down your coffee cup, step away from the computer if you’re reading online, and take a deep breath. You won’t like what I’m going to say next because here’s the bottom line on marriage equality: We can’t win. Keep reading...

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.

What to Watch in 2009

My new Political IQ column is out.

After a gut-wrenching 2008, should we expect more of the same this year? Not necessarily, but we do need to pay close attention to the political landscape. Here are three milestones to watch this year. Read more.

Why I'm a Lesbian

My latest column is out.*

My moment of truth came when I was sitting in my car, listening to the radio at a red light. A thought popped into my head. It was clear and startling. I thought: I don’t have to be a lesbian anymore. Read more.

*[blush] Uh oh, I have committed pun.

The curse of the Human Rights Campaign

In my newest Political IQ column, I ponder the problems with the biggest gay rights organization in the nation, the Human Rights Campaign.

The organization is beginning to feel like a lead weight tied around our collective necks. If we're not careful, we may all be pulled under and drowned. Launched the year Ronald Reagan was elected president, HRC is a 20th-century organization foundering in a changed world. To switch metaphors, it's the lumbering campaign of John McCain (minus the reactionary politics) stumbling punch-drunk as it's pummeled by Barack Obama's nimble, grassroots organization.

Today is a Day Without A Gay

Today is the day to call in gay to work, take the day off and donate your time to service. Even straight folks can call in "gay" in solidarity. If you can't come out because of fears of being fired, there's still much you can do.

My only problem with A Day Without A Gay is that I work for myself. Tapping myself on the shoulder and declaring that I'm gay doesn't have quite the same impact as coming out in an office. As for my community service, I'm working on my Political IQ column, which not so coincidentally is about that all-important process of coming out. (I know this isn't exactly what event organizers meant by service. Call me lazy.)