Post-DNC Meet Up with Bilerco's Bil Browning and Stonewall Democrats' Jerame Davis

(L-R) Bil Browning, Rev. Steve, Jerame Davis.

Every now and then, if you are very lucky, you get to meet someone whose work you admire and who inspires you to strive harder in your own work. Today I had such an opportunity when my hubby, Paul and I met up with Bil Browning, Editor-in-Chief of The Bilerco Project and his partner, Jerame Davis, Executive Director of Stonewall Democrats.

The guys were in Charlotte this week for the Democratic National Convention and stayed an extra day to decompress. The duo were the lucky house guests of Q-Notes Editor and Bilerico contributor Matt Comer this week, who, unfortunately, couldn't join us.

The four of us had a leisurely chat over Napoleons, raspberry tarts, chocolate moose and the signature Salted Caramel Brownie at Amelie's French Bakery in the NoDa section of Charlotte. Bil commented that this was his favorite stop in the Queen City.

Naturally we talked about the most LGBT-inclusive political convention ever and I wanted to know all about it. Jerame said the atmosphere was electric, despite the crush of people and the festival-style seating. Oh, to have been in that hall during all those inspiring speeches.

We also talked about Barney Frank's remarks yesterday, when he called Log Cabin Republicans "Uncle Toms". While I heartily agreed with with Uncle Barney, Jerame stuck to his official press statement, when his organization joined a chorus of others in distancing themselves from Frank's comments:

"It's definitely not the best language to use," executive director Jerame Davis said. "And I definitely wouldn't use that language myself. That is definitely not the position of Stonewall Democrats."

"The truth is that they do play a certain role of kowtowing to the Republican Party in a way that borders on inappropriate itself." 

Well said, Jerame. Personally, I love Barney's new "I'm-retiring-so-I'll-say-anything-I-want-and-fuck-you-if-you-don't-like-it" attitude. I wish there was more of it in DC.

As for Bil, it was such an honor to meet somebody who has built such an amazing career and who has been such an inspiration to me. He has posted several of my articles over the years ("What's in a Handshake?" and "What to Tell Your Kids About Gay Sex" for example). I can't express what a joy it was to finally meet him.

Thank you Bil and Jerame for taking the time to get together. Paul and I had a great time! Have a safe trip home.

Barney Frank Calls Log Cabin Republicans "Uncle Toms"

Rep. Barney Frank (R) and husband Jim Ready.

Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) will be speaking at the Democratic National Convention tonight here in Charlotte. Mike Signorile caught up with America's first out, gay member of congress on Wednesday for an interview on his radio show.

Frank touched on some of the topics he'll be talking about tonight, such as "Myth" Romney, how far the LGBT rights movement has come and the self-loathing gay GOP group, Log Cabin Republicans (via Huffington Post):

“They’re accepted on [the GOP's] terms,” he continued. “They’re willing to be accepted with no rights -- no right to marry, no right to serve in the military, no right to be protected against hate crimes, no right to be protected in employment. I’ll be honest: For 20 years now I’ve heard how the Log Cabins are going to make Republicans better, but they’ve only gotten worse. I now understand why they call themselves Log Cabin: their role model is Uncle Tom.”

More here.

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Clinton Kills at DNC!

Dems Drop "God" from Party Platform, GOP Goes Nuts

What's in a word? I guess it depends on the word, especially when you leave it out.

The official Democratic Party Platform, while expressing respect for the religious beliefs of all Americans, does not mention the word/name "God". The Republican platform mentions God about a dozen times. No big surprise there. They still haven't gotten the memo that we're not electing a pope this year. They also believe that the world is 6,000 years old and that humans and dinosaurs lived side by side, like on The Flintstones.

As usual, Obama adviser Robert Gibbs tap danced around the subject when asked about the omission by CNN. Via Huffington Post:

He said the platform mentions "faith and religion" and cited the "thousands of God-fearing Democrats in this building here tonight."

Since the platform was released, the lack of the word "God" has become a rallying cry among some conservatives, especially those who believe that the Obama administration is unfriendly to religion. The Republican platform, released last week, made at least a dozen references to God and included a section on religious liberty.

Did I buy the wrong calendar? Mine says 2012, not 1912. Ugghhhh!

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Queer Activists and DNC Delegates Party Down at LGBT Welcome Party

Photo Credit: Matt Comer, Q-Notes

The Democratic National Convention kicks off this week in Charlotte, NC and as usual, the gays show everybody how it's done. "Unity Through Community" was the theme at last night's welcome party held at the North Carolina Dance Theatre in Uptown Charlotte.

Q-Notes' Matt Comer reports:

Among the guests were recognizable names like former Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, Democratic National Committee Treasurer Andy Tobias, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jerame Davis and his partner Bil Browning of Bilerico.com. Also present was Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer and several Human Rights Campaign board members including Meghan Stabler. And, according to blogger Joe Jervis, other big names in the LGBT community were also present, including former Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Brian Ellner and Clinton White House advisor Richard Socarides.

On the local front, openly gay Charlotte City Councilmember LaWana Mayfield and openly gay Chapel Hill, N.C., Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt attended the party, as did openly gay North Carolina state Rep. Marcus Brandon and Charlotte City Councilmember Patsy Kinsey, who represents one of the most diverse and gayest districts in the city. Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, popular with LGBT voters, welcomed those in attendance to the city.

Unfortunately, yours truly had to work. I'm not exactly at the top of anyone's guest list, but the good news is that I have been in touch with Bil Browning, Editor-in-Chief of The Bilerico Project. We're trying to schedule some time to meet up later in the week. Bill has been a big supporter of this here blog thingy and has posted several of my articles over the years. It will be a real thrill to finally meet Bil and Jerame. Talk about your gay power couple! Naturally, I'll tell you all about it right here.

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March to Repeal NC Amendment One in Charlotte on Labor Day

All eyes are on Charlotte this week as the Democratic National Convention kicks off in what both parties see as a battleground state. But there are a few other events taking place on Labor Day that might not be on the national radar.

CarolinaFest 2012, the Queen City's annual Labor Day celebration will be taking place in Uptown to honor the contributions of America's workers with an all day festival of parades, food, art and music, featuring James Taylor. Check out the link above for schedules and venues.

It is against this backdrop that Charlotte's LGBT community will be turning out to call for the repeal of the anti-gay Amendment One, which bigoted North Carolinians gleefully passed in May, cementing homophobia in the state constitution by not only banning marriage equality, but endangering benefits for LGBT workers and their families.

Look, you've probably got the day off anyway, so take some time to stand up for your rights and show the bigots who run this state that we will not stop until all Americans enjoy equal protection under the law.

From the event's FaceBook Page:

Ok everyone!!! As this is a flash march, I wanted to wait until we got closer to the day. We will be marching on Monday, September 3rd at 2:00pm!! Go to this link for more information about CarolinaFest: http://charlottein2012.com/about_carolinafest2012/

We will be meeting at Independence park at 1:00pm at the reflecting pool closest to the intersection of Hawthorne and 7th Street and start working our way into downtown at 2:00pm.

Parking in Independence Park will be very difficult so it is suggested you park in the Family Dollar parking lot (1332 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC) and walk to the park.

We will stay on one sidewalk/one side of the street. There will be no chanting, no yelling, no confrontation. If someone asks you what you're doing you tell them that you're marching against Amendment One. Beyond that, just don't respond. If you do start a confrontation with someone you will no longer be backed by the group and will be on your own. This means that we need to keep an eye on each other as well so that we can make sure that if a confrontation arises it was not started on our end. Once we are in downtown, we will disperse into the crowd. This is the safest way to make our statement clearly without risking arrest and/or violence.

Be sure to bring water with you and check on the weather to see about possible rain. You may need to bring an umbrella or poncho.

Before this date and time, take time to think about how you can be a visual representation of the harms of Amendment One. Remember, anyone who is not married is affected, including children and those who are victims of domestic violence. Make signs, shirts, wear black veils, paint your face/body. Anything that will make sure that no one even has to ask what we're doing because we'll say it with our mere presence. If you aren't feeling the creative vibe, wear red and white to symbolize human rights and peace.

Thank you to everyone that has shown support for this! I can't wait to see you all on Labor Day and share our collective voices for repeal of this ignorant and incredibly harmful amendment!!!!

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