Home Depot Founder: Retailers Who Don't Support GOP "Should Be Shot"

Nadine Smith 10:00am Nov 19th Home Depot Founder: Retailers Who Don't Support GOP "Should Be Shot"   Home Depot Founder: Retailers Who Don't Support GOP "Should Be Shot" - The Huffington Postk: http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=902885304&k=6VMU44V4R5ZM5DFHSKX2VS

Comedian Wanda Sykes Comes Out: "I’m Proud To Be Gay and Married"

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008

Wanda Sykes @ LV Gay Rally: "I'm Proud To Be Gay"

Dozens of rallies were held around the nation on Saturday to protest the passage of anti-gay ballot measures in CA, Fl, AZ and AR. Sykes was married to her wife in California. The passage of  Prop 8 and re-banned same-sex marriage and sparked a fury. But only one that I know of featured a prominent celebrity coming out of the closet, and that would be the one here at the GLBT Community Center. Here she is...

I've also posted the audio of Sykes' remarks and my brief interview with her in the podcast feed. It adds up to about 8 minutes and you can hear it by clicking here or you can save it to your computer by right-clicking here. 

Here's a little bit of what Sykes said. She started by talking about how exciting it was to her to see Obama elected:

"I thought, man we are moving in the right direction. And then at about 11 o'clock I was crushed. We took a huge leap forward and then got dragged 12 feet back. I felt like I was being attacked, personally attacked, our community was attacked. I got married Oct. 25, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation, I felt like I was living my life, I wasn't in the closet, but I was just living my life. Everybody who knows me personally, they know I'm gay. And that's the way people should be able to live our lives, really. We shouldn't have to be standing out here demanding something we automatically should have as citizens of this country. ... They pissed off the wrong group of people. They have galvanized a community. We are so together now and we all want the same thing and we shouldn't have to settle for less. Instead of having gay marriage in California, no, we're gonna have gay marriage across the country. When my wife and I leave California, I want to have my marriage also recognized in Nevada, in Arizona, all the way to New York. ... I'm proud to be a woman, I'm proud to be a black woman and I'm proud to be gay."

In my interview with her, she said this: "People shouldn't have to talk about their sexual orientation, we shouldn't have to do it, but with the legislation that they passed, I can't sit by and just watch. I just can't do it."

Sykes also disputed the much-reported claim that 70 percent of black voters in California voted to ban gay marriage. Several prominent writers, including Dan Savage here, have railed against homophobic blacks. Wanda said the exit polls were wrong and admonished me, "Please stop spreading that 70 percent of African-Americans voted Yes on Prop 8 because it's just not true."

After the speeches, the very large -- figure more than 1,000 people -- crowd lined Sahara Avenue with signs. This gives some sense of how immense this was.

Source: Karen Ocamb

Keith Olbermann: Gay marriage is a question of love

Olbermann: Gay marriage is a question of love

Everyone deserves the same chance at permanence and happiness

watch the video here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27650743/

A Bittersweet Update- Results Are In

Folks,

Amendment 2 has passed.

Before I give what looks like the final numbers I just want to say thank you.

The amendment battle has made it crystal clear that Floridians believe it is wrong to punish unmarried couples by taking away benefits and protections. Through newspaper editorials, town hall meetings, rallies, thousands of emails, and statewide polling, Floridians have stated again and again that they believe it is right to provide benefits to unmarried couples, gay and straight.

An incredible coalition has been forged through this effort. A coalition that doesn't only believe in protecting all unmarried couples, but is also willing to fight for those protections.

Equality Florida and all of the 260+ organizations that make up the Fairness for All Families Coalition, will continue to fight for protections for all families in Florida and to ensure not one single person loses their benefits because of this amendment.

All of the polling showed that the more Florida voters learned about this measure, the more they rejected it. We simply ran out of time to educate the million of voters necessary. The far right backers of this amendment thought they would have an easy march through Florida, a state they bank on for pushing their divisive tactics. Only by deceiving voters, were they able to pass this amendment and that is why we will continue to educate the public on the value of all families.

Okay, so here we are:

Amendment 2 has passed.

YES- 4,319,547 votes (62.4%)
NO- 2,607,955 votes (37.6%)

Barack Obama is our new president and has turned Florida blue.

Obama- 3,719,917 (50.6%)
McCain- 3,576,534 (48.6%)

Prop 102 in Arizona has passed (AZ's version of Amendment 2).

YES- 56%
NO- 44%

Prop 8 in California is still too early to tell, but at the moment looks likely to pass.

YES- 56.3%
NO- 43.7%

It's going to be a long night. More updates to come.

Tobias

The NOs Are Creeping UP!

Gang,

Hold onto your towels, the game is not yet over! The number of NO votes coming in are growing, slowly by steadily. We're still in the race.

YES- 3,877,926 (62.7%)
NO- 2,307,529 (37.3%)

Tobias

From Mary Wilson in Orange County

You sent me to Catalyst church. I got there at 9:30 and stayed till 2PM. Both the pastor and his wife and a guy directing traffic tried to get me to stop handing people flyers claiming that it might cause cars stopped while still in the street because I was talking to a car further in. The pastor threatened me and told me he was going to have me removed.

I moved to the right of way line in the driveway. The pastor sent over the cop. `I was legal. The traffic guy stood in front of me to stop me talking to or handing anything to people coming in. It was overwhelming Obama.. But I worry about 2.
Mary Wilson

Join Us for a Election Returns Party

We want everyone to have an event they can attend to watch election returns at the end of the day. Election parties are listed below for counties where information is available:

Broward: LGBT GOTV Center in Wilton Manors. 2040 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors (near 5 points).

Jacksonville: Ragland's Restaurant and Fuel Coffee House - 1037 Park St, Jacksonville

Miami: Halo 1625 Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Orange: Orange County Democratic Party Watch Party, Orlando Regional History Center 9:00pm 65 East Central Blvd. Orlando.

St Petersburg: Georgie's Alibi, 3100 3rd Ave. North St Petersburg

Tampa: Streetcar Charlies, 1811 N. 15th St., Tampa, FL, or Gaspar's Grotto, 1805 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, FL 33605

Gainesville: Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St. Gainesville, or Gator's Dockside 3842 W. Newbury Rd

Tallahassee: Steele City Saloon, 515 John Knox Road, Tallahassee - this part is in the basement of the bar.

Palm Beach County: South County Civic Center in Del Ray (Jog Rd. in Delray across from Morikami Park) starting at 8:00 pm.