If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference. It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America. -Barack ObamaNovember 4th, 2008 - Grant Park, Chicago, IL
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
-Barack Obama
November 4th, 2008 - Grant Park, Chicago, IL
"I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you." - Barack Obama, Election Night 2008
Read the full speech, as prepared for delivery . . .
Nine LGBT newspapers have endorsed Barack Obama for president. Here are a few of the endorsements...
Gay City News:
The Illinois senator has spoken of a politics of hope and change, not surprisingly given a life that has included a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas, a term as president of the Harvard Law Review and a job as a community organizer on the streets of Chicago.
Between the lines:
BarackObama has asked for and will receive our support, endorsement and anything else we can help them with in the next 60 days. We urge all our readers to educate themselves, their family members and co-workers about the urgency of this election in our lives. Tell them how harmful the last four years have been for those of us living under this assault. Enough is enough. Pick up the phones, register people to vote (last day is Oct. 6), share your stories and please vote for Barack Obama on Nov. 4. because, "Yes we can!"
Washington Blade:
The choice for gay voters — whether fiscally conservative or traditionally liberal — is a no-brainer. Obama represents the country’s best chance to move past partisan gridlock and correct.
Bay Area Reporter:
For LGBT voters, this is an election year unlike any other in recent memory. And in less than three weeks, citizens will elect a new president. For us, the choice is crystal clear: Democrat Barack Obama is the candidate, not only for LGBT Americans, but for all of us.
Gay and Lesbian Times:
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community will join with our straight allies and elect Sen. Barack Obama the 44th president of the United States. Sen. Obama was raised in a time of hope – a time when America believed in itself and in its place in the world. It was, as Sen. Obama has often said, an era of hope inspired by a young Senator from Massachusetts, John F. Kennedy.
Yes, government must lead the way on energy independence, but each of us must do our part to make our homes and our businesses more efficient. Yes, we must provide more ladders to success for young men who fall into lives of crime and despair. But all of us must do our part as parents to turn off the television and read to our children and take responsibility for providing the love and guidance they need. Yes, we can argue and debate our positions passionately, but at this defining moment, all of us must summon the strength and grace to bridge our differences and unite in common effort – black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American; Democrat and Republican, young and old, rich and poor, gay and straight, disabled or not. - Senator Barack Obama
Yes, government must lead the way on energy independence, but each of us must do our part to make our homes and our businesses more efficient. Yes, we must provide more ladders to success for young men who fall into lives of crime and despair. But all of us must do our part as parents to turn off the television and read to our children and take responsibility for providing the love and guidance they need. Yes, we can argue and debate our positions passionately, but at this defining moment, all of us must summon the strength and grace to bridge our differences and unite in common effort – black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American; Democrat and Republican, young and old, rich and poor, gay and straight, disabled or not.
- Senator Barack Obama
This afternoon, National Field Director Jon Carson sent out this message to supporters:
Ask your Boss. Ask your Professor. Take Election Day off and volunteer to make history. Watch this video and sign up to help get out the vote on Tuesday, November 4th: This election will be decided by what this grassroots movement can accomplish on Election Day. We have volunteer shifts to fill throughout the day -- make calls, knock on doors, and make sure your fellow voters get to the polls. No previous experience is required. Sign up now to take the day off and make history on November 4th. Thanks, Jon Jon Carson National Field Director Obama for America
Ask your Boss. Ask your Professor. Take Election Day off and volunteer to make history.
Watch this video and sign up to help get out the vote on Tuesday, November 4th:
This election will be decided by what this grassroots movement can accomplish on Election Day. We have volunteer shifts to fill throughout the day -- make calls, knock on doors, and make sure your fellow voters get to the polls. No previous experience is required. Sign up now to take the day off and make history on November 4th.
Thanks, Jon Jon Carson National Field Director Obama for America
If you live in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia or Wisconsin, you can sign up now to volunteer in your community.
If you live elsewhere and are willing to travel to a neighboring battleground state to help out, you can sign up here, or you can sign up to make phone calls on Election Day to help Get Out The Vote.
Barack gave his closing argument speech in Canton, Ohio this morning. During his remarks he told voters that this election is not over. That we have to spend the next eight days working as hard as ever because our future depends on next Tuesday. We have one week to contact voters. One week to spread Barack's message to undecideds. One week to make sure every supporter votes early and brings their friends and family along. One week. We know we can do it. We can do it because, as Barack said this morning, we've been doing it for 21 months.
We began this journey in the depths of winter nearly two years ago, on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. Back then, we didn’t have much money or many endorsements. We weren’t given much of a chance by the polls or the pundits, and we knew how steep our climb would be. But I also knew this. I knew that the size of our challenges had outgrown the smallness of our politics. I believed that Democrats and Republicans and Americans of every political stripe were hungry for new ideas, new leadership, and a new kind of politics – one that favors common sense over ideology; one that focuses on those values and ideals we hold in common as Americans. Most of all, I believed in your ability to make change happen. I knew that the American people were a decent, generous people who are willing to work hard and sacrifice for future generations. And I was convinced that when we come together, our voices are more powerful than the most entrenched lobbyists, or the most vicious political attacks, or the full force of a status quo in Washington that wants to keep things just the way they are. Twenty-one months later, my faith in the American people has been vindicated. That’s how we’ve come so far and so close – because of you. That’s how we’ll change this country – with your help. And that’s why we can’t afford to slow down, sit back, or let up for one day, one minute, or one second in this last week. Not now. Not when so much is at stake.
You can start working for change tonight. Help us by making phone calls to voters across the country. Everyday this week we must contact 100,000 voters daily. We need your help.Take an hour or two out tonight during call time (5-9pm local) and contact voters. Your phone calls will make the difference one week from now.
On Saturday, October 25, some lucky Lakewood residents were greeted by a special canvassing crew. Jennifer Beals (Flashdance, the L-Word) and L-word creator and executive producer Ilene Chaiken stopped by a local Lakewood neighborhood canvassing session for Sen. Barack Obama's campaign. After a brief meet and greet at the home of Chuck & Betsy Shaughnessy with the Lakewood-based volunteers, Jennifer and Ilene were quickly trained on canvassing protocol for the Obama team's Campaign for Change, and joined by Lakewood's own Karolyn Isenhart, they stepped out onto our streets to knock on some Lakewood doors and talk to voters. This year's presidential election has seen an unprecedented level of interest and involvement throughout the United States, with the Obama campaign growing into the largest citizen-powered political organization that the country has ever seen. Everyone from schoolteachers to nurses to plumbers -- and yes, even a few celebrities -- have participated in the presidential contest on a grassroots level, with the hopes of delivering the country some much-needed change.
The Washington Blade recently published an article on the importance of the LGBT community in this election. It also explains some ways that you can get involved and help Barack win on November 4.
Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign is seeking help from gay voters to win some surprising new battleground states in November’s election. Dave Noble, who is in charge of mobilizing the gay vote for Obama, said Democrats are “really expanding the map and there are states in play for Barack Obama that haven’t been in play for Democrats in years past.” ...Dan Pinello, a gay government professor for the City University of New York, said the “overwhelming” concern over the economy is making Obama competitive in states where Democrats have historically not performed well. Noble said Obama’s gay supporters can help win these states by talking to friends, family members and co-workers about how the Illinois senator would be a more effective president on gay issues. “They should be telling their own story about why they support Barack,” Noble said. “Let’s talk about the fact that we have a candidate who’s unafraid to talk about the need for LGBT laws.” Noble, a former official with both the National Stonewall Democrats and the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, noted that Obama favors passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, hate crimes legislation and a bill repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Obama’s gay supporters can also help by knocking on doors in battleground states and participating in “get out the vote” activities, Noble said. ...Noble said the Obama campaign “is taking nothing for granted” in the election and said rather than focus on polls, Obama supporters “need to make sure that [they’ve] spoken to absolutely everybody” to encourage support for the candidate. ...Obama campaign spokesperson Shin Inouye said his candidate “has always believed that LGBT Americans should enjoy equal rights under the law.”
Early voting has started in over half the states already. Barack and Michelle both held early vote rallies in Florida earlier this week. Joe held early vote rallies in Colorado, and Jill will be holding early vote rallies in Florida this weekend. Early voting is an easy way to help the campaign. You secure your vote for Barack, you help the campaign narrow the universe of voters that we have to contact, and you free yourself up to help recruit others to vote. We will be spending a massive amount of time and money on our Get Out The Vote effort, and we need more volunteers than ever before.Barack is in Nevada today to reminded supporters to vote early. And earlier this week he was in Indiana...
If you live in Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Montana, New Mexico, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Georgia, West Virginia, Oregon, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Hawaii, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Louisiana, Kansas, New Jersey, or Idaho, early voting has begun. Vote for Barack today.
National Phonebank Coordinator Nicole Aro sent out this message to supporters tonight:
In crucial battleground states like Ohio, Florida, and Virginia, the race is neck-and-neck. This weekend, you can help Barack get ahead. In every corner of the country, friends and neighbors are coming together for Last Call for Change phonebanks to call potential supporters in battleground states. There may be one right near you. All you need to do is bring a cell phone -- and some friends -- and we'll take care of the rest.Find a local Last Call for Change phonebank and make a difference this weekend. With Election Day just around the corner, swing voters are getting bombarded with the McCain campaign's lies and distortions. It's more important than ever that supporters like you reach out and share the truth about Barack one-on-one. You can also let voters in battleground states know about important early voting opportunities. It's a great opportunity to get together with friends and fellow supporters and, at the same time, make a difference in a crucial state.Find a phonebank near you and sign up today. Together, we can reach millions of voters, generate historic turnout, and win this election. Thanks, Nicole Nicole Aro National Phonebank Coordinator Obama for America
"With the challenges and crises we face right now, we cannot afford to divide this country by race or class or region; by who we are or what policies we support. There are no real parts of the country and fake parts of the country. There are no pro-America parts of the country and anti-America parts of the country. We all love this country, no matter where we live or where we come from. Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, young, old, rich, poor, gay, straight, city-dwellers. Farm dwellers. It doesn't matter! We're all together."-Senator Barack ObamaRichmond, VirginiaOctober 22, 2008
"With the challenges and crises we face right now, we cannot afford to divide this country by race or class or region; by who we are or what policies we support. There are no real parts of the country and fake parts of the country. There are no pro-America parts of the country and anti-America parts of the country. We all love this country, no matter where we live or where we come from. Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, young, old, rich, poor, gay, straight, city-dwellers. Farm dwellers. It doesn't matter! We're all together."
-Senator Barack Obama
Richmond, Virginia
October 22, 2008
Click the image below to watch the full clip:
Believe it or not, Election Day is just two weeks away. We need all hands on deck as we work to turn the page on the last eight years of failed policies and divisive politics promoted by George Bush, usually with the backing of John McCain, that have been so hurtful to the LGBT community. And we can, in fact, bring the change our community desperately needs. We’re close. But we all need to work as hard as we ever have over the next 14 days to make sure we cross the finish line. I’m asking you to not just spend some time over these last 14 days helping us get out the vote. I’m also asking you to mobilize your network of supporters, contacts, and friends – and ask them to do the same. PLEASE, IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY, TAKE GOTV WEEKEND OFF AND HELP US TURN OUT VOTERSThis campaign has built an unprecedented field program that has successfully contacted millions of voters. But we can’t let up in the final days. Help us meet our ambitious goals over the final days. There are so many states in play this year, which means there’s most likely a battleground state within driving distance of wherever you may be right now. To find out where we need YOUR help the most, and to sign up to help out in that state, please check out our Drive for Change program here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/driveforchangeCALL EVERYONE YOU KNOW, AGAIN, AND ASK THEM TO VOTE OBAMA-BIDENWhether or not you can take GOTV weekend off and travel to a battleground state, you can still help out from your home. We’ve got two tools that can help you reach out to people you have relationships with and talk to them about the importance of voting for Barack and Joe. The first, Hometown Pride, helps you brainstorm all the people you know “back home.” Check it out here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/hometownprideThe second, for those of you with iPhones, is a handy application that prioritizes your contacts by key battleground states, and keeps track of your results in one place. Find it here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/iphoneWRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OR AN OP-ED ABOUT WHY YOU SUPPORT THE TICKETYou are a leader in the LGBT community, and people care about what you have to say. In these last weeks, it’s important that LGBT people hear from you about why you support the Obama-Biden ticket. Help us spread the word about Barack’s record on issues important to our community. We’ve created a Letter to the Editor tool that makes it easy to submit a letter to the editor of your local LGBT paper. It’s at http://my.barackobama.com/page/speakout/prideletter?js=true. Of course, you should also consider submitting an Op-Ed. If, while you’re writing, you’ve got a question about where Barack stands on an issue, you can find all the information you should need under the Resources section at http://pride.barackobama.com. CALL VOTERS FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOMEFinally, you can also phone bank callers in key states right from the comfort of your couch. We’ve got a tool that will link you with voters we need to contact in battleground states, that you can access online. You can also get a group of friends or supporters together to participate in this easy way. Check it out at http://my.barackobama.com/modules/votercontact/login_signup.php.I also want to extend a personal thank you for everything you have been doing to make sure we win in November. The LGBT community has come together and worked hard to make sure LGBT voters understand the vast contrasts between Barack and John McCain on the issues we care about. I know a lot of that hard work has come from you, and from the work you’ve done to inspire the people around you to step up and make a difference. Thank you for that, and thank you for what I know you will do over these last few weeks to help us win on November 4th.And please forward these tools to everyone you think will find them helpful!Thanks,Dave NobleNational LGBT Vote DirectorObama for America
Believe it or not, Election Day is just two weeks away. We need all hands on deck as we work to turn the page on the last eight years of failed policies and divisive politics promoted by George Bush, usually with the backing of John McCain, that have been so hurtful to the LGBT community. And we can, in fact, bring the change our community desperately needs. We’re close. But we all need to work as hard as we ever have over the next 14 days to make sure we cross the finish line.
I’m asking you to not just spend some time over these last 14 days helping us get out the vote. I’m also asking you to mobilize your network of supporters, contacts, and friends – and ask them to do the same.
PLEASE, IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY, TAKE GOTV WEEKEND OFF AND HELP US TURN OUT VOTERS
This campaign has built an unprecedented field program that has successfully contacted millions of voters. But we can’t let up in the final days. Help us meet our ambitious goals over the final days. There are so many states in play this year, which means there’s most likely a battleground state within driving distance of wherever you may be right now. To find out where we need YOUR help the most, and to sign up to help out in that state, please check out our Drive for Change program here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/driveforchange
CALL EVERYONE YOU KNOW, AGAIN, AND ASK THEM TO VOTE OBAMA-BIDEN
Whether or not you can take GOTV weekend off and travel to a battleground state, you can still help out from your home. We’ve got two tools that can help you reach out to people you have relationships with and talk to them about the importance of voting for Barack and Joe. The first, Hometown Pride, helps you brainstorm all the people you know “back home.” Check it out here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/hometownpride
The second, for those of you with iPhones, is a handy application that prioritizes your contacts by key battleground states, and keeps track of your results in one place. Find it here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/iphone
WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OR AN OP-ED ABOUT WHY YOU SUPPORT THE TICKET
You are a leader in the LGBT community, and people care about what you have to say. In these last weeks, it’s important that LGBT people hear from you about why you support the Obama-Biden ticket. Help us spread the word about Barack’s record on issues important to our community. We’ve created a Letter to the Editor tool that makes it easy to submit a letter to the editor of your local LGBT paper. It’s at http://my.barackobama.com/page/speakout/prideletter?js=true. Of course, you should also consider submitting an Op-Ed. If, while you’re writing, you’ve got a question about where Barack stands on an issue, you can find all the information you should need under the Resources section at http://pride.barackobama.com.
CALL VOTERS FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME
Finally, you can also phone bank callers in key states right from the comfort of your couch. We’ve got a tool that will link you with voters we need to contact in battleground states, that you can access online. You can also get a group of friends or supporters together to participate in this easy way. Check it out at http://my.barackobama.com/modules/votercontact/login_signup.php.
I also want to extend a personal thank you for everything you have been doing to make sure we win in November. The LGBT community has come together and worked hard to make sure LGBT voters understand the vast contrasts between Barack and John McCain on the issues we care about. I know a lot of that hard work has come from you, and from the work you’ve done to inspire the people around you to step up and make a difference. Thank you for that, and thank you for what I know you will do over these last few weeks to help us win on November 4th.
And please forward these tools to everyone you think will find them helpful!
Thanks,
Dave Noble
National LGBT Vote Director
Obama for America
“We are all sick because of AIDS - and we are all tested by this crisis. It is a test not only of our willingness to respond, but of our ability to look past the artificial divisions and debates that have often shaped that response. When you go to places like Africa and you see this problem up close, you realize that it's not a question of either treatment or prevention – or even what kind of prevention – it is all of the above. It is not an issue of either science or values – it is both. Yes, there must be more money spent on this disease. But there must also be a change in hearts and minds, in cultures and attitudes. Neither philanthropist nor scientist, neither government nor church, can solve this problem on their own - AIDS must be an all-hands-on-deck effort.”-Senator Barack Obama
“We are all sick because of AIDS - and we are all tested by this crisis. It is a test not only of our willingness to respond, but of our ability to look past the artificial divisions and debates that have often shaped that response. When you go to places like Africa and you see this problem up close, you realize that it's not a question of either treatment or prevention – or even what kind of prevention – it is all of the above. It is not an issue of either science or values – it is both. Yes, there must be more money spent on this disease. But there must also be a change in hearts and minds, in cultures and attitudes. Neither philanthropist nor scientist, neither government nor church, can solve this problem on their own - AIDS must be an all-hands-on-deck effort.”
On October 16th, the Obama Campaign held a conference call to highlight Senator Obama's commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS both abroad and domestically and the detailed policies he has in place to make it happen. Kerry Eleveld at Advocate reports:
Sen. Barack Obama's campaign held a conference call Thursday intended to highlight his policy prescriptions for combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic -- including increased funding for research, care, and prevention as well as developing a national HIV/AIDS strategy within the first year of his administration... Sandra Thurman, former director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy under President Clinton, stressed the importance of developing a national AIDS strategy. “As a former director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, I can't imagine anything more important than having a national AIDS strategy, the likes of which we have never had in the history of the epidemic for over a quarter of a century,” she said.
Sen. Barack Obama's campaign held a conference call Thursday intended to highlight his policy prescriptions for combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic -- including increased funding for research, care, and prevention as well as developing a national HIV/AIDS strategy within the first year of his administration...
Sandra Thurman, former director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy under President Clinton, stressed the importance of developing a national AIDS strategy.
“As a former director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, I can't imagine anything more important than having a national AIDS strategy, the likes of which we have never had in the history of the epidemic for over a quarter of a century,” she said.
Click HERE to read the whole piece.
Barack has been campaigning for 20 months now. For 20 months he has traveled across the country, from state to state, talking to voters and talking about the change that he will bring to Washington. He'll continue traveling and campaigning over the next 16 days, but now it comes down to us. Michelle was in Minnesota earlier this week, where she explained to the gathered crowd that while Barack has gotten us 85% of the way there, the rest is up to us. We have to knock on doors, call voters, volunteer and most importantly, vote.
We are still in a fight, and the next weeks are going to be crucial to our Get Out The Vote effort. Which is why we need our supporters on the ground to be working as hard as they can over the next 16 days to win. This is the most important election of our lifetimes, and we can't afford to sit on the sidelines. Visit your state page today to learn more about how you can help.
Paul Smith, the lawyer who successfully argued Lawrence v. Texas in front of the Supreme Court, had the following to say about what hangs in the balance on November 4th when it comes to judges:
IF YOU CARE about the rights of LGBT citizens, the two most important things you can do in the next few weeks are to vote for Barack Obama and to persuade friends and family to join you. Without for a moment diminishing the importance of the ongoing California initiative fight (which is itself huge), the ground zero for the movement pursuing LGBT equality right now is the presidential election. Either we will go backward, losing key rights we now have and leaving the country in the hands of those who offer at best their grudging “tolerance” (the term Sarah Palin used in the debate), or we go forward with real equality within our grasp. One reason, of course, is that John McCain opposes every single legislative proposal for greater LGBT rights, whether it is the hate crimes bill, or protection from employment discrimination, or repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” This is a guy who says we shouldn’t even be able to adopt children! Barack Obama, by contrast, is supportive every time. But another, even more important reason for electing Barack Obama is the Supreme Court, which now hangs in the balance. And that is particularly true with regard to LGBT issues. In 2003, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to argue Lawrence v. Texas, the path-breaking Supreme Court case holding all sodomy laws unconstitutional. Lawrence not only eliminated the odious laws that had been used for many years to keep LGBT persons in a second-class status, it also laid the foundation for future progress in LGBT rights. Without it, our community’s future would look much different. BUT WHERE ARE we now? We won Lawrence 6-3, but one of those who supported us, Justice O’Connor, has been replaced by the strictly conservative Samuel Alito. So the Lawrence majority is very likely reduced to 5-4 already. And one or more of those in the majority are likely to leave the court in the next four years. If those departing justices are replaced by John McCain appointees, he has made it perfectly clear where they will stand. When asked in August at pastor Rick Warren’s Saddleback Forum which of the current justices he would not have appointed, McCain named four of the five remaining members of the Lawrence majority — Justices Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg and Breyer. He favors instead justices like the court’s current very conservative bloc — Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Thomas and Alito. President Obama, by contrast, would be likely to appoint justices like the four whom McCain rejected. When asked at Saddleback which justices he would not have appointed, he mentioned Justices Thomas and Scalia. It is not just progressives who see this election as the turning point for the Supreme Court for the rest of our lives. Last February, noted conservative legal scholars Stephen Calabresi and John McGinnis endorsed John McCain for president, writing in the Wall Street Journal that his nomination was the “best option” to preserve what they called the “ongoing restoration of constitutional government.” Translation: If John McCain wins, we can expect new justices who will work with the current conservative bloc to turn back the clock on a whole series of important constitutional precedents protecting individual rights. Would a McCain court really overrule Lawrence? It’s hardly a long shot. The case as written by Justice Kennedy is closely tied analytically to the constitutional right to choose to have an abortion. If the latter goes (as it almost surely would if McCain wins) the Lawrence case would be left hanging by a thread. BUT THE RELEVANCE of the Supreme Court in this election goes far beyond Lawrence. The court could very well be faced in the next few years with constitutional challenges to state decisions not to recognize other states’ marriages or the military ban or state laws that prohibit employers and landlords from discriminating based on sexual orientation. How those questions are answered will have a profound impact on the lives of LGBT Americans. And even outside the context of LGBT issues, future court terms will address a whole variety of other critical issues, ranging from the power of the president to engage in detention and surveillance, to the First Amendment, affirmative action and who knows what else. The court plays a unique role in our society. And its appointees have life tenure. Many of you have probably heard arguments about the Supreme Court in prior presidential election years, only to see things not change too much. But I’m here to tell you this election matters exponentially. People may have seemed to cry wolf in the past. But the days when Republican presidents appointed surprise moderates or progressives are now past. So as a community, we have every reason in the world to support Sen. Obama this year. We have a chance to see a president who has championed our rights his entire career. It’s not a chance we should pass up.
THIRD PRESIDENTIAL DEBATETIME-DATE: 9 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Oct. 15.PLACE: Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.SUBJECT: Domestic policy.MODERATOR: CBS' Bob Scheiffer.
THIRD PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
TIME-DATE: 9 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Oct. 15.
PLACE: Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.
SUBJECT: Domestic policy.
MODERATOR: CBS' Bob Scheiffer.
I wanted to share with you the following email I received this morning from Obama Pride Chicago member, Michael R.
I'm a volunteer with Obama for America in Chicago. I'm doing everything I can here to support the campaign-- I even threw a house party and encouraged my friends to donate. But since Illinois is already pretty blue, I wanted to find ways to expand impact I can make. That's what makes Hometown Pride such a great idea. I grew up in Florida, so I have dozens of old friends in this important state. By contacting five or more friends back home, I'm making a difference where it counts the most. So far, this is who I've reached out to: My Mother-- I forwarded information about the campaign to her, and she passed it along to eight of her friends. They've started volunteering, making donations, and-- most importantly-- talking to their friends as well. My Best Friend-- he's gay like me, but he was misinformed about a lot of Obama's positions on GLBT issues. Summer Coworker-- It was only a summer job during college, but he and I email from time to time. Asking him to get his friends in the loop was a way to reach out to people I never would have met myself. My "Aunt & Uncle"-- we're not really related, but I made sure my longtime family friends know how important this election is. When people are like family, they listen differently, and I think they really wanted to know what I thought. My "Long Lost Friend"-- I hadn't spoken to her in a year, and a phone call about this historic campaign was the perfect excuse. She'd planned to vote for Obama, but didn't know about the registration deadlines. She registered online while we were catching up. Participating in Hometown Pride is easy, and it puts my efforts where the campaign needs them most. Sometimes people just need to hear from someone they know to get excited. Best of all, come November, when my friends help send Barack Obama to the Whitehouse, I'll have one more reason to be proud of my hometown.
Gay and Lesbian friends of Michelle and Sen. Barack Obama from Chicago and LGBT activists from coast-to-coast are converging on Columbus for a Weekend of Action to Win Ohio, October 18th and 19th, sponsored by Obama Pride.
The event kicks off at 9 a.m. at UFCW Union Hall, 4510 East Main St., Columbus, with a short rally. Participants will then fan out to canvass neighborhoods in Central Ohio critical to all Democratic candidates in the coming election.
Personal friends of the Obamas who will be firing up Columbus’ LGBT volunteers include:
Mary Morten, interim executive director for the Chicago Foundation for Women, which is one of the world’s largest women’s funds.
Dan Sprehe, a Chicago LGBT activist who worked on Obama’s 2004 Senate Campaign.
Kevin Thompson, Sen. Obama’s 2004 “Bodyman.” In the world of politics, that’s a personal assistant who travels with a candidate and takes care of everything from transportation and lodging to keeping the candidate’s favorite snacks and pens on hand.
Marsha Botzer, a National Co-Chair of Obama Pride America. She has served as co-chair of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Board of Directors. Botzer is also a founding member of Equal Rights Washington and founded Seattle’s Ingersoll Gender Center, an organization that serves the transgender community.
Jane M. Saks, founding executive director of the Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media at Columbia College Chicago.
Additionally, a bus of 50-plus LGBT activists from Massachusetts will make the trip to join the effort.
The canvass will run for two days, with four-hour shifts being assigned at the rally. Those who can’t attend the rally, but still want to participate in the canvass in the should contact Sean Pflendler at spfendler@ohiodems.org. And those without cars will be partnered with drivers.
Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the passing of Minnesota State Senator and former President of the Senate Allan Spear:
“I join with all Minnesotans who mourn the loss of Allan Spear. His evenhandedness, command of the issues, and ability to reach across the aisle and work with colleagues of both parties were legendary and should inspire us all. He was a man of great courage who served as one of this nation’s first openly gay legislators. Michelle and I and the Bidens send our thoughts and prayers to Allan’s partner, Junjiro Tsuji, and all the family, friends and colleagues who loved him.”
Obama Pride Chicago joined nearly 100 other local Obama supporters on Saturday on a three hour bus ride to the Obama field office just outside of Davenport, Iowa. As it happened, John McCain was holding a rally downtown at the same time we were set to knock on doors in the city's precincts. His presence in the Quad Cities made us even more fired up to get out into the neighborhoods and get out the vote for Obama…
Read the rest of Ben Z.'s post HERE.
Or, plan your own target state trip by emailing us at pride@barackobama.com
