Political Punch

Kudos to the Democrats for their new draft! It's a step towards equality under the law for all families.

Kat: if you expect others to respect your identity as "pansexual," please respect the fact that not everyone in a same-sex relationship sees their relationship as "gay" or "lesbian."

I'm glad the Dems are using inclusive language--I mean, why wouldn't they? It's a great step forward in terms of how people think of GLBT issues. The personal is more bearably political.

What less informed members of the public may not realize is that language describing "same-sex couples" and "all families" is actually a step *forward* for the Democratic Party platform. It's more inclusive, not less. Not every same-sex couple, or LGBT family, is "gay or lesbian". Bisexuals and transgendered people are all too often excluded from the debate over same-sex marriage. But anyone in a same-sex relationship is subject to the same discrimination, whether they identify as gay, lesbian, or something else entirely.

Yes, let's include all families and same-sex couples, not just the gay and lesbian ones.

Cheers to the Democrats for realizing, and expressing verbally, that all families, especially those in which people love each other and take care of each other, deserve our support. Using this language not only allows that bisexuals who are involved with people of the same sex are included (where "gay and lesbian couples" leaves them out), it acknowledges that families come in other configurations, as well.

I think people are making a big fuss over nothing. I identify as pansexual (which isn't even included in LGBT). However, I am in a lesbian relationship. Because I'm with a girl. Just like my male bisexual friend is in a gay relationship because he's with another man. The only truly bisexual relationship would be a polyamourous one, which would be called that, and not bisexual.

I like the re-wording. When they just say "gay and lesbian couples," this excludes, for example, bisexual people, and also is not linguistically correct-- *people* are gay or lesbian or straight or bisexual; couples are same-sex, opposite-sex, or something else (transgendered?).

I heard there were other people besides gays and lesbians in the LGBT movement who also wanted equal rights. I guess they should have been content to be included under the term "gay" or "gay and lesbian." God forbid we flip the coin and use language about marriage and families that actually includes everyone else besides gays and lesbians, and as a bonus includes other non-traditional families (such as single-parent households) as well. If it's not worded with gay and lesbian specifically it must be a step backwards, right? Get over yourselves and think twice next time before you go talking about ducks and getting all offended.
P.S. Senator Clinton is no better, she didn't even want to repeal all of DOMA. Were you actually paying attention?

Way to go Democratic Party!! Anyone who is at all politically savvy knows that what the Democratic Party is actually doing is finally acknowledging that the Entire Spectrum of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community encompass a whole lot of folks who define themselves in a whole lot of ways. Being Inclusive - It's a Good Thing.

It is about time the platform language was written in a way that acknowledges that LGBT means LGBT and not just LG...b....t. If all families matter then that doesn't just include straight, gay and lesbian headed families it includes bisexuals and transfolk also. Way to go Dems. Finally something that includes everyone and is not just simple pandering to one or two special interests.

Using "same-sex" instead of "gay and lesbian" makes a statement of inclusion towards bisexual people, many of whom are in same-sex relationships. I applaud the Democratic Party for being inclusive of bisexual people!

Actually, the Democratic Party just became MORE inclusive by using the phrase "same-sex couples" rather than just "gays and lesbians". Unlike some of the LGBT community's own institutions, they aren't leaving bisexuals and transgender folks in the cold.

And yes, while being inclusive in substance is most important, the words DO matter.

How sad that in America identity politics has become so engrained in peoples minds that every group in America now(i.e. gays, blacks, women, seniors, hispanics, asians, native americans, white working class voters, etc.) has to actually be named specifically or they will not feel that they are included. Really, does the average American voter now only have the IQ of an eighth grader? Simply saying all families or all Americans is apparently not inclusive sounding enough? This is getting really silly now.....

Wake up LGBT community!

In thirty years what,of any substance, has the Democratic party done for our community? Practically nothing!

Obama campaign has surfaced the longstanding and deep rift between AA's and GLBT's and his actions over the last year and a half suggest this rift will only grow even wider.

GLBT people have said to me what other choice do we have? It is Obama or McCain.

That is what the Obama and McCain camps want you to think.

Senator Hillary Clinton!
18 millions voices march

And what precisely does the Democratic Party Platform Committed expect to gain by back-tracking on a very visible human rights issue?

Don't they realize, after eight years of dealing with this wimp, George Bush, that courage and clarity matter?

Haven't they learned anything from the Republican machine about securing the base?

Those are all political questions. On the side of the real, don't they stand for ANYTHING?

How does the Democratic Party respond to calls to prosecute the mayors and councils of cities that have passed sanctuary laws?

Well I tell you I'm not surprised this is another empty promise from Obama.

This Democrat is voting for McCain.

I dream of Hillary 2012

Jake - Perhaps your update should have read simply: "never mind."

Trajan -

"gays/lesbians" are not a single entity. There are men and women in every demographic group, every religious viewpoint, every political Party, pro-choice or pro-life, who just happen to also be gay.

Mike,
That's a good one LOL@ "McCain Leaves GOP Hate Platform Intact".

This part of the platform would be a good place to insert some strong anti-terrorism language. Maybe something referring to Jim David Adkisson? In Rwanda, the talk show hosts that advocated these types of killings were prosecuted for crimes against humanity. I wonder ...