• Senator Bennett’s effort derail the passage of the health reform reconciliation bill in the Senate by attaching an amendment that would have called for a vote on marriage equality in DC was derailed.  This hits on so many important issues–health reform, marriage equality, and the need for DC to be its own state.  Good news for Maine readers–Senators Snowe and Collins both broke from their party and voted against this effort.
• In a Q&A session today Sec. Gates clarified that the Congressional study is on HOW to repeal, not whether to repeal.
• Secretary Gates relaxed the enforcement of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”  The new regulations included raising the level of the personnel involved in different steps in the investigation and barred the use of information from lawyers, doctors, therapists and clergy.

From the Washington Post

Staff members at the charity were not given advance notice of the new policy and will not be able to add a spouse now because the most recent open enrollment period ended in November.

Those who use their health benefits to cover spouses will be grandfathered into the new policy.

Especially disgusting given that, other than issues around abortion, the Catholic Church has been an ally for expanding access to health care.  I hope that Edward J. Orzechowski, the president of Catholic Charities has to look in to the eyes of sick spouses, gay or straight, of employees he just used as a tool in a larger political fight.

Here is their main phone line if you have any thoughts you’d like to share…202-772-4300.

In other, more uplifting news, a poll of DC residents showed that the majority (56% to 35%) support marriage equality.

This just doesn’t make sense.

After the DC City Council voted today to approve marriage equality, the National Organization for Marriage sent out a statement declaring that they will do anything to overturn DC elected government’s stand in support of equality (Mayor Fenty is expected to sign before Christmas).

Brian Brown writes:

“We have one message for David Catania and the rest of these politicians today: this fight is not over. We will go to Congress, we will go to the courts, we will fight for the people’s right to vote and we will win!”

So how, by Brian Brown’s logic, should he–who lives in New Jersey–”fight for the people’s right to vote?”  He should overturn the decision of the elected government of DC by going to Congress (who is elected by everyone EXCEPT DC voters) and ask them to overturn the decision of the government that was elected by the people of DC.

For people like Brian Brown and Maggie Gallagher, their ends justify any means, however illogical or deceptive.  It’s beyond frustrating.

Congratulations to the 11 members of the City Council that are on the right side of history.  Marion Barry, who voted against the bill, is not exactly known for being on the right side…

“We are on the verge of history.  For the world to see gays and lesbian couples equal to straight couples in the nation’s capital, that is an important message,” said council member David A. Catania (I-At Large).

Brian Brown is gearing up to try and take away rights again.

Below are a few of the most memorable speeches.  David Mixner and Cleve Jones were both incredibly moving and reflected the history of the movement that many of us of the “Prop 8 generation” cannot begin to fully comprehend.  This context is key for all of us to understand moving forward.

I felt there was a good mix of criticism of President Obama and also understanding of the position he is in and the role we must play in the push for equal rights.  We can’t expect them to be delivered to us, but we need to pressure our existing policymaker allies and make new ones.  We’re lucky to have a true friend in the White House, but that isn’t enough for immediate action (more on Obama’s saturday night speech to the HRC).

There were also a good number of digs made at Barney Frank who had previously said that “the only thing they’re going to be putting pressure on is the grass,” not the policymakers who work in the Capitol.  What I think he underestimated when he said this was the role it could play to rally a base that is still wounded in the post-Prop 8 world.  To me, this was as well worth the time and energy of the organizers if only for the sense of community and camaraderie that it created.

I was disappointed in the lack of discussion of the referendums in Maine and Washington.  I feel like there is a lack of energy around these two races and can’t help but wonder if it is for fear of putting our emotional eggs in one basket (or two).  A lot of people were really burned in the wake of Prop 8, and I question if people are afraid of the outcome in Maine and Washington.

Here are are my favorite speeches from the day (and a few of my pictures).  I’m disappointed to not have the speeches of the four young people aren’t online yet–they were truly remarkable.

There are probably thousands of photos of this dog on Flickr right now

David Mixner on the need to remember our history and “the shoulders of giants” on which we stand:

Cynthia Nixon:

Cleve Jones (after an intro speaker):

Julian Bond in 2 parts (as eloquent and inspiring as always):

Dustin Lance Black:

More video is available here

In an attempt to share more interesting posts, I’m going to try to post a “blog roundup” every few days to share posts that I miss.  Here’s the first of (potentially) many.

I love people way too much to support lifestyles that are self-destructive and deadly. Over the years, I have been asked to offer my hands to serve and tend to the needs of homosexual men who were dying of AIDS. Every case was tragic. I cleaned their commodes, brought them outside in wheelchairs, and held their hands while they were dying alone.

While I VEHEMENTLY object to everything about this letter, one might point out that by banning marriage equality, Ms. Conroy is basically ensuring any gay person who dies of ANY disease could be forced to be alone when hospital visitations are denied.  Maybe with marriage equality, she won’t be summoned to any more deathbeds (I think she’s the last person I’d want).