The Frank Rebuttal
This afternoon I interviewed Matt Foreman, the executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. If you watched my interview with Congressman Barney Frank, you already know that the openly-gay congressman is openly and aggressively firing back at gay rights leaders who only support an ENDA bill that includes transgender protection. I asked Foreman to answer Frank's criticism and explain why a coalition of over 300 LGBT organizations across the country have signed on to fight for a Trans inclusive ENDA.
Want to know more about United ENda, the more than 300 organizations fighting for a fully inclusive ENDA? Go to www.thetaskforce.org or www.unitedENDA.com
Support the Baldwin Ammendment to insure a fully inclusive ENDA
Posted by: Roberta Sklar | October 19, 2007 at 03:43 PM
Matt Foreman is a politcal whore. Everyone knows that this bill doesn't have a chance of passing while George Bush is in office. So instead of trying to save face in front of the millions of gays who donate to the Task Force, he should re focus his efforts towards more viable initiatives!
Posted by: Shawn | October 19, 2007 at 04:34 PM
LOL. Shawn, ever heard of HRC? They sold the transgender community out two weeks after saying (and accepting checks from transgender people) they would oppose any legislation that wasn't explicitly inclusive. Who's the whore?
You're right about one thing... this isn't going to pass.
Posted by: Marti Abernathey | October 19, 2007 at 04:41 PM
I have lived as an out gay man my whole life...and I'm now (and finally) in transition. The anger and hate I've felt the last few weeks from the gay community has been very disheartening. I have given my whole life to the gay struggle...coming out at 15 in Detroit...living as a decent and good person...and giving the world an example of what a gay person can be. I did that work knowing the whole time I was trans. And now, when I need the gay community to help me...I find that I expendable. I find it shameful and sad. And I live in Northern California!!! What must my trans brothers and sisters in less progressive area be feeling...!??!
Posted by: Daya Curley | October 19, 2007 at 06:30 PM
Thank you for covering such an important and timely topic. I'm concerned about what is going on in our community, and in the political arena right now. I'm disheartened on the one hand, hopeful on the other.
Posted by: Sean-Michael | October 19, 2007 at 06:43 PM
Barney Frank tries to use our ignorance and the resulting political inactivity against us. This is a transparent ploy. Had we been aware of this bills pending demise months ago could have taken action and the resulting purge of transgender people would not have created such a out cry. Today Frank and HRC declared support for the Baldwin amendment. Sounds like the frank/hrc ploy backfired into a no win.
Posted by: Kelli Busey | October 19, 2007 at 07:59 PM
Matt Foreman a whore?? Are you kidding me? He's the only one whos stood by the mission of his organization. If this Bill didnt have a chance why exclude the trans community? I have donated so much time and money to numerous organization including HRC and they pull this? Matt is right, there should have been an open dialog about what to do regarding the future of ENDA. The conservatives dont like GLB anymore or less than T. SO all the nay sayers managed to do is divide a community that already faces enough ridicule, judgment and discrimination. FYI This bill will also protect those who are GLB and dont fit into gender norms. Besides its just plain wrong to leave anyone behind. As a transman I now have the right to marry, but decided I wouldn't until the rest of my brothers and sisters in the GLBT community can too- wish they felt the same about this!!
Posted by: Mason | October 20, 2007 at 02:13 AM
Hey Jason, it's NOT "transgender protections." It's gender identity and it covers more than just transgender people.
Posted by: Marti Abernathey | October 20, 2007 at 05:38 AM
Matt Foreman is a saint and he reflects the finest spirit of the LGBTs strength and solidarity. This has pulled the community together, not torn it apart. I have never felt closer to the lesbian and gay community. Never and I understand so much more than I did before. Franks clumsy spasm was an embarrassment to the whole community and as Matt said, this did nothing except pick a scapegoat.
To Tammy Baldwin and all the gay members who did not let us go when others were trying to tear us from their grasp, thank you would never be enough. I love you all.
Posted by: Darlie | October 20, 2007 at 11:04 PM
I think it's time we stop relying on other people to represent us, and start representing ourselves by making better choices and VOTING. We need to make this blog post a corner stone in the community. BTW- Why is none of this on the actual CBS channel? Where everyone can see it?
Posted by: Ken K | October 21, 2007 at 04:26 PM
Hey LOGO, how about interviewing an actual transgender person about this topic, like Mara Keisling at the National Center for Transgender Equality? That group is working alongside all the others in the UnitedENDA campaign.
Even in the GLBT community, it's always the white men of privilege speaking for everyone else.
Posted by: Jakers | October 21, 2007 at 10:57 PM
Jakers,
Thanks for the comment. We did interview Mara Keisling for a report that aired last Thursday. You should be able to find it here: http://www.logoonline.com/news/
Posted by: Jason Bellini | October 22, 2007 at 12:27 AM
Matt Foreman of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Representative Baldwin,the 300 LGBT Organizations & millions of us across the Nation are fighting the Good Fight! None of us will be Equal until All of Us are Equal.
We need the same fortitude, strength & advocacy that was shown by MassEquality over the years.
As my deceased spouse, Richard Taylor urged - taking inspiration from Frederick Douglas -- we must "Agitate, Agitate, Agitate!" Ultimately, we will win.
Posted by: Ray Vahey | October 25, 2007 at 01:34 PM