LOGO just announced that LA will host the first ever Presidential debate devoted solely to LGBT issues. The debate will take place on August 9th and be televised by Logo.

 While I am still super excited about this I also feel slightly torn on this issue and here’s why:

It will only be featuring Democratic candidates including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards. While this assures much less audience hissing, hate speech, and the throwing around of various theological arguments, it also means this debate will basically be the equivalent of pandering to the less popular high school kids (think Math Club and Thespian Society) in order to become Prom Queen.

I am absolutely ALL FOR political debates where politicians take a stand for (or even frankly discuss) LGBT rights, marriage equality, ending discrimination in the workplace, and other hugely important Human Rights issues and I do believe this is an imperative first step in taking that conversation to the forefront of American Politics, but this particular debate just seems like it will be uber liberals trying to out-liberal each other. Being able to classify myself as a somewhat Super-Liberal I can understand and sympathize with their position. But you know even going into this “debate” that none of those Presidential hopefuls are going to stand there in an auditorium full of gays while being broadcast on LOGO and say they think same sex Life Partners shouldn’t be eligible for spousal Health Insurance.

Here is my prediction as to what I think the debate might sound like. *Please keep in mind though that this is purely intended to portray my sarcastic humor and in no way should be taken seriously by anyone:

Prompter: If elected, would you support an amendment permitting Gay Marriage?

Barack: Absolutely, everyone should have the right to marry the one they love regardless of their sex or gender.

Hillary: I was just going to say that. Besides, I loved the gays way before you did. I am by far the most sympathetic candidate to LGBT rights.

John: No, I love the gays the most…I have a gay neighbor and we hang out all the time.

BaracK: I think I love the gays the most. I have a Gay cousin. Also, when I was in college I thought about experimenting.

Hillary: Some people still think I’m a lesbian, clearly I identify with the LGBT community more than any of you!

 *takes a bow*

What would really make a difference though is if an LGBT focused debate included Independents, Republicans, Libertarians, or any other political party with its eyes on the White House and televised it on NBC or CBS where people without cable could hear articulate arguments as to why Gays should be able to fight in the military and why marriage doesn’t have to only exist between men and women. I mean, I don’t even get LOGO in my Super-Liberal, Gay Saturated apartment.

It is really exciting to see though that more politicians are realizing that lots and lots of people are gay, friends with gays, related to gays, etc. and that those votes certainly do add up.

But every major social revolution needs to start somewhere. Who would have even thought 10 years ago that we’d have a channel like LOGO ready to bring Gay issues to the White House Door?

Hopefully this will just be the beginning.

Recently:

No related posts