Petrelis Files

Democrats, Dean Omit 'Gay' From
CA Marriage Release; HRC Silent

I have no idea how a Green Party voter like me got on the Democratic Party's email list, and I will make sure to get off it, I'm pleased to receive this email, but damn pissed the Donkey Party failed to say the word gay once.

And who is this Damien LaVera creature, who is so ill-mannered he can't waste his precious time offering any hearty congratulations to gay and lesbian voters? All LaVera is really concerned with is using the gay marriage ruling to bash McCain. Then LaVera, in his remarks for chairman Dean, says this issue should be used for political or partisan purposes.

Fine, bash the GOP candidate, but don't forget the ruling is quite an emotional issue for us. And what is this b.s. off saying in writing, "off the record"? Who says that in a mass email?

So what's the reason why the DNC says the law overturned today was "anti-marriage"? Can't the DNC put the words "anti gay marriage" law in a statement?

It says much about what is wrong with the Democrats that this troubling statement was sent out today, without really acknowledging gay joy with the ruling.

My final concern is this: Why does the Human Rights Campaign, the gay wing of the Democratic Party, allow Democratic leaders to treat us so shabbily?

The DNC email:

In a message dated 5/15/2008 3:19:58 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, LaVeraD@dnc.org writes:

Good evening.

Below, please find Gov. Dean's Statement on the California marriage ruling. Off the record, I'd also point out that while both our candidates have said positive things about the ruling, John McCain has been silent. This, however, speaks for itself: http://youtube.com/watch?v=j7DHscURg3E

>>> "DNC Press" 5/15/2008 5:57 PM >>>

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2008

Contact: Damien LaVera - 202-863-8148

Dean: California Court Decision
A Step Toward Equal Rights Under The Law

Washington, DC - Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement on the California Supreme Court decision to overturn the state's anti-marriage ban:

"The Supreme Court of California today took a step forward in the long march toward protecting equal rights under the law for every American. This should not be a matter of politics or partisanship; it is a matter of protecting the rights and dignity of all American families."

###

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Have a look now at what the guys at Queerty.com report this afternoon about statements issued from the Obama and Clinton campaigns on CA gay marriage decision:

The Democratic presidential candidates have both released responses to today’s gay marriage ruling in California. And they live a lot to be desired.

In an effort to sidestep any electoral complications, neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama - both of whom oppose gay marriage - issued direct statements, but had spokespeople do the dirty work. Here’s what the Clinton campaign dispensed:

Hillary Clinton believes that gay and lesbian couples in committed relationships should have the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans and believes that civil unions are the best way to achieve this goal.

As President, Hillary Clinton will work to ensure that same sex couples have access to these rights and responsibilities at the federal level. She has said and continues to believe that the issue of marriage should be left to the states.

Barack Obama issued an equally anticlimactic remarks:

Barack Obama has always believed that same-sex couples should enjoy equal rights under the law, and he will continue to fight for civil unions as President. He respects the decision of the California Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage.

On the issue of constitutional amendments, Senator Obama has been on record for some time: He opposes all divisive and discriminatory constitutional amendments, state or federal. That includes the proposed amendments in California and Florida.

Not even a small congratulations?! Rude.