That article is definitely interesting, Marti, with the extremely awkward position HRC has been put into all of a sudden. (and yeah, I know, they should have been fully prepared for this turn of events.)

But it's interesting that on the 6th of Oct. they were going to give Pelosi an award for her work on behalf of "gay people" (the article says gay people, I don't know if that's just the journalist's short-hand and if it's meant to be LGBT or if it's actually an award for working for gay people.)

They should seriously consider pulling the award. That's all I'm saying. There's something called leadership, and honestly this ain't it.

And the House Dems keep on saying that this is about "forcing people to hire" trans folk. Ummmmm.... NO QUOTAS!!! But I don't have to tell Marti that one, lol.

(And even more annoying is how they said that they had to get 60 votes to get over the filibuster over hate crimes - uh no, they shoulda let McCain filibuster till the cows come home. The Republicans are using implicit filibusters now - threats of them - and the Dems aren't even making them get up there and read the phone book on CSPAN. The Dems lost the Senate majority these past few months, effectively. But at least that one got through.)

Oh, and even though we're all focusing on Frank, Pelosi released a statement here.

Thanks for that link Alex. I just sent Madam Speaker a little note with my feelings on the subject. Cowardly...that's what I say.

"That article is definitely interesting, Marti, with the extremely awkward position HRC has been put into all of a sudden. (and yeah, I know, they should have been fully prepared for this turn of events.)"

It makes no sense, frankly. Why do this when it's not going to be signed by the President anyway? HRC was a couple hairs away from becoming the Wal-Mart of GLBT advocacy. They've just flushed that down the toilet. And for what? An ENDA bill that will never make it past the Presidents desk.

Oh, and even though we're all focusing on Frank, Pelosi released a statement here.

Notice how she put it all on Barney Frank's shoulders?

I think i am becoming dizzy from all the spin the TG community's back stabbing friends are putting on this.

I expected this this is what the third time now?

Take care
Sue

The closest analogy I can think of to Barney's drown-'em-then-throw-a-ring-in-the-water-from-the-now-sinking-boat-that-they-were-plugging-the-hole-in promise is OJ Simpson's promise to hunt for the "real" killer.

Dear Mme. Speaker,

Why do you hate gay people, not to mention the transgendered?

Sincerely,

Marla Stevens

Here's what I really sent to Pelosi:

Re: your ENDA press release

Horsepucky!

Why do you hate gay people, not to mention the transgendered, so much that you'd support an ENDA made toothless with the exclusion of gender identity?

I have fought my entire life -- or at least since I was seven years old blowing up the balloons in Jim Williams' basement for the biggest gathering of gay people in Savannah in 1959 -- for my people and our rights. I have been raped and shot at and suffered estrangement of family because I so fought but NEVER have I been so royally screwed until now, made all the worse for it coming from someone who has for so long stood with us.

Bury the spawn of political greed and expedience that is the non-inclusive ENDA and do not bring the inclusive one to the floor until it can pass intact because you or someone else has managed to exert the leadership and proper preparation to get it there.

This transgender exclusion from ENDA is a pretty hot topic, and if you haven't already seen it, I just noticed that the National Stonewall Democrats have organized a petition called "ENDA: Accept No Substitutes." If you have a second, take a look at the site and sign the petition:

http://www.nosubstitutes.org