Politics: DC Marriage Equality in the Hands of Joe Lieberman?
This post submitted by Keith Johnson, who works for an end-of-life-care non-profit in D.C and bartends part-time in Silver Spring.
Tomorrow, the Senate Democratic caucus will vote on whether or not to allow Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) to keep his chairpersonship of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. This is old news for those of us who check Google News at work every hour. Lieberman opponents argue that he has no right to chair such an important committee after crusading with John McCain to defeat Barack Obama. Right before scolding Obama at the Republican National Convention for “voting to cut off funding for our troops on the ground,” he said, “Especially at a time of war, we need a President we can count on to fight for what’s right for our country—not only when it is easy, but when it is hard.” Presumably, Lieberman does not believe that Obama will fight for what’s right for our country.
This hasn’t really concerned me until today, when I learned that the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee is also responsible for overseeing the municipal affairs for D.C. This is the committee that confirms D.C. judicial appointments. This is the committee that conducts hearings on D.C. voting rights. This is the committee that heard arguments regarding school vouchers in D.C. And, this will be the committee that will decide whether or not to put D.C. marriage equality to vote in front of the full Senate. Whoa.
Where does Lieberman stand on gay rights? Well, he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies legally married same-sex couples the federal rights of marriage. He congratulated Sen. Sam Nunn for crafting “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and “taking an explosive issue and making it dull.” Hum. It’s not that dull for the 12,500 servicepersons who have been expelled from the armed forces since “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” was passed. He opposes gay marriage even as his home state legalized it. He co-sponsored legislation by Jesse Helms to deny federal funding to schools that counsel gay students that it’s okay to be gay. So, even though “some of his best friends are gay” (We all know what that means, Mickey Rourke), we could definitely have a better senator chairing the committee that will have so much leverage over the coming local approval of gay marriage. What can we do? Well, the vote is tomorrow. I hate to say it—especially when we’re all suffering from the too-little-too-late guilt that comes from prop 8—but D.C. residents can’t do much. Those of us who live in the nation’s capital are American citizens with no representation in Congress. We are queers disenfranchised twice. We could call our “shadow senator,” but I can’t imagine that non-corporeal senators have much sway. We are truly at the mercy of those with representation in Congress. Queers of America, we need your help! TNG readers residing outside the District, call your Democratic senators and ask them to vote against Lieberman tomorrow. Channel your anger about Prop. 8 into some real action that can make a difference for thousands of disenfranchized US Citizens. To us poor D.C. residents, post your ideas in the comments. What do we do if Lieberman is allowed to keep his post tomorrow? As the Democratic caucus votes, let’s hope their decision will make it less likely that same-sex marriage licenses will, for the second time in a year, be stripped from the hands of happily married couples.
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Let’s all calm down for a second. This is silly. First, Joe Lieberman’s views on gay marriage are identical to those of every Democratic member of the Senate who could replace him. They are identical to Barack Obama’s as well.
Second, while we may all disagree with him on this issue, we should also note that Senator Lieberman has always been a strong proponent of home rule. He also has gone so far as to introduce and move through his committee legislation to give DC not just a vote in the House, but two voting, non-Shadow senators as well. So I doubt he would be chomping at the bit to reverse a decision made by the city council, even if he disagreed with it.
Third, and most importantly, Senator Lieberman has authored legislation that would allow federal employees’ same-sex partners to receive health benefits. So, he does not oppose our relationships. He just opposes marriage, something that even a few gays like me have mixed views on.
I’m all for action and I get that people are pissed about Prop 8. I marched Saturday too. But calling Senate offices without knowing what we’re talking about and sounding completly unhinged in the process will do nobody any good.
There are a number of reasons to boot Lieberman. This, in my view, is not one of them.
Third
Let’s all calm down for a second. This is silly. First, Joe Lieberman’s views on gay marriage are identical to those of every Democratic member of the Senate who could replace him. They are identical to Barack Obama’s as well.
Second, while we may all disagree with him on this issue, we should also note that Senator Lieberman has always been a strong proponent of home rule. He also has gone so far as to introduce and move through his committee legislation to give DC not just a vote in the House, but two voting, non-Shadow senators as well. So I doubt he would be chomping at the bit to reverse a decision made by the city council, even if he disagreed with it.
Third, and most importantly, Senator Lieberman has authored legislation that would allow federal employees’ same-sex partners to receive health benefits. So, he does not oppose our relationships. He just opposes marriage, something that even a few gays like me have mixed views on.
I’m all for action and I get that people are pissed about Prop 8. I marched Saturday too. But calling Senate offices without knowing what we’re talking about and sounding completly unhinged in the process will do nobody any good.
There are a number of reasons to boot Lieberman. This, in my view, is not one of them.
Third
Keith, I just emailed both of my senators and made a rational request that they strip joe leiberman of his chairmanship. I think there are a number of good reasons to make this request. Thank you for your advocacy on this issue.
I agree with Parker, Joe Lieberman is one of DC’s closest allies in the Senate. IF we lose him, the chance for voting rights will be slowed down.
He supports hate crime legislation.
He introduced the Domestic Partnership Benefits Act, and held hearings to expose the disparity those of us in the federal government face.
He supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
And despite your claims, he does NOT support “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Yes he originally voted for it, as did MANY members, but he has publicly called for it to be repealed. Many times.
And yes, he opposes gay marriage, as does Barack Obama. Lieberman has said he wishes the gay marriage decision went through the legislature not the courts, but he does not support a constitutional amendment to prohibit it.
This is just a skimming of his positions that affect us.
So before you throw stones, do some real research into Joe Lieberman’s positions. He is a very strong defender of LGBT rights, and the rights of DC residents.
If you want him stripped of his chairmanship, go for it, but don’t use LGBT or DC issues as your reasoning.
How likely is it that the D.C. counsel will pass a law giving us the right to marry? Would we have another No on Prop 12345 campaign to deal with? I hope at least that we have learned from the African-American vote in California to properly target our message to them.
Maryland seems to be inching closer to marriage equality. And Virginia… is for married heterosexual couples.
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