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Matt Foreman, soon to leave his post as director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, went on Wednesday’s edition of Sirius OutQ’s Michelangelo Signorile Show, and said this about the ENDA debacle and Rep. Barney Frank (via PageOneQ, which has audio):
“I think what really happened,” says Foreman of Congress’ handling of employment discrimination protections for LGBT people, “is [Speaker Nancy Pelosi's] people said ‘Look, Congress has a terrible reputation right now, they’re not delivering for any progressive causes… What do we have to do to deliver to our progressive allies?’ That means labor and health and environment and gays. And, so, I mean, I don’t know this for a fact, but I would bet my life that this is what happened: They went to Barney Frank and said ‘What do we need to pass ENDA?’”“Representative Frank,” continues Foreman, “who has always been pretty squeamish on the trans issue, and I guess I can say these things because I am leaving my job…”
“That’s what we hoped you’d do,” Signorile says to Foreman.
Foreman goes on: “…You know, said ‘Look the best way to pass ENDA, and the easiest way is to — let’s take out gender identity,’ and I don’t think the Speaker’s people thought this through–didn’t think it through–and then they said ‘OK, let’s do it‘.”
Well that didn’t go over well with the Massachusetts congressman, so he will appear on Mike’s show this afternoon at 3:30 (free 3-day trial access here) to address Foreman’s comments, which his office said are “absurd.”
9 Comments
Absurd?! He’s quoted by the fundies!Oh yes, it’s completely absurd that Mr. Frank is transphobic. That’s why his bleetings about penises in the ladies room from Bay Windows are spewed all over the fundamentalist websites attacking transgender people.
Spare me.
Let’s start calling him Oz-y“his office said are 'absurd.'”Gee, Barn, it sounds like you're living in Oz. We live in reality – and in reality, you're a product of the 1970s GL backlash against trans people: You're a transphobe. Period.Kat
Make sure that Mikehas some links to Barney’s quotes on the subject, because I think Barney’s “got some ‘splainin’ to do”.
(I’d hunt ‘em down but I’m at work and have a meeting in about 2 minutes.)
Breaking News: This just in –
Oh, okay, thanks.
Barney Frank was a RealistI continue to believe – based on my many years as a political activist, a one time candidate for public offic, and as as an advocate on varying issues – that Barney Frank merely sought to get as much passed in ENDA as was possible under the attendant circumstances.
Matt Foreman and those like him preferred to have no legislation passed at all so that they could remain “pure” to principal. Meanwhile a poll by AmericaBlog showed that 70% of respondents supported pushing for the version of ENDA endorsed by Barney Frank. Perhaps it is just as well that Foreman is leaving the Task Force if he is willing to leave millions of gays unprotected for years so that he could remain ideologically pure.
Do not misinterpret my comments. I am all in favor of transgender protections. In fact, I have a number of transgender clients – in this area, most attorneys refuse to represent them. But at some point, political reality needs to be factored in so that the progression of securing more LGBT rights can move forward.
eh…Why is your willingness to take trans clients — when your business is lawyering — evidence of your support?
‘Reality’“But at some point, political reality needs to be factored in….”Funny – that never seems to happen with the push for gay marriage.'Reality' as seen by those who will benefit from that alleged 'reality' is a bit suspect.Kat
Seconded….over and over and over and over we go about this. GET ON WITH IT…EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL FOR EVERYTHING!
I agree MichealLet’s deal with the reality. Let’s get what we are assured of getting in the name of advancement of the LGBT cause.
So here is the reality:
When the Chistian Right objects to LGBT rights, when it calls the lifestyle dangerous, unhealthy, sick, perverse or the myriad of unpleasant descriptions that the attatch to the community including rampant promiscuity, bathhouses, and drug abuse as well as recklessness about disease transmission, it is their preceptions of the behaviour of gay men that they onject to, denounce and use as a weapon against us.
Therefore:
The smart political move is to start with “LENDA,” a Lesbian Empolyment Non-Discrimination Act. Over half of the objections of the Christian Right would become moot and, of course, “we will come back for the gay men later; this is about advancing the cause of LUBT rights and all civil rights are gained incrementally”
By anyone’s standards, LENDA is a winner and this is a smart political move…
unless, of course, you truly believe in justice and equality.
btw…a lawyer friend of mine became famous for handling a trans-case. Her career was made on that case despite handling other g/L cases successfully for years. So don’t pat yourself on the back too hard for enduring the martyrdom of taking trans-cases. I would honestly hate to hear what you say about Lesbian clients behind their backs.