Tweet
Today was the pre-Netroots Nation LGBT National Blogger and Citizen Journalist Initiative, hosted by Mike Rogers, and it was an opportunity for around 60 organization leaders and bloggers to get together and discuss not only strategy for working together, but to get the kind of face-to-face interaction that we rarely able to do since we are scattered around the country.
I live-tweeted the day (hashtag #lgbtnn10), and blogger Zach Ford did a good writeup of today’s activities.
The focus of our day was really about bridging gaps in the movement. How can the organizations and the bloggers work together to move forward? Even though as citizen journalists we have an obligation to hold our leaders (both political and activist) accountable, we do ultimately have the same goals of seeing equality where it’s currently lacking. Everyone from HRC to GetEQUAL to Lambda Legal to GLAAD were on hand to talk about not just what they are doing, but how they can work with us to accentuate their efforts and spread their message.As we discussed issues like immigration, marriage, employment nondiscrimination, and HIV/AIDS, it was inspiring that we didn’t just talk about how to use new media, we made commitments to using it together. We said, “This is a good idea, and we are going to work together to employ it.” It makes perfect sense for HRC and Pam Spaulding to cooperate on highlighting stories of people who have lost their jobs because they are gay. It makes perfect sense for Jeremy Hooper and I to work together on opposition research for anti-gay religious groups. It just takes us being in the room together and putting it out there and making the commitment. That’s the Netroots in action.
Some photos:
HRC’s Fred Sainz and Michael Cole discuss support of incumbents vs. challengers and endorsements/ viability.
Ron Buckmire (l) of Immigration Equality and Denis Dison of The Victory Fund (r) meet with my blogger table.
With Dan Choi before the ENDA discussion group began. He spent about 12 hrs in jail on Tuesday’s direct action in Las Vegas; Robin McGehee 17 hrs.
Mike Rogers had these remarks at the close of today’s event:
7 Comments
UAFAFor all the bloggers at Netroots Nation, gay, straight, bi or transgendered….There is an immigration battle that will be fought at the end of this year and then next year IMHO. The UAFA bill has been included in the CIR bill and while that is a good thing, we all know it’s been put in there to be used as a tool and I’m sick of it. I appreciate Immigration Equality but I don’t see them making much progress.
When it comes to immigration, GLBT groups are very divided. The truth is, most of the community either is ignorant of the legal insanity that binationl couples have to live with, OR they know about it and simply don’t care. Were a minority within a minority who need help getting our cause out there. No one should have to choose between their partner and their country….NO ONE.
I’m glad for all the work that is going into enacting ENDA and the repeal of DADT and DOMA. I support it fully but why aren’t groups like GetEqual or more bloggers talking about the UAFA bill? Why is there no blogswarm? For the most part when it comes to the UAFA it’s just silence.
We are NOT just ’36,000′ couples. We are a LOT more but many in binational relationships are simply too afraid to come forward. We look to the larger GLBT community for help. I hope I see it. Our lives, our families hang in the balance.
Please help push the UAFA bill as a stand alone or as part of the CIR bill.
I agree.
It’s unfortunate that same sex binational couples have to expend so mush energy educating our own community.
Not alone in the fightFor what its worth, as a gay married man who is in a uni-national relationship (is that the way to say it? maybe we need a term, just like cisgender raises awareness of something you might not think about otherwise) (i.e. my husband & I were both born in the US) I feel passionately about UAFA.
I’m not letting any Democrat running for national office here in NC get through a campaign this election cycle without taking a stance on UAFA if I can help it and have been the first to get some of them on the record. My congressman already supports it, and the survivor of the Democratic Primary/Primary Runoff for US Senate supports UAFA.
When I cast my votes for Elaine Marshall for Senate, and David Price for Congress (who has cosponsored UAFA legislation) I’ll be thinking about couples like you. My husband’s PhD program has taken him away to places Rome and Greece for months at a time (he’s away right now in fact), and I can’t imagine what it must be like to not have the certainty that he will return/will be able to stay. I blog about UAFA myself sometimes, rec/tip any Kos diary I see on it, ask those seeking office to represent me about it.
Overall I absolutely agree with your point that UAFA/immigration equality issues absolutely need more attention/issue awareness raised, and more organized support. But I just wanted to say that you’re not in it alone.
Hi Jake – met with her teamLast night I met up with Elaine’s campaign manager A.J. Carillo and Mike Nellis. Both great guys and they are stoked about Burr’s crappy numbers — they will release official data later today and I’ll post.
Awesome!can’t wait =)
Two of my dearest friends are in a long-term binational relationship. It’s amazing how one little positive piece of news about 18 more months can be cause for a major celebration.
For that matter, every piece of legislation mentioned is vital. None of them are throw-aways for negotiating purposes. They are all about equality and justice. Keep up the pressure, NetRooters!!!
Thank you!
Jake, thank you SO much for your kind words! They had me in tears. Sometimes it’s easy to feel that youre fighting and no one is listening. It can get lonely and frustrating.
Please try and educate people on this issue.
I appreciate your vote for Elaine and I hope she wins.