Unite the Vote 2008

Over 300 LGBT people and supporters came together June 28th for Unite the Vote 2008, an important demonstration of gay community building and political strength that bodes well for the critical fall elections.

The place-to-be event was hosted graciously by Ren Scheuerman and Travis Lay and directed masterfully by Mark England. It brought together LGBT people from all parts of the political spectrum. The goal was to underline the urgency of supporting democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama in his race with John McCain and Kentucky’s Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth in his re-election bid against former Congresswoman Ann Northup.

In his remarks, England urged the crowd to examine the positions of nominees Obama and McCain, and see the stark difference when it comes to issues of gay rights and equality. While Obama has pledged to support passage of ENDA (key anti-discrimination legislation) and is on record opposing a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, McCain has been busy cozying up to right wing fanatics who support the criminalization of gay sex, the prohibition of gay adoption rights, and continue to call AIDS the "gay disease" brought on by God.

Congressman Yarmuth told the audience that he is proud to be an elected official who not only stands up for gay rights, but comes from a congressional district which has one of the best, strongest, and most inclusive Fairness laws in the country. He thanked the gay community for our continued support as he wages his reelection bid. He believes the Obama presidential bid is critical to move our nation, and indeed the world, in a direction of peace and justice for all.

As one of the founders of the Fairness Campaign, I echoed remarks by England and Yarmuth and urged supporters of both Clinton and Obama who believe in gay rights to join together as a powerful block which can play a role in the election outcome. "The McCain camp will try and appeal to fear, prejudice and doubt," I stated, "They will wrap these weapons of division in questions about patriotism, leadership ability, and security. But they are meant to keep us from being part of the change needed to undo the disastrous state our nation has been left in by the Bush regime."

With so many issues critical to us as gay people and human beings, Unite the Vote 2008 shows our community at its united best. When our very planet is in peril and wars are destroying thousands of lives while sucking billions of dollars from much needed social and economic concerns, staying on the sidelines is not an option.

By Carla Wallace