General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Mr. President, the GayTM is no longer in service. [View all]Ms. Toad
(34,069 posts)I posted my feelings about Cardinal Dolan speaking here.
While allowing him to speak does not cause me the kind of anguish or extreme sense of betrayal that previous actions by this president, and the Democratic Party have, I am well aware that my feelings are not universally shared by others in the LGBT community. This administration's record on LGBT rights and inclusion, up until the time at which it became clear we were needed for the next campaign, were atrocious.
I believe Obama (at least) has truly had a change of heart, although I reserve some skepticism about the timing. But it is also a perfectly reasonable response (both rationally and emotionally) to believe it is all driven by political expediency -and to see the invitation to Cardinal Dolan as one more indication that we are tolerated when it is politically expedient to do so - and just in case they miscalculated Dolon gives them a hand to grab to be pulled out of their mistaken calculation. LGBT individuals and alllies who are angered, anguished, feel betrayed by this administration and the Democratic Party repeatedly lending their names to expressions of bigotry should be free to express those feelings without it being implied that we are once again whining about not getting our special pony.