Equally lame is the argument mounted by an Obama spokeswoman, Linda Douglass, who talks of how Warren has fought for “people who have H.I.V./AIDS.” Shouldn’t that be the default position of any religious leader? Fighting AIDS is not a get-out-of-homophobia-free card. That Bush finally joined Bono in doing the right thing about AIDS in Africa does not mitigate the gay-baiting of his 2004 campaign, let alone his silence and utter inaction when the epidemic was killing Texans by the thousands, many of them gay men, during his term as governor.

• The very fact that we are having this discussion elevates LGBT issues to the national stage. TV's, Radio, newspaper, all highlighting issues of importance to our community. That is a victory.


• Saddleback did change their site. I am NOT praising Saddleback; I am recognizing that our voices caused them to change. That is a victory.


• In less than 24 hours, our community took an issue and put it in living rooms and on kitchen tables across America. That is a victory.

The advantage in having disagreements with a new President early in the administration -- indeed before it has begun -- is that it puts both the election and the future in perspective. Governing is not campaigning. Campaigning is only about hope and promise. In many ways, it is about the suspension of belief because retaining the passion for the work requires unending enthusiasm for a candidate and a cause. Governing this country at a time of such crisis will be so much more difficult. And it is so much more fraught with unsatisfying compromises.

So despite my view that Inauguration day is a celebration that shouldn't be marred by the messy process of political compromise, I accept that for President-elect Obama, Inauguration Day is his first day of governing. He made a choice I disagree with and I won't soon forget the smugness of Warren's response. But, Barack Obama will own this inauguration, not Rick Warren. And I still believe in Barack Obama.

I still believe that he will lead our country to greater prosperity; health care for all; an energy policy that promotes a clean environment and a new economy. And I still believe that President Obama will work to enact public policy for to improve the lives of LGBT Americans. There will be missteps and compromises along the way. And those that simply don't understand what it means to be different in this world will have far more influence than I'd like in the debate. But the messy process of governing will also bring about progress in an Obama administration that will propel equality significantly forward.

From the Blade:

Welcome to D.C., now come out already

KEVIN NAFF
Friday, December 19, 2008

A new administration brings a new energy, vibe and influx of faces to Washington. As President-elect Barack Obama’s team, along with many new members of Congress arrive in the coming weeks, it’s important they familiarize themselves with the new expectations regarding honesty in dealing with sexual orientation.

Essentially, those rules dictate that we not enable another Mark Foley or Larry Craig. No more senior staffers, members of Congress and the like socializing at JR.’s and Halo, then retreating to the closet. No more wild nights at Town, with the understanding that fellow revelers will keep your dirty little secret. No more restroom quickies before heading home to the wife and kids in Georgetown or Bethesda.

This first National LGBT Citizen Journalist Bloggers Summit attracted about 60 LGBT bloggers. The conference was separate from, but simultaneous to, the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute, and bloggers and the more conventional leaders met in a few joint sessions.

The conference included such topics as how bloggers can contribute to political campaigns, how to enhance their work with investigative reporting skills and practices, and what federal laws might have an impact on their blogging.

Idaho Sen. Larry Craig has lost his latest attempt to withdraw his guilty plea in the Minneapolis airport men's room sex sting that effectively ended his Senate career.

A three-judge panel of the Minnesota Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected the Republican's bid to toss out his disorderly conduct conviction.

An Ohio man in a high place at a conservative Christian school is accused of soliciting sex in open air.

52-year-old Robert Williams, Chief Financial Officer of Cincinnati Christian University, was arrested with two others on Saturday, said to have 'manually stimulated' an undercover police officer in Mount Airy Forest. He is charged with sexual imposition.

The university has placed Williams on administrative leave while officials 'assess the facts of the case.'

'We are shocked and dismayed by the news of Robert Williams' arrest,' said Cincinnati Christian University President David Faust in a statement. 'This is a personal tragedy for him and for his family, and we lift them up in our prayers.'