The White House Takes Aim at Gay Bloggers For Complaining Too Much

[davidinalameda]

A week after Robert Gibbs went after the “professional left,” another White House official is allegedly airing his frustration with bloggers and this time it’s the LGBT blogosphere and their constant complaining about the Obama administration that is raising concern.

According to John Aravosis at AmericaBlog, the White House’s point person to the LGBT community, Brian Bond, “expressed frustration at the often intense criticism levied, particularly by bloggers, against an administration that is ‘99 percent supportive of your issues.’” Bond allegedly made these comments at a meeting with state-level activists.

Aravosis, who has been a critic of the administration, was having none of it:

It’s great that you’re “supportive.” But it’s the same argument gay Republicans used to describe George Bush. He was secretively supportive of us, they’d say, even if he didn’t help us a whole lot legislatively. I’m not saying you’re George Bush, but the empathy thing is wearing thin. We don’t want your support in words, we want you to keep your promises. And you’re not.


http://www.mediaite.com/online/the-white-house-takes-aim-at-gay-bloggers-for-complaining-too-much/

[Me.]

1. Another Smart Move

by the Apple Dumpling Gang.

[msongs]

2. FIERCE coffee and donuts are ok now and then but FULL equality is better nt

[Sapphocrat]

3. Geez, who do you have to fuck to be an A-List Gay with an invitation to the WH?

No wonder I can't find a reason to blog anymore. As far as the media are concerned, there are only three gay bloggers in the world: Aravosis, Spaulding, and Joe. They're all fine, but they're not the alpha and omega of the entire LGBT blogosphere. The rest of us may as well be chopped liver.

(Yes, before anyone asks, I am jealous and bitter. I've been blogging on politics/LGBT issues since 2003, my writing doesn't suck, and yet I couldn't get 1/1000th the attention they do if I set myself on fire and posted the video on my blog.)

</rant off>

As to the subject at hand... a good article, until the very end, when the writer tries to blow off the influence of the A-List Gays:

The LGBT blogosphere, like progressive bloggers generally, has focused on the Obama administration failures and attempted to rally opposition to the White House. Anyone who sides with the administration– including the Human Rights Campaign and even Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.)–is given the same treatment.

This is especially unfair. HRC has been a sell-out since long before anyone had ever heard of Barack Obama. My GayTM was closed to them after they ousted Cheryl Jacques (what, 10, 15 years ago?).

Ditto Barney Frank; he's been completely out of touch with common queers for many years.

I don't dislike HRC or Frank because they (usually) side with Obama -- I've disliked them for a long time, and it's only fitting that they side with Obama.

The larger question for LGBT bloggers, and the White House, is how much harm is there in complaining about activists. While big-name bloggers are now hosting fundraisers for candidates, its unclear how much they speak for mainstream LGBT voters or how large their constituency really is. While bloggers may have an outsized-role with other activist groups that the White House wants support from, there may be little downside in questioning the role of activists/bloggers and touting the administration’s perceived successes outside of the LGBT blogosphere’s echo chamber-like voice.

Oh, so the message is we really are powerless -- even the A-List Gays. So, then, why does the writer care how upset we are?

[NMMNG]

4. ....

Oh, so the message is we really are powerless -- even the A-List Gays. So, then, why does the writer care how upset we are?

He just wants us to STFU and stop making things uncomfortable for the powers that be. You should be used to that by now.

[queerart]

5. I Know I Will Get Pummeled For This......

But is this really a surprise to anyone... I mean really people.....



There were 2 candidates in the Presidential race..... one candidate met "face to face" with a Gay group who shared his political affiliation, and he took loads of shit for doing so......



The other candidate sent his wife at the last minute to meet with the Gays that represented his political affiliation.......



One need not be psychic, nor a political wonk to figure out who is who......



People are just pissed that Queers have the bad manners to bring such a topic up........ Who The Fuck Do We Think We Are Anyway?



Besides, where will the Queers go?



Will they vote against their own interest... Folks may be very surprised!



Not to worry though, the threats, pony comments, and berating diatribes are right around the corner for the GLBTQ community. Others
who pretend (and who really are Queer) will lead the charge.....



So Queers... Get out your fucking money, pledge total allegiance for others that have no respect for you, or your loved ones, go door to door proselytizing for the candidate like Rick Warren wearing a size 12 butt plug, and cast that fierce advocacy vote........

[NMMNG]

7. I refuse

Flat. Out. Refuse. to vote for "the lesser of two evils" any longer. I'm sick to death of being told my life, that of my family, and those of every other LGBT citizen, are wedge issues/paltry/too hot to touch/less important than all the other stuff.

For too long we've been asked to wait, wait, wait, eternally wait for what we deserve. Meanwhile they never wait for their votes, money and other forms of support. It's high time they did. If any politician wants jack shit out of me and mine from now on they'd better be prepared to give more than pretty words and lame excuses. I refuse to support my own oppression.

No More Ms. Nice Gay.

[jonnyblitz]

8. me either and it's not just because of our LGBT issues.

being also a vet I am distressed over this war business and all those billions down a fucking SHITHOLE to finance it.

I was amused when someone posted in outrage that Mary Cheney donated to some republican candidate opposed to gay marraige. How is that different than DEM gays donating to anti-gay marriage Obama? (rhetorical of course) :eyes: :hi:

[NMMNG]

9. Indeed

Not that "LGBT issues" are the "single issue" many try to claim, but it does go far beyond that.

[mitchtv]

10. same here

no mas

[mitchtv]

6. that shit will probably finish off this forum

the attacks are getting closer and it sounds like a dog whistle call to the 'STFU squad" to start up again, and attempt to tell us what to believe.History is with us . I say to them get on board or get lost.