From David Mixner's Blog

From David Mixner's Blog


President Obama: "Which Side Are You On"?
By David Mixner
Copyright By David Mixner
Oct 13 2010
http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/10/president-obama-which-side-are-you-on.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29


With the Federal Court decision on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the Log Cabin Case, the moment of truth has arrived for President Obama. The decision by this administration on rather to appeal this case or to let stand the ruling which will in many ways define this administration for generations. The President can courageously stand for equality for LGBT American citizens or he can duck and hide behind the Department of Justice.

Politically, the President's choice really is quite simple and he can say:

1. An overwhelming majority of Americans support the repeal of DADT.

2. The policy is wrong and an embarrassment to this nation.

3. Clearly, even in the political process, there is a historical inevitability for repeal.

4. Given the urgent needs of jobs, schools and food for Americans, he refuses to spend time, money and resources on this case when there are so many other priorities.

Yesterday, even the state of Florida refused to appeal the adoption decision and now LGBT citizens can legally adopt children in Florida. Surely the President can rise to the same courage. In one brave moment the President can end this policy forever. He has refused to issue a 'stop-loss" order to protect Americans in the military but now he has the full force of the Federal Courts behind him.

If the President appeals, he will lose forever whatever chance he has to be viewed as a man who acts on full equality for LGBT citizens. He will prolong pain, continue the witch hunts and continue this outrageous violation of human rights. Twenty-one Senators led by Senator Gillibrand has issued a powerful statement urging the President not to appeal.

Listen to their voice, Mr. President.





Mayor Bloomberg's Remarkable Speech On Equality
By David Mixner
Copyright By David Mixner
Oct 13 2010
http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/10/mayor-bloombergs-remarkable-speech-on-equality.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29


In response to the ugly epidemic of teen suicides and the brutal torture of three men in the Bronx who were thought to be gay, Mayor Michael Bloomberg appeared at the PFLAG Annual Dinner and gave an amazingly strong speech for full equality. I have decided to reprint the entire speech.

Thank you, Drew, and good evening everyone.

It's great to be here for the 30th anniversary of PFLAG's New York City Awards Dinner...

Thirty years of making a difference and brightening the futures of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender New Yorkers.

And for that, I must give a big thanks to the incredible leadership of Drew and Suzanne Ramos and Phyllis Steinberg.

So tonight's anniversary is a celebratory moment...

... and yet - it also couldn't be a more timely or essential moment.

There are more than 1 million children in this city - and each of them deserves our love.

Each of them is different - and each of them is born perfect.

All are equal under God's eyes and the eyes of the law.

As the father of two daughters, I know that when we bring a child into the world or into our home...

... we do so with the certainty that nothing is as powerful as a parent's love - and with the hope that we can protect them from everything.

No doubt, there are times when that belief is challenged:

The first time your son lets go of your hand at a crosswalk, for instance... or the first time your daughter comes home in tears.

At some point, we've all questioned whether a kiss on the forehead is enough to keep our children safe through the day.

And I know the recent rash of terrible, homophobic incidents - here in our city, and all over the country - has caused you to hold your children a little tighter.

Let me be clear: These incidents are completely unacceptable.

They're intolerable in a city in which tolerance is what define us.

They're unacceptable in a city in which embracing our differences is what makes us strong

Because when any New Yorker is attacked because of who they are or who they love - the fabric that binds us together is torn.

That's why these attacks are attacks on us all - and why they can never, ever be allowed.

Especially when it comes to our kids.

To those who have been the target of bullying and bias - whether you happen to be in this room or in any neighborhood in the city, I say this:

This great city stands with you...

We believe in you. We want you here. We will do anything in our power to keep you safe.

And we will do everything in our power to punish those who dare threaten the well being of our citizens.

As I said over the weekend, the perpetrators of the abuse and torture in the Bronx will be spared no mercy.

At the same time, we will continue - with the help of PFLAG - reinforcing in our public schools what is the most comprehensive anti-bullying policy of its kind in the nation.

Because building a city of honesty and respect and civility begins with our children.

This city's greatest strength has always been its diversity and openness.

There are moments when that is challenged - when some argue for closing, rather than opening doors... .

.. for closing, rather than opening our hearts.

But I am confident that will never happen - in part, because of your energy and advocacy.

And clearly, as we note on this night of celebration, that good work is needed now, more than ever before.

So let me close by saying that our city - and our nation - have come a long way... but our journey is not yet complete.

I wish for you the same thing I wish for any parent in this city:

The joy of seeing your son or daughter fall in love...

The joy of walking your son or daughter down the aisle on the most important day of their lives.

Government should not be in the business of telling anyone whom he or she can and cannot love.

And believe me: I will fight with you every single day to make that a reality.

Good night, and God bless.




New Report Uncovers Rampent Discrimination Against Transgender People In Healthcare.
By David Mixner
Copyright By David Mixner
Oct 14 2010
http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/10/new-report-uncovers-rampent-discrimination-against-transgender-people-in-healthcare.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29


In a startling report, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and The National Center for Transgender Equality have uncovered extensive discrimination facing Transgender people in the healthcare system. This includes being denied treatment, humiliation and lack of education among medical personnel. The consequences of these conditions are horrendous as statistics illustrate the increased liklihood of illness in the community.

Here are some of the key findings of the report and read the entire report by clicking here:

-Nearly 1 in 5 (19 percent) reported being refused care outright because they were transgender or gender non-conforming.

-Survey participants reported very high levels of postponing medical care when sick or injured due to discrimination and disrespect (28 percent).

-Harassment: 28 percent of respondents were subjected to harassment in medical settings.

-Significant lack of provider knowledge: 50 percent of the sample reported having to teach their medical providers about transgender care.

-Despite barriers, the majority has accessed some form of transition-related medical care, but only a minority has had any surgery, despite the fact that a strong majority stated wanting to have it someday.

-Respondents reported more than four times the national average of HIV infection, 2.64 percent in our sample compared to 0.6 percent in the general population, with rates for transgender women at 3.76 percent, and with those who are unemployed (4.67 percent) or who have engaged in sex work (15.32 percent) even higher.

-Over a quarter of the respondents reported misusing drugs or alcohol specifically to cope with the discrimination they faced due to their gender identity or expression.

-A staggering 41 percent of respondents reported attempting suicide compared to 1.6 percent of the general population.

Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality said about the report:

“Health care is a fundamental human right. This study clearly documents that it is regularly being denied to transgender and gender non-conforming people,” says Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. “The study also provides information about the serious health impact of the discrimination that transgender people face. The health risks are many times higher for people of color, for those who have lost a job due to bias, and those who were bullied in school.”




President Obama's Shameful Moment
By David Mixner
Copyright By David Mixner
Oct 15 2010
http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/10/president-obamas-shameful-moment.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29


As you listened to President Obama on MTV yesterday about DADT, you couldn't help but feel he was whispering sweet nothings into your ear and seeing someone else on the side. Nothing in his words match his actions. In fact, the decision to appeal the DADT Federal Court decision is tragic with powerful consequences. The Department of Justice, in appealing the case, is morally wrong and cowardly.

The message being sent by Secretary of Defense Gates and the Obama team deeply is ingrained with homophobia. What it basically says is that being a LGBT soldier is such an abnormal concept that we need to be studied, examined and have a special process all just for us! That instead of abiding by the court decision the entire military will be thrown into chaos and the world will come unraveled. Isn't it amazing that we never knew as a community that we had the power to threaten the entire military structure, the ability to conduct war and are so scary to the United States government?

In the 1960's I remember those against the 1964 Civil Rights Bill arguing that the nation couldn't be expected to end segregation of public accommodations overnight because chaos would prevail. Guess what? The day after the bill was signed, blacks and whites ate side by side across the land. There was little chaos and Americans abided by the law. There is no question in my mind that if President Obama hadn't appealed this court case there military would have implemented it without chaos. In fact, the Air Force was already in the process of doing just that.

Finally, in this time of tragic suicides and brutal hate crimes, the President couldn't have sent a worst message. Instead of standing up for justice, freedom and human dignity, he reinforced the concept that the LGBT community is indeed different from other Americans and needed a special process to be integrated into American life. Every young LGBT American will see a Democratic President making a decision involving their lives in a process that separates us from other Americans and not brings us together.

Empty promises of action in the future no longer work Mr. President. The odds of either a lame duck Congress or a new Republican dominated Congress tackling DADT after this year's elections is not promising. You know it and so do I.

The President had a moment where he could have exercised greatness and powerful moral leadership. Instead, he chose 'process' and 'politics' over justice and freedom. He once again refused even to issue a 'stop loss order' while his precious process takes place. No matter what happens in the future, the President will never again regain his moral high ground on this issue. He has failed us miserably. This could have had been all over yesterday.