Fighting For Principles

by digby

It seems as if the administration is getting buffeted from all sides these days and I'm sure the president wonders if he has any friends at all sometimes. But the fact is that politics works as much through pressure and working the levers of power as it does with friends and allies working together. "Trust" is not a particularly useful word and neither is "cynicism." You have to keep up the pressure for change or it will not happen.

It's been a rough year for the LGBT community with Proposition 8 in California, while at the same time there have been some great victories in the Northeast. Just this week, it was reported that the Obama administration has not yet ordered the promised Pentagon review of Don't Ask Don't Tell. The battle for full civil rights is raging all around the country and with every step forward there seems to be a step back.

In order to wage that fight more effectively, some people have come together and decided that the time is now to lay down a set of principles. And they are asking you to sign on:

On May 15-17, 2009 in Dallas, Texas twenty-four thinkers, activists, and donors gathered to discuss the immediate need for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender people in the United States. Collectively we prepared The Dallas Principles.


To join the growing chorus of Americans speaking in unison that now is the time to provide full civil rights to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens, CLICK HERE.


The following eight guiding principles underlie our call to action.

In order to achieve full civil rights now, we avow:

1.Full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals must be enacted now. Delay and excuses are no longer acceptable.

2.We will not leave any part of our community behind.

3.Separate is never equal.

4.Religious beliefs are not a basis upon which to affirm or deny civil rights.

5.The establishment and guardianship of full civil rights is a non-partisan issue.

6.Individual involvement and grassroots action are paramount to success and must be encouraged.

7.Success is measured by the civil rights we all achieve, not by words, access or money raised.

8.Those who seek our support are expected to commit to these principles.


To join the growing chorus of Americans speaking in unison that now is the time to provide full civil rights to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens, CLICK HERE.


Keep the pressure on. This is an issue that affects every single person in this country, no matter what your sexual orientation or attitudes about marriage and the military. The simple fact is that until all Americans are are treated equally, none of us are.


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