In a disgusting move by the House, they decided to open hearings on anti-LGBT legislation on the Anniversary of the Orlando Massacre. Well done, U.S. Government! That’s the way to show us you really, truly care, and that all lives matter isn’t just a knee-jerk privileged response. For the sarcasm impaired, sarcasm. Jim Obergefell testified, and it is a very moving and emotional testimony. Here’s a bit:
Here’s what I said to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Tuesday.
Chairman [Jason] Chaffetz and Ranking Member [Elijah] Cummings:
Thank you for inviting me to testify today. My name is Jim Obergefell, and I was the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court’s historic marriage equality ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.
June 2015 was a joyous time for me and LGBT people across the country. The Supreme Court decision extending the freedom to marry to all loving couples was a landmark achievement in the long and ongoing struggle for equality under the law. I was deeply honored to have played a role in helping same-sex couples win this victory.
June 2016 was a time of heartbreak for millions around the world, including myself. The murder of 49 people and wounding of 53 others at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., on June 12 was a devastating tragedy and the worst attack on the LGBT community in our nation’s history.
Today, exactly one month after this horrifying event, I am appearing before this congressional committee to discuss a bill that would authorize sweeping, taxpayer-funded discrimination against LGBT people. I think that is profoundly sad. With all due respect to you, Chairman Chaffetz, and the members of this committee, this hearing is deeply hurtful to a still-grieving LGBT community.
It is my opinion that a hearing like we’re having today would have been much better spent in looking at how best to ensure that no one in this country is subjected to violence or discrimination based on who they are or whom they love.
Sadly, that is not the focus of today’s hearing. I will explain why I am so strongly opposed to the so-called First Amendment Defense Act, but I first would like to share a bit more about myself.
Mr. Obergefell’s full article can be read here.
So this is what thoughts and prayers look like.
Mr. Obergefell’s speech resonates with both logic and emotion. It very reasonably explains why discriminatory laws like the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) should be rejected instead of embraced. Of course, the bigoted republicans are not reasonable and cannot follow logic to its obvious conclusions. To them, it is not discrimination to deny the rights of certain citizens because the republicans do not recognize those citizens as legitimate people. They constantly whine about the “gay agenda” without considering that the “republican agenda” is the real problem.
Shiv @ 1:
Apparently so.
Johnson catman @ 2:
I can’t even begin to say just how fucking offended I am by the repubs constant use of “defense” in their attempts to legislate hate and bigotry.
Caine @4:
Not only that, but “freedom”, “family”, “liberty”, and a host of others. If you see those words in the title of an right-leaning organization, you can almost assuredly bet that they represent the exact opposite.
Hate to be pedantic, but it has been far less than a year since the Orlando massacre.
I don’t know whether these hearings were scheduled prior to the massacre, but even if they weren’t, the fact that the day of the month happens to be the same doesn’t seem to me to be a slap in the face to anybody.
On the other hand, the fact that the bill is being considered at all — that’s the slap.
DonDueed @ 6:
It’s been mentioned in every article that it is the one month anniversary of the Orlando massacre, and the wounds, grief and shock of those murders is still very raw, and for the house to decide to open the hearings on the day which marked one month since that time, yes, it is a deliberate slap. At the very least, it is blatant disregard, and goes to show just how deep their hate and bigotry runs.
A more positive approach from the San Diego Brewers Guild:
https://www.sandiegobrewersguild.org/calendar/235-all-you-need-is-love-celebration-release
“All (17) breweries aim to release their versions of the beer by July 15 th —the kickoff of San Diego Pride Weekend. Proceeds will benefit organizations aiding in the recovery of Orlando tragedy victims and their families, as well as local San Diego organizations championing peace, equality and tolerance.”
Jim @ 8:
That’s nice to hear! It’s been interesting, a lot of brewers have put out special acceptance brews, all over the states, in response to the bigotry. Brewers are a nice lot of people.