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How To Caucus Like a Lesbian
January 3, 2008 - 12:38am — editor
Hey all you Iowans! It's caucus day. Not sure what a caucus is? (You're not alone.) Guestbian Elizabeth Birch takes us to the frontlines of the first big '08 showdown - the Iowa caucus - and explains what it's all about.
Operation Iowa: Lesbian Style
by Elizabeth Birch
The weather is frightful, but we are a driven, committed gaggle of lesbians campaigning in Iowa for Hillary Clinton. The group is formidable: Roberta Achtenberg (first LGBT person to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a senior position at HUD in the Clinton Administration); Julian Potter (LGBT White House liaison to the community during the Clinton Administration); Miriam Saez (Member of the Democratic National Committee); Marsha Martin (Former Executive Director of AIDS Action Council); and Mary Snider, Iowa native and co-chair of the HRC Board of Directors. We've moved from city to town to surburb to visit with LGBT Iowans with the goal of getting them to caucus for Hillary Clinton.
Caucusing is an ancient art form in this state - more like a barn raising than a glitzy convention. The candidate is selected through thousands of meetings in school gyms, auditoriums, churches and temples. Sometimes even in people's living rooms. So, being gay takes on a whole new meaning. It truly requires that gay Iowans engage in their neighborhoods and communities to drive home victory for their candidate. Everything turns on the persuasive power of neighbor-to-neighbor. If most people saw how we choose our president in the earliest stages, they would be both charmed and shocked. In this environment, lesbians can soar. We did everything to charm, cajole and debate support out of every manner of Iowan - going door to door - after we had hit the gay enclaves. Iowans are friendly but guarded about their votes, but I think we got a few for Hillary.
Here is Elizabeth's report from Hillary headquarters in the Hawkeye state. And check back next week when Elizabeth's off to New Hampshire for Hillary...and OurChart.com of course.
No mere staffers - starring with Elizabeth are:
Laura Spanjian: Iowa Field Specialist.
Miriam Saez: Executive Director, Treasure Island, San Francisco; DNC Official.
Julian Potter: Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Gavin Newsom; LGBT Liaison for President Clinton in the White House.
Marsha Martin: Former Executive Director of AIDS Action Council.
Roberta Achtenberg: First LGBT person to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a senior position at HUD in the Clinton Administration; Founding Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR).
Recently named by The Advocate as one of the most important leaders in LGBT history, Elizabeth Birch served as executive director of the Human Rights Campaign for over a decade. During her tenure, the organization quadrupled in size to become the leading civil rights organization of its kind. After leaving HRC, Elizabeth served as Rosie O'Donnell's business manager and president of Rosie's For All Kids Foundation from 2004 to 2006. She is now a consultant to various organizations.
Operation Iowa: Lesbian Style
by Elizabeth Birch
The weather is frightful, but we are a driven, committed gaggle of lesbians campaigning in Iowa for Hillary Clinton. The group is formidable: Roberta Achtenberg (first LGBT person to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a senior position at HUD in the Clinton Administration); Julian Potter (LGBT White House liaison to the community during the Clinton Administration); Miriam Saez (Member of the Democratic National Committee); Marsha Martin (Former Executive Director of AIDS Action Council); and Mary Snider, Iowa native and co-chair of the HRC Board of Directors. We've moved from city to town to surburb to visit with LGBT Iowans with the goal of getting them to caucus for Hillary Clinton.
Caucusing is an ancient art form in this state - more like a barn raising than a glitzy convention. The candidate is selected through thousands of meetings in school gyms, auditoriums, churches and temples. Sometimes even in people's living rooms. So, being gay takes on a whole new meaning. It truly requires that gay Iowans engage in their neighborhoods and communities to drive home victory for their candidate. Everything turns on the persuasive power of neighbor-to-neighbor. If most people saw how we choose our president in the earliest stages, they would be both charmed and shocked. In this environment, lesbians can soar. We did everything to charm, cajole and debate support out of every manner of Iowan - going door to door - after we had hit the gay enclaves. Iowans are friendly but guarded about their votes, but I think we got a few for Hillary.
Here is Elizabeth's report from Hillary headquarters in the Hawkeye state. And check back next week when Elizabeth's off to New Hampshire for Hillary...and OurChart.com of course.
No mere staffers - starring with Elizabeth are:
Laura Spanjian: Iowa Field Specialist.
Miriam Saez: Executive Director, Treasure Island, San Francisco; DNC Official.
Julian Potter: Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Gavin Newsom; LGBT Liaison for President Clinton in the White House.
Marsha Martin: Former Executive Director of AIDS Action Council.
Roberta Achtenberg: First LGBT person to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a senior position at HUD in the Clinton Administration; Founding Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR).
Recently named by The Advocate as one of the most important leaders in LGBT history, Elizabeth Birch served as executive director of the Human Rights Campaign for over a decade. During her tenure, the organization quadrupled in size to become the leading civil rights organization of its kind. After leaving HRC, Elizabeth served as Rosie O'Donnell's business manager and president of Rosie's For All Kids Foundation from 2004 to 2006. She is now a consultant to various organizations.
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42 Comments
The Unsanctioned Elizabeth Birch
Leave it to our old friend Miss Birch to bring it all home! Go Hillary!
Erin
A vote for substance..............
Obama has charm; Hillary has substance. I don't want a president I can "drink a beer with" (we have already had that), I want a president who has the experience to make the "change" that everyone is talking about. Look at Hillary's record; she is well liked in the Senate and works in a bipartisan effort to advance her bills. I don't agree with her on everything but I certainly think she would do the best job in the White House. My vote is for Hillary Cliniton.
SUBSTANCE...WHERE!
I'm still waiting to hear something worthy of my vote. I have yet to hear any candidate say anything about the continued criminalization of Americans...the Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act...by our government. If things continue, the way they are citizens will be yanked on the street never to be seen again. I do know this...if any republican makes it to the White House I will do my best to leave this country.
Hillary Hating
I guess I am a little surprised that so many of the commenters on this site repeat the same uninformed anti-Hillary crap that is in the main stream media.
I have no problem voting for any of the Democrats but Hillary is my first choice.
Your friend,
Rusty
[lesbian humor; what a concept]
+ + + + + + + +
Buffy:"You will all be turned into vermin. And some of you will be fish! Yeah, you in the back will be turned into fish."
Back from the brink..............
Yes, I agree. The media doesn't give Hillary a break; comments on her clothes (would they do that to a man), her hair, and every little hiccup she makes. I wish some of you would look further into Hillary's record (before bashing) for change and you will see that she is the one to lead our country back from the brink. I am voting for someone who has the experience and a notable record for change.
This election is a joke.
I think all the candidates are a joke. I don't even know who the hell to vote for.. A woman who everyone hates (shes got great ideas for health care though), a man who (like it or not) is from a Muslim upbringing. So he does not claim it; but why would you while running for president? Is Guliani still in? He's a fucking mobster, I just know it. I quit paying attention to politics. We're all doomed!!!
Hope Obama will make it
If I could vote in the states I'm absolutely sure I would vote for Obama. I think it's dumb to vote for Hillary just because she is a woman. That's also discrimination. In my opinion Obama is the better choice. You vote as a citizen, not as a woman or a lesbian, that's just one part of your identity. And by the way I don't understand how the americans, the first democrats, can vote for someone who's part of the family of an ex-president. Isn't that way like a monarchy? Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton etc. etc. ?!
I was there too...
hillary barely made viability in iowa. I was in iowa city 24 and she didn't make it at all in the first alignment.
and hillary still doesn't stand for my rights. sorry, but I'm still behind the man who's been nomnated five times for the nobel peace prize, second to ghandi. find out who for yourselves. research your canidates, people! hillary is nothing but a former first lady and a senator and has said to our faces on logo she doesn't support our rights. there are better people in the running. although i am still impressed that we have a latino, an african american, and a woman in the running at all.
Voting for
I'm voting for Kucinich. He may be a long-shot, but he's a long-shot worth going for. Quite honestly, if you're going to vote for a candidate just because they are a woman or a black man, there is no reason to vote for them. It's the same mess that got Bush into office and the same mess that we could be getting ourselves into.
Kucinich is 1 of the only 2 candidates for equalizing marriage rights. (That's OUR issue here, people) He is the only one for getting us out of this war now. He was the only one in the past out of these candidates that was against it when it was a bad idea to be against it. He is for not-for-profit Healthcare, and he's against the North American Free Trade Agreement. These aren't just the rantings of a conspiracy loon. We've all known for years that there is something being planned here but it's alot deeper then we think. We need to put the only one that can stop this in there now, before it's too late.
And no, I am not a recruiter for Kucinich.
ITS GETTING HOT HERE!!!
Wow, its getting hot here gals!!! maybe too much calling Mrs. Clinton as hitler ( Hitler is a bad, phsyco killer, no matter what nation he had killed, still cant be an excuse to take other people life!), and Mrs.Clinton isnt that bad. I live in South East Asia, my country depend on US in many aspects, thats why, sometimes our policy needs US permission first. Sometimes our government act according to US suggestion too and its make situation hot here in my country, bcoz we r moslem country (and here a lot of people against US, when US attacked Iraq, we know that US didnt ask UN permission and in my country strike all over the place bcoz our government cant say no or yes to support US act), there's a rule that most of our people believe was made bcoz US ask our government to, and till now its always give problem eveytime it applied. Just want to remind you all the voter in US, that your voice not affect your nation (US)only but also many countries around the world (like mine), maybe u can vote for candidate that can think a lot before take any action, coz it will make a better place for us to live if there is no war anymore!!! vote the candidate who can rule US and not taking too much advantage on countries that depend on US!! Hug for u all gals and have a nice and peacefull election there US!!
I'm sorry. Our, the United
I'm sorry. Our, the United States, should not control what your country does. You should not need our permission, Muslim country or not. No one should implement that other countries "can't do" when that country does not respect the standard it expects from others. I don't want my country telling other countries what they can and can not do when it does adhere to the same rules it forces on others.
Strikes were all over in the US because the government went against the sanctions and treaties.
With this presidency, we have become a transitioning fascist country, I can only hope who becomes our next president, is not one for power and will restore the imbalances not just from within, but also with foreign affairs.
rovermom :)
Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece!
OurChart Photo Assignment and My Blog
Yup thanks!!
You r so right Rovermon!!!! Peace GAL!!!! Big hug 4 u!!
Clinton for me!
I am for Hillary all the way!!
i caucused for obama! it was
i caucused for obama! it was exhilarating :)
ok...here's how I see it
No, I'm not American (*hi....Canadian here...), but as we all know America rules the world (and that is particularly true if you live in North America) I think Hilary would do a great job, as would Obama, or even Huckabee. I think it's interesting to note though that many are accrediting Obama's win in Iowa last night to the Big O (Oprah) because of her campain efforts on his behalf.
I mean, ya, it's sad that this race seems to be more about the hype, but if either Hilary or Obama win, history will be made and barriers will be broken.
why?
what's with all the hype? barack because he's half black, hillary because she's a woman, john edwards because he's tried like oh so many times now... and none of them are for legalizing same-sex marriage.
It's not about one issue
So none of them should recieve our vote because of this ONE issue you think? Why is that? Have you look at and studied the platform of any of the candidates? Are you even taking this election process seriously?
There is no hype as you say it's called making a careful analysis of the facts of each candidate in order to make and informed desicion about who we want in office. I think most of us are doing that based on the whole platform of the candidate and not just if they will legalize same sex marriage.
Stay together!
All change comes from society, choose free, vote free but make sure you really want it! The World doesn´t need more CowBoys.
Why are people like Rossi
tolerated around here who spits out venom on this board like no tommorrow whenever she gets the chance. I understand tolerance but we should not tolerate her hate posts. To call Hillary Clinton Hitler is not only offensive to Jews and those who lost their lives and famililes to Hitler but Senator Clinton is one of the most admired women in the US and the world and it's perverted and disgusting to use such language for anyone but the monster who killed millions of people. Please make an exception and delete this post or at least give this person a warning that such hatred will not be tolerated on this board.
Ilene Chaiken is Jewish and a Hillary supporter as am I. Freedom of speech is one thing but it is still illegal to shout fire in a theater and this is what Rossi's posts about Hillary amount to or should I use the phrase verbal vomit.
Do something about this please. It's offensive.
How can anyone dislike a
How can anyone dislike a person so much as to call her "Hitler-like"? It's a sad day in our country when a person cannot run for the highest office in the United States without hate posts. You don't have to like her but respect the work she has done for the citizens of the United States.
Your response is much better than censoring Rossi
You made an eloquent reply that showed why she was wrong to use that term. The cure for bad speech is better speech and you proved that. Nicely done.
Your friend,
Rusty
[lesbian humor; what a concept]
+ + + + + + + +
Buffy:"You will all be turned into vermin. And some of you will be fish! Yeah, you in the back will be turned into fish."
I think we all could have
I think we all could have gotten the jest of Rossi's opinion about Hillary without that reference. As it is now people surfing this site especially who have "real" connections to that event in history could find it an insult and feel they being jewish aren't welcome here. And making light of the losses cause is a bit insensitive in my opinion.
I prefer the term edit. And I would say the same thing if another ethnic group was referenced as well.
You know what I find
You know what I find amusing... no, actually it's pretty disturbing... is, more offense is being taken at me referring to the warmonger (a term used to describe someone who is anxious to encourage people or nation to go to war, commonly with the implication that they either may have selfish motives for encouraging war, or may actually enjoy war. Some may even admit that their selfishness includes the lust for war for personal gain) Hillary Clinton as "Hitlery" than at her record of voting for the war, which has cost many innocent lives, and more than likely many more, many more innocent lives to be lost in Iraq and possibly Iran -- which she has voted for. Now, I find that offensive, and put her in the same category as Hitler. Someone mentioned the lost lives and families to Hitler... I do know how those who have lost loved ones due to the Iraq war feel ("real connections to that event). And I do know enough of that woman's history. That women has blood on her hands. ;o(
And with that said... Just say NO to Hitlery.
confused
I'm really confused why Senator Clinton is getting so much support from this site. I feel that it's almost as though just because the majority of us are gay liberal-minded women, we should automatically vote for Hillary since she has ovaries. I do understand the feminist aspect of it, but honestly, in the immortal words of Shane, she seems pretty "cold in the streets." And I don't think I want to ask Bill about their sheets, either. Don't take me wrong, I think she is a great senator and an impressive politician, but I also don't think that politicians are what this nation needs right now.
I also don't understand why
I also don't understand why there is so much hype on this site for Hilary. She isn't the only one running for president.
Well are any of the other
Well are any of the other candidates actively seeking the gay vote? Have they been campaigning directing to us by addressing the issues that concern the gay community? I'm sure If Obama or Edwards really wanted to they could have made sure there was a group similar to the one in this blog to report back to the gay community. Also OC isn't the only form of gay media out there. There are other avenues they could use to make their positions known that concern us.The difference is all those forms of media have the decision as to what material they publish or appear to endorse.
Yes, there are other
Yes, there are other candidates actively and have voted yay each and every time for equal rights - gay rights - 100% equal rights - across the board.
You are absolutely right about all the media wanting to and endorsing in "their" choice, and not giving an equal platform to let the people decide - making the media play a massive role in who wins or loses - playing a popular vote and making voting not about the what the individual really wants, due to information imbalance and a monopoly of our democracy.
yes, votes in numbers wins...but let the people vote their choice by allowing them to have a true platform of information to decide from, anything less is a RIGGED election. And 2000 was a credence to the real way we process our votes from start to finish. each. and. every. time.
Hilary is only half for us, and at that, because she wants our votes right now, and since she wants other people's votes, she will only support us half way.
other people support us FULLY and no one even mentions his name. I vote for me. with. my. mind. I. pull. the. lever.
I'm not a puppet.
rovermom :)
Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece!
OurChart Photo Assignment and My Blog
Re: support us FULLY and no one even mentions his name
Re: support us FULLY and no one even mentions his name
Mike Gravel... Woot-woot! Someone else has my vote, but I still think Gravel rocks -- I really get a kick out of him when he goes off on Hitlery at the debates. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3gQfz8GC0o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npbftGodGGI
http://www.gravel2008.us/issues
LGBT Rights: Senator Gravel supports same-sex marriage and opposes the Defense of Marriage Act. He supports expanding hate-crime legislation and opposes laws that allow discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or one's gender identity or expression. Senator Gravel strongly opposes the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" legislation on the grounds that it is unconstitutional, as it restricts the rights of gay Americans. He opposes any state or national constitutional amendment that restricts the rights of the gay community.
I disagree with you about not needing politicians right now
Amateur hour with non-politicians has brought you the Iraq war and the attempt to follow it up with Iran. I am voting for Hillary because she is qualified and she's the one I want nominating Supreme Court justices. The next president might be filling 3 vacancies.
Your friend,
Rusty
[lesbian humor; what a concept]
+ + + + + + + +
Buffy:"You will all be turned into vermin. And some of you will be fish! Yeah, you in the back will be turned into fish."
Amateur Hour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ezDV3Mmy6M
Her response toward the end of the video in regard to Iran reminds me of what she said way back when when casting her vote for war with Iraq -- which of course she's retracting her lil' mishap now that she's running for president. Yet, she still voted for Iran. What is she basing her vote on? Bush's claim that Iran is a threat just as he did with Iraq, taking once again the word (lies) of Bush, yet pushing blame for her Iraq vote on her being deceived by Bush. See a pattern? Seems she hasn't learned from her past "mistakes". Why does her voting history seem like she supports Bush on the war but is continually outspoken against Bush's war? Do the people voting for her know about her voting records on the war?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dasUm65vrFA
Just Say No to Hitlery.
Just Say No to Hitlery.
I hope I get a phone call from someone trying to sell me Hitlery. Oooh-wee... that'd be fun! Ha!
I bet she was pissed when she didn't win Iowa tonight. He-he-he...
when kiran met karn
I am doing the PR for this film - WHEN KIRAN MET KAREN.
Please have a look at the first promo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Au8B8K06og
Send me your comments - farha.bhutto@gmail.com
We need all the help and support.
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Well.........!
Iam not american, and iam not leave in there but its always attract me to see whats going on in america. Wow , i just find out the number of gay and lesbian is huge thats why Hillary need a team to make sure she get the lesbian vote!!! Well, LOL, i dont think have to be that way, i mean, its freedom to choose, just do the right things, and people will notice it, (including lesbian or gay) and the voter will vote for you. Well, but i dont like Hillary, better Obama, i guess!!! Who ever be the next president, i hope he/she can threat people or nation equally, Make better america for better world !!!And one thing, dont go to war again, please america!!!! If u say ATTACK, many countries will follow you US, so please be nice to other country ( even IRAN,north korea,etc)be gentle and be more patience!!!
speak it rovermom!
I hate to break it to some of you out there, but here goes...Not all lesbians are liberal dems...Shocking, I know. We are a diverse group of people in every way, including who we vote for.(Not that I think anyone here has written anything to the contrary, but I've heard it in my own life sooo many times.) ~CJ
Iowa
It has been reported that Obama and Huckabee won in Iowa.
Rachel Maddow
I don't know if any of you ladies watched the MSNBC coverage of the caucuses tonight, but man. That Rachel Maddow is a HOTTIE (and intelligent to boot)!
I love Rachel Maddow too
Do you listen to her weekday show on Air America?
first time
i am from iowa and just went and caucussed for hillary,obama won in my precinct but it was close.it was cool though seeing so many people come together for a shared goal.one vote doesnt win,its strength in numbers.
I never really understood
I never really understood what they do or why in the heck it's in Iowa. I know it sounds harsh, but I really try hard to block out all the solicitation on voting. One, it's no one's business who I vote for. Two, most stuff comes out to defensive solicitation.
I think the best way to get people involved is handing out the voting records of those running in a side by side view on their views and let the people make their own opinion. Those people that go house to house and hand out pamphlets are treated just like those who push religion. I say thank you and then throw it in the recycling bin.
It's great wanting to try to win a vote, but stimulating people to just vote, in this day and age, is the biggest feat.
I don't want to be told who to vote for. I want the raw data and not the last minute bullshit. I want the raw data, not just on the dems, but the repubes, and the independent and the green and the black tea (if the last two are even applicable in seeing).
I want the chance to make my own decision on who I feel will do the better job - please be the first place people can go to get an unbiased information base, to be their OWN voter.
rovermom :)
Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece!
OurChart Photo Assignment and My Blog
I'm voting for fruit roll
I'm voting for fruit roll ups! Yum!
"Would I rather be feared or loved? Um... Easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me."
I am voting for
I am voting for you...
Peace, Love
Mygirlandme
Thanks for the explanation of Caucuses
I would love to live somewhere with that level of voter involvement again. I grew up in Chicago so I know about canvassing.
When my family moved to California, my mom called the Registrar twice to make sure we were all really registered. We had 6 registered voters in the house and with less than a month to the election no one had knocked on the door to find out how we were voting. It's not done that way in California.
Your friend,
Rusty
[lesbian humor; what a concept]
+ + + + + + + +
Buffy:"You will all be turned into vermin. And some of you will be fish! Yeah, you in the back will be turned into fish."