Barney Frank Strategy Visionary Failure

Political Party Polarization Is Now Complete

Reaction to a published essay by Rep. Barney Frank has stirred up criticism about the Washington strategy of LGBT political insiders, who are blocking wider gains in the realm of LGBT equality.

"There is literally no issue in the United States today in which the gulf between the two parties is wider than on the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to legal equality. This is a relatively new fact in American political life," wrote Rep. Frank.

"Only Barney Frank could brag that "Party Polarization Is Now Complete" - because this has been his sole strategy - to link LGBT hope to the DNC. And this is why he opposes Full Equality anytime soon - to keep us feeding at the political trough. But his game has not worked for us. He & the DNC gave us DADT & DOMA on the down side, with only Hate Crimes on the plus side, and this means 17 years (and counting) of bad federal losses, and one small gain to enhance penalties for violent crimes, but not one non-discrimination bill, for which he offers excuse after excuse. If it were not for Frank, we might have a two-party movement, and much broader support. But he fueled this polarization, and like a proud father now announce it is 'Now Complete' as he exits branding his legacy. How sad for all of us," wrote an LGBT civil rights activist on Facebook.

Same-Sex Marriage France Update

PARIS — Gay couples in France will be allowed to get married and to adopt children from next year, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault announced last week.

“In the first half of 2013, the right to marriage and adoption will be open to all couples, without discrimination,” he told parliament, confirming an election promise by Socialist President Francois Hollande.

“Our society is evolving, lifestyles and mentalities are changing,” he said in a speech outlining the new Socialist government’s agenda. “The government will respond to that.”

The confirmation came just days after Paris held its annual Gay Pride parade, which this year was buoyed by the promise of the new government to legalise gay marriage and adoption rights. And the announcement follows just a few short months after LGBT activists in France staged a national LGBT equality summit in the setting of a French presidential debate.

Read more : Same-sex marriage, gay adoption allowed in France from 2013

Marriage Equality in France ?

A couple of months following the Meeting LGBT national presidential debate in France, the government spokeswoman makes a stunning announcement about marriage equality.

While attending the LGBT pride festival in Lyon, the spokeswoman for the French government promised that marriage equality would be adopted by spring 2013, reported ACT-UP.

The government spokesman, Najat Belkacem-Vallaud, said that the marriage equality bill to be drafted and adopted before spring 2013, "if possible."

Marty Edwige, the head of Fierté, the Lesbian & Gay Pride de Lyon, called on the government to schedule a vote "as soon as possible" on marriage equality and on LGBT parenting.

This breakthrough in French LGBT civil rights comes less than three months after LGBT activists in France organized a presidential debate on LGBT equality called Meeting LGBT pour l'egalite.

Presidential Debate On LGBT Equality

Meeting LGBT pour l'égalité

Let us have an LGBT Equality Form amongst 2012 U.S. presidential candidates, the way that they had one in France. Let's put forth LGBT equality as the subject of a solely dedicated presidential debate.

After French President Nicholas Sarkozy did nothing to make French LGBT citizens to have equal rights under the law, LGBT activists organised a presidential debate in France. This ''Meeting LGBT pour l'égalité'' took place on March 31.

LGBT activists thought that it was a good idea to put directly before presidential candidates the community's demand for equality. Activists say that voters should be able to select a candidate, who will fight against discrimination and finally deliver equality to all of the country's citizens.

Let's do the same here in the United States : let's organise and invite President Barack Obama and GOP nominee-designate Mitt Ronmey to a presidential debate, so that activists and voters can question these candidates about LGBT civil rights.