Bush Aide Mehlman: I'm Gay

We live in Virginia. Virginia's devastating anti-gay Constitutional Amendment strips us of countless rights, benefits, and respect under law, and adds countless financial, emotional, and other costs to us, our children, and our parents ... who also are stripped of benefits because our families are not considered as worthy as other families. Through selfish cowardice and hyprocrisy, Mr Mehlman became one of the architects of this harm. Thousands in Virginia, and tens of thousands more, have been harmed. Perhaps hundreds have died, or died early, under this architecture of bigotry: by hate crime, by lack of services, by discrimination, and by abandonment. The command of Christian charity is forgiveness, not acclaim to the villain. And, in his own Jewish tradition, atonement is called for. The voices of the dead cry out. If the lgbt community welcomes him without reparation, gives him privileges and awards, then they voices of the dead cry out louder.

Brent, I appreciate your concern for Mehlman, but you really have to stop projecting your own experience on this man. This man, as much as he and others are trying to now portray otherwise, was at the very center of the construction and implementation of one of the most viscious anti-gay political campaigns in our nation's history. A concerted effort that went on for many years and still finds echoes in campaigns today. I would imagine in your own struggle that you were not at the same time trying to completely undermine the fight for LGBT equality. If you were then I'm sorry, but your struggles to come to term with your sexual identity neither justify or excuse those actions. Plus, realize this man has barely acknowledged that he has done anything wrong, and, as recently unearthed, he is still supporting GOP candidates who oppose LGBT equality. As I've state elsewhere, it's fine that he's come out and wants to help, but don't expect me to laud him on his decision.

@Brent Collins, He is a fricken traitor who helped in a direct way to make our communities members lives difficult if not impossible. He purposely hurt millions of us. He deserves absolutely not pity or sympathy. Those that think he does need to pull their heads out of there arses and think about what he really has done and the damage he did as it continues to haunt us today!

I cannot believe all the hatred that I'm reading. We scream and yell when someone hates us...and when the tables are turned...what do we do? EXACTLY the same thing!!!! There are many, many people in the world who cannot accept themselves for whatever reason until later in life. Just like Mr. Mehlman has said, he wishes he had accepted himself sooner. Jobs, life, society, and many other pressures get in the way...and we think these feelings will pass away. I've been exactly where he's at...and it ain't easy, first admitting to yourself, then admitting to others, especially after the rhetoric you've preached. I've got the scars to prove it. So lay off the guy!!!!

No, I am not 10 years old. and I have not been living under a rock. I just think that we need to show a little of the tolerance that we are demanding out of everyone else.

Why is it horrible Jay? Because of people like Lehman. People who not only stay in the closet but actually profit off the misery they create for others while they reap the rewards of hiding. HUGE rewards. I can only assume you are either 10 years old or have lived under a rock for the last 10 years to be totally clueless as to what this man and Karl Rove did not only to our community, but this country as a whole. Anti gay sentiment and hate, the fight for marriage in state after state, the families torn apart, the christians rights ability to demand bigotry of our politicians against us... can be laid at the feet, in large part, to this man and his deeds. Millions of us have gone through the coming out process without wreaking havoc, pain and misery on those around us, for cash and power and fame. Monstrous. It's like Cheney coming out as a secret Muslim and apologizing to Iraq. I need only remember how it felt seeing my life and love voted on and away as the results came in.

What Obama can't see is that there is a growing support for gays among Republicans. A small trickle, yes, but steady. He should step up and take the bully pulpit as he promised or the Dems will lose our support.

Awesome. He's on our team. Yay. Next you're going to tell me Leni Riefenstahl was a lesbian. We don't want you, Ken. We don't need you. Not only did you help fuck over LGBT Americans, you also helped fuck over the entire country, the world economy, and New Orleans! All the money in the world isn't going to help you buy your way back into the human race.

These comments are very Ironic... Clinton was the President that signed the Defence of Marriage Act - that keeps us from marriage equality. Clinton signed the DADT bill.... I'll agree that Bush did nothing to help our community or equality and did attempt to push the hate envelope by embracing the religious right. Democrats have not been the picture of a total embrace of the GLBT community (either) when the time comes to provide equal rights.... yet wants our funding just the same.

Jay is correct. The gay community contains some of the most intolerant, hateful people. My dissappointment is every bit as strong with the gay community and its hate as the Republican party and its hate. Very sad.