CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Patricia Todd clearly won. Joe Lieberman clearly lost. That's how direct elections work. Todd, an out lesbian candidate, won two primary face-offs to be one of Birmingham's Democratic candidates for the Alabama state legislature--virtually assuring her victory in November--while Lieberman was turned away as Connecticut's Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate.
So why did a state party committee attempt to invalidate Todd's electoral win? And why is the Human Rights Campaign still endorsing Joe Lieberman for the U.S. Senate?
Is direct democracy that difficult to understand?
Yes, Lieberman built a decent record on gay rights during his three terms in the Senate, earning a high HRC rating. But he's also one of President Bush's fiercest Democratic allies on the Iraqi war as well as energy, taxes, and judicial nominations. Lieberman even voted with Bush to strip Terri Schiavo's husband of his rights--a failed attempt to use federal power to interfere with a partner's most private and painful decisions.
HRC turned a blind eye to the Schiavo vote, and it may argue that Iraq and taxes are not "gay issues." OK. But Connecticut's Democratic voters, who ought to have the final say in which Democrat represents them, told Lieberman to take a hike, and that's reason enough for HRC to withdraw its endorsement from the now "independent" senatorial candidate. HRC need not endorse the untested Ned Lamont, who beat Lieberman, but sticking with the sore loser is personal loyalty to the point of obstruction.
By ignoring voters' clear choice of their party's candidate, HRC has aligned itself with certain forces in the Alabama Democratic Party. On August 24 a subcommittee recommended disqualifying Todd on a rules technicality, despite her twice-counted 59-vote runoff victory on July 18. It briefly appeared that a rancid combination of racism--Todd would replace an African-American legislator--and homophobia might overturn the voters' will.
But two days later the Alabama Democratic Party executive committee voted 95-87 to reject the committee's recommendation, and Todd's ballot-box victory was reinstated.
Votes don't always go our way, but we all need to play by the rules. We should be loyal to the democratic process above all.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
After decades of silent protest, advocates and students speak out for LGBTQ+ rights
April 13 2024 10:52 AM
11 celebs who love their LGBTQ+ siblings
April 13 2024 10:33 AM
The 10 most challenged books of last year
April 13 2024 10:06 AM
Mary & George's Julianne Moore on Mary's sexual fluidity and queer relationship
April 13 2024 10:00 AM
Investigation launched after man screams homophobic slurs at queer couples on D.C. metro
April 13 2024 9:59 AM
Germany makes it easier to change gender and name on legal documents
April 12 2024 6:06 PM
A youth's call to action on this Day of NO Silence
April 12 2024 5:00 PM
Democrats introduce resolution in support of LGBTQ+ youth
April 12 2024 4:35 PM
Colton Underwood is hoping to create a gay reality TV dating show
April 12 2024 4:28 PM
Idaho closes legislative session with a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ laws
April 12 2024 1:39 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedElevating pet care with TrueBlue’s all-natural ingredients
April 12 2024 1:39 PM
Watch Jimmy Kimmel's hilarious LGBTQ+ campaign video: 'You can't spell Biden without Bi'
April 12 2024 12:00 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedCreating erotic art and advocacy with adult entertainer Cody Silver (EXCLUSIVE)
April 12 2024 11:39 AM
How I navigated through religious trauma
April 12 2024 11:00 AM