I am seriously flummoxed by the decision to be made -- Obama or Clinton.  A lot of my progressive friends are very pro-Obama.  And I find that I *want* to be on his team, too. 

But I just can't make the leap.  Thanks to Steel City Stonewall Democrats for links to some comparisons on LGBTQ issues, courtesy of the HRC and the Gay Men's Health Crisis. There aren't a lot of differences. 

It really comes down to a few issues for me and they are all from my gut.  First, the people trying the hardest to convert me to Team Obama are men who in their critique of Hillary veer a little too close to the "assertive women are divisive mentality" for my comfort. 

Second, Obama had ex-gay fringe christian Donnie McClurkin on his parade o' supporters and that scares the livin' hell out of me.  I am afraid that Obama is going to get caught between appeasing the homophobia of some (I say some) African-American churches and defending the civil rights of gay Americans.  That's just as unappealing as Huckabee pandering to the evangelical, homo-hatin' base. Not everything can be as neatly finessed at City Councilman Ricky Burgess handling of the recent pro-gay resolution.  Not that I'm okay with being finessed, but I can sure as hell see a point at which there is a clear moral line on which President Obama is going to have to stand. 

You know from whom I have not heard?  Progressive women supporting Obama.  Women that I actually know.  Progressive women who believe in a trans-inclusive ENDA and gay marrriage (the real cahuna).  Are you out there in Pittsburgh, blog-reading land?

I am really sorry that the rich white Southern guy -- the one who talked about poverty -- dropped out.  I hope he makes a fine Attorney General (minus the prayer circles and pro-torture memos).

I haven't blogged about the Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh in a long while.  Their next meeting is on Valentine's Day at 7 PM at the United Cerebal Palsy space in Oakland.  Follow the weblink for more specifics.

This is a nifty little organization that hangs in tenaciously to ensure that pro-LGBT (among other) issues are promoted among candidates, across the party line. It goes hand in hand with Steel City Stonewall Democrats EXCEPT for the allegiance to the Democratic Party thing.  The smart gay politico has their eyes on both groups.

Stonewall has some stuff coming up.  Most important among those is the 2008 Board Elections (and Candidate Reception) on Sunday, Feb 24 from 3 PM - 6 PM at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh on Morewood Avenue in Shadyside.  This is your chance to meet the exciting new slate of board members and probably meet the 75+ Democrats throwing their hats in the ring for Lisa Bennington's seat.  And a few other other candidates as well.  :-)  There's a bunch of little barsy/fundraiserish type things happening involving guessing games and a lot of complicated details that lost my attention. I know that sounds bad, but I'm waiting for local gay politicos to get out of churches and bars into a new environment.  I spend very little, if any, of my time in bars or churches so come meet me where I'm at.  Target.  Kidding. 

Speaking of Bennington's seat, I'm a little pissed that I'm going to lose a strong ally in my County Council Seat as Brenda Frazier resigns to run for the state seat.  That completely sucks, especially as there are 16 million other progressive candidates in that race and it has no bearing on me whatsoever.  Yes, I would love for Brenda to move ahead, but I have enough problems getting a response from her office with regard to my never ceasing unhappiness with One Vision, One Life.  Imagine how much an appointee will disregard me.  Maybe we'll get lucky and someone will appoint a progressive woman to fill the vacancy.  One can only hope.

I like that three out of the four folks who represent me are women (Frazier, Payne and Wagner).  I don't always agree with them (or even like them), but it is a cool situation in which to be a woman. 

You can be damn skippy sure Gertrude Stein won't waiver on the issue when it comes to Luke "Catholics don't like civil unions" Ravenstahl or his boss, Danny "DP benefits cost too much money" Onorato.  Gertrude Stein stood up to attempts by the Tavern Guild to censor them, even going so far as to ban them from the local bars.  Steel City has its hands tied by affiliation to an imperfect party led by Luke and Dan, but finds solace in the leadership of Dan Frankel and the emerging inspiration of Chelsa Wagners of the region.  Hence, the need for both organizations -- sometimes a home needs a little hands tied up and sometimes they don't.   :-)

So, while the field for President whittles itself down to McCain and Clinton/Obama, get off your duff and toddle off to the church or the bar or the street corner and join the revolution.  I'll be in the corner of the church taking notes about the candidates who aren't running for Bennington's seat.

I wonder how Ledcat would respond to a polital meeting on Valentine's Day?  Hmmm ...