Yesterday, Pam Spaulding and Michael Aravosis (and, well, pretty much everyone else) was calling for statements from the gay members of Congress — namely Barney Frank (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jared Polis (D-CO) — about the remarkably Department of Justice DOMA brief that has prompted many of the LGBT population’s largest forces to pull out of the upcoming LGBT DNC fundraiser.
Polis responded yesterday:
I am a proud Democrat, as are many in the GLBT community, and I believe we must hold our leaders accountable. The Obama Administration made a HUGE mistake in the DOMA brief. If they keep making mistakes like this, they risk losing the support of the GLBT community forever, although I do not believe we are at that point yet.
And Tammy Baldwin, also from yesterday:
Last week the Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of DOMA. I was profoundly disappointed by this action, particularly coming from this administration. I still take President Obama at his word that he is committed to the repeal of DOMA. I also recognize that he cannot do it alone. Congress has the responsibility on its shoulders to pass legislation that would give the opportunity to the President to keep his word and ensure that all married people, including those in same-sex marriages, enjoy the same rights under federal law.
Barney Frank today said:
I think the administration made a big mistake. The wording they used was inappropriate. I’ve been in touch with the White House and I’m hoping the president will make clear these were not his views. There are a lot of people who aren’t boycotting. I think it’s a mistake to deny money to the DNC.
17. June 2009 at 10:16 pm
While having a huge no show for this would be a huge statement, Frank does have a point about denying money to DNC.