“The underlying part of any comprehensive immigration bill is family unity and I am here today because I think we need to speak more clearly, more articulately, and more frequently that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and same-sex couples and their binational relationships, are part of families,” Rep. Gutierrez said.

He emphasized the difficulty that thousands of lesbian and gay bi-national couples face.

“Right now, too many same-sex, bi-national couples face an impossible choice: to live apart or to break the law to be with their partners, families, and children. That’s not good for them and it is not good for the rest of us, either. That’s why I think the provisions of [the Uniting American Families Act] must be part of any comprehensive immigration reform bill.”

I was invited to share my own story as the foreign-born half of a bi-national couple. After the event, John Henrehan, a reporter for Fox 5 WTTG interviewed me. Over the weekend, his segment on immigration reform and same-sex couples was published online and played during local news broadcasts.

A few friends have seen the clip and have been very supportive. Many were unaware of the predicament my husband and I face. Although we have been together 12 years, registered domestic partners in New York City for six years, and now a married couple in the District, he is unable to sponsor me for permanent legal residence simply because we happen to be gay. Immigration is a federal matter and our union is not recognized by current U.S. immigration laws. If we were an opposite-sex couple, getting a green card would not be such a hurdle.

I have lived in the United States for two decades and this is home for me. This is home for both of us. Unfortunately, once I complete my doctorate and my student visa expires sometime during the next couple of years, we may need to leave the country — unless immigration reform which includes LGBT families is passed.

“I thought they did a great job with the story! Hopefully y’all won’t have to move!” posted a friend on my Facebook page.

“Excellent interview. I hope and pray that the laws will change,” wrote another.

Conversations about immigration and the plight of same-sex, bi-national couples are important. I appreciate the concern and well-wishes, but I also challenge my friends and allies to act.

Now that you are aware of this issue, talk to everyone about it: your neighbor, your colleagues, your friends and family, and especially your representatives and senators. Tell them you’d like immigration reform to be LGBT-inclusive and that you’d like immigration reform to happen this year in this Congress.

“You are not going anywhere. We are fighting for our full rights until the end,” vowed a gay friend.

I’m counting on that.

You can follow Erwin on Twitter at @ErwindeLeon.

With more than 150 people packed into the bar’s upper floor lounge, Polis praised Fenty for what he said was a “tremendous” improvement in the city’s public schools and efficient and “great” overall city services during Fenty’s first term as mayor. He also praised the mayor for his support for LGBT rights and for helping to bring about “gay marriage in Washington, D.C.”

Fenty thanked Polis for the endorsement and told the gathering he believes his record on LGBT issues as well as city-wide issues is strong and he hoped those attending the event will consider voting for him in the Sept. 14 Democratic primary.

The mayor then waded through the crowd, agreeing to requests by supporters wearing Fenty campaign stickers on their shirts to pose with them for photos.

“This is the actual LGBT community folks who will turn out and vote for the mayor,” said gay activist and Fenty supporter John Fanning. “We’ve been hearing a lot from a few vocal activists who aren’t supporting the mayor,” he said. “But I think this event tonight shows the rank and file people are with him.”

Some in the crowd said they had yet to make up their minds on who to vote for mayor, saying they came to the event because it was billed as a “meet and greet” session rather than a campaign rally.

Fenty said he plans to host more campaign events in the LGBT community.

Lawmakers on the panel approved the amendment, introduced by Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.), by voice vote as part of a rule governing debate for the fiscal year 2011 defense authorization bill.

The Rules Committee is charged with determining what rule governs the debate on legislation that comes to the House floor, including the length of time for discussion and whether certain amendments will be allowed.

The committee’s certification of Murphy’s amendment means the measure will be able to come to the floor when lawmakers take up the defense budget legislation, which is scheduled to happen either Thursday or Friday.

The rule allows for 10 minutes of debate on the Murphy amendment before House lawmakers take an up-or-down vote on the measure.

In testimony before the committee, Murphy urged lawmakers to find his amendment in order so that Congress could move forward with doing away with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Murphy brought particular attention to the case of former Army Sergeant Darren Manzella, a gay soldier who served in Iraq war and was discharged in 2008 after he came out to his comrades and talked about his story on CBS’ 60 Minutes.

“I’m here today for Darren and for the 13,500 brave servicemen and women kicked out of the military simply because they are gay,” Murphy said. “The arguments in support of this policy are weak and outdated, and the time to repeal this policy is now.”

Murphy said the U.S. military is “stretched thin” and it makes no sense to “kick out people who want to serve — who are willing to serve and die for their country.”

Following Murphy’s remarks, Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), a gay lawmaker and member of the Rules Committee, choked back on tears as he expressed appreciation to Murphy for championing the issue to end what he called one of the last “bastions of discrimination.”

After he left the witness stand, Murphy embraced Polis briefly before leaving the committee room.

Murphy told the Blade he feels “very good” as the votes approach both the House floor and the Senate Armed Services Committee later this week.

“I think I’m confident of the votes in the House and also in the Senate Armed Services Committee,” Murphy said. “And I think it’s good for national security, and for the American taxpayer, not to waste our money.”

Polis told the Blade he was similarly hopeful about the passage of Murphy’s amendment, which he said would allow “the military to end the ['Don't Ask, Don't Tell'] policy, which is the stated intention of the commander-in-chief.”

“I’m optimistic that we’ll be passing it on the floor of the House [Thursday],” he said.

A Democratic leadership aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the defense authorization bill could come up for consideration on Thursday, but may be pushed back for consideration of jobs legislation.

“Consideration of the defense authorization is still expected to start [Thursday], but it is possible that the [“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”] amendment from Rep. Murphy could be pushed into Friday,” the aide said.

The aide said the delay will “allow additional time for the whip effort” and supporters of repeal in the House “continue to be very optimistic on the amendment’s chances.”

While certifying Murphy’s amendment, the committee blocked consideration of a substitute amendment by a vote of 3-8 that would have revised the terms of reference for the Pentagon study on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and require that it be delivered to Congress well as the military service chiefs. 

The amendment was offered by Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), ranking Republican of the House Armed Services Committee.

In testimony before the committee, McKeon said his amendment would have mandated the Pentagon examine what impact repeal would have on the Defense of Marriage Act as well as readiness and unit cohesion.

In a possible preview of what will happen with the Murphy amendment when it reaches the House floor, lawmakers on the panel were split on the issue of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Some members of the Rules Committee expressed support for moving legislatively to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” at this time while others said they wanted to hold off until the Pentagon completes its review.

McKeon said in testimony he was among those wanting to wait until the Defense Department working group completes its work.

“We don’t know what effect this would have on recruitment, retention and morale,” he said. “Not making Mr. Murphy’s amendment in order would be keeping the faith with the two-and-a-half million men and women in uniform … in saying that their voices do count.”

McKeon said he received letters this week from the service chiefs of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps asking Congress to hold off on repeal until the Pentagon study is complete.

Earlier in the day, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), an opponent of repeal, also made public four letters from the service chiefs asking Congress to refrain from taking action at this time.

In one of the letters to McCain, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said Congress should wait for the study to be complete “as a matter of keeping faith with those currently serving in the armed forces.”

“To do otherwise, in my view, would be presumptive and would reflect an intent to act before all relevant factors are assessed, digested and understood,” Schwartz said.

But in a response to these letters, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John Shalikashvili wrote in a letter made public later in the day that Congress should act on the pending legislation.

“While I fully agree that Congress should take no action that usurps the Pentagon’s evaluation process and recommendations, there is nothing in those letters that gives Congress any reason to delay enacting the legislative compromise that was proposed this week,” Shalikashvili said.

Also speaking out during the hearing in opposition to repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal at this time was Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.).

Dreier, who supported “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” when it was enacted in 1993, said he would be inclined to support repeal of the law but only after the Pentagon has time to complete its study.

“I wonder why it is that we need to have this vote at this moment,” he said. “We are just a few months away from getting a report that I suspect will allow for the opportunity to ensure that people aren’t thrown of the military who want to have a chance to serve their country.”

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) also didn’t speak favorably about a vote on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” although his opposition wasn’t as strong as other opponents of repeal during the committee discussion.

Skelton recalled the April 30 letter in which Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he would “strongly oppose” legislative action at this time. Skelton also emphasized the importance of the study as a way to inform how to move forward on the issue, saying it’s “not a rubber stamp.”

But Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.), a strong supporter of repeal, was particularly passionate about Congress moving to address “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” immediately.

“What we’ve failed to mention is that 14,000 people in this 17-year period of time have been put out of the military,” he said. “Some of them were people that had specialties that are hard to replace.”

Hastings said he knows of at least 16 people who were discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” that specialized in Arabic translation.

Also in support of Congress moving now to address the issue was Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), who said a study on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” wasn’t necessary for Congress to know that it should act against discrimination.

“To me, it just comes down to this simple view that I have, which is an important view, and that is prejudice and bigotry are wrong, whether it is in the workplace or in the armed forces,” he said.

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) has announced plans to introduce federal anti-bullying legislation “in the next couple of days” that would be inclusive of protecting LGBT students throughout the country.

During a May 1 speech at the annual Equality Forum, Casey said the bill, which will be known as the Safe Schools Improvement Act, is necessary because data shows that bullying happens “most frequently to children who happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.”

“We must enact legislation to do a better job of protecting children, especially those children who are being bullied every day because they’re gay or lesbian,” he said.

Casey said the bill would call on schools to develop policies to prohibit bullying and harassment and create a system to obtain and report data on the issue. Companion legislation to what Casey’s proposing exists in the House. The sponsor of the House version, which has 108 co-sponsors, is Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.).

After the speech, Casey told the Blade his legislation would be different from the Student Non-Discrimination Act that Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) is poised to introduce in the Senate.

Casey said it’s important for the federal government to make clear that it’s going to pay more attention to the issue of bullying.

“As you know, it’s been a significant issue as it relates to gay and lesbian, bisexual and transgender children for a long time — or children who happen to have parents who are gay or lesbian,” he said.

Casey said the legislation wouldn’t necessarily have language specifically relating to sexual orientation or gender identity but would have more of a “broader directive” toward all students.

Although he said it’s possible for anti-bullying legislation to pass this year, Casey said he’s “learned to be more realistic about how long bills can take.”

Hawaii passes civil unions bill

HONOLULU — In an unexpected development, Hawaii’s House of Representatives last week voted 31-20 to pass a civil unions bill providing the same rights and benefits of marriage to the state’s same-sex couples.

The vote came April 30 during the final hours of the legislative body’s session and after many political observers expected supporters to postpone a vote because they lacked sufficient support to override any veto by Republican Gov. Linda Lingle.

Lingle has not said whether she will sign or veto the bill. Opponents, led by the state Catholic Archdiocese, are demanding that Lingle veto the measure. Supporters need 34 votes to override a veto, three more than the number who voted for the measure on Thursday.

“The legislature’s passage of a civil union bill marks a major step forward in Hawaii’s journey toward fairness and equality, but falls short of the full security and equality protection that come only with the freedom to marry,” said Evan Wolfson, executive director of the same-sex marriage advocacy group Freedom to Marry.

Hawaii’s state Senate passed the bill earlier this year.

Wolfson played a role in efforts to push for same-sex marriage in Hawaii during the early 1990s, when same-sex couples filed a lawsuit asserting the state’s Constitution required recognition of same-sex marriage. In a highly controversial decision, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in favor of the couple’s suit, setting in motion a process where Hawaii could have become the nation’s first state to legalize gay marriage.

But opponents fought back, pushing through a ballot measure approved by the voters that amended the state’s Constitution in 1998 to ban gay marriage. The Hawaii Supreme Court ruling in 1993 has been credited with unleashing a nationwide backlash against same-sex marriage that led to ballot measures banning gay marriage in states across the country.

Wolfson and other LGBT activists have expressed hope that that backlash is subsiding, and that more states will soon approve same-sex marriage laws similar to those in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.

Franken to introduce student non-discrimination bill

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) is poised to introduce a bill that would bar discrimination against LGBT students in schools throughout the country, according to his office.

“We are hopeful that we can introduce our companion anti-bullying legislation soon,” Jess McIntosh, a Franken spokesperson, told the Blade last week.

In the House, the legislation is known as the Student Non-Discrimination Act. Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), a gay lawmaker, introduced the measure in January. Polis said the legislation would give schools across the country tools to fight “everything from exclusion from prom, to banning clubs, to lack of actions addressing bullying situations.”

McIntosh said she couldn’t say when Franken would introduce the bill; she also couldn’t confirm whether the language in his bill would match the House version.

Daryl Presgraves, spokesperson for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, which has been advocating for the bill, praised Franken for furthering the effort.

“Obviously, we’re very grateful to Sen. Franken for realizing that the Student Non-Discrimination Act is an important piece of legislation that will help make schools safer for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression,” Presgraves said.

Immigration reform could include UAFA: report

WASHINGTON — A recently published outline of principles Senate Democrats are seeking as part of upcoming comprehensive immigration reform calls for language that would address inequities faced by same-sex bi-national couples.

The 26-page draft proposal, posted online April 29 by Politico, devotes one line to expressing a desire for language to allow LGBT Americans to sponsor their foreign same-sex partners for residency in the U.S. as part of the final immigration reform bill.

“It will eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status,” says the draft.

The proposed language is similar to standalone legislation pending in Congress known as the Uniting American Families Act. The bill would change immigration law to assist an estimated 36,000 same-sex bi-national couples living in the United States.

The draft proposal’s authors are Senate Democrats leading the effort in the chamber for immigration reform: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.).

Steve Ralls, spokesperson for Immigration Equality, called the proposal “a very significant development” toward including UAFA in comprehensive immigration reform.

“It is a solid indication that lawmakers — in crafting their priorities for the bill — saw this as being one of those priorities,” he said.

Baldwin says OPM has pay-for info on DP bill

WASHINGTON — The only out lesbian in Congress told reporters last week that the administration has sent her information on finding funds to pay for domestic partner benefits legislation for federal workers.

Asked by the Blade on April 28 whether the U.S. Office of Personnel Management had yet provided the data as requested by lawmakers, Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) replied, “To me.”

The legislation, known as the Domestic Partnership Benefits & Obligations Act, would make available to the same-sex partners of federal workers the same benefits available to the spouses of straight workers, including health and pension benefits.

“We’ll be able to pay for it,” said Baldwin, the bill’s sponsor. “I’m confident that we will be able to offset it so that it will meet statutory pay-go requirements.”

House and Senate committees with jurisdiction over the legislation reported out the bill late last year. But supporters have said they wouldn’t move the bill to the floor unless OPM provided information on how to pay for the legislation’s cost — an estimated $63 million each year — within the agency’s existing budget.

Baldwin said for strategic reasons, she didn’t want to offer more information publicly on how OPM found the needed funds to pay for the legislation.

While we yawn at news of the latest celebrity coming out and are unimpressed by poll results showing that a majority of Americans are fine with having a gay president or Supreme Court justice, the Iranians savor their new found freedom in a conservative Turkish city.

Nonetheless, we still have a long road ahead. Take for example, the unnecessary and messy slog to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which generated some attention this week.

Although Defense Secretary Robert Gates had outlined new measures that would make it harder to discharge enlisted lesbians and gays, and made it very clear that the discriminatory law will be repealed, a few top generals have been running interference, hoping to stop the inevitable and exposing their desperation for the old order to remain intact.

Retired NATO commander and former senior Marine officer John Sheehan was forced to write a letter of apology after recklessly and disingenuously using the horrific Srebrenica genocide as an argument for not allowing openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people to serve in the armed forces. He had testified at a Senate hearing last month that Dutch United Nations troops failed to prevent the massacre because they had homosexuals in their ranks.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon of the U.S. Army was slapped on the wrist for submitting an unsolicited letter to Stars and Stripes, a military newspaper. He brazenly advocated for his personal stance, writing, “It is often stated that most servicemembers are in favor of repealing the policy. I do not believe that is accurate. I suspect many servicemembers, their families, veterans and citizens are wondering what to do to stop this ill-advised repeal of a policy that has achieved a balance between a citizen’s desire to serve and acceptable conduct. Now is the time to write your elected officials and chain of command and express your views. If those of us who are in favor of retaining the current policy do not speak up, there is no chance to retain the current policy.”

And the commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James Conway, threw a dud by proclaiming that he would not force straight Marines to share rooms with gay service members when “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is repealed. If the general paused for a minute to think about it, with about 65,000 lesbians, gays and bisexuals serving in our armed forces, it is most likely that straight and gay marines are already sharing quarters with no adverse affect on morale or unit cohesion.

Finally, Army Secretary John McHugh said that he would not discharge any gay personnel who came out to him, only to backtrack a day later, claiming that he misspoke. He now warns soldiers that they can still be dismissed if they do tell.

Aside from “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is the other piece of legislation which has been introduced in every Congress, except the 109th, since 1994: the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would bar workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Although Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) expects the bill to come up for a vote on the House floor sometime soon and is confident that it will pass, the Senate will not act on the measure, effectively punting ENDA to the next Congress. Again.

And not even in serious contention is the Uniting American Families Act, which would permit partners and spouses of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to obtain green cards much like spouses of straight citizens and legal permanent residents.

Learning about the dire and often deadly straits of LGBT people in other parts of the world puts things in perspective. We do have it better. But we are hardly full citizens in a nation where all are supposed to be equal.

You can follow Erwin de Leon on Twitter at @ErwindeLeon.

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank talks with Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation President Jarrett Barrios and others during a March 25 reception the group organized with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and LGBT Equality Caucus to discuss comprehensive immigration reform. Reps. Nydia Velzaquez, Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis also attended the Capitol Hill reception in the Rayburn House Office Building. (Photo by Joe Tresh)

GMU retains anti-discrimination policies

Not even Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s own alma mater is siding with him on his push to overturn LGBT non-discrimination policies on public college campuses.

The George Mason University Board of Visitors adopted a resolution last week affirming the school’s existing policies banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

“[A] diverse and inclusive learning environment that respects and enhances the potential of all members of our community is vitally important to the mission of George Mason University to achieve excellence in teaching, research and service,” says a board statement.

Board members praised the “outstanding contributions” of LGBT faculty, students and staff and said all employees and students deserve statutory protections against discrimination.

The decision came March 24, one day after Cuccinelli returned to his former law school for a question-and-answer session with students. He was greeted by a protest of about 50 to 60 current and former George Mason law students opposed to his efforts to overturn the anti-discrimination policies.

Many public universities in Virginia are disregarding Cuccinelli’s March 4 letter, which advised that such policies were illegal, after Gov. Bob McDonnell issued an “executive directive” calling on public agencies to not discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation or other factors.

University of Virginia President John Casteen III praised the directive’s clarity and McDonnell’s “civility and decency” on the issue.

“As rightly alarmed as many of us and I, myself, were by [the] attorney general’s letter, I was struck through the week by the wisdom and dignity of the discussion that occurred,” he said in a statement. “Let us hope that the subsequent discussion will rise to the level of the model struck in the directive.”

HARLEY DENNETT

Activists playing defense in Maryland

Just one pro-LGBT bill remains in play in Maryland’s General Assembly for 2010, a year in which Equality Maryland has tallied more defensive than offensive wins.

House Bill 462, which would add LGBT non-discrimination protections for teachers in public schools, passed the House in advance of Monday’s crucial crossover deadline. Bills must pass at least one chamber before the deadline to advance this session.

The Senate Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee will next consider the bill. No hearing date was immediately scheduled.

Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Equality Maryland’s executive director, said her organization’s work this year focused on playing defense.

“There have been a half dozen bills introduced that would have rolled back rights and in addition we’ve had to watch out for bad amendments to our bills,” Meneses-Sheets said. “The thing about defense: It’s behind the scenes. We know we’ve had many successes by holding back these attacks, but in terms of proactively moving forward, this HB 462 [is a measure] we hope will pass this year.”

Equality Maryland is opposing another bill, Senate Bill 385, which would give public funds to private religious schools without requiring adherence to the state’s non-discrimination policy.

“We certainly respect that they’re looking for ways to support local schools, but at the end of the day, providing public money to a private religious school that refuses to uphold out state anti-discrimination laws is just inappropriate and unacceptable.”

The bill was scheduled for a hearing in the House Ways & Means Committee on April 1, after DC Agenda deadline.

HARLEY DENNETT

HRC’s Joe Solmonese spoke, as did Eric Alva, the first Marine wounded in Iraq. Alva, who is gay, has traveled the country to rally support for the repeal of the military’s gay ban. He is impressive and passionate and it was an honor to meet him. He is a man who served his country valiantly and is still a proud Marine and an example to people across the nation that want to know what a gay member of the military looks like.

Then came a speaker from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, and then the star of the rally — Kathy Griffin. That was the low point of the rally and where it all went off track. Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised. Kathy Griffin is a foul-mouthed comedian, who I admit can sometimes be funny, but totally inappropriate as a lobbyist representing the largest LGBT human rights organization in the nation.

She made fun of Congress and our elected representatives, which is not exactly the way to make friends. I have no problem challenging Congress, but let’s do it with some respect, at least for our friends up there, if we want to make headway. Then after using a curse word in every sentence for the TV cameras, she introduced Lt. Dan Choi. He basically castigated her and said, “This is not a joke to me,” which got a huge round of applause. Then he proceeded to hijack the rally and asked people to follow him to the White House where he and Capt. Jim Pietrangelo handcuffed themselves to the White House gate and were arrested.

I am not opposed to people chaining themselves to the White House fence. In October 1978, one week after I got to D.C., I participated in a demonstration of handicapped individuals and their advocates who chained themselves to the White House gates.

But if we are to do this, let’s at least plan it out and get something other than an arrest out of it. I believe that like ACT UP fighting AIDS in the ‘80s, we could plan a huge demonstration around the White House. They called it, “Hands around the White House.” We can let the White House know and arrange for a delegation to be invited in to talk and make the points we want to make, namely that the president needs to tell Congress that he wants “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ended this year. We can be more active than HRC, but let’s do it intelligently.

We need to sit down with our most loyal supporters in Congress and get them to join us. They can be part of the delegation. With the proper planning, Reps. Barney Frank, Jared Polis, Tammy Baldwin, along with our straight congressional supporters would join us. They are getting as frustrated as we are.

For many years, I was a vocal critic of HRC. I thought that they were wasting money and that the time had come for them to get their act together, work on elections out in the states, and use their clout more intelligently. I think that in some ways they have. But this use of Kathy Griffin as a lobbyist for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” looks like the old HRC — the one many of us labeled “the Champagne fund.”

I agree with Lt. Choi that repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is not a joke. It is a serious human rights issue, and one that we should be focusing on in a serious way with serious people. I thank Kathy Griffin for traveling abroad to entertain the troops because that is what she is, an entertainer. But I wouldn’t ask her to be my lobbyist.

Using an entertainer to attract crowds is fine. But Griffin couldn’t even do that as so few people showed up. So if we work with entertainers let’s not allow them to use us like Griffin did for her TV show. And let’s get some big name supporters and leave the Kathy Griffins for the dinners where her schtick may be appropriate.

Our community must be strategic. We must hold the president’s feet to the fire and do the same to Congress. But surely we can do better than this. And so can HRC.

David Cicilline, who’s served as mayor since 2003 and was the first openly gay mayor of a state capital, formally declared Feb. 13 that he wouldn’t pursue another term as mayor and would instead seek the congressional seat that will be vacated at the end of the year when pro-LGBT lawmaker Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) retires.

In an interview with DC Agenda, Cicilline said he wanted to pursue a run to represent Rhode Island’s 1st congressional district because of the economic hardships his state is facing and Washington’s slow response in addressing the issue.

“Over the past 18 months, it has become very clear to me that Washington has really lost sight of what is happening to the hard-working middle-class in cities and towns across this country,” he said.

Rhode Island has been hit particularly hard by the recession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for the state in December 2009 was 12.9 percent, putting it just behind Michigan and Nevada among states with the highest unemployment.

“People are sick of reading about hundreds of billions of dollars being spent on bank bailouts and hundreds of billions of dollars being spent on bailing out the Big Three car companies, and they do not feel like Washington is doing anything to improve their lives,” he said.

Cicilline said he’s heard “every single day” about families in his home state who are concerned about whether they can “keep the job that they have, whether they can be able to find work, or whether they can afford their rent.”

“I think what we need in Washington, what I really bring to this work, is [a] very practical problem solving approach,” he said. “That’s what mayors do. We sit around, we sit down and try to bring people together who have divergent views and deal with the hard issues and fashion solutions to come up with answers to address problems every day.”

But Cicilline isn’t the only Democratic candidate seeking to represent his district in Congress. William Lynch, who recently stepped down as Rhode Island’s state Democratic Party chair after 12 years, also announced on Saturday his candidacy for the seat.

In a Sept. 14 primary, voters in Rhode Island’s first congressional district will decide who will be the Democratic nominee for the general election. The winner of the primary will most likely take on John Loughlin, the Republican candidate whom the GOP seems poised to nominate.

Loughlin is an Army veteran and Rhode Island State House member who has had notable success raising money. According to the Federal Election Commission web site, Loughlin has raised more than $246,000 for his campaign.

As a gay man, Cicilline said he’s “very, very committed” to supporting legislation and issues that would “affect my community and provide for equality at every level of state, local and federal government.”

“I think when you get elected to any office, you bring to that office your — who you are,” he said. “All of your life experiences and who you are as a person contribute to the way you look at issues, the issues that you care about.”

Cicilline said he would vote in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Uniting American Families Act, as well as back repeals of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the Defense of Marriage Act.

While saying he would as a member of Congress step up to support the LGBT community, Cicilline said he didn’t think his sexual orientation would provide any additional challenge for him in his campaign. He noted that his sexual orientation wasn’t an issue in his runs for mayor.

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund hasn’t yet determined whether to endorse Cicilline in his run for Congress, although the organization had endorsed him in previous mayoral bids and his campaign this year for a third term as mayor.

Denis Dison, a Victory Fund spokesperson, said the process by which the organization determines its endorsements is the same for candidates in all races, but that evaluating whether or not to endorse Cicilline will be “a little bit of an easier load” because the organization is already familiar with him.

“We have endorsed this candidate multiple times; it’s not like we have to get to know him,” Dison said. “It’s a matter of doing the work on the ground and talking to local politicos and party leaders and things like that — just to make sure that we have crossed our T’s and dotted our I’s before we endorse.”

Dison declined to comment on whether the Victory Fund and the Cicilline campaign have held any conversations about an endorsement.

Cicilline said he’s looking for both the Victory Fund and the Human Rights Campaign to endorse him in his bid for Congress.

“They’ve endorsed me for both of my previous races — the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund — so I don’t want to be presumptuous, but I hope to be endorsed by both organizations in this campaign,” he said.

Cicilline’s candidacy means he’s joining other gay candidates who are pursuing a run for Congress. Steve Pougnet, who’s gay and mayor of Palm Springs, is seeking to oust incumbent Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) to represent California’s 45th congressional district.

Should Pougnet succeed, he would be the first openly gay person who’s legally married with children to serve in Congress.

The Victory Fund has endorsed Pougnet, making him the only non-incumbent, openly LGBT person the organization has endorsed in a run for Congress.

Dison said the Democratic Party is looking at this seat as a possible pickup, but it’s too early to determine whether Pougnet will be in a good position to beat Bono Mack in November.

“Nobody’s really in the thick of it yet, and that’ll become clear later on, but he’s been a fantastic fundraiser so far for a non-incumbent, so there’s definitely hope there.”

According to the Federal Election Commission, Pougnet has raised more than $563,000 for his campaign and Bono Mack has raised more than $992,000. While Pougnet is behind in fundraising, challengers typically raise less than incumbents.

Andy Stone, spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Pougnet is doing what’s needed to mount a serious challenge to Bono Mack this fall.

“Mayor Pougnet is aggressively raising the necessary funds and it’s clear that Congresswoman Bono Mack is already feeling the heat from this formidable challenger,” he said.

Pougnet has been heralded as a supporter for LGBT causes and as a strong fundraiser for the campaign against Proposition 8 in California. When same-sex marriage was available in the Golden State in 2008, Pougnet married 118 couples in his capacity as mayor of Palm Springs, more than any other mayor in the state.

Still, some perceive Pougnet as running against a pro-gay Republican. Bono Mack voted twice against the Federal Marriage Amendment and has supported hate crimes legislation as well as ENDA.

Another openly gay candidate seeking a seat in Congress is Ed Potosnak, a former staffer for Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.) and public school teacher who’s running to represent New Jersey’s 7th congressional district.

Potosnak, currently the only Democratic candidate running for the nomination in that district, said he’s pursuing a seat in Congress because of the economic hardship that many people in New Jersey face.

“For me, what really prompted me to run for Congress is the fact that I’m not a career politician,” he said. “I’m someone who has really lived through struggles of the middle class, and I think that real world experience positions me well to address the problems that our families are facing.”

If elected, Potosnak said he’d support ENDA and UAFA, as well as repeals of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and DOMA.

Still, Potosnak is running in a district that Republicans have won consistently since 1980. And the one-term GOP incumbent he’s challenging, Rep. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) voted in favor of hate crimes legislation last year and is a co-sponsor of ENDA.

But Potosnak said the LGBT community shouldn’t support Lance because the lawmaker has been unhelpful in the struggle to win relationship recognition in New Jersey.

“As a state legislator, before he came to Congress, he didn’t support civil unions and he also is undecided on whether it should be repealed in the state,” he said. “He’s also undecided on whether there should be a constitutional ban or a definition of marriage between in a man and a woman.”

The Lance campaign couldn’t immediately be reached for comment on the lawmaker’s position on relationship recognition.

Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality, said his organization wishes Potosnak good luck “in a very challenging district.”

“Garden State Equality has made endorsements in federal races,” Goldstein said. “We target districts, based on not just issues, but also electability.”

Since Potosnak has only recently declared his candidacy, his fundraising numbers aren’t yet available on the Federal Election Commission web site. Lance has already raised nearly $584,000 for his campaign.

The incumbent gay lawmakers in Congress — Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) — are expected to seek re-election. Dison said he didn’t know whether the three House members would have any difficulty in retaining their seats.

“I just have not studied the races and seen what the position is,” he said. “We’re preparing for that eventuality, of course.”

Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), a gay lawmaker, told DC Agenda last week he’s planning to push for inclusion of his legislation as a component of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act authorization bill this year or early next year.

“I think that we will look to get it included in the ESEA reauthorization, which is the main education bill,” he said. “I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to include some protections for gay and lesbian students in the bill.”

A member of the House Education & Labor Committee, Polis said the panel could take up discussion on his legislation this year when hearings begin on the ESEA reauthorization.

Polis introduced last week standalone legislation known as the Student Non-Discrimination Act, or H.R. 4530. The bill would bar discrimination against LGBT students in elementary and secondary schools. Additionally, the legislation would bar discrimination against students for associating with an LGBT person.

The new measure is based on Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in education programs or activities receiving federal funds.

Polis said the legislation would give schools across the country tools to fight against discrimination that includes “everything from exclusion from prom, to banning clubs, to lack of actions addressing bullying situations.”

“Gays and lesbians across the country face discrimination and frequently institutionalized discrimination in many school districts, and giving them a federal remedy, just as girls do and minorities, will help address this,” he said.

Even though the bill was recently introduced, it has support among lawmakers. The legislation had 60 original co-sponsors, including gay Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.).

Civil rights and education organizations also are supporting the bill, including the Human Rights Campaign, American Civil Liberties Union, National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Also supporting the legislation is the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. Shawn Gaylord, director of public policy, said his organization has been working closely with Polis’ office in developing the legislation and trying to push it through Congress.

“Now that it’s been introduced, we plan to work alongside the office to help attract additional co-sponsors,” he said. “We have a lobbying day coming up later in the spring. It’s possible that we’ll be lobbying on this bill along with other legislation that we’re interested in.”

Gaylord said the legislation is necessary because discrimination against LGBT students in schools “is pervasive.”

The National Climate School Survey that GLSEN releases every two years, Gaylord said, shows that nearly nine out of 10 LGBT students say they’ve experienced harassment at school because of their sexual orientation.

“And we know that almost a third of students missed a day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe, which is more than five times higher than a national sample of all students feelings of not feeling safe at school,” he said.

Gaylord said he’s “optimistic” about the passage of the Student Non-Discrimination Act because the bill already enjoys support among lawmakers.

“We know from our discussion on the Hill that this is an issue that legislators care about, and so we’re going to be optimistic that we can continue to build support for it, and I think it can make it all the way through,” he said.

The White House also expressed support for the legislation in response to a query from DC Agenda.

“The president believes that every child should learn in a safe and secure school environment,” said Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson.

Drew Hammill, spokesperson for U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said the speaker’s office is “reviewing the legislation.”