Spain legalized gay marriage several years ago. Now it looks like Germany is getting a gay foreign minister. That would be like Barney Frank being named Secretary of State. So what do Spain and Germany have in common? Both countries were ravaged by the demon of fascism.
The Spanish not only had the fascists, but the church colluded with Franco and his henchmen. So not only are they extremely suspicious of the right, they aren't too keen on the church much anymore.
The Germans had a run in with fascism too. They know what it leads to. Which is why a gay man can reach this level in government there instead of in the United States.
Here, we have a population (and a political party) that flirts with theocratic fascism. If it ever were to actually happen, the results would be catastrophic for this country, and most likely the world. But perhaps, then like Spain or Germany, once burned, twice shy. They know better.
I pray we never find ourselves in the position they did. And it is one reason why it is essential that the world be saved from the economic crisis of the last year — and that we get Americans back to work. Fascism grew out of the anger of a population that had lost jobs, homes and dignity. And that population was sold a story about who was to blame. You can see this same machinery at work on the right in the US with queer folk, and latino immigrants.
This queer jew would have been killed quickly in the Germany of the 30s. And I recognize reincarnated nazis when I see them. They aren't in the White House.
Westerwelle has been in a long-term relationship that isn't hidden away — he attended Merkel's 50th birthday party with his partner, businessman Michael Mronz.
In the United States, we get tea parties with the President. And pretty speeches about equality while the administration defends DOMA in court.
Westerwelle will get his appointment because of raw political power: he has the numbers Merkel needs to stay in power. Which means he gets power too.
So what will it take in the US for the leaders of our gay rights groups to go for the power? This is one reason I love the Victory Fund out of most of the groups that ask for money. Because they make a difference in legislatures and courts all over the country. And those numbers eventually add up.
It always amazes me how there's so few openly gay people in American public life. In Britain there's dozens of gay politicians on the left and right, in fact the second-in-command of government is openly gay Peter Mandelson. The opposition Leader would have been a gay guy had he not been demoted (along with dozens of other MPs) for fiddling his expenses.
And not a single gay Hollywood actor?
Posted by: Brit Guy | October 14, 2009 at 01:30 AM