David Hauslaib Talks To CNN.com About President Obama & Equal Rights
Give 'em hell, Davy
My boo David Hauslaib (who edits the gay interest site Queerty) was invited to the CNN bureau here in NYC earlier today to be interviewed about President Barack Obama‘s commitment (or lack thereof) to GLBT issues here in the US and his appearance has been posted on CNN.com. Watch the video below to hear David (and Huffington Post writer Jose Antonio Vargas) discuss the matter with CNN correspondent Reggie Aqui:
While I don’t always agree with David on all matters, there is no denying that he is absolutely well-spoken and quite knowledgeable on these matters. GLBT issues are at the forefront of water-cooler discussions right now and it is my hope that all of this attention will work towards advancing equal rights for all citizens in this country. It cannot always happen overnight but a hearty and educated on-going discussion of the issues can go a long way to affecting change. I’m glad that CNN had the foresight to invite David to speak on this matter today because they’d be hard-pressed to find someone to better speak on these issues. He did a great job, didn’t he?
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Chivonne – I was referring to the extreme right-wing critics who seem to criticize him no matter what he does. They’d certainly complain if he gave gays equal rights or passed health care reform. Thanks for explaining your point further. I agree, I was hoping to see more done by now, but I’m remaining hopeful we’ll start seeing real change soon. I know that’s more of an optimistic viewpoint right now than a realistic one, though, and I guess saying he will actually follow through isn’t that different from you saying he won’t. They’re just different sides of the same coin, if that makes sense.
While I am not myself gay, I do have family, friends and co workers that are. It is sad not that they don’t have the same rights that the rest of us take for granted. David did a great job and it will be people like him who speak loudly long enough, that someday all people will be treated equal. Obama does have a lot on his plate, but being an African American he should know the importance of equal rights. I still think we have a better shot at it with Obama than we would have with Mccain.
Davis is well spoken. I know he is passionate about gay rights but he does not get emotional about it- very professional.
Congrats and I hope things really do change.
wow, GREAT job David! He was basically every reporters dream….well informed, extremely well spoken, and passionate without being obnoxious about it (think of all the crazy yelling that ends up happening when you’ve got multiple people discussing such a hot button issue). I’ve always thought he was so adoreable and likeable in all your pics, and this just made me love him even more. Congratulations on a great interview and getting your face out there on this issue David! I’m sure this will lead to more press reaching out to you.
Aw, David was so eloquent, and he’s such a cutie. I really love you guys together, Trent!
David has a great way about him. You should be proud to be with someone that is so well-spoken and intelligent. And, not that I should be giving this any attention, but i’m guessing that sam isn’t gay, or he wouldn’t be so quick to say that civil rights and health care are more important issues to non-gay americans than to gay ones. it’s that kind of “obama’s too busy” mentality that allows leaders to get away with not keeping their word. If he’s got time to accept a Peace Prize he didn’t deserve and run around trying to get the Olympics in Chicago, he’s got the time to recognize and stand up for the rights of all AMERICANS.
Thank you for posting David’s appearance on CNN.
I like when you share what he is up to.
He did an outstanding job
Informed and well spoken.
Hold Barry to his commitment and get legislation passed that sets basic rights and then go from there.
He was great! I disagree about the Nobel Peace Prize comment. I think Obama has done much more than just not be George W. Bush. But I do think we have to keep pushing him and the Congress. It is We the People who make change happen, and I say this as a huge Obama supporter. I have faith that things will change, but not if we don’t demand it. The Don’t Ask Don’t Tell thing is probably the MOST ridiculous and awful thing right now. I really don’t understand how that can’t be a top priority. Our armed forces are struggling, and yet we discharge competent military personnel because they’re gay!!?? Insane.
Hahaha, he did a great job.
Well said David H. – the time for defferment is over, each action represents a larger picture. I pray for equality for all.
Your boo is so cute! And very well spoken! LGBT needs equality NOW and although I am not directly apart of the LGBT community, I am a VERY strong supporter and will fight alongside my LGBT friends till we get what we need!
David did an awesome job. :) EQUALITY NOW!!
Jose & David did an amazing JOB….I stand by David talking points. FULL EQUALITY UNDER THE FEDERAL LAW.
Wow! David did great! glad he is on my side! :)
I have a hard time understanding the issues of gay rights…I’m black, and although it is saíd that blacks have the same equal rights as others, it’s certainly not true! When feeling out an application I’ve never seen are you straight or gay posed as a question? You see nobody chooses to be blk or white, being gay is a lifestyle. I agree wíth some of the other posters, gay rights are not priority issues. Yes the demise of america’s economy is affecting everyone, it’s not limited to a color or sexual orientation, so why try to throw in gays are “loosing their homes too”….
@1nurse99 — As a black citizen you should be well aware that separate does not mean equal. When Martin Luther King, Jr. and others marched on Washington in the 60′s it could be argued that there were “other more important issues” at the time but the citizenry were fed up with the mistreatment of minorities in this country. The same thing is happening now. I’m sorry for you that you have a hard time understanding the struggle, especially since you admit that you feel your own struggle as a minority yourself.
Trent I’m aware that I live in a country that is just as seperate as it was 400 years ago! Dr king was a great leader, doesn’t mean that I agree with all of hís idealogies…I don’t see signs posted “saying no gays allowed” or gays been deprived of education, or gays hanging from trees or being harrassed by policeman on a daily basis. I can go on and on. When I look at you or david, I see men..no one knows anyones sexual pref or oríentation unless a person chooses to admitt what they prefer. Being blk, white,asian, hispanic is not a chose!! That can’t be compared to a lifestyle that ís chosen!! It just can’t! These are my opíons, I still love your site and respect your opions but I will never understand ‘gay rights’how about plain old human equalíty for all!
@1nurse99 — Just because you don’t see “signs posted ‘saying no gays allowed’ or gays been deprived of education, or gays hanging from trees or being harrassed by policeman on a daily basis” doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen every single day in this country. Hate crimes against gays continue to proliferate, especially in small and, yes, Southern towns were homophobia is a way of life. Your comment that being gay is “a lifestyle that is chosen” is incorrect … the fallacy that being gay is a choice continues to be used as an argument against equality for gays. I agree that there should be “plain old human equality for all” and that is exactly what we are fighting for. No one is asking for special rights, we just want equal treatment just like everyone else.
@1nurse99 – I’ve never seen any sort of paperwork that requires you to disclose your race. And no, it won’t ask if you’re gay or straight – but it will ask if you’re single or married. Heterosexual couples are afforded all sorts of benefits by the government, but homosexual couples don’t get any. I don’t think anyone chooses to be gay. I don’t see how an elementary school kid could choose to be gay when doing so means they’ll be bullied to the point where they want to kill themselves. I don’t see how someone could choose a lifestyle where they’ll face constant discrimination. No, being gay is not an obvious physical trait, but the whole “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is tired. Being gay isn’t something you should have to hide. As for not seeing gays being harassed, watch the news. No one should be discriminated against or harassed because of who they love. And the point I think David was trying to make when he mentioned that gays are also affected by all the major issues is that they want to work with the government – not against it – but the government needs to work with gay people.
Trent we could can go on and on…continùe to fight for what is right, and posting fab gossip…differences of opion makes life grand, don’t you think, íf we all thought alike, life would be such a bore…btw I’m from a little old small coùntry town near Atlanta, I know first hand the evils of hate!
@1nurse99 — Yes, differences of opinions do make life grand … I’m glad that we can have a spirited debate in a respectful way. Sendin’ love your way :) xo
Good job David! I only wish I could’ve tagged team with him on this panel; lots of great talking points.
Congrats to your boo Trent – he did a great job! :)