NJ Congressional Delegation Makes 'It Gets Better' Video

Thanks Jon Runyan (0.00 / 0)

Jon Runyan's participation in this video is especially meaningful and noteworthy.  In two ways actually.  First of all, he's a member of a political party that's feasted on anti-gay rhetoric for decades so he represents a younger, hipper, more gay tolerant GOP which seems to be (slowly) emerging.  Secondly -- and this is perhaps more significant -- is he's also an ex-pro football player.  So fans of the Eagles (and the NFL) now have one more of their own preaching the good word about tolerance towards gays.  I'll work like hell to ensure he doesn't get re-elected, but i toast him for this gesture.

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Tue Oct 25, 2011 at 17:24:23 PM UTC

Eagles (0.00 / 0)

Yes, the Eagles and the NFL have some room to "get better" themselves, as this offensive comment from Eagles player DeSean Jackson on Sirius Radio this summer shows.

Like Jay says, it's good when a message of respect and acceptance comes not only from the people you'd expect but the ones who you don't expect. Bravo.

And why shouldn't we expect it from everybody? If you love kids - and who ever says they don't? - you have to love them however they show up to the world.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Tue Oct 25, 2011 at 17:56:53 PM UTC

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I agree (0.00 / 0)

Kudos to Jon Runyan for his message, and like Jay, I'll work for his opponent, but bullying is a problem that transcends political parties. (Are you listening Mr. New Jersey Congressman who did not appear in the video?)

Blog: http://www.deciminyan.org

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by: deciminyan @ Tue Oct 25, 2011 at 18:04:21 PM UTC

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Congressmen (3.00 / 1)

Correct me if I am wrong, but I did not see Rodney Frelinghuysen, Scott Garrett, Frank Pallone, or Chris Smith in this video.  Does anyone know if these omissions were due to an inability or an unwillingness to participate?

It definitely was good to see Runyan there.  Now, if only he could come out against Michael Vick and his brutality against innocent animals.  Or is that too much to ask for?

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Tue Oct 25, 2011 at 18:14:29 PM UTC

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Democrats Andrews and Pallone (0.00 / 0)

Are members of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and have excellent records. So the question should be whether they were actually able to be in the video, assuming they were asked.

Garrett? you got to be kidding!

Smith? You should have been with me as I accompanied an adult transgender constituent of his to his DC office last spring ... His staff(all present) really gave her the cold shoulder ( a former Whitman aide).

"Discrimination caused by ignorance and fear is a tax on human progress" - Barbra Casbar Siperstein

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by: Babs NJSD @ Thu Oct 27, 2011 at 20:32:36 PM UTC

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I wasn't questioning anyone's bonafides (0.00 / 0)

I just noticed who was missing (forgot about Andrews) and was curious if it was due to a lack of availability or a lack of desire.

I was surprised to see LoBiondo and Runyan in the video.  I would not have assumed that they or any of their Republican colleagues would have done a video like this, so I was curious about why they were in it and the others weren't.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Fri Oct 28, 2011 at 00:29:09 AM UTC

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They are probably trying to burnish moderate credentials (0.00 / 0)

They not being virulent anti-lgbt ideologues like Smith and Garrett and they being in moderate districts.

"Discrimination caused by ignorance and fear is a tax on human progress" - Barbra Casbar Siperstein

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by: Babs NJSD @ Fri Oct 28, 2011 at 02:30:26 AM UTC

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Can it be possible? (0.00 / 0)

I'm hearing that this is the first It Gets Better video featuring elected Republicans, which I just added to the post. Incredible, if true.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Tue Oct 25, 2011 at 22:16:44 PM UTC

LoBiondo is in video!! (0.00 / 0)

I won't watch.  Just more hypocrisy, "landslides" is a bully himself, heeeheee  

"the black sheep can wear the golden fleece and hold a winning hand" Tim Hardin

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by: gary stein @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 00:13:14 AM UTC

The original mission... (0.00 / 0)

...of the It Gets Better project, at least as I recall when it was first launched, was to have LGBT adults recall their own experience and to reach out to LGBT youth to give them hope to get them through the hurt and fear and violence that so often accompany growing up gay. I think that's where the real power of Dan Savage's effort was. I can't shake the feeling that, as public figures and politicians now make their own "It Gets Better" style videos, that they are helping to dilute the original idea. Don't get me wrong: it's definitely laudable that so many public figures are supportive. But the cynic in me finds himself asking, when seeing videos of people who, for the most part, never experienced being bullied for being perceived as LGBT: "How would they know? And what LGBT kid would believe them when they say it gets better?" And the cynic in me also wonders how many of those politicians are actively working to make sure that the LGBT youth of today will have equal and full rights and protections under the law when they become adults. I know many of them are. But are all of them? It's a great video. But are all the members of our delegation doing the hard work it takes so that our youth can look forward to taking an equal and respected place in society?

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by: Alex @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 11:34:08 AM UTC

I agree (0.00 / 0)

It is like wearing one of the many cause-oriented ribbons and doing nothing else.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 13:19:37 PM UTC

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