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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 11, 2011)
OREGON S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE N OVEM BER 11. 2011 • p o litic s • o f the politics that really make a difference in the U.K. are done at a national level and it is easy, as an outsider, to become engrossed in U.S. presidential races and see them as an equivalent of our national politics—and a reflection of the views throughout America. In reality, of course, this is a huge country with vastly differing cultures, values and politi cal beliefs from one state to the next and, in deed, different state constitutions and laws. Portland is a prime example— a progressive, liberal city with an identity and values distinct from anywhere else I have known—even from the rest of Oregon. Maybe that’s why I love it so much. I am closely following the Portland mayoral race and I was delighted, but not sur prised, to learn that the three main declared contenders are all liberal Democrats who offer unwaver ing support for LG- BTQ_ equality. In addition, Oregon’s state laws are not too dissimilar to Britain’s when it comes to rights for minority populations. The politics of Portland certainly feel more like what I’m used to in Britain than the impres sion outsiders have of U.S. “national politics.” The Constitution, the separation of the powers and the many checks on executive power that exist over here ensure that, al though U.S. politicians— particularly on the right— may sound radical, the system often prevents them from delivering on their more extreme goals. The opposite is true in Britain: It is often difficult to tell the two main par ties apart based purely on rhetoric but, in practice, the U.K. Parliamentary system gives a new prime minister both the mandate and the power to introduce a radical program of reforms if they so choose. It is fairly common for a party leader to. sound moderate to be elected, then behave more radically after be coming prime minister. Though other factors— such as the influ ence of religion— may be important, the size of the U.S. and its political system is, I be lieve, responsible for what appears to an out side observer a polarized political environ ment and a Republican Party far to the right of its British equivalent. But, as I said, the change in the Conservative Party is a fairly recent phenomenon and came about largely as a response to a shift in the British voting majority’s views on LGBTQ_equality. So the real question is, what caused the Brit ish public, in general, to warm so quickly to the idea of LG BTQ_equal rights? W hen the La bour Party won a landslide election in 1997, virtually wiping out the Conservatives after they had been in power for 18 years, the public was eager to embrace a positive, progressive politics. Tony Blair, as newly elected prime minister, personified the mood and took full advantage of this hope and optimism—deliver ing a substantial raft of progressive reform, of which much was tar geted at the LGBTQ_ community. I am generally cynical about the ex tent to which politi cians ever really alter public opinion. But when it comes to LG BTQ . rights, by showing leadership and unwavering commitment to the cause, Tony Blair and his Labour government won the argument and eventually shaped British attitudes. In doing so, he also forced the Con servative Party to change in order to remain relevant and electable. Is there a lesson to be learned here for se nior Democrats, and particularly the Obama administration, in this country? I believe there is. Liberals and progressives throughout the'w orld cheered Obama into the W hite House. It would be unfair—and inaccurate— to say that his administration has not achieved anything for the LGBTQ_ community, but they have done so cautiously and quietly, and Obama himself has failed to speak out as of ten and as boldly as he could have. Much like Blair, he was elected on a wave o f hope and optimism, with the power to bring about radical change, but he has failed to show the leadership necessary to drag forward the de bate on LGBTQ^equality and shape public opinion that would, in turn, force the Repub licans to change, i t ] PARTNERSHIP 1I_JÄ W LA IXY ÏRl ST 1 220 N w Lovcjt>y, Suite 130 " onocp Portland, OR 97209 (Hau www.BndgeviewTeamUTCi.com C h alk Paint, F r e n c h D eco r, an d G ifts Item s. p u rp lep ea rsh o p .co m 503.206.6554 . NW 18th & Lovejoy JOEL HAMLEY Principal Broker, ABR Growing up Gracefully Requires a Good Partner The Real in Realtor Buy Curious? ...from BOTOX*’ Cosmetic to Facelifts, and everything in between. 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