I have to say, I’m curious about this choice:
Out Magazine has named Ken Melhman as one of its “Out 100,” an “annual salute to the year’s most inspiring people.” Out credits Mehlman for his role lobbying politicians to pass marriage equality in New York and continuing to fight for marriage equality in other states. But as Joe.My.God. points out, Mehlman still supports anti-gay politicians…
The rest of that quote is not necessary. “Still supports anti-gay politicians” should do it, I think. No, wait, I’ll let Joe Jervis talk a little bit more:
Because Ken Mehlman finally came out as a millionaire gay banker and then played a “quietly instrumental role” in New York’s marriage equality battle, the folks at Out Magazine have forgiven his days as the head of the Republican National Committee, where he orchestrated numerous successful statewide campaigns to demonize and make illegal the lives and loves of LGBT people.
For all those millions of people made miserable by Ken Mehlman? Forgiven. The kids who killed themselves because of relentlessly vicious campaigns spawned by Ken Mehlman? Forgotten. The anti-gay politicians funded last year by Ken Mehlman? Ignored.
It seems to me that Ken Mehlman is benefitting a lot from Ken Mehlman’s newfound love for pro-gay advocacy.
I’m divided on this sort of thing. I’m encouraged that he came out and I want to at least give him credit for that. Lets see if he wants to address his past with perhaps an apology or some other commitment to helping to undo any past misguided activities.
I’m glad the guy came out and has done some good. But Joe is right. He has a lot more to do before we start handing him trophies.
Shitty pick by Out. It’s — OUT-rageous and OUT-landish. And they are OUT-of their minds.
He’s had plenty of time to make with the apologies and/or commitments, and has yet to take the opportunity.
If he wants to “mend his ways” so to speak, then that’s fine. If he’s not willing to even make some type of pretense of an apology, I won’t lose any sleep in that regard, either….but at the very least, he should offer some type of explanation. Otherwise, he’s not someone you could rely on, consistently.
I am happy that Mr. Mehlman has come out and is now working for the good of LGBT people. But I think this kind of accolade is premature. The people who have been significantly harmed by Mr. Mehlman’s actions far outweigh any benefits people may now be getting from his good works. Let him work longer to redress some of of the very real damage he has done to the pro-LGBT equality movement before giving him awards. There are many people who have done nothing but positive work that should have been recognized in his place.
I agree, Mehlman has a lot to make up for before he should even be considered for a list like this. BTW, were Wayne and Evan on this Out list?! If, not, it just goes to show that even the gay community is influenced by money, power and face/name recognition more than actual MERIT.
If it wasn’t already official that OUT has gone the way of the ERC.
I definitely agree. It is way too soon to honor Mr. Mehlman for this. He still has a long way to go before he should receive any awards for activism on behalf of the LGBT community.