Why do we segregate ourselves based on our political affiliation? Chardon Moore examines who benefits from keeping us divided amongst ourselves.

Chardon’s Completely Un-Sexy But Very Useful Guide to Lobbying Your Government

How to be an Effective Advocate: Lesson #1

What is this???

Well, it’s not an exciting topic, but it is a necessity. Chances are, at least once in your life, there will come an issue so important to you that you will want to lobby your legislator. This un-sexy series will teach you the do’s and don’ts of getting them to listen to you. I can’t guarantee that they’ll do what you want, but your chances will be better than 90% of the constituents who complain to their elected official.

During his victory speech, Obama said, “…to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president, too.”

It was a brilliant line, one that was surely dismissed by those for whom it was intended. The Hillary supporters who abstained or voted McCain in protest, or the Palin groupies who want the U.S. of A to be a Christian Theocracy, both believed Obama was an empty suit: a man full of beautiful rhetoric without the substance to back it up. To them, his words were meaningless.

However, he’s been going out of his way to prove that he wasn’t just blowing smoke.

It’s the time of year for Christmas lights, both the skillful and the sloppy, the breathtaking and the profane (who on God’s Green Earth needs 100 creepy light up Santas marching in a row towards Jesus’ manger? Apparently somebody in Hampstead, North Carolina).

It’s the time of year for kindness and giving, as well as selfishness and consumerism. It’s the time of year when you enjoy the company of your family, or you try hard not to blow your brains out because you’re desperately alone. To be the “most wonderful time of the year…” it sure is conflicted.

Read More: Wake UP!: Why I Say Happy Holidays

Our political columnist Chardon Moore writes in her latest Wake UP!:

Larry Craig’s request to withdraw his guilty plea was denied last week by a Minnesota appeals court. As I’m sure you all know, he’s the Senator who has been in staunch opposition of several gay rights issues, from supporting the “Federal Marriage Amendment,” (of which he was a co-sponsor in 2008), to voting against a motion to extend the federal definition of hate crimes to cover sexual orientation. His rating on gay and lesbian issues from the Human Rights Campaign is an impressive goose egg (0).

I’m not going to get into a rant about his personal life, because I think that’s unnecessary. However, have fun reading this article from the Idaho Statesman: http://www.idahostatesman.com/eyepiece/story/143801.html.

Now, about the Screwing of Larry Craig…and no, it’s not what you think.

Read More: How Larry Craig Got Screwed

The Double Standard of Homosexuality

It was one month and one day ago that we witnessed the resounding defeat of Republicanism in the U.S. of A (at least for the next 2-4 years). We, the progressives, responded to 8 years of minority status with an overwhelming victory, and damn did we enjoy it.

I don’t know about you, but after I watched Obama’s victory speech, I got laid. Turns out I wasn’t alone…Newsweek ran an article (Change You Can Conceive In; Nov. 14, 2008) about the possibility that ‘euphoric fans’ were sparking a baby boom, which means there’s going to be a ton of youngsters who won’t be able to think about Obama’s presidency without being grossed out by the thought of their parents having sex.

Read More… Wake UP!: I’m Declaring the Official End of Gloating

Thank you to all our readers, friends, supporters, activists and fellow LGBTQ media from around the world. We are grateful for you as we continue to grow and our upcoming first event of 2009 on January 23, 2009 in Wilmington, NC at The Soapbox!

A special thank you to my dedicated staff:

-Sean Oakley

-Shannon Smith

-Lynn Casper

-Chardon Moore

-Michael Weaver, Jr.

-Missy Rhodes

Our regular contributing writers:

- Kimberly Wilson

- Arthur D. Wright

- Dr. Patrick Mahaney

- Darlene Arden

- Christi Preddy

- Karl Hampe

- Raven Usher

- Jarko De Witte van Leeuwen

With special thanks to our extended family at SoulGarden.TV, The V Radio, Tristan Renteria, Kim Dicso, and Sirius OutQ’s OutQ In The Morning. We love you, we support you and are grateful for all the encouragement you’ve given us in our year and counting.

Sincerely,
Bambi Weavil

CEO/Publisher of Out Impact, Inc.

OutImpact.com – Making a positive impact in the gay community. Make yours.

Wake UP!: Progressive Punditry and Action Alerts for the Apathetic Advocate

Dear Obama Supporters, Obama Fanatics, Obama Devotees, and Obama Girl:

Thank you. Your hard work payed off. Obama won, and we don’t have to worry about Alaska’s favorite hockey mom making moose chili of our Constitution. Give yourselves a big, hearty pat on the back.

Now, get over it.

If you thought your work was done, all those long hours volunteering in the heat and cold and rain and snow for the past two years…well, you were wrong. That was only the beginning… that was the fun part. When you were marching through the snow, arguing with your friends and families, persuading people to vote for your guy, you had the momentum of excitement behind you. You had the spirit of conviction, the hot passion of hope running through your veins like whiskey. It was intoxicating.

To Read More: Wake Up!: An Open Letter to Obama Fanatics

Out Impact’s newest writer, Chardon Moore, with her Political column, “Wake UP!” is Progressive Punditry and Action Alerts for the Apathetic Advocate is giving you a quick guide for obtaining Presidential inauguration tickets in her latest column, here is excerpt:

“Want inauguration tickets? Good luck. You, as a North Carolinian, are at a disadvantage compared to other states. Why, you ask?

You get inauguration tickets from your Federal Congressmen. You have two Senators and 13 Representatives. Only one of those representatives are available for every constituent, and it’s based on what district you’re in (Mike McIntyre is the representative for Southeastern NC, for example).

Each Congressman gets a certain number of tickets to give away. Given the ridiculous demand (some are selling online for tens of thousands of dollars!) some Congressmen, like Richard Burr, have stopped taking requests. That sucks as it is, but I’ve got one worse for ya….”

Read more: Wake UP! – Your Guide For Inauguration Tickets

Wake UP!:  Progressive Punditry and Action Alerts for the Apathetic Advocate
by Chardon Moore
Want inauguration tickets? Good luck. You, as a North Carolinian, are at a disadvantage compared to other states. Why, you ask?
You get inauguration tickets from your Federal Congressmen. You have two Senators and 13 Representatives. Only one of those representatives are available for [...]