9.17.09 Editor’s Desk

I thought everyone, regardless of political party affiliation, collectively cringed when we heard the words, “You lie!” echo through the congressional chamber during President Barack Obama’s speech earlier this month.

What is surprising, however, is how two simple words shouted by Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) fueled a national debate on respect. My first reaction to his comments were, “How disrespectful!” And then, of course, I thought, “Nancy Pelosi is going to jump over that dais and kick some butt.”

If you missed that moment in the speech, it can be easily found on YouTube or any news site on the web. But for those of you who missed it, the “You lie” debacle came after Obama said his Health Care Reform plan would not give benefits to illegal immigrants. And, just to be clear, the Pulitzer Prize-winning web site, Politifact.com, published by the St. Pete Times, fact-checked Obama’s statement and found it as true.

Now, as I’m reading blogs and readers’ comments on AP stories detailing possible sanctions against the Southern representative, I’m amazed at the number of people who are pleased or even gushing over Wilson’s so-called bravery.

Speaking your mind is an impressive personality trait—but it’s even more impressive if you know when it’s appropriate to do so. If Wilson was my representative, I would be embarrassed by his inability to control his emotions.

I have always tried to see things from others’ point of view, but a lack of respect is something I’ll never understand. I have been taught from a young age to respect people regardless of their position—whether that person is your neighbor, teacher, boss or the Commander in Chief. Maybe reality shows have changed our perception of what true “reality” is.

But respect is not a Democratic or Republican issue. It’s not a gay or straight issue either.

I admit I was not a fan of President George W. Bush and I was pleased to see him leave the White House. His stance against same-sex marriage and his support of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell had me yelling at the television.

However, I was appalled at the way some people treated the outgoing president on Obama’s inauguration day in January. While watching CNN’s coverage of the historic day, some attendees sang a chorus of “Hey, hey, hey, goodbye” as Bush strolled out of the Capitol building. It was embarrassing and all I could think was, “Great, that’s how Republicans are now going to characterize Democrats.”

A little closer to home, town hall meetings have seen disruptions by crazed citizens who are so freaked out about health care reform they storm buildings and talk over elected officials. For the record, I support health care reform. We need it and no one should be turned away by a doctor simply because they do not have insurance. I know fears over costs to taxpayers are fueling this debate but Obama presented solutions that should quell those fears.
However, just because I’m for reform doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear from those who are against it.

News broadcasts have been filled with these violent encounters and on the surface they can be entertaining—but in reality they are disturbing. How can any group expect to have its opinion heard if they enter into a shouting match?

That’s why I hope next month’s LGBT March on Washington is a peaceful gathering and not a mob scene. The Oct. 10 and 11 march is expected to bring several hundred thousand LGBT people and our allies to the nation’s capitol in an effort to voice our desire for equality.

But to do so effectively, our community must represent itself respectably or our voices will be overshadowed by an encounter or incident that has nothing to do with our message of equality. We can’t be led into a battle of words with members of the religious right, for example, who thrive on upsetting us during LGBT Pride events.

When someone is disrespectful of others—as Rep. Wilson was during Obama’s speech—it makes you wonder how much self-respect they possess. And if we as LGBTs don’t respect our own community enough to present a united front, why should we expect anyone else to respect our plea for equality?