Nov 21, 2008  |  By: KEVIN NAFF  | COMMENTS     

voice this fall as local gays marched in response to a rash of hate crimes. He refused to speak out and even told a Blade reporter at a press conference that he “doesn’t respond to perceptions.” Fenty has refused repeated interview requests since October. The Blade has had better luck getting answers out of John McCain than its own hometown mayor. And Fenty has turned the once relevant job of GLBT liaison into an extension of his press office — someone to read toothless proclamations at gay confabs.

IN THE FACE of these and countless other slights, the reaction from gay rights activists is predictably muted because we don’t go after Democrats. Now that Democrats are in charge, our advocates must get over their aversion to taking on their supposed allies. If they don’t, they will be overshadowed by less easily cowed voices that have finally tired of patience and are demanding accountability and progress.

One way for those who marched last week to stay active is to take the message home for Thanksgiving. No more Mr. Nice Gay, as many have chanted. No more letting relatives off the hook for their silent, passive support. Our parents, grandparents, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings represent untapped allies and we will need all the straight support we can get to reverse the outcome of Election Day.

So take your partner home for the holidays. Talk about marriage and Prop 8 and the Arkansas adoption ban over sweet potatoes and candied yams. Last week’s protests are a reminder that going soft, being patient and writing checks isn’t enough. No more Mr. Nice Gay.