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The Stonewall Census is the first comprehensive membership survey in organizational history. Members were encouraged to provide feedback on political issues, organizational strength and participation in Democratic politics. The survey, conducted electronically and through the mail, allowed for one response per participating member. The census received a response from 2,431 individuals. Responses were received from all fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The survey period was open from December 13, 2007 until January 31, 2008.

The census examined five key areas: a) opinions of critical LGBT and Democratic issues, b) level of participation in Stonewall Democrats, c) level of participation in Democratic politics, d) demographics and e) evaluation of the performance of Stonewall Democrats and the Democratic Party.

The most prominent political issue within the LGBT community in 2007 was the approach to passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). A decision to replace an inclusive ENDA with a substitute bill that withheld legal protections on the basis of gender identity drew sharp debate among LGBT advocates.

To inform their work, Stonewall Democrats used the Stonewall Census to survey member attitudes regarding their preferred approach to passing employment protections on the federal level. Members were asked to place a high, moderate or low priority to passage of key provisions of ENDA, including if gender identity protections should be part of the bill – especially if it would delay passage. To ensure the accuracy of opinions, Stonewall Democrats utilized questions identical to those consistently used by media outlets and advocacy organizations in recent years. 85% of respondents maintained a HIGH priority for the inclusion of gender identity protections in ENDA. The survey also found 70% support among respondents for passage of a fully inclusive bill – even if it delayed passage of the bill. These results among Stonewall Democrats mirror the results produced by similar surveys previously conducted by national advocacy groups. 70% of respondents maintained that Stonewall Democrats should work towards passage of the original, inclusive ENDA - even if that approach would delay final passage of the bill.

The Stonewall Census also examined the voting priorities of respondents on a wide range of Democratic issues. Of the 15 issues examined, protecting civil liberties and securing affordable
health care were the top two priorities of respondents. Advocating for LGBT issues was weighted as the third-highest priority out of the 15 issue areas examined.

Top Five Issues that Motivate LGBT Voters:

1. Civil Liberties: Respondents placed their highest priority on the ability to protect American civil liberties.
2. Affordable Health Care: Of great concern to the Stonewall membership was the ability of politicians to deliver affordable health care.
3. LGBT Equality: While not ranked the top priority, issues which specifically impact the LGBT community were highly considered while making voting decisions.
4. Ending the War in Iraq: Like many Americans, respondents to the Stonewall Census were concerned with concluding the war in Iraq in a timely manner.
5. Improving Education and the Environment: Of 15 issue areas, both improving education and improving the environment tied as the fifth-highest voting priority. Of members who indicate that they have children, improving education stood as their highest voting priority.

The Stonewall Census asked respondents to self-identify across a number of demographic areas including age, gender, gender identity, veteran status and ethnic background. While these results may not be indicative of the entire membership, they do help to inform Stonewall Democrats work as they construct programs that increase the participation of LGBT Democrats.

–49.6% of respondents are in a relationship
–62.5% of respondents in relationships have no legal recognition.
–24% of respondents have children
–13% of respondents are veterans who have served their country through military service. This is slightly greater than the national average.
–12% of respondents identify as transgender.
–15% of respondents self-identified as a member of an ethnic minority group (4.3% Latino, 3.3% African American, 2.9% Native American, 1.5% Asian American/Pacific Islander, 3.1% multiracial)
–10% of respondents identify as a straight ally.
–40% of Respondents were women.
–60% were men.

Release date: June 13, 2008
Studio: Universal
Genre: Action-Thriller
Cast:Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson and William Hurt
Directed by: Louis Leterrier
Writers: Edward Norton, Zak Penn
Screenplay by: Zak Penn and Edward Harrison
Based on Characters Created by: Stan Lee & Jack Kirby
Produced by: Avi Arad, Gale Anne Hurd, Kevin Feige
Executive Producers: Stan Lee, David Maisel, Jim Van Wyck
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On June 13th, 2008, ‘The Incredible Hulk’ returns to the big screen to attempt what Ang Lee and Eric Bana could not–establish the popular super hero as a box-office franchise and an enjoyable summer film.

In this second go-around, scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) desperately hunts for a cure to the gamma radiation that poisoned his cells and unleashes the unbridled force of rage within him: The Hulk. Living in the shadows–cut off from a life he knew and the woman he loves, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler)–Banner struggles to avoid the obsessive pursuit of his nemesis, General Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt), and the military machinery that seeks to capture him and brutally exploit his power. As all three grapple with the secrets that led to The Hulk’s creation, they are confronted with a monstrous new adversary known as The Abomination, whose destructive strength exceeds even The Hulk’s own. It sets up the conflict for an agonizing final choice: accept a peaceful life as Bruce Banner or find heroism in the creature he holds inside–The Incredible Hulk.

Edward Norton is a formidable actor. But, I’m still not so sure it’s going to work a second time around. It isn’t easy being green. However, I’m sure the studio is hoping otherwise.

His eyes begged for attention. A mystical blend of speckled greens shanghaied my fancy. It was hardly worth the effort to feign disinterest. We exchanged polite smiles and momentary eye lock. Then we both pretended to be interested in what had come before. A perfect smile graced lips that I wanted to touch, yearned to taste. A perfect cleft accentuated a delicious cupid’s bow.

I studied every movement–no longer caring if I was obvious or not. I struggled mightly to not reach out for that stray lock of hair that playfully kissed his forehead. I wanted to shut my eyes at this very moment and like the shutter of a camera capture the image for my mental flipbook. A few words floated in the heated air between us. Body language became more personal. The space between us seemed to be disappearing, swallowed by an enveloping energy field.

Every crease in his jeans held the promise of skin the pads of my fingers wanted to map. The neck of his shirt betrayed the hairs of his chest. Hairs that invariably formed the path to a land of fantasy and wicked delight. His squared shoulders strained material forming a second skin. A skin I desperately wanted to peel away.

The words were interesting and enthralling. But, honesty would demand that I admit there was more on my mind. The eye contact held longer with each exchange. It was becoming difficult to juggle conversations: the one happening externally between the two of us and the one happening internally with my libido.

Time gets lost. People get found.

The stubble on his chin feels like a field of electrical wires. A spark of some sort bounces from one charged body to another. A kiss takes my breath away.

Time gets found. People get lost.

As promised, I present you a special download of another track from David Cook’s May 2006 independently released album ‘Analog Heart’. If you can get your hands on the entire album, I highly recommend it. If not, I hope this helps soothe the savage beast:

“The Truth”–David Cook mp3 (right-click to save)

Just because I like you crazy kids, I present a special download of a track from David Cook’s May 2006 independently released album ‘Analog Heart’. If you can get your hands on the entire album, I highly recommend it. If not, I hope this helps soothe the savage beast:

“Don’t Say A Word”–David Cook mp3 (right-click to save)

After watching Mr. Cook tackle “Music Of The Night” during Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber night, I have to say that I’m even more impressed (and I didn’t think that could be possible). When the season began, I was sure the other David (Archuleta) had a virtual lock on the 2008 title. Now, I’m not so sure. If you’re looking for the most seasoned, well-rounded and marketable artist, it may indeed be Mr. Cook. In either case, I think it’s safe to assume they have promising and fruitful careers awaiting them both.

Enjoy the track (and if you’re good, maybe there will be more to come?).

Reporter: You can’t ignore the gay issue. Like it or not, you’re a part of something now….

Henry: What am I a part of Jack?
An issue? Don’t you get it?

Issues are what they use to divide us.
Sexual orientation, race, gender–all issues that don’t actually pertain to anyone except those being cut out and thrown away by the issue

Does it really matter to some farmer in Kansas whether two men get married in Vermont?

But, see, they need us to choose sides. They create these issues for us to cling to, to grasp at. You know they separate us into these divisions: black, white, gay, straight, rich, poor, pagan, christian, liberal, conservative, democrat, republican.

Split. Different. Opposed.

How can a cause be just if it pits people against each other?

They made AIDS an issue. Homosexuality is immoral. Unnatural. Just fix them. Fix the deviants.

But what is more unnatural: sex with someone of the same gender or abandoning your own flesh and blood because of it?

—from the screenplay of ‘Poster Boy’ by Ryan Shiraki and Lecia Rosenthal

Who’d have thought that going into a Mariah Carey theme night, the remaining male contestants would virtually push the females right out of the spotlight? On paper, the advantage should have gone to the women. This was Carly Smithson’s moment to shine–and that moment came and went with a performance that didn’t quite gel. Syesha Mercado had an admirable rendition of “Vanishing” from Ms. Carey’s debut album. But, she too had a few issues that kept the performance from reaching the heights it could have. Brooke White was her dependable self with an unplugged version of “Hero”. However, a couple of bum notes marred the performance (and let’s face it, her range would have never been able to do much else with that particular song). Then comes Kristy Lee Cook. She’s an enigma. Her first few Top 12 performances were pretty hideous in my opinion. Then she suddenly seem to find new footing and (as much as it pains me to say it) she’s actually improved her vocals in the last couple of go-arounds. That said, eventually her luck and safety is going to run out.

First up for the guys was David Archuleta and “When You Believe”. It was an extremely nice cover delivered in his usual strong and sweet style. (Aside: Am I the only one who misses Michael Johns?) Jason Castro’s performance–to be honest–was a bit strange to me. “I Don’t Wanna Cry” is probably the last song you’d pick for a male to cover. It had its moments…but I was left with the nagging feeling that I didn’t love it.

Finally, I have to say that David Cook had another one of those magical moments on stage. His read on “Always Be Me Baby” was in an oft-overused word–brilliant. Make that Brilliant with a capital “B”. Oh hell, just make them all capitals: B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T. Taking a goo-drenched pop tune from its original incarnation and giving it a dark and brooding, unrequieted edge made for a few mesmerizing minutes of television. Usually, there’s one a season–if we’re lucky. I think it’s safe to say that Mr. Cook has given us several this season. I’m chomping at the bit to download that single and video performance from iTunes. Bravo, Mr. Cook!

Anyone for a Battle-of-the-Davids finale? Or shall we just pre-order both their albums now?

My hippeastra have come to life: