Edwards--The Least Gay Party

John Edwards HRC Forum event after party (if it can be called that) at Republic was a mixed bag to say the least. First of all, this was not a gay and lesbian event--as I would learn after my first question to what turned out to be a group of straight men. Most everyone in the room I asked wasn't even aware there was a Forum tonight and I had to start profiling to spot the gay faces in the room. I found a few. Almost everyone here when asked "Why Edwards?" was talking about his support of the working man or woman. (One woman I talked to described herself as a flannel lesbian, meaning working class) The event, unlike his running mates was only 15 dollars to get into and is part of Edward's everyman approach to this election. One young person mentioned the enviornment and some people talked about health care. But most people said that his not being tied to big business is what has swayed them to Edward's side.

[Here the crowd has gathered in a circle around an empty stage waiting for the arrival of their hero]

Of the few gay people I found (and one mother of a gay son), all said that voting for someone who was a big supporter of our rights was equally as important as all the other issues. I also confronted the ladies about whether they felt torn between gay rights and feminism, and they were not prepared for that question. But the bottom line is that everyone here was very sick of Hillary and looking for another route to the White House.

[We wait anxiously at the door where handlers and only one security guard signal his presence is imminent]

[Finally Edward appeared, grabbing the microphone like a rock star]

Rock music played and he rushed his way up onto the dingy stage, orating into a microphone that kept going in and out of the beat up old speakers. It was definitely a no frills event and had dressed the part. Edwards, on the other hand, is incredibly charming, unexpectedly handsome and in seconds had me practically signing onto his campaign.

[Ready to roll up his shirtsleeves to fight big business]

He spoke for fifteen minutes and he spoke plain. End lobbying; universalize health care; big ideas, big dreams...and no specifics. He didn't mention gays or lesbians once, except to make extra pause when mentioning the equal rights of ALL people. But he is compelling and he sounds like a leader who isn't afraid to dream big. Perhaps that twinkle in his eye that represents the hope we all have that Washington is not lost forever will be his ticket.

[I couldn't resist this Michael Bolton moment]

And that was that. A good time had by all, though perhaps it was a disappointment to gay people like myself who were looking for the one fund raiser of the year just for us. He descended into the crowd (to Foo Fighter's My Hero) to shake hands and as the mob moved in on him, I made my way to the door.

Click here to download Edward's complete speech from the event.
Download john_edward_2007.mp3