Hillary Clinton to LGBT Youth: Tomorrow Will Be Better

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Hillary Clinton to LGBT Youth: Tomorrow Will Be Better

October 19, 2010 by still4hill

Message to LGBT Youth

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

October 19, 2010

[Video is available here: http://www.youtube.com/glifaa]

Like millions of Americans, I was terribly saddened to learn of the recent suicides of several teenagers across our country after being bullied because they were gay or because people thought they were gay. Children are particularly vulnerable to the hurt caused by discrimination and prejudice and we have lost many young people over the years to suicide. These most recent deaths are a reminder that all Americans have to work harder to overcome bigotry and hatred.

I have a message for all the young people out there who are being bullied, or who feel alone and find it hard to imagine a better future: First of all, hang in there and ask for help. Your life is so important—to your family, your friends, and to your country. And there is so much waiting for you, both personally and professionally— there are so many opportunities for you to develop your talents and make your contributions.

And these opportunities will only increase. Because the story of America is the story of people coming together to tear down barriers, stand up for rights, and insist on equality, not only for themselves but for all people. And in the process, they create a community of support and solidarity that endures. Just think of the progress made by women just during my lifetime by women, or ethnic, racial and religious minorities over the course of our history —and by gays and lesbians, many of whom are now free to live their lives openly and proudly. Here at the State Department, I am grateful every day for the work of our LGBT employees who are serving the United States as foreign service officers and civil servants here and around the world. It wasn’t long ago that these men and women would not have been able to serve openly, but today they can—because it has gotten better. And it will get better for you.

So take heart, and have hope, and please remember that your life is valuable, and that you are not alone. Many people are standing with you and sending you their thoughts, their prayers and their strength. Count me among them.

Take care of yourself.

Posted in Hillary Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State, state department, U.S. Department of State | Tagged Hillary Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, LGBT Issues, Secretary of State, State Department, U.S. Department of State | 25 Comments

25 Responses

on October 19, 2010 at 8:47 pm | Reply discourseincsharpminor

I suppose someone could be a loser and say that this is her interjecting herself into domestic affairs.

I think it’s a kind thing to do.

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- on October 19, 2010 at 9:13 pm | Reply still4hill
  
  Except that she very carefully added LGBT rights to her signature women, girls, and children agenda back in summer during Gay Pride Month. She is only advancing her agenda.
  
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  - on October 19, 2010 at 9:46 pm | Reply discourseincsharpminor
    
    Which is fine, but she isn’t taking to LGBT youth in Honduras or Cambodia or Iran or Estonia – she is addressing young Americans who are feeling targeted at the moment. That’s not exactly her area. Technically it’s the domain of that skinny guy who lives in the White House. That reptilian portion of my brain – the part that adores politics can’t help but notice that. I don’t mean to say that there is anything behind this except a motherly affection for hurting American kids, but she is coming out publicly on a domestic issue. Meanwhile the Husband of State is traveling the country loudly campaigning for her former supporters. It makes one wonder, doesn’t it.
    
    (This is a great picture.)
    
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    - on October 19, 2010 at 9:52 pm | Reply still4hill
      
      Doesn’t make me wonder. Makes me hope!
      
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      - on October 19, 2010 at 10:03 pm | Reply discourseincsharpminor
        
        She wouldn’t do anything until 2016, so why is she making waves fourteen days before the midterm elections in 2010. A little early, don’t you think?
        
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        on October 19, 2010 at 10:14 pm | Reply still4hill
        
        We don’t know that she wouldn’t make a move before 2016. No one knows that. No one is saying.
        
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        on October 19, 2010 at 10:26 pm | Reply discourseincsharpminor
        
        In my opinion, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to challenge the incumbent president – the first black president – and he’s not going to step aside so she can run without seriously fracturing the party. I think he likes being president and all the pomp and circumstance that goes with it.
        
        At any rate, we’ll find out if I’m right or wrong within the next six months or so.
        
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        on October 19, 2010 at 10:35 pm | Reply still4hill
        
        I’m not talking about a challenge at all. I’m just saying Girl Scouts are always prepared. He might NOT like being POTUS so very much. What I keep hearing from him is a lot of barking at the base for not drumming up more support for him. Problem is, he’s barking at the moon because his base is gone. Party people in some states have had a few quiet words to say about that and his 2012 chances.
        
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        on October 19, 2010 at 10:47 pm | Reply discourseincsharpminor
        
        I don’t think his chances for re-election are all that great, but I don’t think he’d step back for Hillary Clinton. I think it would be a pride thing. Besides, she has a book to write that I want to read.
        
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        on October 19, 2010 at 10:50 pm still4hill
        
        Better than anybody, he knows that which direction he decides to step has nothing to do with it. If they decide to dump him, he will be history. She can write her book any time. More important is what she can do for this country and this government. The sooner the better.
        
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        on October 19, 2010 at 11:12 pm | Reply discourseincsharpminor
        
        The book comment was flippant and I’m sorry.
        
        Is she really more electable than he is given the mood of the country at this point? She’s not near as liberal as he is, she’s more hawkish, and, in this anti-insider political climate, a former first lady, senator, and secretary of state doesn’t sound like an outsider.
        
        Two years from now everything could be different, but if they aren’t, I don’t think either of them have much of a chance. I’m not saying that I don’t believe she’d do well – I think she’d probably do a lot better than our current president – but could she convince everyone else? Could she inspire young voters as intensely as she ignored them two years ago? I’m not convinced.
        
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        on October 19, 2010 at 11:18 pm still4hill
        
        She has the highest approval rating in the government, and that number is hard. It is not going down. She’s very electable. That youth vote of Obama’s was a fluke. Most candidates cannot get that base fired up – I speak from experience trying to do that on campus in ’96, 2000, 2004. They just don’t register, and they just don’t vote. They have a million excuses. He will not get that vote again, either.
        
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        on October 20, 2010 at 12:32 am | Reply Jen the Michigander
        
        You’re right, Still4Hill, Girl Scouts are always prepared and so are we! (I wonder how many former Scouts there are among us?)
        
        I don’t think Hillary crossed the line into commenting on domestic policy. She didn’t take a stance on a specific issue or policy such as DADT or gay marriage. She only got specific when she mentioned that State Dept., where she’s Da Boss. I, for one, am glad that she spoke out on behalf of those kids. It could very well save someone’s life.
        
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        on October 20, 2010 at 12:52 am discourseincsharpminor
        
        Let me be clear. While I do think that the domestic arena is not strictly speaking within her sphere of influence, I DO NOT think that telling hurting, lonely kids that someone cares about them and that life is not going to be this brutal forever crosses any line. This has to be done more and more until the people who care and can instill hope are louder than the voices of intolerance and ignorance to a child who is being bullied for whatever reason.
        
        Someone can spin this out, but I think they won’t. I hope they won’t. The message is too important.
        
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    - on October 24, 2010 at 12:39 pm | Reply still4hill
      
      You know, upon a second look, especially in light of the portion Christane Amanpour showed this morning, you could also argue that she was recruiting for the State Department (another of her ongoing efforts) – perfectly legit and not invading domestic policies at all. Just a thought.
      
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      - on October 24, 2010 at 6:03 pm | Reply discourseincsharpminor
        
        Perhaps. Incidentally, I checked my local State Dept. branch office and they are NOT hiring. 😦 Back to the drawing board.
        
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        on October 24, 2010 at 6:09 pm | Reply still4hill
        
        You should be applying to cultural affairs in DC.
        
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        on October 24, 2010 at 7:10 pm | Reply discourseincsharpminor
        
        I’d really like to, but I have no MA and, more annoyingly, not enough money for rent anywhere. It’s a vicious cycle – I have to move to get a job, but I can’t afford to move because I’m not working. It’s evil, I tell you.
        
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        on October 24, 2010 at 7:19 pm | Reply still4hill
        
        Well, I hope something breaks the cycle.
        
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on October 19, 2010 at 11:43 pm | Reply discourseincsharpminor

Her stellar approval rating would drop by quite a bit if she were seen as turning on her boss. Nobody likes a turncoat, whether they’re actually a turncoat or just made to look like one.

Speaking as a member of this particular flock, youth voters are a very difficult crew to motivate, but if you can, they are very intense. Obama inspired young people because not only did he say he cared about what they thought (every politician says that, but I’m sure none of them mean it), but he did so on what was presumed to be their turf – social networks, text messages, etc… He went to them and, in the process, got the cool, next generation image. Hillary, meanwhile, seemed more concerned about her long-time friends and donors. Young people were not on her radar and many of my ilk saw that she wasn’t interested in them so they either turned to Obama or stayed with her due to her positions and etc and simply excepted the fact that she didn’t much care whether or not they were there to begin with.

The youth vote can be motivated, but it has to be by the candidate and the candidate has to actually care at least a little bit about people who are 18-30 years old. Most politicians don’t care about people who are 18-30, so this particular voting block remains unmoved.

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- on October 20, 2010 at 2:19 am | Reply still4hill
  
  Well, as I said, none of this is predicated on her challenging or turning on anybody. It would be completely out of character for her. It is predicated on the DNC using hard strategy. Yes, I know. Kids don’t vote. After awhile it gets tiring trying to get them to.
  
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  - on October 20, 2010 at 4:24 pm | Reply discourseincsharpminor
    
    It just has to look bad or be made to look bad. Even if Obama were bumped off the ticket by the DNC, the visual would be bad and made to look worse. Could Hillary beat a well financed, teaparty-backed challenger without most African American voters and most young voters in an election year that, barring significant changes, will probably be weighted against Democrats from the start by public angst?
    
    I think 2012 is bad news. If she can hold off until 2016, if she cares to run at all, it’s a much nicer narrative all around.
    
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on October 19, 2010 at 11:58 pm | Reply discourseincsharpminor

More of my thoughts on voting. (Shameless plug? Yeah, it really is. Delete it a will.)

http://discourseincsharpminor.wordpress.com/2010/10/06/why-vote/

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on October 20, 2010 at 7:22 pm | Reply discourseincsharpminor

Look who wore purple today.

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20101020/capt.1d14b8ad62d141a798c489025802cf2d-1d14b8ad62d141a798c489025802cf2d-0.jpg?x=400&y=270&q=85&sig=OgolK8J5XUK9_RBXJt273w–

Coincidence? I think not.

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on October 20, 2014 at 11:45 am | Reply Hillary Clinton’s ‘Hard Choices’ Retrospective Part Six Chapter 25 Human Rights: Unfinished Business | Still4Hill

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