Here is the text of the letter I just sent Senator Gillibrand, via her website:
I saw your posts at Daily Kos and Huffington Post today regarding the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy.
I have no doubt you're aware of the timing of this announcement: that there is tremendous, seething anger among gays and lesbians directed at the White House and the Democratic Party in general. The President's photo op/memorandum signing last night was thin gruel, indeed, after the many promises regarding DOMA, ENDA, and DADT leading up to his election, and the silence, hostility, and inaction since. The DNC's gay fundraiser in DC is rightly turning into a PR disaster, given the total lack of leadership on LGBT issues coming from Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi. Currently, on gay issues, one could be forgiven for thinking that the Democratic leadership was to the right of Dick Cheney, of all people. We're furious, and we've lost faith in the leaders we thought were our allies.
The White House disingenously claims it can't do anything on DADT except wait for Congress; Congress claims it needs the President's leadership. It's clear both sides are bluffing; either branch could set the ball rolling, but it looks like neither will.
So are you bluffing? I've read several comments from people who say you're an opportunist, seizing this charged moment to steal a little of the gay-rights headline attention. They say you can't be trusted, that you're not motivated by principle, and that you're just pandering now for liberal NYC votes. They say you won't actually do anything beyond taking a photo with Lt. Choi and sending out a press release.
As heartbroken as I am at the lack of good faith shown by other Dem leaders, especially the President I worked so hard to help elect, I am not so hardened that I'll spurn an offer of help on the issues that matter to me. What I crave from you, as my new (ish) Senator, is some ACTION.
Drum up those votes, Senator. Let me see you change some minds. FILL THE VACCUUM THAT OUR PARTY'S LEADERS HAVE LEFT. This is an opportunity for you: distinguish yourself from the rest of the Dem pack by actually DOING SOMETHING for gay and lesbian servicemembers, rather than just using them as propaganda tools. It won't mean you're an opportunist; it'll mean you're smart. Prove that you aren't like countless other Dems that tell gays and lesbians they will fight for them, and then drop them in the dust as soon as the check clears.
GET IT DONE on DADT, and you will have won over this constituent for life.
Many of us in New York didn't know anything about you when you became our Senator this year. Many regarded you with distrust, based on your congressional service in a fairly conservative district.
Will you be our unlikely hero? Will you be the "fierce advocate" that the President claims to be but isn't? Will you do more than whisper sweet nothings?
We're waiting to see what you do next.
Once (or 100 times) bitten, twice shy. I'm not ready to trust her, or anyone else right now who promises me their efforts on gay issues.
I don't demand immediate results; but let me see you working at it. Honest effort is a starting point, and means more to me right now than all the talk in the world.