LGBT talk confronts U.S. policy

Carmen Vazquez is bold, politically incorrect and to audience members in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, inspiring.

Speaking to a small audience at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center last night, the Director of Public Policy at the LGBT Community Center of New York presented both her speech "Defending Democracy: The Queer Stand" and a demand for political activism.

"Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people don't live outside all this," Vazquez said of the war in Iraq and the politics of the Bush administration. "We don't live in lavender bubbles, and we don't live on Mars."

Emphasizing the impact of a president she referred to as a "power-hungry cowboy," she described the current administration as a detriment to democracy and LGBT interests.

"Democracy will not survive another four years of this administration," Vazquez said.

Her message for students and those in the LGBT community was straightforward.

"Get off your ass, and get dirty with politics," she told audience members.

The proactive presentation, another in QPenn's series of events, was sponsored by the Fox Leadership Series. The dessert reception that followed was sponsored by LGBT alumni association PennGALA and La Casa Latina.

Despite the large billing, the audience consisted of under 15 people -- "I've been told Penn students don't leave their dorms when it rains," LGBT Center Director Robert Schoenberg said.

Nevertheless, Vazquez -- who describes herself as "a Puerto Rican, a butch lesbian and a socialist" -- was received positively.

College freshman Bradley Breuer welcomed the abrasive nature of her message.

"I like speakers that aren't politically correct," he said. "She has a bold view; it was great."

QPenn Committee Co-Chairwoman Amanda Nordstrom called Vazquez "personally motivating."

"I think Carmen represents a voice that Americans need to hear," she added. "A lot of Americans are afraid to speak."

Criticizing this fear, Vazquez discussed her views on the war in Iraq and demanded a response from the LGBT community.

"George W. Bush and his posse simply imposed their will on the world," she said. "It's 21st century imperialism cynically trading on people's fear of terrorism."

And it was in this message of discontent that Vazquez connected with her audience.

"I really identify with the fact she's lost hope in this government," Breuer said.

Yet, Vazquez did not present a message of defeat with her lack of hope. Emphasizing her love of democracy, she urged audience members to "wage peace," oppose tax cuts for the upper class and "put an end to this identity politics bullshit."

And it was with this demand for justice that she hoped to compel students into action.

"I'm more of an outside instigator," she said. "It is my hope that students do the work themselves."

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