Obama Pressured Over Gay Issues
May 10, 2009 by James
There is a flood of gay and lesbian issues facing the president amid what The New York Times calls “a dizzying pace of social, political, legal and legislative change.”
The wide range of concerns vary from same-sex marriage to hate crimes to more financing to combat AIDS to a possible gay person for the Supreme Court to succeed the retiring Justice David Souter.
One of Obama’s campaign promises was to overturn Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. He won over LGBT voters through promises to find a balance, to try to take steps toward equality. He promised change, but he has not acted on his promises. He needs to prove our faith in his work. Voting is the act of consenting to be governed. We chose Obama through this process based on his campaign promises and our perception of his character. What efforts can be made to remind him of his promises?
I agree that healthcare is an important issue. People need to be able to go to a doctor when they are in need, and I hope this proposal comes about. But I think other promises are also important. With a constant rise in hate crimes against LGBT people, it is important for Obama to follow through with his plans. I want to be able to find a job and not to be afraid I will lose it for being who I am. The best way for inclusion to become a large part of our society is through the leadership in this country. Obama’s dismissal of LGBT rights indicates a dismissal of the importance of these issues, the importance of the basic rights people in this country have been denied.
How do you feel about Obama’s lack of action for LGBT rights? What can be done about this dilemma?
I personally don’t see a “lack” of action towards LGBT rights. I think it’s the president’s task to lead, not to dictate. I think he’s only been in office less than a year, and for this man, as president to address the LGBT community is NOT sugar coating anything, it’s a HUGE step that has never been taken prior.
President Obama has expressed his desire to overturn DOMA and DADT, however, one of the most frequent criticisms he receives from the ‘right’ is that he’s trying to be a dictator. He needs to lead through example, which he’s doing an exemplary job of, and let the elected officials of the legislature change the laws, as DOMA and DADT are both laws, again, he is doing his job, leading, not dictating.
I think the LGBT community, who in large, is the most apathetic group that has faced discrimination, refuses to see the big picture. There are too many too impatient, too selfish, too near-sighted to see what sort of long term impact the president’s support of the LGBT community will bring.
Too many expect everything NOW…and want it given…life doesn’t work that way. If Obama did interfere with the legislative process, then the right would stir a less debatable controversy over dictatorship and socialism and we (the LGBT community) could very easily lose all progress in a very short amount of time if a “Christian conservative” took office in 2012.
I appreciate your honesty and your writing. I started this discussion as a class assignment for a gender and women’s studies course in which we are studying the LGBT rights movement and differing sexualities. I think that I am able to take a class like this is an indication of progress. The class is made up of a diverse group of people, even, which indicates a willingness for all types of people to be involved and know more about this struggle.
I agree that Obama is a big step forward. We watched his address at the HRC dinner, and it was very moving. Many of us went to the march also. How does an out lawmaker’s stance like that of Barney Frank alter the effectiveness of a show of support like the march?
Obama has been so supportive as the president and a straight man while Frank, though visibly out, seems to make decisions and support changes which, in fact, hamper progress.