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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Re: The Agenda

Posted by on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 3:03 PM

"CIVIL RIGHTS" is the first category in "The Agenda" section of Obama's website—excuse me, the White House's website (!)—and more than half of the items listed fall under the subcategory "Support for the LGBT Community." The fact that Obama's agenda for LGBT equality is filed under plain old "Civil Rights" and not "Gay Rights" or some other category will not only annoy the Rick Warrens of the world (and inspire a round of "See?!?! What the fuck were you worried about!?!?!" from folks who thought queers overreacted to the Warren invite) but it demonstrates that Obama believes that the struggle for gay and lesbian equality is the civil rights struggle of our time. It's a comprehensive list and if Obama can deliver on even a fraction of it, well, then Rick Warren will be the one pitching fits. Here's the list:

"While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect."— Barack Obama, June 1, 2007

Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. President Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to include violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical disability. As a state senator, President Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.

Fight Workplace Discrimination: President Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees' domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. The President also sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: President Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.

Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: President Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples.

Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell: President Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. The President will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.

Expand Adoption Rights: President Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.

Promote AIDS Prevention: In the first year of his presidency, President Obama will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. The President will support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system. The President also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. President Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma — too often tied to homophobia — that continues to surround HIV/AIDS.

Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS: In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. President Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.

 

Comments (21) RSS

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1
See?!?! What the fuck were you worried about!?!?!
Posted by Jocelyn on January 20, 2009 at 3:11 PM
2
The White House's agenda items are listed alphabetically. Though I suppose anyone could have word-crafted the item headings to prevent A's and B's, making Civil Rights fall in line first. The Obama team always seems to be 10 steps ahead of everyone, so I wouldn't doubt it. We'll see.
Posted by Judith on January 20, 2009 at 3:19 PM
3
What the fuck were we worried about? Well...

Obama made all these promises during the campaign. What we're worried about is that they were just promises, and that his desire to jump into bed with Warren after the election was a sign that President Obama would, like so many other politicians before him, not actually make good on his promises to gays and lesbians.

And... so far... we have a list on the White House website listing his promises. We don't actually have any action on any of these -- nor do we expect action at this stage, of course. But this is a good sign.

And despite this list, and its prominence, I would like to retain the right to remain worried -- and vigilant -- until we see action and results from the new administration.
Posted by Dan Savage on January 20, 2009 at 3:20 PM
4
I'm sure we all remember how we felt when Bush included a few of these items in his own agenda and didn't act on them. The disappointment still stings, since we're promised these things in every administration and by every president and they never do anything for us.
Posted by AJ on January 20, 2009 at 3:30 PM
5
Hopefully this will prevent a shit attack should the gay marching band not make the networks' inaugural coverage.
Posted by Explorer on January 20, 2009 at 3:36 PM
6
Talk is cheap.

I'm going use the "deed based" standard for this administration.

It doesn't matter what they say, how much they say they love us, how much they say respect us. It matters what they accomplish.

The deed balance has begun. Obama is one gay-negative deed (Rick Warren) in the red. Due to the fuckup with the gay bishop dude, this deed has not been nullified as of yet. After two gay-positive deeds, Obama will be on his way to what I hope will be a net gain.
Posted by Yeek on January 20, 2009 at 3:44 PM
7
Yeah, yeah, Warren got to give a speech. I've yet to hear a quote from it. Now, the Global Gag Rule will be gone in a flash, and you'll see just how much President Obama cares about the religious right's agenda.
Posted by Gitai on January 20, 2009 at 3:45 PM
8
That's some good stuff right there.
Posted by Greg on January 20, 2009 at 3:53 PM
9
Here's a hint - don't ask don't tell except for lesbian pilots who are more accurate than male pilots is ... gone.
Posted by Will in Seattle on January 20, 2009 at 4:09 PM
10
I'm sort of thinking Obama's okay with letting the gays get angry enough so they hold him to the fire and apply enough political pressure that he has no choice but to enact this agenda. I wouldn't put it past him to make that kind of calculation.

If having to listen to Rick Warren's blustery, inarticulate yelling of a prayer this morning is the price we pay for a more engaged, oppositional, politicized gay community, then I think that's great.

Let's stay uppity.
Posted by Kevin on January 20, 2009 at 4:10 PM
11
I'm scared but nervous.
Posted by sheiler on January 20, 2009 at 4:10 PM
12
Retain the right to be worried, and to remain vigilant, because wisdom is proven right in action.

"For lesbians and gays to win the war against injustice and discrimination you must remember these lessons from Dr. King and the civil rights movement that he led. First, stay vigilant. At all times, know who your enemy is and what your enemy is doing. Second, never let up pressure. You must never rest in your work to gain and protect your rights as American citizens. And third, don't get impatient. It will be a long, arduous struggle, but truth is on your side. You will prevail." Rev. Dan H.
Posted by kim on January 20, 2009 at 4:32 PM
13
Talk=cheap. Appointments and proposed legislation mean more.
Posted by Trevor on January 20, 2009 at 4:51 PM
14
I realize this may take some individual effort on everyone's part, and certainly will not be as easy as hoping Obama does the right thing, but why don't you all use up some of that nervous energy by writing your elected officials on a regular basis stating you desire for civil rights for the LGBT community? It certainly would be more productive then bitching on the internet.
Posted by WA on January 20, 2009 at 5:02 PM
15
@14 is correct:

Most of these "promises" will require legislation or Congressional approval to integrate them into law or to undo previous discriminatory statues. Executive power only goes so far.

Obama isn't Santa Claus nor does he possess magical legislative powers. We can't cross our arms and sit back and say "okay, gimme my rights." Democracy is about showing up (and a lot of us campaigned for Obama, or showed up to vote--though in a smaller percentage for Obama than we did for Kerry, it should be noted). The Civil Rights gains for Blacks didn't happen passively--folks of all colors worked hard with their legislators and community leaders to get the gains they got.

Want the above Action Items turned into real rights and actual laws? To quote RuPaul, you betta work....
Posted by Andy Niable on January 20, 2009 at 5:18 PM
16
Did everyone hear this:

"The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."


Did he actually say this?? This seems . . . hugely important. I don't want to be hopeful. But this is . . . extremely important.
Posted by jade on January 20, 2009 at 5:40 PM
17
I heard it.
Posted by kim on January 20, 2009 at 6:41 PM
18
I know it's a bit early in the game, but so far Obama has done the things he said he would do. I mean it's only day one and he's already united America more than it's been in the last... ever. Maybe it's superficial, but I do think it bodes well. It seems to me that in at least giving the appearance of listening to all sides, he's made people on all sides more willing to listen to (and trust) him, even if they don't necessarily agree with everything he's done/is going to do.

So, long story short, he says he's including everyone, and he displayed that today. He says he's going to move forward for civil rights, I believe him. Keep being uppity for sure. I can't believe more members of the LGBT community WEREN'T being uppity before, but I'd give the guy the benefit of the doubt.
Posted by Jocelyn on January 20, 2009 at 11:17 PM
19
I'm willing to both give him a chance to do whatever he can in his position, and volunteer locally.
Posted by maus on January 21, 2009 at 12:29 AM
20
@6 -Yeek, what about the fact that he also included Rev. Lowery at the Inaugaration? Lowery has been pro-LGBT rights for a long time. Doesn't he count in your tally?
Posted by DJDeeJay on January 21, 2009 at 10:10 AM
21
20. What did you think of this part of Lowery's speech:

we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around -- (laughter) -- when yellow will be mellow -- (laughter) -- when the red man can get ahead, man -- (laughter) -- and when white will embrace what is right.


"When white will embrace what is right." What the hell does that even mean?
Posted by jade on January 21, 2009 at 5:40 PM

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