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News & ArtsFriday, June 5, 2009
Politics / Homo What He Said
Posted by Dan Savage on Fri, Jun 5, 2009 at 10:20 AM
The man who would deliver gays and lesbians to the promised land of full equality is now viewed with suspicion and anger. The sense of betrayal is palpable. But it is a sense I strongly believe is misplaced, especially so early in a four-year term.... Obama should be doing more to quell the rebellion. He has proclaimed June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. But to make that declaration more than a token gesture, what he needs to do is deliver an address on gay rights akin to his landmark speeches on the Middle East, national security, abortion and race. Stating clearly that gays and lesbians should and will be able to claim full title to the American Dream, and all its promise, could go a long way.When I asked the senior administration official if Obama would commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, which ushered in the modern gay civil rights movement, he said yes. Then added, "And more than once." Such a speech must be a part of it.
A speech on gay issues—live, prime time, from the Oval Office—would fulfill one of the promises Obama made to gay and lesbian voters during the campaign:
As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws.
To understand why gays and lesbians are losing their patience with Obama, go read the his open letter to the gay community.
1
how many days has he been president again? geez, why hasn't this guy solved every single problem with america yet? he's such an asshole.
3
He's going to deal with the economy climate change GM stimulus terrorism Iran Iraq Afghanistan cap n trade North Korea and health insurance first.
Once that's done, look for some moderate movement forward on gay rights....like a commitment to end DADT in 2 years after lots more consultation.
Once that's done, look for some moderate movement forward on gay rights....like a commitment to end DADT in 2 years after lots more consultation.
4
But we're winning. Has a day gone by when this Slog hasn't reminded everyone what we're winning? Seems like the President should focus on dire situations like Afghanistan or energy policy or North Korea or the fucking banks and auto makers, where we are very clearly not winning.
5
What elenchos said @4. Gay marriage and gay acceptance is happening right now WITHOUT Obama's help. Meanwhile, other (and frankly, more immediately important) shit is going on that actually does need his input and support. He's been prez for what, 5 months? What is this "patience" of which you speak?
6
He's also going to wait till after the next elections to do anything major. And I don't think he's going to do a major big speech on gay rights at all.
He's a wily centrist, remember?
He's a wily centrist, remember?
7
Christ people.
I say keep your protest up Dan and fuck anybody who doesn't understand that nothing ever gets done through silence and patience.
Wouldn't y'all be more concerned if he suddenly shut up?
Never lay low when your rights are at stake.
I say keep your protest up Dan and fuck anybody who doesn't understand that nothing ever gets done through silence and patience.
Wouldn't y'all be more concerned if he suddenly shut up?
Never lay low when your rights are at stake.
8
this is one of the issues I disagree with you on Dan.
Be patient. Obama has a lot of stuff to juggle to make everyone happy here - I think he's doing his best so far.
Be patient. Obama has a lot of stuff to juggle to make everyone happy here - I think he's doing his best so far.
9
@7 - I'm not saying "shutup" - I'm saying keep up the advocacy and the fight and be patient.
There is a difference between the two.
There is a difference between the two.
10
C'mon people! A speech would cost him virtually nothing and would go a long way in helping the cause of gay equality. It's the least he could do, now that the homophobes are starting to support their position by saying "it's the same as the President's!". You really think that's too much to ask?
11
To add to that last comment-I have little faith he'll actually even give us a speech. Just a gut feeling. I'd love to be wrong. I'm really starting to get the sense that he doesn't actually care about gay rights and was just saying what he did to beat Hilary.
12
Keep up the advocacy, don't drop your guard, keep fighting, and don't loose hope while remaining aware that there is a heck of a lot going on in this country and the world. He's one person with many issues to deal with. I for one, am glad for these posts, civil rights should never be an issue that becomes out of sight therefore out of mind.
13
#1, I don't think we're saying he should have "solved" everything by now, or even anything by now. Those of us who are worried/angry/suspicious/impatient, however you want to refer to it, are just saying that--until a few days ago--he was so silent about these issues.
That's all. It's goddamn frustrating, and a little hurtful, to be all but ignored since the election.
I'll add though, considering the half-ass, centrist way he's been "solving" everything else he's been working on, I'm starting to think it's a good thing we're being ignored. Those six states don't have Obama's half-ass, centrist civil unions. They've got the real deal, hell yes.
That's all. It's goddamn frustrating, and a little hurtful, to be all but ignored since the election.
I'll add though, considering the half-ass, centrist way he's been "solving" everything else he's been working on, I'm starting to think it's a good thing we're being ignored. Those six states don't have Obama's half-ass, centrist civil unions. They've got the real deal, hell yes.
14
@13
Thank you, jade.
And even now what has Obama has just reiterated what he said during the campaign minus a few items (DOMA) and backtracking (DADT).
Noone expects things to be solved all at once, of course, but can we get an occasional progress report from the Obama Administration, please?
Thank you, jade.
And even now what has Obama has just reiterated what he said during the campaign minus a few items (DOMA) and backtracking (DADT).
Noone expects things to be solved all at once, of course, but can we get an occasional progress report from the Obama Administration, please?
15
Keep it up, Dan. And for those who think Dan is being impatient because Obama has more important things to deal with you're right, there will always be "more important things" like, you know, - getting a dog.
16
But 9, every time anyone DOES "keep up the advocacy and fight," they're accused of impatience. So how would one keep up the advocacy without being impatient? Sending letters to Obama saying, "Oh, there's no need to hurry on my civil rights; just relax and pass a few more stimulus bills. I'll wait!"
This is exactly HOW you keep up the advocacy. By keeping the pressure on. Especially with a President who, any way you spin it, has been pointedly silent on gay issues. The drop in his vocal advocacy after his election was so large, and so sudden, that it should make any reasonable person suspicious, no matter how many wars and economic crashes and plagues he has to deal with.
This is exactly HOW you keep up the advocacy. By keeping the pressure on. Especially with a President who, any way you spin it, has been pointedly silent on gay issues. The drop in his vocal advocacy after his election was so large, and so sudden, that it should make any reasonable person suspicious, no matter how many wars and economic crashes and plagues he has to deal with.
17
It's 23 days until the Stonewall Anniversary - it's on a Sunday this year which is a virtual 'black hole' when it comes to 'news' - thus he can probably say anything he wants and it won't matter because something will have bumped it off the lead by Monday evening.
I expect bit of a dog whistle speech - lots of things that will put hope in his supporters but nothing concrete that can come back to haunt him.
I've said this before and I'll say it again - I think there is a master plan at work here - however I think it's Barney Franks 'baby' not Obamas and he's just playing along at the moment - doing the background work prior to introducing legislation. 'Real change' may not happen Congressionally until after the 2010 mid-terms. I think there is some truth the the 'important stuff' - which to me seems to be health care & energy - things they can 'run on' in 2010 - and can't be used as wedge issues for the far right. 2010 is a real opportunity to have a super majority - especially in the Senate where that would make a big difference.
I expect bit of a dog whistle speech - lots of things that will put hope in his supporters but nothing concrete that can come back to haunt him.
I've said this before and I'll say it again - I think there is a master plan at work here - however I think it's Barney Franks 'baby' not Obamas and he's just playing along at the moment - doing the background work prior to introducing legislation. 'Real change' may not happen Congressionally until after the 2010 mid-terms. I think there is some truth the the 'important stuff' - which to me seems to be health care & energy - things they can 'run on' in 2010 - and can't be used as wedge issues for the far right. 2010 is a real opportunity to have a super majority - especially in the Senate where that would make a big difference.
18
Also, furthering 15's point, every single civil rights victory in American history has taken place while there were other fish to fry as well. If civil rights really were something that just has to "wait" until we're done with the international situation, the economic situation, the [insert ever-present issue here] situation, then we would never, ever move forward on them.
Fortunately, moving forward on civil rights does not, historically, prevent politicians from dealing with other issues as well.
But hey, gays are different; their rights aren't important enough to "distract" our President.
And again, for what may be the 50th time, we're not dissatisfied that Obama hasn't already accomplished a bunch of gay rights landmarks. Being busy really is an excuse for things like that taking some time. It's that he hasn't even started moving towards them. Being busy is NOT an excuse for that. Completely throwing gay rights off the agenda list (in practice) is not the same thing as taking a reasonably slow pace with them due to having a full plate.
If Obama starts making real moves towards gay equality now, I won't give him any shit if he ends up taking 8 years to accomplish real results, for practical reasons. But this isn't the same as taking 8 years to start thinking about maybe addressing gay rights. Even six months is too long for that.
Fortunately, moving forward on civil rights does not, historically, prevent politicians from dealing with other issues as well.
But hey, gays are different; their rights aren't important enough to "distract" our President.
And again, for what may be the 50th time, we're not dissatisfied that Obama hasn't already accomplished a bunch of gay rights landmarks. Being busy really is an excuse for things like that taking some time. It's that he hasn't even started moving towards them. Being busy is NOT an excuse for that. Completely throwing gay rights off the agenda list (in practice) is not the same thing as taking a reasonably slow pace with them due to having a full plate.
If Obama starts making real moves towards gay equality now, I won't give him any shit if he ends up taking 8 years to accomplish real results, for practical reasons. But this isn't the same as taking 8 years to start thinking about maybe addressing gay rights. Even six months is too long for that.
19
@Bonefish
There are other forms of advocacy than screaming "Traitor! Backslider! You Suck!" I'm pretty sure that is what people mean when they say people are being impatient.
It is strange to me that people are not directing the same level of rage at Congress. Getting the congressional Dems on board is how you get DOMA repealed. Obama would be politically naive to put something forward if he didn't have the votes to back it. And getting those votes means adding to the pile of things he is asking for. Shoot, the Dems are the ones opposing shutting down GITMO out of NIMBY panic, and a lot of them are opposing health care reform too. Add to that the fact that a number of congressional Dems are social conservatives who oppose gay marriage, you have to ask where do the votes come from?
There are other forms of advocacy than screaming "Traitor! Backslider! You Suck!" I'm pretty sure that is what people mean when they say people are being impatient.
It is strange to me that people are not directing the same level of rage at Congress. Getting the congressional Dems on board is how you get DOMA repealed. Obama would be politically naive to put something forward if he didn't have the votes to back it. And getting those votes means adding to the pile of things he is asking for. Shoot, the Dems are the ones opposing shutting down GITMO out of NIMBY panic, and a lot of them are opposing health care reform too. Add to that the fact that a number of congressional Dems are social conservatives who oppose gay marriage, you have to ask where do the votes come from?
20
After the active courting of the homo vote, the least Obama can do is to help instead of hurt. Even the fucking joint military Joint Chief of Staff is saying that they'll have to do studies, blah, blah, blah. If I remember correctly, all the commander in chief has to do is issue an order... DADT might be the workout that happened under Clinton, but nobody can tell me with 1000 policy wonks working in DC for the White House (including the person heading up things for LGBT people) that something can't get done. Obama ought to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. And you're fucking right- I am impatient. As I should be.
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