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News & ArtsMonday, October 5, 2009
Politics / Homo Obama Keeps On Talking the Talk...
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 9:37 AM
..but when will he walk the walk?
President Obama will speak to a gathering of gay rights activists this weekend, a day before thousands of people are expected to march on Washington in a demonstration calling for greater legal protections for gays, lesbians and transgendered Americans.Mr. Obama’s appearance on Saturday at the annual dinner for the Human Rights Campaign, a leading gay rights advocacy group, represents a significant show of support for gay rights at a time when many prominent gay and lesbian activists have been questioning the president’s commitment to their issues.
Once again I find myself not wanting to downplay the symbolic importance of what the president is about to do—he's going to host a reception for gays and lesbians, award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harvey Milk, give a speech before a gay rights group—but we already know that the president is willing to say all the right things. But what is he willing and able to actually accomplish? We've had our fill of words and we'd like to see some action, please. So here's hoping that Obama is planning to announce some major policy change on Saturday—an end to DADT discharges?—and that he isn't just showing up to tell us, once again, that his heart is in the right place.
3
At this point there's no way anything is happening on DOMA until his (hypothetical) second term. But, DADT is such a no-brainer, given the popular support for it (and that it's, you know, the right thing to do both from a civil rights and from a national security perspective). I'm hoping after health care reform is dealt with, there will be some action. I am going to mentally cut him some slack until then... But, if something isn't done at that point, I'll be writing him off as a loss from a gay rights perspective.
4
The "many prominent gay and lesbian activists (who) have been questoning the president’s commitment to their issues" are really really dumb.
Because everyone else in America realized six months ago that Obama doesn't have any commitment to their issues.
Because everyone else in America realized six months ago that Obama doesn't have any commitment to their issues.
6
It means nothing, Obama is nothing more than an empty suit who can read a good speech.
And BTW, how are those two wars going? And you all realize that they are Obama's wars now?
And BTW, how are those two wars going? And you all realize that they are Obama's wars now?
7
Social progress is like pulling something with a rubber band. Stretch it a bit and the thing on the other end comes along. Pull too far and it breaks.
California showed with Prop 8 that they stretched too far. We'll see in Washington with R 71 whether we stretched too far. Washington and California are way ahead of the rest of the country on civil rights, but we're still breaking our rubber bands.
It is possible that Obama is aware of this and is pulling the rubber band only so far?
California showed with Prop 8 that they stretched too far. We'll see in Washington with R 71 whether we stretched too far. Washington and California are way ahead of the rest of the country on civil rights, but we're still breaking our rubber bands.
It is possible that Obama is aware of this and is pulling the rubber band only so far?
8
Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend October 10 – 11, 2009
Seattle OUTProtest has brought together a grassroots coalition of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and straight people and organizations to organize a series of solidarity events to coincide with the National March for Equality this October.
March and Rally
Forty years after the Stonewall Rebellion, we march in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and allies in Washington, DC to demand equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states and to show our public support for the Approval of Referendum 71 here in Washington state.
Sunday, October 11
2:00 pm: Volunteer Park, 10th Ave E & E Prospect
5:00 pm: Rally, Federal Courthouse, 7th & Stewart
Thinking Queerly: Community Workshops on LGBT Issues
Community organizers and activists will present a series of workshops on a range of issues affecting the lgbt community including Stonewall and lgbt movement history, homelessness, hate crimes and self defense, lgbt health, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, lgbt legal issues, Gay-Straight Alliances, marriage equality, and more.
Saturday, October 10
9:30 am to 5 pm
Piggot Auditorium, Seattle University
HIV/AIDS Vigil
As the AIDS pandemic nears its fourth decade, we gather to educate and raise awareness about the continued struggles of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, friends, and support networks as well as to demand all resources and all funding necessary for prevention, treatment, and a cure.
Saturday, October 10
Starting at 6 pm
Seattle Central Community College South Plaza, Broadway & E Pine
Generation Q Mega Mixer
Come mingle and mix with seasoned leaders and activists of the GLBTQ community at the Generation Q Mega Mixer. Young leaders (25 and under please) will have the opportunity to socialize, learn from, and quite possibly have a dance off with some of the community's most inspiring members in a relaxed social environment.
Sunday, October 11
6:30 pm
Sole Repair Shop, 1001 E Pike
Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend March & Rally
http://nationalmarch.seattleoutprotest.o…
Get involved with one of our planning committees! Contact for more time and details:
March/Rally Committee, March@seattleoutprotest.org
Workshops Committee, Workshops@seattleoutprotest.org
Outreach Committee, Outreach@seattleoutprotest.org
Mixer Committee, Mixer@seattleoutprotest.org
HIV/AIDS Vigil Committee, Vigil@seattleoutprotest.org
Biweekly General Organizing Meetings, please contact whitney@seattleoutprotest.org for time and location.
National Equality March: Equality Across America
www.equalityacrossamerica.org
Going to DC? Check in and meet other folks from Washington who are going to DC:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-E…
Approve Referendum 71
Keep the Domestic Partnership Law
More...
Seattle OUTProtest has brought together a grassroots coalition of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and straight people and organizations to organize a series of solidarity events to coincide with the National March for Equality this October.
March and Rally
Forty years after the Stonewall Rebellion, we march in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and allies in Washington, DC to demand equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states and to show our public support for the Approval of Referendum 71 here in Washington state.
Sunday, October 11
2:00 pm: Volunteer Park, 10th Ave E & E Prospect
5:00 pm: Rally, Federal Courthouse, 7th & Stewart
Thinking Queerly: Community Workshops on LGBT Issues
Community organizers and activists will present a series of workshops on a range of issues affecting the lgbt community including Stonewall and lgbt movement history, homelessness, hate crimes and self defense, lgbt health, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, lgbt legal issues, Gay-Straight Alliances, marriage equality, and more.
Saturday, October 10
9:30 am to 5 pm
Piggot Auditorium, Seattle University
HIV/AIDS Vigil
As the AIDS pandemic nears its fourth decade, we gather to educate and raise awareness about the continued struggles of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, friends, and support networks as well as to demand all resources and all funding necessary for prevention, treatment, and a cure.
Saturday, October 10
Starting at 6 pm
Seattle Central Community College South Plaza, Broadway & E Pine
Generation Q Mega Mixer
Come mingle and mix with seasoned leaders and activists of the GLBTQ community at the Generation Q Mega Mixer. Young leaders (25 and under please) will have the opportunity to socialize, learn from, and quite possibly have a dance off with some of the community's most inspiring members in a relaxed social environment.
Sunday, October 11
6:30 pm
Sole Repair Shop, 1001 E Pike
Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend March & Rally
http://nationalmarch.seattleoutprotest.o…
Get involved with one of our planning committees! Contact for more time and details:
March/Rally Committee, March@seattleoutprotest.org
Workshops Committee, Workshops@seattleoutprotest.org
Outreach Committee, Outreach@seattleoutprotest.org
Mixer Committee, Mixer@seattleoutprotest.org
HIV/AIDS Vigil Committee, Vigil@seattleoutprotest.org
Biweekly General Organizing Meetings, please contact whitney@seattleoutprotest.org for time and location.
National Equality March: Equality Across America
www.equalityacrossamerica.org
Going to DC? Check in and meet other folks from Washington who are going to DC:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-E…
Approve Referendum 71
Keep the Domestic Partnership Law
10
Leadership *has* to come from the White House on this. Congress won't act till the WH says so (c.f. Harry Reid's letter to Obama this week), and the WH won't give Congress the go-ahead till they get a green light from the Pentagon. But the Pentagon won't act unless the WH pressures them to. Ultimately, it's up to Obama.
The good news is that there are signs that the White House is leaning on the Pentagon, and that the wheels are starting to turn.
The good news is that there are signs that the White House is leaning on the Pentagon, and that the wheels are starting to turn.
11
[The bad news is that we probably don't have the votes in the Senate, though we could conceivably sneak repeal on as an amendment to a must-pass Defense Bill.]
12
After eight years of religious fanatics running things, I guess I'm just grateful for the change in attitude.
13
Just a reminder of how much of a two-faced liar Obama is:
Thanks to Robin Equality McGehee for this reminder: "When I am President of the United States, gays and lesbians will
have somebody who will fight for equal rights for them, somebody who opposes Don't Ask, Don't Tell, somebody who's fought to make sure that gays and lesbians are not discriminated against on the job or hospital visitation. Because they are our brothers and sisters, and I don't mind
anyone knowing where I stand."
- Barack Obama November 16, 2007
Thanks to Robin Equality McGehee for this reminder: "When I am President of the United States, gays and lesbians will
have somebody who will fight for equal rights for them, somebody who opposes Don't Ask, Don't Tell, somebody who's fought to make sure that gays and lesbians are not discriminated against on the job or hospital visitation. Because they are our brothers and sisters, and I don't mind
anyone knowing where I stand."
- Barack Obama November 16, 2007
17
The real issue here is HRC. It's now very clear that they alone set the gay rights agenda, and nothing gets done on gay rights nationally except through them (sorry, Dan).
Given that there seems to be some evidence, despite denials, that HRC has signaled to legislators and the President that DADT is not a priority -- see http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-s… -- I'm not sure why we should expect the President to act.
I think — particularly in the case of the HRC — the claim that a PAC represents as diverse a group of people as tenuously connected as gays, lesbians, bi- and transsexuals of different races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds should be viewed with extreme skepticism. But once you have the President recognizing HRC as The Representative of gay interests in this country, that's a lot of power to set the agenda. Let's just hope they use it wisely.
Given that there seems to be some evidence, despite denials, that HRC has signaled to legislators and the President that DADT is not a priority -- see http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-s… -- I'm not sure why we should expect the President to act.
I think — particularly in the case of the HRC — the claim that a PAC represents as diverse a group of people as tenuously connected as gays, lesbians, bi- and transsexuals of different races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds should be viewed with extreme skepticism. But once you have the President recognizing HRC as The Representative of gay interests in this country, that's a lot of power to set the agenda. Let's just hope they use it wisely.
18
Obama's on the case; keep buggin' him to do something.
Btw, my quibble: people don't "walk the walk." We "walk the talk," meaning we act on our words. Wish everyone would get this one down.
Btw, my quibble: people don't "walk the walk." We "walk the talk," meaning we act on our words. Wish everyone would get this one down.
19
#7 wins. He can't wave his magic fairy stick and make everything better for gays. He CAN however make slow, meaningful gestures, and attempt to get THE REST OF THE COUNTRY to see the urgency and importance of these issues.
Or he could just ram headfirst into the issue, piss off half the country, piss away his political clout, and ultimately fail at ushering in the change you want. I mean, that's cool to though, right?
Or he could just ram headfirst into the issue, piss off half the country, piss away his political clout, and ultimately fail at ushering in the change you want. I mean, that's cool to though, right?
20
19 no that wouldn't be very cool Obama plans to piss away his clout fucking up the effort to reform health care
21
The problem... he's speaking to those who paid big bucks to this "Black-tie" Event. I almost had the opportunity to speak at the Washington National Equality Now March, because I was one of the finalist in their "Idol" contest. I lost out to Sam Sussman,who had the best entry and received the most votes... but you know what... I rather hear what Sam Sussman has to say! He happens to be "straight", but he believes in equality for all ... no more, no less than the next person when it comes to Human Rights, Civil Rights or Gay Rights. I like that... and maybe President Obama could learn from JOIN THE IMPACT, one of the groups who had Cleve Jones come to Chicago to speak to us... and they only charged $5.
They are also sending 4 buses to Washington, and again made it affordable for the little guy, by making a round trip available for $100. They also made seats available for less... for those who qualified. I have been priced OUT of every event ever staged by the HRC. They really never represented me... and up until now... I have been a one man army fighting for over 30 years for gay rights... However, I did join the "Join The Impact/ Chicago" Chapter, because I have found them to be inspiring, with most of their members young. It's their future now. I find it ironic, that this march is taking place in Washington, because I remember the words of a young JFK, in his Inaugural
Speech, saying that the "Torch has been passed to a new generation"... and I hope that many of the so-called gay leaders SHUT-UP, and listen to what this new generation of gay and equal right's fighter say, and want, including that of Sam Sussman who offer HOPE, for a better future, and NOW for ALL of US!
They are also sending 4 buses to Washington, and again made it affordable for the little guy, by making a round trip available for $100. They also made seats available for less... for those who qualified. I have been priced OUT of every event ever staged by the HRC. They really never represented me... and up until now... I have been a one man army fighting for over 30 years for gay rights... However, I did join the "Join The Impact/ Chicago" Chapter, because I have found them to be inspiring, with most of their members young. It's their future now. I find it ironic, that this march is taking place in Washington, because I remember the words of a young JFK, in his Inaugural
Speech, saying that the "Torch has been passed to a new generation"... and I hope that many of the so-called gay leaders SHUT-UP, and listen to what this new generation of gay and equal right's fighter say, and want, including that of Sam Sussman who offer HOPE, for a better future, and NOW for ALL of US!
22
First, bring the troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan, where al-Qaeda isn't.
Second, do things like this.
Sorry, but there's a psychology to these things.
Second, do things like this.
Sorry, but there's a psychology to these things.
23
I've pretty much lost all hope that Obama will effect any good changes for gay rights. I don't think he'll have a second term, either. Maybe, once he's out of office, he can announce, like Bill Clinton, how he dropped the ball on gay rights.
I'm afraid he's just an empty suit, as #6 suggested.
I'm afraid he's just an empty suit, as #6 suggested.
24
I'm going to give Obama the benefit of the doubt for now. Just trying to reform health care, he's got the far, far, far right calling him a Nazi, socialist, fascist, Kenyan Commie who will kill your grandmother and should be overthrown by a military coup, and a disturbing number of those caught on. If he takes any significant action for gay rights, he'll further mobilize the fanatical conservatives -- and sadly a lot of the more moderate conservatives -- to kill anything he proposes. Sadly, health care reform isn't going too well anyway, but I think it should be his first priority, so that we're all alive and healthy to enjoy the civil equality we deserve.
After the health care fight, if Obama continues to equivocate on gay rights, then it'll be time to hold his feet to the fire.
After the health care fight, if Obama continues to equivocate on gay rights, then it'll be time to hold his feet to the fire.
25
Dan, with all due respect, but how about we consider the limits of actual presidential powers before we start delineating the difference between what a president can "say" versus what he can "do." Executive orders only go so far--and no, he can't END Don't Ask/Don't Tell with his pen because Congress enshrined it into federal law. (However, he should use his stop-loss powers to halt implementation of the policy--so see, I'm not some Hopey Obamaton drunk on the Kool-Ade.)
Most of our agenda is going to require legislation from Congress in order for the President to "do" anything--he can't sign a bill that doesn't make it to his desk. So how about we get politically savvy and constructive, put our considerable anger and energy to work pressuring Congress to pass these bills (such as H.R.3017/S.1584--The Employee Non-Discrimination Act) so then we can all get our wish and Obama can "do" what he "says" (and has said time-and-again) he wants to do for us. And give him a little credit when he does step up and say these pro-queer things, despite the fact that the Religious Right is probably throwing a party today, celebrating the fundraising bonanza his one little speech to the March on Equality folks is probably going to be for them.
Let's act like we know the process--and what we're doing--and not just standing around with our arms folded, waiting for our rights to handed to us without any effort on OUR part.
Get on the phones/faxes/and emails, Queers. At least this time we don't have to face the firehoses and hounds. Yet.
Most of our agenda is going to require legislation from Congress in order for the President to "do" anything--he can't sign a bill that doesn't make it to his desk. So how about we get politically savvy and constructive, put our considerable anger and energy to work pressuring Congress to pass these bills (such as H.R.3017/S.1584--The Employee Non-Discrimination Act) so then we can all get our wish and Obama can "do" what he "says" (and has said time-and-again) he wants to do for us. And give him a little credit when he does step up and say these pro-queer things, despite the fact that the Religious Right is probably throwing a party today, celebrating the fundraising bonanza his one little speech to the March on Equality folks is probably going to be for them.
Let's act like we know the process--and what we're doing--and not just standing around with our arms folded, waiting for our rights to handed to us without any effort on OUR part.
Get on the phones/faxes/and emails, Queers. At least this time we don't have to face the firehoses and hounds. Yet.
26
Don't take it personally, that motherfucker hasn't done shit for anyone since we put him in office. SCHIP and Lilly Ledbetter were sitting on his desk ready to sign when he sat down and he hasn't done a thing since.
27
As long as he keeps on insisting on these sort of visits to homosexual groups he will keep on loosing support from those that got to the White House. We just don't know what to make of these actions on his part.......Shake my head in disbelief.
This is just a wrong headed move on his part that only serves to further embolden gay agitators like Savage who in the end couldn't care less about him and probably didn't even vote for him in the first place.
This is just a wrong headed move on his part that only serves to further embolden gay agitators like Savage who in the end couldn't care less about him and probably didn't even vote for him in the first place.
28
@27
...please correct yourself. If for no other point, correct yourself on the suggestion that Savage didn't vote for Obama.
Because only then, will anyone think your assertions might be credible.
...please correct yourself. If for no other point, correct yourself on the suggestion that Savage didn't vote for Obama.
Because only then, will anyone think your assertions might be credible.
29
He's a good President thus far, this is the time to actually BE the man who not only 'talks the talk', and should be one who 'walks the walk'. PROOF! is in the actions and deeds, NOT the platitudes and words. CHOOSE!
Either this nation, that means EVERY CITIZEN, supports and defends the rights, privileges AND responsibilities of ALL its' citizens, or you don't. The majority is not always correct.
Either this nation, that means EVERY CITIZEN, supports and defends the rights, privileges AND responsibilities of ALL its' citizens, or you don't. The majority is not always correct.
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