Soapboxing – Obama’s Bravery
In commermeration of the 1969 Stonewall riots, the month of June is known to many as “Gay Pride Month.” In fact, the Whitehouse has honored the month of June with a special proclamation commemorating the 40th anniversary of that day. You can read the proclamation here. This press release comes at a time when many LGBT Americans are questioning the authenticity of President Obama’s support for our issues and growing increasingly impatient at the lack of progress that has been made. Ironically, it also comes a week after Vice President Dick Cheney declared his support for same-sex marriage; a position he probably held for a long time but never made public because of the political ramifications. The proclamation is, of course, a very nice gesture from a seemingly supportive leader. However, it begs the questions: Ok, now what?
For months I’ve watched the blogosphere erupt at the silence Obama has exhibited regarding DOMA, DADT, Proposition 8 and more. I haven’t been quick to throw in the towel of support for the President because of these issues. I campaigned for him and donated quite a bit of money to make sure he was elected. I still do believe he was the best choice for American. He has only been in office for 6 months and I’m sure is testing the political waters before drastic changes are made. I understand he’s pragmatic and a master politician, so I’m not that surprised certain things haven’t happened. Yet I find myself growing increasingly frustrating for the lack of leadership on LGBT issues. After-all, Obama promised us a “fierce advocate” in the White House during and after his campaign season. He even was once in support of same sex marriage before he hit the national stage of politics. Expecting him to push for federal marriage rights isn’t what I’m looking for. I do understand that he has to start small; but the key would be starting.
The Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy and the Defense of Marriage Act need to go. Obama cannot continue to talk about his want for LGBT equality while the government continues to legally discriminate against those people. Recent headlines have been made by Lt. Dan Choi’s, an openly gay Army National Guard member who also happens to be fluent in Arabic, dismissal from serving on the basis of his sexuality. Obama, who could issue an executive order stopping these dismissals (not repealing the policy, but temporarily halting the firings), has done nothing to protect Lt. Choi and others. An executive order would be a temporary fix but more importantly it would be symbolic. It would demonstrate his bravery and his seriousness with regards to this issue. But nothing.
He has stated that DADT needs to be repealed through a congressional process. Has he called on Pelosi to being said process? If it truly is “out of his hands” then I need to see a bit of delegation to make me feel better. Instead, we’re getting silence and a bit of cheek from Press Secretary Robert Gibbs (whom might be the biggest boob I’ve ever seen). The above video shows a portion of a recent interview in which (in my opinion) Obama has never looked more uncomfortable answering a question about gay rights.
This past week we’ve heard that the HRC has been lobying for Obama to delay acting on DADT because of the need to push other items through instead. I’m not at all surprised as I stopped supporting the HRC a long time ago. This is the problem when political action groups go to bed with one specific party. So it’s possible, Obama thinks he is listening to the authority on this issue in Joel Solmonese. Someone needs to tell him to wake up and show that fierce advocacy he promised. DADT is a disastrous policy that continues to discharge capable men and women from armed services on the basis of their sexual orientation. It’s a policy that says, “sure you can serve your country but only if you lie about who you are.” I don’t know about you, but I’m done with the closet.
President Clinton gave us the gifts of DADT and DOMA because of buckling under political pressure. He was not brave. President Obama has shown true leadership recently with spearheading a reformation of health care. He’s also made a very tricky and impassioned speech to the Muslim world while continuing to fix our economy. He is a brave individual in a lot of respects but he’s taking the easy way on this one. In this month of pride, lets not forget that many people are still being fired from their jobs, denied housing and physically beaten because of their sexuality. Those things will not stop without a brave leader stepping up to the plate. Is it you Mr. President?
