Gay Rights Groups Growing Impatient With Obama

Politico:

President Barack Obama's promises of change are falling short for one core Democratic constituency: gays and lesbians, whose leaders say Obama's administration isn't keeping up with the times.

Gay rights campaigners, most of them Democrats who supported Obama in November, have begun to voice their public frustration with Obama's inaction, small jokes at their community's expense and deafening silence on what they see as the signal civil rights issue of this era.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[patrickgarret]

Yah let's go back to Bush. Did he invite gay families to Easter? Did he join the UN to denounce gay discrimination? in 150 days he hasn't changed the gay world. WAH!

[GimmeGimmeSmores]

No, Obama's just starting to change his stance on issues that he campaigned on.

And I really don't care what critics of the GLBT community say. They can be republicans, democrats, or ugly little GOP trolls that hang out on liberal websites.

For years, the GLBT community has been told that if the democrats could just gain control of the white house and congress, that real progress for EQUAL rights would happen.

We'll see. I don't have too much faith anymore, but we'll see.

I went to the post office today so that I could get the form I need to register with the Green Party.

I haven't decided what I'll do, but it won't be motivated by anything that happens on this website. It will be based enitrely on what Obama & the Democrats do in the near future.

Don't cry now, what until the next election.

[starrianna]

Obama is doing better than a lot of people thought, but I think most people think he can do A LOT better. He is spending a lot of time smiling and giving speeches, but his stupid handlers are constantly afraid of doing anything. I just think Obama needs to BE A MAN and show that he is actually running the show, and that he isn't being managed by polls or handlers. He needs to be FEARLESS like the greatest of our Presidents: LINCOLN REAGAN FDR After all, wasn't Bush popular because he at least tried to show that he had cajones?

[starrianna]

Well somewhere between having his 2 children, and saying he was "UNEQUIVOCALLY IN SUPPORT OF GAY MARRIAGE", and now,

he must have had his tubes tied.

Let's help Obama get his MOJO back!

EQUAL RIGHTS NOW! Repeal DOMA with your magic pen, Mr. President!

[Disuberence]

Ah I see I've arrived late and what did I find? Why the usual suspect, Tanyars5 continuing to make no sense while acting like the entire world is out to get her. I've given up talking to her in a civil manner, you should just ignore me.

[Disuberence]

Yes I meant ignore me... like Obama does, get it? It was funnier in my head.

[Tanyars5]

Did you read the comments on this thread? The only thing you got from all of these comments was that Tanya was making no sense? You have a problem and it is not with me. Grow up!

[Disuberence]

You DO make no sense. Talking to you is like punching through a brick wall.

Tanya: LGBT RACISM!!!
Me: Well Tanya, you know...
Tanya: RACISM!!!
Me: But Tanya, you have to understand­...
Tanya: RACISM!!!
Me:K.

[Lee Andrew]

In my opinion which is only an opinion "Tanyars5" has a point - Surf the LGBT communities non-profits websites, gloss over the bio of said officers; looks like the GOP. This also invariably is an underlying reason that Prop 8 of California passed. There was very little if any outreach to minority communities as for as information and education.

Forty tears has passed since the infamous Stonewall riots and suffice to say the LGBT has not effectively worked to also break down barriers and discrimination within its communities regarding racism, xenophobia, sexism and socioeconomic alienation and nothing to say of the professional gay syndrome.

[Tanyars5]

JCWTTS1 thank you for your comments. They are some of the best I have read on this website about this topic. I would recommend gay leaders cut and paste your suggestions and try to form some sort of strategy with your outline. For some reason gay leaders are unaware or deny they are working in the political arena.
These people running around with these signs never voted for Obama. The people screaming the loudest about Obama are nothing but Republicans. If you walk and talk like a duck you are a duck. Republicans come in all shapes, sizes , colors and sexuality. Lets not get it twisted this is all republican crap. If you notice the tea party people were acting just like this group.....­..REPUBLIC­ANS!!!!!!!­!!
I do feel sorry for gay people who really want their rights. Your movement has been hijacked by REPUBS!!!!!!!!

[diogenes1967]

Prove it. We just couldn't POSSIBLY have a gripe agaunst the man that gave us Donnie McClurkin (a 2004 Bush supporter), Rick Warren, Gawd in the mix, etc.

Prove your assertions.

[Tanyars5]

It is called common sense. Have you read the arguements against the current gay strategy so far on this thread? Many gay people can't understand it. The strategy is illogical. What serious group or person attacks the one they want to help with so much vennom? To call that man a fraud and to want him to fail. Why should he help any group or person who calls him a fraud or wants him to fail?. That is RL talking. Look if you feel that way that is your right. However, you are doing gay people who really want their rights a disservice.

[antaeus]

You invoke the "tea party" crowd for comparison? You mean that tiny, fringe, Fox-News contrived stunt?

They weren't representative, and neither are extremist Obama critics. The gay Obama vote in 2012 will be even higher than it was in 2008.

[Tanyars5]

Ant- the tea party crowd are fringe. They carried similar disrespectful signs. I am quickly coming to the conclusion that the people who are pushing this "gay rights now" agenda are fringe. Why would anyone who "supports" the President wants him to spend all of his political capital at one time and become a one term pres? That doesn't sound like a a true supporter. Sounds to me like someone who really wants him to fail...Rep­ubs.... RL and SH.

[AbbieXHoffman]

For the last time, speaking up and putting pressure on your president has NOTHING to do with

1. whether someone voted for BO or not and
2 whether your a repub

That is a simpleton assessment. AND BO listening to them does not mean he won't get elected again. The tide is moving in the direction of full equality for gays.

Actually Tanya, the race baiter, you are acting like a repub. You are constantly trying to DISTRACT and DIVIDE those who support this progressive move.

And you have stated very specifically that you don't believe in marraige equality and that it is not a civil right. You attempt to paint ALL GAYS are racist and when you run out of arguments against the movement, you create another one.

Standing up to BO on this issue does not mean you want him to fail. You are sooooooooooo wrong.

[thepoliticalcat]

Politico, mouthpiece for the GOP, shills its talking points once again. The LGBTQ community is frustrated and angry, but not at the President. Believe me, we're much angrier with the Mormons who have financed anti-gay campaigns, and the evangelicals who want to deny us the rights they are so quick to claim for themselves.

[Maximus54]

And Gays are making the rest of us loose support for them, Obama has clearly said that it is not the job of the federal government to intervene in marriage issues and I agree. Obama can't help them, people and states have to accept them first. They better tone it down before they loose more support from straight people more interested in seeing more important issues like Health care, the environment, terrorism get fixed first. In other words, STOP BEING SELFISH and let him fix what affects ALL Americans first rather than Gays being able to have documents of union.

[thepoliticalcat]

You know, the LGBTQ community has all the same issues that you do, plus more. We too are hard hit by the recession. We too have lost jobs and benefits and health care and our homes. What makes it even harder for us is that most of us can't extend our health care benefits to our partners and children. Most of us can be fired from our jobs if our employers find out we are gay. Most of us cannot include our partners as our next of kin. Next time you're in the hospital, think how you would feel if the ones you loved most in the world could not even come into your hospital room to hold your hand and keep you company in your hour of need.

[starrianna]

WHATEVER!
STOP saying the gays are selfish just because it's time for Equal Rights!

They also want:
(1) equal health care for all -- even you
(2) lower unemployment
(3) all the stuff you do AND a bag of chips!

Why do you think you're so different?

[GimmeGimmeSmores]

He doesn't think he's different, just BETTER.

That's what's really behind all of this.

It's no co-incidence that Maximus54 just wants Obama to deal with the issues that affect him (or her). Well, isn't that "selfish?"

[antaeus]

The bottom line for all gays and lesbians is that we'll be better off with an Obama Supreme Court than with any Republican alternative. That fact alone is enough to compel us to keep supporting the president.

And to any who would start stirring about a third party, remember that it was those same stirrings that gave us Roberts and Alito.

[thepoliticalcat]

Don't let Politico convince you that "the gay and lesbian community" is behind whatever dreck they're dredging up. We're a huge community, and we have a varied response to the issues of the day.

[GimmeGimmeSmores]

No, apparently we don't have the right to have differing opinions.

Let a few queens (who were probably high on crystal meth) utter the N - word on November 4th and suddenly all GLBT people are to blame.

Funny how the "group responsibilty" thing only applys to minority groups.

[jcwtts1]

I have to bounce but I loved the discussion, even when I got stomped. :-) I had a lot of fun.

J

Those who would make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. - John F. Kennedy

[k6007]

Thanks for the read:)

[jcwtts1]

Ok, so someone on page two answered a post of mine with the LGBT vote won IN, NC and FL. I asked for research and hopefully I'll get some. But my own two second google search, admittedly not exhaustive, shows me this from the Log Cabin Republicans

"Exit polls show Sen. John McCain received at least 1.3 million votes from gay and lesbian Americans—more than any other Republican Presidential candidate has ever received. He garnered 27% of the LGBT vote, an increase from 19% support for President Bush four years ago."

http://www.gaypatriot.net/2008/11/07/mccain-increased-gay-vote-margin-for-gop/

in the Windy City Times I have this article
In Florida, where a typical distribution of the gay votes historically ( 70 percent ) would have provided the Democrat with about 275,000 votes, Obama won by only 199,000 votes. While the rest of the post says he over performed in Mimi, his percent of the gay vote for the state was 51 percent. So the LGBT community split on Obama.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=19735

So where the heck is all this LGBT support you guys keep claiming and why would you vote republican unless it was for the usual reasons, money and or race. It sure isn't culture. Give me a break people.

[PlaceboStudman]

strawman argument. There ARE more than 2 viable political parties in this country, and I am predicting a huge swing toward Green and Libertarian candidates in 2012.

[k6007]

When was the last time one of their candidates won a national (local, or state, either) election? Don't get me wrong, I'd be THRILLED. But...

[jcwtts1]

no chance

[JohnJames]

So we're damned for caring about our civil rights and we're damned for not caring as well. Not that those statistics mean anything. We're not exactly easily identifiable.

[jcwtts1]

hey, I am the first person to agree that these numbers are less meaningful than they could be. But you have to start somewhere with your political argument. You gave the dems FL. Make that argument and make it stick. Talk about changing the percentages in the LGBT community from the 50s to the 80s and how that would shift the ability to win a state like FL into a more secure place. Something like, "If the LGBT community voted 66 percent or 75 percent for the dems states like FL would be out of reach for the GOP" That is an argument that has strength and clarity. Now you just need some people to make it, like say, the mayor of SF, or an activist that has the right tone. Get on hardball and make your argument.

[antaeus]

Even if we allow the overall numbers as given, how can you ask why "you guys" voted Republican, when 3/4 of us did not?

As for Florida, is it representative of anything but confusion?

[jcwtts1]

27 percent voting republican, an push in favor of the GOP after the most repressive presidency in the modern era. And the GOP gained 20 percent of the vote. I thought the number was going to be something like 90 percent. If the Dems are going to basically lose 30 percent of the gay vote no matter what they do, it damages your ability to lobby. But FL helps you lobby a lot. It really does. Slam that home in every conversation you have with dems. This is how Obama secured the super delegates. His people were behind the scenes countering Hilary's "Obama can't win" argument with, "no black will vote dem again if you steal this from him" The two arguments, "Obama can't win, and "the loss of the black vote will be catastrophic" went head to head and Obama won. That was because there was a break down of states. You arguments should start, "Obama won FL because of the LGBT vote, and to keep us in the fold you need to...." It would get a lot more traction.

J

ps the article 1967 posted is much better than mine
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/9935/

[diogenes1967]

But you know how close the Florida elections can be, jcwtts1. Florida, we could could decide single handedly (though the outreach to the Cuban community could offset that advantage.­)

[Tanyars5]

Jc this is what I cannot understand. The gays state they supported Obama overwhelmingly based on his "promises" If he promised so much it didn't help with the votes. President is doing a fantastic job and should do what he feels is best for the country. These people will have him out of office in 4 years.

[MrsFonebone]

Obama has thus far steered a course that avoids controversy and defers really tough fights and arguments.
He's not too busy to address these items; he just hasn't. And he tends to wait until there is public pressure.
The people who feel he has not delivered on the promise--p­articularl­y "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"--have every right to ask for the promise to be kept and keep the pressure up.
It will be interesting to see how he handles difficult and divisive issues--but that is after all a key part of his job.

[GabeSmall]

That he hasn't delivered does not mean he won't deliver.

That said, I understand the frustration but only hope that we don't lose focus on pressuring state govts and congressional reps. It's been a very effective strategy thus far.

[jcwtts1]

Tough fights like stimulus, a progressive cabinet, a budget, shutting gitmo, Iraq, DADT in review, Lilly Ledbetter, federal judges, retooling our FP, putting Chevy and GM into Bankruptcy, the list is pretty endless. You think your issue is the toughest one on the table. Give me a break.

J

[diogenes1967]

Here's is some of the data that you requested. Although I did a shoddy job at this, FL is there. I believe Oregon and I really need to add Washington to the list of states. And if the Dems want Texas (and I believe they do) a gay-Latino coalition might flip the state.

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/9935/

[JohnJames]

DADT in review. Maybe after they've "reviewed" enough Obama will put his promise to have it repealed back up on the White House website.

[thepoliticalcat]

He's working for us - we must spearhead the movement of any change we really want to see. He's doing a great job. If he were to push to the forefront of these "difficult and divisive" issues, those who oppose them would feel as if a solution had been forced on them. When enough people - gay and straight - stand up for the rights of gay people, nothing more than the same rights straight people have always enjoyed - the change will come. Six states have now passed laws recognizing the right of gay people to equality. We must be the change we want to see.

[SoCalNick]

I have ZERO Problems with Gays......­..........­....

Until they become unreasonable DRAMA QUEENS!!

RELAX HUNNY HE WILL GET TO YOU SOON ENOUGH

People are Dieing everyday in 2 wars!!

GROW _ UP!!

[antaeus]

We can't "relax" when people are shouting at us.

[JohnJames]

The gays posting here aren't using caps. Who's the drama queen here?

[SoCalNick]

Oh WOW the Post Police are Bored again.

[qxav949]

Hey Obama.
I want a job. I wanna keep my job. I wanna keep my house. I'm sick and I don't have insurance. Where's peace in the middle east? You lied when you said you'd help us get married. Keep my school open but close that other one. OMG, GM & Chrysler's bankrupt! Bail 'em out. No, no bail outs. Don't forget those bastards @ AIG. That SCOTUS nominee better be a woman, latina too. You did that already, then why isn't she in there yet? You know Iran's going for the nuke and they still deny the holocaust? Newt's got a laser for North Korea, where's yours? And while you're at it, get those journalists back. Tell the Palestinians to stop the terror (not violence) and leave us to build our settlements. Why don't you get the Israelis off our land and get off our backs about the rockets & rocks? The banks aren't lending us our own stimulus money yet they punish us with higher fees because you made that credit card bill of rights law. You're silent on race. Why did you fire Dan Choi? Forget date night in NY and them 5 guys, eat your WH burgers, stay inside and fix all these problems..­.TODAY. We'll be back tomorrow.

[thepoliticalcat]

Tee hee. Thanks for injecting a dose of teh reality. The poor man is working night and day, with a recalcitrant bunch of Congresscritters and everybody wants everything done yesterday.

[inorbit]

He's only been in office for six months!

Give him a break, people!

He has to rescue the economy of the entire world and save the world from climate change and somehow get us out of Iraq!

Just a few small things....

[PlaceboStudman]

and just what exactly is the president and congress supposed to do to solve those issues that isn't already being done?

[GabeSmall]

Bill-writing, treaty-negotiating, diplomacy-crafting, policy-creating, coalition-building, stimulus-executing, industry-o­verseeing, strategy-tweaking, data-gathering, issue-positioning, military-commanding etc etc etc

These are the things that are "already being done", and they take a lot of time, resources, and care. They can't just Set It and Forget It. All the issues they are dealing with require direct action on a continual basis until their goals are achieved.

[savertime]

Actually, he has been in office four full months. Impatience at this point reeks of "high drama !"

[thepoliticalcat]

Good point, except it's just a little scootch over four months.

[antaeus]

Calling this president a "fraud" is too much. The progress we've seen in marriage legalization, as well as the prospect of Obama Supreme Court, should buoy us all. I think we still have a lot of room to stay positive.

But for those Dem versions of Karl Rove out there who are quick to call the gay vote expendable and to claim that a lasting majority can be solidified without the gay vote, go look up "hubris." Electoral fault lines shift every year, and confidently predicting 2012 by looking at 2008 sounds as intelligent as Republicans who declare that they can win without the Latino vote.

[lovetheworld]

"Calling this president a "fraud" is too much"

I agree. This will only antagonize groups Obama is highly popular with. It also turns off independent voters, who give Obama very high marks. This fringe element in the queer community need to go away. It's only hurting the cause.

[jcwtts1]

Ok, I get what you are saying but your argument has a double edge. Predicting that, even though you haven't swung an election yet, you might be able to in the future, could also be called hubris. I asked a simple question, which states do the dems lose if they don't give in to the threats and ultimatum of LGBT community. So far, no one has named a state. I can tell you the states that we might lose if we do give in. OH, IN, NC, VA, CO, WI... might not will, but what I can't figure out is where you guys think your political muscle comes from. I don't see it. Educate me.

[antaeus]

Your analysis is as smart as anything I've read here. Jeopardizing the tentative gains made last year isn't something any of us wants. For that reason alone I'm content to muster continued patience.

At the same time, your analysis also relies heavily on retrospection. Regarding the electoral chess game, the thrust of my point is that it's folly to project too far ahead. Rove tried, and he was a genius for how long? You can reckon it in months. Will regional legalization of gay marriage create pockets of electoral importance disproportionate to the national gay population? I think it might. Will shifting suburban alliances and economic wild cards open new fault lines? Probably. Smart people have to try to look ahead, but only proud ones claim they see with certainty.

[PlaceboStudman]

It comes from the fact that LGBTs are present in every other voting bloc one can name. It comes from the fact that, when you calculate the other issues that we may care about and are disappointed about, that you have more than just the LGBT vote to worry about. If all gays were only white middle class gays, then you might be able to sell your state by state argument, but when you consider the other issues that some gays might feel are more important, such as health care reform, then you are losing large swatches of the country, not state by state, but as a percentage of the whole raw numbers, and those whole raw numbers will sway the state by state vote