This Saturday, President Obama will be the keynote speaker at the Human Rights Campaign's big DC fundraiser. As the largest gay rights fundraiser in the U.S., it's a big deal to score a personality like the President. But his presence has many members of the LGBT community worried. Here's a guy who has done virtually nothing for gay rights since his election. What can he possibly say?
I'm sure his speechwriters have cooked up something special for the night, but I've got a few ideas of my own. I've written a little speech for the beloved President - the kind of speech we wish the man would give, just once.
Tonight is a night to celebrate the Human Rights Campaign - the work they have done, tireless, well organized, well executed work, to promote the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people in this country. It's also a night to celebrate all of you, the people who donate their money and time to help make this country a more equal and just society.
But it is also a serious night, a night to reflect on where we have been and, more importantly, a night to plan and commit to where we are going.
I have a plan and I am ready for that commitment.
I understand that, in the face of the economic crisis facing us at home, the military crisis facing us abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan and the environmental crisis facing the international community, there is a very real struggle for basic human rights engaged in everyday by LGBT people in the United States.
This struggle is not overshadowed by the big news issues. It is not lessened by them. It is a constant and painful inequality. I know something about this kind of discrimination. My family knows something about this kind of discrimination.
And so, I do not stand before you tonight with excuses for the delays in Washington, for the setbacks and political conflicts that have crippled many important equality initiatives and stalled others.
I am here tonight because my administration is committed to full equality for LGBT people in this country. I pledged that commitment early in the campaign and have not swayed from that position.
I believe in the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, the passage of inclusive immigration reform and the widespread protection of LGBT employees from retribution for their sexual orientation or gender identity.
I believe in hate crimes legislation that protects Americans from homophobia as well as racism.
And here's what I'm going to do to make the things I believe in, a reality.
Within one year, by November 2010, we will introduce comprehensive immigration reform. This immigration package will include spousal sponsorship for same-sex couples in a committed relationship. Immigration reform is a priority for my administration and no reform package will be complete without this provision for the unification of American families thus far separated by discriminatory immigration policies.
Within six months, by April 2010, we will introduce a bill repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell. When we ask so much of our troops, send them back for repeat tours, ask them to fight in harsh conditions so far from home, we must support their right to be open with their colleagues and superiors. We simply cannot afford to lose anymore good people from our military simply because of their sexual orientation.
As we speak, members of Congress are mobilizing around an inclusive hate crimes bill. That is a success that is imminent and my administration pushed to include the Matthew Shepard Act in the defense bill before Congress. We will push to get it passed.
These campaigns will not happen without roadblocks. Sometimes it will seem like we are moving backwards. We have already seen this with Proposition 8 in California and the proposed Proposition 1 in Maine.
But, the United States of America is a community of people from many different countries and many different cultures. It is a nation that vibrates with diversity and rises from its people's differences as much as their shared experiences.
We are ready for progress. We are ready for equality. We, together, are going to make that equality happen.
Follow Emma Ruby-Sachs on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EmmaRubySachs
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien told the Vatican that there was to be no cross erected over the Canadian Parliament buildings … figuratively speaking; when the Pope demanded the Prime Minister go against gay rights. An Alberta bishop had the audacity to say that The Canadian Prime Minister would go to hell for going against the church. Such outrageous evil threats. The Right Honourable Prime Minister … in return; basically told the Pope to go to Hell. The Honourable Irwin Cotler, Canadian Minister of Justice, stood for equal rights for the gay community. With reference to protecting the children. The Honourable Hedy Fry, member of the Canadian Liberal Parliament, who happens to be a doctor who delivered many babies; spoke eloquently to defend the rights of babies being born and stated that she was in fact defending their rights by speaking on behalf of equal rights for the children and youth of the future -- defending their integrity and dignity.
J
:-D
I also had a lot of experience with Lesbians. The military draws in lesbians and gays for some reason. The percentages of gays in the military would get very high, well above the 3% of the general population if their were no restraints. The military could probably handle 3%, but if allowed to go higher, then effectiveness would suffer. Remember, the military is not a normal business, and if they are rendered ineffective, then we all are at risk.
Gays and Lesbians should concentrate their efforts on returning our country to a Federal Republic. That is, the States should have power, and the Federal Government should be small, as intended by our Founders. Why? Because the constitution is silent on social issues. The States are meant to be laboratories of Democracy. If some state has a large percentage of Gays, and does well, then the other states would see that as a lesson.
The idea of using the Federal Government as a hammer to coerce others is just wrong, and on the wrong side of history.
I happen to think that our soldiers are the best disciplined and best trained in the world, and that they will handle the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell without any major problems. Just as they did when we integrated our troops.
Yeah, because Lord knows no heterosexual officers would hit on anyone, EVER!
Fraternization is an issue no matter what the sexuality of those involved. I'd venture to say that it is much more of a problem with straight service members than it is with gay ones.
No one is coercing anyone and no one is asking for special rights; except, of course, straight people.
Soldiers are rude in their jokes, manners gestures, etc. towards each other. This is merely a form camaraderie, because we do everything together and tomorrow you or the brother or sister next to you may be dead. If people are too sensitive or easily offended...don't be in the military. Suck it up and drive on.
Repeal DADT within 6 months? Obama could IMMEDIATELY stop DADT witchhunts by invoking his power as Commander-in-Chief under Stop Loss.
Frankly, I don't care much what he says to HRC. The kind of speech that might really matter would be one given in prime time, to ALL of America. One that explains homophobia and the gulf between generalized discomfort about "gays" and the natural acceptance that comes with getting to know someone who is LGBT.
I'd like to see a speech that rivals and improves upon his famous Philadelphia "race" speech during the campaign, one that he includes by saying:
"And that is why I am asking for the support of every American, of every sexual orientation and gender, in passing the Civil Rights Act of 2009."
It would also be nice if he announced that, after prolonged prayer and contemplation, he has changed his position on marriage equality and now supports equal civil marriage as an unavoidable outcome of the intersection of current anthropological reality and the abiding principal of "equal protection under the law" set out in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which he has taken an oath to uphold.
You know it will come down to that. You do. Don't argue.
Make Gay Marriage a National priority - *then* work on getting gay spouses of immigrants rights. Otherwise you put the cart before the horse.
DAL
"So all you want is a pretty speech from him ?"
Uhh...no.
Maybe you didn't read it all, but repeal of the Defense of Marriage act & Don't Ask-Don't Tell, a non-discriminatory immigration package, and a hate-crimes bill...doesn't sound like all we want is a pretty speech.
This is a real opportunity for Obama to give more than just "a pretty gay speech"...to show he understands that LGBT rights are HUMAN rights.
Please don't let us down, Mr. President!!
Fighting for civil rights isn't for wimps or for immature instant gratification, "give me someone to blame so I don't have to lift a finger" iindividuals. It is not a gift from any politician including a president. If you are not willing to work for it and fight for it and accept incremental change, you don't have the stomach to fight for civil rights.
Whining and complaining turns support away from your cause. If you think about it you will know that to be true.