The Big Gay Speech We Wish Obama Would Give

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

Comments

[ReedYoung]

So lobby your members of Congress, http://senate.gov and http://www.house.gov. Get them to commit to specifically support the campaign promises that won Barack Obama your vote for President. Tell them you support his agenda, you do not support all Democrats. He can only push Congress so much without your help, and so much more with the help of your constant pressure on Congress. No, it shouldn't have to be so hard, but it is. C'est la vie.

[johnculhane]

Good summary speech. With modesty, I wrote a much more detailed one for the occasion of the Stonewall anniversary, in which I had him quoting from his own book and linking the history of LGBT oppression to racism. You can find in on my blogsite: wordinedgewise.org (specific url is http://wordinedgewise.org/?p=131).

[MACDONALDBANK1]

Thanks to Huffington Post for being an awesome site. ...

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.

[MrBurlesk]

I'm SICK of speeches. I don't want more lip service from Obama. He's had 8 months to talk and talk and talk. Dammit, I want RESULTS!!!

[jcwtts1]

Seriously, what have you done? Have you even given any speeches? I understand your frustration but the majority of people on these boards haven't even contributed to Pat Murphy who is going to lose his seat fighting DADT in the house. I mean really, this isn't a video game. Do something before you demand others do your fighting for you.

J

[ReedYoung]

Darn right. The President did years of low-profile, probably pretty thankless and very tedious community organizing before he was even elected to the Illinois state senate. It's more than reasonable for him to start asking people, whenever he gets tired of those sorts of criticisms, "Are you doing at least five hours of campaigning per week? Why not 10? Oh, you have kids. Doesn't that make your political activism more, not less important? I told you, I'd need your help and I'm keeping that campaign promise. Think about that before you whine to me again that I'm not doing enough." Or he could have Rahm Emmanuel put the same message in his own words.

:-D

[Ipanemagirl]

pretty good speech! Have you sent a copy to Obama?...good ideas are to be shared, and I'm sure he could use some help!

[Cosatjockomo]

Biggest gay fundraiser "scores" the President - OK Corporate fundraiser "scores" the President - not OK. Hypocrisy.

[Cosatjockomo]

Question. How many planned hate crimes are abandoned before they occur because of the possibility of a longer sentence, if caught, than one would receive for attacking a senior citizen or teen or homeless person, or just plain old Joe. My guess - zero. So how does such legislation "protect" homosexuals? What does it accomplish besides saying that our society values homosexuals more than it does everyone else? What function does it serve besides revenge? If a homosexual attacked a straight person, would they face the same additional redundant charge being tacked on (its not like its not already illegal to attack anyone)? Why do you think you deserve superior status to the rest of us?

[haleyw]

So I'm assuming you would support repealing the entire hate crimes bill--including the part that protects citizens against crimes committed againt them because of their RELIGION? Let me ask you, what harm does it cause ANY law abiding citizen to have a few extra protections in the law?

[Sage100]

Gays in the military are a bad idea, and I say this from experience. When I first went to my first PCS assignment (permanent change of station) a Gay officer (pilot) made advances on my fellow airman. There was a nasty court trial and two careers destroyed. Not to mention that the officer should not have been fraternizing with enlisted.

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.

[PhoebeH]

Then why have openly gay soldiers in other countries' armies been able to serve without problems? Are you suggesting that our soldiers are too unprofessional and undisciplined to handle being around gays?

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.

[CLD SBB]

Sage100 said: "When I first went to my first PCS assignment (permanent change of station) a Gay officer (pilot) made advances on my fellow airman. There was a nasty court trial and two careers destroyed. Not to mention that the officer should not have been fraternizing with enlisted."

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.

[lambdin1]

I did not know there was such a thing as a PCS. Of course the military has changed since I was a gay Vietman veteran. When you were in the military, then, there was no such thing as a permanent station!

[thenakedlens]

Sorry brother...I served 13 yrs and I must disagree. Fraternization is a nono regardless of sexual preference. Female enlisted get hit on all the time regardless of rank...it is rampant.

As to successful example of gays in the military mere look to our northern brothers and sisters. I served alongside Canadians and they are some of the finest soldiers around and have had an open gay policy since 1992 with no issues.

This has nothing to do with Federal coercion and everything to do with realizing everyone is different....even in their sexual preference. The only time it is a problem is when the individual cannot control their own sexual desire. This goes for anyone, regardless of sex/sexual preference in any setting. Professionals stay profession on the job. When they aren't kick them out.

[CAMBEL]

So according to your logic, the big strong military men are scared that the evil gays may notice them? Why is it that you are making our soldiers sound weaker than even the tiniest woman who has to put up with being noticed every time she walks outside her door? Your comments are ridiculous, you seem to forget that Tailhook and other military scandals along those lines had to do with Hetrosexual soldiers. And lastly, two of my exes were military, their entire units knew and we even had dinners as a couple at their commanders table several times. It is an insult for you to assume that our well trained fighting force, which is expected to adapt to all sorts of situations, climates, languaged, and terrains as they are deployed, are unable to adpat to something that is an everyday relatity on the streets of their own country.

[7tsgirl]

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.

So are you then saying that gays should not serve their country? Glad I didn't listen to someone as ignorant as you...I served in the US Army (active duty) for over 10 years! I served proudly but was unable to be who I was for fear of getting discharged. So what do you think of fraternization between a male and a female, officer and enlisted? This happens and most times the victim is the one who's life is ruined not the perp. So I don't know where you get off....

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emma-rubysachs/the-big-gay-speech-we-wis_b_313425.html

[joster]

Should the military ever allow or require that a straight unmarried woman shower with or room with a straight unmarried man? What military regulations protect and ensure sexual privacy? How would regulations have to be changed to accommodate the openly gay? In which circumstances could a person sue for sexual privacy violations?

[thenakedlens]

Frankly, if you are in the military there is no privacy. Out in the field you wash, poop, pee, eat, sleep with everyone else in plain view of everyone. If you can't handle that...you need a different career (it is of course different for combat service support, but combat arms and combat support...no privacy).

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.

[OnBorrowedTime]

Emma, I'm surprised at how easily you're letting him off! CIR "within the next YEAR"? How about by Jan. 20, 2010, one year since his inauguration? Several immigration equality bills have already been introduced, with at least one (UAFA) approaching a majority of Democrats as co-sponsors.

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.

[shamroc02]

I am all for gay rights...but why are some people acting as if this President was this big gay rights activist? Obama is all for equal rights, but he was never this activist some of you want him to be..this is just another example of some liberals trying to make this President into someone he never was. Obama says he wanted to repeal DADT...but I guess he hasn't done it fast enough..but thats about it. The majority of the gays supported Hillary anyway...just bandwagoned. Im not trying to be mean or anything...I feel like everyone should have equal rights and be able to get married...I have grown up around gay people and my best friend is bi-sexual. But im just tired of everyone trying to make this President into who THEY want him to be...not who he actually is.

[Tanyars5]

great post

[princeminski]

Ditto. There are many larger issues (meaning issues which effect *everybody*) which necessarily take up the President's time. Many people were angry when President Kennedy didn't display enough aggressiveness on civil rights in the early days of his Presidency, and Robert Kennedy actively sought to suppress what he called the "bomb throwers" in the administration. Not that much later you saw their pictures with Martin Luther King on the walls of African American homes all over the South and elsewhere, largely, of course, because of the shared martyrdom, but also because things look a whole lot different in hindsight. It's too soon to say, but maybe this President will be remembered as more than a garden variety politician in same sex households all over America, sharing equal status with traditional unions in all areas of life...not next Tuesday, but someday and probably soon. I'm old enough to remember how much things can change in a relatively short time. Don't write off your friends too quickly.

[PhoebeH]

Several things:

Obama said he wanted to be a "Fierce Advocate" for LGBT rights. Those aren't the words of someone who doesn't expect to be held accountable.

In addition to DADT, Obama also pledged to support a fully-inclusive ENDA. As far as I am concerned, that is the *most* important part of the LGBT agenda. (And I say this as someone who is *in* a same-sex marriage, so killing DOMA would make a huge difference to me personally.) People should not lose their jobs or their housing based on their sexual orientation or their gender identity, and I have seen it happen to too many people.

In my neck of the woods, the LGBT community supported Obama over Clinton. One of the key reasons for that is that Obama was always very careful to include support for trans rights, while Hillary Clinton went out of her way to avoid promising anything to the trans community. (Given that most of her LGBT advisers were from the HRC, that made sense -- the HRC has historically been *terrible* on trans issues.)

[hummingbird70]

There are many gay people who did not vote for Obama and are lashing out at him to put their issue first so they can bail on the Democrats. Is it fair if these same people won't have Obamas back on healthcare reform or the environment and they scream to be put first?

California and New York voted for Hillary in the primaries when it was tough. Maybe Obama does not see the gay community as a true friend either.

Regardless, Obama is a constitutional lawyer and he believes in equal rights and will stand up for LGBT people....many of these same people will turn and vote against him anyway in the end.

[Paul Pagnini]

I am pleased that President Obama is speaking at the Human Rights Campaign's big DC fundraiser this Saturday, he is an excellent "speaker". He is also an excellent "politician", by naming his "openly gay' ambassador one week before the event. But we all know he is an excellent speaker and an excellent politician, what we don't know is, will he finally actually do something substantive with respect to gay rights. To this day his actions have failed the gay community, who with great hopes, helped to get him elected. Let's hope he will finally follow through on his campaign promises to our community.

[jcwtts1]

His campaign promises to your community had no time limit man. Sorry but there isn't a ticking clock. There are two competing issues here. One is the civil rights issue one is the political. He agrees on the civil rights one but is going to use his own judgment on the timing of the political. one.

[DALevit]

Did you mean to give such short shrift to Gay Marriage as you did in 'your version' of Obama's Speech? I would like to see that in place before an immigration bill accepting gay sposes of immigrants. Before we have widespread legal gay marriage in the United States, some states will not have to comply on the immigration issue.
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

[PhoebeH]

But let's make sure we get a fully-inclusive ENDA before either of those.

[TonyLeTigre]

He obviously just announced his planned appointment of an openly gay ambassador just in time to look good for his Big Gay Speech, since he hasn't done anything else of substance to suppport the gays. Nonetheless, I am looking forward to the speech, and the action that will follow it.

[robbep]

So all you want is a pretty speech from him ? I am sure he will give you a pretty gay speech but he wont mean one word of it. You get what you settle for and your not asking a for a lot if all you want from his is a speech. What progressives have to do is stop going for speeches.

[joanjourne]

robbep,
"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.

[joanjourne]

He's the keynote speaker...that alone is impressive! I can't imagine the former president doing that.
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!!

[xlntcat]

He is the keynote speaker. He chose an eloquent effective spokesman in Cangressman Patrick Murphy who after collecting 178 signatures who from my rather reluctant congressman at my request introduced the house bill to repeal DADT two days ago. The junior senator from New York is planning a hearing to repeal DADT next month. The hate crimes bill to include crimes due to sexual orientation passed the house today, it is attached to the Defense Budget. Whereas it will be opposed in the Seante by the GOP, it is likely to pass, I am straight. Why do I know this and gay and lesbian posters are clueless.

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.