Obama and the Gays: Where's the Leadership?

In the wake of the tragic murders of reproductive rights activist, Dr. George Tiller, and the Holocaust Museum security guard, Steven Johns, I know I was not alone among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans in thinking to myself, "Next it will be one of us." The time for outspoken leadership by President Obama on behalf of all of the targets of right-wing hate -- including LGBT Americans -- is here.

For some time now, many non-straight people have apparently been so relieved not to be in the bull's eye of the White House's political target practice that we have allowed ourselves to be blinded by Obama's cool. We have taken the risk of giving Obama a pass because we have chosen to believe that his personal views are not actually in alignment with his public declarations. We have allowed this belief to make us complacent.

Well, I am over the cool. The cool and the relief of not being under constant attack bought my complacency for only so long. Now, I am ready and waiting for actual leadership on the civil rights of LGBT Americans.

The fact is that we actually do not know what Obama's personal views are on marriage equality for same-sex couples. And that shouldn't really matter. Because we do know he was on record at one point as supporting marriage equality and then that changed. We also know that he now espouses the tired rationalization that so many Democrats rely upon: "Aw, gee, I'm all for equal rights, but my religion doesn't let me get behind the calling it 'marriage' thing for you all. Sorry."

But, for some reason, we allow -- without open challenge -- this Constitutional legal expert to use his personal religious beliefs as an excuse to espouse support for a separate but equal policy and not to speak out for civil equality for all Americans? Really?!

Are we that desperate?

Let's say, just hypothetically, that a meeting took place between certain administration officials and certain leaders of prominent LGBT rights organizations. And let's say, again hypothetically, that the administration laid out its plan for dealing with hate-crimes legislation, employment discrimination, and military discrimination in a characteristically controlled and pragmatic way. Further, let's say -- still talking hypothetically here -- that, within that plan, the repeal of the travesty of the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) was scheduled to be addressed during the administration's presumptive second term. Let's also theorize hypothetically that some LGBT leaders were apparently so happy to be let behind the curtain that they simply nodded in response. Not acceptable.

Note to President Obama, his advisors and LGBT Grand Poobahs everywhere: that's NOT leadership. It's political strategy, sure, but it's not presidential leadership. And it's not enough.

We have a president capable of giving the most nuanced speech on race issues that our nation has heard in our lifetimes and maybe ever. We have a president capable of speaking out on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in some of the most clear-sighted, fair-minded and fully balanced language ever delivered by an American leader. We have a president who is not only intelligent, a Constitutional scholar and a gifted orator -- but one who has demonstrated the capacity for courage and unifying leadership at time when such leadership is sorely needed and lacking.

What better time is there than the 40th anniversary of Stonewall during a period in American history when state after state is also deciding in favor of marriage equality for same-sex couples for the president to speak out on behalf of full civil equality for LGBT Americans? Strategy and pragmatism are useless without the flexibility to seize a moment.

In the spirit of pragmatism and domestic realpolitik, I'll even make a suggestion to President Obama and his advisors: you simply need to make progress.

If President Obama were to come out and say that the movement of more states in recognizing same-sex marriage equality highlights the unfairness of DOMA and the need to have it repealed or overturned, that would be progress. If President Obama were to come out and say that his own prayerful thought has led him to begin to reconsider his stance on marriage equality, that would be progress. If President Obama were to come out and say that the language in his own Justice Department's response to a legal challenge to DOMA was unnecessary, wrong and dehumanizing (invoking incest and child abuse, no less), that would be progress. It would be, in his words, change.

Should President Obama come out with unequivocal verbal support -- and even actual action -- on behalf of marriage equality and many other LGBT civil rights concerns? Yes. That would be truly courageous leadership and would be far superior to the carefully parsed language (and countless "umms" in the midst of other notable eloquence) to which we are currently subjected on our issues.

Nevertheless, incremental progress from such a highly visible and respected source has an impact beyond the incrementalism of the change itself. So, I'll take even that as a start.

President Obama, speak out and act now on behalf of the humanity and full civil equality of LGBT Americans. Be the leader you are capable of being. The moment is yours to seize.

Comments

[superstition]

"I believe that freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenienc­e."

-- Coretta Scott King

"For too long, our nation has tolerated the insidious form of discrimination against this group of Americans, who have worked as hard as any other group, paid their taxes like everyone else, and yet have been denied equal protection under the law."

Yes... Where is the leadership?

[RobtBrock]

The President is not our bellhop. Organize yourselves!

[zetacplus]

I don't believe anyone thinks of Obama as being their bellhop. We elected him because he appeared to be an electrifying leader and expressed support for our cause--and yes, we do need to organize. We are severely lacking in our organization at the local, state, and federal level. It all starts with a grass roots movement. What do you suggest we do to organize into a more powerful voting group?

[Cyndee Weber]

I suggest you wait and let the man fix the economy and health care.

[dls76140]

I'm the mother of a gay daughter & she and her partner have been together for 16 years. they believe in themselves and the committment they have made; we have talked at length about 'marriage' in the gay community and they feel strongly that our President has made clear his feelings by saying he believes in civil unions, which will give same sex partners all the benefits of a 'spouse'; he does not have the power to 'overthrow' religious doctrines, he can tho' enable same sex unions to have partner health care, equal rights in cases of extreme illiness, rights for jobs, housing etc.

we're all there except for few who continue to rage.

if you want to rage, rage against those in TN and SC who think it's fodder to make racists comments about our President and his wife ..rage against the gun laws that allow automatic weapons to be carried ..rage against lack of health care for so many ..want me to go on?

For those of you here who have expressed your extreme discontent, please look at how far you've come; and I know my daughter is proud of all those who came before her, and she/we will continue to push for more; it wasn't until the early 70's that Title IX gave women acess to a level playing field in athletics and now I get to watch my granddaughter do what my own daughters couldn't , I continue to support your cause, just not the rage

[toxicbrainpoison]

DOMA violated the civil rights act pure and simple. They can't argue around it. There is supposed to be equal treatment of men and women under the law. They can't prevent marriages from being validated across state lines because of reciprocity law, and the government can't prevent you from marrying someone of the same gender anymore. They lost that right when the word sex got slipped into the Civil rights act over 40 years ago.

[BornGay]

I have already spit out my Obama Kool-Aid. Time for a visit to his turf in October. www.nationalequalitymarch.com

[Cyndee Weber]

Yea, you spit out his Kool-Aid because he is not helping you guys. What about African Americans and their rights. What about the spanish people and their rights as well. You sound like my sister who is Gay, forget about everything but yourselves.

[jamaicalover]

The "Black Community" is not to blame for President Obama's response to the lawsuit filed by Plaintiffs' Arthur Smelt and Christopher Hammer are. I guess I am the only person willing to review the brief filed by the defendant the United States. When President Obama took the oath of office he swore to defend the constitution and the law. Arthur Smelt and Christopher Hammer are the problem not Africans Americans or President Obama. While we can all understand the Plaintiffs' desire to have their same sex marriage included under the Defense of Marriage Act they proceeded without much merit to the case. In the brief the United States explains in detail why each of the accusations is without merit based on the law. Under the current law from 1996 marriage is defined as one man and one woman. The United States and State of California are defendants who are simply responding to accusations that are not true based on the law.

We (African-Americans) do not have a special relationship with President Obama. Yes we are very proud our country is learning to include everyone but we aren't looking for the President to give us reparations for slavery and the 40 acres and a mule.

And in case some of you didn't know right wing nuts attack us too. A lot of us are wondering "Next it will be one of us" No that's not right it's always on of us.

[toxicbrainpoison]

MLK himself said the govt had no business determining who marries who. And I see that unfortunately a black president seems to make African Americans a bigger scapegoat these days. The NAACP has its work cut out more than ever.

[Cesaria]

Obama isn't the one making African American's scapegoats.

[livinCalDemtbubble]

I'm Anglo, and I've always felt the descendants of American Slavery should receive real reparations. They are due and deserved. Obama's presidency does not pay the debt. African Americans, from my point of view, are feeling great pride and hope with Obama's Presidency. But Obama doesn't care about me, a Gay Anglo Male in California. I worked hard, and spent hard, to help him get elected. I thought he would be my President, and he's made it quite clear my problems as a Gay Man are not his concern. I don't blame African Americans for the Passage of Prop 8 in California. But the President and First Lady could try and bring greater tolerance, respect and compassion to both the Black and non-Black GLBT community and they just won't. They don't care.

[jd23]

wrong.... the oath says "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." There is no mention of protecting the law. He doesn't have to defend a law he thinks is unconstitutional.

[sushi27]

I am strong supporter of gay rights, but do not understand why you trash Obama for not pushing gay rights over larger problems (i.e. economy, healthcare, energy) that impact everyone, gays included. Patience is a virtue!

[Awake-and-Sing]

We trash him for his administration interrupting its busy schedule to directly harm our community to filing an unrequired legal brief using vile legal arugments to uphold an immoral law that he promised to us he would repeal.

This is not about "patience". This is about real actions that have been taken NOW. A real knife stabbed into our real backs.

[toxicbrainpoison]

Its a civil rights issue. I know Obama is all about Timing but this is his shot. He can't keep holding it off with bs arguments any more. This is taking forever.

[chaya]

Readers here should visit whitehouse.gov again. Obama no longer supports repealing DOMA. He now says he is against a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, that's all. The same as Bush during his first term. By his second term (God forbid), he will support that constitutional amendment.

[chaya]

Sounds like you still have hope in Obama. This lesbian has lost hers. Obama is just another opportunistic, lying politician­--followin­g in the footsteps of Clinton and Bush vis-a-vis gay rights. No different. I'm considering stopping voting. All they want is my votes, but my votes don't help me, so why am I voting? Forget it. At least I know people will no longer throw me in jail for holding hands with my partner, so I'm happy.

[Awake-and-Sing]

Yep. We were played by another politician.

Oh, but don't worry. We may have harmful actions at our expense, but we have words. It's gay pride month. I think it's also national dairy month. We know how much more important words are than actual actions...­. NOT.

[bighat]

ever care to know how important you are and the things you believe in. Look at the number of comments on this article. Howabout the number of comments on the article about healthcare. then look at any aticle with Sarah Palin iand the number of comments from last week to today. Even an article written one hour ago. the moderators cannot keep up with the number of comments. I bet Arianna had to call in every favor with her employees and friends just to moderate the comments on Palin and Letterman. Like it or not we seem to want to live in a Paris Hilton world

[mrsmax]

Obama's inaction on military personnel being discharged because of their sexuality and his states rights approach to gay marriage are infuriating
I cannot believe this attitude coming from someone whose parents could not have been legally married in many states until 1967 when the Supreme Court struck down laws against interracial unions and who is an attorney who knows that we must have separation of church and state
I hope this administration gets its act together about keeping the promises it made on bringing the troops home, closing Guantanomo and at the very least, getting rid of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
There will always be issues "more important" to those who aren't impacted by the bigotry encouraged by those pushing for DOMA

[Meenaly]

Interracial marriage and gay marriage are absolutely not comparable.

[KeysDan]

While I do not believe that President Obama is anti-gay, it has been said that his reluctance to show leadership on issues such as DADT and DOMA are owing to the homophobia of much of the black community, spearheaded by the black clergy. Nothing seems to be more irritating to the black community than to note similarities to the struggles and historical oppression of African Americans. It often seems to be the elephant in the room that tries to go unnoticed, but it needs to be confronted in a serious manner if we are to make progress with this administration.

[SalemCat]

Obama has, and will continue to disappoint.

[Awake-and-Sing]

The LEAST he should do now is apologize for the a disgusting legal brief signed by HIS appointee in HIS Justice Department.

I want to play poker with anyone who believes that this former head of the Harvard Law Review doesn't know what his own Justice Department is doing.

[SalemCat]

Can you name a Racial Identiy whose Vote was overwhelmingly responsible for Propostion 8 ?

Hint: Obama is not going to insult these people - they are his Base.

Liberals would get further with Cheney, whose Daughter is Gay !

Any Gay who voted for Obama, thinking he would support them, is badly mistaken.

[Cesaria]

This is such a stupid and lazy attitude. If the gay community is represented by you, no wonder there is no coalition of the willing.

[Meenaly]

The guy is struggling with wars, economic crisis, healthcare­... vital problems that concern ALL americans. So I understand if his priorities are not about gays marrying or not.

[superstition]

"Top gay in the administration says ENDA, DADT, and DOMA have no chance at this point"
http://www.americablog.com/2009/06/top-gay-in-administration-says-enda.html

"Harry Reid: No plans to do anything on DADT"
So how's that upcoming $1,000 a head DNC gay fundraiser going?
http://www.americablog.com/2009/06/harry-reid-no-plans-to-do-squat-on-dadt.html

"HRC pens letter to Obama over hate brief"
http://www.americablog.com/2009/06/hrc-pens-letter-to-obama-over-hate.html