Words matter, and Michelle Obama is a woman of powerful words.
Last night, in a passionate address to the Democratic National Committee's Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council, Mrs. Obama delivered a rousing call-to-equality and put her husband on record as a fighter for the full equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. "Barack believes," she said, "that we must fight for the world as it should be, a world where we work together to reverse discriminatory laws."
Invoking "those who marched and bled and died, from Selma to Stonewall," Michelle implored Democrats to continue those early crusaders' march "in the pursuit of a more perfect union."
And it was unions, no doubt, that were on the minds of the LGBT audience that Michelle was reaching out to. With marriages under way in California, and a national debate about marriage equality for all couples taking place in living rooms and legislatures from coast to coast, many in the gay community are looking and listening to see if Obama will stand up strongly for our families or allow the country to be divided and conquered over the issue once again.
The question, for many gay voters, boils down to whether the Obamas can change the tone of the conversation, within the country and the party, about what it means to be equal and free?
According to Michelle, yes, they can.
Within her remarks to the GLCC last night, Mrs. Obama shared an extraordinary insight into the Obama campaign's respect for same-sex couples that set Senator Obama apart from almost any other Democratic lawmaker in the country . . . and certainly apart from any other nominee.
The Associated Press, using the creative and unfortunate powers of the editing pen, reported that Mrs. Obama told the crowd on Thursday evening that, "states should make their own decisions on the matter" of marriage and civil unions. But in fact, she went progressively further. What she actually said was that states should "decide for themselves how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples -- whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. "
She did not endorse the option to simply push any form of recognition to the side.
Those remarks are a far cry -- and light years ahead -- of the characterization that AP used in its reporting. Indeed, it's the (very significant) difference between hiding behind states rights and calling on states to do the right thing.
Michelle Obama's words should also set the campaign apart from the GOP for gay voters who have openly raised concerns about Senator Obama's lack of a track record on our issues. As Senator McCain endorses a divisive anti-marriage amendment in California, Senator Obama and his wife have taken the latest, meaningful step in that march that began in Selma and Stonewall.
"The world as it is should be one that rejects discrimination of all kinds," Michelle Obama told the DNC. And, she made clear, should be one that embraces families of all kinds, too.
"A world that recognizes that equality in relationship, family, and adoption rights is not some abstract principle," she declared, "it's about whether millions of LGBT Americans can finally live lives marked by dignity and freedom. "
"[I]t's not just about the positions you take, it's also about the leadership you provide," she told the crowd at the DNC.
Words are powerful, and on Thursday, Michelle Obama was a woman of much more powerful words than the media is giving her credit for.
Can the LGBT community take heart in the leadership Michelle brings, and in the words she says?
Yes, I think, we certainly can.
The new position is Hillary's.
With that in mind...
(1) What did Michelle have to say about "Full Faith and Credit?"
(2) ... the "Defense of Marriage Act?"
(3) ... extending rights and privileges of married couples granted by Federal Laws to gay couples who have been legally married?
and (4) ... While extolling the Civil Rights Movement, she didn't happen to mention "Separate But Equal" by any chance?
http://www.barackobama.com/2008/06/26/remarks_of_michelle_obama_to_t.php
Here's a position paper on LGBT issues from that same website:
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/lgbt.pdf
Let me know if you need someone to come over and read them to you.
Much safer to have his wife not even really take a stand, but say something to sort of scratch the backs of an important wing of the party, without really doing anything for them.
It doesn't matter if that gender requirement is for property deeds to require a Male signature (as was common practice in the 1800's ) or Marriage certificates to require a man and woman signature.
I am with you all the way! I honestly think that Michelle Obama is an exceptional "WOMAN"
She is SMART, she is ARTICULATE, she is BEAUTIFUL, she is INTELLEGENT, and she is CARING! The media's treatment of both Barack and Michelle, has been, to say the least disgraceful and disgusting!
The Obama's are not "yes" people, they DO NOT tell you what YOU WANT TO HEAR, no they tell it AS IT IS.
I have listened to Michelle speak before a group of FIVE THOUSAND OR MORE, she was on her own, no one was there to support her, and she was absolutely AWESOME!
Michelle Obama would make ANYONE PROUD! SHE WOULD MAKE AMERICA PROUD, SHE WOULD MAKE A GREAT FIRST LADY!
and.... Trickle down Reagan was the greatest thing since sliced bread.....
and.... G W the Decider, Mission Accomplished, Bush is the God sent of these troubled times...
WE get it... BELIEFS mentally blind people... Always have and Always will, because that is how strong Beliefs function to create "our reality"...
Some Believe/Perceive the Obama's as their... Hope for Change, Reality... Others, Mc Cain as such...
The Facts are, WE the People are asleep at the Voting Booth... WE have elected, and continue to elect, a Dominant Controlling Corporate influenced Political Party with two Branches into Offices... Regardless whom we Elect into the Office of President, much will NOT change...
Why would WE the People continue to self destruct our Country? WE want to BELIEVE, that WE are the "good guys", even when our behavior as a Nation is NOT so good... Both Branches of the Current Political Party got us into the mess we are in and spent us what (?) 5 or 6 trillion into debt... NOT Bush, NOT Hillary... WE continue to put, or keep in Control, Democrats and Republicans and seemingly, buy into "it's the other Branches fault the Tree is falling over"... Hope change NO THING!
POGO: WE have met the Enemy and IT is US...
the MSM will distort every word out of MO's mouth
and
more frighteningly, they will continue to give McLame a Free Pass
not one news outlet tonight, not even Olbermann, reported on McLame's failure to show up and vote on the GI benefits Bill, which he said he opposed -- and then today he stood up and took credit for it
I wish the MSM would just half-way do their job.
This election would be a landslide
And that is exactly why they are giving McClone a pass. They need to keep the race close so they can up their ratings. That and it is the Repub policies that benefit the big corporations, which the MSM is.
It all comes down to money.
How is that progressive? Equality can not be left up to the states to decide. CAN NOT!
I saw a History channel documentary on FDR, where an African-American activist said he could not consider FDR a great President because a great President would show moral fortitude in the face of political unpopularity. FDR did not show moral fortitude in the face of anti-lynching laws.
No 2008 Presidential candidate has shown greatness when it comes to Gay Marriage. A Presidential candidate showing greatness would say that separate but equal is not equal. What Obama has offered us is practicality; it is better to make progress in incremental steps; evolution not revolution. I do not agree; our system of government was set up for peaceful revolution. We SHOULD have a Constitutional Ammendment, but it should say"whereas the Constitution provides that all men [sic] are created equal, but whereas the States and the majority have failed in this fundamental recognition, here forward all gay and lesbian citizens shall be guaranteed full equality of rights in all Civil law. No State or Federal laws shall be passed abrdiging these fundamental rights." Obama is not a great candidate, but at least he leans the right direction.
"What she actually said was that states should "decide for themselves how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples -- whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage".
Got it now?!
I never got over the let down of DADT and DOMA that we were so "blessed" with in the 90's. I never heard any vocal support of the LGBT during the primaries from 0's opponent during any public speech or rally until the day she actually dropped out of the race. I about fell outta my chair. Even in closed meetings with LGBT persons she couldn't bring herself to say the words gay and lesbian. I guess when she dropped out she didn't have much left to lose. Yeah, guess I'm still a little bitter from DADT, DOMA and the campaign. I'm working on it, though.