HRC and PFLAG on Obama's memo on benefits for same-sex partners of federal workers

[ProSense]

PFLAG Applauds President’s Extension of Benefits to Same-Sex Partners of Federal Workers, Calls on Obama to Honor Promise to Repeal DOMA

Washington, DC – Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National applauded the decision by President Obama to sign a presidential memorandum authorizing the extension of benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers. However, the group urged the President to honor his promise to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that prevents the Federal government from recognizing same-sex unions.

“This change for federal employees is a great step in the right direction,” said Jody M. Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG. “However, it is just a first step. We are committed to ensuring that the President will stand by his campaign promise to work towards the repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act that is a barrier to countless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. DOMA’s very existence is the obstacle that prevents the federal government from acknowledging legally-recognized unions.”

“DOMA leaves our families and friends unprotected and unequal, without access to more than 1,100 federal benefits. While PFLAG is thrilled to see this Administration move equality forward for federal employees, we will work to ensure that President Obama has not forgotten his commitment to equality for all LGBT Americans.” Huckaby concluded.

HRC Statement on Presidential Memorandum

6/17/2009

"Today's Presidential memorandum committing to a federal workplace free from discrimination, including the extension of some benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers, is a welcome and long-overdue step toward bringing the government's policies closer in line with what America's largest companies understand is good for business. Today’s presidential signature is the first brick in paving what is a long path toward equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. We commend President Obama and his administration for taking this beginning step to level the playing field but we look forward to working with him to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and guarantee the entire American workforce is free from discrimination,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

1. Glad to see them support this rather then try to tear it down like many on DU have been today

and i agree with them, i look forward to seeing Obama continues laying the bricks and taking the steps needed toward full equality

It also strengthens my personal view of DU not being a good gauge on what most people think, and that its wise looking outside DU for opinions as well.

[ProSense]

2. It's good news. n/t

[Zenlitened]

7. Their support sounds a lot like what many DUers have been saying.

[Neecy]

8. Read these closely

Both are calling for him to honor his campaign promises.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

10. Yes, and both are complimenting him on what he actually have done right

thats one thing that often is lacking on DU, positive comments when he does something right, many tends to focus mostly on what he does wrong, and if they do take notice of what he has done right its simply put down as a smokescreen, a cynical ploy or something other then a good move by Obama

[Prism]

14. HRC is an awful gauge to know what LGBTers think

The Human Rights Campaign is easily the most despised LGBT rights organization outside of the Log Cabin Republicans.

They're an empty lobbying organization artificially propped up by the media and various politicians.

Surf just about any gay website or blog, and you'll find about 90% of the comments towards the HRC on the negative end of the spectrum. They've sucked up cash from the community for years, hosted tony parties, and done almost no boots on the street activism in years.

And if you're in doubt about this, pick an LGBTer at random, say "So, how about that HRC on ENDA?" and just watch their expression change.

[QC]

15. They are basically the Log Cabin Democrats, which is why it was such a shock

when they actually stood up on their hind legs and threatened to make some trouble.

Just not done!

[Prism]

16. It's ok, Joe got his treat

He was on TV with the president and everything. Now it's time for him to roll over for his belly rub.

I'm really beginning to wonder if President Obama thinks the entire gay community consists of Frank, Baldwin, and Solmonese. As long as those three go along with things, well, it's all ducky.

I've never seen the LGBT "leaders" so disconnected from their own community. It's really something.

[QC]

17. Too many thousand dollar lunches, too many limousines. n/t

[ProSense]

18. "The Human Rights Campaign is easily the most despised LGBT rights organization..." Except

when they're criticizing Obama, right?

[Prism]

19. It was the very least they could do

And if you aren't aware, the HRC was under tremendous pressure after a story broke recently that they were telling politicians a repeal of DADT was no big deal.

In other words, the HRC had no choice but to come out strongly. And notice how they've been doing everything in their power to now settle things back to the status quo. We give them and politicians lots of our cash, and our issues, maybe, possibly, eventually get addressed . . . if they feel like it.

It's a very old game, and one the community is tired of playing.

[ProSense]

21. They are not the only ones to issue this type of statement. Another

"This presidential memorandum today will extend some selected protections to the same-sex partners and families of federal employees. The federal government is the largest employer in the country and this represents a positive result for thousands of employees and their families; it also inches our federal government closer to nondiscrimination both in word and in policy, which is a good thing.

link

There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that this is a good thing.

[Prism]

23. The Taskforce is like HRC junior

Notice the two organizations represented at today's signing: The Taskforce and the HRC.

They're lobbyists who know where their bread is buttered.

Other organizations who aren't bought and paid for lobbyists struck quite a different tone.

[ProSense]

25. So, any organization that signed the letter about DOMA that issued a positive statement today

sucks?

[Prism]

26. Nah, just those two . . . for now.

See, this is a difficult conversation to have with someone whose very rights and equality aren't often determined by the intrafamilial workings of the various organizations.

It'd be like if you walked in on a strange family's Thanksgiving in mid-argument. You might feel impelled to choose a side based on what you're hearing at the moment, but you don't much know the history.

Put as simply as I can (and I'm condensing maybe 25 years of activism here), there are some organizations who claim to lead the LGBT community, speak for us, and "represent" us in front of politicians. We never voted for them, asked them, and most of us do not even donate to them.

They're simply there, sucking up cash, attending glitzy parties, rubbing shoulders with the politicians, always being quoted in the media. Their access, power, and influence is more precious to them than what the LGBT scrubs below might want or do.

The HRC especially has often taken actions that are remarkably tone deaf to the community they're purporting to represent. The other, lesser organizations, often fall into that trap as well. There is too often a massive gulf between what these organizations say and what the sentiment in the community actually is.

So, no, it really doesn't matter what they say. Most LGBTers I know don't care one whit what the HRC has to say about anything at all. So when straight people read an HRC statement, grab it up, then wave it in the air declaring, "See! Here's those reasonable gays!" it's a little insulting.

And it's ignorant of the dynamics at play in our community. I don't believe it's a malicious ignorance, mind you. But it's ignorance nonetheless. And the fact that the HRC allows people to do this strikes me as a turning point in gay progress. I am now beginning to feel they hurt us more than help.

Especially when they submit and declare these scant crumbs a feast while millions of gays continue to starve.

[QC]

20. Their long years of sycophancy were what made this little blowup so shocking.

It was like Mr. Greenjeans suddenly standing up to Captain Kangaroo.

[styersc]

3. No worries on DOMA. As soon as polls show public support,

Obama will have been for repeal all along.

[Cha]

13. This is the gratuitious shit I'm talking

about that does no good for the cause.

[vaberella]

24. +1. n/t

[ecstatic]

22. If that's true, why would he mention the issue at all

He could have easily never mentioned anything related to the LGBTQ community if it were only polls he was worried about.

[alcibiades_mystery]

4. The Secretary should ask her husband about why he signed that outrageous bill into law

Oh, yeah. The 1996 elections were only six weeks away...

[HopeOverFear]

5. Yeah, you know what? Not only is Obama having to clean up Bush's shit

he's having to clean up behind Clinton too

[Zenlitened]

6. HRC = Human Rights Campaign. It's a GLBT civil rights organization.

[alcibiades_mystery]

9. Nevertheless

:-)

[jefferson_dem]

11. Now, there's some reasonable reaction.

I applaud them both.

Now...onward to complete equality!

[QC]

12. A spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down. n/t