With Gay Issues in View, Obama Is Pressed to Engage

[FreeState]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/us/politics/07obama.html?_r=3

WASHINGTON — President Obama was noticeably silent last month when the Iowa Supreme Court overturned the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.

But now Mr. Obama — who has said he opposes same-sex marriage as a Christian but describes himself as a “fierce advocate of equality” for gay men and lesbians — is under pressure to engage on a variety of gay issues that are coming to the fore amid a dizzying pace of social, political, legal and legislative change.

Two of Mr. Obama’s potential Supreme Court nominees are openly gay; some advocates, irked that there are no gay men or lesbians in his cabinet, are mounting a campaign to influence his choice to replace Justice David H. Souter, who is retiring. Same-sex marriage is advancing in states — the latest to allow it is Maine — and a new flare-up in the District of Columbia could ultimately put the controversy in the lap of the president.

Mr. Obama’s new global health initiative has infuriated activists who say he is not financing AIDS programs generously enough. And while the president has urged Congress to pass a hate crimes bill, a high priority for gay groups, he has delayed action on one of his key campaign promises, repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule.

Social issues like same-sex marriage bring together deeply held principles and flashpoint politics, and many gay activists, aware that Mr. Obama is also dealing with enormous challenges at home and overseas, have counseled patience.

But some are unsettled by what they see as the president’s cautious approach. Many are still seething over his choice of the Rev. Rick Warren, the evangelical pastor who opposes same-sex marriage, to deliver the invocation at his inaugural, and remain suspicious of Mr. Obama’s commitment to their cause....

------

Much more at link... Looks like it's time yo demand our place at the table.

[mitchtv]

1. We need a march on Washington

" Obama , keep your promises" We'd need a good crowd however or they'd be laughing at us on TV. and underestimating the size

[FreeState]

2. Agreed and we need support from every fairminded American

It's time to stop asking and start claiming what is rightfully ours!

[mitchtv]

3. then we'll find out who our allies are

A big dream for now

[CEDAWrocks]

4. When will he engage on Don't Ask Don't Tell?

SLDN's website indicates that they have been really pushing the issue to get the Obama administration to keep his promise, but the only information given of late is that Secretary Gates has pushed the issue back for a while. I've posted this in a couple of other threads, but why not encourage Obama to appoint Elena Kagan? She is a fierce opponent of DADT and has already been confirmed once as the Solicitor General. Plus -- she's young. She should be around long after Scalia disappears into never never land.

Regardless, something needs to happen with DADT -- i.e. it needs to be revoked! It is too bad that the GLBT doesn't do more to help push this issue. Think of all the troops serving in silence that are not allowed to speak out on behalf of other GLBT issues because doing so would put them in jeopard of losing thier jobs. Instead they must go in the corner whilst the Christian right forces their VERY OPEN agenda in the military.

[mitchtv]

5. It's not the Gays that are failing to push

It is the Admin don't blame us

[CEDAWrocks]

7. True...just feeling the frustration of...

having control of the White House, the House, and the Senate -- yet not seeing any action that makes any of that control worth a dime. I guess I should follow the words of Miagi, "patience Daniel-son, patience"

[Creideiki]

6. Let's see...

Does the phrase, "When Hell freezes over," mean anything to you? Can't do anything to upset the fundies, you know.

Besides, we're concentrating on jobs, jobs, jobs! Not people, people, people! (Or apparently, healthcare, healthcare healthcare!)

"But right now our agenda is jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, and as we move on that front, concurrently, we have to make some decisions about what is possible in our values based initiatives as well."

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/10833/pelosi-on-doma-right-now-our-agenda-is-jobs-jobs-jobs-jobs

[friedgreentomatoes]

8. The current administration

has been unbelievably silent in the face of such major happenings over the past coupla months.

I wonder if they are thinking "oh teh gays! there goes our chances for 2010 (and 2012)"

[Creideiki]

11. If teh gays cost them the election

It will only because we decide to stay home next cycle.

We've been the most reliably Democratic voters (roughly 70% Dem) and the most reliably voting bloc in the Democratic coalition for my entire life. Oddly enough, though, I'm thinking that I might be too busy making a nice dill-poached bass with rice and steamed vegetables for as many friends as can fit in my apartment complex's clubhouse. I'd say in my apartment, but it's a pretty small one-bedroom, and I have a lot of friends.

[friedgreentomatoes]

12. You do that.

And I will do something similar.

I believe by then they will have garnered enough fundie support to not need us. :sarcasm:

[mitchtv]

14. Pool party here

It may just coincide with the Gay pride parade here.I took the pledge I only vote for candidates who are unambiguously pro equality. No more waiting

[theHandpuppet]

9. I may be nit-picking here

But it irks me to read articles in which our equal rights are referred to as a "social issue" rather than a "civil rights movement".

[mtnester]

10. Nope, spot on as a matter of fact...eom

[bigwillq]

13. You can't be a fierce advocate

if you don't support equal rights for all people.

I'm a fierce advocate for stem cell research but it can only be used on attractive people who weight under 160 pounds and who have only blond hair. :eyes: