Obama admin gets mixed review on LGBT issues

[ruggerson]

This reads as a very thorough and comprehensive assessment. Read the entire piece - it is dispassionate and objective, neither cheerleading nor unrelentingly negative.

FULL STORY

A panel of six LGBT activist leaders in April were asked to grade the Obama administration thus far on LGBT issues. Three panelists gave the administration a “D,” two gave it a “B,” and one a “C.” Keen News Service decided to take a look at eight major federal departments and apply a similar grading system.

The result was strikingly similar to that of the April 22 LGBT Leadership Townhall panel, hosted by Sirius XM Radio’s Michelangelo Signorile Show. The panel’s average came to 1.8 on a scale that gives 1 point for a D and 4 for an A. The KNS analysis came up with a 2.0.

The Departments of State and Housing and Urban Development each earned a “B” from KNS, a grade given for taking significant steps toward equal rights for LGBT people, even if some inequities remain. Health and Human Services and the Office of Personnel Management each earned a “C,” given for taking some steps toward equal rights and making no efforts to obstruct equality, while many or major inequities remain within that department’s purview. And Defense, Justice, and Education each earned a “D,” for taking few steps toward improving equal rights and making some efforts to obstruct such rights.

None of the departments warranted an “A,” for taking significant and comprehensive steps toward improving equal rights for LGBT people—or an “F,” for doing nothing to improve equal rights for LGBT people and also taking steps to block such equality.

MORE

[Forkboy]

1. One of the fairest things I've seen written on any topic in awhile.

No hyperbole, no mindless attack, no mindless praise...nice to see.

Big K&R!

[bigwillq]

2. K and R (nt)

[dsc]

3. It is a very good piece

I didn't know that I was giving more credit to the Sec of Education than he was due for example.

[nemo137]

4. Reading it now.

Thank you.

[dsc]

5. kick

[VMI Dem]

6. I think a D is pretty fair.

[dsc]

7. one more kick

[vaberella]

8. I'd give them a B to a B-.

Protecting those from the LGBT community is big (hate crimes). DADT is almost there, he gave rights to the LGBT to visit loved ones. I'm waiting on DOMA. Compared to any other Admin he gets an A. But individually a B for doing well but needing to do more. Overall I like the article, thanks ruggerson.

[dsc]

12. Unless you are willing to conceed he had some role in how long it took Congress to repeal DADT

then you can't give him credit for hate crimes. Either Obama has some control over Congressional action on gay issues or he doesn't.

[vaberella]

13. What role did he have in how long it too Congress?

I don't know what you're talking about the hate crimes one...he was pushing that since he was a senator alongside lily ledbetter, and he did it while in Presidency and it went through early in the health care debate.

From my understanding...I will admit he was not pushing DADT early on---although he passed measures and did what he can in little increments to give as much rights as possible. But Obama wasn't stopping Congress if they were going ahead with it. His main criticism was that he wasn't pushing it. And that was well known. However it wasn't like he was putting heat and telling Congress to go slower. Then later on, when he got his people together when he was ready to push it, then he started pushing it. However during that time he did do somethings.

From what I saw he doesn't have "conrol" necessarily---however he can influence them. And that's all I've been seeing. If he doesn't push then Congress doesn't give a shit when it comes to changes. And even when he does push Congress still doesn't give a fuck. So no...I don't think he does have "control" and I don't think any President was made to have "control" and I'm glad for it. At the same time, his influence is under written by a Congress that is unfortunately predominantly right leaning even if with Majority Dems.

That being said...and as I said, if he doesn't push Congress and without some allies then he's screwed. Luckily when he did say he wanted to repeal DADT---Congress started getting ready through out the 18 months. This can be easily followed but both him and Congress were side tracked with health care. And anyone paying attention can tell this Congress can' handle too much at once. To see how health care dominated every aspect of life for 10+ months. And he said as much. He wanted to focus on health care before he went into DADT. <---I realize human rights can't wait and shouldn't wait...but Congress doesn't give a fuck about human rights over all or at least the Republican and some Dems didn't. And I figure he was surprised how bogged down it got all the other issues.

I was fearing that if he actually put DADT out there at the same time or near it, well during this health care debate it would be shot down fast. And I didn't want that, myself. So he allowed it to simmer and built up a good number of signatures and top senators pushing the repealing. Then we have something that's just waiting on a contingency.

So do I blame him for the lack of early push---yes and no. I think I understand it and early on he did a lot of other things for the LGBT community. No one can deny he pushed the Matthew Shepard Act and pushed for it to get done. He made sure the DOJ was able to extend benefits to the LGBT community in like February or March last year. And little by little he did what he could.

But the political climate makes this uneasy and I think I got a handling on how he things and some of the reasons behind some of his actions.

[Prism]

9. A very fair assessment. n/t

[geek tragedy]

10. Fair marks, but he gets an "I" on his transcript.

He better have one doozy of a final.

[Uzybone]

11. Id give them a C so far, ending DADT will move it to a B

and I believe when all is said and done it'll be an A.

[NorthCarolina]

14. I'd say a "D" is generous. eom