Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

cjc690 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:28:50 GMT

Obama and the DNC have completely abandoned gay Americans, and somehow this tiny, insignificant gesture is supposed to win us back?

They are perfectly capable of repealing DADT and DOMA, and enacting a federal ENDA. If they fail to accomplish these by 2010, they won't have earned our votes. And I for one will be voting for a moderate Republican--since their stance on gay rights won't be any different than the current one we see from the President and Congress.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

johnb9990 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:42:44 GMT

I'm gay! Now, who wants to rent my partner benefits from me?

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

whizzkid43 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:53:37 GMT

I got news for gays. The Republicans certainly won't help you either. You had better hang in there with Obama if you want real change. Also you do need to remember that he is the President of the United States, not just of gays. He did not totally abandon you. What is happening is that your strident activism plus cries of "intolerance" while you all castigate anyone who believes gays should not be married is a turnoff to the rest of the American Public. Gays have turned viciously on African Americans in California who did not choose to vote against Prop 8 and now they are threatening to boycott Obama. Go ahead! Become Republicans!! See how quickly they will embrace your cause.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

JohWor — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:12:14 GMT

re: Posted By: johnb9990 (June 17, 2009 at 1:42 PM)

"I'm gay! Now, who wants to rent my partner benefits from me?"

Good point. I'm sure this will be abused by people seeking benefits. After all, there's no stigma with being gay in the US, so God knows how many folks are going to formally go on record as being gay relationship in order to receive whatever few benefits are offered - who knows, maybe as many as there are marrying for the same reason.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

unempirical — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:13:57 GMT

Gays and lesbians are angry at Obama for many reasons. He promised to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell, but he hasn't done a thing about it, despite growing public pressure. He promised to repeal DOMA, but his Department of Justice submitted a brief defending DOMA and comparing gay marriage to incest. He has an overwhelmingly Demcratic majority in Congress, but not one piece of gay rights legislation has been passed, and Obama hasn't pushed Congress to act.

In response to the furor over the DOMA brief, he sent OPM head John Berry, the highest ranking gay person in the Administration, to tell gay news magazine The Advocate that the Obama Administration was committed to ending DADT, repealing DOMA, and passing employment non-discrimination legislation "before the sun sets on this administration." Asked whether this included a second term, Berry replied, "I say this in a broad sense -- our goal is to get this done on this administration’s watch." Translation: the Obama Administration doesn't intend to act on any of our important issues during the next four years.

If Obama wants to restore good relations with the gay community, he has to do a lot more than extend relocation benefits to Federal employees' domestic partners. He has to take action on the big three issues: ENDA, DOMA repeal, and Don't Ask, Don't Tell. We need to hear from him that these issues are priorities, and we need to see concrete action. If the Democrats want our money or our votes, they can't put off serious action on gay rights issues until a hypothetical second term of the Obama Administration, or till the 112th Congress, when the Republicans may pick up seats.

Obama could instantly regain the good will of the gay community by signing a stop-loss order preventing further discharges under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Or by filing a brief in the next DOMA case saying that DOMA is unconstitutional on its face.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

TheCamiloPost.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:53:14 GMT

whizzkid43 is right on the money there. The thing is, Obama has not lost the gay communnity, he has lost gay activists and fundraisers. The problem is, a lot of people are listening to them. Gays and Lesbians angry at Obama are being unrealistic. Just this past Sunday, John Berry, Obama's director of the Office of Personnel Management and the highest ranking openly homosexual official in the Obama administration, reinforced the president.’s commitment to the gay agenda on Sunday. Obama's Administration has “four broad legislative goals,” on LGBT rights which include the extension of “hate crimes” to include those against gay and transgendered individuals, securing the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that prohibits gays from serving openly in the military, and repealing DOMA.

“The pledge and the promise is that, this will be done before the sun sets on this administration,” vowed Berry. “Our goal is to have this entire agenda accomplished and enacted into law so that it is secure.”

I believe that this is truth, and much to the anger of right wing activists everywhere, Obama will deliver. It's only been 5 months and passing the LGBT agenda in a place like Washington is not an easy thing, although no one seems to want to realize that.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

paulte — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:53:18 GMT

I hope he can't do much for the gays on the federal level just to appease a special interest group. This isn't right morally or legally. Anyway whatever he gives with one hand, he takes away with the other. Those gays with live-in partners will get some benefits for their partners but see their own benefits eroded, as all federal employees will. The federal contribution to health insurance for federal employees (about 2/3 of the cost) will now be taxed by Obama. So what he gives with the left hand, he removes with right! Hypocrite!

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

TAC0MA — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:53:53 GMT

That is true i dont understand why gay rights are boycotting a democratic fundraiser hello republicans are not going to do anything atleast they are talking about it. now i am horried over their comments during that briefing but hell there just taking time like the nation is.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

TAC0MA — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:55:09 GMT

And yes they (obama) better say something to sway me over or im just going to become independent or a full liberal!

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

bojack27 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:55:16 GMT

Obama is already in hot water over the Tax and Spending Spree that has gripped this administration. I hope America wakes up and get the Demo(n)crats out of office. Especially those who support ungodly acts of abortion and homosexuality.

Obama would do well to win back the so-called pseudo-Christians who voted for this Obomination in the first place.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

EGlide — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:56:47 GMT

I'm not gay but I'm getting angry, too. Obama is falling back on many of his promises and those who believed him are starting to wonder if their trust has been misplaced. He needs to be more than just talk. I realize he was clobbered by the economy when he took office, but how long does it take to recind the visitor log blackout or to give the go-ahead to invesigation of the illegal actions of the previous administration. If people begin to trust him as they did W, he may not have a second term. He won't have the Republicans to steali for him the way W did.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

jhbarnett — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:30:30 GMT

Gay here, have been all my 48 years. I can't say that I feel the Obama administration has to win me back over all matters gay (although the DOMA brief is disappointing, wrongheaded, and nonsensical).

I'm very much a liberal (not as common as you might expect--not every gay person's politics are left of center), but I always have viewed Obama as a centrist, trying to appeal as broadly as possible to a very fractious, noisy populace with loudly expressed and widely differing opinions on most matters political, social, and cultural. I didn't vote for Obama thinking he was the last great hope of the American Left; I voted for him figuring he would aim for the middle on most matters and try to bring us back to some normality after eight long years of crazy.

I didn't expect an administration to "sexually integrate" the armed forces during wartime--although I do think a wartime ban on sexuality-based expulsions from the services would be a step in the right direction. I didn't expect marriage to become widely available to all--but some efforts toward legalizing domestic partnerships (and thus paving the way for health and retirement benefits) wouldn't hurt either.

Oh, I have my disappointments, and all in all, I'm frustrated on a daily basis by living in a non-progressive, non-open-minded, and armed-to-the-teeth country that so rarely practices what it preaches. But I don't see that as solely Obama's fault. It's the fault of pandering politicians, slime-wielding media moguls, bigoted religious leaders, ruthless capitalism, and, oh yes, ourselves.

Still, I'm willing to give the administration more than five months to figure things out. I also realize that there might be a tad more on the national agenda than my right to marry. Frankly, if there were a decent national healthcare and pension system, then I wouldn't have to worry about a lot of these issues, would I?

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

denjef — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:57:04 GMT

I am a gay 52 year old D.C. native, and I understand that there are very important issues our President must confront, and that many gay rights issues should be relegated to the back burner. My problem, however, is the extremely pro-active moves in 2 cases the administration has addressed- DOMA and "Don't Ask..." their responses were almost exactly the same as Bush's. They filed a brief in the DOMA repeating the absurd thinking that same-sex marriage leads to insest, etc. this is insulting; it marginalizes me, and if the current administration won't treat us any different from the previous, then why should I care if they are even in power? If I don't matter; if I'm second class, then I get screwed no matter who's in charge. The big hit Obama will take is the harder time they'll have motivating people through the internet. Many just won't even open the e-mails, etc.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

denjef — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:00:19 GMT

Gay people also provide large amounts of financial support, so that will hurt as well, but the true damage he will do to himself is that this will make motivating the door knockers, etc. to do anything. I have been a VERY active person politically my whole life. I was born and raised in D.C.- He is getting things done, but who else is he willing to step on to get something done?

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

denjef — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:05:34 GMT

to jhbarnett- love your comments- mine may make me sound like a "one issue" voter, but I'm not. I'm just afraid he'll give people an excuse to not be as supportive. Passivity would have been preferred rather than actively supporting DOMA, etc...It's nice to see an intelligent reader respond! -Jeff Milligan

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

News and Notes — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:06:02 GMT

It would have been a lot better for gays if Hillary was elected president. Obama barely and unenthusiastically got my vote at the last minute. He was and still is an unknown entity. If you're not going to do anything to promote equality, then don't promise you will. Obama's justice department has actually defended DOMA and Don't Ask Don't Tell with the most discriminatory and inflammatory language imaginable. He is quickly becoming a chameleon. When it comes to equality, it seems like it is always one step forward and two steps back.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

rousing colt — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:22:50 GMT

As a 56 year old gay man who voted for Obama I'd just like to say that this whole issue has been handled very poorly by both sides. I'm not one of those who would insist my 20 year relationship be defined as "marriage". I sure as hell don't care nor do I want it sanctioned by any religion. It's ok with me to call it whatever you want. I'd just like to have the tax and property benefits I've spent my whole life working to provide straight couples with. As for the posters here who think that voting Republican next time around is of any use I would ask, "Why don't you vote 3rd party?" That's what the political system in this country really needs. A third strong, viable, creative political party that actually works for the people. The Republicans have made themselves irrelevant and the Democrats are little more than Republicans in drag. Until that changes, nothing will.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

gr8lksgran — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:32:21 GMT

Is there some reason he gay community can't give him some space to get huge issues that effect EVERYONE taken care of before they abandon ship?????

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

ducdebrabant — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:35:52 GMT

Gay Americans would be very patient with the administration over delays in achieving results, if they would ever even START. They claimed they were discussing a post DADT era with the Pentagon, and the Pentagon denies it. They say they'll sign a DADT and DOMA repeal, and do nothing to get a bill out of Congress. They tell us they don't have the votes, and then do nothing to GET the votes. But there is no delay, no waiting, no temporizing, when the plan a fundraiser next week to tap LGBT donors. THAT can't wait, they think. Oh yes it can. Not another dime till they get serious.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

kelsey — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:45:22 GMT

"Is there some reason he gay community can't give him some space to get huge issues that effect EVERYONE taken care of before they abandon ship?????"

What a nasty and selfish comment. Why should anyone have to wait for freedom, equal protection, and civil rights? "Continue to be discriminated against, gay people, I have bigger fish to fry." Disgusting!

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Republican Airhead — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:45:33 GMT

I agree with gr8ksgran... This is such a crucial time for so many crucial issues to the vast majority of Americans. I think Obama should follow through with his campaign pledges, and it does seem irrational what his administration seems to be defending in direct conflict with those pledges, but I can't help but to see this as trying to buy time in some backwards way to get health care finished. I think the gay community should try to be more patient. It will happen.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Vladimir Enlow — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:48:27 GMT

Seconding rousing colt's comments...

Somehow I knew BHO would wriggle out of his promises. I accepted long ago that if DOMA and DADT ever get overturned, it'll be in the courts, not by Congress and certainly not at the ballot box. But to hear the exact same Bushit coming from a President and an administration that was supposed to be all about change... it actually hurts a little.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

GBAZ — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:49:35 GMT

To: gr8lksgran, who says, "Is there some reason he gay community can't give him some space to get huge issues that effect EVERYONE taken care of before they abandon ship?"

Maybe you don't get it...National Security does affect EVERYONE in this country! Good grief, even Israel doesn't have a problem with gays in the military! I guess when the military decides they're going to have to draft people into the ranks, then they'll open their doors to those who have opened their closets.

Get real, people. Homosexuality has been around for thousands of years. It's time people recognized that we are are not only here but we grew up in straight households (for the most part) and heterosexuality didn't rub off on us just because we were raised to "be straight." And our "designed by God" nature is not going to rub off on anyone in the military.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

GBAZ — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:54:16 GMT

This issue will only be dealt with properly the same way racial issues are dealt with. That's with the flow of an expensive ink brought on by the movement of an expensive pen held by the President of the United States. If he is indeed EVERYONE's President, then step up and do something about millions of Americans that love this country every bit as much as he or anyone else does.

Executive Order...that's what it's going to take, people. An Executive Order. And it shouldn't wait until the 2nd term or another President. Stop the talk and walk the walk.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Jane A. — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:56:36 GMT

"I got news for you the Republicans won't help you either..."

Read the news lately??????????

As required by law, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had to file a response to Ted Olson and David Boies' federal challenge to the constitutionality of Proposition 8. He did not deny the unconstitutionality of the amendment and call for swift action by the courts.

Via press release from the American Foundation For Equal Rights, the backers of the suit:

"Today's filing by Gov. Schwarzenegger bolsters our call for a swift end to the constitutionally intolerable situation created by Proposition 8. We are extremely pleased Gov. Schwarzenegger does not dispute the unconstitutionality of Proposition 8 and agrees that swift action is needed to ensure that every person is treated equally under the law," said American Foundation for Equal Rights Board President Chad Griffin. "Exactly one year ago today, thanks to the state Supreme Court, equal marriage rights were granted to every Californian for the first time. We look forward to the federal courts granting those equal rights once and for all by quickly acting on this case." Gov. Schwarzenegger's filing states: "Plaintiffs' complaint presents important constitutional questions that require and warrant judicial determination. In a constitutional democracy, it is the role of the courts to determine and resolve such questions. The Administration encourages the Court to resolve the merits of this action expeditiously."

Sounds to me like a Republican had the courage to do what BO hasn't.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Proud Democrat — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:02:18 GMT

Oh, give me a break. He's been in office 6 months. You finally have a president with compassion and vision. You turn on him and you're crazy. My, Goodness, can you wait until the wars, the plummetting economy, and the health care crisis are addressed before you just focus on your own needs. We're all hurting after 8 years of the bush opression, you know, not just you.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Nezalhualixtlan — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:04:45 GMT

It's absolutely disgusting that they would compare the legal marriage of two consenting adults to incest and child molestation.

I, as a heterosexual male who is happily married to my wife, wholeheartedly support the right of all citizens in this country to be equally protected under the law - including gays and lesbians to marry and have the legal protections afforded to their relationship in marriage.

It's ridiculous that in this day and age such blatant discrimination and bigotry is allowed to be codified in law. The principles behind the Civil Rights movement with regards to race apply equally here. The government should not be in the business of arbitrarily discriminating against its citizens.

In fact, there is a Federal mandate by way of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that provides that the States must afford all their citizens equal protection under the law. If the State grants legal protections in marriage to heterosexual couples, it must grant those same protections to homosexual couples, and the myth of "separate but equal" was demolished decades ago by Brown vs the Board of Education - separate but equal is inherently unequal, there is no other purpose for it. Civil Unions are not enough.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

jaforec — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:15:57 GMT

"In fact, in legal terms, the Obama aides equated same sex marriage to incest"

If this statement is true, than the government would actually give health care benifits to the employee, as the act would be taking place with a "family member" under the law. The fact is that gays are treated as worse than those commiting incest under the current law. Unfortuanatly, because this was a very bad law created by a republican congress and signed into law by Pres.

Clinton, I dont believe an executive order can overturn it, so Obama has to play some politics and get congress to overturn it.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

aaron007 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:25:05 GMT

Providing limited benefits for the partners of LGBT federal employees while kicking those same employees out of the military is like making sure your slaves have had their shots.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

airforcemom — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:28:25 GMT

To All My Dear Gay friends of the U.S. and the Planet,

I love ya! I support ya!

Many of my beloved friends happen to be gay and I 1000% support them and everyone's right to be treated as equal and to be afforded all the same rights as people in any hetero relationship.

I am a very happily married hetero person mom of 2 and grandmom of 3 who wants nothing more than for all my gay friends to be as happy as I am and to have a family as I do.

I know how hard it has been for all of you and how much you deserve what is about to happen to and what it is going to mean in your lives. That day will be a very happy for my friends, for you guys and for me too!

My advice is to back off Obama, at least for a few more months, he is doing the best he can.

For god sakes he has only been the Prez for 6 months and we all know what he has had to deal with.

He will get it done, I just know he will..

Who else is going to do it for you may I inquire?

Certainly not people like Palin and her cronies.

We are all so close to getting this done, lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater..

I implore you to have just a little more faith and just a tad more patience.

I will be the first to holler and scream and revolt right along with everyone if I think for one minute he will not get this done.

I do not believe that time has arrived just yet.

I am willing to trust. My prayer is that we can trust, just a little longer.

God Bless Barack and God Bless every one of us.

Deb Verdi

P.S.

I am not known as the best typist in the world, and the print on the page was very small and light to write a comment with, so please I ask everyone to forgive any typos, I hope my good wishes and good intent is evident despite any inadvertent tyops. I am not certain if this has edit capability.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

seti2008 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:30:20 GMT

It'll take some doing, although I still have faith in Obama. He was certainly the lesser of two evils. I think we gays and lesbians are going to have to be patient. If Obama dismantles programs like "Don't Ask," he'll never serve another term. I think he's waiting until he has fewer people to answer to.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

obiwan — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:31:55 GMT

The DOMA brief equated gay relationships with incest and pedophilia. It is just vile language. It is beyond comprehension that this would come from someone who claims to be our friend. Obama can be my friend again when he repeals DOMA and DADT. Until then I'll be waiting for my equal rights. But this is the USA we can't properly insure everyone for healthcare, we can't properly educate our children, we can't properly run banks or auto companies or our economy, so I'll just wait and see if equal rights can be achieved in the hands of a corrupt and prejudiced government.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

SamNChgo — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:46:03 GMT

This is the Clinton Administration redux. Obama has, unfortunately, surrounded himself with a team of rivals that are, indeed, hostile toward the LGBT community. I think fingers can be pointed directly at Rahm Emmanuel. He was part of Bill Clinton's team that came up with such disgraceful policies such as Don't Ask Don't Tell and DOMA. Bill Clinton "felt [our] pain" and within a month started putting very anti-gay policies into place. Now, Obama has done the same thing. Talked a good game to the LGBT community and then turned around and spit in our face. It's disgraceful. I'm not buying the "we've got a lot of things going argument" anymore. It's one thing to say that there are many plates in the air and things may need to wait. However, it's quite another thing to file such a horrendous brief that was filed in support of DOMA. It did not have to be done. This consistently happens to the LGBT community from Democratic politicians. They court LGBT during elections and then promptly do the opposite when elected. It's time for the LGBT community to stand up and say "we're not going to take this anymore." If this is the way the Democrats are going to treat us, we won't be voting Democratic anymore. Yes, the Republican's policies on LGBT issues are bad -- but at least you know where they stand.; If Obama wants a team of rivals, he now needs to appoint many LGBT members to high level posts on his team. He now has many rivals in the LGBT community.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Tonne — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:55:11 GMT

Obama figures he can get away with this backsliding after what he saw happen in California's Prop 9 campaign: the gays couldn't organize themselves out of a paper bag. What we need to do now is Obama-tize Obama--create a grassroots campaign Obama-style, and hector him at every appearance he makes, swamp his office with letters, postcards, e-mails, and KEEP THE PRESSURE on until he does right thing. We need to learn from his example...and then give him a dose of his own medicine. LGBT activists: take off your nice ties and pant suits, enough with the celebrity-hosted dinners, roll up your sleeves and get into the streets. Homework assignment: Watch the Milk movie again.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

RRuin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:56:25 GMT

I'm basically infuriated with Obama. If an intelligent guy can't see the necessity of making sure all Americans have their civil rights protected than how can this ever happen?

Today's piece of gristle is like telling the black community in 1960 that they can sit two rows from the back of the bus.

Obama has failed the courage test and failed it miserably.

Coming from a right wingnut job its expected, but from this administration shameful.

Grow a spine Mr. President.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

bboushley80 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:12:02 GMT

Change I can believe = More of the Clinton years

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

seti2008 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:14:04 GMT

Obama will not be stupid enough to repeal DOMA and DADT during his first term in office. We couldn't win the gay marriage vote in a relatively liberal state like California. As President, he is representing Mississippi and Kansas, too. Gay and lesbians who are advocating that he swiftly make changes don't care about the rest of us. They'll just push the country toward Republican rule. There are people posting on this board right now that abortion and homosexuality are wrong, and they actually expect for you gay fools to get in bed with them. We like to compare our rights with those of racial minorities. Many racial minorities can't comprehend the similarities. Partly because of homophobia and partly because they really do not see the similarity. As a gay person of color, I'll tell you that I don't get it either. And many (almost all) gays and lesbians are closed to any type of conversation regarding racial discrimination, but will use it in their arguments. I even feel used. The only thing that is similar is the discrimination. Until it is proven that sexual orientation is biological, it is different. (Of course I think there is a biologically component.) Further, racial minorities didn't win right rights away. The fight for the rights of African Americans and other racial minorities started more than 100 years before they received any rights. And it is usually the courts who grant the rights. Unfortunately, the courts have left us extremely vulnerable to the will of the majority. I think it's safe to say that minority rights period would have never advance if the balance had of been the primary route for gaining rights.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

jimbo3800 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:24:08 GMT

Whaaa, imagine that, the homo community is up in arms...again!

Why should my tax dollars be used to provide benefits just because some federal employee (who probably does next to nothing anyway) decides to shack up and have a sausage party/fur trader fest?

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

SithDave — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:44:58 GMT

I actually find this kind of sick , I am a gay Canadian male and up here gays and lesbians have the same rights nation wide as everyone else including marriage and benefits and immigration .. down in America you bill yourselves as the freest nation in the world and yet you have a minority of Americans who were born just a little bit different than their heterosexual counter parts and they are shunned and disgraced for it, When the hell will America grow up?? These people are Tax paying Americans .. born to American families yet your government will deny them the same rights and benefits .. your country is stuck 200 years in the past .. and frankly I don't think your are happy unless you are oppressing minority Americans. Obama had said he was a strong supporter of gay rights and yet he backed down. He is pathetic.

Mentally Retarded people have more rights in America than gay Americans .. even Terrorists and murderers and child molesters.. WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM??!!

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

TimothyDDwyer9 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:51:31 GMT

So people are telling the gay community to be patient, that we can't expect everything so soon. I don't know that I like that answer, but perhaps there is no choice on the big issues like DOMA and Don't Ask/Don't Tell.

However, there is one thing he can do RIGHT NOW. Idenitfy the homophobic bigots in the Justice Department who penned that Bush-worthy drivel of a motion, and fire them. They don't belong working anywhere in a Democratic administration, least of all in the "Justice Department". Their heads, please, Barak.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

pjam — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:08:28 GMT

Way to go Obama. Use the nations tax revenue as you personal campaign fund. Done paying off the auto-workers, bankers, business execs? hmmmm.....lets see who else will remain supportive if we pay them.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

SithDave — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:13:26 GMT

well I am an outsider looking in .. and America is supposed to have a separation of church and state.. yet what I see still lawmakers passing laws based on their religious beliefs and not what is morally right.

If your government is going to deny the same rights and benefits to gay americans and their partners , then they should be exempt from paying tax ..why should gay americans pay tax to a government that denies them certain rights like heterosexuals have? why should gay american pay tax that helps support heterosexual benefits??

I dont want to offend my american friends and I have lots of them .. but I am happy I am not american and dont live in america ..gays are more free up in canada (and in most of the free world) than they ever would be in america. ....and I still cant believe in this day and age that some of your states still have sodomy laws.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

GambitRocks8 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:42:55 GMT

I still wonder why I pay my taxes? If I can't get the same benefits as a heterosexual couple, why am I paying for their benefits? This country is so messed up! Can I start taking out the percentage for social security, since they are not transferrable to my partner?

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

GambitRocks8 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:46:52 GMT

IN response to jimbo3800 (June 17, 2009 at 7:24 PM)

Because many homosexuals pay taxes just like everyone else. They want what every hetro couple wants, to be able to transfer their social security benefits and health benefits to their partner. What if the government said one day, that you could not transfer your health benefits to your husband/wife? How would that change your life? You would be paying double for your health costs, since you would both need separate policies.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

SithDave — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:55:05 GMT

to HeterobyGod ,, 'quote How can you expect respect and acceptance when your'e main sexual function is to put your sex organ into someones feces exit' well heterobygod you havent watched heterosexual porn when a man is putting his "sex organ" into a womans "feces exit" .. anal sex is not a limited to the gay community. and as for sexual perverts .. heteros are more perverted ... do you think rapists and child molesters are gay? u say u are not religious but look at your handle .. heterobygod. Take a look at your porn industry you will see who the perverts are .,... just like playboy hustler ..girls gone wild etc... all geared toward the perversion of the hetero community ..along with strip clubs where you salivate over naked women.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

GMora — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:04:32 GMT

So much for Health Reform, whatever happened to the values, morals of this country? This is very educational for our children seeing men marrying men and women marrying women. This country has gone to the pits! What about the AIDS situation? It will never end with homosexuals having sex with one another.... Get real America!!

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

GMora — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:05:24 GMT

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

GMora — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:05:51 GMT

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

SithDave — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:08:30 GMT

to heterobygod ... I dont see any laws being passed trying ban your hetero perversions in the states. your perversions are a multi-billion dollar a year industry. grow a brain.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

tmsassan — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:08:33 GMT

Obama lost my support when he let a great American hero with $30 million of taxpayers money spent in training and with an impeccable record be discharges a couple weeks ago. I will not suport him in word, action, or dollar bills until DADT is gone, the federal protection for gays is in place, and DOMA is under heavy fire from the White House. Until then, he's a liar, a hypocrit and a bigot for actively avoiding implementing his sworn promises to the gay community.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

tentcard — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:14:55 GMT

I believe everyone in our country should have equal rights no matter what their preferences are. You pay taxes just like I do. "texation without representation"? BUT PLEASE our president has been in office less than 6 months and all i have heard from the gay community is, 'I WANT, I WANT. I was solid in your corner but now I am getting so SICK of your childish whinning. Can you please let him try to fix the SUPER MESS which involves millions of Americans before you keep acting like 2 year olds. "We want to marry, We want you to repeal the "Do Ask Don't tell" We want this wewant that . Shut the h*ll up, you are turning us off!!! I think a lot of Americans who want you to have your rights are getting as SICK of you as I AM. SOMETIMES YOU CAN OVERD0!!! yOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES IN THIS COUNTRY WHO NEEDS SOMETHING. SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO PLACE TO SLEEP AND YOU ARE WHINNING ABOUT WHO YOU WANT TO SLEEP WITH. GET A GRIP, YOU ARE LOSING MY SUPPORT!!!!!

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

SithDave — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:26:18 GMT

to GMora .. obviously u are still under the impression aids is a gay disease ..do you realise more heterosexuals have AIDS and HIV in this world than gay people? and no it wasnt passed on by gay people .. but that is the stigma still left from the ignorance of the 1980s when aids first came about.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

SithDave — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:43:02 GMT

to tmsassan .. obama was going to be a big supporter of gay rights in America during his campaign well he failed that this week ..plus the clinton era dont ask dont tell ..which he said he would overturn which he wont..and he gave now SOME benefits for same sex couples for government employees ... but not enough ..... like I said in an earlier post your country is stuck 200 years in the past .. time for america to grow up and join the rest of the free world where it concerns gay people/

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

peterparker — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:43:04 GMT

GMora, you seem to be laboring under the false assumption that all gay men have HIV. Now, it is true that gay men make up the largest group of people in the U.S. living with HIV/AIDS. But the majority of homosexual men do NOT have HIV.. The city of Chicago recently reported that 17% of gay men in Chicago were infected with HIV. When I lived in San Francisco a few years ago, the S.F. Department of Public Health released data showing that 25% of gay male residents were infected with HIV. Yes, that is higher than the general population. But far from ubiquitous. It is also worth nothing that the prevalence of HIV in the lesbian population is the lowest rate of any group in the U.S.

Furthermore, GMora, people who are married are far less likely to engage in sex with multiple partners, which is one of the primary risk factors for contracting HIV disease. If you want the HIV pandemic to end, wouldn't it make sense to encourage gay men, who make up the largest group of people living with HIV, to get married and settle down?

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

lochaven — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:55:46 GMT

As a federal employee for 30 years and a partner of 29 who is also a federal employee retiree, Obama's move is welcomed. Just imagine how we've felt all these years with nothing. At least I have the ability to take care of my partner if needed.

I've marched so many times over the years including in DC, some of us older guys are happy today. Yes indeed.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

erniesf — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:32:30 GMT

Tentcard is the one who is gripless.

Tmsassan is right on the money.

And for anyone who hasn't read the Constitution, please do, then unless you really are an idiot, you will understand that DOMA is 100% unconstitutional. I voted for Obama although only for two reasons - The democrats couldn't get their ducks in a row to put Clinton in the race and I would vote for a wet paper bag before I'd vote for a republican. Obama should fire whoever wrote the Justice Department papers now so famous from last week and he should hide his face in shame if he actually saw it and allowed its release. He also should not have asked the Supreme Court to stay out of the DADT case a week earlier. His administration released a statement reiterating the current policy that gays in the military who come out will continue to be discharged until the law is changed or repealed. Get off your butt and tell Congress to change it now, not tomorrow, not next week, NOW. Tell the republicans to sit down and shut up, they are not in charge and don't have enough votes to stop anything. If he supports equal rights then he should stop giving the LGBT people little pieces to make things a little better and MAKE THINGS EQUAL! I am gay and I pay taxes, and I served more time (of my adult life) in the military than I have spent out of the military, fought charges of being gay twice and won because the military couldn't get enough witnesses who cared to back them up. I have earned the right to be equal in ALL respects. I just saw the President say he thinks DOMA is wrong and that he will work with Congress to overturn it. Wouldn't it have been easier to NOT ask the Supreme Court to dismiss a challenge that would have overturned it for him? And if the SC didn't come through on the right side, then shove it down the republican's throats and get it changed by the congress. If the SC had done it then it would have been a done deal, instead, by their own admission they will continue to dismiss loyal armed services personnel to satisfy the stupid law passed for the religious right idiots.

DADT needs to be stopped immediately, DOMA should never have been allowed to pass in the first place and while personally I have no plans to marry anytime soon, I think anyone stupid enough to want to marry someone should have that right. Come on, think about it, in many states a convicted killer sitting on death row has the legal right to marry someone he or she has barely met, but not someone who likes people of the same sex. That's equal rights? Take your religious views out of my life, separation of church and state should mean you cannot use your religious views to oppress others that view things differently. If I were a believer I would have lost my faith a long time ago, an all-powerful and all-loving god (as the religious right likes to claim) would not have allowed things like Matthew Shepard, so get off that soapbox because you aren’t fooling anyone, not even yourself.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Papi007 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:33:08 GMT

I am a distinguished Soldier and Non-Commissioned Officer in the Active U.S. Army. I have been serving since the age of 17, two weeks after highschool. I am on my fourth overseas tour, and am proud to serve because I follow a long, rich heritage of military service, to include my Mother, my two Dads (both step), and my biological Father. I am what the Army considers "high speed".

I plan to retire in the Army. Actually hoping to be accepted as Warrant Officer soon, and of course retire with a Wife and kids. By the way, I am also a proud Lesbian.

At the age of 17, right before BCT, my mother told me not to go to any parades of any sort because of the DADT policy. Mind you, I was not out until the age of 21. I did not have any sexual relationship with a man prior, and of course, am a lesbian "gold-star". My mother knew I was gay since I was a child, but again, I did not confirm out of fear of being rejected, not by my Family, because we're all very close, but by the Army.

I am a leader of Soldiers, accomplishing my mission, trainer of the forces. I am so proud of what I do as a Non-Commissioned Officer.

I do have a fear. I do have a fear that someone who does not like me, will turn me in on assumption. It has happened twice that 1 male and 1 female Soldier who was jealous of my "highspeedness" spread the word that I am gay. If there was to be an investigation, that would be all of my hard work and years would mean nothing. That would mean that my disability for excrutiating injuiries that I have recieved while serving will be disapproved. That would mean that my dream and goal to retire out of the Army since the age of 17 will be shot down. Just because of my OWN sexuality. Not my Soldiers, not my Commanders, not my Battle buddies who also serve in these overseas tours and Wars and through the same trife that I go through, not because of THEIR sexuality....but because of MY OWN.

I have yet to bring my lifestyle into the workplace. Of course, my Soldiers within my Squad, and my Battles who I can confide, both ranks Senior and Junior, know about it. Of course my Command, to include my BC, assume. They have all met my "friend". They all realize it has nothing to do with my work ethic and my accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers.

But what if my unit recieves another BC, which will be happening in the next month? Ask yourself deep down; does this proud NCO, who is a Woman of God, strong ties to her Family, Friends, and Soldiers, Completes the mission in all aspects, takes care of herself and Soldiers, has wounds from injuries sustained within the Army....does she not deserve to live her life and retire? Does she not deserve to love whom she loves and not serve proudly?

Mind you, there are a plenty of Soldiers deciding to get out everyday. They may have deployed, they may not have. They may be discharged because of indecency such as rape, murder, adultery. They may not be able to fit in the military society, and that's ok, because it's not for everyone.

But do I, Someone who wants to serve and has been since two weeks after highschool...do I deserve to get kicked out because I love whom I love?

People say that I need to be straight to serve. I have not been since I was a child, and mind you, I did not have sex until the age of 21. And it has only been with women.

People say because of religion; God still loves me regardless and my relationship with Him is Ours. Noone else's.

People say it will undermine unit cohesion and welfare. I think that the love between my Wife and I is our own. And I have to say, it's more positive than the rapist, murderes, thieves, and terrorist who are still serving and being recruited in everyday. Mind you, I said positive, because I still take care of my Soldiers who are still serving after they have been convicted of these situations. I still visit my Soldiers in the jailhouse. And you know what they tell me "SSG...you are an outstanding NCO. I thank God for you..."

I heard this in English, Spanish, and Hangul-mal....

I deserve to be in this Army and the Woman that I love, who is also and NCO, we both deserve to serve proudly and be who we are....Together.

Thank you....SSG Stacy Adams.

P.S. BC is Battalion Commander. My name is anonymous, but my rank is not. If you're interested in a comment I made in the newspaper, look at Stars and Stripes, type in Gay, I will be in "Soldiers told to remain Silent" issue. Thank you again and keep praying for us. When you look at a Soldier laid to rest, you do not know their sexuality. You only know that they are a man/woman in a force that volunteers to protect you. Please keep that in mind. Thank you again, Me<3

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

erniesf — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:36:02 GMT

DOMA needs to go now. If you want to defend marriage so bad, why don't you ban divorce! I'd support that one for you.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

wsu1983 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:38:01 GMT

HeterobyGod is also IgnorantByChoice!

It is people like you who clearly are not educated in the area of human sexuality. Your lack of respect for others is shameful and unChristian. The God who made you hetero also made me homosexual. Don't like it take, it up with Him. But in the meantime keep your ignorant and ridiclous comments to yourself. Those of us who think critically find your lack of intelligence pathetic.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

airjackie — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:42:05 GMT

For 8 years the Republicans let Gays know they have no rights and never will when Republicans are in charge. Notice how the Gay Groups never put demands on Bush but are all out attacking Obama as if all he has to do is make a law and sign it. We do have Republican Law Makers who are fighting the President on this. President Obama is smart enough to pick the Wars he can win right now. How long did it take Black Americans to get equal rights and still they haven't gotten it all. Yes things have changed but in the back woods of Americans Blacks are still being killed. I just don't like the attacks on Obama as he will do as he says. We still have laws he has to follow and then it's the Constitution. The GAY Goups never asked Dick Cheney for help even knowing his daughter is gay and he supports Gay Rights ever wonder why? Dick Cheney was given the Power of the President and even illegally invaded Iraq yet not one Gay Group demanded that Vice President Cheney push for Equal Rights for Gays. Many Americans will find out Presidnet Obama can't be pushed around and will do as he says but threating him wont work. I strongly support Gay Rights because I know what it's like to be denied Equal Rights, but I don't like being ordered nor does the President. Try showing some respect it goes a long way and most should have been taught that as children.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

abadreview — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:51:14 GMT

I have to agree. I'm a straight white 29 yr old male, who voted for Obama. I love President Obama, and I think he is a very smart and capable man, but he can't afford to drop the ball here. His entire Presidency is based and built on historic firsts, absolute equality for gays and lesbians must happen on Obama's watch. If he fails to make something happen, his legacy will suffer tremendously, as will millions of gays and lesbians across America.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

kgorgei — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:00:27 GMT

Early in the primaries I made a decision to support Obama because of a mass conference call he did to the GLBT community. In it he reffered to our civil rights, and that having seperate laws is violating those rights. It makes me sick to my stomach when I heard him speak the other day and he danced around gay marriage like any other politician. He said we are not in the business of marriage...ok, then marriages should no longer be recognized by the US government. Oh, wait I am sure that is not what he meant. Try, the US government and I are not in this to get gays married. That would have at least been honest.

Reading the blog below me, I realize that there is still ignorance out there, but I don't care. I have never asked for a law that puts these people in jail for expressing their opinion no matter how much it offends me. Who are you to put restrictions on me? I am in a committed monogomous relationship with another woman and have been for the last 5 years. If this bothers you, too bad, because when your done reading this blog you will go back to your life and I will continue to live mine and the earth is big enough that we can both do that and not think about each other again. My sexuality is as simple to explain as the straightest person. If you are straight please think about this for one minute, could you imagine being attracted to someone an attraction that goes beyond sex? Could you imagine wanting to share the rest of your life with this one person who makes you feel like everything you wanted to be? Is there a part of you that wants or needs this soul mate who makes you helpless to their power? For me this happened, it just happened with another woman. I have never been attracted to a man in my life, despite that I dated a few, I never wanted to die more than I did then, and truthfully I was partly dead. When I came out it was like a new lease on life. If God does is exsist why would this all knowing being create me this way...if for no other reason than to challenge Christians faith in free will. And true free will allows all gays to have equality on all levels including marriage. I don't just want to be on the bus, I want to be able to sit anywhere I want to on the bus!

If Obama is looking for a 2nd term then he needs to be the progresive that he promised us all he was. I am sure that he has more important matters than this but he has to repeal DOMA, and allow the federal government to recognize all marriages done in all 50 states (including the gay marriages in those states) and marriages in other countries like Canada. He can acknowledge the local governments right to decide and repealing DOMA will respect that right.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

JWT9988 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:11:35 GMT

Obama lost 99% of gay voters totally. He is nothing more than a politican who promises (like Republican and Democrat presidents before him) but can't or won't deliver. He knew he couldn't do it but yet campaigned that he could along with all of the Demoidiots re-elected last fall. It's great that federal employees get a few more benefits, but what about me along with millions of other gay people who work for private employers?? In Mississippi, I can be fired for being gay along with many other states!! Where is the equity in those states. Feds are immuned ti state laws as they superseed local and state laws.

What about me and millions of other gay people who don't work for the feds. We can still be fired from our jobs!!

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

wesmenno — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:18:11 GMT

What are the offended gays going to do, vote for Palin or Gingrich?

I actually support equal rights for GLBT but have to wonder what they imagine their options truly are.

Maybe they can help get an unelectable Democrat nominated next time?

Let's get real.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

erniesf — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:21:53 GMT

HeterobyGod - erniesf here, hello idiot, you are reallly showing your lack of intelligence!

As to DOMA's constitutionality, the only reason you are even remotely correct is that nothing is unconstitutional until the SCOTUS says so. If SCOTUS looked at it they would have to say it violates existing parts of the Constitution that for over two hundred years require all states to recognise all marriages legally performed in other states. You republicans are scared to death of letting them decide.

As for DADT, yes it is currently the law and therefore valid, but as for your statement of courts throwing it out, someone has to get it to the courts and while the President has no power to tell the SCOTUS what and what not to do, his administration asked them not to get involved and they didn't. Had they done the moral thing, they would have overturned it.

On to the next item, you have called me a liar - , I never mentioned going to court, charges were levied and the command rightly decided not to prosecute based on the fact that they had the word of the acuser and none other, I had many willing to testify on my side. When the command notified me of the charges, I told them to try and prove it! They had the nerve to ask me to sign a statement as to whether the acusation was true and my response was, "Don't ask, don't tell means I am not allowed to say," therefore I refused, and ergo I have not lied. I was never charged with a homosexual act, I was simply reported as being gay. The NIS agents that followed me attempting catch me in the act were clowns that couldn't catch two bunnies going at it. Trust me, I had my fair share of sex, and a few other's shares too, and with many people not only in the Navy which I still admire, but also with Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Coasties, Policemen, federal employees, etc., way too many for me to count so I am certain you could count it either.

Church - to comment here is pointrless, I am an athiest 100% and think all churches should lose their tax exemption status all the way around. Anyone stupid enough to believe in a god that allows things like the holocaust and other such historical events should die off acocrding to Darwinism.

I am too tired to blog about the republicans, there are enough others out to take on that one, As for your last inflamatory rhetoric i.e. Matthew Shepard - would you care to change your mind if there were gangs of redneck fags beating straight people to death? I suppose you'd want them hunted down and prosecuted? I wouldn't tolerate that behavior from anyone or any group. Unfortunately there are enough upstanding citizens in this country to instill those values in all of us. And yes, I would reluctantly try to stop a renegade gang of flaming *** rednecks from giving you a well deserved beatdown. I'd probably mistakenly dial 811 a few times before remembering I should be dialing 911 for help, then I would ask the operator to send the police to stop these queens from beating you up even though you so richly deserve it.

You claim to have taught trhe constitution? I find it hard to believe anyuone would pay you to teach anything you biggoted homophobe!

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

tentcard — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:45:02 GMT

ONCE AGAIN, Go ahead, withhold your vote when President Obama is up for re-election. Vote Republican then see where your little hinies will be--Turned up in the air still trying to make somebody legalize your right to s***w the same sex. Republicans really don't like your lifestyle. They will tell you anything right now because a lot of them are up for re-lection in 2010. Soon as your grudge vote against President Obama is counted--down comes the hammer on your lifestyle. So save your vote for anybody who will listen to your selfish behavior. I spoke with someone today and she had lost $60,000 from her 401K her lifetime savings and she was an older woman.. PEOPLE ARE HURTING IN THIS COUNTRY and all the Gay community can do is saber rattle. NOBODY IS L I S T E N I N G anymore!!! WE ARE BURNT OUT WITH YOUR GIMMIES. Get on board and help the millions of Americasns who really need you r Help right now.. Wait your turn in Line.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Steve Nzbo — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:18:35 GMT

"Obama will not be stupid enough to repeal DOMA and DADT during his first term in office. We couldn't win the gay marriage vote in a relatively liberal state like California. As President, he is representing Mississippi and Kansas, too. Gay and lesbians who are advocating that he swiftly make changes don't care about the rest of us. They'll just push the country toward Republican rule. There are people posting on this board right now that abortion and homosexuality are wrong, and they actually expect for you gay fools to get in bed with them. We like to compare our rights with those of racial minorities. Many racial minorities can't comprehend the similarities. Partly because of homophobia and partly because they really do not see the similarity. As a gay person of color, I'll tell you that I don't get it either. And many (almost all) gays and lesbians are closed to any type of conversation regarding racial discrimination, but will use it in their arguments. I even feel used. The only thing that is similar is the discrimination. Until it is proven that sexual orientation is biological, it is different. (Of course I think there is a biologically component.) Further, racial minorities didn't win right rights away. The fight for the rights of African Americans and other racial minorities started more than 100 years before they received any rights. And it is usually the courts who grant the rights. Unfortunately, the courts have left us extremely vulnerable to the will of the majority. I think it's safe to say that minority rights period would have never advance if the balance had of been the primary route for gaining rights."

Although I am not personally supportive of Obama or the premises some have written here, the above is the single most cogent, accurate, intelligent and pointed argument I have ever heard on this topic. If more LGBT supporters were this articulate in their discussion, some of us "on the other team" might actually be swayed in your direction. I say Bravo to you, sir or ma'am

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

americanwomantellitreal — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:50:25 GMT

President Obama confirmed again today that he is still working with Congress toward repealing `DOMA, as well as Don`t Ask, Don`t Tell!

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

americanwomantellitreal — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:52:21 GMT

PRESIDENT OBAMA DID CONFIRM TODAY THAT HE IS WORKING WITH CONGRESS, TO REPEAL: BOTH - THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT, and DON`T ASK DON`T TELL !

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Papi007 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:54:00 GMT

For Everyone, Please do not respond to "HeterobyGod", he is a negative person that just needs some positive light in his life. He/She is craving negative attention, do not fall for it. No matter your creed, Relationship with God, or Religion, it should be based on Love and treating your neighbor respectively. I am a Proud Woman and a Proud Soldier. Thank you for reading my comment prior. I sent it to Stars and Stripes and President Barack Obama. Hopefully it will work. Many Blessings all...SSG Stacy Adams<3

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

EagleMan — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:40:56 GMT

Bah.. I hope Obama gets around to actually doing all this stuff.. People get used to this fast once the law is actually there (or removed likewise). Interracial marriage was banned once, and people used the exact same reasons they do now against gay marriage (whether it's religion, tradition, the children etc.), it just seems so stupid when you look at it in hindsight like this.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

summer1216 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:25:08 GMT

Why is it so out-of-bounds for Obama's administration to say that Obama still believes everything he said in the campaign but he’s had to deal with other pressing issues? There is only so much political capital to go around, and although the Admin has a 60-vote majority, many of those are firm moderates or even retro conservatives who will have to be wooed. Clearly, they can be overwhelmed. They will need to be educated and cajoled for each major vote. With Health Care, a Supreme Court nomination and some economic regulation to push through, I absolutely think the Administration can be supported if it prioritizes the inflammatory issues that it deals with. I don't think that implies ANY lessening of commitment to the gay community. Just a realistic assessment of how much can be bitten off by the edges of the democratic congressional majorities at any one time.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

teddyo — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:14:37 GMT

gay's will never leave, who are they going to go to the repubs ? with all of there hate they want the gay comm. dead.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Baeritone — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:43:33 GMT

You've got to be kidding. Taking gay people for granted is tantamount to daring us to leave.

You shouldn't be so sure we won't. Most gays are two things the Democratic Party should fear:

1. Fiscally conservative, and

2. Grudge holding. To the point of cattiness.

It's time for a new party anyway. Just because it hasn't been done successfully in a long time doesn't mean it shouldn't be done.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

ericsoka — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:10:32 GMT

This is ridiclous. Does the gay community think that President Obama has nothing else on his plate, but gay marriage, and if gays can serve openly in the military? I realize that these subjects are important to them, but COME ON people. There are so many more critical things going on right now in this world besides GAY ISSUES!

How about IRAN, NORTH KOREA, ECONOMY, HEALTHCARE, ENERGY, CLIMATE CONTROL, IMMIGRATION!

I am not gay, but have a couple of friends who are and they both hope President Obama addresses their issues soon, but do understand that there may be more pressing items in the short run.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

cheflito — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:53:02 GMT

Last week, I went to a school supply store and bought a bunch of cute-y stickers, to cover all the Obama stickers in my apartment. I am gay and I already left the Obama campaign! I also took my name out of MoveOn, which after consolidating with the Obama campaign last year, now became its regular mouthpiece.

The gay community maybe small in numbers compared to the other groups, like the Latinos which are now being courted by both parties for their sheer numbers. But the community is much bigger in terms of other resources and we are a lot more passionate about issues and doing something about them. Perhaps it's about time we act as a strong voting bloc and truly support an independent candidate. We've proven our strength during the Obama campaign - that was a good test. It's now time to truly flex our muscles - both figuratively and literally (after all most gays go to the gyms too!)

This token memo is really just a token move for Obama, afraid to lose money for an upcoming fundraising event. He thinks the gays are only good for the size of its pockets and can easly be appeased. Just like many other straight people (including those who wrote here), he thinks our needs and concerns are so unimportant in the bigger scheme of things. But we are talking here of our human rights, our demand to be treated equally (Equal rights, no more, no less, dammit!), and our needs and rights are as important as those of the striaghts, the blacks, whites, and Latinos, etc.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

alaskan_spud — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:57:10 GMT

Ericoka- Although you make a valid point, realize that gays provide critical rates in every branch of the military. We've lost over 200 interpreters who are fluent in Middle Eastern dialects (Farsi, mainly), due to the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. Many nuclear operators for submarines and aircraft carriers would be forced to leave the military under this ridiculous, archaic policy, and we're ALREADY running short on qualified nuclear operators. Gay commissioned officers have been in the news lately as well, trying to remain in the military with a government that doesn't want them.

How can we effectively prevent more conflicts with Iran and North Korea if our military is destroying itself from the inside out? This is a VERY pressing issue.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

jhbarnett — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:26:38 GMT

To denjef, thanks for your compliment. I didn't think you sounded "one issue." I'm frustrated, too, believe me. My neighbors I'm sure would welcome a night off from my standing in front of the TV screaming at the latest stupidity from the right, the left, or in-between (but mostly the right).

The language and arguments in the DOMA briefing *are* insulting. There is plenty of reason to be angry. And like Holly Bailey's article from earlier today, I, too, can't help but wonder--is this Obama talking? Is this the DOJ? Does Obama have influence over the DOJ? Should he, or should that be a neutral, civil service function? (Assuming civil service can be neutral.)

I'm just trying to look at this in the long term and not throw up (my hands or otherwise) in disgust everytime something goes awry. There are so many things we all want out of this administration after having been ignored for so long (and not just for eight years). I am trying to acquire some patience in midlife and deal with the reality that, as this comment section indicates, it's a big country with some widely varying (and occasionally quite hate-filled and ignorant) opinions on most matters. We are all going to have to find a way to get along and live together--otherwise, then we've failed and need to start looking at a different model for living and governing. Which I'm not opposed to!

To rousing colt--hear, hear! on several points. I couldn't agree more about the whole issue being handled poorly by both sides. Speaking solely from the gay perspective, I was struck a couple of years ago when I heard an activist say that gay marriage was the most important issue facing the gay and lesbian community. Really?! I would have thought equal protection in housing, employment, accommodation, assembly, etc., along with protecting the right to private sexual behavior among consenting adults would have ranked a might higher. I've always thought the marriage argument was a hard sell in a country that can't even get used to the idea that we have sex, let alone fall in love, with one another. Now everyone's locked in mortal combat over the matter, whether it's the most important issue or not. Would domestic partnership--or making a clear distinction between legal marriage and religious marriage--have been so wrong as a starting place? I don't know that it had to happen this way.

To TimothyDDwyer9--I love your suggestion. Investigate who wrote the offensive DOMA brief and fire their butts.

So much for my midlife patience . . .

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Butterfly Mage — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:12:43 GMT

I am cynical enough to have been 90% sure that Obama would betray us. Apparently I didn't even have to wait a year for him to forget all of his promises to the gay community.

-- Don't Ask Don't Tell: Obama forgot all about this promise.

-- DOMA: Comparing homosexuality to incest?! I'm still trying to get the knife out of my back.

-- Civil Unions? He hasn't said a single word about it since January 20, 2009.

-- The "memo": Please. It doesn't even give same-same sex couples access to medical insurance. It's just a piece of paper that means nothing.

If the gay community had stayed home last November, McCain would have gotten elected President. Obama's margin of victory just wasn't that high. And although the gay community certainly won't vote Republican, that doesn't mean we have to vote for Obama in 2012 either.

I am so sick of being lied to and betrayed. Clinton did it first (the architect of DOMA and DADT). And Obama seems to be just fine with stepping on the necks of the people who voted for him in good conscience.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

jimbo3800 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:20:09 GMT

SithDave - please, please, please, whatever you do, please stay in Canada and never come to the US. We need far less like you and far more like me.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Wingnutasaurus — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:29:07 GMT

Posted By: jimbo3800 (June 18, 2009 at 7:20 PM)

"SithDave - please, please, please, whatever you do, please stay in Canada and never come to the US. We need far less like you and far more like me. "

Why do you think America need more inbred, homophobic, hillbilly douchebags? We have plenty of those.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

whizzkid43 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:00:40 GMT

Who cares if he wins them back? Actually the gays will suffer a backlash from the rest of the nation if they keep up this incessant whining about marriage. We have people getting homes foreclosed, people who can't get health care. I find that far more important for Obama to be working on than whether some gays can get their freak on!! If you want to marry move to the six states that will let you. Move to Canada! Also what alternative do you all have without Obama. The Republicans sure as heck aren't going to fight for gay rights. Get real!

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

whizzkid43 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:02:48 GMT

If the gay community had stayed home and not voted on election night, he still would have won as he won by a LANDSLIDE!!! Don't overestimate your importance to his campaign or the Democratic party.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

GREGPARKER77 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:43:19 GMT

Why does everything have to be "gay"? Do we have a "gay economy"? Do we have "gay unemployment"? Maybe Obama should just focus on PEOPLE and let it go at that.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

I'm all in — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:58:36 GMT

No the Gays are flocking to the Republican Party. I've heard the gays have already infiltrated the KKK and the Neo-Nazis. Is nothing sacred?

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

I'm all in — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:02:25 GMT

The Democratic Party is the only hope at present for fair treatment of Gays and Lesbians. Would they want president Obama to assure his own relection defeat by pushing legislation that the majority of voters is against? Slow and steady wins the race. Look for changes in the second 4 years.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

ancienthistorylover — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:47:33 GMT

President Obama does care about Gay rights.,the gay community should be "PATIENT" , the gay community's issues ARE-NOT more important than, the Economy, Healthcare, 2 Wars, Korea, Iran,etc., The gay community is acting like bullys trying to intimidate President Obama to do what the gays want him to do, as if the Gay Community comes first! If President Obama looses's the gay community it's not his fault, it will be their fault, and their lost...remember Gay community, that "PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE". The gay community will get what they want & deserve from President Obama, i am confident Obama will keep his campaign promises to the gays., as well as, keep all his campaign promises.GIVE HIM A CHANCE,HE"S ONLY BEEN IN OFFICE "5" MONTHS.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

ancienthistorylover — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:50:18 GMT

Well said "whizzkid43" your comments are very well said!!!

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

sieg6529 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:41:03 GMT

Grouping same sex relationships with incest, pedophilia, or bestiality is foolish because those are forms of abuse. same-sex relationships are between consenting adults.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

Larry11215 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:34:08 GMT

The Democrats know that gay people (there is no such thing as a "gay community") do not have any alternative than to vote Democrat. They have heretofore been banking on the Hispanic vote as well, but are finding that a large portion of the Hispanic community has deeply ingrained homophobia as part of its culture, and there is a threat that they swing Republican. Obama knows he won't lose the gays who have no alternative and he has to make himself look less gay friendly to keep the Hispanics on board.

re: Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?

bojack27 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:29:53 GMT

Posted By: sieg6529 (June 25, 2009 at 9:41 AM)

Grouping same sex relationships with incest, pedophilia, or bestiality is foolish because those are forms of abuse. same-sex relationships are between consenting adults.

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It isn't foolish this is how they are grouped in the bible in Leviticus all of them are abominations!