Why is it implied here that it’s natural to be homophobic as long as you can assume that all the gay people in question are white, and that if the black population realised that “hey LGBT people can be black too!” that somehow makes LGBT equality more palatable?
I hope this is speculation and not a true reflection of how the black population of the US thinks, otherwise all those lessons from history about intolerance and outgroup thinking were wasted.
Lovely speech. But as we all know talk is cheap. I want to see an immediate halt to the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy and for LGBT people to be allowed serve in the US Army. I want immediate action to repeal the Defence of Marriage Act. And I was to see Obama support equal access to marriage for LGBT people at a federal level. That’s pretty reasonable.
Obama will be judged on his actions and not his words. I would be very wary of voting for him unless he has taken specific action on the issues above come re-election time.
I find it a bit rich Obama preaching to the NAACP about inequality and discrimination towards LGBT people. He doesn’t even believe in same-sex marriage but prefers federally sanctioned sexual apartheid in the form of civil unions, other words, legal segregation for an entire group of people, set apart from the rest of society. Nice try Obama, but no thanks.
I think what the people above meant was that while Obama said:
“If elected, I would call on Congress to enact legislation that would repeal DOMA”
But as soon as he’s elected, Obama has instructed his Dept of Justice to defend in court DOMA against a gay couple who seek marriage and its subsequent 1000+ benefits afforded to straight couples.
DoJ spokeswoman in sfgate:
“The president has said he wants to see a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act because it prevents LGBT couples from being granted equal rights and benefits. However, until Congress passes legislation repealing the law, the administration will continue to defend the statute when it is challenged in the justice system.”
I’m sure there’s been times when the US Armed Forces have retained a known gay man or lesbian for their own reasons, and later discharged them. If so these are cases that set precedent that could be cited.
#PS we’ve got yet another dating troll. They’re as difficult to eradicate as rats and less attractive
All these people criticising Obama for what he said should stop to think that here he was talking to an audience that’s NOT normally very gay-friendly. The fact that he brings up this issue is very meaningful and it’s not just a convenient political speech as you could consider a similar statement made to an LGBT audience.
Obama has taken a cautious approach to achieve his political goals which include repeal of DOMA and DADT as well as recognition of civil unions across the country. As a shrewd politician, I think he has a plan for the best way to get what he sets out to get. He’s trying not to anger conservatives or cause a rift by appearing to act too authoritatively through his position, choosing to promote political change through the democratic political process which includes going through Congress.
Should I remind you that Bill Clinton’s attempt to swiftly impose pro-gay legislation early in his presidency is what left us with laws such as DOMA and DADT?
Simon: “Obama will be judged on his actions and not his words” — I think that’s specifically what he’s asked for.
valerio:
Six months in and he’s done nothing (sorry, he has ensured that the Justice Dept defended DOMA in homophobic tones).
Discussion by Congress of his Health Care proposal is postponed until after the recess, and if that goes down in flames (and it was a principal of his manefesto) he could well find himself tied up in political horsetrading, and our rights could be traded off!
He has just over two years max before he starts campaigning for a second term, and the economy is still down the toilet. Where is he likely to focus his energy?
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By our gay brothers and sisters, still taunted, still attacked, still denied their rights,” well said Mr President!!!!!
Oh – NOW Obama wants to support us? Then why did he SIGN the Defense of Marriage Act?! He’s a traitor, and just another politician.
wait until you are trying to get us equality before telling others to obama.
@Clint Jensen
Huh? DOMA was enacted in 1996 when Obama wasn’t even in the US Senate, how could he have signed it?
“Huh? DOMA was enacted in 1996 when Obama wasn’t even in the US Senate, how could he have signed it?”
I was thinking the same thing, that was Bill Clinton’s handy work!
Although, legal paperwork was filed recently defending DOMA in rather strong (and offensive) terms
Why is it implied here that it’s natural to be homophobic as long as you can assume that all the gay people in question are white, and that if the black population realised that “hey LGBT people can be black too!” that somehow makes LGBT equality more palatable?
I hope this is speculation and not a true reflection of how the black population of the US thinks, otherwise all those lessons from history about intolerance and outgroup thinking were wasted.
Lovely speech. But as we all know talk is cheap. I want to see an immediate halt to the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy and for LGBT people to be allowed serve in the US Army. I want immediate action to repeal the Defence of Marriage Act. And I was to see Obama support equal access to marriage for LGBT people at a federal level. That’s pretty reasonable.
Obama will be judged on his actions and not his words. I would be very wary of voting for him unless he has taken specific action on the issues above come re-election time.
I find it a bit rich Obama preaching to the NAACP about inequality and discrimination towards LGBT people. He doesn’t even believe in same-sex marriage but prefers federally sanctioned sexual apartheid in the form of civil unions, other words, legal segregation for an entire group of people, set apart from the rest of society. Nice try Obama, but no thanks.
I think what the people above meant was that while Obama said:
“If elected, I would call on Congress to enact legislation that would repeal DOMA”
But as soon as he’s elected, Obama has instructed his Dept of Justice to defend in court DOMA against a gay couple who seek marriage and its subsequent 1000+ benefits afforded to straight couples.
DoJ spokeswoman in sfgate:
“The president has said he wants to see a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act because it prevents LGBT couples from being granted equal rights and benefits. However, until Congress passes legislation repealing the law, the administration will continue to defend the statute when it is challenged in the justice system.”
I’m sure there’s been times when the US Armed Forces have retained a known gay man or lesbian for their own reasons, and later discharged them. If so these are cases that set precedent that could be cited.
#PS we’ve got yet another dating troll. They’re as difficult to eradicate as rats and less attractive
All these people criticising Obama for what he said should stop to think that here he was talking to an audience that’s NOT normally very gay-friendly. The fact that he brings up this issue is very meaningful and it’s not just a convenient political speech as you could consider a similar statement made to an LGBT audience.
Obama has taken a cautious approach to achieve his political goals which include repeal of DOMA and DADT as well as recognition of civil unions across the country. As a shrewd politician, I think he has a plan for the best way to get what he sets out to get. He’s trying not to anger conservatives or cause a rift by appearing to act too authoritatively through his position, choosing to promote political change through the democratic political process which includes going through Congress.
Should I remind you that Bill Clinton’s attempt to swiftly impose pro-gay legislation early in his presidency is what left us with laws such as DOMA and DADT?
Simon: “Obama will be judged on his actions and not his words” — I think that’s specifically what he’s asked for.
valerio:
Six months in and he’s done nothing (sorry, he has ensured that the Justice Dept defended DOMA in homophobic tones).
Discussion by Congress of his Health Care proposal is postponed until after the recess, and if that goes down in flames (and it was a principal of his manefesto) he could well find himself tied up in political horsetrading, and our rights could be traded off!
He has just over two years max before he starts campaigning for a second term, and the economy is still down the toilet. Where is he likely to focus his energy?