Little traction on DADT repeal
(Washington) President Barack Obama’s national security adviser says there has been “preliminary” discussion on allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.
But retired Marine Gen. James Jones said that it uncertain whether “don’t ask, don’t tell” will be overturned, even though Obama has said he wants it eliminated.
Jones, …
With Gay Issues in View, Obama Is Pressed to Engage
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.
In the words of David Mixner, a writer, gay activists are beginning to wonder, “How much longer do we give him the benefit of the doubt?” Last weekend, Richard Socarides, who advised President Bill Clinton on gay issues, published an opinion piece in The Washington Post headlined, “Where’s our fierce advocate?”
The White House, aware of the discontent, invited leaders of some prominent gay rights organizations to meet Monday with top officials, including Jim Messina, Mr. Obama’s deputy chief of staff, to plot legislative strategy on the hate crimes bill as well as “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Among those attending was Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, who said afterward that while the gay rights agenda might not be “unfolding exactly as we thought,” he was pleased. See With Gay Issues in View, Obama Is Pressed to Engage New York Times -* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Gay families take part in WH Easter Egg Roll
(Washington) President Barack Obama welcomed thousands of children and families to the White House Easter Egg Roll Monday, calling it “one of the greatest White House traditions.”
Obama and his wife, Michelle, appeared with on a balcony overlooking the South Lawn where thousands of children and families took a break from …
Obama appoints two to fed. appeals courts
(Washington) President Barack Obama plans to nominate a federal judge from Maryland and another from New York to serve on U.S. appeals courts, changing the political balance of both courts, officials said Thursday.
The Maryland judge, Andre Davis, would serve on the Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals if confirmed …
Ask Barack about gay issues
(Washington) President Barack Obama will hold an online town hall-style meeting on the White House’s Web site on Thursday.
The White House said Obama will answer questions at WhiteHouse.gov. Visitors to the Web site can determine what questions the president will answer.
While most of the questions are expected to …
Obama begins to reshape bench
(Washington) President Barack Obama nominated a moderate Indiana judge Tuesday to serve on a Midwestern federal appeals court, his first step toward reshaping the federal judiciary and preparing for a possible Supreme Court opening.
The White House chose U.S. District Judge David Hamilton of Indiana for the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit …
Gay man to direct national AIDS policy
(Washington) President Barrack Obama on Thursday named Jeffrey S. Crowley, Senior Research Scholar at Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute, to be director of the Office of National AIDS Policy.
“Jeffrey Crowley brings the experience and expertise that will help our nation address the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis and help my administration develop …
Bid for gay commerce secretary ignored
(Washington) President Barack Obama on Wednesday named former Washington governor Gary Locke to head the Commerce Department, ignoring a grassroots effort by an LGBT group to have an openly gay man nominated for the job.
Equal Rep had been pressing to have Fred Hochberg appointed as Commerce Secretary.
After Obama’s first choice, …
Obama expected to name DuBois to faith office
(Washington) President Barack Obama has chosen Joshua DuBois to lead his White House-based effort to steer federal social service dollars to religious charities and get them more involved in government anti-poverty efforts.
DuBois, a political strategist who was religious affairs director in the Obama campaign, will head the President’s Council for …
Lesbian prof invited on Obama whistle stop tour
(Washington) President-elect Barack Obama has invited a group of “everyday Americans” to join him and Vice President-elect Joe Biden on their Whistle Stop Tour to the nation’s capital on the Saturday before Inauguration Day.
Obama’s presidential inaugural committee announced the plans for the Philadelphia-to-Washington train ride on Wednesday, adding another element …
