Itâs that time of the week, when Queerty takes a break from the opinion-making and puts you, the readers, in charge. Each Friday, we invite you to be the pundit on a hot-button question facing the LGBT community and its allies. As always, we expect people to be respectful and considerate of others by refraining from personal attacks. We present the information, you make the decision.
If thereâs one thing at which the new President excels, itâs lofty rhetoric. Previous speeches have solved racism, the divisiveness in our country and empowered every American to be the change they believe in, so the bar for Tuesdayâs inauguration speech is set stratospherically high. Swedish betting site Betsson is taking wagers on what words heâll include. Most likely: the United States of America, change, world, economy, God bless America and recession. Least likely: Peru, Zapatero, Angela Merkel, Jan Peter Balkenende, Matti Vanhanen (Finnish Prime Minister) and GyĂ
âzike.
We suspect Michelle Malkin expects Obama to put a turban on his head, give his wife a fist-bump and command us to prey to Mecca; Andrew Sullivan is just hoping Obama winks at him.
It is one of the most anticipated speeches in American history, but is it going to be an uplifting hopeariffic change-a-thon, or is Obama going to get down to brass tacks and explain how heâs going to avert the apocalypse in specific terms? Will the gays get a shout-out? Will the puppy? Will Lincoln?
So tell us, oh wise Queerty readers, what is Obama going to say? And, more importantly, what do you want him to say?
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Matt
He is going to say a lot about nothing. I’m going with vague generalities that won’t cause him to be committed 100% to anything.
Paul Raposo
And, more importantly, what do you want him to say?
I said a hip hop the hippie the hippie
To the hip hip hop, a you don’t stop
The rock it to the bang bang boogie say up jumped the boogie
To the rhythm of the boogie, the beat
DMAKron
Paul Raposo – Ugh. just ugh.
As for my two pennies, I think the speech will be peppered with the hope-arriffic language he is infamous for but we will also see outlines, open deadlines and other more substantive language about his agenda. He has been softening up his detractors and his enemies and honoring those who can be swayed to his side since elected. Now comes the action call.
Trenton
“And to my daughters, who have taken such good care of our Puppy, Mr. Ruffles…You’ve earned that trained mongoose.”
Fausto Fernos
I like how he weaved MLK catchphrases “I have a dream” and a Raisin in the Sun “What happens to a dream deferred…” during his Democratic conference speech.
I have the audacity of hope that this time around he weaves song lyrics from the Black Eyed Peas and Stevie Wonder into the historic speech. “Lets Get it Started!”
John in CA
Of course, the gays will get their usual token mention.
Obama likes to use the laundry list method. He’ll make some vague, lofty statement about “unity” or “hope,” and then launch into a long list of shout outs to various constituencies. Such statements present the illusion of being inclusive without actually committing him to doing anything.
And we might as well enjoy the gospel show for what it is. A gaudy and theatrical production of epic proportions. Heavy on symbolism. Low on specifics. We’re talking about 150 million dollars worth of hopeful rethoric, bishops, and miltary bands.
Christian
It seems to me, guys, that you are finally getting wise about Obama (sigh of relief).
Giovanni
“It seems to me, guys, that you are finally getting wise about Obama (sigh of relief).”
It must suck to be so cynical especially during a time like this. I feel for you.
Delores Mouton
Praise his “Holy Name” BanackalaObama is the Hebrews word for “economical black peoplicals” and this mean
he will print money and give out so much money, aman, to whur, we can be like Jesus (and them) and “g0 and sell all you ignunce to the poor”
LOL
oh pleAEaSE
John from England(used to be just John but there are other John's)
You can never win the gays! Best let them be!
Obama, just contnue in doing what your are doing and that’s unravelling the free market mess that the US has pushed on the global economy since Bush came into power.
Like I say to our dear old editor Japhy when he gets the most irrational and non sensical arguments directed at him because he shares an opinion that is is not liked, ignore, ignore, ignore.
I’m actually really envious about your green policy and medicare initiative…sigh..we’re getting a right wing govt in next term despite this financial crisis is all their fault with the privatisation of everything and the giving of mortgages to people who couldn’t afford it!?
But I’m loosing sight, Obama IS the anti-christ.
Ahem.
GJR
You know, this may not be popular but I feel encouraged that Gene Robinson will be doing the invocation today. Does it make up for Warren? No. But it does show that our pressure on Obama worked, he felt a need to make some concessions, tried multiple ways to make the GLBT community better. Also I think Robinson WILL be a good advocate for us, I think he will stand up and keep Obama accountable. Look, Obama is the best hope we have now. On paper he’s promised more than Clinton did. We sure as hell will do better under Obama than McCain.
But nice things on paper are exactly that. With McClurkin and Warren, he’s used up his credits as far as I’m concerned. I will believe he will enact positive change for his community when he actually does. Nice speeches are enough. But we’ve shown that pressure works. Nobody, I repeat NOBODY, is going to easily hand us our rights. It’s easier politically not to and we’ve seen that even minority groups at times feel we are less entitled to fundamental rights than they are. So I will wait and see with Obama but I am hopeful. I see he has taken some positive steps and I see Gene Robinson to be a positive force in making change happen.
However, in the future, when I’m urged to donate to great candidates and causes, when I’m asked to phone bank or knock on doors, my first allegiance will be putting my time and efforts into things like defeating Prop 8 (live in Connecticut but am from California) and working to enact the things Obama has promised to our community. Time to look out for ourselves first and use our time and donations accordingly. And step 1 is talking to your gay and lesbian friends who “don’t do” politics and explain that this DOES involve them, they need to get off their asses so all of our community can have the rights it deserves.
JJJJ
No. They’re just not silly starry-eyed boobs like you, Giovanni. They understand Obama is a politician, no better nor worse than any other.
GJR
Of course, HBO conveniently ommited Rev. Gene Robinson from their program. So much for “making up” for Warren. It’s ok if they have a fag there, just so they don’t actually show him on TV.
GJR
My email to HBO:
I was extremely disappointed that HBO chose to omit the speech given by Rev. Gene Robinson at the Obama Inaugural Celebration. It was a very important moment, an openly gay bishop speaking at an inaugural event. But HBO took the cowardly route and chose to omit that part from its programming. Having someone who is gay is not ok unless you can profit from it in your programming. In terms of real life, HBO corporation is cowardly and afraid of controversy. I will be canceling HBO in my household and be posting on several forums asking others to do the same.
John from England(used to be just John but there are other John's)
@GJR:
Well, we didn’t see it in the UK….
:/
NJ Guy
Obama should read the Constitution word for word and then walk away. Nothing before, nothing after. That is the best thing that could happen to our Nation.
Geoff Staples
Obama should simply tell the truth and say, “I don’t give a rat’s ass about gay people. I’m not going to give them ‘special rights’. The sooner they go to the back of the bus and shut up, the sooner we can get to work on problems that affect real Americans.”
vewayswotte
I am planning a trip with my wife to Croatia next summer,
and looking for a company that rents apartments
on Cratian island Hvar.
Does anybody have any experience with Croatian travel agencies?
sparkle obama
testing
sparkle obama
i’m trying to post the text of obama’s speech, but i am unable to do so!
Moniboniz
Hello… đ
Nadia Valdez
Politics is a game. Obama didn’t get to where he is at without playing that game really well. You also don’t raise the amount of money that he did without owing someone something.
He’s doing what he has to do to possibly get a second term. In his second term, he’ll have nothing to lose then he will move forward with his agenda more decisively.
Right now, he needs everyone he can get on his side to deal with our economy and health care… unfortunately, that means taking no stance on same-sex marriage. And for me, I think he’s right that our economy, health care and an end to the war is more important.
It’s the one thing, my partner and I differ on. But, that’s a good thing to have differences. But he can’t keep ignoring stories like this couple (http://ourscenetv.com/main/2009/06/09/gay-marriage-before-after-prop-8-one-couple-s-story) forever.
“I have little patience with scientists who take a board of wood, look for its thinnest part, and drill a great number of holes where drilling is easy.” ~Einstien
We are far from finding the thinnest part, but like Einstien our patience and persistence will get us there.