In his first meeting with a single member of the LGBT press since being elected, President Barack Obama dropped this doozy of a message: he’s “evolving” his views on gay marriage. What, no applause from the Human Rights Campaign?
“I have been to this point unwilling to sign on to same-sex marriage primarily because of my understandings of the traditional definitions of marriage,” said Obama this week. “But I also think you’re right that attitudes evolve, including mine. And I think that it is an issue that I wrestle with and think about because I have a whole host of friends who are in gay partnerships. I have staff members who are in committed, monogamous relationships, who are raising children, who are wonderful parents. And I care about them deeply. And so while I’m not prepared to reverse myself here, sitting in the Roosevelt Room at 3:30 in the afternoon, I think it’s fair to say that it’s something that I think a lot about. That’s probably the best you’ll do out of me today.”
Wowza is right. The man who lets Republicans off the hook by letting them say they have the same views on gays getting married (read: don’t let them) as the sitting Democratic president is now testing the waters to see how full support of marriage equality might pan out. And yet, not a peep out of Gay Inc., notes Kerry Eleveld.
The silence from HRC is especially surprising, given Joe Solmonese and David Smith’s willingness to forgive any Democratic misstep, and cheerlead even their smallest and sometimes trivial LGBT “accomplishments.” And given Gay Inc.’s single greatest skill — issuing press releases — you’d expect these groups could at least charge an intern with being like, “Three cheers for Obama! Keep it up!”
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.
But no. Rather than use their (overestimated) abilities to influence public opinion, groups like HRC — which insists its core mission to to enact change on a federal level — are sitting this one out. Surprising? No. Appalling? Pretty much.
jon
He was for it before when he was in the IL Senate. So it’s not surprising at all. He gets it, he just doesn’t want to piss off some ppl that wouldn’t vote for him anyways. Ugh…An Obama with balls would be nice.
gayfamilyvalues
what Obama lacks is real balls to lead….I dont care that he says “evolving his views on gay marriage” He has lost my respect when it comes to GLBTQ people. DADT AND DOMA are real issues to Gay people. Obama hasnt done anything but take the easy way out. Why do we care if our president supports us in words when he wont in action?
UMB
Had they done so Queerty would have criticized HRC for “cheerleading” Obama for not actually doing anything (still).
Mark
Obama can kiss my gay ass. He is a slimy, opportunistic career politician without and backbone or principles. He brings the office of the POTUS into disrepute.
Chris
@Mark – you’re an idiot. Obama is the most pro-LGBT president in the history of the U.S. He has pushed through historic legislation for our community and important legislation for our country.
No doubt, he has bungled DADT repeal pretty seriously. But that doesn’t make him opportunistic or spineless. Once you get over being dissapointed that he can’t walk on water or create change with the wave of a wand, you (and the small number of idiots like you) will likely see that. Let’s just hope it’s not too late.
ron
@Chris: What’s with the name-calling? There’re plenty of ways to have an adult conversation on Obama and his laissez-faire attitude toward gay issues without resorting to infantile schoolyard tactics. Just saying….
Ian
@ron: My guess is some posters are still adjusting to the taking away of the oft passive-aggressively used thumbs-up/thumbs-down clicker. I’m quite happy to see it gone, no one’s comment in terms of free speech should be placed up for popular vote. If somethings is PARTICULARLY nasty it can always be flagged at any rate.
Chris
@Ron – fair point.
VOTE YOU
Vote 2010
We only have one choice, we must tough it out and keep the pressure on.
Obama 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMI3CQZazH0
Mark
@Chris: you say: ”
Obama is the most pro-LGBT president in the history of the U.S.”
Considering how useless his predecessors were, that’s hardly a compliment.
He’s defending DADT, DOMA, ENDA is dead, he opposes marriage equality.
He’s rubbish.
And because the political system in the US is designed so that only 2 parties can exist (and both parties are entirely in the pockets of the corporations) nothing will change.
I’ll vote Green. I refuse to vote for the ‘lesser’ of 2 evils.
the crustybastard
@VOTE YOU:
SCREW you.
Mark
@voteyou: you say: “Vote 2010. We only have one choice”
So you accept that the US is not really a democracy if the ONLY choice we have is for a lame-assed, opportunistic idiot like Obama and his lame-assed opportunistic party, who have failed MISERABLY on delivering on his promises.
I really fail to see why these absurd ‘Oh the Republicans are so much worse than the Democrats, so you have to vote Democrat’ is meant to inspire anyone to vote, when you consider what a dismal failure Obama has been.
Democracy is dead. Deal with it.
Mark
When is the US going to get a proportional representation system of voting instead of the laughably primitive system we currently have?
NEVER.
That would be against the interests of the Dems and Reps (and big business – who really control this country) so it will NEVER happen.
reason
@ron: Although I agree with your point, it is interesting that you called him out but remained silent as people called the president “slimy,” immoral, spineless, refer to his genitalia, and insinuate having him perform sexual acts on them. It is repulsive, people can talk about policy with out attacking the presidents character. It is like the community adopted the tactics of the bullies that are leading GBLT children to suicide. To many people in this community are not deserving of any type of respect.
reason
The president is trying to maneuver legislation in a hostile climate, and of course like the democrat president before him his supposed “allies” that are make the demands are no where to be seen. They are to busy crying and demeaning instead of fighting to get things done. Why the tea party was scouring the democrats and spiting in their faces where were the progressive? No where to be seen, then they complain after the administration bloodily cross the finish line alone becuase they did get what they wanted. Well you didn’t get it becuase you didn’t work for it. Apparently some of the people that want to benefit form the party are as lazy as the republicans say they are. Sorry to tell you but voting is just the beginning, the signing up to enroll in the class; well after signing up if you park your tail on the couch at home with your feet up, don’t be surprised when you have all F’s at the end of the semester. Then you blame the teacher saying I am the reason your hired, my tuition is paying your salary? It takes years of continuous commitment of a teacher and a student to successfully educate an individual. Well it takes years of the continuous commitment of a voter and an elected official to bring about progressive change.
David Kaufman
@reason
Seriously!
tjr101
It’s so funny hearing people say they’ll vote Green on principle and then complain the next 2, 4, or 6 years after when they get nothing but Republican policies.
AndrewW
The President seemed more supportive before the heckling and protesting and other childish stunts.
To me, he sounds kinda pissed off at us. Who did that?
Brian Miller
More empty words from the empty suit in Washington.
He was handed unprecedented political power on a silver platter, entering office with a filibuster-proof Senate majority and total domination of the House.
His record is one of unmitigated failure. His apologists are legion, and equally pathetic. Who cares what he says? He should be evaluated based on his record — his actual actions.
And guess what? Those actions are identical to the Bush administration’s on the issues that matter to the LGBT populace — military service and marriage equality.
That’s all that matters.
Ian
@Brian Miller: I completely agree, just because he’s a democrat doesn’t mean to blindly follow. These days BOTH parties equally suck, and I’m not going to say it’s better to be ignored by the (D)’s than yelled at by the (R)’s.
JOTR
HRC’s single greatest skill is throwing cocktail parties. Issuing hollow press releases comes in second.
Jimmy Fury
The HRC was too busy sending out a mass e-mail that basically claimed they were entirely responsible for Clint McCance’s resignation.
DR
Oh that’s right, there’s an election tomorrow with big Dem losses predicted. No wonder he acts like he’s changing his views.
the crustybastard
@tjr101 wrote It’s so funny hearing people say they’ll vote Green on principle and then complain the next 2, 4, or 6 years after when they get nothing but Republican policies.
Yeah, that’s almost as funny as hearing about people who voted for “change you can believe in” who then got nothing but more Republican policies.
You may choose to frame the two-party politics equation as “us versus them.” If so, you’ve sorta missed the fact you’re not actually part of their “us,” pal.
tjr101
@the crustybastard: Tell the right- wingers about the Republican policies we’ve been getting and they will most certainly laugh as well. If you were hoping for the “change you can believe in” in 18 months time I’m sorry you’re disappointed.
Boston Lesbian
Obama couldn’t keep his promises to GLBT americans, what makes you think his hints mean anything? Obama has done nothing for us. He is a spineless and useless panderer who lacks any courage or integrity.
ActivistBoi
@AndrewW: I did!
Merlyn
He could have not had his DOJ appeal DADT. That riht there shows me that he doesn’t care about GLBT people. SO excuse me if I don’t jump up and applaud.
OliverB
I know its frustrating that progress is so slow, but all this Obama hating is just ridiculous. It seems fair to assume that privately he is for gay marriage – but he is unable to take a strong pro-gay stance because he, rightly, believes that it would lose him votes from many of the social groups that elected him in the first place. Anyone proposing that they will not vote for Obama in 2012 because they are disillusioned with his LGBT rights record is an idiot. He is involved in such a complex balancing act in terms of voters and issues. I really believe he is an ally operating under very difficult circumstances. I don’t understand why people are so quick to dismiss the complexity of the factors involved in what he says publicly, and ignore the simple fact that even if he wasn’t actively pro-gay we still want him in the White House rather than almost any Republican candidate.