Barack Obama ate his own words responding to the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. when he said the police acted “stupidly” in arrested the prof. He’s since apologized for his language, because it looks bad if the White House calls local police names. So to make things all warm and fuzzy, Obama invited Gatse and James Crowley, the Cambridge police sergeant who arrested him, to the White House to make nice. All over what can be boiled down to a scuffle between a cop and a man who forced his way into his own home. So how come Obama doesn’t open the White House’s doors to another cop-v-civilian encounter — that’s actually rooted in bias?
Gates himself has eschewed any notion that his arrest was based in racial profiling; he says he’s glad the cops were called! Crowley, meanwhile, teaches a police class on race. So from all corners of this event, it appears the whole white v. black issue is, mostly, moot.
But ya know where claims of police arrests based on bias are not dying down? In the case of the Stonewall-style raid of Ft. Worth bar Rainbow Lounge in June. While Gates’ incident resulted in handcuffs and a media storm, the Rainbow Lounge “incident” left Chad Gibson in the hospital with a bleeding brain and weeks of recovery ahead of him. Not exactly apples to apples, is it?
So how come the president isn’t opening his doors to Gibson and the Ft. Worth Police (and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission) so they can have a make-nice pow-wow? Even after both the cops and the TABC admitted wrongdoing?
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.
Perhaps because Gibson isn’t an Ivy League crony of Obama’s. Perhaps because Texas is too far off Obama’s radar. Or perhaps because that would mean Obama would have to involve himself in those gay issues again.
(Thanks, Mark!)
Tom
We all know why. Because him being a “fierce advocate” for gays turned out to be a fierce lie!!!
prissysissy
We know this is Queerty’s mandatory Obama-baiting post of the day, but the logic beyond this is far more dumb than is usual for Queerty.
Obama was asked a question about the Gates incident at a Presser, he put his foot in his mouth while answering that, and now he is trying to extricate himself from this mess by inviting the cop and the prof for a kiss-and-makeup session, hoping that will be the end of it.
Trying to tie this to Obama’s stance on LGBT rights is so tortured that it is incomprehensible. Guys (or bitches, as the case may be), you should really join the “birther” movement. Or Faux news. Or both.
UGH
@prissysissy:
Fuck off prissysissy bitch. Obama has let us down at every turn. To equate the justified disgust at him for his inaction for the LGBT community to the crazy bithers shows your lack of depth, insight and understanding.
reluctant commenter
@prissysissy: You don’t have to read every article literally. I think the point is rhetorical.
Alleyne
Obama knows Skip Gates, and Gates’ attorney, Professor Ogletree, was one of Barack and Michelle’s profs in law school. He has a personal connection to this situation. If he knew Chad Gibson then this might be an analogous situation. Since he doesn’t, it isn’t.
Let’s grasp for a few more straws, shall we?
Michael W.
Wow, that’s quite an abysmal reach even for Queerty.
InExile
Obama did not care about gay during the primary, after the primary, after being sworn in, or today, just more of the same from the Obus. But not to worry, the Obus is also screwing over all Americans by not bringing the Blue Dog democrats into line on health care. Maxine Waters said the problem with the health care debate is Obama is not showing any LEADERSHIP with the Blue Dog democrats. Unfortunately, the gays have the same problem, no LEADERSHIP from the White House on the issues that effect our daily lives. Guess Obama thinks the gays have waited 40 years so they can wait another 40 for civil rights!
Link to the article re: Maxine Waters
http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/07/28/maxine-waters-white-house-wont-put-pressure-on-blue-dogs/
ben
Obama does not care about gays. And with his approval numbers in freefall, Dems are going to lose Congress in 2010 and then he definitely won’t get DADT or DOMA repealed. His opportunity is right now but he won’t take it because he doesn’t care.
James
OK. I’m really confused. We both know if Obama did invite the TABC officers to the White House, you would be having a fit. Also as someone pointed out, Obama knows Gates. He does not know Gibson. Finally, the Cambridge police did act “stupidly” by arresting a guy on his porch, who was not a suspect.
And what this post has to do with the health care debate is beyond me. Yes Inexile. I’m looking at you.
rapport
Queerty, thanks for writing gay news, but I think that some of the stuff you post hurts the cause.
badlydrawnbear
Queerty, as pointed out Obama addressed the issue because he was asked about it at a national press conference. Maybe you should be berating Lynn Sweet for asking the question that started the whole Obama/Gates.
I agree Obama has been abysmal on GLBT issues but going after him like this isn’t help.
InExile
@James: No Leadership on health care and no leadership on gay rights, in fact no leadership on anything!
“Change” does not happen on it’s own.
schlukitz
@InExile:
All it takes to bring the Obamabots swarming out of their nests, is an article like this.
So Obama knows Gates. So what? As the old expression goes, “What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?”
As a person holding the highest office in the land, Obama deliberately chose to stick his nose into a personal civil-matter that was not his concern and in so doing, stirred up a hornets nest. It was a dumb political move for a man with his speech-making ability and suave, sophisticated manner.
@UGH:
I am totally with you on your comment.
Straight Black Girl
I thought we were on the same team. But you fuckers are really pushing my last god damn button.
Gay isn’t the new black. People like you are just fueling the hatred. See if I keep fighting your battles for you. I’ve got my own shit to worry about.
wondermann
@UGH: you are an idiot
wondermann
@InExile: what are you talking about?
James
@schlukitz:
That is not the whole story. Obama was asked at a press conference what he thought about Gates’ arrest. Now you can say he should have said nothing, which is fair, but I don’t think it’s out of bounds to think that arresting a guy in his house, when he’s not a suspect for a crime, is sort of stupid.
James
InExile
@wondermann: What I am talking about is………………….still NOTHING is happening on gay issues. Promises only take you so far, it’s time to see some action and some LEADERSHIP on our issues.
Aaron
Because racial bigotry is clearly wrong in our country and president’s eyes. As it should be. Sadly, bigotry toward GLBT people is not wrong, it’s very debatable in the eyes of most people in this country and certainly in the eyes of our president. It’s masked behind religous beliefs.
Obama dropped Rev Wright like a hot potato for making racially divisive remarks. Conversely, he embraced Rick Warren who clearly used hate speech toward GLBT people.
James
@InExile:
Fair but your complaint started by moaning about Obama’s healthcare performance. But I get it. He has shown no leadership and you are angry.
Billy Jack
Because Obama put his FOOT in it over this Gates thing — and had to clean up his mess. I find this White House issue over a private citizen’s matter to be disgusting.
I find Obama to be disgusting — and like the article says — while he was touting Stonewall 40 cops were cracking skulls in Texas at a public gay establishment dearest Obama said nothing.
I despise Obama – the phoney bitch and his Democratic party of cowardly hypocrites.
Stephen
Because knows what it’s like to be racially profiled. BTW He did not offer any apology to anyone. Republicans are trying to get him to offer an apology for calling the cops stupid. He just used softer words to say what he said during the prime time interview.
Stephen
@Billy Jack: You despise Obama and 3/4 of the country despise us gays. Same difference.
Billy Jack
@Stephen: true. that’s why I must avoid the news.
Antonio
May be coz black is the new black and nobody gives a shit about us LGBT’s. We will never matter in this country. Stories with racial injustice are given airtime for a whole week!! and the president always takes one for the black person, latino or woman. I wish He would equally put himself out there for us. What did we ever do to be ignored like this.
SM
I’m pissed Obama has not declared a month Cop pride month, or straight white month. Screw him.
Eric Holder was the FIRST sitting Attorney General to take the time to testify for legislation before Congress. That legislation was the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act and his testimony was amazing.
Yeah…just fuck that Obama Administration and what they are tryng to do!!!!
TANK
@SM:
Because those have long histories of millions of cops marching and celebrating, you douche.
TANK
And further, you douchebag, it was an entirely token gesture. It advanced nothing. Like basically all of his gestures (including federal employee benefits to DP’s MINUS the only benefit that matters: healthcare). Douche.
schlukitz
No. 14 · Straight Black Girl said:
“I thought we were on the same team. But you fuckers are really pushing my last god damn button.
Gay isn’t the new black. People like you are just fueling the hatred. See if I keep fighting your battles for you. I’ve got my own shit to worry about.”
SM posting under a new user name???
The drill sounds exactly the same.
Ricardo
@Antonio:
What did we ever do to be ignored like this?
donate too much I suppose -letting him think we have nowhere else to vote.
My GayTM is still on OFF until I am no longer living in coically acceptable gay-apartheid in the USA.
schlukitz
@Stephen:
@Billy Jack: You despise Obama and 3/4 of the country despise us gays. Same difference.
Moral of story?
One good turn deserves another!
InExile
@SM: WHAT ARE THEY DOING? WHAT HAVE THEY DONE? NOTHING IS HAPPENING!
schlukitz
@wondermann:
you are an idiot
That’s not an argument.
It’s just an opinion.
schlukitz
@James:
but I don’t think it’s out of bounds to think that arresting a guy in his house
But, that isn’t what happened.
He was asked by Officer Crowley to step outside of his house where the confrontation was witnessed by people who had gathered in front of his house.
That was where he was arrested for making a public distubance.
It’s important to get the facts straight before commenting so that it will have credibility.
schlukitz
@InExile:
I am certain that wondermann understood what you said the first time around.
He is just being his usual contrarian self. ;o)
James
@schlukitz:
You are right. Gates was arrested on his porch. Last time I checked a porch was considered part of the house.
Thanks for the clarification.
James
Carl
Racism is frowned upon and nobody wants to be called a racist or even sexist, but homophobia is acceptable right? I was arguing with my boss about this issue and He said to me.” But it’s in the Bible, Koran, and every religious book out there that homosexuality is wrong. That’s why people don’t care if you call them homophobic.
schlukitz
@Antonio:
What did we ever do to be ignored like this?
We had the audacity to be born gay.
How f*****g rude of us! Like spitting in their eye and biting the hand that feeds us.
InExile
@schlukitz: We also had the audacity to believe democrats were on our side. Nothing is happening.
Hexx
*facepalms at Queerty.*
Antonio
@schlukitz: I am so tired of being treated like trash. If my own Catholic parents still think I have made a lifestyle choice, why would I expect this President to stand up for me.I am this close to moving to europe or somewhere…
schlukitz
@James:
You are right. A porch is, indeed, part of the house.
But, it is NOT inside the house, as you maintained in your original post.
What transpires on a porch, is no longer private and is witnessed by neighbors and passersby, making it a public issue.
If you have trouble grasping that significant difference, I suggest that you stand on your front porch and expose yourself to see how long it will be before an officer of the law comes to your home to arrest you for indecent exposure.
schlukitz
@InExile:
I know, inExile. Shame on us for having been so gullible and trusting.
A fox is a fox…and a chicken is a chicken.
That’s why they should not be in the same hen-house together because we already know who the loser will be.
InExile
@schlukitz: Guess that makes us the chicken. The sneaky, sly, slippery ones always fool us!
schlukitz
@Antonio:
I know exactly how you feel, Antonio. It’s terribly frustrating having so few people on our side who can understand our point of view and how unfair the system is to LGBT people.
All this straight rhetoric and empty promises is enough to make anyone want to turn tail and head the fuck out of here.
But, that is exactly what people like this are hoping for…that we will just give and up and leave.
If we do that, we’ve played right into their hands and they win.
Don’t give up the good fight, Antonio. We all need to hang in there together and beat these pricks at their own game. As another poster so correctly said to me today, we may not get social acceptance, but at least we will have our rights…and that’s all that really matters.
The acceptance can be shoved in a place where the sun doesn’t shine, for all I care. ;o)
Hang in there, Antonio. As a wonderful, married straight friend of mine who I went to grade school with always says to me, “Don’t let the bastards get you down.”
Sage advice, me thinks.
schlukitz
@InExile:
Amen!
schlukitz
@Carl:
That’s all they have to back-up their homophobia and sexism, Carl; some moldy, musty old books to back-up their prejudices.
Pretty flimsy evidence, if you ask me.
wondermann
@InExile: And I get that, but we need our own folks to take up the leadership role too.
wondermann
@schlukitz: No I really didn’t get it
James
@schlukitz:
Are you accusing Gates of exposing himself? You have yet to explain what Gates was arrested for. You made a good point about it being on the porch, but outside of that I’m confused about your argument.
So you see no problem with an officer arresting a guy, on his porch, when he is not a suspect of a crime AND the crowd happens to be other officers? And you know of course that Gates and the woman who made the call have contradicted everything in the officer’s report.
James
InExile
@wondermann: Agreed! Our own people are also giving the Democrats a pass for their inaction. WE need to fight this battle.
Shelby
@James: I know the woman says she didn’t mention race meaning the cops lied, as usual. I am just happy Obama called the cops stupid during prime time TV . It was fu**ng brilliant!. He toned it down afterwords but he did not say sorry. The discussion is alive and that’s good for every ethnic minority in this country.I wish Obama would also take one for us gays.
James
@Shelby:
Shelby,
I think there is a lot of buzz about this case and not that much factual info (and I’m included in that critique). It would be nice if we could spend time on other stuff (DADT comes to mind; why Queerty decided to attach the Gates case to Obama’s dismal performance on gay stuff is beyond me.
RainaWeather
Oh, so much fuckery…
youcanthandlethetruth
Maybe because nobody asked Obama about police harassing homosexuals in a press conference, and he never made an undiplomatic reply?
The fact is President Obama has far more important issues to deal with than the whiny demands of self-pitying homosexuals.
Shelby
@James: Obama stories and race related stories produce hits, and I think there is an element of -Obama stands up for the black guy being treated unfairly but he is not standing up for the gay guy who is always treated unfairly.
youcanthandlethetruth
Shelby how can homosexuals be treated unfairly when they are part of a ‘protected class’ under US law?
Do you guys ever stop whining?
Hillary
@youcanthandlethetruth: Amen. We sound like little kindergarten kids. OHHHH… why are you giving them candy and not us.
Ricardo
@Alleyne:
dipshit — the President of the fucking US shouldn’t be commenting on a non-violent incident even if he knew the assholes involved.
But the shithead DID — he condemned the cops as stupid – then retracted it and apologized (because Obama is a pussy) and then to save face and his falling poll numbers he invites them to a fucking SUMMIT at the White House. Is he the President or Dr. Phil?
I guess he is more a DR. Phil — since all Obama cares about are his ratings and renewal. Disgusting.
schlukitz
@James:
Are you accusing Gates of exposing himself?
Blatant derailing on your behalf. And yes. It’s quite apparent that you ARE confused!
“Read all about it. Black man arrested for creating public disturbance”.
Obviously, this is all too taxing for your mental acuity.
Shelby
@youcanthandlethetruth: We still can’t get married in a ‘gazzilion’ states. We can’t serve openly in the military.We are not invited to worship in a ‘gazzilion’ Churches, mosques, temples. We are despised, called names, beaten and often told we will burn in hell!. How is that for unfair treatment?
InExile
@Ricardo: It’s amazing he wastes taxpayer’s time to hold a mini summit to make himself look good. Oh, I forgot, he is too busy to get to gay rights but this is different!
COCO
@Ricardo: Sorry but He did not apologise to anyone. If he is a pussy then why are you desperate for him to talk about gay issues. Leave him alone. Try to get your rights on your own without this pussy who has been in the office for 8 months. 3/4 of Americans agree with him regarding gay issues.
James
@schlukitz:
Was trying to be fuuny. Didn’t work. I’m done. Kisses to you and yours.
youcanthandlethetruth
@Shelby: Yes you can get married but you have to stick to the rules just like everyone else.
You can’t serve openly in the military but neither can people who don’t meet the other entry requirements re height weight age etc.
You can worship in almost any church I’m aware of but you need to repent of your sins just like everyone else.
You are not necessarily despised, no more so than you despise others who take a principled stand against homosexuality.
And little old ladies also get beaten but don’t have the special hate crime protections that you do.
So stop whining and felling sorry for yourselves
COCO
@Ricardo: If his poll numbers drop then we are also fucked. If he is not popular then he really won’t touch on controversial issues like DADT. So, in short if he’s going down, so are LGBT rights. Even a toddler can figure that out.
InExile
@COCO: You are correct, his poll number are dropping so we need him to move on LGBT issues now. His poll numbers will not be getting better with no new jobs and a floundering economy. Being patient is not smart for us now.
schlukitz
@youcanthandlethetruth:
Do you guys ever stop whining?
Do you ever stop masturbating in front of us?
Max
I think this proves that gay is not the new black. Black is the new black. Nobody gives a rats ass about us. not even my president, but if its a race issue ooooooh, the media is all over it. Blacks are always treated with kiddy gloves, but us gays are treated like scum.I will say it again. I DID NOT CHOOSE TO BE GAY. I get soooo mad.
TANK
Did anyone see larry wilmore on the daily show last night? And the moral of the story is: don’t forget your keys. He’s talented.
schlukitz
@James:
Was trying to be fuuny. Didn’t work. I’m done.
Guess that says something about my mental acuity as well. It doesn’t make us bad guys, however. LOL
Kisses to you and yours as well.
TADPOLICUS WEX
@youcanthandlethetruth: fuck you christer – the vast majority of us GLBT pay taxes and we are not treated as equal citizens under the US Constitution – furthermore whooping your undoubtedly hetero troll as would be a pleasure armed with the knowledge that it wouldn’t carry result in an additional hate crime charge – fuck off
COCO
@InExile: But I mean, some queerty bloggers are happy- celebrating because his poll numbers have dropped to 61% from 65%. Why would we be celebrating? If he is unpopular then it’s not good for us. If he goes down, he will never even utter the word gay again. Trust me He is not dropping in the polls coz of gay issues.He is dropping coz the economy is taking forever to pick up. It’s all about the economy. If the economy picks up-the poll numbers go up and he can afford to push for DADT if he wants. Thats the reality.
TADPOLICUS WEX
and btw the rest of you other lurking trolls, gay is the new gay is gay ever was, even the civil rights movement shuffled us to the back of the line, we didn’t even make it onto the goddamn bus
schlukitz
@Max:
I think this proves that gay is not the new black. Black is the new black.
BINGO!!!
Thus it has always been, and thus it will probably always be, thanks to the existence and popularity of religious cults.
But, despair not. Pope Ratzazz told me personally when I was in Rome during Jubilee, that he loves you.
He just doesn’t like the queer-shit that you do in bed and wants you to stop it! ;o)
Shelby
@TADPOLICUS WEX: @Max: Hey, I am black and I’m not treated with kitty gloves.I’m once in a while treated unfairly for being black and I am certainly always treated like shit for being gay.
TADPOLICUS WEX
@Shelby: well perhaps I’m preaching to the choir but I’m only ever going to treat you (personally) with respect…and I too have received “the shit” for as long as could lisp! 😉
schlukitz
@TADPOLICUS WEX:
youcanthandlethetruth just loves it when you talk dirty to him and verbally abuse him. ;o)
It’s obviously what that pervert keeps coming here for.
InExile
@COCO: I just do not see the economy going up because there is no jobs coming. Without jobs, the economy can only recover to a point which will not be good enough. We are also facing the falling in the value of the dollar as well as a lack of confidence in the dollar by foreign countries. His poll numbers are as good as they will be, the clock is ticking for us gay people.
I do not think anyone here on Queerty is happy with his falling poll numbers because it will impact us, but his lack of action and leadership on his promises is a hard pill to swallow. We have been lied to before and promised rights before so the frustration gets more intense each time nothing is fulfilled. The outrage is actually quite understated compared to the way it should be.
TADPOLICUS WEX
@schlukitz: the audacity of grope?
No Homophobama
Obama would probably comment if asked about the police bashing gays something about “God being in the mix….”
UGH
@wondermann: Oh, I’m an idiot? For what? Calling Obama out on his inaction for the LGBT community?
I suppose I need to consider the source, “Wondermann”. Did you type that with your blue tights on while drinking the kool-aid!
You’re the idiot, “Wonder”.
clarke
Um… what? This article does not make sense. Why would he invite bad Texas cops to the white house ? I’d like to I get where your going , but I do not .
jj
“You are correct, his poll number are dropping so we need him to move on LGBT issues now.”
Good luck with that. He’s more concerned with being “liked” than taking a principled stand. He’s sucked up more to anti-gay pastors and Christofascists than the gay population who voted for him 70%+.
Ricardo
@COCO:
Go choke on a cock, bitch. Obama will show you how.
Obama wil la one term flunky and I will laugh my arse off.
schlukitz
For ButtyBarb, youcanthandlethetruthm, yeson8won and all the other sexually repressed, hetero Christers of the world who are obsessed with what we LGBT people do in bed.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/29/rodell-vereen-sc-man-char_n_247245.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601127&sid=aQsnlTfp60Kg
I wish, as a gay man, that I belonged to a belief system that allows people like the above to be sex offenders who merely need to say “I’m sorry” to their God and all is forgiven when the pearly gates of heaven open up to welcome them.
Meanwhile, the rest of us sick, wackos, deviates and other debasing names that the Christers call us, will go straight to hell for indulging in ‘crimes against nature”.
By the way, does anyone recall any of these people promising the Kingdom of Heaven to us if we just keep it in our pants?
Where do celebate homos go after they die?
alejandro
@prissysissy:
thanks for this. im glad somebody final set things straight.
hyhybt
To the original question: besides other good reasons given, the two cases are *almost nothing alike.* When an incident is basically a misunderstanding that went too far, it makes sense to get together for beers once everything’s straightened out. The only misunderstanding in the Rainbow Lounge incident was the police thinking they wouldn’t get called on it.
pip
@prissysissy: i totally agree with u prissysissy.
Maire
GLBT keeps trying to make the gay-black analogy happen, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. And as time goes on, gays’ need to make that happen is beginning to reek more and more of desperation. Women have been discriminated against, but as a woman I would never compare that struggle as something on par with what African-Americans have experienced, from the day they set foot in this country bound in chains.
COCO
@Ricardo: Denial land is a nice place to live. Sobber up already and realize Republicans and 3/4 of the country/ world don’t also support us. But hey, keep living in cloude nine.