In an effort to maintain homo support this general election season, Barack Obama today released an open letter to gay voters insisting that he’ll use his presidential powers to fight homophobic legislation. But, before the right wing runs away, Obama’s makes clear that our social evolution will take team work:
As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat samesex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment.
…
Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say. I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary.Americans are yearning for leadership that can empower us to reach for what we know is possible. I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of LGBT people in this country. To do that, we need leadership that can appeal to the best parts of the human spirit.
Yes, but that’s assuming the virulent anti-gay activists have any human spirit left.
Read the entire letter, after the jump…
I’m running for President to build an America that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all – a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters. It’s wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation. And I ask for your support in this election so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans.
Equality is a moral imperative. That’s why throughout my career, I have fought to eliminate discrimination against LGBT Americans. In Illinois, I cosponsored a fully inclusive bill that prohibited discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity, extending protection to the workplace, housing, and places of public accommodation. In the U.S. Senate, I have cosponsored bills that would equalize tax treatment for same-sex couples and provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. And as president, I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non- Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
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.
As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat samesex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples -whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does. I have also called for us to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and I have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system.
The next president must also address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When it comes to prevention, we do not have to choose between values and science. While abstinence education should be part of any strategy, we also need to use common sense. We should have age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception. We should pass the JUSTICE Act to combat infection within our prison population. And we should lift the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. In addition, local governments can protect public health by distributing contraceptives.
We also need a president who’s willing to confront the stigma – too often tied to homophobia – that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. I confronted this stigma directly in a speech to evangelicals at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, and will continue to speak out as president.
That is where I stand on the major issues of the day. But having the right positions on the issues is only half the battle. The other half is to win broad support for those positions. And winning broad support will require stepping outside our comfort zone. If we want to repeal DOMA, repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and implement fully inclusive laws outlawing hate crimes and discrimination in the workplace, we need to bring the message of LGBT equality to skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones – and that’s what I’ve done throughout my career. I brought this message of inclusiveness to all of America in my keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention. I talked about the need to fight homophobia when I announced my candidacy for President, and I have been talking about LGBT equality to a number of groups during this campaign – from local LGBT activists to rural farmers to parishioners at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Dr. Martin Luther King once preached.
Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say. I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary.
Americans are yearning for leadership that can empower us to reach for what we know is possible. I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of LGBT people in this country. To do that, we need leadership that can appeal to the best parts of the human spirit. Join with me, and I will provide that leadership. Together, we will achieve real equality for all Americans, gay and straight alike.
Update: Here are Obama’s remarks on pride month:
“I am proud to join with our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered brothers and sisters in celebrating the accomplishments, the lives, and the families of all LGBT people during this Pride season. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans.”
“It’s time to live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. Let’s enact federal civil rights legislation to outlaw hate crimes and protect workers against discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Let’s repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and demonstrate that the most effective and professional military in the world is open to all Americans who are ready and willing to serve our country. Let’s treat the relationships and the families of LGBT Americans with full equality under the law.”
“We are ready to accomplish these goals because of the courage and persistence of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people who have are working every day to achieve equal rights. The gay couple who demand equal treatment in our family laws as they raise their children; the lesbian soldier who wants nothing more than to serve her country openly and honestly; the transgendered workers who asks for the simple dignity of being judged by the quality of their work. Generations of LGBT Americans, at once ordinary and extraordinary, have made possible this moment in our history. With leadership and hard work, we can fulfill the promise of equality for all.”
Bob
And yet he — and McCain and Hillary — refuses to support marriage-equality for us. I guess his commitment has limits if it might cost him votes. Why the hell didn’t our community support a candidate who fully supports us?
Ted B. (Charging Rhino)
Blah, blah. blah….”urge the States”. No expenditure of political capital there.
And DADT is already on it’s last-legs so where’s the political bravery? Even McCain might allow DADT to die a slow death and just ignore the States when it come to marriage.
Ryan
Yes, why didn’t our community support a candidate who would be completely unelectable? That’s essentially what you’re asking when you ask a presidential candidate to publicly support same-sex marriage. Maybe you don’t like that reality, but it’s true. A candidate is useless to us unless he or she actually gets into office. I’m sorry if you don’t like it, but that’s how the game is played.
Furthermore, marriage is and always has been sanctioned by individual states. We should be glad about that, actually. It has made the progress in California and Massachusetts possible without having to wait around for the federal government. The political bravery is that he actually talks about this issue to people who maybe don’t want to hear about it. How many other national politicians are standing in churches talking about LGBT equality?
Daniel
I understand that some LGBT people really want marriage rights. However, there are some of use who understand that this right is going to take time. The Civil Rights movement took years before any real change occured. Even when there were Presidents who supported the Civil Rights movement. We fail to realize that the President has to work with a Senate and a House in order to get things passed. Senator Obama is trying to start the process towards marriage. It will be up to our community to keep the fires burning until it become a non-issue. Give it time and keep fighting. Our recent victories in California and New York are signs of the inevitable. However, with McCain in office this change may cease for another 8 years.
hisurfer
My thoughts are: you don’t need to support us – just don’t get in our way. This letter is good enough for me. Now let’s see what Mc “don’t call me Bush” Cain has to say.
CHURCHILL-Y
“I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment.” Sperate but equal, Change we can believe in! B.S
CHURCHILL-Y
SEPARATE BUT EQUAL, CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN!
ChristopherM
Which is the same thing your candidate supported, Churchill-y, only she didn’t endorse a full repeal of DOMA like Obama has all along.
Ryan
Churhill-y, please put down the caps lock key and back away slowly.
CHURCHILL-Y
Yes because repealing a law that does not treat same-sex relationships as equal and deserving of protections both on the state and federal level is in total harmony with supporting a second class citizen status(civil unions) that does not have the 1,138 rights that a married couple has under federal law. The kool aid you drone are drinking must be great.
TechBear
He claims that Jim Crow civil unions will somehow, magically, lead towards full equality for gays and lesbians. I’m curious to find out if he thinks separate and unequal helped advance the cause of black civil rights.
Yes, marriage equality will take time. But with “leadership” like his, I will be long dead before it becomes a reality.
Ryan
Let’s revisit the pertinent text of this letter, shall we?
“I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples -whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage.”
How hard is it for you to read between the lines here? He’s all but saying he supports same-sex marriage. If you actually think he can be any more explicit than that AND still get elected president, you clearly are detached from reality. You don’t want a leader, you want a martyr.
ChristopherM
And again, Churchill-y, how is that different from your candidate? Of course, we have all ready your comments on here before and the comments on Towleroad before you were banned. We are well aware of your real reason for ranting.
fredo777
It might not be the popular opinion, but I have to agree with the stance that a pro-gay-marriage pres. candidate is not likely to get elected anytime soon. Sucks, but it’s the truth.
RPCV
Freddy777: You’re right on that. But, not sucks; rather, thank God. Oh, BTW, what’s Kwame K doing this weekend to further his outstanding leadership in Detroit??? You know – we’re just dying to hear…….
fredo777
I have no idea what Kwame’s up to. He’s not my mayor.
fredo777
Ah, my food’s ready.
– leaves unceremoniously –
audiored
Ryan,
The gays are never good at hearing dog whistles. You’d think they would be so much better. =)
Obama is a politician. And a damn good one. He is going to do what he can to institute the policies he supports. I believe in total he is very progressive and has very progressive policy goals.
In getting to those goals you have to avoid pissing off the reactionaries.
If supporting and encourage a state’s right to sanction same sex marriage, and what conservative can argue against state’s rights?!, you make your desired outcome nearly inevitable with out generated vitriolic and potentially violent attacks on a minority group, how is that a bad thing?
The part I respect the most is when he says “But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced.”
Not everyone who’s against gay marriage has the blood of freshly sacrificed puppies dripping from their fangs. A leader who wants to be president of a nation that is incredibly cultural diverse has to be able to listen to and understand the concerns of those he does not agree with and find ways to bring them a long.
Thankfully that is his job and not mine. Because I too prefer to think all the anti-gay bigots eat puppies and would sooner spit in their face than listen to their ‘concerns.’
key
Obama has my vote along with my hope for a better future.
Matthew S
This is disappointing. If he doesn’t want to come out in favor of marriage during an election, that’s understandable, but really….. civil unions are the best way to achieve equality? That’s a load of B.S. Marriage is a full faith and credit clause issue that can trigger a constitutional crisis and defeat bigots in red states. Civil Unions are cute local structures that are more easily contained on the coasts.
Walker
remember “don’t ask don’t tell” – the gays issues will not be represented by anyone – don’t vote on gay issues alone – don’t vote on gay issues at all – the establishment will never represent us – but I think I will have to vote for him because of the SUPREMES –
Steve
In 8 years of the Clintons, we got DADT and DOMA. Clinton said that DADT was a step forward. He and she both said that they supported gay rights, and then he signed the opposite into law. Twice.
In 8 years of Bush, we got used as a wedge issue, and then attacked with virulent hate.
The choice now is between Obama and McCain. Perfect is not one of the available choices.
McCain is continuing the hate, and trying to use us as a wedge issue again.
Obama isn’t promising much, but at least he is promising not to hate us. With his background, he seems to actually understand what it is like to be on the receiving end of hate and discrimination. And, he might actually want to do something about it.
The key in this election cycle is to defeat the hate. And then, to get some fair judges appointed.
The courts will strike down DOMA and separate-but-equal civil unions, within a few years. It is happening at the state level now.
gobama!
So lets all vote for McCain! He’s the man who said he didn’t care if we were in Iraq for 100 more years…now that’s change you can count on! People, we gotta start somewhere. I’m just happy to have a candidate who is openly on our side. Even if there are some flaws to his plan, that all can be tweaked and changed as our laws become more and more progressive. Change takes time! Be realistic.
Charley
The so called gay rights movement has no real financial power on the national political scene, compared to other minorities. Money talks and candidates listen. We can make alot of noise, though.
Dray
Obama loves us a little.
McCain hates us a lot.
The choice is clear.
Sapphocrat
Huh? “Barack Obama today released an open letter to gay voters”? TODAY? Guys, where have you been? The UK Gay News is more than three months behind the times on this thing — this open letter from Obama was issued February 28, 2008. (As for my comments on the piece itself, I dissected the thing way back when on my own newsblog — and I don’t care who flames me for demanding a place at the grown-ups’ table, when all they’re offering us is moldy leftovers.)
Chris
First there was Obama having Donnie McClurkin as a part of his campaign. McClurkin has said, in reference to gay people, “The gloves are off and if there’s going to be a war, there’s going to be a war. But it will be a war with a purpose? I’m not in the mood to play with those who are trying to kill our children.” McClurkin has said “there are many other things to be done to break the curse of homosexuality.” McClurkin has said that it is OK to hate gay people because God “hates the things that are purposed to destroy the ones He loves and are against His nature and design. He created me to be a whole man and to love one woman. Anything else is perversion of the male purpose.” McClurkin has said “I believed that I was meant to be a whole man, made for one woman, and God brought it all about. I am delivered, and I know God can deliver others too.”
Second, there was Obama refusing to have his picture taken with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Newsom had previously said that a Democratic Presidential candidate refused to be pictured with him while refusing to mention which candidate it was. Former S.F. Mayor Willie Brown later confirmed that it was Obama who did not want to be pictured with Newsom because Newsom supports same sex marriage.
Third, there is the Rev. James T. Meeks who Obama has called a “spiritual counsel.” Meeks, an Obama delegate who served on Obama’s exploratory committee for President, helped launch a petition for the Illinois Family Institute to clearly understand “the threat of gay marriage.” The Southern Poverty Law Center named Meeks one of the “10 leading black religious voices in the anti-gay movement” last year.
Obama’s Gay Promises are Empty Promises and he does not deserve my vote.
RPCV
Chris, thanks for furthering the argument that McCain is the best choice for America. Freddy777, Mr. C, and all you other Obamaites, do yourselves a favor and wake up!!
I have another theory. The reason blacks refuse to support and vote for McCain is because (1) they fear they will be ostracized by their fellow blacks for doing so, and (2) because it’s not “fashionable” to openly support a Republican. If only they would remember that the WHITE MAN who set them FREE was a REPUBLICAN!! If setting the blacks free had been up to a DEMOCRAT, the blacks may very well still be waiting, and all the while in CHAINS!! Just a thought……..
Shad
I’ll vote for him, but every time he brings out his stance on marriage I cringe and wish we had someone else…
fredo777
Chris, that’s all old news by now.
I’d still vote Obama before J-Mac.
fredo777
Also, I don’t put much value on anything that Donnie McClurkin says. He is a huge closet case. Ex-gay, my ass.
Danny
You would think that Obama of all people would recognize the stigma of separate-but-equal, yet this continues to be his stance on one segment of the American population. Don’t get me wrong. I understand the political strategy of this position and I’ll be voting for Obama come November. However, I can’t get on-board the ‘Obama bus’ with the rest of the fervent and adoring masses because I personally don’t want to sit at the back of it. It’s disappointing to me that he’s not actually standing up to be the complete and total messianic redeemer everyone is trying to paint him as. Everyone keeps talking about Obama in relation to history but it’s the trailblazers who stand up ~fully~ for social justice in the face of popular opinion whose legacies reverberate through time, not just those who set some some of arbitrary milestone for being the ‘first’ because of an inherent physical characteristic, such as the color of their skin.
Eva Young
Where is Barack Obama on the California Marriage Amendment? Senator McCain supports it, Governor Schwartzenegger opposes it. Does Obama support state ballot inititiatives to ban gay marriage?
Mark
Thanks Christ and Sapphocrat, I think you’re both right.
And, again–those who aren’t voting for Obama aren’t necessarily voting for McCain. And a vote away from Obama isn’t a vote for McCain. It’s a vote to establish, at long last, the third way we so obviously need. Don’t hold your nose and vote. Hold your head high and vote. Don’t get drudged into voting for Democrats if they don’t represent your interests. You are not responsible for the South Park Scenario of this election (turd sandwich vs giant douche, if you don’t watch SP). Our interests aren’t expressed in Obama’s letter and we should all know it. Rosa Parks didn’t want to sit in the middle of the bus, Ceasar Chavez didn’t want to pick lettuce with only two people spraying ddt in his face and we aren’t some unfortunate piece of shit on anyone’s shoes that just gets wiped off with a smirk.
fredo777
Whatever; I’m still not voting for McCain or writing anyone in.
It so happens Obama does express most of my interests, which is better than a vote for someone who barely does or taking this as a chance to prove some point about our flawed voting system. To each his own, though.
chadnnocal
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you cant disguise
(you cant disguise, no you cant disguise)
Little Lies Lyrics (Fleetwood Mac)
Is this the great “change” ? Obama is just another Politician.
Mark
Well Fredo it may be difficult, but it won’t be boring…I just wish it was going to be over and done next week. I used to really enjoy politics, but this interminable pre-primary, primary, and now post-primary season has about whacked it out of me.
fredo777
I’m over it, too, and it’s only June.
I’m about ready to say “Wake me in November”.
Steve
I give Obama credit for speaking out about the homophobia that he sees in the African American community and church at a rally of the same in Beaumont, TX. Check out this youtube clip if you’ve forgotten it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp4GyMoqC2U
Further check out this clip of Obama talking to Melissa Etheridge and Joe Solmonese of HRCF about gay marriage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73oZ_pe1MZ8&feature=related
In my opinion, he is certainly not shirking the issue, he has a plan, he’s speaking sincerely. I don’t know how we get much better than this right now.
Eva Young
Stevie – I’m specifically interested in Obama’s position on the California ballot initiative to ban gay marriage in the constitution. Does Obama support or oppose such ballot initiatives?
You don’t have to “support gay marriage” to oppose the California constitutional amendment.
Does Obama think there should be constitutional amendments every time judges write a decision in favor of an unpopular minority? Imagine if there had been a constitutional amendment following Brown v Board of Ed?
audiored
Obama statement:
“Barack Obama has always believed that same-sex couples should enjoy equal rights under the law, and he will continue to fight for civil unions as President. He respects the decision of the California Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage.”
Clinton statement:
“Hillary Clinton believes that gay and lesbian couples in committed relationships should have the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans and believes that civil unions are the best way to achieve this goal. As President, Hillary Clinton will work to ensure that same sex couples have access to these rights and responsibilities at the federal level. She has said and continues to believe that the issue of marriage should be left to the states.”
CHURCHILL-Y
Here’s an account of the type of people Obama attracts and why in order to become the president and stay in the White House for two terms he will never be in favor of marriage equality:
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/06/08/my-final-
It makes sense that these are the types of people who gravitate around him, take a look at the untouchable homophobe in Obamas camp:
http://www.obamameeksrecord.wordpress.com/
mark
It’s not to late for you “ALL or NOTHING” voters to write in Gravel or Kucinich. The grown ups who reside in the real world, will accept a solid ally, who’s not a perfect politician who tells you just what you want to hear, just as you want them to say it, at the exact moment of your chosing, and watch as he/she gets BEATEN.
Mr C
I am so sick of hearing about McClurkin and Meeks. PLEASE FIND SOMETHING ELSE to try and beat us over the head with.
And RPCV as far as this statement you said: “I have another theory. The reason blacks refuse to support and vote for McCain is because (1) they fear they will be ostracized by their fellow blacks for doing so,
THIS IS NOT TRUE. I have friends of color who are Repubs and happily say so we always have the notion that we agree to disagree
(2) Because it’s not “fashionable†to openly support a Republican.
Why support someone who doesn’t support you?
Also: If only they would remember that the WHITE MAN who set them FREE was a REPUBLICAN!! If setting the blacks free had been up to a DEMOCRAT, the blacks may very well still be waiting, and all the while in CHAINS!! Just a thought……..
Well this is a thought also. As far as that set them free shit that was then and this now. The Republican Party of today DOES NOT CARE ABOUT BLACKS AT ALL and makes no bones about it. (I.e. the campaign commercials in the south against Obama and the contents of them) They are no friends to us at all. Neither are you but you try to be intellectually bigoted with your comments and yet live amongst us in your SILENCE but result to the net for the racial baiting. Your theories are NULL AND VOID!
So bottom line if there is any of you who do not want to vote for Obama……
SIMPLY DON’T!!!….PERIOD
SUPERIORISM is the new racism.
Like the white lady said at the rules committee meeting
“Barack Obama is an INADEQUATE Black Man†WOW!
He and Hillary’s differences on the issues are not that different at all. Because in the end those two will laugh together and ride off into the sunset and make even more money after this is all said and done. And because of your anger you will vote for a person who turns back the clock on all the gay community and women has fought for with those right wing justices. An Independent, and a maverick my ass. He will not turn his back on his party should he win that position and they will make sure HE DON’T. And once they have it on lock in the Supreme Court it is truly a wrap!
So when it happens don’t get mad at no one but yourself!
OBAMA/CLINTON 08’
The CHANGE and EXPERIENCE we need!
Bill Perdue
Obama’s presidency will be a repeat of the failed Nixon Presidency. Obama, like Nixon is a consummate liar and the clueless will expect a lot of him. When he fails to deliver…
He won’t end the war. He said so himself. Asked if he’d promise to have the U.S. military out of Iraq by January 2013 – more than five years from now, he said. “I think it would be irresponsible (to state that).†Continuing the war is lunacy and murder but he’ll do it. Just like Nixon. McCain and Obama call for phased withdrawal, which is candidate speak for “Fuck you, we’re staying.”
The economy is in a steep nosedive and the bad news is that it’s probably going to crash and burn (and good luck to all of us if it does). Both Democrats and Republicans support tax breaks for the rich, union busting schemes like NAFTA, deregulation of corporate predators and other policies that are directly responsible for the economic crisis. Obama’s big contributors, Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers and JP Morgan Chase and Company are all deeply involved in the foreclosure/sub prime disaster that threatens everyone’s standard of living.
The backdrop for Watergate was an economic crisis fueled by the war in Vietnam. Just substitute Iraq to bring it up to date. Just like Nixon.
Obama and McCain are both lap dogs for the HMO’s and Big Pharma and opposed to socialized medicine. The health care crisis is a vital concern to most of us. Obama is on the wrong side and will stay there.
Both parties are run by bigots but in the last two years the Democrats ran Congress and they hit the “DELETE” button whenever we were mentioned. They refused to repeal DOMA and DADT, gutted ENDA and then junked it and the Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill (AFTER it’d passed both Houses of Congress). They mulishly oppose same sex marriage even though polls show the public is moving in our direction.
Like all Democrats Obama is far to the right of most Americans. The more he lies and the more popular he becomes the more likely it is that his presidency will fail.
That is assuming he can get past the Bradley Effect. The Clintons exploitation of race baiting was half hearted and hit and miss but the Republicans are past masters of that kind of filth. The racists are coming out of the woodwork in this election. (Look Above.) The racists running the Republican Party have already done polling to see how much they can get away with.
Mr C
And if they do. The people of this country who aren’t racist has allowed it.
But I still wonder if he had been WHITE with the same portfolio would everybody including Gays would be so angry?
I don’t think so!
forbesfart
Love Obama 2008. Loved the letter . It is everything I want and more. Times are changing.Help him win.
Michael Bedwell
As much as I want to see Obama elected over McShame, after reading this recycled letter from Obama I am very concerned.
First, his gay advisors are themselves tone deaf for letting this rehash of his ABSURD position that “civil unions = ‘full equality’.” Name ten GAYS who believe that—or identify when he will trade his MARRIAGE for one of OUR civil unions. Must we send him/them a copy of the Massachusetts and California Supreme Courts’ rulings?
Then there is his continued misrepresentation of what he’s actually done in relation to us because it makes me wonder what he will actually DO for us once elected—particularly when he will be immediately challenged by, among others things, an economy in crisis and the literal life and death issue of Iraq.
Specifically: no matter how many times he claims it, no matter how many believe him [which I’ve repeatedly seen here and elsewhere], Obama did NOT “[talk] about the need to fight homophobia when [he] announced [his] candidacy for President, [nor talk] about LGBT equality … to parishioners at Ebenezer Baptist Church.”
Per his official campaign Website, this is exactly [and only] what he said in the first instance in Springfield:
“We’re distracted from our real failures, and told to blame the other party, or gay people, or immigrants.”
And at Ebenezer:
“We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them.”
Of course, both of those statements are appropriate and admirable. But NOWHERE do they reference “the need to fight homophobia” nor “LGBT equality.”
What he has ACTUALLY said and done are reasons for supporting him, reasons for hope, but Obama for President supporters, including myself, will be continuing to nail McShame for his misstatements and false claims. Obama must be held accountable for his own willful mistakes if we are to expect anything more than smilefucking once he’s elected.
Charles J. Mueller
You tell me that you love me, but will you still respect me in the morning?
Do Nothing Obama
Michael Bedwell: Obama won’t do nothing for us if he’s elected his actions so far have shown his all about talking and nothing more and like you stated if anything he will yield to the will of those who don’t want to see any progress on our issues . I love it when he says he won’t close his ears to those who want to deprive us from the same rights they enjoy. I betcha he wouldn’t be so willing to do the same with the KKK or any other white supremacist group. He’s going to have to do more than just throw some pretty empty words in the air if he wants my vote. So far based on what he has done or lack thereof he doesn’t want it.
Mr C
Support him or don’t it’s your future in this Gay life you are living that the Right Wing will determine and they will surely determine it and will not be for your good!
OBAMA/CLINTON 08’
The CHANGE and EXPERIENCE we need!
CHURCHILL-Y
Right Wingers are found on both political parties and in all ethnicities. They are especially plentiful in yours.
NOBAMA 08’
SEPARATE BUT EQUAL, CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN!
juan sin miedo
rosocnes de mier da solo quieren volver todo como tienen la mente
Hisbrief
Single Push,rare attention dangerous like trade careful critical farm nation quarter birth intend heavy pension double telephone here your couple score experience cry major positive wage steal financial institution study survey horse collect provision income police youth bed legislation risk progress light safe site noise employer sample conclusion love baby royal century railway week standard family home aim population garden length prime firm comment refer side wild decide cold supply throughout look account last gain thought limited big hospital quiet major on illustrate commercial accident
schlukitz
2 no. 54 – Hisbrief
You don’t say?
Interesting viewpoint.