Among the things President Obama can do for gays right now? Urge Congress to pass H.R. 1723, otherwise known as the The Family Leave Insurance Act of 2009. Why’s it important to us?
Aside from amending the current FMLA to “provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave benefits to workers who need to care for an ill family member or new child, or to treat their own illness,” it would also — get ready! — expand the benefits to gays!
The new FMLA would force employers to provide leave for employees who need to care for an ailing domestic partner or that partner’s child, a benefit the current law doesn’t provide.
Though, notes Proud Parenting, “it is unclear whether, in every instance, the FMLA would cover the child of a same-sex partner or spouse if the employee is not the child’s legal parent. Employers are not mandated by the FMLA to provide an employee leave for the birth and care of a child to which an employee is not a legal parent unless a local court determines it to be so.” We’re not looking for any rights that heteros don’t receive already, so children who aren’t legally our own perhaps don’t need to be included. The only problem? Some states ban gay couples from adopting, meaning the child of a gay family may only have one parent legally recognized, and thus FMLA could never apply to them. People in heterosexual couples, meanwhile, have the adoption of adopting their partner’s child in every state.
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.
The day before Congress voted on the Matthew Shepard Act, Obama released a public statement urging legislators to pass the bill. Maybe he can jump in on the act a little earlier this time, if only to make good on some of that lip service he fed the gays while campaigning. After all, the FMLA fits in perfectly with Obama’s health care promises.
The Lesbian Mafia
You have to understand, Queerty, LGBT are still nostalgic about how Barack said the word “Gay” ……………. isn’t that enough?
Tony
Wake up LGBT people. Barry Obama stated clearly that he thinks that LGBT people are less than heterosexual people when he stated that he believes same sex marriage to be wrong because “God is in the mix”.
He believes that God does not see LGBT people, their families, and their relationships as equal. Period. What part of BIGOT do you not understand?!?! He stated this days before the election, giving his nod of approval to active discrimination against LGBT people and their families.
Expect very little from this douchebag.
mention
some people are never happy.
Tony
“some people are never happy.”
Yeah, like how upset the Obamabots get when anyone questions Baby Jesus Obamabigot as he slaps the LGBT Community in the face over and over and over again. Remember:
1) Donnie McClurkin
2) Rick Warren
3) God is in the mix….
etc.etc.etc……..
Tony
The hits just keep on coming. When are we going to tire of the abuse and quit defending Barry.
wondermann
How are we being abused? Yes, Obama does not support gay marriage, but he is doing more for us. None of this happens overnight, it takes time and good planning.
Can we be more realistic and less Veruca Salt-ish?
nuflux
“but he is doing more for us”
What, exactly, is he doing more of?
Lee
“but he is doing more for us”
“What, exactly, is he doing more of?”
Yes, I’d like to know what that is, too.
I keep getting requests for more donations from Obama Inc. You’d think they would have alerted me.
I’m a Google Master, but can’t find anything. Maybe I need to clear my Internet cache, and reboot.
Wait. Is it a cable program? I’m sorry, I don’t get cable.
Maybe you have to have special hearing. The dogs in my neighborhood have been howling a lot yesterday.
Is that the problem?
Dabq
*yawn* I guess that it will be 3 years of nonstop complaining about Obama as if your vote put him in office, if you even voted for him since more than a few of the gays voted for McCain and with the rage here, its a safe bet that most of the posters are LCR’s.
You’ll have your chance in 3 years to vote for Palin or Romney, I’m sure they will be more than happy to address your many issues.
Lee
Right, DABQ! Anyone here could not possibly question the divinity of St. Obama who wasn’t a self-loathing gay Republican.
Try not to yawn so much. Given your head’s up his ass His Holiness might confuse it with a fart.
alicia banks
he is no ally
he pimped us for votes
and now he is done
he is the player
we are the tricks…
those of us who are wise
will now politically shower… and be tricked no more
see more;
OUTLOOK
http://aliicabanks.blogspot.com
Dennis
I’m glad people are keeping the heat on Obama to make good on his promises, and not let GLBT issues fall too far on the back burner while he’s dealing with the global shitshorm he has inherited. Keep up the good work, and remember he is basically an ally, who will from time to time, need to be prodded for maximum effect.
And now a note to the “Queerty Wingnut Crew”…name ONE PERSON, again, ONE PERSON who could actually win an election as POTUS who would/will do more for us…name it, name this magic person…the GLBT communities’ non-stop champion and political savior…who is it?…I’m waiting…
If you can’t name this (again, reality-based, I have to remind, because reality is CLEARLY not your strong suit) candidate, STFU!
Dennis
@Dennis:
and by Queerty wingnuts, I am referring to the handful of posters who froth at the mouth whenever Obama is mentioned. To the editor(s), this type of article is actually a pleasant change from the general Obama bashing recently seen on the site… let’s focus on specific areas where we can encourage the administration to advocate for our community.
Lee
@ Dennis
“who would/will do more for us…”???
Until this one DOES do ANYTHING for us…your challenge is irrelevant.
While the country would be hurt in many other ways, and there’s no reason to believe we’d be better off, at this point, there’s no reason to believe we’d be any more stagnated under McCain than we are now under Big Chief Fierce Advocate.
Dennis
You didn’t answer my question…who is a realistic POTUS candidate who will be a champion for us?
Lee, if you think having a republican in the White house helps us in ANY way EVER, EVER, you have confirmed your wingnut status to me…Good luck with that, hope it works for you.
No need for us to chat further, go campaign for some repug who will no doubt, help us lots(!), mention our needs all the time, and be our savior.
HYHYBT
Well, just not being openly hostile is “doing more for us” than anyone before him, Clinton included. But yes, he could certainly do better.
alicia banks
dennis:
the lesser of 2 evils is still evil…
just as chocolate covered feces is still feces…
i voted for obama by default
each day he makes me prouder that he was my 2nd choice for prez!
fyi
alicia banks
OUTLOOK
http://aliciabanks.blogspot.com