Yesterday, President Barack Obama issued a press release where he urged Congress to pass the Matthew Shepard Act, which failed to make it through the Senate in 2007. And everyone is all excited about Obama defending our rights! What nobody seems to be doing? Mentioning the fact that this is the first time — on the eve of Congress’ vote — that Obama has spent anytime trying to get our elected officials to put hate crimes legislation on his desk.
In the brief statement released yesterday, Obama says: “This week, the House of Representatives is expected to consider H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. I urge members on both sides of the aisle to act on this important civil rights issue by passing this legislation to protect all of our citizens from violent acts of intolerance – legislation that will enhance civil rights protections, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association. I also urge the Senate to work with my Administration to finalize this bill and to take swift action.”
Wow! Thank you, Mr. President! But, uh, aren’t you weighing in on this a little bit late? Why has it taken you until the day before Congress will go to a vote to make a statement about the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act? And your support for it? And that you want Congress to pass it?
Sure, Obama has had a busy first 100 days, but he’s also got a giant team of gophers at his disposal, ready and willing to deliver statements — however meaningful — of support or disgust. And yet this is the first time since Obama was elected that he’s made any (public) effort to get on Congress’ back to get this bill passed. (We asked the White House’s director of specialty media Shin Inouye to confirm this was the first time Obama specifically addressed the matter. Inouye tells Queerty “I’d have to check on specifics.” We’ll let you know what we hear.)
Yes, during the campaign, Obama’s website offered his commitment to hate crimes legislation: “Obama and Biden will strengthen federal hate crimes legislation, expand hate crimes protection by passing the Matthew Shepard Act, and reinvigorate enforcement at the Department of Justice’s Criminal Section.”
But those are words. Just like his statement yesterday. We need action. Obama says he’s an ally to our community, and despite his no-gay-marriage stance, we accept that he wants what’s best for us even if he doesn’t know what that is. And he keeps telling us he’s committed to civil rights. But does a day-before written “urging” count for much?
The Democratic-controlled Congress is likely to pass the bill. And Obama’s camp undoubtedly has a better pulse on which way our representatives are leaning. But does the 11th hour statement signal that to Obama, hate crimes is an after thought?
Sampson
Without wishing to be accused of being a self-hating gay, I suspect that his attention has been rather taken up with trying to fix the financial crisis. Perhaps a hate crimes bill is not at the top of the agenda. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a priority, just that he has other more immediate matters to attend.
He’s been in power for 4 months and I think he’s doing rather well.
JPie612
@Sampson: Agreed, Sampson; you’re not a self-hating gay. Obama does have a lot on his plate and frankly, the fact that he took time out of “saving the world” to think about us little guys deserves recognition enough. Kudos Mr. President!
Landon Bryce
Really?
This is the headline?
That makes me sad.
The timing here is not a problem at all. It’s not like he waited until after the vote.
The statement is disappointingly general– even here Obama seems more worried about about offending bigots than defending their targets– but it’s historically significant. He is the most gay-supportive president the United States has ever had.
Is this the most gay supportive statement to come from the office of the POTUS? If not, it’s damn close.
I think you buried the lead.
Richard in DC
In my opinion, this website has a bad habit of criticizing our allies (New and Old alike). Why not just say “Thank You, Mr. President,” and leave it at that.
Sampson
@Richard in DC: It’s strange – a lot of it seems to be criticism for the sake of it. I suppose it’s one way of churning content through the site.
Cheesehead
Because the bill has already passed the House once before and will pass in the House easily again. The really lobbying effort needs to be done in the Senate.
strumpetwindsock
Gee.
Damned if you do, Damned if you don’t eh?
Chitown Kev
@Landon Bryce:
Good Lord, and he strongly implies in his statement that this piece of legislation is about “civil rights.” The bill was likely to pass without any support from him whatsoever. Folks need to strain their eyes to read in between the lines.
Obama (I am not quite ready to call him President Obama yet, but that’s personal, he’s not my President yet) did what even Clinton didn’t do; he said that a piece of GLBT legislation was “civil rights” not “special rights.”
That’s the headline. Or it should be.
Luc
Hellooooo! Everybody agrees that this president has done more in his first 100 days than any other before him. Maybe he had something else to do, like perharps saving the economy of this country!!!!!!!!! You will never never never never never be satisfied and always ready to bash him. Shame on you!
Dabq
@Sampson: As do I, sometimes its as if this is the Fixed News site with the daily Obama bashings and facts that are just wrong. The man has been in office 100 days, and, to think he hasn’t moved heaven and earth to placate those who were quiet for 8 years of Bush rule and real gay bashings.
Alec
Maybe some people did believe he was the messiah. That is perhaps the only way to explain disappointment with this statement.
Dabq
@Chitown Kev: Just curios, who is your president if you are a citizen of the USA? That statement sound like Allen Keyes or Michelle Bachman LOL!
Chitown Kev
@Dabq:
Uh, of course it’s President Obama. That’s really a very personal thing between me and my superhomobigoted cousin who says that Obama is “my President.” I ain’t at the point where I am willing to say that he’s “my President” in the way that my cousin does.
That’s just where I am at with it.
Michael
Agree with Sampson. You realize that if this one bill passes we’ll have come farther federally in 100 days than we did in the 8 years before. A friend is a friend, and we can count Obama in that camp.
Richard in DC
@Sampson: To some extent, I understand where Queerty is coming from; “The squeaky wheel gets the grease”. I do not think it is unreasonable to pressure politicians to advocate for our causes. However, I think we should praise those who help us, and punish those who set us back. I don’t think it’s appropriate to call new advocates for marriage equality who were previously on the opposition side “Flip-Floppers” or to ask “What took you so long?” We have a president who actually likes us, let’s support him in every way that we can, regardless of his timing.
Chitown Kev
@Dabq:
Mind you, I still say that he’s (or was) MY Senator.
You haven’t been watching and admiring Obama as long as I have, and I am a little offended that you would throw in league wesp. with that douchebag Keyes. I voted for Obama in 2004. So STFU.
Wayne
It’s Obama’s M.O. He did the same with Prop 8. Obama ignored the entire battle, refused to support marriage equality, he even had “Yes on Prop 8” advocates on his “Faith Tours” and kept repeating that “God was in the mix”. Then a day or two before the vote Obama made a small statement against Prop 8, but followed it the next day with a statement saying he believed marriage was between a man and a woman.
Obama is not a “fierce advocate” for gays and lesbians like he said he would be. He lied. He is very good at it.
Dabq
@Chitown Kev: LOL, not throwing any shade your way as I don’t know you, its just that your comment was kind of odd for someone who usually posts with such clairty. I for one am happy with Obama, and, will defend him against the nonsense that many here like to post until he does something wrong, no harm no foul, I for one don’t get caught up in message board drama with posters who would have been happier with McCain/Palin and no, I’m not referring to you!
blake
David Jauslib,
Are you just anti-Obama to be anti-Obama? With this legislation, Obama has helped to secure major civil rights legislation to protect LGBTQ Americans around the mythical first 100 days in office time-frame. Do you know what if any deals the Obama team cut behind the scenes to get the legislation to this point?
This is politics. There’s the carrot and then there’s the stick. You are using the stick needlessly against an ally. Why?
Take a step back and ask what legislation has Obama aided that is targeted directly towards African-Americans or Latino-Americans, two groups that came out in force and numbers far greater than the gay community did. Two groups that also face incredible discrimination and are suffering mightily during the recession.
____
P.S.
I’m really disappointed that you did not give Japhy and Cord a proper send off. I understand that times are tough and layoffs are happening but Queerty readers developed a personal attachment to the editorial team. It would have been nice had you acknowledged their contributions and wished them well.
🙁
Chitown Kev
@Wayne: @Dabq:
See, when Obama was Senator, he never wore his religion on his sleeve as he did during the Presidential campaign. That’s a POV that I have of Obama, DABQ, that you really don’t (and can’t) have.
I remember when Obama was called everything but a child of God by many in black church here in Chicago. You don’t. And I don’t like it that Obama feels the need to cater to these type of institutions.
ksu499
Come on. He’s only been in office 100 days and he’s not the Messiah. He’s had a lot to try to focus on that is much bigger than this particular issue.
wowjustwow
This is good news for Hillary!
kidding.
but really, are we seriously complaining about this? really?
Matt
Suddenly, now that I’m signing off, I have the urge to speak up. Queerty officially just hit the shitter for me. The new layout is an eyesore, but I hung around. The thumbnail debacle on the Morning Goods page is miserable (not to mention the MG guys themselves, since the editorship changed), but I still lingered. The misleading headlines are shamelessly sensationalizing, but eh, you got my hopes up.
This article is genuinely idiotic, however. Obviously the first 100 days have been a wicked shitstorm, but most of the time Obama’s seemed to have had a superhuman capacity to address a myriad of issues simultaneously. He’s everywhere at once. He’s also the most vocally pro-LGBT pres we’ve had, and the fact that he made a statement about this is pretty awesome, in my book. Peeps are upset that Obama isn’t enough of a flaming rainbow scion of gay justice for their tastes, as though he weren’t quietly and steadily working toward producing a (much needed) paradigm shift in American politics and culture like this country hasn’t seen since Reagan.
So is bitter queen bitching about ‘too little, too late’ (srsly, wtf.) actually what passes for political commentary around Queerty? Adopting ridiculously myopic and condescending perspectives, and passing them off as incisive or thought-provoking? I teach undergrad composition, and I read freshman essays that are more nuanced and better reasoned. Or at the very least, pull better tricks.
Peace out, Queerty.
Landon Bryce
@Chitown Kev:
Thanks, Kev, for keeping up the historical perspective and for pointing out that he linked this legislation explicitly to civil rights. I noticed that initially but forgot in my disappointment that he couldn’t bring himself to say the g-word and that Queerty really was reflexively anti-Obama in this instance.
I see cause for nothing but happiness here. He made a significantly pro-gay statement and released it when it would both make the most impact and happen within the first hundred days. He timed it so that it is the fault of the media, not the White House, if no questions are asked about it at tonight’s press conference.
Here is something sad: I went to the Organizing for America (the new name for Obama’s campaign organization) listening event in San Francisco last night. Because I’m from San Jose, I sat in the section for the Castro district. I was the only man there. I think, of the couple of hundred people there, there were only two white gay men. In San Francisco. And I was the only one suggesting that it would be good to try to network with gay organizations. In San Francisco.
For the first time I understood exactly why Prop 8 passed.
Chitown Kev
@blake:
Incidentally, African Americans were very critical of the Obama Administration’s decision not to attend the UN racism conference where Ahmad-whats-his-name went off. To the extent that there was a brief discharge of anti-Semitism that kicked of on some African American news websites and blogs.
That’s just an FYI.
MadProfessah
The bill was just introduced in the Senate yesterday, the White House statement was timed just right to maximize impact on today’s Hate Crimes vote in the House and highlight the momentum in both Houses, now that we have actual legislation that can become law.
The bill already passed both Houses last year, it’s also going to pass this year, so CALM THE FUCK DOWN.
Chitown Kev
@MadProfessah:
Besides, I think I highlighted the portion of the statement that’s really the news with this story.
Everyone is so caught up in this either you are for us or against us mentality that is part of the Bush legacy.
People on this site have accused me, personally of both loving the cum stains in Obama’s underwear AND being an Obama basher.
atdleft
@Alec: Perhaps. I’m usually not a “middle of the road” type of person, but I’m getting a little turned off by both extremes of “OH NOEZZZZ!!111!!! OBAMA’S NOT PERFECT!!!11111!!!11” and “OH NOEZZZZ!!111!!! HOW DARE YOU BASH OUR PRESIDENT!!!11111!!!11” Obama’s a centrist/center-left guy who most often agrees with us but often needs some prodding and pushing to do the right thing. No more, no less.
Is it an accomplishment that the President’s FINALLY speaking up for the hate crimes bill? Yes. But should we push him to do more, like support ENDA and a DOMA repeal? Yes.
RichardR
The President isn’t gonna spend political capital if he doesn’t have to. If this legislation passes both houses, as is likely, he’ll certainly sign it.
And Chitown Kev, I fully got your comment about Obama’s not being “your President” just yet. We’re all waiting to see some of this “fierce” advocacy. In the meantime, I’d hope that those posters who are persistent skeptics are doing their part as engaged citizens — directly contacting your elected representatives.
For the Obama critics, and everybody else, please contact your Congressional Representatives and your Senators. We can vote only once, but we can write letters, make phone calls and visit local offices as often as we like.
wondermann
How is this too late? 8 years later is too late, but seriously, 4 months?
A lot is going on in our country and the world, for this to happen now is a good thing. I think some of us are jumping the gun and not seeing the bigger picture.
So to steal the words from Mad P: Calm the FRAK down!
rogue dandelion
I am a vocal obama critic on equal rights and other issues- but this is nitpicking bitching. He said he wanted it passed. good enough! i wish he would say so much about the repeal of doma.
For criticism to have any weight, it has got to be rational and constructive.
Lee
I said I would applaud if Obama finally addressed gay-related legislation, and, so, I do. Though, I agree it was late and should have been “live” rather than in a printed statement.
That said, for the record:
This is NOT “the most gay supportive statement to come from the office of the POTUS” even if you only meant THIS President in which case the Iowa court decision statement attributed to him was more applicable, even if it did simultaneously stab us in the back, again, re marriage inequality. “EVER”—no.
That POTUS, like it or not, would be Clinton. Regardless of the bad things he did, and there were several. In office, Obama has yet to catch up with him [tho he has time; not all of Clinton’s were done right away]. Even most of the appointments of out gays to positions in his administration are from that group of over 100 that Clinton had appointed over a decade ago: Hochberg, Kaplan, Berry, et al.
And, the nomination Monday for the new U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, Eric Goosby, was Clinton’s “deputy director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy and director of the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy of the Department of Health and Human Services.”
In addition, Clinton appointed the first out gay federal judge, and the first out United States Ambassador and the first out US Consul General.
Rather than just make appointments or issue statements, Clinton was the first POTUS to personally met with a group of gay leaders in the White House and the first to ATTEND AS PRESIDENT a gay event, the 1997 HRC dinner at which he called for the passage of ENDA: “I am urging Congress to pass [the] Employment Non-Discrimination Act…” [Chitown Kev, I have never been able to find exact information about any gay event Obama attended as state or US Senator. Any ideas?]
And he issued an Executive Order that reversed one issued by EISENHOWER that had banned gays in federal hiring for over 50 years, and ordered that being gay could not be used as a reason to deny security clearances.
Regardless of the fact that his attempts to eliminate the ban on out gays in the military only succeeded, on paper, in the “Ask” area [“on paper” because the military constantly violates it], and regardless of who was most to blame, the fact is that in announcing his goal in a news conference he said, “The issue is whether men and women who can and have served with real distinction should be excluded from military service solely on the basis of their status. And I believe they should not.” Tho not gay-specific, he also lobbied against fascist Bob Dornan’s attempt to require that HIV+ soldiers be automatically discharged.
None of this is meant to forget or forgive Clinton’s failures or direct indefensible acts, but facts are facts and, in addition to being fair to give him credit where it’s deserved, it is also only fair to evaluate Obama on how much he is or is not surpassing what has gone before.
The Gay Numbers
a) He didn’t have to make a statement at all.
b) When are such statements about legislatiron normally made?
c) When would you suggest he releases such statements in the future?
On a general note, this post seems to be hear to generate attention rather than reflect how legislation geenrally happens.
Lee
Should read, “I said I would applaud if Obama finally addressed gay-related legislation now that he’s President….”
Alec
@Lee:
1. Yes, his nominations are from an applicant pool that includes Clinton era apppointments. Across the board, not just gay people. Largely because those are the people with experience.
2. Clinton not only signed DOMA (after all, a veto would have been useless; it passed with something like 86 votes in the senate), he also campaigned on it.
3. Clinton did attend an HRC dinner….in 1997, after he campaigned on DOMA, and didn’t have to worry about reelection.
4. Obama, while a candidate in the Democratic primary, did attend a gay forum that was televised, addressing LGBT issues. I’m not aware of anything else.
Michael W.
Pressuring congress? Where exactly is the pressure? All I see here is a signal to his congressional colleagues telling them how he wants them to vote.
Congress never NEEDED any pressure from him. That was the point I and several others made several times in the face of irrational Clintonista onslaughts. The bill was moving through the House ranks just fine and an hour long speech from Obama on CNN wouldn’t get it to his desk any faster, nor is this statement meant to speed up the vote.
Captain Freedom
This is fucking annoying.
Tell ya what… when you have to deal with Swine Flu, an HHS Secretary who hasn’t been confirmed up until yesterday, two wars, a recession, fallout from the NY AF1 “photo-op”, and the healthcare crisis…. then you can complain.
Barack had no need to get involved in this bill. It was guaranteed a full passage WITH the transgendered protections and without his involvement. Rather than bicker and blame the President for something that is a non-issue, we should thank him and hold him accountable for closer issues like DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
Alec
By the way, is this a Clintonista dead ender blog now? Is the criticism of Obama a reflection of thoughtfulness or the result of some sort of stupid internet feud?
I canvassed with some Clinton voters during the GE and if forty year old white feminist women can get over it and line up behind the Democratic nominee, forty year old gay men can.
Alec
@Captain Freedom: Especially DADT. DOMA is going to be a very rough fight that I’m not at all confident we can win right now, but DADT is doable, and what’s been coming out of the administration is not promising.
If DADT is repealed it will be MUCH more difficult for people to justify the marriage amendments.
Bertie
Oh —
it took a 100 days for the Obama ass lickers to finally have some doubts that he will NEVER give equal civil marriage rights to gays this term or any term.
He has plenty of time for cuddly puppy dog press and photo ops.
He waited to the night before to support/make comment about the hate crime legislation.
Still no word on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
And the only thing he said about Iowa was his people’s press release reiterating that he supports civil unions.
Obama is a politico prick.
and you self-hating homos who turn a blind eye that you pay MORE taxes than heteros and get FEWER civil rights make me puke.
If they come to round you up in death camps you deserve for your silence.
silence = death
Obama after winning has given gays NOTHING BUT silence.
wowjustwow
“you self-hating homos”
Sigh. Honestly, grow up.
mbb
Queerty FAILS at political reporting. Administrations often issue public statements encouraging Congress to pass a law on the “eve of a vote.” This ensures that
1) the White House does not waste prestige getting behind legislation that has no realistic shot at being passed;
2) the White House uses its influence to the maximum extent possible at a critical moment, such as by demonstrating to Democratic representatives that the White House will provide cover for their vote; and
3) the White House gets credit for helping pass the legislation, deserved or not.
The point is that this sort of stuff happens all the time and it doesn’t make sense to draw the inferences you draw. Seriously, I will stop reading Queerty if it does not get more serious and smarter about the way it discusses politics.
Nickadoo
Clearly, Matthew Shepard’s murder was a “hoax”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iinqe_4O9bM
(ugh)
wowjustwow
MBB – you realize that by understanding how modern politics work, you actually hate yourself, right?
Michael W.
@mbb: Queerty wasn’t all that bad at political reporting before Japhy got fired. He knew the more sophisticated intricacies of politics.
Alec
@wowjustwow: You apparently also get fired. Japhy, whatever criticisms I had of him, didn’t engage in this kind of inept blogging. Bring back Japhy!
wowjustwow
@Alec: agreed, I miss Japhy too.
Btw, not to sound like a total noob, but how do you hyperlink the post that you’re responding to like you did?
mbb
@Michael W.: Will Queerty let me guest write posts on legal/political issues? I am about to get a law degree.
Lorenzo
@wowjustwow:
keep sighing
Gays in american society have no idea how much internalized shame they carry around — and often never lose.
Speak out – be equal in this country – and then sigh your ass off.
Alec
@wowjustwow: Just hit the reply button under the post you’re replying to.
Alec
@Lorenzo: Okay. We internalize it. We also realize the difference between a fight over a name and a fight over substantive rights. What exactly is your point?
wowjustwow
@Alec:
oh duh. thanks.
@Lorenzo:
Siiiiigh. See, the reason I do that is because so many of us are so quick to dismiss any discussion about strategy/effectiveness as internalized homophobia, self-hate, etc.
The Gay Numbers
MBB
Why on earth did you get a law degree? On a more serious note, I find it hard to believe that the people who run this site do no know the normal legislative procress. I half ass asked questions above that was meant to point out the lack of actual reporting in the article. I think the real deal is that the author assumes we are ignorant of politics or wants to ensure a response through sensationalism.
The Gay Numbers
Lorenzo
I agree with your general thesis that there is a lot of internalization of the bigory from the majority into how the minority sees itself. However, in context, where we are talking about a strategy that is the normal strategy for passing bills, I fail to see how that is relevant. For the record, I believe in marriage equality due to the legal issues that arise with changing the name. But, this is not that debate. This debate is about strategy. Don’t confuse strategy with substance.
Lee
1. RE nominations are from an applicant pool that includes Clinton era apppointments. …My point is that Obama keeps get credit for these appointments as if he was the first to make them which in turn are brought up as “change the subject” defenses of what he hasn’t done [yet].
2. RE Clinton …campaigned on [DOMA]….the only instance of this I’ve ever heard of were some radio ads in the South or “religious stations”, depending on which account you read, and they were eventually withdrawn….Given candidate Obama’s defiant use of gay hater Donnie McClurkin in the South and luv fest at Rick Warren’s church in which he surpassed BOTH Clintons by defending his opposition to marriage equality by declaring “God is in the mix” a recording of which was used in robo calls to pass Prop 8; President-elect Obama’s Missing in Action status against Prop 8 [while Bill Clinton recorded No On 8 robo calls and elevation of Warren who, as you know, helped pass 8m at his Inauguration; and President Obama’s damaging and needless reiteration of his opposition to marriage equality in the same breath he spoke of gay rights in the Iowa statement…I’d say it’s at least a wash.
SIGNING DOMA is a separate issue and indefensible, tho what it does and does not do is pathetically, often disingenously misunderstood.
3. RE Clinton / HRC dinner / DOMA / and didn’t have to worry about reelection. …. Technically true, but his presence was unprecedented, gave gay equality generally a prestige it never had before, and has yet to be matched by Obama. In addition, it was ammunition the right wing used against Hillary, both in her Senate and Presidential nomination run, as they did her having been the first First Lady to march in a Gay Pride Parade. June, while not yet busting out all over, is fast approaching, along with the 40th annivesary of Stonewall….I wonder…..
4. RE Obama / gay forum that was televised…a clear wash as most of the the other Dem candidates did, too, and candidate [Bill] Clinton was the guest of honor, gave a long pro gay rights speech, at a huge gay rally that was widely covered by the media. Candidate Hillary Clinton went to other gay events. Obama did not.
The point here is neither hagiography for the Clintons nor beating up on Obama [tho I concede persistent skepticism regarding the genuineness of his commitment to actively working to advance gay equality while thrilled at things he’s done in other areas].
It is in fact the opposite… that the disappointment that followed the initial “St. Bill is going to save us” should be kept in mind when judging Obama not by what he says but by what he does.
Lorenzo
Hopefully a Prez Candidate with BALLS with come along for 2012 and actually say the words “same sex marriage” and not be a Christian/right wing consesionist like Obama.
GOP is discovering as more states get same-sex marriage that the times are a-changing
NH just voted for it. Maine is next.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/us/politics/29memo.html?ref=global-home
Lorenzo
@The Gay Numbers:
fuck your strategic planning
your strategy of pre-Prop 8 sucked ass.
The new strategy is stop being a pussy and speak the fuck up NOW.
ie: we tore through those actors calling themselves doctors / teachers in that ‘A Storm is Coming’ propaganda within hours.
wowjustwow
@Lorenzo:
What makes you think that any strategic planning = bad strategic planning? Prop 8 was clearly bad strategic planning.
Bertie
In his own words, the struggle for LGBT rights is “about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect.” He has an obligation to put that promise of equality on his immediate political agenda.
We have an obligation to make enough noise, raise enough money and put enough pressure on Congress to ensure that Obama’s overall grade on LGBT rights becomes a sparkling “A”.
Class Participation (30%): B+
Class Assignments (70%): F
Overall Grade: D –
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emma-rubysachs/an-lgbt-report-card-for-o_b_192590.html
mick
This post is a joke, if you can’t report on political stories leave it to the adults and just sick with your Britney Spears stories.
Thanks, Mick
Alec
@Lee: I’m with you on this point: Obama must be judged by his actions. Where I depart is the idea that Clinton was some kind of savior when it came to gay rights. He was a horrible opportunist and was quite willing to feed us to the dogs to secure reelection.
For the record, I was living in CA during the Prop 8 campaign. I was in a majority black neighborhood and received both robo ads (Obama and Clinton). I shrugged at Clinton’s and fumed at Obama’s.
But that’s the past. Push him on hate crimes, ENDA and DADT. My support for my President goes well beyond gay rights, in my case; I am absolutely thrilled by what he is doing in Cuba, his OLC appointments and what he’s pushing for elsewhere. If you object to his overall agenda, that’s fine, just be honest about your objections.
Lorenzo
@wowjustwow:
you bore me.
The Gay Numbers
Thanks for clearing up that you are nutjob Lorenzo. Not exactly sure how you think we are going to get equality without a strategy, but whatever. Crazy people rarely do logic.
The Gay Numbers
wow
Lorenzo is probably a sock puppet at best or a nutjob at worse. His job is to make us comment on his comments that make no sense. I mean- think about how bizare his statements are. He wants equality, but does not want to figure out how to get equality? Essentially he’s just an agitator stringing offensive words together. I am not sure he’s real. Given what I am now figuring out about this site, I would guess he’s probably not. Either that or he’s a nutjob. Either way, don’t waste your time.
wowjustwow
@Lorenzo:
Sorry about that. I just hope my shame over it doesn’t turn inward.
The Gay Numbers
Bertie
Again- connect this to the actual topic being discussedhere. Or is the point to generally make vague comments that do not link to the discussion of the hate crimes bill?
Lorenzo
@wowjustwow:
anger turned inward is depression
shame turned inward is self-hatred prone to verbose BS
Lorenzo
@The Gay Numbers:
suck it.
This isn’t vague: Obama will do NOTHING for the LGBT community is next 3 years. Period.
Bertie
@The Gay Numbers:
this is not vague:
OBAMA will do NOTHING for the LGBT community in the next 3 years. Period.
Alec
@Bertie: “Nothing” is a strong word. Easily overcome by symbolic measures. You stand by it, I assume?
Lee
Suffice it to say I am NOT opposed to Obama’s overall agenda. I support most of it enthusiastically, and still tear up at some points when I see his black face approaching a lectern or in the White House, etc., [as I do re our first black First Lady and First Family].
Nor am I a “one-issue” voter. Regardless of the ultimately negligible effect of words [promises] alone, had his positions on gay issues been as bad as McCain’s, I would still have voted for him…for all those OTHER differences….most importantly, future Supreme Court appointments because they will affect so many issues beyond gay rights that I believe in.
Neither can you find anywhere that I claimed Clinton was our saviour. I do believe, and the opinion is shared by actual insiders such as David Mixner who have also pilloried him for his failures, that the opposite is not true either. He was great for us in some areas, and terrible for us in others. But there is enough of the former to give him credit, and enough of the latter to, again, keep it in mind when tempted to prematurely declare Obama our saviour. So far, he is, more or less, at the same point that Clinton was at this point in his Presidency, even behind if one considers what Clinton was still actively reaching for at this point [which, yes, quickly fell apart within the following two months].
That’s why some of us who learned the hard way, are raising red flags so early. First, there was the naive belief that anyone could be our “saviour.” Second, for reasons still inexplicable, Adminstration reps like George Stephanapoulos kept telling us, “Don’t worry. Hold your fire. It’s going to happen.” Even experienced gay Congressman Gerry Studds believed it could happen to the last minute. By the time gays realized in 1993 how huge and rabid and organized the opposition was to removing the military ban on gays [Congress got 434,000 antigay calls IN ONE DAY], it was too late to launch an effective counter attack.
We can no longer afford to simply put out milk and cookies and hope that we’ll wake up tomorrow and find that Santa Claus has come.
wowjustwow
@Lorenzo:
Verbose? I appreciate that, but I don’t really think it’s accurate.
Bertie
oh goodie –
Within minutes of my referencing a Huffpo report card link on Obama’s shiteous record on addressing the LGBT community —
QUEERTY has it ref’d in a new blog !!
suck it bitches – I make things happen
The Gay Numbers
Bertie- are you a republican? Just curious. I don’t expec tyou to be honest, but it’s ironic that the subject matter of the diary is about Obama asking the Congress to pass the hate crimes bill, but you say nothing is being done. This reminds me of when in Feb the GOP was already saying Obama was to blame for the economy. Look, I don’t expect you to answer. I believe many of you are either a) sock puppets put up by the site to create fake controversy with patently bizare stances b) nutjobs looking for a fight c) not interested in actually passing bills, but want to stir up shit anyway or d) some combination of all of the above. The reality is that you are lorenzo (whom I am assuming is you) are saying nothing much regarding the hate crimes bill. Do you consider that bill nothing? I don’t want to actually answer. The truth is I don’t care what your twisted logic of answere is. I want to ask the question to demonstrate how far out of whack you are with reality. Like with Lorenzo- my advice is to not lookc razy directly i n the eye or else he will start babbling about the secret conspiracy to take over the world.
The Gay Numbers
By the way bernie and the other nutjobs here: the house just passed the hate crimes bill
http://www.towleroad.com/2009/04/house-approves-federal-hate-crimes-bill-to-include-sexual-orientation.html
You know that bill where Obama’s statement of support does not matter and proves he’s doing nothing.
The Gay Numbers
Yeah it’s not because I disagree with you that you are now modrating. Good for you. Makes decision making about this site easier.
Bertie
@The Gay Numbers: ‘
NO – not a repub — hate ’em all.
I am a jaded Dem who will only vote for a candidate who stands up for us next time and NEVER bows to the religious right.
I was so amped for Obama and then after Prop 8 decision and Obama’s Rick Warren thingy I took notice…and now 100 days later – you can hear crickets from the cool dude for happily took our votes.
I am an ambrasive and annoying homo who thinks Perez Hilton should be commended. He and Judge Judy – they go on CNN’Larry King and say “same-sex marriage is a civil right for all tax payers.”
sing along kiddies…The times they are a-changin’
Join the fight for equality or stay bitching on the sidelines.
Bertie
I have moved on to the “what have you done for me lately OBAMA?” posting — which I must admit is more my topic dujour
bless you all
stop being pussies tho
The Gay Numbers
what makes you think I have a problem with what Perez did? The problem here is the way you want to paint everyone who does not think like you with a broad brush. Trylistening. It’s not as bad you might think.
Bertie
not as bad?
Last time I checked I was still a heavily tax paying muthafucker with less than the same civil rights as my breeder peers while
the loud mouth/protesting tax-exempt churches and leaders were still being ass-kissed by our leaders. whatever
SM
The gay community has a friend in President Obama…they just need to learn how to play politics.
Peace~
The Gay Numbers
Bertie
You have emotional problems. You seizd on the phrase “not as bad” and ignore everything that comes before and after that. I mean- learn how to listen to other people here posting rather than just going off like a nutjob. The ironyof course if you had read mycomment , which you didn’t, you would have known that was my point. I am done Bertie with this convo with you. I don’t want to talk to someone who is not listening to what I am saying, but rather going off on rants that have nothing to do with what I am writing. Jesus this place is starting to attract the lowest commond demoninator. For the record,I don’t give a shita bout how much taxes you pay. Unless some of that money is coming my way, it has nothing to do with your ability to listen to what I am saying. Grow the fuck up.
SM
@The Gay Numbers:
It’s hard ….but its politics.
Let Obama get some things rolling on the economy, healthcare, etc where he needs a lot of support and is important to huge amounts of people…he accomplishes that and it will be a lot easier for him/Democrats to stir the pot for gay rights etc.
If Obama had been more outspoken during the Campaign on gay issues, it could have cost him Ohio. That is how Bush won. Obama is of no help if he is not in the White House.
Its not a matter of If..just when..
Bertie
@The Gay Numbers:
boo hoo
be concise and say what you mean then dickwad.
We have enough blathering politicians giving us the run around.
Bertie
@SM:
hey shithead – OHIO is in the past. HE in in. I get it —
A black man is president ! wow !! He used the internet !!
I saw the magazine covers!
Are you over it yet?
He is the man in charge — and he got our votes —
now we wait. and watch. and bitch. until we’re heard.
SM
@Bertie:
Hey shithead? You know…I’m not even gay…I’m staight but I have a gay brother and I campaigned for No On Prop 8 in Orange County California- Rick Warren territory. NOT ONCE DID I SEE YOUR LAZY ASSES OUT HERE EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR ISSUE.
Keep on acting low class….you make the gay community look pathetic and its no problem…I can stop spending my straight dollars on your equality issues.
GROW THE HELL UP
Bertie
@SM:
FIGURES.
Now go get legally married — cuz you CAN !!
SM
@Bertie:
Everytime you wonder why the gay community is losing battles…go look in the mirror. Its because of people like YOU.
Stop messing it up for my brother.
Seriously…seek some professional help for your anger issues and little internet outbursts. Its preschool.
I’m interested in people who can fight campaigns and win…not immature brats who sit in the sandbox and throw sand.
Stop being a baby…and see a shrink~
Bertie
@SM:
is that a threat?
you: I can stop spending my straight dollars on your equality issues.
me: well then, I can stop styling your hair and listening to your girlfriend tell me what a BORE you are.
oh snap.
Bertie
@SM:
you should have throw some sand on that sea of YES on signs in your OC neighborhood? I bet you even wear tacky Tommy Bahamas shirts like Pastor Rick Warren.
SM
@Bertie:
Just go have a flaming 3 year old temper tantrum somewhere.
Good God…grow up..its not that difficult
Bertie
@SM: \
gay brother? Good for you. You can be his best man at his CIVIL UNION (separate and not equal) CEREMONY under Obama’s guidance with his “god in the mix” bullshit.
Bertie
@SM:
let’s kiss and make up. MIMI’s CAFE for lunch?
SM
@Bertie:
They should stop letting people in preschool play on computers.
Be a Man bertie…GROW UP
SM
@Bertie:
MIMI’s is no big deal…
I enjoy the restaurants by my brothers house in the Castro~
Have fun treating people who have stood up for your community like trash..I hope it makes you feel like a man.
Bertie
@SM:
I bet you didn’t even send your condolences to your bro when Bea Arthur died. INSENSITIVE !! If you did – I eat my typed words, all of ’em.
Okay — off to offend others elsewhere…
The Lesbian Mafia
This is one of the most politically savvy sites on the web. You guys are a light beam in the dark world of an Ozombie gayNation.
Bertie
I am thrilled that the Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill has passed the House of Reps by a vote of 249-175. Now the bill goes to the Senate…and Obama’s pen.
and may a house fall on the despicable Virginia Foxx (R-NC).
alan brickman
so he should have gay inequalities in less than 100days?? damm him..lol
Mike Barton
*I agree! I also don’t understand why, with all the time and money spent to fix the economy, why it isn’t fixed already. And why don’t we have universal healthcare yet? Why haven’t Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and DOMA been repealed yet? Geez, what has this loser been doing the last 100 days?
*Read with sarcasm-colored glasses.
Lee
@ Alan/Mike – Obama’s biggest failure: pulling your heads out of your asses.
ben
This web site is ridiculous. Less than one 100 days, he’s done so fucking much already. He’s said SO much stuff about how we need to focus on hate crime legislation even more than marriage! You’re just trying to be provocative and act like a watch dog. In reality you just sound like assholes. Saying it the night before the vote is powerful. And it’s not the only time he said it.
Stop posting provocative stuff like this, it’s so tiring.
ben
Post #33 has it right.
Jack
Obama is no friend to gay rights. If he signs the Mathew Shepard Bill it will only be because the embarrassment of not doing so would be too great. He is a friend of Rev. James Meeks of the Illinois Family Institute, someone the Southern Poverty Law Center has identified as a top-10 gay hater. He has shown plenty of times that he detests gays.
Alec
@Jack: You’re a nut. Obama ain’t perfect on gay rights, but he’s about the best we’ve ever had in the White House (I think Clinton was also pretty damn good, but Obama is a bit better).
He associates himself with anti-choice people, too. Doesn’t make him anti-choice. There’s a reason his approval rating is 68% or so.
Scott
I have heard way to much that “Obama has had a lot on his plate and the financial crisis needs his attention.” Well guess what people, there are always going to be crisis. There is always going to be “other things” that “take priority”. Obama said himself that he can “do more than one thing at a time.” So lets see him do it. We have waited and waited and waited and waited. NOW is the time for action. If he doesn’t begin to work on LGBT issues, as the White House web site states, in his first two years he will not get anything done. For those of you that say. “we can wait until his next term”, since when is a “next term” guaranteed? He MUST act now or we will just be left out in the cold once again. His “promises” to further the LGBT community seems to be getting placed on the back burner. DADT is being “put down the road a bit”, why?
Stop delaying and hoping for things to come when all the “crisis of our economy” are taken care of. Guess what, we will never see anything then. He is the President of the USA, there are always going to be pressing crisis. Everyone needs to QUITE giving him a pass just because his job is “hard” and he has a “lot to deal with”. I say so effin what, that is what he signed up for. It is his job to deal with crisis, get things done and fulfill his promises to his voters. It just so happens that “his voters” were from the LGBT community. If he doesn’t do something dramatic for us in this term, I don’t forsee a second term for him.
Peace,
Scott
Chitown Kev
@Scott:
and…it is OUR job to make sure that Obama and the rest of these Democrats pay for taking our votes and slapping us in the face. Electorally.
Including Obama. I agree with you.
Sandra S.
@Alec: How can you say that you judge someone on their actions and then in the next breath say “But that’s in the past”? If you don’t want to think bad things about Obama, regardless of his actions and inaction, just say so.
ron larson
LGBT why do people HATE you…….ooh thats a tough one.You need hate laws to hide behind .Guess what soddem and gommorites GOD SEES EVERYTHING YOU DO.Have fun while you can GOD IS COMING TO JUDGE US ALL ,YOU and I will all be held accountable.I USED to be bisexual I was wrong and in your hearts you ALL LGBT know what I mean.Jesus loves you but HATES your sin.I am no perfect person I still sin as is human nature.No this there is god there is the devil both are REAL choose before the lights go OUT.As for me and my house I choose Jesus.I know you will all get mad and say JESUS says your life styles are OK FINE.Well I hate to break it to you but that is NOT the case.I hope you consider repenting I hope you reflect on what GOD SEES YOU DOING…….It is your soul it is your fate it is Gods gift of free will.Choose now PARADISE OR ETERNAL TORMENT.Dont say you were not warned when that GREAT DAY COMES and well you know……things get REAL HOT REAL FAST FOREVER.Peace of GOD be with you all.The holy spirit is with you just GIVE YOURSELF TO JESUS AND LIVE.The devil lies to us all….