White House Changes LGBT Civil Rights Commitments On Web Site (removes most of what we want)

[FreeState]

Im so pissed off right now....

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/04/30/11044

The latest updates represent a deep dissapointment. Missing from the new page is any mention of promoting meaningful AIDS prevention and the enactment of the Microbicides Development Act to empower women to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. The latter, strictly speaking, isn’t necessarily an LGBT issue. But given all that we’ve been through the past quarter century, I think it’s safe to say that the LGBT community is very sensitive to how HIV/AIDS affects everyone. And given the neglect from many previous administrations to domestic HIV/AIDS initiatives, many in the LGBT community look at commitments like this as a possible bellwether.

Also gone from the web page is Obama’s campaign promise to repeal the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act.” This was one area in which then-Sen. Obama set himself apart from Sen. Hillary Clinton during the race to capture the Democratic nomination. Obama was among the few who called for the full repeal of DOMA. Sen. Clinton, for example, only advocated a partial repeal. Seeing DOMA missing altogether from the re-vamped web site is particularly disturbing.

And then there’s the mention of “changing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in a sensible way.” That looks like a clear backtrack from his earlier promise to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” This critical change only serves to reinforce growing suspicions that the administration is backing away from this important, high-profile promise.

It’s unclear how much of this represents a genuine policy shift, or just a reshuffling of the web site’s focus. A letter sent to Joe.My.God suggests the latter. But whatever the case may be, we will continue to hold the Obama administration accountable to the promises he made throughout his campaign and confirmed on Inauguration Day. In case there’s any confusion as to what was originally promised, I’ve reproduced those original commitments below.

[joeybee12]

1. I'd be really ticked off if I had voted for Obama...

...but hey, I saw his BS for what it was.

[DURHAM D]

2. Yep - no surprise here. Move along... n/t

[dbackjon]

3. No suprise

Obama doesn't give a damn about Gay Rights.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

4. I'm not surprised

He clearly has issues with the gays.

I just feel bad for the people who actually fell for "Hope and Change."

[frebrd]

5. Come on down here.......

under the bus where you belong!

:(

[sui generis]

6. I am surprised - this is not "passive" disinterest

He's an absolute idiot if this is a strategic move and we're absolute idiots if we just grumble quietly about it.

[joeybee12]

7. Yeah, at least we could get lip service...

...apparently that's too much for him these days.

[foxfeet]

8. Can't say I'm surprised.

It only took him 100 days to learn how to move the goal posts.

[beaglelover]

9. According to Joe.My.God website....

They restored the items to the white house website, but they did change some wording in the DADT pledge.

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/

Yesterday JMG reader Sean Chapin alerted me to the shrunken list of commitments to LGBT rights on the White House's official site. What was once an eight-point list of detailed promises including the repeal of DADT, the repeal of DOMA, and other major commitments shrank to these two sentences:
President Obama also continues to support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. He supports full civil unions and federal rights for LGBT couples and opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
I posted about this massive reduction and sent the post off to my contacts at several major LGBT organizations. Among the responses was this from the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force:
I wanted to let you know that Rea Carey contacted the White House directly about the issue today after you alerted us to your post. Rea was told that they are changing the White House Web site to turn it into a more governance-focused site to reflect progress, as opposed to a campaign and transition site. They said they have taken out many such points throughout the site (not just on LGBT policy issues) as part of this changeover, and are apparently modifying the site over the next few weeks. We will be keeping an eye on it, but if you see changes before we do (or a lack thereof), please let us know. And thank you for calling this to our attention.
Today Americablog's John Aravosis writes:
In spite of yesterday's change in language, a White House spokesman assured me last night that no change in policy was intended:
"As is the case with most websites, periodic changes are made to WhiteHouse.gov. Recently we overhauled the issues section to concisely reflect the President's broad agenda, and will continue to update these pages. The President's commitment on LGBT issues has not changed, and any suggestions to the contrary are false."
At around the same time last night, the Civil Rights page was updated to include many of the previously omitted promises. Hate Crimes was now included as a news update, since the bill just passed the House, and AIDS is now included elsewhere on the White House Web site - all of which is fine.

There was, however, one bit of new language that caught the eye of a number of observers with whom I spoke last night:
supports changing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in a sensible way that strengthens our armed forces and our national security...
Aravosis concludes:
The language changed from a commitment to a "full repeal" of DADT to a commitment to "change" the discriminatory policy in a "sensible" manner. While the White House has assured us that this is not an indication of a change in policy, the language, on its face, appears to be a clear change in policy. Changing DADT is not repealing DADT. It is a commitment to keep the discriminatory policy in place, albeit with some alterations. If the White House is still in favor of "repealing" Don't Ask Don't Tell, albeit in a "sensible way" - and we're happy to take them at their word - then say just that. Change "change" to "repeal" and be done with it.
Naturally, I'm stoked that my post spurred some movers-and-shakers to pressure the White House to restore most of the list. But like John Aravosis, I'm quite dismayed with the new DADT wording.

[FreeState]

10. He's wrong... the page has not been restored

here is a link to the page:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/civil_rights/

here is the text that was originally there:

Support for the LGBT Community

“While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. 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 about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect.”

– Barack Obama, June 1, 2007

Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. President Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to include violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical disability. As a state senator, President Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.

Fight Workplace Discrimination: President Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees’ domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. The President also sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: President Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.

Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: President Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples.

Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell: President Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. The President will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.

Expand Adoption Rights: President Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.

Promote AIDS Prevention: In the first year of his presidency, President Obama will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. The President will support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system. The President also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. President Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma — too often tied to homophobia — that continues to surround HIV/AIDS.

Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS: In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. President Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.

[beaglelover]

11. Most of that stuff is still there......

just presented differently. I can't find where the AIDS stuff went yet, but apparently it moved to a different section of the site. But I agree with your dissapointment over the DOMA stuff......

[tbyg52]

12. Well, I do hope it is just a rearrangement.

You'd think they'd realize it might cause an uproar, even if that's all it is. (I don't know - just hoping.) They're *supposed* to be smart politicians.....

[queerart]

13. ......And Most Queers Across America Will Clammer For More.....

Hit Me Again Daddy..... But Like You Mean It This Time!






So play a fun personal game... Ask your acquaintances (not your friends, as they most likely will think as you do)... But a "social acquaintance", or a "Gay co-worker" two questions to see what the replies might be.......


Two ideas for questions that will quickly put reality back in check for anyone reading this message.......






Question: Did hear about the move by the Obama Whitehouse to change their LGBT Civil Rights Commitments on the .gov website?


Answer: "No I didn't hear about that.... did you hear Jim is playing around on his new boyfriend?"






Then ask the really big, all important question:






Question: "Did you see the photo that was taken of Obama with his shirt off?"


Answer: "Oh My God! He is so hot.... I'd do him even if he never help me gain any rights.... and you know what, I saw a guy at the bar that looked just Obama... and Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah, FUCKING BLAH!





Most will have no idea, nor interest in the first question....... and everyone in government understands that. But I'll bet you a new 3 Dollar bill that most will have more than ample interest in the second question. Add in the fact that the Whitehouse feels that they will make up the votes with conservatives by these moves in which they loose in Queer votes... so to them it's a win/win situation....... plain and simple.......


Now... don some steel underwear, as the cluster fuck crowd will soon show up to tell you How Lucky You Are to have shit wiped in your face... and they will of course proceed to recommend that you ask for a heaping second serving....... as all of this will be heartwarming to the haters crowd..........

[Solon]

14. "changing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in a sensible way."

What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Seriously, is it really that hard to state that you want to repeal DADT and replace it with a non-discriminatory policy?

[keepCAblue]

15. Change DADT in a "sensible way"...i.e., same pig, new shade of lipstick.

Discrimination is discrimination, no matter how you try to dress it up or disguise it.

[mitchtv]

16. It's only a two minute Prayer

Whatta ya want ? a pony?
just tying up loose ends

[jesus_of_suburbia]

17. Pathetic. The Supreme Court nominee had better be VERY gay friendly.

None of this religious bullshit when they are deciding important GLBT cases over the next 30 years.

[mitchtv]

18. You can always Hope

If not you will be told to STFU

[jesus_of_suburbia]

19. I already know that :-) On this board gays can't criticize Pres Obama

unless they want the usual suspects to lambast them.