Village Voice: Has Obama Shafted The Gays?

[Bluebear]

Let's stop hurling dismay at beauty pageant losers for a second, considering the fact that our own President seems to have left the gays out to float on a block of ice too. As we know, Obama used to be in favor of same-sex marriages, but then he changed that to a far more politically expedient middle-of-the-road stance, shifting his true feelings on the road to ambition.

Meanwhile, he can't exactly denounce the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8, seeing as he's now conveniently anti gay marriage himself, so he's staying mum about it.

And he doesn't seem all that willing to reconsider the absurd "Don't ask, don't tell" premise that still haunts gays in the military, despite gay activists begging him to abolish it now.

As this Boston Globe editorial puts it, "On gay rights...Obama stands where it is politically smart to stand. He finds the politically sweet spot that placates the left and doesn't alienate the middle."

Just one problem--it's not placating the left anymore!

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/archives/2009/05/has_obama_shaft.php

[Neecy]

1. I can hear you - vaguely

I'm not sure what you're protesting about.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

2. Of course he has

However, I didn't expect anything from him anyway.

[Bluebear]

3. We were ASSURED by the throng that McClurkin and Warren would be IT!

He "needed" them to get elected and was only playing chess.

[WillParkinson]

18. Playing chess...

Sadly, we seem to be the pawns.

[msongs]

4. the election is over, no need to placate those pesky liberals anymore thanks nt

[Ms. Toad]

5. Except that he was never in favor of same gender marriages.

That is the main reason I supported Edwards over Obama in the primaries. Edwards was not in favor either, but he was at least struggling with his personal feelings that formed the basis of what he knew was an ethically unacceptable position. Obama was pretty much hard-wired against marriage - and it didn't seem to bother him that equal rights required marriage that he was opposed to.

[Occam Bandage]

24. He was back in the '90s. Of course, that was before civil unions were part of the public debate;

it's quite possible (and I think likely) that he supported gay marriage with reservations: he thought it was wrong that gays didn't have substantive rights, but didn't want to call gay relationships equal to hetero relationships. In the separate-but-equal notion of civil unions he found something he could unconditionally support.

[deaniac21]

6. Obama knows all, be patient.

[struggle4progress]

7. Since when is the President the authoritative voice on state constitutional issues?

For those who didn't pay attention in civics, the President is the Federal Executive, and does not control (for example) the State of California, its voters, or its courts

[readmoreoften]

8. Since when does a "fierce advocate" of LGBT people stay silent on the matter in the state where one

of the biggest defeats in US history for LGBT people occurred. A "fierce advocate" would not be silent, would not take this opportunity to REAFFIRM HIS SOLIDARITY with his supporters.

If bigots stood up to vote down interracial marriage, regardless of the Kafkaesque legal intricacies, I think he would mention it.

[struggle4progress]

11. Letter from President-Elect Barack Obama to Alice

... I support repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, and the passage of laws to protect LGBT Americans from hate crimes and employment discrimination ... http://alicebtoklas.info/~aliceb/index.php/news-articles-by-date/50-letter-from-barack-obama-to-alice

He's already on record. Why not try to run some repeal legislation through Congress? Sure, it's harder work than just demanding a statement ...

[Laughing Mirror]

16. actions speak louder than letters to Alice

Remember that old chestnut? It still rings true.

[Baby Snooks]

21. Just another slick politician....

He never said anything other than he opposes this or supports that - and of course sits on the fence because he never said he would actively lobby Congress for change. Or even speak out. Just that he would oppose this or support that. He is a waste of time. For everyone. Not just for gays and lesbians. For everyone.

And of course there sits Rahmbo. Whispering in his ear. Do this, don't do that. Let Congress take the blame. Whispering what the Clintons are whispering in his ear. And in 2011 after Hillary Clinton announces she will challenge Barack Obama for the nomination in 2012, he will stand there as she asks "Where's the change?"

Good question. Want change? Start looking towards 2012. And looking for someone other than Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.

[yodoobo]

9. No. But I see alot of people shafting Obama

sickening to see "supporters" turn against him.

[WillParkinson]

19. Sickening to see a "fierce advocate of the gays"...

Seemingly forget we exist now that he has what he wants.

[Bluebear]

22. You don't know what sickening is, trust me.

I'm sure you have all your rights.

[yodoobo]

27. That's a huge assumption, trust me.

And incorrect I might add.

For that matter none of us have all our rights.

I understand that Obama will be unfairly criticized unmercifully. It stared on November 4th.

That's the nature of fickle Americans and politics. I am surprised its being done by the well meaning liberals, as much as by hateful conservatives though.

[Bluebear]

28. "Obama will be unfairly criticized unmercifully" - I know, poor, poor Obama

[cboy4]

10. This is what happens when you're not honest about

something.

You never know what to say because you're not sure whether it's going to be inconsistent with what you've said in the past.

[cherokeeprogressive]

12. The very title of this post made me spit a whole mouthful of wine all over my keyboard, my monitor,

and my desk.

I am so bad.

[cboy4]

13. Yea, either a poor choice of words or intentional

:o

[cherokeeprogressive]

14. I'm going with the latter, but still... the best comedy is rooted in irony. n/t

[cboy4]

15. Yup, especially when it flies right over the noggins of certain

people! :o

[spanone]

17. how the hell can the President influence the california supreme court?

[Bluebear]

23. So. Your contention is that leaders should only comment on things they can inflence?

[Jakes Progress]

20. Ignoring your constituents

is the kind of thing that led to the Log Cabin republicans.

[Echo In Light]

26. It doesn't seem to matter in the US tho - the next election comes w/the same type of candidates

The problem isn't the politicians - people should have LONG realized that, gee, politicians lie - the real problem is the public who keeps buying into the bullshit time after time after time after time...and apparently expecting favorable results.

[Occam Bandage]

25. His slowness on DADT and DOMA is deserving of criticism.

His silence on Prop 8 is reasonable, since it's a state issue and he's already said he thinks gay marriage should be decided by the states. His response would be nothing but, "Yeah, the states should decide this, and the state courts should decide the legality."

His stance on gay marriage is consistent enough (his support for gay marriage was back before civil unions were part of the public debate, and he's apparently supported separate-but-equal ever since it became an option). That does not mean it is good, but it isn't a cause for dismay. Anger, yes. Dismay, no.