Gay Pride month kicks off with support from Hillary, Obama, Jill Biden, and ... Dick Cheney?

Erm, I think you're being a bit harsh on Obama here. Can you imagine Bush ever writing a proclamation like that stating that June is the US's official gay pride month?! I think that shows that Obama is very progressive and even though civil unions arn't equal to marriage like civil partnerships are in the UK, they are still a big leap forward. Not to mention the fact that don't you think that Obama is agreeing with Cheney here, by making civil unions legal at a federal level, he is probably making the statement, just like Cheney, that marriage itself is a thing for the states to decide individually? That's what I think. And even though Obama isn't doing things as quick as you would like him to, I still don't think he deserves a lot of criticism. Many of the things he has said and written (mainly this proclamation and also the list of things he is going to do for gay equality that is listed on the White House website), shows quite clearly that he is on our side here.

weirdest thing happened. after the ban on prop 8 was upheld and that republican guy from Bush's campaign teamed up with the democractic guy from Al Gore's...

when i heard that, i literally said "ok, something crazy is gonna happen. either bush comes out for gay marriage, john MCcain or Dick Cheney"

as soon as i read it on huffingtonpost, i gasped so loud. my boss thought i was having an asthma attack for a second. basically, i called it and was shocked i was right. :-)

Obama is still annoying me with this issue. I read Obama's statement and what really gets me is he acknowledges that we are a part of society, we give to it, we're people too, yadda yadda....and he mentions equality. last i checked, DADT and same sex marriage and him not saying/supporting/taking action on these things is NOT gonna help his call for equality 

"Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans." -- FULL SPECTRUM? um, who is writing this? come on....

 As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

I voted for him, but i wish he could just say "i support A,B,C, and not D"...because the hypocrisy is giving me a headache.

 

Obama Proclaims June 2009 "LGBT Pride Month" Aaaahhh, I Feel All Better Now!

Read the full story at Rev. Steve's Cyber-Pulpit  http://tinyurl.com/cymw44

Mr. President, we appreciate your proclamation celebrating the achievements of LGBT Americans, but that still begs the question: would you let your daughters marry one?

It is not a fair comparison. Although Cheney has surprised everyone that he said what he said the other day, we cannot forget his silence at his own daughter's discrimination during the 8 years he was in office. There were many moments he had a chance to speak out and he chose loyalty to President Bush II over his own family as did his wife. He only said it was a private matter and no one's business. But now he can say something? This is also the same man who stood by and let the President campaign on gay marriage as a wedge issue in 2004. His support and voice are welcome but to compare to President Obama's record is no comparison.

As for President Obama, his record as a legislator and at least public words have been consistent in tone if not in follow through. Sadly, he cannot seem to grasp the important economic impact that gay marriage, ENDA, and Don't Ask Don't Tell have on the GLBT community at-large. At the federal level, he must be more vocal and show us physically and legislateively that he is with us beyond words. How about attending an MCC Church in DC to show his commiment to both the importance of religion as part of one's life AND his support for GLBT families? Why not have him attend a private Gay or lesbian wedding of a friend? Why not submit himself to an interview by The Advocate now that he is the President? When Don't Ask Don't Tell reaches his desk, have him convert all discharges related to the policy be wiped off the books and benefits and apologies distributed accordingly? Politics is a rough business, but the power of the physical being can be a powerful moment for the nation to see. So far he has done nothing but band-aid our movement with platitudes.

I told everyone that Obama was NOT progressive enough before the election!

Obama doesn't support civil marriage equality! Obama doesn't support human equality and human rights for all human beings!

I don't know why people are so surprised now! This is what happens when you live under a two-party dictatorship: all the progressive policies get swept under a rug and ignored!

While things are not as we would like, to say that Obama is going too slow is really just a bunch of queens who want their cake now. Sorry boys and girls he's doing it right. The saying slow and steady wins the race really applies here. He's doing what he can. Remember he's got 3.5 years left at least and hopefully 7.5. DODT will be gone by the end of his administration. Bet on it. The reality is Obama can only do so much as president, remember congress has a say also (unfortunately) otherwise we can be sure that Bill Clinton would have done it. Take it easy folks. Support the guy. Write those emails to your local politician. Make sure your voice is heard, but lets be smart about it.

 

Just go back to the VP debate when he was asked about his daughter and gays in general and he was upfront that his views were different but he was not the lead of the ticket.

ALL VPs are meant to be loyal and he was whether he agreed with the president's policy or not.

Has Obama repealed DOMA or Don't Ask Don't Tell brought to us by his Secretary of State's husband?  When is this change coming or is this "proclamation" just lip service that will be embraced and cheered by the "gay community" at large because half of them went to get in Obama's pants? 

American politics is about political pressure rather than trust. Until gay rights activist achieve their goals, they should keep the pressure on Obama. Having worked in DC for a non-gay lobbying organization and with friends on the Hill, I learned that the best thing that you can do is to keep the pressure up on your side on controversial issues like DADT or ENDA (Barney Frank plans to reintroduce this soon). The squeaky wheel unfortunately really does get the oil. For example, apart from the fact she's highly qualified, what also drew Obama to Sotomayor as his S.Ct. nominee, was the heavy pressure he recieved from Latino advocacy groups.

I read that since President Obama has been elected, over 200 people have been discharged from the services because of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I voted for Obama because I wanted change, not more of the same. I'm still waiting for him to do something substantive or even comment on cases like Victor Fehrenbach, a 18-year, multi-decorated veteran pilot who's been drummed out of the Air Force because of DADT. ... It's hard for me to believe that Obama, as a multi-racial member of the minority, doesn't understand the concept of equality. Maybe he doesn't believe there's enough political will in the general public to support such a move. But I wish he had Gavin Newsom's guts to say the right thing about gay marriage. For him to duck topics like Prop. 8 is cowardly, and not worthy of a true leader.     

I knew this would happen. But it's not like we had any other choice. It was either John McCain or Obama. So obviously, we're lucky to have Obama. Still, Gay groups and media personalities, Ellen Degenerous I'm looking at you, have got to put alot of pressure on the Obama Administration. Of course, timing is everything and if some major news story is exploding at the time then our outrage may or may not be pushed to the back burner in newsrooms.

This reeks of a cheap attempt by Cheney and those backing him to make Obama look weak on gay issues by gringing his inaction to the forefront and we'll buy into it just like the want us to. I don't buy Cheney's sudden support. Cheney is using the fact that he no longer has the pressures of being VP to say whatever he wants without having to walk the walk. The man had 8 years to demonstrate support and was in a position of power where he could actually put that support into action to help us and he failed, so the comparison between the two is ill-made. His support is too little too late and is probably little more than a political stunt at worst and a poorly-timed gesture at best. Obama at least still has a chance to make his support mean something for us. Whether he will is another matter.

Saying you're in favor of gay marriage but that it should be "left to the states" means you're not in favor of gay marriage.

 

Barry thinks we should have something sorta like marriage "but PLEASE don't call it marriage because no black breeder will ever speak to me again"

IOW Separate AND Unequal.

Not a damn's bit of difference between them.