Obama And Gays
I've said it many times before, posted examples of why Obama is, possibly, a changing figure in politics when it comes to gays. Obama is much better of gay rights than Clinton. Obama wants to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, repeal The Defense of Marriage Act. Obama, again, showed his strength and commitment to gay rights. While he is not going to transform the gay rights movement to full equality, that is going to take some time, he is the only candidate that talks to groups normally hostile to gays.
"Obama's rally in Beaumont today was the highest-energy of this Texas swing, with a crowd that was about three-quarters black cheering at almost every turn.
An interesting moment came when he was asked a question about LGBT rights and delivered an answer that seemed to suit the questioner, listing the various attributes — race, gender, etc. — that shouldn't trigger discrimination, to successive cheers. When he came to saying that gays and lesbians deserve equality, though, the crowd fell silent.
So he took a different tack:
"Now I’m a Christian, and I praise Jesus every Sunday," he said, to a sudden wave of noisy applause and cheers.
"I hear people saying things that I don’t think are very Christian with respect to people who are gay and lesbian," he said, and the crowd seemed to come along with him this time.
The moment reminded me of a conversation I had recently with a senior figure in the national gay rights movement, who noted that Obama's deference to some black Christian discomfort with homosexuality — his refusal to dump the "ex-gay" gospel singer Donnie McClurkin from a tour — angered some gays and lesbians; but conversely, that his ability to sell gay rights in the black church is unique and appealing."
via Politico
Again, you never, never hear Clinton talk like this to a crowd that is not made up of gay rights activists. Obama is the only one. This is why I am a bit bewildered by the fact that so many gays and lesbian back Clinton. Simply bewildered.
Is this Clinton-love some sort of pre 9-11 nostalgia? Nostalgia for the halcyon days of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and Defense of Marriage Act?
And before I get emails telling me I've drank some mystical Kool-Aid, I don't think, again, Obama will be our savior when it comes to full equality for gays and lesbians, but to have a national figure, a national figure running for President, speak about our rights, is remarkable.
"Obama's rally in Beaumont today was the highest-energy of this Texas swing, with a crowd that was about three-quarters black cheering at almost every turn.
An interesting moment came when he was asked a question about LGBT rights and delivered an answer that seemed to suit the questioner, listing the various attributes — race, gender, etc. — that shouldn't trigger discrimination, to successive cheers. When he came to saying that gays and lesbians deserve equality, though, the crowd fell silent.
So he took a different tack:
"Now I’m a Christian, and I praise Jesus every Sunday," he said, to a sudden wave of noisy applause and cheers.
"I hear people saying things that I don’t think are very Christian with respect to people who are gay and lesbian," he said, and the crowd seemed to come along with him this time.
The moment reminded me of a conversation I had recently with a senior figure in the national gay rights movement, who noted that Obama's deference to some black Christian discomfort with homosexuality — his refusal to dump the "ex-gay" gospel singer Donnie McClurkin from a tour — angered some gays and lesbians; but conversely, that his ability to sell gay rights in the black church is unique and appealing."
via Politico
Again, you never, never hear Clinton talk like this to a crowd that is not made up of gay rights activists. Obama is the only one. This is why I am a bit bewildered by the fact that so many gays and lesbian back Clinton. Simply bewildered.
Is this Clinton-love some sort of pre 9-11 nostalgia? Nostalgia for the halcyon days of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and Defense of Marriage Act?
And before I get emails telling me I've drank some mystical Kool-Aid, I don't think, again, Obama will be our savior when it comes to full equality for gays and lesbians, but to have a national figure, a national figure running for President, speak about our rights, is remarkable.
Labels: Barack Obama, gay, Gay Marriage, GLBT, Hillary Clinton
posted by Michael at 9:51 AM
1 Comments:
I believe that Obama has good intentions for the gay community (Gay's in military and gay marriage). However, I think you haven't been watching. I think the CNN debates and a national TV talk show Ellen speak for themselves. I'm sure you can agree that these are not groups made up of gay rights activists:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5kLfIKfvUk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS-iVY3mmxg
She is very clear about how she feels about gays in the military.
Not to mention she openly marched in the NYC gay pride parade. She is not afraid of what people think of her views on this. THIS is why I support her as President of the United States of America.
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