Wayne Besen - Author, Activist, Columnist, Public Speaker

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

(Weekly Column)

A debate is raging on whether to have a national gay March on Washington in October. Most leaders I have spoken with are against the idea, preferring to keep scarce financial and human resources in the states. Others, such as myself, are largely ambivalent. A galvanizing force, however, is giving new life to this idea and his name is Barack Obama.

The President is in serious danger of motivating a huge mass of gay people to stream into Washington for the simple joy of standing in front of the White House and giving him a piece of their minds. This frustration may lead to an embarrassing situation for the President, where former supporters mount the largest anti-Obama pep rally not fronted by Sarah Palin.

Today, an array of GLBT leaders expressed their dismay with the President by pulling out of a Democratic National Committee fundraiser. The action is in protest of a noxious legal brief submitted by the Department of Justice. It implausibly defended the heinous Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) by using anti-gay arguments that likely drew a standing ovation from Rev. Pat Robertson.

DOJ's paper included a comparison of gay relationships to incest and opposed same-sex relationships on the absurd basis that it would cost taxpayers money (Don't gay people pay taxes?). HRC also sent a pointed letter to Obama highlighting the betrayal felt by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

"I cannot overstate the pain that we feel as human beings and as families when we read an argument, presented in federal court, implying that our own marriages have no more constitutional standing than incestuous ones," wrote HRC's President, Joe Solmonese.

The deteriorating situation is exacerbated by confusion about who will push for equality. The Obama administration claims to be awaiting congressional action on a number of issues, including ending employment discrimination, eliminating DOMA and repealing Don't Ask/Don't Tell. Meanwhile, Senate majority leader Harry Reid is waiting for Obama to act, as well as the House of Representatives. The GLBT community has become a hot potato that the Democrats do not seem to want to touch.

Aggravating matters was John Berry, the highest-ranking gay official in the administration. In an interview with The Advocate, he said that Obama's timetable to enact his pro-gay campaign promises is "before the sun sets on this administration." So, now we have to wait 4-8 years, while watching him suck up to Rick Warren on Day 1?

For what seemed like forever, Democrats told us that when the big bad Republicans went away, our lives would improve. Well, the Republican nightmare is over, so why do I still feel like I'm in the middle of a political Friday the 13th movie?

The Democrats took our money, our votes and our volunteer hours and now they tell us to wait patiently, like good little gays. As far as I'm concerned, if the donkeys can't deliver now, they can kiss my ass. The Democrats run the show in Washington and if they will not act like a majority party, then they do not deserve to be one.

This is not about making unreasonable policy demands, but about the Democrats recognizing the daily struggles faced by gay people. A new report by The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs said, "violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people increased 2% from 2007 to 2008, continuing the trend of a 24% total increase in 2007."

Yesterday, I read about a lesbian who was barred from visiting her partner in a Fresno hospital, and as a result her partner received the wrong medication. Last week, I was in conservative Western Michigan where I spoke to young people who were nearly driven to suicide as a result of anti-gay attitudes.

We need a president who recognizes these evils and demonstrates the courage and leadership to enact the change he so eloquently promised during his campaign.

If Obama continues down the current path it will come at a steep price. When Bill Clinton settled for Don't Ask/Don't Tell, it solidified the growing perception that he was "Slick Willie." By turning his back on the gay community, Obama will play into the idea, stoked by Hillary Clinton and exploited by John McCain, that he is a man of beautiful, yet empty words.

What Obama fails to understand is that when poetry does not translate into policy, and hope turns hollow, the American people will begin to tune him out.

I'm still undecided about the wisdom of a march on Washington, but I am decidedly fed up with my political "friends" marching all over my dignity and taking my support for granted. If the majority party does not cough up the votes to protect our families, we should close down our generous coffers.

Update: Today, Obama will sign a presidential memorandum to extend benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, but he will stop short of pledging full health insurance coverage.

This is a good start. Of course, the health care thing is perplexing, as gay people have been known to come down with colds too. However, let's not be ungrateful. Thank you Mr. President for this wise step. We do appreciate it and your action today has not gone unnoticed.

That said, we are not satisfied. If you agree that we are human beings and American citizens - than why should we not share in equal rights and be able to protect our families - just like anyone else? Why must we have any laws on the books that single out GLBT people and discriminate? Why not work in a swift manner to end discrimination and have it be your legacy? Why must another day pass where we are second class citizens?

Mr. President, we know you are capable of greatness. You are already an historic figure and a man of enormous achievements. We want to celebrate your administration and help reelect you.

But, the time has come to move beyond the campaign trail and do what is moral and just. We are watching and waiting and we hope we can celebrate you as the fierce advocate that you portrayed yourself as to gain our support.

There is still much work to be done.

19 Comments:

I salute Pres. Obama on many initiatives and bills passed, Lilly Ledbetter, withdrawing troops from Iraq, shoring up financial markets, helping families facing foreclosure and so on. All important and needed. What is not needed is more of the same, ignoring GLBT issues he promised us during his campaign like "I support the complete repeal of DOMA". Promises not kept are promises broken and should Obama not follow through for the millions of American, taxpaying, hardworking members of the GLBT community, he surely will deserve the backlash he will reap.
posted by TexasCowboy, at 6/17/2009 3:45 PM

I agree, Tex, we have waited enough. I can't understand why O. is trying to placate the evangelical right and build consensus from a group that will never vote for him. As he well knows, he can't please all the people all the time, BUT he needs to come through with the repeal of DADT, DOMA, and finally spearhead legislation for equal rights for gay and lesbian people (includes the bt's). And that's for starters! When one starts hearing McCain's daughter and Dick Cheney pipe in for gay marriage, we just know that the Democrats aren't doing anything about us and the opportunists are jumping on our bandwagon. It makes me sick! Wayne, I'd say we march on Washington. Tired of being patient.
posted by richard schillen, at 6/17/2009 4:05 PM

I think it's time that we admit the obvious: Barack Obama is a fraud. He campaigned boldly and decisively, but now that he is in power, he is more intent on ensuring that he offends no one, and, in the process of doing so, satisfies very few. This man promised to "bring change to Washington," and he hasn't even remotely done anything that even resembles real change. We and the rest of the country have been bamboozeled.

Contrast this fraud with Spain's President Zapatero, who boldly pushed for same-sex marriage legislation despite the throngs of religious protestors in the streets of his country, and even touted the accomplishment when he successfully ran for reelection. Obama is hardly the leader that we were hoping he would be.

A real leader would have already halted gay discharges from the military. He would have signed an executive order instead of claiming that he's simply waiting for Congress to act. Harry Reid's recent statement that there are "no Senate co-sponsors" for repeal of DADT has revealed Obama to be a bald-faced liar. I am not terribly surprised, given the nature of most American politicians, but I am disappointed.
posted by Chris L., at 6/17/2009 4:42 PM

That March on Washington is a MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't want to hear one word on why Obama is not doing anything but sitting on his ass regarding our issues. Those days are over folks. Our patience has been tried to no end and is no longer present.
posted by ewe, at 6/17/2009 9:49 PM

The 14th amendment. Obama is a former professor of constitutional law. His concerns are not with or for us.
posted by ewe, at 6/17/2009 9:51 PM

My spouse and I are terribly disappointed in Obama's failure to even BEGIN to address LGBT concerns in this country. From Donnie McClurkin (sp.?)to Rick Warren to the DOJ comparing marriage to incest, all Obama and his lot have done is to show teir contempt for GLBT Americans. I'm tired of earing, "It's just te first 100 days!" No, com Sunday it will be a good 150 days and we are STILL waiting...
posted by Merlyn, at 6/18/2009 1:19 AM

"Thank you Mr. President for this wise step. We do appreciate it and your action today has not gone unnoticed."

I noticed it, all right.

I recognized it as a slap in the face...a tossing of a bone. SOME benefits? But not health and retirement? To a select few, to a miniscule segment of our community?

I am not grateful for yesterday's bone. I don't consider it a gift, or even an advance. I consider it placation, and a slap in the face, at that.

Yesterday I wrote the President and clearly conveyed that I am heartbroken; in November I was elated, on Inauguration Day I was offended (i.e. Warren) and hopeful, and today I am appalled.

Obama has already lost my faith, and it's, what, only five months into his Presidency.

Fraud, indeed.

When a group of individuals is being oppressed, that group should NEVER be asked to compromise or wait on their civil rights, regardless of what obstacles the nation is currently facing.

"He who allows oppression shares the crime.” -

Desiderius Erasmus
posted by Peter, at 6/18/2009 9:47 AM

Disagree about giving him a break. He's promised things he can't quite deliver. June was already pride month, how many feds are going to come out of the closet with NO JOB SECURITY, and the passport is just a cheap knockoff of a court order name change. Obama deserves a big Gay Pride parade!
posted by Frank, at 6/18/2009 11:06 AM

What galls me with Obama is that he tries to inject the word "equality" every time he's under pressure by LGBT voters to do something as he did when he signed the executive order granting some meager rights to gay federal employees. Somehow, he equates that with equality as he does with civil unions. To me, that is a loud and clear message that he believes in segregation only for gay citizens. He should stop with the bullshit and be honest and tell us that segregation is perfectly fine as long as we're gay and are only entitled to something less than the rest of society. The man is delusional and needs to take another look at the Warren court decision. He's learned nothing and has pandered to the religious right by allowing god to be in the mix....no different than the Clintons. Obama, just like the Clintons hasn't learned to put aside his personal beliefs that have NO business in determining the outcome of a basic civil right. Religious beliefs have NO place in the political process or electoral system.
posted by Robert, NYC., at 6/19/2009 8:47 AM

<19>i like your bolg,welcome to my website,please!眼袋手術,整形,建炳雙眼皮,割雙眼皮,縫雙眼皮,韓式雙眼皮,雙眼皮整形,雙眼皮手術,雙眼皮診所,高雄雙眼皮,眼袋,建炳眼袋,眼袋整形,眼袋診所,眼袋醫師,拉皮,建炳拉皮,高雄拉皮,內視鏡拉皮,五爪拉皮,電波拉皮,拉皮整形,拉皮手術,拉皮診所,建炳,建炳整形,高雄建炳,建炳診所,建炳抽脂,高雄抽脂,抽脂手術,抽脂整形,抽脂醫師,抽脂診所,雙眼皮,整形,整形,整形,整形,整形,整形,整形,整形,整形,整形,整形,整形,整形
posted by candy, at 7/02/2009 1:59 AM

柴犬
 瑪爾濟斯
 白蟻
 除白蟻
 白蟻防治
 保健食品
 樟芝
 納豆
 瑜珈
 瑜珈教室
 瑜珈補習班
 高雄瑜珈
 法拍
 法拍屋
 MOTEL
汽車旅館
 高雄MOTEL
高雄汽車旅館
 3M隔熱紙
 大樓隔熱紙
 汽車隔熱紙
 隔熱紙
 瑜珈教學
 瑜珈教室
 高雄瑜珈
 法拍屋
 地板拋光
 居家清潔
 清潔公司
 旅行社
 機票
 會計事務所
 法拍
 法拍屋
 墾丁一日遊
 墾丁旅遊
 墾丁旅遊網
 高雄一日遊
 高雄旅遊
 高雄縣旅遊
 阿里山旅遊
 服飾批發
 流行服飾
 韓國服飾
 日系服飾
 看護
 居家看護
 看護中心
 台中motel
台中住宿
 台中汽車旅館
 蛋糕
 彌月蛋糕
 乳酪蛋糕
 巧克力
 chocolate
塑膠棧板
 棧板
 白蟻
 除蟲
 跳蚤
 除白蟻
 白蟻防治
 大陸新娘
 外籍新娘
 扭力板手
 防爆工具
 扭力校正器
posted by candy, at 7/02/2009 2:00 AM

laser engraver laser engraving machine laser cutter laser cutting machine vinyl cutter cutting plotter cnc router laser cutter laser engraver laser engraving machine laser cutting machine desktop laser engraver mini laser engraver vinyl cutter plotter cutting plotter woodworking cnc router mini cnc router cnc router laser tube

laser engraving laser cutter desktop laser engraver vinyl cutter laser cutting

laser engraving machine laser cutting machine cutting plotter laser cutter laser engraver
posted by cuttingplotter, at 7/07/2009 3:24 AM

cheap wow gold
buy wow power leveling
posted by wow power leveling, at 8/05/2009 4:52 AM

钢托盘
 仓储笼
 托盘
 钢托盘
 折叠式仓储笼
 钢托盘
 折叠式仓储笼
 钢托盘
 折叠式仓储笼
 塑料托盘,塑料栈板
 湖南塑料托盘,塑料栈板
 长沙塑料托盘,塑料栈板
 仓储笼
 托盘
 仓储笼
 托盘
 仓储笼
 钢托盘
 仓储笼
 钢托盘
 仓储笼
 仓储笼
 托盘
 仓库货架
 仓储货架
 塑料托盘
 钢托盘
 折叠式仓储笼
 仓储笼
 钢托盘
 手动液压托盘搬运车
 货架
 托盘
 仓储笼
 货架
 货架
 货架
 横梁式货架
 托盘
 仓储笼
 手动液压托盘搬运车
 仓库货架
 仓库货架
 货架
 仓储货架
 仓库货架
 库房货架
posted by peter.w, at 10/20/2009 11:44 PM

搬运车
 堆高车
 油桶车
 手动液压搬运车
 液压托盘搬运车
 搬运车
 液压搬运车
 手动搬运车
 托盘搬运车
 手动液压托盘搬运车
 不锈钢搬运车
 镀锌搬运车
 电子秤搬运车
 称重式搬运车
 搬运地牛
 手动液压拖板车
 迷你搬运车
 重载搬运车
 超长搬运车
 超宽搬运车
 低放搬运车
 高起升搬运车
 剪式搬运车
 电动搬运车
 半电动搬运车
 平台车
 手动液压平台车
 电动平台车
 液压平台车
 油桶车
 圆桶车
 油桶搬运车
 油桶装卸车
 圆桶装卸车
 油桶夹
 堆高车
 手动堆高车
 手动叉车
 堆垛车
 手动堆垛车
 手动叉车
 半电动堆高车
 半电动堆垛车
 电动堆高车
 电动堆垛车
 堆高机
 叉车
 电动叉车
 内燃叉车
 液压升降平台
 电动升降平台
 移动式登车桥
 固定式登车桥
posted by peter.w, at 10/20/2009 11:46 PM

ugg shoes
ugg boots
ugg
ugg sale
fake ugg
ugg store
ugg discount
men's ugg
womens ugg
buy ugg boots
ugg cardy
replica ugg
cheap ugg
ugg classic
posted by diana, at 12/12/2009 2:49 PM

cheap Christian Louboutin
Christian Louboutin on sale
Christian Louboutin Boot
cheap Yves Saint Laurent Shoes
Jimmy Choo on sale
Christian Louboutin Boot on sale
cheap Christian Louboutin Pump
discount Christian Louboutin sandal
cheap Jimmy Choo
cheap Christian Louboutin sandal
nanjing art school
replica Audemars Piguet
replica DeWitt watches
watches

posted by xianglan, at 12/14/2009 8:43 AM

ugg shoes
ugg boots
ugg
ugg sale
fake ugg
ugg store
ugg discount
men's ugg
womens ugg
buy ugg boots
ugg cardy
replica ugg
cheap ugg
ugg classic
Ugg Amelie Suede
UGG Bailey Button
UGG Classic Cardy
UGG Classic Crochet
UGG Classic Mini
UGG Classic Short
UGG Classic Tall
Ugg Gypsy Sandal
Ugg Halendi Sandal
UGG Hammond Slipper
UGG Infant's Erin Baby
UGG Layback Slipper
UGG Locarno
Ugg Matala Sandal
Ugg Napoule Sandal
UGG New style
UGG Nightfall
Ugg Persephone Sandal
Ugg Skimmer
UGG Sundance
Ugg Tasmina
UGG Ultra Short
UGG Ultra Tall
UGG Women's Coquette
UGG Women's Knightsbridg
UGG Women's Mayfaire
posted by 月, at 12/24/2009 10:03 PM