Obama in L.A., But No Prop 8 Comment

I think this is being completely taken out of context, what's not in here is the whole speech and when you watch it, you can hear that Obama says in his speech at the podium that when he drove up he saw protesters, but couldn't see or hear what they were protesting, all he saw was some sign held up high that said, "keep your promise". Now imagine you see that in the distance, you don't know what they're protesting. This is a man who moves from city to city where their are herds of protesters for every cause. Yes, Prop 8 is a cause that's close to our or your hearts, but for him, he's got a whole list of things he's trying to fix, so let's just cut him a little slack. He's come far for G&L rights in comparison to other Presidents, we now have our very own section on the White House website, let's not make him an enemy just yet.

Paraphrasing "Tom Tomorrow", many of us have had IMAGINARY conversations with Obama where he promised certain things that are dear to us, like support for gay marriage. Well, he never did, in fact, the opposite is true: he publicly said the same thing like Miss California. Gay marriage is the last winning issue that the Republicans have. Obama will not let this issue become his downfall. Thankfully he's not a rabid anti-gay and he's apparently neutral, letting US do the work that WE need to do. Now I'm going to talk to my friend the fairy queen, maybe she can help us with her magic wand.

"More out of control and show our anger and rage"? Just think about that statement. Instead of continuing to work to increase the public support for LGBT rights, we should become rabid? We should appear irrational? In other words, we should potentially lose all that we have worked so hard to establish? There have been times when this strategy has worked, especially during the early years of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Do you actually think that the current situation is a dire as the unexplained, untreated deaths during that time? We are not waiting for "religious bigots to confer on us a few rights." We are waiting for the rational center to continue to shift, as they have been doing for years.

Obama ex machina. Why is it that people think that Obama can wave his magic wand and make everything alright? He is not our father, nor is he a dictator or the Messiah. He is but one branch of a three branch government and his true power rests in the public's perception of his legitimacy. Without that he has little power. Sure, in some cases he could sign an executive order. In many cases, an executive order would be considered a misuse of power - and chip away at this legitimacy. if we want our civil rights - and if we want them to be permanent - we have to build public support. Just look at the example of California. The courts came to one decision and the public - as a backlash - came to another decision. Now in California the LGBT movement is working to shift public opinion. Not only is that what needs to be done; it is the ONLY way to get it done.

�More out of control and show our anger and rage�? Just think about that statement. Instead of continuing to work to increase the public support for LGBT rights, we should become rabid? We should appear irrational? In other words, we should potentially lose all that we have worked so hard to establish? There have been times when this strategy has worked, especially during the early years of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Do you actually think that the current situation is a dire as the unexplained, untreated deaths during that time? We are not waiting for �religious bigots to confer on us a few rights.� We are waiting for the rational center to continue to shift, as they have been doing for years.

"What promise" --just like all the rest, including Clinton. E mail the white house today. And while you are reading, be sure to vacation in New England for the next few years. Las Vegas is Nevada is not minimally welcoming to gays. Boycott my state to get their attention! God forbid one of a couple need medical care whilie here.

We're not asking Obama to have a drink in a gay bar. All he has to do is use some of the influence that we elected him for to promote fairness for all. We are not whining. We have been discriminated agaisnt for decades. He could give us equal rights so easily. He is very powerful as president. His silence is very hurtful and we are the ones who continue to suffer on a daily basis. Gays must become more out of control to show our anger and rage. Nothing will ever happen if we continue to be the good little gays who are patient and waiting for the religious bigots to confer on us a few rights to shut us up.

I'm as frustrated as the next person - we've fought for decades on all fronts to advance LGBT civil rights. Due to DOMA and other discriminatory practices, my foreign partner and I have lived apart for years. That said, I support Obama. How many presidents have come into office to face economic, health, and immigration crises, not to mention the resurging threat of a new nuclear menace? How about giving him a break; he's only completed 8% of his term. To top it all off, he faces a Republican party that is willing to cut off America's nose to spite its face. It would be even worse if LGBTs were willing to cut off our own nose to spite our face. Every day public support grows for LGBT rights. Keep in mind that we are only about 5% of the population and we need public support. In this time of multiple crises, let's not lose this growing support by crying that we suffer more than others. If we want others to have empathy for us, we have to have empathy for them too.

... see, given context, does that mean he doesn't know which of his broken promises the person was referring to? Kind of mixed messages there. To be fair, he has said time and time again that he is against gay marriage. As unfortunate as this is, and as much as I would like to see him change his mind and begin supporting marriage equality, it is not surprising that this is the sort of response he has. I'm not sure I'm necessarily understanding the response to Lynn, other than the obvious ignorance regarding naturally occurring animal behavior. Whatever she meant by it, I'm all for getting the issue of marriage equality taken to the Federal level and being done with it once and for all instead of this state-by-state crap. I just think I want a different outcome than Lynn seems to want. Sure, it's not practical, and probably will be a while before that is a possibility, but I'd still like to see that too.

I say all LGBT people do a tax revolt against the State of California! For denial of our rights!