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01.20.2009 12:11am EST
(Washington) At 11:30, Barrack Obama becomes the 44th President of the United States in a ceremony dating back to George Washington, who took the oath of office in New York, then the capital of a new nation.
Obama comes to office with the highest approval ratings of any President in history. George W. Bush leaves with an approval only slightly higher than Richard Nixon, who was forced to resign the presidency.At the Capitol Monday evening, the final touches were made to the inaugural stage on the steps of the massive building. Dozens of streets are closed to traffic and Homeland Security, the FBI and DC police were checking everything from pedestrians going into the area to ensuring manhole covers are secure. It is the tightest security of any inauguration.
Packages, coolers, glass containers, backpacks, laser pointers, animals other than guide dogs, bicycles, and even baby strollers are banned.
The weather will be brisk – in the mid 30s – but sunny, and people planning on attending are being told to dress warmly and to wear comfortable shoes.
It is estimated that as many as 2 million people will be there, capturing their place in history.
About 240,000 people have been given tickets allowing them a better vantage point – mainly Congressional aides and campaign workers.
Invitations went out to a number of prominent gays and lesbians including at least four who will be part of the Obama administration – John Berry, who will be the next director of the Office of Personnel Management and the highest ranking gay in the administration; Nancy Sutley, who was tapped to lead the White House Council on Environmental Quality; Fred P. Hochberg, who will head the Export-Import Bank; and David Medina, the deputy chief of staff for Michelle Obama.
Also invited were Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, the first openly gay bishop in the worldwide Anglican faith, and Ohio LGBT rights activists Lisa Hazirjian and her partner Michelle Kaiser of Cleveland.
But all won’t be pink bliss. There remains considerable resentment with the choice of Pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation prayer. Warren, the pastor and founder of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., publicly supported California’s Proposition 8, which amended the state Constitution to ban gay marriage.
In an effort to mitigate the anger over Warren, Robinson was invited to give the invocation at Sunday’s kickoff gala at the Lincoln Memorial, although due to a “mis-communication” between the Presidential Inaugural Committee and HBO, his prayer wasn’t televised. The PIC has since said they will be sure to include the prayer when the concert is replayed on screens on the National Mall today.
Obama’s inaugural address is expected to last about 20 minutes. In the words of one political observer, it is expected to be “a barnburner” rivaling the soaring oratory of John F. Kennedy.
With the nation in a financial crisis and with two wars ongoing, the stakes are high for Obama to calm the national fears and create a sense of stability.
The inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue will feature a national composite of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association. The association has drawn on members from across the country to make up a special band for the parade.
Tuesday night, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host 10 official inaugural balls, including the Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Ball at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel.
WOW
Just turned on CNN. Did Mrs. Obama cut up a sofa to make that dress?
Gerry,
The operative word being “IF”.
I am hopeful that Obama will prove to be a friend of the GLBT community.
However, right now it’s still just words.
>Obama is more of the same, at least in gay rights.
Check out this link:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/civil_rights/
If he delivers on this, I challenge all of you to name a more pro-gay President. (But it will be four years before we can check the accomplishments against the agenda.)
Let us all be thankful that this day of celebration for Pres Obama actually happened. I don’t think he will abandon us, he’s a smart and a decent human being. I muted the TV when Rick Warren spoke and couldn’t really look at him. It’s almost like looking at Phelps.
President of the United Straight…
Barack is so GQ! Looking so cool and fashionable. Even his overcoat is not “bulky” like what the others are wearing, ie, #43 US President. The First Lady is so elegant in that outfit. Matching gloves and shoes-that’s classy. But who dressed Mrs. Biden? Mini skirt in winter and boots? For this occassion?
He has endorsed many things GLBT and has backtracked at them all. BUT we need to be Americans *first* we’re not the only group in need at the table, there are many others whose rights are not yet recognized by the federal government. I can’t think of any right know but I’m sure someone can name them. Support President Obama, support all the good things that take precedence before your dignity and humanity and that of your family as GLBT people. We need to be Americans first and support everything and everybody first while not having a seat at the table. We need to be my fellow GLBTers, Americans first and GLBT people second or third or maybe whatever number we’re to be relegated by what ever other group or good thing has more interest to our other fellow non-GLBT Americans than our humanity as GLBT people. We GLBT need to be Americans first while at the same time be the proud card carrying holders of a 3rd class citizenship.
I was thoroughly enjoying the inauguration ceremony on CNN, until fat ass Rick Warren showed up. More of the same Obama… more of the same… Yes we can? I guess only if you’re straight…
So even though Obama has endorsed almost every major piece of future GLBT legislation this year–committing himself to advance our rights and protections more than any other President in history–some of you are still going to sit around and whine about Hillary not winning or his lack of support for gay marriage??? Really???? That’s what you plan to do??
Well, you fringe elements can stay outside in the cold and scream at the wind as long as you want. The rest of us are accepting Obama’s invitation to join him inside the White House.
We all rest our faith upon the shoulders of great men. President Obama belongs amongst them. Let us hope he has the wisdom to lead ALL americans through to Peace and Understanding and put an end to the pernicious lies and sabotage of the Right-Wing Christian Hate-Mongers.
No more carte blanche for Democrats … Either this president supports us or he’s against us. If we were black and the Grand Wizard of the KKK was present, we’d be justifiably angry. 1 year and ENDA needs to be passed, DOMA repealed, DADT repealed. No repeal and no more contributions to Democrats and frankly, my family will be moving to Canada. No more 2nd class citizenship … it doesn’t matter if inequality is sponsored by Repubs or tacitly supported by Democrats. Wake up brothers and sisters.
I’m furious about Warren, and the treatment accorded Bishop Robinson, BUT –we have two choices: we can bawl, or we can get busy and SUPPORT PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA; support the GOOD things — health care, shoring up Social Security for the elderly and disabled, fixing the school system, fixing the economy, fixing the infrastructure, fixing America’s reputation at home and abroad. Yes, we need to BE at the table, but we’re not the ONLY group in need at the table. We need to be AMERICANS *first*, and GLBTQA people SECOND. Yeah, I know, that sounds jingoistic coming from left-of-Mao me, but it’s true.
NEVER FORGET: IT *COULD* HAVE BEEN *McCAIN*!
I am still for Hillary, but I am thrilled about this day. We have a LIBERAL in the TOP office! NOTHING is better than THAT! Can we give him a CHANCE?! No matter what kind of mis-steps occur, he is LIGHT-YEARS ahead of what we have EVER had! My fingers are crossed and I am crying tears of hope right now. I believe that he will make my dreams come true of KEEPING my marriage certificate LEGAL. It’s a BEAUTIFUL DAY!
WRONG!!! The HRC Equality Ball in not one of the ten “official” Balls. Someone on the 365Gay.com staff has their Balls crossed.
After Obama gives inaugural address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall.
The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.
Later that day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host 10 official inaugural balls:
_ Neighborhood Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.
_ Obama Home States (Illinois and Hawaii) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.
_ Biden Home States (Pennsylvania and Delaware) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.
_ Midwest Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.
_ Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.
_ Western Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.
_ Commander in Chief’s Ball at the National Building Museum.
_ Southern Inaugural Ball at the National Guard Armory.
_ Eastern Inaugural Ball at Union Station.
_ Youth Inaugural Ball at the Washington Hilton.
Unofficial balls include:
_ Congressional Black Caucus Inaugural Ball at the Capitol Hilton.
_ Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts.
_ Recording Industry Association of America’s ball for Feeding America.
_ BET’s Inaugural Ball at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
_ Africa on the Potomac inaugural celebration at Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.
_ American Music Inaugural Ball at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.
_ Inaugural Purple Ball at the Fairmont Hotel.
_ Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Ball at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel.
_ Inaugural Peace Ball at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.
_ Impact Film Fund ball.
– - – - – - – - – - – - – - –
And last, but not least, don’t forget the largest Ball of all. This one takes place across the entire nation. It is the “Gay Bawling Ball”. That is where millions of disappointed voters in the GLBT Community, who got suckered into voting for this Obama Nation, all get together in spirit and collectively bawl their eyes out.
Admission is free.
–nuff said…
~ Bud Evans
http://rainfish2000.blogspot.com
Obama is more of the same, at least in gay rights. He doesn’t support same-sex marriage and is highlighting a minister who actually participated in “taking away” rights for couples. It’s disgusting.
Then there is the whole Gene Robinson fiasco, where he wasn’t even in the broadcast due to the Presidential Inauguration Committee…according to this site, grrlplanet, and many other websites. It wasn’t even the fault of the network.
Maybe he’ll mention us in a speech? Wow…
I guess I’m not that easily wooed.