Comments on: Besen: An Obama administration and gay rights

By: Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:45:18 +0000

Obama is the candidate that can help us the most, he may not support gay marriage however he does support giving us the rights that we desperately need and I think that a step forward towards equality is a good thing even if it is a small one. I know its a hard decision to make on election day but vote for the candidate that help the most people.

By: Randall

Randall — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:45:35 +0000

I do not agree with where Obama claims to stand on gay rights. I do believe, however, that he will listen to our concerns. I dont see him actively pushing gay protections or rights in his first year but I could see members of Congress bringing it up. In Obama’s first term, I would be quite happy with baby steps. Congress should pass the Hate Crimes law, repeal DADT, and lift the ban on AIDS patients travel. Also, I would like to see Congress approve Obama’s more liberal picks for the federal courts. If those things can get accomplished while he’s president then we will some much needed progress.

By: charlie

charlie — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:05:38 +0000

Thank you Wayne! Nate hi! Only words…one of the cardinals in NYC(i can’t remember which one – they all look alike in those red dresses!)- used to say (with that butter won’t melt in my mouth smile) “love the sinner, hate the sin”.BULLSHIT! it’s an 007 code, a license to kill! his listeners believed in the transubstantiation twostep and the holy trinity trifecta. very easy to confuse the “sin” and the sinner. Kill the sinner, eliminate the “sin” for the glory of god. pretty piss poor god that can’t do its own dirty work. Words can poison minds and poisoned minds can and do kill!

By: Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:06:25 +0000

What about Barack Obama’s best buddy, superdelegate, and “Spiritual mentor”, Reverand Meeks. Rev Meeks was the guy whom you may recall saying (and I quote) “….Homosexuality is an evil sickness….”

And, yet, there are gay people supporting Obama?????? Hmmmmmm…..

Rev. Meeks homophobic ways are well noted. A 2007 newsletter from the Southern Poverty Law Center named Rev. Meeks one of the “10 leading black religious voices in the anti-gay movement.” Let me repeat that in case anyone didn’t catch it the first time. “10 leading black religious voices in the anti-gay movement.”

Described in a 2004 Chicago Sun Times article as someone Barack Obama regularly seeks out for “spiritual counsel”, James Meeks, who served as an Obama delegate at the 2008 Democratic convention in Denver, is a long-time political ally to Barack Obama.

I have no idea where anyone gets an idea that Obama is FOR gay rights. Obama, the apple, doesn’t fall far from the Reverand Meeks’ anti-gay tree……

By: Nate

Nate — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:19:06 +0000

I am a 58 year old proud gay man and I do remember a ‘word’ growing up. Some drinking fountains used to say ‘colored’. They were the same…weren’t they? Civil Unions/Marriage Colored/White Only. Words, eh?
Nate Klarfeld
(a back of the bus Obama supporter)

By: Wayne

Wayne — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:14:51 +0000

I personally don’t care if it is called a ‘civil union’, as long as I get equal rights and equal immigration rights to bring my partner of 10 years here.

———–

That is exactly the point I’m trying to make. Civil Unions are already the law in New Jersey, but gay couples in NJ have already discovered that the companies the issue benefits (inheritance, health, insurance, etc) are not recognizing civil unions as marriages and are therefor denying benefits to gay couples. WORDS MATTER. A MARRIAGE IS A MARRIAGE. OBAMA IS WRONG! SEPERATE BUT EQUAL DOES NOT WORK!!!!

By: Art

Art — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:49:52 +0000

Maybe Obama doesn’t believe in gay ‘marriage’. But he does believe in eaul rights for all. I personally don’t care if it is called a ‘civil union’, as long as I get equal rights and equal immigration rights to bring my partner of 10 years here. Do you really think Ted Kennedy would have endorsed him if he was not for equal rights for all?
In my eyes there is no choice who to vote for. Obama will change this country for the better. If McShame gets in, the federaland supreme court judges will be hand picked and set us back 30 years. Why do you think Bush is throwing his tantrums again about getting his judges in before he is out of office?
Obama is the man to vote for….

By: Christopher

Christopher — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:31:44 +0000

It’s down to two people. Hilray is not an option any longer. So pick the lessor of the two evils! Thats easy for me to say because I still can’t see myself voting for Obama. I honestly don’t think I will be voting this election-a first for me! Either way I say tuck your heads between your legs and start praying! God help the USA!

By: fred

fred — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:48:05 +0000

I don’t think we’ll see much from Obama on gay issues. He’s against gay marriage. Ultimately, support from gay people has never made a difference in any national election. Why would he risk alienating supporters who are cool to gay rights? Politicians are not known as the most principled of individuals..

By: David in Dallas

David in Dallas — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:11:17 +0000

Sorry, Wayne,

While I feel your pain, I’m not on the same bus as you. Under “W”, we took Rosa Parks’ seat at the back of my bus. We all know how the (un)religious right ignores reality in order to keep us in our place.

I’m more than willing to give Obama the opportunity to get his sea-legs in place before I start demanding a seat closet to the front of the bus.

Due to unimaginable (unconrtolable?) circumstances, Obama will have the opportnity to become one of the greatest presidents we’ve ever had. Deep down, I believe he has our best interests on his “to do” list.

Give him a break.