Subscribe to Breaking News
Loading ...Besen: Obama’s empty words
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 week, 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.”
Recently, 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.
What debate about a march on Washington? Cleve Jones (founder of the Names Quilt) made a call for an October 11 march on Washington when he addressed Utah Gay Pride a few weeks back.
No LGBT leaders were consulted in this decision. Jones didn’t bother to check to see if the Mall in Washington is available (it isn’t). The call was made with just four months of planning time — an impossibly small amount. The call was made in the middle of a recession at a time when GLBTs are giving heavily to state-by-state fights like Prop 8 in California. And finally, Congress isn’t even in session on October 11th and so no political lobbying would take place. The march would amount to little more than an inclusive circuit party without the drugs and white underwear.
Moral of the story: Jones is the only one calling for a march, and I suspect even he’s realized it was a dumb idea by now. Even if someone actually tried to organize the march (and no one is), it would thrown together at the last minute. It would attract only a handful of people, a few thousand at the most. The GLBT community would look small and insignificant, something too many Democrat (and virtually all Republican) politicians already believe about us.
Cleve’s call was a mistake. But a march isn’t the answer. Withholding LGBT dollars from the Democratic National Committee at their $1000 per plate gay fundraiser next week is a far more effective idea.
John Berry, the openly gay director of the White House’s Office of Personnel Management, recently said Obama would address DOMA, ENDA, and DADT “before the sun sets on the administration” while refusing to comment on whether that included a second term.
As President, Obama sets his own agenda, but we don’t have to like it. If Berry was truly speaking for the administration then the DNC fundraiser should also be rescheduled for when the sun sets on the Obama administration. A gay band in the inaugural parade, an official proclamation for Gay Pride month, and a benefits package for non-military federal employees that doesn’t include health or retirement benefits doesn’t merit a million bucks and a standing ovation.
In the meantime, our gay dollars and volunteer efforts are much better spent organizing on a local and state level.
@Stephen – where are you getting your information? There is a MOW, they have a permit, it is moving forward. Go to http://nationalequalitymarch.com/ for more information.
I totally disagree with you in terms of the March when you say the “march would amount to little more than an inclusive circuit party”. We need to show unity and visibility. Working State by State is not going to get us the FEDERAL rights that we deserve. You say that no LGBT leaers were consulted? Why – they have done little in the past decade except our payments and stab us in the back. Even the HRC in their shady deals with the white-house as of late. Finally some action from actual people stepping up to be the leaders instead of sitting at the back of the bus waiting for the HRC or DNC. It wasn’t either the HRC or DNC that organized the massive protests following Prop 8 – it was grassroot groups (e.g Join the Impact). I think those marches were very successful in creating dialogue and visibility. The MOW will do the same. What I don’t get is even if you don’t necessarily believe it will have a big impact why be a nay-sayer and drag it down. Let those who actually what to DO SOMETHING – go and do it. At least they are taking action, even if it amounts to nothing more than “feel good” action. I for one will be there with my husband and our two daughters.
Well said Wayne. I agree with you 100%
As my Mom used to say:
“Talk is cheap. “Action” takes class.”
I say march! I am tired of this crap. Personally, I am starting to get tired of the HRC, GLAAD, and other gay lobbyist groups because they are too soft on the Democrats. It’s time for the young LGBTQ people to step up and make some noise. The system is against us and writing a letter expressing disappointment is not going to do anything.
I get the feeling that those who are against the protest or any harsh criticism of the administration are just afraid of angering those in power who hold our rights in their hands. We shouldn’t have to beg for something they have no right to withhold from us.
The Democrats will never stand up for us unless we hold them accountable. It time to take some risks and stop being afraid of those who oppress us.
Today is a great day to write a letter:
I wrote letters to both of my Senators and my Congressman today similar to this:
Dear Congressman,
I am writing you today because I am concerned about the current lack of action on the part of our legislative branch and our executive branch on issues that directly affect the lives of gay couples.
Our President promised to work with congress on a range of issues like repeal of DOMA, DADT, ENDA, Hate Crimes, and enacting Civil Unions with full federal benefits. I write you today because I know our President can not achieve movement on these issues alone. I am asking you as a life long democrat who has always volunteered to elect democrats and contributed to democrats to please help get these very important issues moving legislatively.
In tough times like these gay couples are also struggling to keep their heads above water but the difference is they are doing so without the same rights and benefits as heterosexual couples. My life waits in limbo until the Uniting American families Act passes or until the Defense of Marriage Act is repealed.
I, my friends, and my family will no longer be donating money or assisting in helping democrats be elected to office until legislation is written and passed to stop discrimination against gay couples.
Respectfully,
InExile
“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”. Who are those “leaders”? The men and women who are fronting LGBT organizations while pocketing hundred thousand dollar salaries anually? The longer this drags on the richer they become.
Stephen’s comment “The march would amount to little more than an inclusive circuit party without the drugs and white underwear”. This is an insult to every politically active person in the LGBT Community. Go to hell. The rest of us should march!
After campaigning for Obama, and helping to run phone banks against McCain in Florida, I feel betrayed by the DNC. I told them last week in several emails that I was withdrawing my membership. “Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.”
And as far as the federal benefits for gay employees and partners… well guess what HES ONLY DOING THAT SO HE CAN KEEP HIS GAY STAFF.
I’m a little confused. Other then spending money, what could possibly be the down fall of organizing a massive march on washington? Do you really think the NAACP and all the people who attended the march on washington for jobs and freedom in 1963 were financially rich? Taking a stand takes sacrifice, and us lazy gays need to organize a massive protest that gets peoples attention. Something they’ve never seen before. But If we dont start now, it will only be a few thousand people out there, if even that, and no one will give a shit like usual. Im sick of our community half stepping things, especially in the protest department.
What will it take to pull off something like a huge March? If we get out the word NOW, I believe there would be plenty of people who attended.
Another problem is that we SUCK with our advertisement. The only way we’d get a good turn out is if from here until oct 11, we hear nothing but info on the march. Every gay bar should have signs up, every internet site(Including hook up sites), Any gay TV/radio channel. I want to be so sick of hearing about this march by the time it comes.
Sad part is, ive NEVER seen anything happen like that in the gay communty. No inspiring event has really brought us together, something that everyone either knew about or was involved in. It’s sad when theres some event going on in the community, and I hear SOOO many people say “Well if I would have heard about it sooner…” Maybe the head faggots in charge will get there PR and advertisement game together.
“He is a man of beautiful, yet empty words.” No duh! I saw that from the very beginning. I wish I could go to a march on Washington. Why is everyone waiting on Obama to act, its obvious that he’s not going to.
The question that needs to be asked and answered is who is advising Mr. Obama. My recollection is that a huge percentage of the people in his administration are former Clinton people.
The Clinton advisors gave us DADT and DOMA. Bill Clinton threw us under the bus to get re elected.
The same seems to be going on again. Thank the heavens that we have the internet and blogs to counter the lies and liars in DC.
I am 65…we have to stop asking for our rights. Tell the dems (and the repubs) what you want, and that we will not support them until we have our full civil rights.
Without a doubt, Wayne, you and Lamont Hill are the best purveyors of hyperbole regarding the LGBT lifestyle.
Amen to your commentary. Obama and the Dems have taken my support for granted for too long, but no more. Until the Obama apologizes for his gay-bashing comments in the DOJ brief and the Dems in Congress act on Pro-LGBT legislation they can’t count on any more Money, Support, or Votes from me or my partner.The boycott is on against the Dems and it will continue until they wake-up and change their behavior.
Lenworth, you asked “Other then spending money, what could possibly be the down fall of organizing a massive march on washington?”
I think there are many potential downsides, especially if the march is not successful, but here are three important ones:
(1) The people in DC that need to see and be affected by the massive demonstrations the most — the President and Congress — won’t even be there the weekend of October 11. So why play to an empty house?
(2) If we don’t plan this right, work out all the logistics, advertise the event in all mass media, secure the proper permits, and mobilize people all over the country (and, really, the world) for this event — something that will take at least a couple of years, if done right — then that can take the wind out of the sails of our movement and play well into the opposition’s hands. I can hear it now. “Well, the gays couldn’t even be bothered to show up and fight for their own cause, so what’s the big deal?” It would be touted as a victory for the anti-marriage equality folks. The momentum is on our side, let’s not squander it on a failed demonstration.
(3) You mentioned spending money, and that’s a big consideration. There are so many more places where our funds can be used more effectively and make more impact — like defeating Referendum 71 in Washington and the “people’s veto” of marriage equality in Maine. To me, it’s more important to see Maine NOT become the Prop 8 state on the east coast this year than it is to hastily organize a demonstration in DC that will most likely be ignored by our Federal government.
Just some thoughts. I’m certainly not going to begrudge anyone if they decide to go forward with the march in DC, but I really think our time and efforts can make more of an impact in other places. We need to be smart about this.
Hi “John in SD”–with all due respect, you can’t just put all of Obama’s betrayal of our community on the former Clinton people he has on staff. Obama is the President for God’s sake!! He is the one promised hope, change and almost a chicken in every pot!!
Wayne Bensen has it right when he said, “if the donkeys can’t deliver now, they can kiss my ass!” I am on the mailing list of seemingly EVERY Democratic Party list because I contributed and volunteered during Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Now, I WILL NOT volunteer, I WILL NOT contribute my money, and I WILL MARCH ON WASHINGTON!!
The Black civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s would have NEVER gotten anywhere were it not for ordinary black people (and sympathetic persons of other races) marching, protesting, boycotting, etc. The Gay civil rights movement won’t go anywhere without ordinary gay people (and sympathetic hetrosexual persons) adopting a similar strategy. Lyndon Johnson did not sign the Voting Rights Act just to be a nice guy. Obama is President due in large part to the many sacrifices of Black civil rights activism for over 50 years.
It’s a shame that the man is considered “groundbreaking” and “historic” simply because he is Black. Give me Martin Luther King Jr. any day, anytime over Obama.