(Mark My Words has some valid concerns about the Obama Administration's foot-dragging on equal rights -- hopefully this can be a positive dialog focused on pushing the right kind of action. - promoted by Joe Bodell)
"After Monday's meeting, I am persuaded that President Obama is committed to working with our community to advance the visions and hopes of our entire country. I know that he has heard the message of frustration from our community about lack of meaningful action and the damage inflicted by missteps of the last few months. I am grateful for such a unique opportunity to present these issues to him, and I hope the messages we all brought to the White House resonate with the administration. I look forward to more rapid progress on change for the better."
And I'm curious on why you feel persuaded that President Obama is committed to anything related to our GLBT Community.
I don't want to sound diminishing on your experience, the opposite in fact: I'm terribly jealous that you had the opportunity to meet the President and the First Lady. If I had to close my eyes and imagine myself going into the White House with you, I'd have to admit -I'd feel mighty squishy in my tennis shoes. And, I'd have to admit that I would probably leave feeling all kinds of butterflies inside of me just for the experience alone.
...your argument that discrimination against same-sex couples doesn't count as discrimination and citation of case law on incest to claim that marriages of gay couples are unworthy of legal recognition was beyond the pale. Americans who support equality would not have been at all surprised if that brief had been filed by the Bush Administration. Coming from you, particularly without a broader public affirmation of your commitment to equality, it had the force of a hard slap in the face by someone we trusted.
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network has come out strongly against DADT and has urged the President, protested in front of the White House to put an end to Don't Ask Don't Tell.
I urge you to watch this documentary produced by SLDN. It is 8 minutes, 12 seconds long.
President Obama has never supported Gay Marriage. In July 2007, popular GLBT television channel Logo held the first "Presidential Debates" with all of the candidates including Mike Gravel, Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich and Barack Obama.
All of this overwhelming information surrounding the President of the United States and very little to show that he has any intention of ridding Don't Ask Don't Tell or DOMA and you're here to say that he's committed to our community and equality for GLBT everywhere. And, I have to ask you with all humility: What makes you persuaded to make you feel that way?
I can imagine your excitement, but I don't know of what other evidence you have that would convince me otherwise! Please help me to share your optimism!
