I have simmered, stewed, and am about to explode!
I think President Obama has behaved exactly as I expected, and frankly predicted. I was duped, and so were the rest of us. I was an ardent Hillary supporter specifically because I did not trust Obama on issues of gay equality. I threw my support completely behind him, and "hoped" for the best. What we have gotten as a community thus far is much less than the best; it's not the worst, but not far from there.
President Obama is playing with fire.
Seems to me that he thinks he is smarter than the gays in America. He has mistakenly lumped us into the category of "Americans that don't pay attention." He has forgotten that we heard him with our own ears promise equality. He has made a critical mistake to think the LGBT community doesn't pay attention to politics. He has proven himself a fool to believe us dumb, disconnected, or willing to forgive and forget.
President Obama, you said:
"It is my strong belief that the government has to treat all citizens equally. I come from that in part out of personal experience. When you're a black guy named Barack Obama, you know what it's like to be on the outside. And so my concern is continually to make sure that the rights that are conferred by the state are equal for all people.
That's why I opposed DOMA in 2006 when I ran for the Senate. That's why I am a strong supporter not of a weak version of civil unions, but of a strong version, in which the rights that are conferred at the federal level to persons who are part of the same sex union are compatible.
When it comes to federal rights, the over 1,100 rights that right now are not being given to same sex couples, I think that's unacceptable, and as president of the United States, I am going to fight hard to make sure that those rights are available." Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues Aug 9, 2007
And then just last week you turned your back on your own words with a hatefully crafted brief that defends DOMA. I have said it before, and meant it quite sincerely, that this so-called brief could have easily been authored by Falwell, proofed by Limbaugh, and then endorsed by Rick Santorum. Not the words of a man of principle, who pleaded his case with "change", "hope," and a cry of "yes we can." Instead we are met with the reality of hypocrisy in Democracy, where anything is promised to get elected.
Obama caused the LGBT community to mobilize. He empowered some among us to spend; vigorously in an attempt to ensure his election. He inspired many, and now has disappointed all.
I knew as he lamely defended the choice of "x-gay" Donnie McClurkin to head up a fundraising concert series that he was no real friend of gay rights. I knew, and warned, that with the choice of Rick Warren, a new policy was being flaunted. I knew he didn't mean to help me and my partner enjoy the American birthright of equality. I knew it. I was right, and I am now horrified to have to admit it. I too was drawn into the message of hope. I too, when Hillary was cast aside, joined the Obama-bots on the march to Washington. I hoped against my own better judgement that I would be wrong, and I wasn't.
Fortunately, I am a member of a community that is paying attention. We are aware we are being used. We feel the hypocrisy of his message most keenly. I feel the worst for those in the community that supported Obama from day one, and who believed in him with all their hearts. It pains me to see them squirm as they try to defend him today. To listen as they use GOP talking points of priorities, not being able to make time for this issue and such. Still, I am encouraged by those same friends, as they peel away from defense to look on in disgust. One can't use the "gay rights aren't his biggest priority" argument when you actually read the pages long brief. And none can cling to that after yesterday's BS Memo debacle. Instead of real rights, the President thought we wouldn't notice he issued a Memo to give SOME rights to Federal Employees.
So many problems with this failed attempt at a "smoke and mirror" from the Obama administration. First, it's a MEMO! Memo's, though interesting, as null-and-void on the last day of his Presidency. Second, and more importantly, what do those few rights do for all of us (in majority) that don't work for the Federal Government? Finally, how can this Memo be seen as anything but a roadblock to equality when it fails to protect Military personnel, the majority employee group of the Federal government!? Obama, instead of placing a band aid, pulled viciously at a scab and is doing precious little to stop the bleeding.
I hate to speak critically of this President who I so admire.
It bothers me to have to call him out when I support EVERY other thing he has done so far.
It kills me to know that in spite of this, he will do more for this nation than so many generations of President's before him.
I applaud him.
Yet, inasmuch as it is my birthright to be equal under the law in America, it is also my responsibility to speak truth to power. Obama is splitting hairs with our community, and trying to walk a thinning line that allows him to pander to us without follow through. He has played the gay community for cash, and thus far is showing little in the way of remorse for his actions, words, or misdeeds.
I am still proud to call him Mister President, just not as enthusiastic as I once was; for Obama has already changed much, he has forgotten the changes we all sought were rooted in: Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency.
Obama's two-faced course correction is a serious mistake. He has mistaken us as stupid, and he will regret that decision from now until he does right by our community. We paid his way into office, and the LGBT community can pay his way right back out of it.
UPDATE! From Americablog:
The Stonewall Democrats have pulled out of the big fundraiser. I told ya that we aren't stupid and know when we have been betrayed. Never cross a queen! We aren't known for being forgiven, but rather vexed when crossed. This is a HUGE development in the story!
"...Let me put this another way. And again, no offense to Stonewall Dems. But these are folks that sometimes, some of us, think are more Dem than they are Gay. For them to stick it to the Democratic Party is rather huge. It's should be a big red warning light to the leadership of our party that this rupture with the gay community is real, and getting worse by the day.
From Ben Smith:
The members of the Board and our membership put our hopes, our dollars and our time into ensuring the election of Barack Obama because we believed that he supported us. To now have his Administration refer to our relationships in the same terms used by our long time enemies such as Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and James Dobson hurts on so many levels. To have our committed and loving relationships referred to as the moral equivalent of incest and pedophilia is not something that any of us ever expected from this Administration considering how hard we worked to be seen and respected. For that reason alone, advocating for attendance at a fundraiser to support the Administration and the DNC, while they have not condemned this hurtful language, is not something our membership will receive positively.